Alumna creates successful teaching system for special needs swimmers
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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
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Kayden Breedlove
ART DIRECTOR
Amy Howell
CONTRIBUTORS
Marisa C. Atkinson (JD 03), Kevin Bain (BA 98), HG Biggs (BA 24), Srijita Chattopadhyay, Bill Dabney (BA 89), Joe Ellis, Jay Ferchaud, Stefanie Goodwiller (MA 17), Marvis Herring, Brian Hudgins, Robert Jordan (BA 83, MA 90), Jordan Karnbach, Nathan Latil (BGS 17), Jessica Lynch (BSES 05), Joshua McCoy (MS 24), Hunt Mercier, Gary Pettus, Clara Turnage (BAJ 17), Rachel Vanderford (BS 19), Anna Williams
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
Jeff Hubbard (BBA 80, JD 83) president
Charles White (BBA 82) president-elect
Gail Pittman (BAEd 72) vice president
Todd Sandroni (BSPh 92, PharmD 97) athletics committee member
Zach Scruggs (BAccy 96, JD 00) 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
All offices are located at 651 Grove Loop, University, MS 38677. Call 662-915-7375 to subscribe. Periodicals postage paid at Oxford, MS 38655 and Jackson, MS 39201.
As spring brings renewed energy to our beautiful campus, we celebrate remarkable university achievements and anticipate the pinnacle of academic achievement: Commencement. We can’t wait to see our graduates’ bright futures as they join the ranks of our over 167,000 alumni and grow personal legacies of excellence, service and leadership that were nurtured right here at Ole Miss.
It’s an exciting time for research at our flagship institution. In February, our status as an R1 research institution was reaffirmed, marking a decade of the highest-level designation afforded by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Our excellence builds on the strength of programs across campus, including two celebrating anniversaries this year: our preeminent National Center for Natural Products Research, which is turning 30, and the School of Engineering, which was founded 125 years ago as the first engineering school in Mississippi.
Our R1 status is boosted by our stellar researchers who are excelling in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence. Recently, some of our faculty were invited to join Harvard, MIT, Duke and others in a $50 million international initiative launched by OpenAI to advance artificial intelligence research and education. Ole Miss is the only institution in Mississippi and one of only three Southeastern Conference universities invited to join the collaboration.
At the University of Mississippi Medical Center, a $25 million transformative gift from longtime UMMC and UM supporters Sandy and John Black will advance the capital campaign to build a new, state-of-the-art home for the Cancer Center and Research Institute. The gift is the single-largest in Medical Center history and will strengthen UMMC’s dedication to cancer care in Mississippi. And, thanks to $40 million in funding from the Mississippi Legislature, the UMMC School of Dentistry is also poised for expansion, which we celebrated in March with an official groundbreaking ceremony.
Meanwhile, our enthusiastic students continue to embody the spirit of service. The 14th annual RebelTHON danceathon broke records, raising $280,424 for a new cardiac nursing station at Children’s of Mississippi Hospital. This means that total RebelTHON contributions over the years now surpass $2 million. Additionally, continuing their impact for nine years, our dedicated and compassionate UMMC students delivered free dental care to more than 600 Mississippians during their annual Dental Mission Week.
On the athletic front, Audrey Gogniat fired a perfect 600 at the NCAA air rifle competition en route to becoming Ole Miss Rifle’s first individual national champion, in any event, in program history. Her iconic performance lifted the Rebels to a fourth-place team finish in the nation. The men’s track-and-field program secured a top 10 finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships, with Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan capturing his third consecutive national shot put title.
Finally, congratulations to the Ole Miss Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 honorees, whose personal, professional and philanthropic achievements exemplify the transformative impact of an Ole Miss education. We’re proud of their success and can’t wait to witness their continued impact and incredible trajectories.
Take care and Hotty Toddy!
Glenn F. Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96) Chancellor
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* APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Earn $250 cash back with an eligible auto loan refinance. Total amount financed (including GAP, warranty, fees, and cash-out) must total at least $20,000. Vehicle must be financed through another financial institution and the loan must be current to qualify. Loans currently financed through Mutual Federal Credit Union or Mississippi Federal Credit Union are not eligible. Cash back will be deposited into member’s Mississippi Federal account the same day of loan closing. Rate and term may vary based on creditworthiness, age of vehicle, and value of vehicle. Contact a Loan Officer for minimum/maximum loan terms based on amount financed. Subject to credit approval. This offer is not for lease buyouts or new purchases. Finance charges begin on the date the loan is made. Interest accrues during the payment deferral period. First payment is due within 90 days of loan disbursal. Interest rates subject to change. Other terms and conditions may apply, and membership eligibility applies. Offer subject to change without notice. For more details, contact 601-351-9200. Federally Insured by NCUA.
from the President
Alumni and Friends,
I am penning this letter the day after both the men’s and women’s basketball teams played in the Sweet 16. But the good news does not stop there, as all our spring teams are winning consistently. Of course, none of this is surprising, but what may be news to you is, in this post-COVID, NIL era, our student-athletes are breaking records in the classroom. In fact, 17 of 18 of our sports had a 3.0 or better team GPA last semester. Our student-athletes are simply winners — both on the field and in the classroom — and the Alumni Association looks forward to continuing to work with the Grove Collective.
In other news, please look elsewhere in this issue for in-depth information on the plans for a new Triplett Alumni Center. I will not go into all the reasons for a new building, because if you have either been inside or simply driven by our current building, it is obviously well past time to build. A new building takes money, and at this early stage I have been impressed with our alumni and friends who have already stepped up and given big and small gifts to this project. But we need your help. Please contact Mary Kate Skelton in the Alumni office to discuss your contribution. Our new building will make you proud.
There are many other reasons to be proud of Ole Miss. I attend a lot of sporting events at Ole Miss. Accordingly, I often get the pleasure of watching our national anthem performed. I am continually amazed by the talent of our Ole Miss “Pride of the South” band, pep band, the various ensembles, choirs, soloists and musicians that come from our student body and faculty.
And it also makes me proud that when asked by Glen Waddle, or our other announcers, to “stand and remove your headgear,” our fans do just that, and I have noticed that almost everyone has their hand over their heart, and many sing along. I was recently in the Dugout Club at a Rebel baseball game and was talking to friends when the singing of the national anthem began. All conversation stopped, every person stood up and faced the television that was showing the singer. I did not see anyone who did not have their hand over their heart — just as if we had been outside watching it live.
Here’s my personal practice for making the national anthem more meaningful: I stand, “remove my headgear,” face the flag and place my hand over my heart. Then during that patriotic song, I simply say a silent prayer for my country, my state, Ole Miss and for the safety of the athletes. I sometimes add a prayer for my friends who need that blessing. I cannot think of anything more important to do — or a better time to do it.
I have done the same thing through several different presidential administrations, and I have found it is just as important no matter who is in charge and what current events are happening. Give it a try — for, of course, such is your right because you live in “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
Hotty Toddy!
Jeff
Hubbard (BBA 80, JD 83)
Ole Miss Alumni Association President
f rom the Circle
THE LATEST ON OLE MISS STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF AND FRIENDS
Career Closet
WHERE FASHION MEETS OPPORTUNITY
The University of Mississippi’s Career Closet is more than just a closet; it is a gateway to opportunity and dreams. Housed in the South Oxford Center, the Career Closet offers students the chance to create a complete professional outfit ahead of a job interview, career fair or professional opportunity. And the best part is that the outfit — including a jacket, blouse or shirt, pants, belt and other accessories, depending on availability — is completely free.
“We know some students may not necessarily have the means to purchase professional attire, nor do they always know what constitutes it,” says Toni Avant (BA 86, MA 97, EdD 24), director of the UM Career Center. “We can help them select wardrobe items and provide overall advice on imaging and things that will boost their confidence to make sure that they present themselves well in front of employers.”
The closet opened in fall 2023 on the third floor of the Martindale-Cole Student Services Center and has served more than 750 students, providing them with some 1,600 articles of professional attire.
Career Center officials hosted a ribbon cutting for the new location on Feb. 12 to give faculty, staff and donors a chance to acquaint themselves with the resource.
Professional attire can be a critical factor in helping students launch a career, says Noel Wilkin, provost and executive
vice chancellor for academic affairs.
“If someone is not provided with an opportunity or lacks the confidence to pursue a lead to a job in their field, based on what they have or don’t have to wear to an interview, this room is a gateway to opportunities,” he says.
The best part? The outfit is theirs to keep.
“They don’t have to return anything and there’s no fee involved,” Avant says. “It’s theirs to keep for as long as they need it.”
The Career Closet is open all semester from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. Students can book an appointment to visit through the Handshake website.
The Career Center accepts new or gently used business casual and professional clothing in all sizes at the South Oxford Center. If you’re interested in donating, preferred items include:
• Suits, jackets, pants, skirts and dresses in neutral colors such as gray, black, navy or khaki
• Blouses, dress shirts and neutral-tone tops
• Belts, ties, accessories and new socks
• Gift cards to local clothing stores to help students find specific items.
For more information, contact the Career Center team at 662-915-7174.
Noel Wilkin (second from right), provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of Mississippi, and Natasha Jeter (right), assistant vice chancellor for wellness and student success, look through the offerings at the university’s Career Closet. The resource provides professional attire for students to use for interviews, conferences, internships and more. | Photo by Hunt Mercier
Preserving Music History
UM BLUES ARCHIVE CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
Rare 78-rpm records from legends such as Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, never-released studio recordings and personal letters sent to fans by Ray Charles are just a sliver of the 400,000 artifacts preserved in the University of Mississippi’s Blues Archive.
Housed in the J.D. Williams Library, the archive is celebrating 40 years of collecting stories, voices, memorabilia and images that define the genre often defined as “the people’s music.”
Born from struggle and resilience, the genre has threaded its style into countless others to become one of the nation’s most influential.
“Sometimes people have this misconception that blues is all sad music,” says Greg Johnson, head of the Department of Archives and Special Collections. “The blues is so important to much of the popular music people listen to today.”
The Blues Archive is one of the largest resources of its kind in the world, and its holdings and staff have served as an anchor to blues education since 1984. Luminaries such as Grammy- and Oscar-winning composer Quincy Jones visited the archive while planning to film “The Color Purple,” and archive staff members helped Johnnie Billington create the curriculum that launched the Delta Blues Education Program.
“The blues has clearly come of age,” says Bill Ferris, archive founder and founding director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture.
“It is no longer an isolated musical form that you travel to the Mississippi Delta to hear.”
An emeritus professor of history and senior associate director of the Center for the Study of the American South at the University of North Carolina, Ferris led efforts that secured the archive’s foundational collections in 1982-83, when B.B. King donated some 10,000 sound recordings and Ole Miss purchased Living Blues magazine.
Ferris’ vision to create an international repository of blues history resulted from his struggle to find articles and verified documents for his research, he says.
“Before I went to teach at Jackson State and then at Yale, I wrote my Ph.D. dissertation, ‘Black Folklore from the Mississippi Delta,’ at the University of Pennsylvania in 1969,” he says. “At that time, there were five or 10 books on the blues, many of which were written in England by Paul Oliver.
“When I proposed research projects and requested funding, people would often respond, ‘But there is nothing written on this subject. How can you do serious research on it?’ which really upset me.”
From exclusive performance footage to the one-of-a-kind clothing worn by blues musicians, the archive has been a fountain of knowledge for authors, filmmakers, researchers, historians, musicians and the public for four decades.
The archive’s Trumpet Records Collection includes all the
record label’s contracts, ledgers and business files. The access to such behind-the-scenes documents is something that has attracted the interest of business and law researchers.
“We also have all of Trumpet Records’ master recordings,” Johnson says. “Those include recordings that were never released, like alternate takes.
“The company determined which version to release, but that doesn’t mean the other ones are bad. Archive visitors may find them just as good or hear something they like even better.”
In a move to improve accessibility around the world, the archive’s staff plans to create a more interactive experience for online users and to digitize virtually all its noncommercial audio and video materials, thanks to a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Though the archive’s contents are usually kept in a private area and retrieved upon request, an anniversary exhibition titled “Soul & Spirit: 40 Years of Preserving the Blues” offers a closer look at the diverse repository.
Visitors can listen to rare records on the archive’s antique Victor phonograph, read a letter that then-Sen. Barack Obama wrote to Living Blues magazine, marvel at an original dress worn by the “Mother of Beale Street” and view blues-related books and letters.
“Most people don’t get the opportunity to see an original Robert Johnson recording or an original Charlie Patton recording, but in an archive like ours, they can come here and see these things,” Johnson says.
“It’s important to know about Mississippi’s and America’s cultural heritage, and the blues is right at the core of that.”
Greg Johnson, head of special collections and professor in the University of Mississippi Libraries, curated the Blues Archive 40th anniversary exhibition at the J.D. Williams Library. | Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay
DANIEL CZECH NAMED DEAN OF UM SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Daniel Czech, whose distinguished career includes performance psychology consulting for professional athletes and Fortune 500 companies, has been named dean of the University of Mississippi School of Applied Sciences following a national search.
Czech will join the university July 2, pending approval by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning trustees.
“I’m deeply honored and energized to join Ole Miss and become part of its rich tradition of academic excellence,” Czech says. “I am thrilled by the prospect of collaborating with our distinguished faculty and staff to cultivate the next generation of leaders in applied sciences.”
Czech comes to the university from Eastern Kentucky University, where he has served as dean of the College of Health Sciences since 2022. During his tenure at EKU, Czech was instrumental in developing the college’s research capabilities and grant funding framework, substantially broadening its donor network and achieving unprecedented retention rates among students, faculty and staff.
“I am excited about the experience and perspective that Dr. Czech will be bringing
The Sooner the Better
EARLY RISK DETECTION FOR HEART DISEASE SAVES LIVES
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Mississippi, accounting for nearly one-third of all the deaths in the state. This trend reflects a larger global issue, as CVD claims about 17.9 mil lion lives annually, making it the No. 1 cause of death worldwide.
However, many of these deaths are entirely preventable.
“More than half of cardio vascular disease can be prevented with early detection and treatment of risk factors,” says Dr. Bradley Deere, assistant professor of cardiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
pressure or high cholesterol. A family history of heart disease also significantly increases risk.
“Detecting and treating major risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can prevent the onset of CVD regardless of age,” Deere says. “The less you are exposed to risk factors, the lower your risk of developing heart disease.”
Risk factors for CVD include being over 40 years of age, smoking (current or former), living a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight and having high blood
Early screening plays a vital role in prevention. CVD symptoms can often go unnoticed, which makes screening an invaluable, cost-effective way to assess and manage risk. Through screening, doctors can identify high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes and obesity — key contributors to heart disease.
“Screening is an opportunity to
to the university and this position,” says Noel Wilkin, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. “He has experiences and accomplishments that have well positioned him to lead the school that is made up of clinical, professional and academic faculty, staff and programs.”
A recognized expert in performance psychology, Czech has published more than 90 peer-reviewed manuscripts and secured more than $6.5 million in research funding throughout his career.
His experience includes serving as an international ambassador for Major League Baseball and conducting numerous performance psychology clinics in 58 countries.
He holds a doctorate in sports and exercise psychology from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in performance psychology from Georgia Southern University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Denison University.
identify risk factors and begin changing your health in a positive way,” Deere says.
For individuals who may not know their health status, University Heart at UMMC offers comprehensive “Healthy Heart Screenings” designed to evaluate key cardiovascular risk factors. The noninvasive screenings take less than 30 minutes and include CT calcium score, electrocardiogram, body mass index, blood pressure, and cholesterol and glucose bloodwork.
The screening is self-pay and costs $100. Deere emphasizes that few screening programs offer such extensive testing — including coronary artery calcium scoring, EKG and lab work — for this fee. Similar screenings can even cost upward of $5,000.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” he says. “It pays to know your risk.”
Daniel Czech
Bringing His ‘A Game’
PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR RECOGNIZED BY SEC FOR RESEARCH, TEACHING
Passionate about research, scholarship and students, psychology professor Kenneth Sufka is the 2025 Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award winner for the University of Mississippi.
The SEC recognizes one faculty member annually from each of its member institutions possessing outstanding records in research and scholarship.
“Dr. Sufka exemplifies the highest ideals of research and teaching that the SEC Faculty Achievement Award represents,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96) says. “Throughout his more than 30 years at the university, he has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to both research excellence and student success.”
The university honored Sufka as a distinguished professor of psychology and pharmacology in 2022. He is also a research professor in the School of Pharmacy’s Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, who has published more than 90 articles and chapters on
neuroscience, pharmacology and philosophy of mind.
“I am deeply honored to be selected from among the many outstanding UM faculty for this recognition,” Sufka says. “I love that the Southeastern Conference promotes the importance of academic excellence across the 16 institutions with this and other award recognitions.”
What inspires Sufka in all his endeavors is the influence of his own teachers.
“Teachers can have such a profound influence on students, and I am no different,” he says. “I had two outstanding mentors in professors Ronald Peters and Richard Hughes of Iowa State University.”
Those two professors nurtured Sufka’s interests in studying the brain and were role models when he started his career. And like Peters and Hughes, Sufka has influenced his own students by following an open-door policy.
“I’ve always been of the mind that if you put student needs at the forefront, all the rest sorts itself out,” he says.
In 2011, Sufka compiled knowledge and tips he learned from students, colleagues and the science of teaching into a student-friendly book titled The A Game: Nine Steps to Better Grades More than 150 universities — including Ole Miss — give a copy of this resource to their entering students because it provides strategies and skills to master course material.
Sufka joined the Ole Miss faculty in 1992 after earning his doctorate in physiological psychology from Iowa State University. He has received the university’s 1996 Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award, 2005 UM Faculty Achievement Award and 2006 Thomas F. Frist Student Service Award.
“I am grateful UM gave me a chance to start my teaching and research career here,” he says. “It has been a great joy to be on this journey with the students who have passed through this campus.
“Ole Miss was a good fit well over 30 years ago and remains so today.”
Ken Sufka, distinguished professor of psychology and pharmacology at the University of Mississippi, talks to students during a psychology class. Sufka is being honored for his teaching, research and service in the Southeastern Conference’s Faculty Achievement Award program. | Photo by Nathan Latil
How to Ease Digital Eyestrain
SCREEN TIME MAY BE TAKING A TOLL ON VISION
Digital eyestrain is a common, and preventable, condition, but getting most people to significantly reduce their time on computers, smartphones, virtual reality headsets and other digital devices probably isn’t within sight.
Still, there are ways to relieve eyestrain symptoms, including measures that can be taken during actual screen time — good news for the large eye-stressed population.
“It’s upwards of 60 million people around the world, studies show,” says Dr. Bo Huang, professor of ophthalmology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
“Eyestrain typically develops between two to four hours of constant screen time; the biggest recommendation is to not use a screen more than four hours per day, but for many people that is not an option.”
Whatever the reason you have to, or choose to, plant your eyes on a screen, the result can be blurry vision or dry, achy, tired eyes that can also become overly sensitive to light.
And potential problems affect other body parts: headaches, neck strain and back pain from poor posture.
But at least one solution couldn’t be simpler: blinking.
“Far and away, when people have eyestrain, the No. 1 culprit is that we blink a lot less when doing visually intense tasks, regardless of whether it’s sewing, reading or watching a screen,” says Dr. Taylor Coleman, assistant professor of ophthalmology at UMMC.
In which case, experts refer you to the 20-20-20 rule: “Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds,” Huang says.
“Another way to relieve the strain is to find a comfortable sitting position,” Huang says. “Also, adjust the brightness and contrast on your screen.”
Computer eyeglasses can also be helpful, Huang says. While people may use the terms “computer eyeglasses” and “blue light glasses” interchangeably, they are not exactly the same.
Computer eyeglasses require an eye exam and a prescription.
“Some of the glasses can help with screen contrast; they are meant to reduce eyestrain,” Huang says.
Blue light glasses, on the other hand, are available over the counter at many stores or can be added as a premium option for prescription lenses, Coleman says. They purportedly reduce exposure to blue-violet light.
Two conditions that can worsen dry-eye symptoms are blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids, and meibomian gland dysfunction — the glands along the eyelid margin either produce low quality or poor quality of oil (meibum), which causes tears to evaporate too quickly.
“Getting those conditions diagnosed and treated should help with dry eyes,” Coleman says.
Some people turn to supplements, such as omega-3, or adopt a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids. A scientific journal report published in 2023 stated evidence exists for “the therapeutic potential” of omega-3 fatty acids for dry-eye disease, but “limitations highlight the need for future research.”
In the end, there is no evidence that permanent eye damage can result from screen time, Huang says. That includes watching too much TV.
Still, it’s not easy on the eyes.
“Again, the most effective way to avoid digital eyestrain is to reduce your screen time,” Huang says. “But, since you can’t get away from those devices in modern society, you just have to learn how to manage your usage better.”
by iStock
Photo
by iStock
Next Generation Partnership
UM JOINS NATIONAL COLLABORATIVE TO ADVANCE AI IN EDUCATION, RESEARCH
The University of Mississippi is among several select institutions worldwide invited to join NextGenAI, a $50 million initiative designed to advance artificial intelligence research and education.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, announced the consortium in March.
“The NextGenAI partnership marks a significant step in the University of Mississippi’s efforts to build on our existing expertise in artificial intelligence and explore new ways to integrate AI into our core mission of education, research and service,” says John Higginbotham, UM vice chancellor for research and economic development.
“This collaboration strengthens our commitment to innovation and positions our campus as a leader in advancing AI-driven solutions that benefit our students, faculty and the broader community.”
The collaboration aims to support AI-driven research in a variety of fields while supporting members’ mission of driving progress in science, medicine, technology and education.
“A close collaboration with universities is essential to our mission of building AI that benefits everyone,” says Brad Lightcap, chief operating officer of OpenAI. “NextGenAI will accelerate research progress and catalyze a new generation of institutions equipped to harness the transformative power of AI.”
Ole Miss is the only institution in Mississippi and one of only three Southeastern Conference universities invited to join the collaboration. NextGenAI will provide $50,000 to fund research through the National Center for Narrative Intelligence in partnership with the Center for Practical Ethics and the Institute for Data Science, says Wes Jennings, co-director of the center.
“The idea at the National Center for Narrative Intelligence is that we embrace AI as tools that can build efficiencies in research,” Jennings says. “OpenAI is a world leader in AI applications, and I think this collaboration shows that we are and have been recognized as an emerging leader in AI.”
Artificial intelligence can streamline data processing, find patterns and complete repetitive tasks at high speed, which can significantly reduce the amount of time needed to conduct research.
“We know that AI can do things in minutes that would take researchers hundreds of hours to do by hand,” he says. “It’s a tool; let’s use it to solve grand challenges nimbly and with efficiency.”
The center will host a competitive grant process to identify research projects that would benefit from OpenAI’s support. The call for applications will be available for Ole Miss researchers later this semester.
“This grant is going to allow us to support interdisciplinary, collaborative research,” Jennings says. “We want to kickstart ideas and provide resources that can help those working with AI on campus.
“We’re looking for bright ideas and bright minds to work on them.”
Photo
John Higginbotham
Wes Jennings
Road to a New Outlook
WORLD LOOKS DIFFERENT TO OLE MISS STUDENT TRAVELERS
Reese Milstead and Makayla Russell, two University of Mississippi juniors, crossed several international borders last summer when they decided to step outside their comfort zones.
Women’s Council scholars with financial assistance for internships in the United States and around the world. It also offers resources for study abroad programs and unique professional learning opportunities.
As Ole Miss Women’s Council for Philanthropy scholars, Milstead and Russell had an opportunity to study in Florence, Italy. Thanks to the council’s Global Leadership Circle program, the students journeyed across more than half-a-dozen time zones and encountered new languages and cultures.
Upon their return, both students gained renewed confidence.
“If I can go all the way to Italy and successfully navigate train trips and other travel challenges for six weeks, I feel like I can do anything,” Russell says.
Milstead agrees that the experience has changed her outlook on what she can achieve.
“We were two young women who had never been to that side of the world, so initially, it was intimidating to hop on trains and stay in places that were dramatically unfamiliar,” she says. “But by the end of our study abroad trip, we came home far more confident in our abilities than when we left.”
Providing OMWC scholars with vital resources they need to have transformative experiences, such as being able to study abroad or obtain an internship, is precisely the aim of the Global Leadership Circle.
The GLC supports experiential learning by providing
“The Women’s Council is dedicated to expanding the horizons of our scholars while encouraging them to be caring and compassionate leaders,” says Karen Moore (BS 82), a council member. “The Global Leadership Circle program is one of the most important tools we have to assist us with these efforts.”
When Russell and Milstead committed to a study abroad experience, the GLC provided the resources to make their dreams of attending college classes in Europe a reality.
“Once we were informed that GLC funds were available for our trip, it occurred to us that we had to be prepared to ensure we made the most of this remarkable opportunity,” Russell says.
“We had never traveled outside of the U.S. without our families, so we were a little nervous because we had no idea how to navigate alone,” Milstead adds.
The students immersed themselves in Italian culture through coursework at Ole Miss, including a class on the food and other aspects of the regions they would likely encounter.
“One of our professors took us to lectures on Italian culture, and we went to gelato and wine tastings,” Russell says. “We even took homemade pasta classes.”
The preparation turned out to be enormously beneficial.
The scholars discovered they were able to adapt to the unfamiliar culture and even recognize enough words to lower the language barrier, quickly becoming comfortable exploring new cities and overcoming the challenges they encountered.
“Reflecting on our trip, those six weeks abroad have allowed me to broaden my mindset and my future career possibilities,” Russell says.
“I can add that the experience has given me more confidence in my ability to overcome more of the obstacles we all will encounter in life after college,” Milstead says.
“Makayla and I are so grateful to the members of the Women’s Council and this incredible scholarship program, as well as all those who support the Global Leadership Circle. Because of their support, we and future OMWC scholars can have these opportunities.”
To learn more about supporting the Global Leadership Circle, contact Suzanne Helveston, program director, at shelveston@olemiss.edu or 662-915-2956.
University of Mississippi students Reese Milstead (left) and Makayla Russell visit the 2,000-year-old Colosseum in Rome while studying last summer in Italy. | Submitted photo
Beneficial Algorithms
OLE MISS RESEARCH USES AI TO MAKE INFRASTRUCTURE MORE RESILIENT
From predicting potholes to designing more durable concrete, artificial intelligence is paving the way for smarter infrastructure, a University of Mississippi researcher says.
Ali Behnood, assistant professor of civil engineering, has dedicated more than 10 years to this field of study. He has contributed to more than 60 published research articles about the role of artificial intelligence in sustainable infrastructure.
“The goal of our team in the NextGen Infrastructure Lab is to move toward the next generation of sustainable and resilient infrastructure,” he says.
In one of his most recent publications, Behnood and Abolfazl Afshin, an Ole Miss doctoral student in civil engineering from Zahedan, Iran, tested different artificial intelligence algorithms’ abilities to predict how well asphalt pavements with reclaimed asphalt pavement materials could withstand moisture.
When water seeps into asphalt, it can break the bonds that hold the materials
together. In its weakened state, the asphalt is more likely to crack or otherwise fail, Afshin says.
“We focused on moisture damage, which is one of the most critical issues in asphalt pavements, particularly for wet and cold regions, because it results in a variety of distresses like stripping, potholes and cracking,” he says. “We evaluated the effectiveness of four different artificial intelligence algorithms in predicting moisture damage in asphalt mixtures containing (reclaimed asphalt pavement) materials.
“What we found was that these algorithms are able to effectively predict moisture damage in asphalt mixtures with high accuracy. Based on these results, we can optimize material selection and predict failure probability in the pavement’s life cycle.”
Determining the best mixture of reclaimed asphalt pavement and other materials that can withstand wet and cold weather conditions without artificial intelligence would be an incredibly
time-consuming and cost-intensive process, Behnood says.
“Artificial intelligence-based algorithms offer a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional time-consuming and energy-intensive lab-based approaches.”
Any entity that wants to develop more sustainable, cost-friendly infrastructure can start using the procedures Behnood’s team developed, he says.
Besides predicting the potential failure of pavements, many other aspects of infrastructure can be streamlined by using artificial intelligence and machine learning, from designing better bridges and roads to waste management and monitoring railroads for faults or breakages, Behnood says.
“There are so many examples of how we can use AI for sustainability in all elements of construction and infrastructure. This is a huge area, and we are doing our little part in this huge area to move toward sustainability and to help society.”
Artificial intelligence can help streamline efforts to make more sustainable, durable infrastructure, according to recent research from University of Mississippi civil engineering professor Ali Behnood. | Graphic by Stefanie Goodwiller
More Than Words
STUDENTS PACK LITERACY KITS FOR NATCHEZ-ADAMS THIRD GRADERS
Agroup of University of Mississippi students is taking a hands-on approach to improve children’s reading skills in the state by donating reading resources to thirdgrade students in the Natchez-Adams School District.
Since 2013, education reform in Mississippi has helped dramatically improve the state’s fourth-grade reading score ranking from 49th to ninth in the nation. UM students want to add to the positive momentum to help the next generation succeed.
“Literacy is a foundation to everything in life,” says Cate Drane, an Ole Miss junior and founder of the Children’s Literacy Project. “Illiteracy leads to a multitude of problems — not only for learning in school.”
Founded at the start of the 2024-25 academic year, the student organization focuses on strengthening reading skills among K-5 students. Members assembled more than 250 literacy kits, which were delivered during a special assembly at McLaurin Elementary School on Feb. 7.
A Natchez native, Drane is a public policy leadership and public health double major working on minors in chemistry and biology.
Since her freshman year, she has also volunteered as an academic guide for the Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction’s
Mission Acceleration program, an AmeriCorps-funded K-5 literacy tutoring program, and seen how investing time and resources pays off.
“My first year, I worked with a little girl in first grade in Marks, Mississippi,” Drane says. “During her entry assessment for reading, she was crying because she couldn’t read or understand anything.
“Slowly but surely, that little girl read words, then sentences, then paragraphs and chapter books.”
Angela Rutherford is the faculty adviser for the Children’s Literacy Project and director of the university’s Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction. She says it gives her hope for Mississippi’s future to see dozens of college students voluntarily invested in enhancing the next generation’s reading skills.
“If you can’t read by the end of grade three, you’re more likely to be incarcerated, more likely to drop out of high school, less likely to go to college or have a consistent career, and more likely to be on public assistance,” Rutherford says.
The Children’s Literacy Project used discretionary funds from the Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction to purchase the literacy kit resources for students and educators. The group is applying for grant funding and plans to partner with rural school districts in the future.
University of Mississippi students involved in the Children’s Literacy Project pack literacy kits in Kinard Hall for third-grade students in the NatchezAdams School District. The kits include resources such as tips for parents to help their students improve their reading skills. | Photo by Hunt Mercier
Compliments to the Chef
RESEARCHER STUDIES ROBOTS IN THE KITCHEN
Walking into a favorite restaurant and seeing a robot chef in the kitchen may seem farfetched, but a University of Mississippi professor’s research suggests that bots could be a solution to persistent labor shortages in the industry.
Jeffrey Pittman II (MS 21, PhD 24), instructional assistant professor in nutrition and hospitality management, is researching the potential benefits — and numerous doubts — that surround robots invading the kitchen.
Robotic chefs and servers are never late, adhere to food safety protocols and rarely require maintenance. For the hospitality industry — which the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports has an annual turnover rate of more than 70% — robot chefs could be an answer to the labor shortage problem, Pittman says.
“The restaurant industry has had labor issues for about a decade,” says James Taylor, associate professor of nutrition and hospitality management. “With COVID, things got worse, and since COVID, things have not recovered.”
Despite the potential benefits, however, many people do not trust a robot to do the work of a chef.
“The current perception of robot chefs is that they’re never going to provide the human touch, they’re never
going to be able to cook better than a human,” Taylor says.
“My research is really aimed at showing that robot chefs aren’t necessarily designed to work by themselves in a kitchen environment. They’re supposed to serve as a supportive mechanism.”
Robots such as Flippy, a robot that flips burgers or works on frying stations, leave other kitchen workers in charge of plating and assembling the meal. By moving chefs into a supervisory role, restaurants could also work to solve a deeper problem, the Ole Miss professor says.
The restaurant industry’s struggle with hiring and sustaining longtime employees is tied to the low-pay and labor-intensive nature of the work, he says.
If a robot reduces labor costs, however, restaurants could afford to pay chefs more while increasing the quality of life for restaurant workers by removing some of the menial labor, Pittman says. With the rise of robot chefs, the industry would also need more robot technicians, opening the door for new jobs.
A restaurant owner can spend
around $50,000 on a robot chef or rent one for $3,000 a month, which seems like a large investment, Pittman says. But owners must also account for the potential cost of employee turnover.
“On average, you’re going to be spending $5,000 to hire someone,” Pittman says. “That’s filing paperwork, paying for background checks, health insurance, drug tests and training. In addition to that, you have a salary.
“And if that person quits in four, five, even six months, that money is gone.”
Many kitchen robots don’t need maintenance for at least four years, Pittman says.
“That’s $50,000 for four years of work, and even when they need maintenance, the cost to repair them is relatively low.”
In his ongoing study, Pittman surveyed potential restaurant customers to gauge their trust in three kitchen setups: fully human staff, a mix of humans and robots, and a fully automated kitchen.
“I was not shocked when the results said people were really unlikely to be satisfied with the service from a fully automatic restaurant,” he says. “But what shocked me was this: People were actually just as willing to trust a kitchen that utilizes both robot chefs and human chefs in comparison to one that utilizes human chefs alone.”
Jeffrey Pittman
James Taylor
Photo by Adobe Stock
Landscape Legacy
JEFF MCMANUS RETIRES AFTER 25 YEARS OF TRANSFORMING OLE MISS
After more than two decades of cultivating the University of Mississippi campus into a nationally recognized showcase, Jeff McManus is retiring.
McManus, director of landscape and solid waste services, retired Feb. 14, leaving behind a legacy of horticultural excellence brought to life in iconic locations such as the Grove and the Circle.
“Jeff is a rock star in the green industry with a passion for growing
of landscaping” — in 2002 and 2013. Numerous publications, including USA Today, Princeton Review and Newsweek, named it as the nation’s most beautiful college campus.
The university’s landscaping staff maintains more than 1,000 acres on the central campus. They plant an average of 20,000 seasonal color plants, 10,000 tulip bulbs and 10,000 daffodils annually, as well as more than 200 new trees.
After graduating from Auburn
both landscapes and people,” says Nathan Lazinsky, assistant director of landscape services. “Jeff’s unwavering commitment to excellence has left a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations to uphold the highest standards in landscape management and campus beautification.”
Since his arrival in 2000, Ole Miss has regularly been recognized for its outstanding beauty, including two Grand Awards from the Professional Grounds Management Society — sometimes called the “national championship
University, McManus took his passion for plants to Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Florida, where he landed his first job as a landscape project manager. Soon, McManus accepted a position a little farther south at Turnberry Isle Resort and Club in North Miami.
While McManus describes his time in Florida as filled with great people and teamwork, the call of the South — “grits, sweet tea and biscuits” — pulled him back home.
A phone call from his college professor 12 years after their first meeting
presented an opportunity: a chance to transform Ole Miss into “the most beautiful campus in America.” This vision, shared with then-Chancellor Robert Khayat (BAEd 61, JD 66), convinced McManus to pack his bags for Oxford.
“I would not be here if it wasn’t for Robert Khayat,” McManus says. “I realized I didn’t have to always drive a tractor, always manually doing the work.
“Once I saw there was leadership opportunities, I felt like this was a good spot for me.”
Along the way, he has earned several regional and national honors, including:
• Auburn University’s College of Agriculture 2016 Outstanding Alumni Award for Horticulture
• UM 2016 Outstanding Staff Member for executive administrative/ managerial
• Professional Grounds Management Society’s 2016 President’s Award
• Serving as president, president-elect, vice president and treasurer for PGMA.
McManus cultivated the leadership lessons he had learned through his landscaping team at the university.
He has hosted several leadership training workshops on campus and often speaks at businesses and conferences on leadership. He also has written three books.
“Inspiring” and “peaceful” are two words McManus uses to describe how people want to feel when they step foot on the Ole Miss campus. The importance of consistency in the landscaping design around campus is an integral part of what McManus achieved during his years in Oxford.
“We’re creating this space for people to create the pictures,” McManus says. “Famous photographer Ansel Adams once said, ‘You don’t take a photograph, you make it.’ In landscape service, we want to make great spaces for great photographs.”
Jeff McManus, who retired Feb. 14 after 25 years heading the University of Mississippi’s Department of Landscape Services, leaves a legacy of horticultural excellence that has transformed the Ole Miss campus into one of the nation’s most beautiful. | Photo by Robert Jordan
Dynamic Flight
SHARK-INSPIRED DESIGN COULD MAKE AIR TRAVEL FASTER, MORE EFFICIENT
The same flow dynamics that allow sharks to swim easily through Earth’s oceans could also allow humans to fly faster through the air, according to a University of Mississippi professor. His research aims to prove it.
Wen Wu, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Ole Miss, will use a grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to improve air flow dynamics for flight, potentially reducing energy consumption while making air travel more efficient.
“Sharks are special because their dermal denticles are different from the scales of the other fish,” Wu says.
Wu will partner with Louis Cattafesta, the John G. and Jane E. Olin Endowed Department Chair in mechanical, materials and aerospace engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology, on the study.
“We have a concept that is based on shark skin that, based on some preliminary simulations, can lead to drag reduction in a way that was not previously considered,” Cattafesta says.
create a swirling stream of water near the surface of the body.
Wu found that a backward flow of water slips under the top crown of the denticles and pushes against their cylindrical base, effectively using the water’s force to propel the shark forward.
Shark skin is made up of hundreds of millions of scales — called denticles — that are shaped like a three-toed dinosaur track. The curved bottom of the ‘foot’ faces outward, while a cylindrical column at the base anchors the denticle to the shark’s body.
Their bodies taper from head to tail, and as streams of water travel over that narrowing surface, they do not cling to the shark’s body. Instead, the flow of water tends to detach from the body. During maneuver, this detached flow may
Integrating this design into airplanes, ships and other crafts could reduce the amount of energy used while improving aerodynamics, Cattafesta says.
“If you can reduce drag by even a fraction of a percent, you can have tremendous savings in energy costs associated with flying an aircraft,” he says. “Then there’s the added beneficial effect that you’ll have reduced emissions and climate impact.”
Wu will lead numerical simulations of how denticle-inspired materials perform in different wind conditions, and Cattafesta will perform experiments based on the results of those simulations.
“If we’re going to optimize this, then we have to know what size the denticles have to be, the spacing of the necks, all of those details that we need for advanced manufacturing technology,” Wu says.
“We’re going to develop surface coatings or add-ons structures based on the findings from denticles, improve them to exceed the biological limit of sharks and optimize them so that we can maximize the subsurface reverse flow and use it in cars, airplanes or even the bodies of athletes.”
This material is based on work supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under award no. FA9550-25-1-0033.
Wen Wu
Graphic by Stefanie Goodwiller
from the Circle
Smart Shopping
SIMPLE TIPS FOR HEALTHIER GROCERY TRIPS
Healthy eating doesn’t have to break the bank, but it does require strategy. Shopping for nutritious meals starts before you even reach the store — by understanding food labels and knowing how to make cost-effective choices.
The key is balance, not avoidance. While we should be mindful of nutrients such as sodium and saturated fat, every nutrient, including carbohydrates and sugars, has a role in a healthy, well-balanced diet. The real focus should be on the type, source and portion of these nutrients.
We tend to lump food into good or bad, but there is room for all foods when balanced correctly, says Josie Bidwell (BSN 04), director of the Office of Well-Being at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
“One of the biggest mistakes I see is only shopping on the perimeter,” Bidwell says. “The advice to only shop the perimeter of the store was designed to focus on fresh, less-processed foods, but that is also often where the most expensive items are found. It doesn’t take advantage of some nutritional powerhouses like dried beans, whole grains and frozen fruits or vegetables.”
Frozen fruits and vegetables are a prime example of affordable nutrition. Because they are often picked at peak ripeness and flash-frozen, they are often more nutritionally dense than the fresh option. Fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly when out of season, are often harvested before they are ripe so that they are more visually appealing when they reach the store. These items often do not have as much nutrient density.
Bidwell suggests looking for frozen items that are not packed in syrup or covered with butter or cheese sauces. Instead, look for plain fruits and vegetables in the frozen section and season them at home.
When it comes to canned produce, you should be a bit more selective.
“Canned fruit may be packed in syrup, so look for items packed in their own juice or water,” Bidwell says. “Canned vegetables may be high in sodium, so be sure to read the label. You can look for low sodium or no added salt varieties, but these may be more expensive. Any fruit or vegetable is better than skipping them all together, so buy what you can afford and drain and rinse them. This can significantly reduce the added sodium or sugar content.”
For those who are short on time, convenience doesn’t have to mean sacrificing nutrition. Convenience foods can include pre-chopped ingredients or quick-cooking options such as microwavable rice and steamable vegetables.
“Focus as much as you can on whole, minimally processed foods,” Bidwell says. “Microwave rice and a steamable frozen vegetable and round out a lean protein for an easy, low-effort meal that beats fast food any day.”
Another budget-friendly tip is to swap or stretch meat with legumes. Beans, peas and lentils are inexpensive and high in protein.
“My favorite place to use them are in tacos, spaghetti and shepherd’s pie,” Bidwell says. “If you aren’t ready to ditch the meat completely, try reducing the meat by half and add two cups of cooked legumes. Stretch that pound of meat to two meals.”
By reading labels, planning smart substitutions and embracing convenience without excess processing, you can shop healthy without emptying your wallet.
Illustration courtesy of UMMC
Calendar
Performance: Wind Ensemble Spring Concert
MAY 1
MAY
Through Aug. 23 Exhibit: “By M.B. Mayfield.” Ecru artist M.B. Mayfield (1923-2005) famously studied art from a broom closet while working as a janitor for the art department at the University of Mississippi. Though he is often considered the “first African American to study at Ole Miss,” he was never officially enrolled. His paintings are known for their sophisticated sense of perspective and color when compared to other folk art. UM Museum, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit museum.olemiss.edu.
Through Feb. 7, 2026 Exhibit: “American Quilts: Stories of Perseverance.” This exhibit celebrates the rich variety of American quilt patterns and the unified spirit of perseverance that has helped generations through many cold nights. UM Museum, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Visit museum.olemiss.edu.
1
Performance: Wind Ensemble Spring Concert. Ford Center, 7:30 p.m. Visit fordcenter.org/events.
7
Commencement: School of Business Administration – Master’s Ceremony. Ford Center, 9:30 a.m. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
7Commencement: College of Liberal Arts – Master’s Ceremony. Ford Center, noon. Visit eventcalendar. olemiss.edu.
7
Commencement: School of Applied Sciences – Master’s Ceremony. Ford Center, 3:30 p.m. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
7
Commencement: Graduate School Doctoral Hooding. The SJB Pavilion, 6 p.m. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
8 Commencement: School of Pharmacy. The SJB Pavilion, 11 a.m. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
8
Commencement: School of Law. The SJB Pavilion, 3:30 p.m. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
9Commencement: School of Education. The SJB Pavilion, 9 a.m. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
9Commencement: School of Journalism and New Media. The SJB Pavilion, noon. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
9Commencement: School of Applied Sciences. The SJB Pavilion, 3 p.m. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
9Commencement: School of Business Administration. The SJB Pavilion, 6:30 p.m. Visit eventcalendar. olemiss.edu.
10Reception: A Toast to Graduates. The Ole Miss Alumni Association invites its members from the Class of 2025 to a reception in their honor featuring photo opportunities and commemorative champagne flutes. Triplett Alumni Center, 9-11 a.m. Register at olemissalumni.com/events.
Photo by HG Biggs
10
Commencement: 2025 Convocation. The Grove, 9 a.m. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
10
Commencement: General Studies. Ford Center, 11 a.m. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
10
Commencement: Patterson School of Accountancy. The SJB Pavilion, 11 a.m. Visit eventcalendar. olemiss.edu.
10
Commencement: School of Engineering. The SJB Pavilion, 2:30 p.m. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
10
Commencement: College of Liberal Arts. The SJB Pavilion, 6 p.m. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
16-17Ole Miss Student Hall of Fame Reunion: Various times and locations on the Oxford campus. Join fellow members of the Ole Miss Student Hall of Fame for a reunion weekend. Call 662-915-7705 or email bmarsh@olemiss.edu.
19-20
Spring AI Institute: The AI Institute is designed to prepare instructors at many different levels for practical teaching strategies in the age of generative AI. Duff Center, 9 a.m.2 p.m. Visit eventcalendar.olemiss.edu.
31Mississippi on the Mall: Henry Bacon Ball Field on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., 2-6 p.m. The 34th annual picnic will feature Mississippi farm-raised catfish, beverages and live music. Email info@mississippisociety.org.
Mississippi in the Park: Hudson River Park in New York City, noon-4 p.m. Mississippians in the city and anyone with a Mississippi connection are invited for a day of fun on the Hudson River. Email mississippisocietynyc@gmail.com.
22
Clubs: Ole Miss Club of New England Summer Sendoff. Location TBA. Email olivia@olemissalumni.com.
28
Clubs: DFW Ole Miss Rebel Club Golf Tournament. Bear Creek Club, 3500 Bear Creek Court, Dallas. Email dfw@alumni.olemiss.edu.
JULY
11UM Law Alumni Luncheon: Annual meeting of the Mississippi Bar: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa in Destin, Florida, 12:15-1:30 p.m. Call 662-915-1878 or email scott@olemissalumni.com.
For a 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 by Bill Dabney
A New Era for Ole Miss Alumni
By Jim Urbanek
Renderings by Eley Guild Hardy
For almost 75 years, Ole Miss alumni have found a home at the Alumni House overlooking the iconic Grove. This space has served as a hub for connection, celebration and memories. However, as the university — and its alumni base — continues to grow, so has the urgency for a facility that meets the evolving needs of the Ole Miss community.
The Alumni House was originally built in 1950, a time when Ole Miss had just over 11,000 alumni. It quickly became a beloved space where alumni returned to reminisce and reconnect. As the university’s footprint expanded and enrollment grew over the years, the need for a larger, more versatile space became increasingly evident.
The Triplett Alumni Center, named for late past president Dr. Faser Triplett (BA 55), was completed in 1997 to meet some of these needs. But with an alumni population now over 168,000 and a thriving campus community, a space is needed that reflects the growth of Ole Miss.
Ole Miss Alumni Association CEO Kirk Purdom (BA 93) says the Association plays a crucial role in maintaining lifelong connections between the university and its former students. Through programs, events and initiatives, he says the association fosters a sense of belonging that extends well beyond graduation. As the number of living alumni has surged, the demand for facilities to support these relationships has only increased.
“Enhanced facilities are not only essential in achieving this mission but also contribute to expanding services and engagement opportunities,” Purdom says. “Demands for meeting and event spaces exceed the current Triplett Alumni Center’s capacity. Some traditional events have moved off campus, while some new requests have been declined due to space limitations.”
Plans to fulfill this need are underway with a new and improved Triplett Alumni Center — a transformative space that promises to honor the university’s legacy while meeting the needs of a growing alumni community.
The envisioned expansion of Triplett Alumni Center serves multiple purposes, all aligned with the Alumni Association’s
commitment to supporting the university community.
“Our current building has served us well for decades, but it’s simply past time for a new facility,” says Alumni Association President Jeff Hubbard (BBA 80, JD 83). “Our alumni have already started answering the call with generous gifts that will ensure the new Triplett Alumni Center becomes a source of pride for generations to come.”
Architectural plans call for a classic red-brick building — a $51 million-plus project that will ultimately welcome visitors and enhance the great beauty of the Oxford campus. The alumni center will serve as a gateway to campus, welcoming visitors as they enter Grove Loop from University Avenue.
A lead gift of $4 million from the Dr. and Mrs. R. Faser Triplett Foundation was a significant start in the building of a new alumni center, which will retain the Triplett Alumni Center name.
The Triplett Foundation is managed by their children: Chip Triplett, of Ridgeland; Diane Holloway (BS 85), of Nashville, Tennessee; Suzy Fuller (BBA 88, MBA 89), of Greenwood, South Carolina; Liz Walker (BSW 89), of Jackson; and Lou Ann Woidtke, of Madison.
“My siblings and I are thrilled that the alumni center will welcome a whole new generation of students, alumni and families,” Holloway says. “It will act as a front door to the university that everyone can be proud of.
“We know that the new building will continue to anchor our community, just as the old building has for decades. And we are excited to see it evolve to meet new needs and purposes that advance the university’s cutting edge.”
A primary function of the new facility will be to serve as a welcome center, extending hospitality to alumni, prospective
students, university guests and others. A partnership with the Office of Enrollment Management will see staff and offices housed on the first floor, allowing the center to be the starting point for campus tours.
“Interest in Ole Miss and the demand to visit campus is at an all-time high,” says Martin Fisher (BA 11, MA 14, EdD 21), director of campus visits and orientation programs. “Having a dedicated space in such a beautiful area of campus will enhance our visitor experience and allow us to increase the number of people we host each year.
“We are excited about the partnership and are appreciative of the Ole Miss Alumni Association for having the vision to include us in this project.”
The ground floor will also house a ballroom with seating for 150, the alumni records office, a catering kitchen and a large gathering space in the lobby. This allows for early connections with prospective students, fostering a relationship that lasts throughout their time at the university and beyond.
“With the new construction being one of the first places for new students and their parents to visit on campus right across the Grove, we felt that it would make a great first impression,” Chip Triplett says. “It will also be one of the last places they go when they graduate from school. Then any time they come back and as they have children of their own, they can say, ‘This is the first place I came when I was on this campus, and I have great memories of it.’ That’s our goal for this gift.”
The second floor will be home to extensive event and meeting spaces, including a grand ballroom seating 300-plus, a large pre-function area, multiple breakout rooms and the president’s hospitality suite.
An expansive balcony will offer a one-of-a-kind view of the Grove, making it an ideal setting for receptions, reunions and other special events. This space will allow the Alumni Association to host a wide range of gatherings, from career fairs to alumni reunions, rehearsal dinners and weddings, further enhancing opportunities for connection.
OMAA immediate past president Karen Moore (BS 82)
and her husband, Bruce Moore (BBA 82), see the new alumni center as a perfect and needed addition to Grove Loop and showed their support with a $500,000 gift toward the project.
“Bruce and I believe the new ballroom and event spaces are desperately needed and will create a warm and inviting atmosphere for both alumni and students with weddings and many other events,” Karen Moore says. “Prospective students will immediately feel a connection to Ole Miss as they step into a space that celebrates tradition while embracing the future.”
A significant aspect of the new Triplett Alumni Center is the integration of the athletic legacy of Ole Miss. The third floor will house the M-Club Alumni Chapter, featuring special collections and memorabilia in the Manning Room and the Jake Gibbs Room.
This space will provide a gathering area for former athletes, complete with a large terrace overlooking the Grove as well as an opportunity for all alumni, families and visitors to experience the rich history of Ole Miss athletics.
To kick-start this project, the M-Club Alumni Chapter is committing a $1.5 million gift toward the design and construction of the new space. M-Club Director Jessica Lynch (BSES 05) says this pledge marks the beginning of a special project with the hope of inspiring additional support from M-Club members.
“We want to create a space that tells the full story of our athletic traditions, by honoring the past, celebrating the present, and highlighting the evolution of athletics to inspire the future so every Ole Miss fan can experience it,” Lynch says.
Currently, the M-Club Museum is housed in the Starnes Athletic Training Center, where it has long preserved the history and memorabilia of the past. While this location will continue to showcase important pieces of athletic legacies, the transition to Triplett Alumni Center will allow for enhanced features.
This will include interactive exhibits as well as a broader representation of all sports. The vision also includes a dedicated Hall of Fame, providing a distinguished area to honor
outstanding individuals who have left a lasting impact on Ole Miss athletics.
M-Club Alumni Chapter President Ryan Jones (BSES 05) highlights the significance of the improvements in the new space.
“I am excited to see the investment in the new M-Club room,” Jones says. “Because of the efforts Jessica Lynch has made to grow our M-Club alumni base, the current space has limited capacity. This new area will provide a larger space for former athletes to gather, reunite and celebrate our athletic traditions.
“One of the most exciting aspects of the new M-Club room will be on game day, where former letterwinners can enjoy views from the balcony overlooking the Grove, and spend time with former teammates while sharing old memories and catching up on life.”
Lynch adds that the new M-Club space will be unlike any other in the country.
“Our new space will showcase iconic pieces of Ole Miss sports history — from Jake Gibbs’ glove and Archie Manning’s cast to the Women’s Golf National Championship trophy and Olympic medals,” she says.
The fourth floor will accommodate Alumni Association staff, with offices, a boardroom, an additional conference room, a workroom, and roof decks on the north and south sides. This space will allow for increased operational efficiency and ensure the Association continues to provide high-quality services and programs.
Mary Kate Skelton (BS 18), Alumni Association fundraising director, emphasizes the importance of these improvements.
“Having a state-of-the-art facility will empower our staff to better serve our growing alumni community,” she says. “It’s about creating a space where we can enhance programming and build on the incredible momentum we’ve established.”
Skelton adds that the new center will be much more than a building of brick and mortar. It represents a lasting commitment to the growth and excellence of Ole Miss.
“Beyond providing physical space for events and programming, the center will serve as a catalyst for increased alumni engagement, deeper connections and a greater sense of community,” she says.
“The University of Mississippi is home to one of the most beautiful and thriving campuses in America, and the new Triplett Alumni Center will reflect that same spirit of excellence. It will stand as a tribute to the leadership, success and lasting impact of our incredible alumni.”
With a firm foundation in tradition and a vision for the future, Purdom says the new Triplett Alumni Center will be more than just a building — it will be a symbol of the unwavering spirit of the Ole Miss family, welcoming prospective students as they embark on their journeys and providing a cherished space for alumni to celebrate their continued connection to Ole Miss.
Purdom says half the funds need to be raised before construction can break ground, and progress toward that goal is well underway thanks to pledges and gifts from generous supporters who, in addition to ones previously mentioned, include the Brevard Family Foundation, Susie and Lampkin (BBA 73) Butts, Cindy and Scott (BBA 84) Coopwood, Rose (BAEd 79) and Richard Flenorl, Laura and Walton (BBA 71) Gresham, Rebecca and Billy (MD 73) Long, Joseph Marshall, Brett (BA 97) and Bill (BA 79, JD 82) May, Melanie and Hal (MD 76) Moore, Laura (BA 69) and Richard (BBA 68, JD 73) Noble, Martha (BAEd 61) and John Pietri, Brian Pinto, Gail (BAEd 72) and John (BBA 72) Pittman, Mary Sharp (BAEd 64) and Jim (MD 66) Rayner, Cindy (BAEd 73) and Bill (BA 72, JD 77) Reed, Suzan (BA 68) and Tommy (BA 65) Thames, and Sandy and Greer (BS 72, MD 75) Whitacre.
As Hubbard succinctly says, “Our alumni will be proud of this new center — a place where memories are made, traditions are celebrated and connections last a lifetime.”
For more information on supporting this project, contact Mary Kate Skelton at marykate@olemissalumni.com or 662-915-2377.
Pooling Resources
Alumna creates successful teaching system
for special needs swimmers
By Brian Hudgins
When a friend asked Beth Scruggs (BA 79) more than two decades ago if she could help a 14-yearold with Down syndrome learn how to swim, the request became a life changer.
Scruggs, a Nashville native, had run local summer swim meets and coordinated Special Olympics state meets.
“I loved the Special Olympics meets so much,” Scruggs says. “I met so many swimmers who grabbed hold of my heart. I saw swimmers stop in the middle of a race to let a friend catch up so they could finish together. That’s something I had never seen before in competitive swimming.”
Instructing individual swimmers with special needs signaled a new journey. Scruggs started with one swimmer. That turned into six. Then it was 12.
“I said to my swimmers, ‘Let’s be a team with a name and with team colors,’” Scruggs says.
The Gordon Jewish Community Center was the first place to give the brand-new team pool space. It agreed to let Scruggs use its pool space at no charge … if she did not charge the students.
And that’s when — in 2003 — the Nashville Dolphins were born.
Photos courtesy of Beth Scruggs
Illustrations by iStock
Team Building
As the Nashville Dolphins grew, Scruggs soon realized she would need support to keep up.
“I got to a point when I was teaching individual lessons to 25 to 30 special needs kids each week, and I was still spending a night or two a week with our new swim team,” she says. “I was already at my physical limit of children I could teach each week and still had more asking for lessons. I met with the education department at Vanderbilt University in hopes of getting some help.”
Those students could jump in and assist, and Scruggs gained another valuable teaching tool: She could access a couple of hours of pool time per week at the Centennial Sportsplex, a Metro Parks facility located within walking distance of the Vanderbilt campus. The location made it convenient for Vanderbilt students who did not have cars.
Now that Scruggs had assistance from Vanderbilt volunteers, she was also able to move all her individual lessons into four 30-minute group lessons.
“The Sportsplex was a perfect location,” Scruggs says. “It is centrally located in Nashville, and we have students coming from 13 counties, Also, the Sportsplex has a nice warm pool, which was perfect for our lessons. The two hours of pool time from 4 to 6 p.m. is an ideal after-school time for our swimmers and volunteers.”
Forming a 501c3 a decade into the Nashville Dolphins’ existence enabled the organization to hire additional instructors. Scruggs was able to get to a much more manageable student-teacher ratio of one trained instructor for every three swimmers and one “hands-on” volunteer for each swimmer. The Dolphins’ programs are for children as well as adults with special needs. Instructors are certified as adapted aquatics instructors through the Starfish Aquatics Institute.
The Dolphins strive to educate communities on such subjects as the necessity of life jackets, dangers of pool drains and, most importantly, reminding adults that supervision and intervention near water save lives.
The expansion, donations and formation of community business partnerships allowed Scruggs to take her Nashville Dolphins to regional Special Olympics events and even an annual event in North Carolina.
“We started on a whim, and now we are in six different pools with 326 swimmers,” Scruggs says. “We raise enough money to pay lead instructors, purchase training equipment, rent pool space, travel to swim meets and put on a lot of fun social events for our swimmers.
“We continue to grow, but more available pool space is our biggest obstacle. We have over 300 children on our waiting list. Someday, we would love to have our own facility so we could have room for everyone.”
Scruggs credits Ole Miss for giving her a foundation in problem solving. She did not swim competitively at the university or work with anyone with special needs as a sociology major.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do in
Scruggs works with a student. Dolphins’ instructors are certified as adapted aquatics instructors through the Starfish Aquatics Institute.
my career, but I was always interested in [working on behalf of] the underdog,” she says. “I minored in psychology, and Ole Miss gave me a great education. Whatever you are doing, you want to ensure you enjoy it.”
However, passion can only take you so far. Scruggs has relied on lessons learned in Oxford.
“I had to think critically to get more (swim) space and more volunteers,” she says. “I had to write grants. Without Ole Miss, I would have struggled. I didn’t even know at the time if there were such programs for swimmers with special needs. Nothing had triggered that in me just yet.”
Aside from picking up those analytical skills, Scruggs worked backstage at theaters and was a sorority member at Ole Miss. The common thread in those activities — “I always liked working with people.”
communities coming Together
Scruggs managed to unite individual swimmers with special needs into a single community. She gradually learned the varied skill levels each swimmer brought to a pool.
“When our swim team began, our participants could already swim, but not all the way across a pool,” Scruggs says. “I then started working with little ones who could not swim at all — a child with autism, Down syndrome or cerebral palsy all learn in different ways. The key to teaching is to first get to know them and become friends and, most importantly, make pool time silly and fun. Once they look forward to coming to class, the rest is easy.”
Those relationships between teacher and student continue long after a child has completed swimming lessons. One of Scruggs’ students suffered a severe brain injury as a 2-year-old when he pulled a TV down onto his head.
“He is still nonverbal at age 18,” Scruggs says. “The fact he can independently swim, feel free from his physical disabilities and enjoy the pool like any other child is life changing.”
The fun moments and memories are meant to assist in learning a vital skill. Drowning is the leading cause of death for
children with autism, largely due to a tendency to wander off, known as elopement. The first step to safety for the student is getting in the pool. Scruggs has learned the process varies for each new swimmer.
“It might take 10 lessons for a child to be able to float on his back,” she says. “You have to be patient. The only way to prevent drowning is to teach a child to swim. If you know how to swim and float, you can safely get back to the side of the pool. You hear all the time about kids with autism drowning. They don’t have that innate fear and are attracted to water.”
Scruggs eventually saw the need to expand the community and bring in someone to manage the organization’s daily operations. Brenda Vroon is in her fourth year as executive director — following Scruggs’ retirement a couple of years ago.
Scruggs stayed around for a little more than a year after Vroon was hired to help her transition into the executive director role.
“I slowly pulled myself away, and I still serve on the board of directors,” Scruggs says.
“Nashville Dolphins has changed my life,” Vroon adds. “To work with people with different abilities is a life-changing experience.”
The Nashville Effect
Service-learning requirements at universities throughout Nashville play a role in providing volunteers for the Dolphins. Belmont and Lipscomb students provide their knowledge and work ethic in addition to the ongoing efforts by Vanderbilt students. The Dolphins have also partnered with the Vanderbilt women’s swim team.
Scruggs chuckles about the Nashville-Oxford dynamic. Both Scruggs and her husband are from Nashville. They met during her first week on campus at Ole Miss. Both of their children went to Ole Miss. Many of Scruggs’ family members graduated from Vanderbilt.
“I wanted to feel that out-of-town college experience,” Scruggs says. “I could go home for a long weekend if I wanted to, and we could ride back together.”
Vroon’s background was mostly tied to education before she took on the Nashville Dolphins’ administrative duties.
“I had experience as a [physical education] teacher in public school and that included having some students with special needs,” Vroon says.
Vroon was at the Brentwood Swim and Tennis Club from 2009 to 2024 and had several swimmers on her team who were Dolphins, which is how she and Scruggs met.
“When Beth wanted to retire, she asked me to be executive director,” Vroon says. “She taught me the ropes. I am piggybacking what she started, which was amazing.
Scruggs says she appreciates the role Nashville has played in helping the Dolphins.
“Nashville didn’t have a competitive (Special Olympics) swim team when we started,” Scruggs says. “We grew very naturally. We did pizza parties and other events at the Gordon Jewish Community Center. We did a lot of out-of-pool activities because [the swimmers] are friends, and we wanted to help them come together and enjoy the experience.”
When the Nashville Dolphins found their footing at both the JCC and the Centennial Sportsplex, Scruggs kept seeing more people show up who wanted to join the group. Administrators at various facilities opted to work with the Dolphins and help Scruggs keep the lessons free of charge.
The no-cost element is a major benefit for parents who are paying medical care expenses for either one child or multiple children with special needs.
Alex Sigg, a Tennessee realtor, enrolled his daughter, Eva, in the Dolphins several years ago when she was 11 years old. Eva has Down syndrome.
“Since day one, she has loved the water,” Sigg says. “She couldn’t go to five [students] in a class and learn how to swim. It just didn’t work. One-on-one (instruction) was a little pricey.”
Lisa Spellman’s son, Anthony, found a new community by receiving instruction from Scruggs.
“The Dolphins have provided more than just a learn-toswim program,” Spellman says. “I have confidence in his swimming abilities and that he is safe in the water. Beyond that, Anthony is part of a community of friends and teammates. He feels like an athlete, just like his typical peers!”
Scruggs’ work with special needs swimmers started with one student and grew faster than she ever imagined. Now, students are coming from 13 counties for lessons.
Photos courtesy of Matt Hedges
Alumnus-owned wine importer, distributor receives top industry honor
BY ANNIE RHOADES
n the ever-competitive world of wine importation, few manage to thrive, let alone gain national recognition as the industry’s top importer. For alumnus Matt Hedges (MBA 04), president of Vino del Sol, transforming an idea into a thriving business spanning continents is a feat he’s proud to count among his achievements.
In the early 2000s, Hedges, then an MBA student at Ole Miss, recognized a unique opportunity to bring Argentine wines to the American market. The idea was born during an undergraduate study abroad program in Argentina, where he was captivated by the country’s world-class wines. Despite being the world’s fifth-largest wine producer, Argentine wines were scarce in the United States at the time. Hedges saw this gap in the market as a golden opportunity.
“[Argentina] was really revolutionizing the wine industry — making it world-class,” Hedges says. “They were also opening their economy for exports, and they have a great Malbec grape, which is pretty much perfect (for) the American palette. It’s big, juicy and expressive but has round, velvety tannins, which is what Americans like.
“You could see there was this big opportunity for Argentine wine to have a place in the U.S. and was likely to grow. That opportunity then led to the development of the [company’s] business plan at Ole Miss.”
Rising to the Top
The path from concept to reality was not straightforward. Encouraged by the university’s robust support system, Hedges and alumnus Andrew Jones (MBA 03) participated in Wake Forest University’s Elevator Competition, then held annually in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where the duo pitched a business plan to venture capitalists from around the globe.
“It was basically [the ABC reality television show] ‘Shark Tank’ before ‘Shark Tank’ existed,” Hedges says. “We had two minutes on an elevator to pitch our idea to real venture capitalists, and then they narrowed that down to maybe six teams. We then had 30 minutes to give a full presentation for Vino del Sol and were fortunate enough to win that competition. It was also great for Ole Miss, having bested all these schools from around the world.”
Winning the competition marked the beginning of a successful venture, supported by a network of loyal investors and mentors.
“Ole Miss was so supportive,” Hedges enthuses. “The alumni really came out and said, ‘Instead of going venture capital, why don’t you raise investments with people here at Ole Miss?’”
Hedges says Lawrence (BBA 58) and Jan (BAEd 65) Farrington were extremely supportive at the beginning and helped find investors. Some of the original investors are still on the company’s board including Richard Hollis (BBA 76) and Rush O’Keefe (BBA 75, JD 79).
Others who supported the company included the late Robert Forster (JD 79); John Juergens (MHCA 83, PhD 85), retired UM research associate professor; and Del Hawley, senior associate dean emeritus for the School of Business Administration.
Hedges’ love for Argentine wine, particularly the Malbec grape, inspired him to co-found the company with Alejandro Darago, Argentina’s top sommelier. In 2004, Vino del Sol
launched, focusing initially on Argentine wines. Hedges’ and Darago’s shared passion and expertise laid the foundation for a business that has grown to distribute more than 2 million bottles annually across all 50 states.
Over the years, the company expanded its portfolio, offering wines from New Zealand, Chile, California and Spain, as well as Japanese sakes and a Kentucky bourbon. What sets the company apart is its commitment to sustainability and its partnerships with family-owned wineries, ensuring every bottle reflects the authenticity and quality their customers have come to expect.
Trusted Source
“We’re proud that we’ve worked with some of the same wineries since the very beginning, for 21 years now,” Hedges says. “We started out as the Argentine Wine Specialist® and were the first import portfolio to represent all of Argentina’s main grape-growing regions. We’re still known as the Argentine specialist, but as we’ve grown, we’ve rebranded into being your trusted source for great wine.”
Lifelong family friend O’Keefe, retired chief counsel for FedEx, watched as Hedges developed the company from “a pipe dream, to a startup, to a successful international wine importer and distributor” over the years.
“Matt has been committed to Vino del Sol and the wine business since he was a college graduate student,” O’Keefe says. “He’s developed long-standing relationships with his suppliers and business partners and has demonstrated acumen in his business. He’s been especially good at relationship building with the wine growers and wine makers, which has led to many mutually beneficial and long-standing business relationships.”
Even as the company evolves, the focus remains on long-term relationships and sustainable practices. Family-owned wineries offer a multigenerational view, contrasting with the short-term profit focus of larger corporations. This philosophy has fostered a culture of trust and collaboration within the industry.
“The wine business is a very long-term business, and it’s also a relationship business,” Hedges says. “It’s a business where you might have a very good winery or a very good import company, but based on the way the market is, you may have a couple of difficult years so you must think about the long term. If we need to increase production, that’s a decision that we need to make three or four years ahead of time for the vines to come in.
“You really need to find people that you can have long-term relationships with, and we found that. It needs to be families because families generally are multigenerational and they’re looking at the long term, whereas a lot of producers that are corporations are focused on quarterly, so they’re making decisions in the short term. That may make sense for right now but isn’t the best decision for the long-term sustainability of the partnership.”
According to Patricia Ortiz, winery owner of Zolo, Tapiz and Wapisa wineries, her 21-year-long relationship with the “humble, knowledgeable and empathetic” entrepreneur “focused on bringing out the best” of Argentina.
“Since [we met in 2004], we’ve built a strong bond — both
Hedges with Alejandro Darago, co-founder and agente de representación, Mendoza
and Kevin Millman, EVP
professionally and personally — extending to his wife, children and parents,” Ortiz says. “[He] has a great sense of humor and remains highly professional. He also has an exceptional ability to anticipate trends and adapt swiftly. His strategic mindset, creativity and dedication to excellence position him to keep thriving and leading in whatever path he pursues.”
At the heart of Hedges’ journey is a deep appreciation for the relationships formed along the way. It’s this interconnectedness — between vineyard owners, partners and customers — that transforms the daily grind into a labor of love.
“With families we’re able to build a relationship with trust,” he says. “That’s something that most of the people in our company enjoy — growing your families side-by-side and growing the vineyards together.”
Industry Innovators
Beyond the strategic expansion into new wine regions, Hedges is breaking new ground with the introduction of nonalcoholic and low-alcohol wines, aligning with emerging industry lifestyle trends. The company’s foray into premium spirits, such as the limited-edition Elliott Brothers Bourbon, signifies a commitment to innovation while maintaining its core values.
“We’re pioneers in the emerging no-low category, which is nonalcoholic wine and low-alcohol wine,” he says. “The first nonalcoholic wine we launched is Zolo Zero. Zolo is our most well-known brand, especially in Mississippi. A couple of years ago, we added a low-alcohol wine called Osmosis that’s zero sugar, lower calories and lower alcohol.
“To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we took 20 barrels of Tapiz Black Tears Malbec barrels, considered one of the top Malbecs in the world, and took 10-year Kentucky bourbon and aged an additional four months in these barrels to create Elliott Brothers Bourbon, an ultra-premium unique bourbon.”
The journey has not been without its challenges. The COVID19 pandemic posed significant hurdles, particularly for smaller and boutique wine brands. Yet, Vino del Sol weathered the storm, thanks to solid financial planning and a resilient team.
“Historically our sales are a lot of restaurant sales and sales from ‘mom-and-pops,’” he says. “These were the ones that were hurt more when COVID happened because most states wanted to do one-stop shopping, which was good for the big corporate brands that controlled the grocery stores, but it was tough on smaller and medium-sized companies. We had a couple of tough years during COVID, but our board always makes sure we have a very solid financial wherewithal, so we were able to come out stronger.”
Top Honors
The company has received numerous awards including the BevStar Gold Medal Award, 40 Under 40 Tastemaker, and Hedges himself was the recipient of the 2013 Farrington Distinguished Entrepreneur Award. But it’s Vino del Sol’s recent award that has garnered global admiration.
At a black-tie gala in San Francisco on Jan. 27, Vino del Sol received the coveted Wine Enthusiast 2024 Wine Star Importer of the Year Award. The distinguished wine industry award celebrates the innovation of individuals and companies that have significantly contributed to the success of the wine and alcohol beverage world.
“It was very exciting,” Hedges says. “It’s the highest honor in our industry and something [we] have been dreaming of for many years. We were very proud to get the recognition and be recognized in front of the entire industry that way.”
Hedges envisions continued growth and customer satisfaction for the company, ensuring Vino del Sol remains a trusted source for quality wines and spirits. Perseverance and the enduring appeal of a well-crafted glass of wine are key factors to the company’s continued success. As Hedges looks to the future, he hopes to carry a legacy of innovation, integrity and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
“Our goal is to keep delighting our customers,” he affirms. “We want to be known as your trusted source for great wine — a company that does what they say and always over delivers in quality and service.”
Hedges at the 25th annual Wine Star Awards in San Francisco with Jesica Vargas, founder of Andes Uncorked and writer at large for Wine Enthusiast; Darago;
national director of sales for Vino del Sol
Ole Miss Sports
Brotherly Love
HOW GOLF HAS SHAPED THE TROLIO BROTHERS’ RELATIONSHIP
Golf is one of the more unique games that can be played individually or as a member of a team. When you pair family with it, the game doesn’t get much sweeter. For the brotherly duo of Cohen and Collins Trolio, having the chance to play collegiate golf for the same university is something they’ll cherish forever.
When discussing their earliest golf memories together, the stories were filled with laughs.
“We were 6 and 8 at the time, but every Sunday afternoon we would play in the Old Waverly junior series,” Collins says. “Cohen and I got paired together for the first time, and our parents got to caddie for us. On the first fairway, I really don’t remember what exactly happened, but we got in a fight and our parents made us stop playing for the rest of the day.”
Brothers likely will fight at some point over their childhood, but the relationship the Trolio brothers have formed not only between the ropes but off the golf course is what makes their time together at Ole Miss so special.
“It could not have worked out any better because I never saw us getting the chance to play collegiately together,” Collins says. “I learned to play the game by watching Cohen, so it’s cool now
that we get to compete against each other and play on the same team. We know a lot about each other’s games, so it’s nice to be able to bounce ideas off each other in order to try and get better.”
Cohen Trolio has made an immediate impact since his arrival in Oxford over the summer. The transfer from LSU had three top 10 finishes across the four events this past fall and tied his career-low 54-hole score at the Valero Texas Collegiate, shooting 206 (-10).
He followed play up in San Antonio with a career-best finish of third at the Hamptons Intercollegiate. He helped guide the Rebels to their first victory sweep since October 2021 and their first back-to-back team victories since the 2016 season.
Collins Trolio competed as an individual in three of the four tournaments in the fall and was the star of day one in Biloxi for the Rebels, posting a round one score of (-1) 71, which tied for fourth after 18 holes. He carded four birdies during his round and was one of 13 players in the field to post red figures after day one.
He set a new career best of fourth at the Thomas Sharkey Individual Collegiate on Feb. 2. He carded a final round (-5, 67) to set a new career-low 18-hole score, securing the first top-five finish of his career.
Cohen (left) and Collins Trolio | Photos courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics
Track-and-Field Champion
ROBINSON-O’HAGAN NAMED
SEC INDOOR MEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Ole Miss men’s track-and-field junior and three-time reigning NCAA shot put champion Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan was named the SEC Indoor Men’s Field Athlete of the Year, as announced by the conference March 19.
With the win, Robinson-O’Hagan — a three-time watch list selection for The Bowerman — is now the only Rebel in men’s program history to win the award indoors three total times. He has now won twice indoors (2024 and 2025) and once outdoors (2024), which also makes him the lone Rebel to win twice indoors.
Olympian Ricky Robertson (BGS 14) held the previous men’s record with two wins indoors in 2012 and outdoors in 2014. In overall program history, Robinson-O’Hagan is now tied with four-time Olympian Brittney Reese (BA 11) at three wins, with Reese winning indoors in 2008, as well as outdoors in both 2007 and 2008.
Robinson-O’Hagan finished undefeated in the shot put among collegiate competitors this indoor season and has not lost to a fellow collegian overall since last April and indoors since last January. His career-best throw of 21.11m/69-03.25 from earlier this season ranks him 21st in collegiate history, as well as second best in SEC history.
His best weight throw mark of the season came at the SEC Championships, where he repeated as the conference champion on a career-best 24.35m/79-10.75 — good for 13th in collegiate history. Robinson-O’Hagan was 7-1 against collegiate competition in the weight throw this season.
That was one of two SEC titles for Robinson-O’Hagan this year, who completed his second consecutive sweep of
the weight and shot titles after becoming the first to do so in SEC history in 2024. His 20 conference points earned him a second straight share of the SEC Cliff Harper Trophy, and helped propel the Rebel men to a tie for third place at the conference meet — tied for the best in Ole Miss men’s history indoors.
Robinson-O’Hagan concludes his junior indoor season ranked second in collegiate history in combined indoor shot put (21.11m/69-03.25) and weight throw (24.35m/79-10.75) distance at 45.46m — trailing only North Dakota State’s Payton Otterdahl from 2019 (45.92m).
A.J. BROWN BECOMES 16TH REBEL TO WIN A SUPER BOWL
As the final seconds ticked off the clock bringing the end to the 2024-25 NFL season, Philadelphia Eagles receiver and former Ole Miss Rebel A.J. Brown (18) realized his lifelong dream of becoming a Super Bowl champion.
In the Eagles’ 40-22 rout over the Kansas City Chiefs, Brown brought down three catches for 43 yards, scoring a 12-yard touchdown just before halftime to put Philadelphia up 24-0 heading into the break.
Ole Miss has produced 20 Super Bowl titles, as Brown became the 16th former Rebel to win the Super Bowl, and the first wide receiver to win since Willie Green of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII.
A.J. Brown committed to Ole Miss out of Starkville High School. In his time with the Rebels, he tallied 2,984 receiving yards, the most in Ole Miss history. The Tennessee Titans drafted Brown with the No. 51 pick in the 2019 NFL draft. After three seasons with Tennessee, he was traded to Philadelphia.
Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics
Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan | Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics
Ole Miss Sports
Top Shot
AUDREY GOGNIAT CROWNED NCAA AIR RIFLE CHAMPION
Audrey Gogniat fired a perfect 600 in air rifle en route to becoming Ole Miss rifle’s first individual NCAA champion, in any event, in program history March 15 at the Historic Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Kentucky.
Gogniat has added another trophy to her already impressive collegiate resumé. She connected on 58 center shots in her 60 attempts to become the second Rebel in program history to
fire two perfect 600s in a single season, joining teammate Lea Horvath. Both of hers came in a tournament setting, the first of which came at the Patriot Rifle Championship.
Following her momentous 600, Gogniat breezed past the competition in the final round. She built a lead of up to 2.4 points upon reaching the single elimination rounds and would not relinquish it. It came down to Gogniat and Kentucky’s Braden Peiser in the final round, which was forced into a tiebreak. Gogniat would then shoot a title-clinching 10.6 for a final score of 252.6.
She and her teammate Gracie Dinh led the Rebels to a runner-up team finish in air rifle. It’s the highest finish in air rifle in program history, and tied for the second-best placement in any event in the national tournament for Ole Miss. Last time Ole Miss reached a top three finish was when it earned the silver medal in smallbore during the 2023 national tournament in Akron, Ohio.
The Rebels fired a 2383, which tied for the third-highest air rifle score in school history. Their air rifle performance boosted them up one position from fifth in smallbore to fourth overall in the team scoring. It’s the Rebels fourth top four finish in program history, each time occurring in their last five consecutive appearances.
Ole Miss concludes the 2024-25 season with a national champion, a runner-up finish in the NCAA’s air rifle competition and silver medals in the PRC smallbore and aggregate placement. The Rebels also set new program marks both in smallbore and aggregate scoring.
Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics
Audrey Gogniat | Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics
Ole Miss Sports
Forward-Thinking Steps
OLE MISS ADAPTING TO CHANGING FINANCIAL LANDSCAPE OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS
As the cost of doing business is rising in college athletics, Ole Miss is working to adapt to the economic changes and ensure its winning ways continue.
Pending approval of the House vs. NCAA settlement, Ole Miss and other institutions are preparing to share around $20 million-$22 million with student-athletes beginning with the 2025-26 academic year. A large number of new scholarships also will be awarded as part of an overall increased investment.
To address these added costs, Ole Miss Athletics has taken a number of forward-thinking steps, including strengthening its NIL leadership, imposing budget reductions across the department and assessing existing resources for student-athletes.
However, revenue generation will be paramount as Ole Miss navigates this new era. The NCAA financial report for fiscal year 2023 shows that the Rebels rank 13th in the Southeastern Conference in total revenues and are $47.7 million below the league average. Based on the latest figures, Ole Miss is about $180 million behind the SEC leader in revenue.
“Ole Miss Athletics is in the midst of one of the most successful periods in our university’s history, and it is imperative that we make sound economic decisions in order to continue our momentum,” says Keith Carter (BBA 01, MBA 16), vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics. “The financial commitment to student-athletes is growing dramatically, and we are thinking strategically within our budget to help address these new expenses.”
Tailgating
In the Grove and the Circle, tailgaters will enjoy the same organic experience that has made it a destination for sports fans all over the world. However, new measures are being implemented to benefit from its value.
While there are no changes to the process of securing a tailgate setup from a preferred tent vendor, those companies will now pay a fee per game per 10-by-10 tent to the athletics department for each of their setups. The vendor’s fee is $150 per 10-by-10 tent in single-game setups and $100 per tent in full season setups. The rates apply to both conference and nonconference games.
As always, fans can set up their own tent for free in the Grove, Circle and elsewhere on campus. In keeping with tradition, all tailgate setups will begin on Fridays. In addition, registered student organizations will continue to access the Grove in advance of the land grab free of charge.
Tickets
For the 2025 football campaign, per-game ticket prices remain the same as last season. The Rebels are playing eight home games for the first time in school history, and as a result, season ticket prices are increasing by $25 to account for the extra contest.
Parking
An important change this year is donations for parking. Each permit will have a required annual donation based on parking lot location. Parking annual donations are mandatory for each permit and must be renewed the following year to retain the same permit.
Parking location selected this season will be locked in for the next five years. Parking permits will be reselected every five years, and fans will have the opportunity to relocate or upgrade their permit location each year. Parking donations are 90% tax deductible, and members receive one blue point per $100 given for parking.
“Ole Miss is blessed with the most passionate fans in the nation, and none of our success happens without their loyal support,” Carter says. “This is an unprecedented time in our industry, and every athletics department in the country is implementing changes such as these in order to stay competitive. We understand the challenges it creates for our fans, and they are not decisions that we enter into lightly.
“With these new revenue opportunities and our department’s cost-cutting measures, our staff is working hard to find the right balance of maintaining the same bucket-list experience while navigating this new world of college sports. Please be patient as we work through these processes, and as our plans continue to evolve, we will provide more information about game days in the months ahead.”
Photo by Joshua McCoy
Ole Miss Sports
A Win for Town and Gown
HISTORIC OLE MISS FOOTBALL CROWDS GENERATE $325M ECONOMIC IMPACT
Home football games at the University of Mississippi generated more than $325 million in economic impact during the 2024-25 season, according to data from Visit Oxford.
Fans shattered several Vaught-Hemingway Stadium attendance records during the seven home games, driving a substantial boost to area businesses, hotels and restaurants.
“Ole Miss is incredibly fortunate to have the most dedicated fans in college football and to be situated in the best college town in the nation,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96) says. “Combining these elements with the university’s culture of hospitality is a recipe for tremendous success.
“We are so pleased that the economic impact of Ole Miss football enhances the community’s prosperity and benefits so many people in Oxford and Lafayette County, both indirectly and directly.”
Visitor spending in Oxford during the seven 2024 home games totaled $325,283,234.
Fans broke the single-game attendance record four times during the season, combining for 471,601 visitors in fall 2024, the largest on record.
On Nov. 9, a record 68,126 fans watched the Rebels defeat the University of Georgia Bulldogs. That weekend, visitors spent more than $71.6 million across the city.
“We are blessed to reside in one of the best towns in the country, and it’s exciting to see how our athletics success enriches the economic growth and quality of life in our community,” says Keith Carter (BBA 01, MBA 16), Ole Miss vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics.
“From packed hotels and restaurants to thriving local
shops, each game weekend fuels our economy, strengthens small businesses and showcases the unmatched spirit of our community,” says Kinney Ferris (BSFCS 04), executive director at Visit Oxford. “This milestone underscores how vital Ole Miss football is to Oxford’s vibrancy and growth.”
The city’s food and beverage tax revenue for November 2024 spiked 18.37% compared to the same time in 2023, according to tax diversion reports released in January.
Comparing November 2024 to November 2023, Oxford’s sales tax total spiked 7.97% and the hotel/motel tax total also jumped 6.75%.
The university serves as a front porch for the city and county, says Ryan Miller (BA 02, JD 08), CEO of the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation.
“When people come to visit, they may have businesses that they say, ‘Hey, my business would be great here. My business might thrive here. I love the quality of life. I love the cohesion between the town, the county and the university and I want to be a part of that,’” Miller says.
The success of the university’s athletics programs is a win for the entire community, Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill (BA 92) says.
“When Ole Miss wins, Oxford wins,” Tannehill says. “Oxford swells from 28,000 full-time residents to more than 200,000 on home football game weekends.
“The visitors who come to Oxford and spend money in our community help us pay for the infrastructure needed to successfully host these large crowds. It has been a great year, and we look forward to many more successful seasons.”
by
Photo
Srijita Chattopadhyay
Just Published
The Things He Lost There by Allie Stuart Povall (BA 63, JD 77), 172 pages (hardback, also available in paperback and Kindle), Austin Macauley, ISBN: 979-8891558045
Vietnam. The word still resonates with powerful emotions: death, lost souls, devastation — both human and material — shattered men, and a country equally broken and horribly divided. Into this turbulent backdrop steps Jack Houston, a graduate student at the University of North Carolina. Jack’s journey encapsulates the grim realities of the Vietnam War and the crucial role of the Surface Navy. A new commanding officer, Capt. Cork, takes over, driving — what the crew calls “corkscrewing” — the ship into both operational and morale disasters.
Parallel to the war story is Jack’s poignant love affair with Melanie Lawton, a spirited graduate student back in Carolina. Through her perspective, we witness the defining events of 1968 and 1969: antiwar demonstrations, the chaotic 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Woodstock, drug culture and political assassinations. One devastating decision made in the midst of war shatters Jack and Melanie’s relationship, leaving Jack to question if he can ever reclaim what he lost in Vietnam — his love, his peace, his future.
Allie Stuart Povall is a native
Mississippian and holds degrees from the University of Mississippi and Yale Law School. He served two combat tours during the Vietnam War. This is his sixth book.
Burro Run by Richard Herzog (BSHPE 84), 228 pages (paperback, also available in hardback and Kindle), Dorrance Publishing Co., ISBN: 979-8892110273
Burro Run follows coach R.J. MacNamara and his fellow football coaches as they push their high school players through dramatic wins and heartbreaking defeats. After experiencing the loss of his father, R.J. buries his fear of failure as he helps to propel the team, inching closer and closer to a chance at a championship. Throughout the book, we witness the Burros’ grappling with self-worth, overcoming mistakes and hurdling obstacles. The ending will leave readers gasping for breath with emotions at a fever pitch.
Richard Herzog holds degrees from the University of Mississippi and Vanderbilt University. He spent 27 years in education and 31 years coaching football. He lives in the Nashville area.
Queen of Memphis by Martin Hegwood (BPA 74, JD 77), 268 pages (paperback, also available in hardback and Kindle), Spanish Moss Publishing LLC, ISBN: 979-8990642720
LuAnn Collier, a small-town beauty queen from the Delta, has eloped with Burniss Winnforth, the most sought-after bachelor in Memphis, and her new mother-in-law, Maggie, is furious. The Winnforths are the leaders of Memphis society, and the Colliers are what Maggie considers “common,” a bunch of low-class gamblers or worse, so she’s not about to sit back and let this flashy gold digger into the family, not without a fight. And Maggie’s campaign of gossip and ostracism to run LuAnn off is particularly vicious, because she’s driven by a force more powerful than mere snobbery.
Maggie’s scared to death that LuAnn will uncover a long-buried Winnforth family secret, one so shocking that it could knock the family from the pinnacle of Memphis society. But running LuAnn off is a lot harder than Maggie ever imagined. LuAnn Collier is every bit as strong-willed as Maggie, and with the battle lines drawn, she’s every bit as determined to claw her way to the top of the Memphis social ladder as Maggie is to keep her from doing so.
Martin Hegwood has written four previous novels. He attended the University of Mississippi and earned degrees in urban administration and law. Hegwood is a government attorney who works at the secretary of state’s office in Jackson.
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The 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.
Offerings and itineraries are subject to change or cancellation. OMAA strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance. For a brochure or more information on a trip, contact the Alumni office at 662-9157375 or email travel@olemissalumni.com.
FRONTIER ADVENTURES (RADIANT ALASKA)
AUG. 8-18, 2025
Tour Operator: Go Next
Explore the “Last Frontier” on this riveting 10-night cruise aboard Oceania
Cruises’ Riviera . Revel in the scenery of steep forested mountain slopes and pristine waters while cruising the Inside Passage and Hubbard Glacier. Begin your journey in Seattle and set sail for the Inside Passage. Catch a crab feast or enjoy fresh salmon in the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan, where fishermen pull each day’s dinner fresh from the water. Witness nature’s masterpiece, the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, and let the sight of towering ice formations and sparkling blue hues leave you speechless. Feel the excitement of the gold rush in Skagway, a scenic valley town rooted in history and nestled amid rugged, snowcapped mountains. Catch your breath in Icy Strait Point as majestic whales breach and spout in the distance. Get the local experience in Sitka by testing your luck on a thrilling salmon sportfishing excursion. Before your journey comes to an end in Seattle, make a memorable stop in Victoria, British Columbia, to seek out craft breweries, vibrant gardens and bountiful local seafood specialties. — From $3,899, including airfare
CRUISE THE DALMATIAN COAST
AUG. 24-SEPT. 1, 2025
Tour Operator: Gohagan
Discover the influence of Roman, Greek, Byzantine, Slavic and Venetian civilizations on this seven-night, deluxe small-ship cruise from Dubrovnik, Croatia, to Venice, Italy. Call at ancient walled cities, medieval villages, iconic archaeological sites and stunning Dalmatian Coast landscapes — including smaller, seldom-visited ports. Visit such UNESCO World Heritage sites as the seventh-century walled city of Dubrovnik; old town Kotor; the fourth-century Palace of Diocletian in Split; and the Škocjan Caves in Slovenia. — From $6,390
HEART OF BRITAIN
SEPT. 1-13, 2025
Tour Operator: AHI
Venture to the United Kingdom for a delightful exploration of enchanting northern England and Wales. Enjoy firstclass accommodations on this 11-night, small-group itinerary that features four UNESCO World Heritage sites, the United Kingdom’s premier national parks
Juneau, Alaska
and immersion in time-honored British traditions. Stroll back in time through medieval, walled York, amid 13th-century walls and Roman and Viking relics. Experience the natural grandeur of Britain’s Yorkshire Dales and Snowdonia national parks. Explore the Welsh castles of Conwy and Caernarfon and admire Bodnant Garden’s magnificent gardens. Walk in the footsteps of literary denizens, including William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, in the English Lake District. Delight in a proper English tea and hear Welsh musicians perform Celtic music. In North Yorkshire, visit the 18th-century Rievaulx Terrace and tour stately Castle Howard. Revel in a private viewing of the atmospheric, 12th-century Cistercian abbey ruins of Fountains Abbey, and visit the charming, Victorian seaside town of Llandudno. This smallgroup journey features a professional travel director, engaging lectures and a generous meal plan with wine at dinner.
— From $5,890
MALTA AND SICILY
SEPT. 18-28, 2025
Tour Operator: AHI
Behold the splendors of the Amalfi Coast on this incredible seven-night journey. From ancient ruins to sun-swept coasts and enchanting towns, let this alluring slice of Italy seduce your senses. From your base in charming Vietri sul Mare, set off to explore Amalfi and Positano, endearing villages perched majestically
above the sea. Admire unspoiled vistas while cruising azure waters, and delve into fascinating legends at Herculaneum and Pompeii, frozen in time by the mudflows of Mount Vesuvius. Unravel history amid Paestum’s Greek temples and tuck into the region’s sensational cuisine, including olive oil and cheese tastings during a rural farm experience. Whether visiting the renowned National Archaeological Museum or discovering Old Naples, your Italian daydreams will come to life. This handcrafted, smallgroup journey features first-class accommodations and an extensive meal plan. Along the way, local experts share their knowledge of the region. Come discover the wonders of Italy. — From $5,190
ITALY’S MAGNIFICENT LAKE DISTRICT
OCT. 7-15, 2025
Tour Operator: AHI
Discover northern Italy’s lake district, where sparkling lakes mirror emerald hills and craggy slopes. From your base in Stresa by Lake Maggiore, spend indulgent days exploring beautiful islands and elegant shores dusted with sunlight. Witness a Romanesque basilica on Isola San Giulio, and stroll through charming Bellagio, where poets and writers from around the world have found inspiration. Cruise aboard a private boat to the Borromean Islands, home to a lavish island estate and a quaint fishermen’s islet. Glide across Lake Como, passing fairy-tale villas and
colorful villages, and learn the secrets of northern Italian cuisine during a cooking lesson and an indulgent lunch. In Milan, feast your eyes on Leonardo’s “The Last Supper” and visit the legendary La Scala, Italy’s opulent opera house. Handcrafted for your enjoyment, this small group journey features a first-class hotel, an extensive meal plan and a series of lectures to enhance your understanding of the region. — From $4,490
MACKINAC ISLAND, THE GRAND HOTEL AND NIAGARA FALLS
OCT. 10-17, 2025
Tour Operator: Premier World Discovery Embark on a captivating journey through the Great Lakes region, blending cultural heritage and natural beauty. Begin in Dearborn, Michigan, with visits to the River Rouge Plant, a historic automotive landmark, and the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, celebrating American innovation with exhibits such as aviation, automobiles and presidential limousines. The next stop is Mackinac Island, where you’ll stay at the iconic Grand Hotel, renowned for its elegance and stunning views. Explore the island via a horse-drawn carriage, admiring Victorian architecture and breathtaking landscapes. Enjoy free time to sample fudge and browse shops. Then, travel to Frankenmuth, known as “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” to stroll its charming streets, savor German cuisine and visit Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. The tour concludes with a visit to Niagara Falls, where you’ll experience the majestic waterfalls on the Maid of the Mist, explore Niagara-on-the-Lake and enjoy the thrilling Journey Behind the Falls. The trip ends with a farewell dinner at Skylon Tower, offering panoramic views of the falls. — From $3,995, including airfare
AMAZON ADVENTURE AND MACHU PICCHU
OCT. 28-NOV. 7, 2025
Tour Operator: Gohagan
Journey into one of the world’s most remote regions on an 11-day Peruvian expedition that includes one night in the capital city of Lima, a three-night, guided Amazon River cruise, two nights
Rovinj, Croatia
Rebel Traveler 2025-26
in the lush Sacred Valley, two nights in colonial Cuzco and one unforgettable night at the majestic “lost city of the Incas” — Machu Picchu. Experience the natural beauty of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve and explore ancient Inca history on this incomparable itinerary. — From $9,110
ICELAND AND THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
NOV. 8-16, 2025
Tour Operator: Gohagan
Experience the otherworldly beauty of the northern lights on this unique, seven-night land journey specially timed for optimal viewing of the aurora borealis. See Iceland’s “Big Three” wonders, known as the Golden Circle — the UNESCO World Heritage site of Thingvellir National Park; the two-tiered “Golden Waterfall” of Gullfoss; and Strokkur, an active geyser that erupts every few minutes. From cosmopolitan Reykjavík to the harbor town of Siglufjörður and beyond, immerse yourself in the rustic splendor of this “land of fire and ice” with guided evening excursions to chase the natural phenomenon that lights up the sky. — From $4,195
HOLIDAY MARKETS CRUISE –THE FESTIVE RHINE RIVER
DEC. 12-20, 2025
Tour Operator: AHI
Revel in the magic of the holidays in Germany and France on a seven-night Rhine River cruise. Celebrate yuletide traditions in festive, cozy markets aglow with twinkling lights and good
cheer and overflowing with handmade treasures. Savor the uplifting sounds of carolers and bells and the scent of fresh pine and roasted chestnuts in the air. Visit Heidelberg’s castle and enjoy a special musical performance in the romantic old town. You’ll also admire Cologne’s spectacular cathedral and stroll through Freiburg, a vibrant university city. In the ports of Breisach, Strasbourg, Rüdesheim and Düsseldorf, choose excursions that fit your interests, such as wine tastings, culinary tours or cultural experiences. Aboard your exclusively chartered, first-class ship, take in the scenic beauty of the Rhine Gorge and sip warm, spicy Glühwein. This heartwarming journey includes an ample meal plan with wine and beer at lunch and dinner. There is no supplement for solo travelers. — From $2,695
ANTARCTICA
JAN. 11-24, 2026
Tour Operator: Gohagan Retrace sea lanes navigated by storied explorers Shackleton, Amundsen and Scott on a journey that includes two nights in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a nine-night, five-star cruise aboard the deluxe Exploris One Be among the fortunate few to set foot on “The White Continent,” a legendary wilderness at the bottom of the globe. On this active program, witness wildlife-rich waters, where seabirds dive and dip, and keep an eye out for sea lions, pods of whales and rare dolphins from the comfort of your ship. Get up close to
this pristine environment and towering ice sculptures during guided excursions accompanied by a knowledgeable expedition team. Aboard sturdy Zodiac crafts, cruise amid sapphire-hued icebergs, intricate ecosystems and abundant wildlife — including humpback whales, leopard seals and Adélie penguins. Experience the thrill of hiking onshore and kayaking around this rarely visited territory. — From $10,995
CUBA DISCOVERY
FEB. 23-28, 2026
Tour Operator: Premier World Discovery
Located 90 miles off the coast of Key West, Florida, Cuba is an island brimming with vibrant art, soul-stirring music and villages cloaked in colonial charm. Cuba, once again accessible to American travelers, is a country begging to be explored. Travel with us to the largest Caribbean island nation and discover a country with a population as warm and scintillating as its tropical climate and colorful arts. Travel out of Havana and into the rural Cuban countryside to the Vinales Valley located in the western most mountainous range in Cuba and declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. This region is known for its stunning scenery, a landscape of prehistoric-looking, flat-top mountains or “mogotes,” tobacco plantations, caves and rivers. — From $5,395, including airfare
CRUISE SICILY, MALTA AND AMALFI COAST MAY 25-JUNE 2, 2026
Tour Operator: Gohagan
Revel in magnificent scenic beauty and enthralling history on this exclusively chartered, seven-night cruise featuring the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, legendary sites in Sicily and the baroque grandeur of Valletta, Malta’s capital. During your deluxe voyage, appreciate the remarkable archaeological ruins of Pompeii and Syracuse and enjoy a choice of tours in Palermo that showcases glittering Byzantine mosaics. Coastal splendor awaits as you stroll through picturesque Positano and Capri on the Amalfi Coast and take in sweeping views from Taormina’s famous Greek theater. You’ll also marvel at the stunning interior of Valletta’s 16th-century
Havana, Cuba
cathedral and meander through charming Ortigia, Syracuse’s island old town. Along the way, relish enticing cuisine, sample Sicilian wines in a palazzo and dig into Palermo’s tastiest street foods. To enhance your experience, add the Rome pre-tour and/or the Valletta post-tour extensions. — From $6,995
GREAT EUROPEAN JOURNEY
MAY 26-JUNE 6, 2026
Tour Operator: Gohagan
Embark on an exhilarating European adventure steeped in storied history, grand architecture and breathtaking scenery on this fabulous 12-day, 11-night itinerary. In Switzerland, discover unforgettable Montreux, hub of music and culture. Marvel at the beauty of Lake Geneva on a sightseeing cruise and the sweeping grandeur of the Alps during a panoramic train ride. Explore the picturesque towns of Gruyères and Basel. Then board the sumptuous Viva One, boasting luxurious amenities and impeccable service, to enjoy a deluxe seven-night river cruise. Soak up the timeless beauty of the Rhine and Moselle rivers as you wind past storybook towns, terraced vineyards and forested hills crowned by castles. After embarking in Basel, Switzerland, call at Strasbourg, France; Heidelberg, Rüdesheim, Cochem and Cologne, Germany; and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Add to your amazing European exploration with an optional post-tour extension in Amsterdam. — From $5,995
CRUISE THE DALMATIAN COAST AND ITALY
JUNE 11-20, 2026
Tour Operator: Gohagan From bucolic hills to stunning harbor towns and traditions you can taste, uncover the wonders of three countries — Croatia, Montenegro and Italy — on this fantastic eight-night cruise. Board the deluxe World Traveller in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and chart a course for Venice, Italy. Call at ancient walled cities, medieval villages, iconic archaeological sites and smaller, seldom-visited ports. Enjoy custom-designed excursions to UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the seventh-century walled city of Dubrovnik;
Kotor’s old town; Split’s fourth-century Palace of Diocletian; and the remarkable Trulli in Alberobello. Trace the legacies of Roman, Greek, Byzantine, Slavic and Venetian civilizations, sip masterfully crafted wines and dig into sensational fresh cuisine. Ponder history in Korcula, reputed as the birthplace of Marco Polo; explore historic Hvar and glide into the breathtaking Bay of Kotor, surrounded by plunging emerald slopes. As you travel, your professional travel director will manage the logistics while expert guides and speakers share meaningful insights — including special guest speaker Darius Arya, archaeologist and author based in Rome. To enhance your experience, add the Dubrovnik pre-tour and/or the Venice post-tour extensions. — From $7,995
surrounding family, culture and cuisine. Cinque Terre is also a national park and UNESCO World Heritage site, drawing visitors to its coastal scenery and sunset panoramas. — From $5,695
GRAND SEINE AND NORMANDY JUNE
20-28, 2026
Tour Operator: AHI
Join an unforgettable seven-night Seine River cruise that showcases poignant wartime history, colorful Norman cities and majestic Paris, the City of Light. Unpack once on your exclusively chartered first-class ship and sail round trip from Paris, passing bountiful countryside and ports brimming with antiquity. Stroll through centuries-old towns, including Rouen, host to a well-preserved medieval
Cochem, Germany
FLAVORS OF NORTHERN ITALY
JUNE 11-20, 2026
Tour Operator: Orbridge
Embark upon a cultural and gastronomic journey to the enchanting region of Northern Italy — an area renowned for spectacular landscapes, world-class wine and a rich heritage. This meticulously crafted itinerary offers the unique opportunity to live like a local, featuring guided tours, private artisan visits and tastings, and the ability to deeply connect with the beauty of Northern Italy’s culture, cuisine and gracious hospitality. On the optional post-tour extension, explore the Italian Riviera, an area teeming with meaningful traditions
quarter, and maritime Honfleur with its enchanting Vieux Bassin. Delve into the dramatic history of the D-Day invasion at Normandy’s beaches and the Caen Memorial Museum while expert guides add context to your visit. Walk through bountiful gardens at Claude Monet’s home, gaze in awe at majestic Versailles and explore timeless abbeys. While in Paris, experience the city’s charismatic districts and landmarks, from the NotreDame Cathedral to the Latin Quarter. This extraordinary journey features an extensive meal plan, including wine and beer with lunch and dinner. There is no single supplement for solo travelers. — From $5,295
A lumni News Association Leaders
NEW ALUMNI BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2025
The new members of the Alumni Association board of directors are involved in a wide range of careers and community organizations. One-third of the board is appointed each year by the Ole Miss Alumni Association president and serves a three-year term.
F. KEITH BALL (BA 87, JD 90) is a full-time mediator with F. Keith Ball PLLC in Madison. After graduating, he practiced law for almost 20 years. He served for two years as national development director for Reformed University Fellowship, the college ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America. From 2010 to 2024, he was a U.S. magistrate judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. Ball has served on the Ole Miss Law School Alumni Association board of directors and serves as board president. He and his wife, Camille, live in Madison where they are members of Broadmoor Baptist Church. They have six children and one grandchild.
CHARLIE CLARK (BBA 05) is president of community banking at Synovus. He oversees the community bank’s geography-based delivery model across its five-state footprint. During his time at Ole Miss, he was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and served as president of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He graduated from the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking and the leadership program at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is on the Ole Miss Banking and Finance Advisory Board and is chairman of the board for PreSchool Partners, a nonprofit organization that provides school readiness and life skills for under-resourced communities. He lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife, Mary Coleman Clark, and their two children, Charles and Kitty.
LILLIE FLENORL (BA 08), of Memphis, Tennessee, is a public relations adviser at Baptist Memorial Health Care. She is active in several community organizations including the Junior League of Memphis, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and River City (Tennessee) Chapter of The Links Inc. She also served as president of the Hutchison School Alumni Association board. While at Ole Miss, she was named to the Student Hall of Fame and selected by Order of Omega as Greek Woman of the Year. She served as vice president of internal affairs for the Student Alumni Council and was a Diamond Girl for the Ole Miss baseball team.
DONALD GADDY (BA 78, MD 83), of Long Beach, is an OB-GYN at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport. He specializes in obstetrics, gynecologic surgery and fertility treatments. He has served as department chair and chief of staff at MHG. While at Ole Miss, he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the Ole Miss tennis team. He and his wife, Katy, have five children who all attended Ole Miss. They are sustaining life members of the Alumni Association. Gaddy, his brother, his father and his uncle all attended Ole Miss and UMMC.
JIM GADDY (BA 78, MD 82), of Long Beach, is an OB-GYN in Gulfport. He was in private practice for 30 years and serves as site director for OB Hospitalist Group at Gulfport Memorial Hospital. While at Ole Miss, he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He and his wife of 45 years, Ruth, have five children, Ashleigh, Erin, Montee’, Trey and Patrick, and eight grandchildren. They attend St. Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach.
BARRY KRUGER (BBA 85), of San Antonio, Texas, is a vice president, corporate accounts, with Acxion Foodservice. He earned an MBA from Christian Brothers University after receiving his undergraduate degree from Ole Miss. He was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, was active in the ASB Senate and Ole Miss Cheer. He was elected Mr. Ole Miss in 1985. He is an elder at First Presbyterian Church, served on the board of directors of Mission Road Ministries and on the board of Oak Hills Country Club. He is married to Judy Spear Kruger (BBA 85) and has two children, Wesley and Janis.
RANDY LONG (BBA 80, JD 83), of Corinth, is president and owner of Long Wholesale Distributors Inc., an 80-plus year distributor of food and supplies to convenience stores, grocery stores and other specialty retail. He is active in various civic and business associations such as the Create Foundation and the Mississippi Wholesale Distributors Association. He is a charter member of the board of directors of Commerce Bank and is a member
and officer of First Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, Penny (BAEd 82, MEd 83), have two children, Laura Kate Carmichiel (BBA 08) and Ben Long (BA 12, MD 16).
PAGE MCLEOD (BSW 95), of Jackson, worked at the Mississippi Department of Human Services and the Department of Disability Services after graduating. She works in retail and has spent time mentoring women in the Mississippi prison system. She has also been active in the ministry of Restoration Hope. While at Ole Miss, she was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity and RUF ministries. She and her husband, Scott, attend Pinelake Church and have three children, Brendon (BAccy 21, MAccy 22), Isabelle (BS 22) and Haddon, a junior at Ole Miss.
RICK MITCHELL (BBA 78, JD 82), of Madison, is a founding member of Hubbard Mitchell Williams & Strain law firm in Ridgeland. Previously, he served as an assistant district attorney and district attorney for Madison and Rankin counties and is municipal judge for the City of Madison. While at Ole Miss, Mitchell was a member of several business and legal societies, served as a student senator and worked in the athletic ticket office. Mitchell is a member of Century Club Charities in Jackson. He and his wife, Lynda (81), are the parents of one son, Hunter.
MATT MONSOUR (BBA 08, MBA 09), of Jackson, is a regional sales manager for Renkert Oil, an independent base oil and specialty lubricant manufacturer and distributor. He is a proud member of the Rotary Club of North Jackson and a past president of the Mississippi Kidney Foundation. While at Ole Miss, he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and served on the Interfraternity Council. He and his wife, Katie (BBA 08, MBA 09), have two children, Molly and Woods.
SHELDON MORRIS (BBA 00), of Jacksonville, Florida, is a retired U.S. Army colonel who works as a consultant specializing in organizational design and leadership development. He has served on the M-Club Alumni Chapter board, received the Alumni Association’s Outstanding Young Alumni award in 2010 and was named the Itawamba Community College Alumnus of the Year in 2023. While at Ole Miss, he pledged Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and earned three football letters, two as a walk-on on an Army ROTC scholarship. Morris serves on multiple boards and supports the U.S. Army with his community engagement and recruitment efforts. He and his wife, Chelsea, have two children, Lauren and Dylan.
WILL MOSBY (BAccy 07, MTax 08), of Jackson, is a vice president and portfolio manager with Capitol Wealth Management group at UBS Financial Services. He spent the first five years of his career as an auditor with Ernst & Young in Memphis. While at Ole Miss, he served as rush chairman and president of Sigma Nu Fraternity and was elected a Class Favorite. He and his wife, Betsey (BAccy 07, MTax 08), have two children, Pryor and Rush.
DEANO ORR (BBA 93), of Courtland, Alabama, is a regional government relations manager at Weyerhaeuser, where he is responsible for managing all government relations and public affairs activities in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Florida. He is a past member of the M-Club Alumni Chapter board of directors and previously served on the Ole Miss Alumni Association Executive Committee. He was a 2016 recipient of the Ole Miss Contribution to Amateur Football Service Award. While at Ole Miss, he was a four-year football letterman and played on three bowl teams. Orr serves as youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Courtland. He is married to Coronda “CoCo” Orr, and they have three children, Atyah, Aubrey and Aaden.
ADAM PENNEBAKER (BBA 01), of Birmingham, Alabama, is CEO of Milo’s Restaurant Holdings, which operates 23 stores throughout central Alabama. While at Ole Miss, he met his wife, Laura Payne (BFA 01), and was an active member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and Campus Crusade. He was also a participant in the Chancellor’s Leadership Class. He and Laura have three children, Payne, Nell and Walter. They are active members of Covenant Presbyterian Church.
ALEXANDRIA WHITE (EdD 19), of Grenada, is a motivational speaker, podcaster, author and CEO of Alexandria White Consulting. She is a board member for North Mississippi American Red Cross, 5 Buckets Foundation and PALS. At Ole Miss, she served as an orientation leader, president of the Ole Miss Black Alumni Chapter and on the Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women. White has been recognized by Our Mississippi magazine as one of Mississippi’s Most Influential African Americans and Top 20 Under 40 by the City of Oxford. She created S.A.M.S. (Student Affairs MomS), the largest online community for mothers who work in student affairs. She has one daughter, Emory.
Alumni News
Class Notes
’50s CHARLIE KEMP (BBA 59, MBA 62), of Hazlehurst, was honored at the world-renowned Sebring 12-Hour International Race by the Ford Motor Co. and Rod Racing on March 15 in Sebring, Florida.
’60s RAY MABUS (BA 69), of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, will have a U.S. Navy destroyer named after him. The USS Ray Mabus will be built at Pascagoula’s Ingalls Shipbuilding.
’70s ANN HOLIFIELD (BA 73), of Ridgeland, was appointed to the Methodist Rehabilitation Center’s board of trustees.
ARCHIE MANNING (BPA 71), of New Orleans, was honored with the renaming of the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans to the Manning Family Children’s.
STEVE MCALILLY (JD 79), of Tupelo, announced his retirement as president and CEO of Methodist Senior Services after 31 years of service.
ARCHIE MCDONNELL (BBA 74), of Meridian, announced his retirement as president and CEO of Citizens National Bank after nearly 50 years of service.
DICK WHITE (BS 73, MS 75, MD 78), of Tupelo, was named Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo’s 2025 Outstanding Citizen of the Year at the 62nd annual Charity Ball. White was recognized as an exceptional individual who has truly embodied the spirit of selfless service in the Tupelo community.
’80s HAMPTON D. THAMES (BBA 84), of Meridian, was named president and CEO of Citizens National Bank.
’90s AMY ARRINGTON (BBA 95, JD 98), of Hattiesburg, was appointed by Gov. Tate Reeves to represent the Southern (Second) District on the board of trustees for the Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning.
SIDNEY CARMICHAEL (BPA 95), of Eight Mile, Alabama, was inducted into the
Mississippi Delta Community College Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
JEFF CARTER (BBA 92, MEd 94), of Pontotoc, announced his retirement from his position as the Pontotoc Warriors’ head football coach after 10 years.
JENNIFER GUCKERT GRIFFIN (BA 99, JD 03), of Nashville, Tennessee, was appointed as chief legal officer and corporate secretary of Amedisys Inc.
JAY HOPSON (BBA 92), of Starkville, was hired as the new Starkville High School athletics director.
KELLY SESSOMS III (JD 92), of Mobile, Alabama, partner at Wilkinson, Williams, Bosio & Sessoms PLLC in Pascagoula, was named president-elect designee of the Mississippi Bar.
’00s JULIE HOWELL ADDISON (BA 07, JD 10), of Oxford, assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, was elected to the Mississippi Bar’s Board of Commissioners.
MARISA CAMPBELL ATKINSON (JD 03), of Oxford, was named communications specialist with the Department of Marketing and Communications at the University of Mississippi.
RACHAEL DURHAM (BA 08, MA 12, EdD 23), of Oxford, was featured in The Magic of S.A.M.S.: Powerful Stories of Mothers Working in Higher Education, as she discusses balancing motherhood and professionalism.
MATT HEDGES (MBA 04), of Fort Worth, Texas, received Wine Enthusiast magazine’s 2024 Wine Star Importer of the Year Award on behalf of his wine import and distribution company Vino del Sol.
DENSON HOLLIS (BA 01), of Oxford, was appointed to the Oxford School Board in February.
ALLISON WALLY (BAccy 04, MTax 05), of Oxford, announced her retirement as chief financial officer for the Oxford School District.
’10s ASHLEY GLOVER (BSW 11), of Austin, Texas, was recognized as a finalist for the Austin 40 Under 40 Awards.
CAROLINE HAAS (JD 13), of Bay St. Louis, attorney with Haas & Haas Attorneys at Law, was elected to the Mississippi Bar’s Board of Commissioners.
DOUG ODOM (BA 13), of Oxford, was named 2024 Board Member of the Year by United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County.
SPENCER RITCHIE (JD 10), of Jackson, joined the litigation and governmental affairs practice groups at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP in Jackson.
TRE’MARCUS ROSEMON (BBA 15, JD 18), of Brandon, owner and founder of the Rosemon Law Firm PLLC in Jackson, was elected a director of the Mississippi Bar’s Young Lawyers Division representing Hinds Post IV.
CHRISTINA SEANOR (BA 11, JD 14), of Jackson, associate at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP in Jackson, was named president-elect of the Mississippi Bar’s Young Lawyers Division.
JENNY ANN URBAN (BA 11, MBA 13, JD 15, LLM 16), of Nashville, Tennessee, was promoted to vice president of regulatory affairs for the National Air Transportation Association.
ALEXANDRIA WHITE (EdD 19), of Oxford, has released The Magic of S.A.M.S.: Powerful Stories of Mothers Working in Higher Education about the lived experiences of mothers on college campuses. White was also inducted into the 2025 ACPA Diamond Honoree Class, given to higher education professionals who have championed student success by research and scholarship.
’20s CARLI REICHERT (BSW 21, MSW 22), of Biloxi, started a new position with Charlie Health in the area of care delivery.
BIRTHS
Woods Miller, son of Lindsay Summer Dawson Barton (BA 18) and John James Barton (BAEd 17, MEd 18), Feb. 27, 2025.
McCullough Davis, son of Rebecca Bierman and Scott McCullough Bierman (BA 11), Feb. 23, 2025.
Thomas Patrick, son of Claire McDowell Mahoney and William Eric Mahoney (BA 17), Jan. 8, 2025.
WEDDINGS
Courtney Beatty and Jackson Frederick Jarboe (BS 13), March 8, 2025.
Olive Backstrom Dollar (MEd 63), of Columbus, Nov. 27, 2024
James Thurman Farr Jr. (JD 65), of Meridian, Feb. 12, 2025
Betty Jean Breedlove Fly (MEd 65), of Coffeeville, March 7, 2025
Top 40
OLE MISS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HONORS 2025 40 UNDER 40 RECIPIENTS
The Ole Miss Alumni Association recognized its 40 Under 40 class for 2025 at a ceremony on March 28, which included a celebration event at Circle and Square Brewing. The program recognizes the personal, professional and philanthropic achievements of successful UM graduates under the age of 40.
The 2025 group of young alumni includes a counterintelligence agent, communications director for TikTok, director of operations for the U.S. Golf Association’s U.S. Open and the owner and founder of a bespoke clothing company.
“We are thrilled with this year’s class of 40 Under 40 and always look forward to welcoming them back to campus to honor their accomplishments,” says OMAA CEO Kirk Purdom (BA 93). “These outstanding alumni exemplify leadership in their industries and communities, and I am delighted that we can showcase their achievements through this program of recognition.”
Nominations for 40 Under 40 were open from September to November, and hundreds of nominations were received for this year’s class. Honorees 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 UM Creed, have earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with the university and the OMAA.
“The Class of 2025 did not disappoint, boasting young alumni from Ole Miss with diverse careers in finance, health care, communications, higher education and governmental affairs,” says Sunny Brown (BSFCS 09, MA 11), assistant director of alumni affairs who organized the awards. “It was an honor to award this special group and allow our current students to network with all they have to offer.”
Members of the 2025 class of 40 Under 40 are:
• Alfondus Alexander (BBA 15), of Olive Branch, production manager, Ardagh Metal Packaging
• Christa Alexander (BA 08, JD 12), of Bay Springs, president and CEO, Arriva, a Fail Family Co.
• Tracy DePriest II (BSCJ 11), of Tel Aviv, Israel, counterintelligence agent/assistant force protection attaché, Office of Special Investigations, Department of the Air Force
• Rachael Durham (BA 08, MA 12, EdD 23), of Oxford, assistant dean for student success and retention, UM School of Engineering
• Davis Gates (BA 12, JD 15), of Terry, senior rates and regulatory analyst, legal and government affairs/city attorney, adviser, prosecutor
• Sam Gilbert (BAEd 13, MEd 14, PhD 21), of Oxford, UM clinical assistant professor of teacher education
• Garrett Jackson (BA 09), of Houston, Texas, managing director, SCF Partners
• Teresa Jones (BA 14, JD 23), of Houston, Texas, associate, Baker Botts
• Vinod Kannuthurai (BA 14), of Sterling, Virginia, political unit chief, Office of India and Bhutan Affairs, U.S. Department of State
• Baxter Kruger (BA 10), of Jackson, executive director, Mississippi Office of Homeland Security
• Dylan Lindsay (BSPSC 11, PHMD 14), of Brandon, pharmacy supervisor, specialty pharmacy program, University of Mississippi Medical Center
• Murray Miller (BA 15), of Washington, D.C., legislative director, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman
• Jack Mitchell (BBA 16), of Raleigh, North Carolina, director, U.S. Open operations, U.S. Golf Association
• Leona Monroe (BPS 09, MEd 12, PhD 17), of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, manager, Deloitte Consulting LLP
• Emily Monsour (BAccy 13), of Bentonville, Arkansas, senior manager strategic finance, Walmart Inc.
• Alexsandra Murray (BA 11, BA 11), of Franklin, Tennessee, CFO, AptAmigo
Photo by Bill Dabney
• My-Linh Ngo (BS 08, MD 12), of Nashville, Tennessee, associate professor of clinical pediatrics, program director of the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Kellie Norton (BAJ 12), of New York, director of communications, TikTok
• Davis Pace (BA 10), of Gulfport, president and CEO, Mississippi Enterprise for Technology
• Emmalee Rainey (BA 13), of New York, licensed social worker and mental health therapist, New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center
• Josh Randle (BA 10), of Washington, D.C., founder and president, Randle Strategies LLC
• Mimi Rankin (BA 15), of New York, associate director of school and library marketing, HarperCollins Children’s Books
• Stephen Richards Jr. (BBA 13), of Nashville, Tennessee, owner and founder, Richards Bespoke
• Philip Robb Jr. (BA 07), of Atlanta, owner and physician, Robb Facial Plastic Surgery
• Richard Robertson Jr. (BA 08, MD 13), of Covington, Louisiana, partner, Segura Neuroscience and Pain Center
• Logan Rush (BA 12, MD 16), of Meridian, dermatologist/Mohs surgeon, Ochsner Rush Health
• Golda Sharpe (BA 09, MA 11), of New Orleans, state director (Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee), Bailey Education Group
• Banks Shepherd (BBA 09), of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, general manager, Wake Forest Sports Properties, Learfield
Alumni
• Whitley Simmons (BBA 12), of Charlotte, North Carolina, events supervisor, ESPN
• Taylor Sparkman (BSPSC 14, PHMD 17), of Oxford, transplant and nephrology clinical pharmacist, U.S. Renal Care/Kidneylink
• Billy Tapp (BAccy 08, MAccy 10), of St. Petersburg, Florida, vice president, finance and accounting, Probo Medical
• Charlotte Skelton Taylor (BA 10, MD 14), of Madison, assistant professor of radiology, vice chair of education, University of Mississippi Medical Center
• Justavian Tillman (BGS 16), of St. Louis, Missouri, senior manager, medical education programs and director, diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Washington University in St. Louis
• Sandra Triplett (BAEd 13, MEd 14), of Jackson, head of preschool, Jackson Academy
• Chioma Udemgba (BA 12), of San Antonio, Texas, allergy service line director, University Health System
• Joseph Ulm (BAccy 13, MAccy 15), of Athens, Georgia, president and CEO, U.S. Traffic Control
• Ryan Upshaw (BA 06, MA 08, EdD 23), of Jackson, assistant dean for student life, diversity and inclusion, Millsaps College
• Marie Wicks (BA 12, BA 12, JD 16), of Washington, D.C., appellate attorney, tax division, U.S. Department of Justice
• Thomas Wood (BA 09, MD 14), of Lafayette, Louisiana, partner, orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon, Louisiana Orthopaedic Specialists
• Hayden Worsham III (BSCvE 14), of Corinth, president, Worsham Brothers Inc.
Alumni News
James Harris Forsyth (LLB 64), of San Francisco, Calif., Dec. 5, 2024
Edward Lee Foster (BBA 69), of Jackson, Feb. 6, 2025
Joan Claire Allen Gaines (BAEd 67), of Winona, Jan. 30, 2025
Betty Waldrop Garrett (BS 62, MEd 69), of Oxford, Feb. 19, 2025
William Walker George III (BBA 69), of Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 19, 2025
William Henry Gidden Sr. (60), of Tunica, Jan. 29, 2025
James Bigbee Grogan (PhD 64), of Clinton, Feb. 3, 2025
Jimmy Lynn Hamilton (BA 68, MD 72), of Tupelo, Jan. 30, 2025
Edward Talmage Hinton (67), of Mountain Brook, Ala., Feb. 6, 2025
B. Aubert Holaday III (BSME 61), of Friendswood, Texas, Jan. 4, 2025
Rayford Raleigh Hudson III (BSPh 64), of Jackson, March 6, 2025
Wilson Sterling Jeter (BBA 67), of Madison, Jan. 7, 2025
Lon Chamberlain Johnson III (BSPh 69), of Olive Branch, Jan. 28, 2025
Billy Jack Kent (MCS 65), of Tampa, Fla., Jan. 10, 2025
William Larry Latham (BBA 65, JD 69), of Madison, Feb. 14, 2025
James Waller Lambuth Lewis (BS 60, MS 64, PhD 66), of Tullahoma, Tenn., Sept. 13, 2024
Antonio Vincent Lopez (PhD 66), of Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 4, 2025
Lera Jean Coleman McCarthy (BSN 63, MN 74), of Destin, Fla., Dec. 26, 2024
Charles Rodney McClelland (BBA 68), of Cleveland, Tenn., Jan. 12, 2025
Charles Davis Miles (MD 69), of West Point, Feb. 5, 2025
Clarence Little Morris Jr. (MS 69), of Ridgeland, March 14, 2025
Suanne Holland Williamson (BSC 62), of Philadelphia, Feb. 9, 2025
Eugene Pearson Windham Jr. (BSPh 62), of Kosciusko, Jan. 16, 2025
Barbara Faye Smith Woods (BS 60), of Byhalia, July 24, 2024
Ralph Edward Young Jr. (BBA 65, JD 67), of New Orleans, La., Jan. 3, 2025
Alumni News
Club Support
OMAA, DFW OLE MISS CLUB HOST EVENT AT SHRINERS’ COLLEGE SHOWDOWN
The Ole Miss Alumni Association and the Dallas-Fort Worth Ole Miss Club hosted a pregame event for the Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Feb. 15. Over 200
alumni and friends, including former Ole Miss baseball Rebels Justin Bench and Thomas Dillard, came out to support the Ole Miss baseball team and hear from coach Mike Bianco and players Hunter Elliott, Mason Nichols and Connor Spencer.
by
Photos
Jessica Lynch
FIVE INDUCTED INTO 2025 UM LAW ALUMNI HALL OF FAME CLASS
The University of Mississippi School of Law honored five distinguished attorneys by inducting them into its Alumni Hall of Fame during a March 29 ceremony as part of Law Alumni Weekend. This year’s inductees are Steven E. Farese Sr. (BA 71, JD 77), of Ashland; the late Martha W. Gerald (LLB 44), of Jackson; Betty W. Sanders (JD 79), of Tupelo; D. Briggs Smith Jr. (BSPh 62, JD 66), of Batesville; and William C. “Cham” Trotter III (BA 69, JD 72), of Belzoni.
Pictured (from left) are Jim Fraiser (BA 76, JD 79), representing his aunt Martha Gerald; Cham Trotter; Steve Farese Sr.; Betty Sanders; and Dot Smith, representing her husband, Briggs Smith, who was unable to attend.
arning my MBA with Ole Miss Online helped me land the promotion I wanted. Not only was the program nationally ranked, but it was flexible and affordable.”
tina Ostronic, NASA Contracting Officer
career
Photo by Bill Dabney
Alumni News
1970s
Michael Williams Bagwell (72), of Mobile, Ala., Feb. 22, 2025
Paul Wilson Baham Jr. (BA 71), of Brookhaven, Feb. 22, 2025
Christine Laah Blackburn (BAEd 74, MEd 76), of Richardson, Texas, Feb. 8, 2025
Walter Lee Bourland Jr. (MD 75), of Dallas, Texas, Jan. 31, 2025
Clarence Harlston Broun Jr. (71), of Pascagoula, Feb. 16, 2025
James Leroy Carroll (JD 72), of Oxford, March 16, 2025
Dorothy Elaine Clark (MM 78), of Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 10, 2024
David O’Neal Clayborne (BPA 73, MSS 74), of Rabun Gap, Ga., Jan. 5, 2025
Margaret Ann Keough Collier (BA 70), of Jackson, Feb. 26, 2025
Donald Vincent Conerly (MD 75), of Hattiesburg, Feb. 17, 2025
Randy Keith Cross (SpecE 79, PhD 82), of Decatur, Ala., March 10, 2025
Gregory Alan Drake (BM 73), of Lexington, Ky., Jan. 10, 2025
Natascha Melody Constance Bruner (BA 01, BA 01), of Water Valley, Jan. 28, 2025
Angela Raquel Swanson Williams (BSW 02, MS 14), of Oxford, Jan. 11, 2025
2010s
Barbara Zjawin Barreca (MEd 12), of Howell, N.J., March 9, 2025
Caleb William Brown (BA 16), of New Orleans, La., Feb. 11, 2025
Alex Christopher Diaz (BAccy 13, MAccy 14), of Dunedin, Fla., Jan. 9, 2025
Angela Amerson Dotson (BGS 16), of Burnsville, March 16, 2025
Terra Anita Watkins (DNP 19), of Jackson, March 3, 2025
2020s
Madison Brooke Walker (BMDS 20), of Terry, Jan. 12, 2025
STUDENTS
Makyle Julian Junior Bayley, of London, England, Feb. 15, 2025
Bemnet Sintayehu Gochel, of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feb. 12, 2025
Wyatt James Thistle, of Southaven, March 11, 2025
Jamiah Patrice Thomas, of Olive Branch, Feb. 23, 2025
FACULTY, STAFF AND FRIENDS
Johnny Ball, of McComb, March 9, 2025
Estes McMath Blackburn, of Brandon, Feb. 19, 2025
Ceylon Bryan Blackwell Jr., of Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 14, 2025
James Blake, of Abbeville, March 8, 2025
Justin Scott Boyd, of Wiggins, March 10, 2025
Alumni News
Robert Sherman Bramlett, of Southaven, March 5, 2025
Nancy Hagan Case, of New Albany, Feb. 5, 2025
Gary Paul Chandler, of Oxford, Feb. 6, 2025
Linda Coats, of Gulfport, Feb. 10, 2025
Sheron Cook Cochran, of Waynesboro, March 5, 2025
Lindsey Carter Fields, of Andover, Kan., Jan. 29, 2025
Margaret Cullom Fields, of Oxford, Jan. 22, 2025
Stephen Mark Gray, of Biloxi, March 1, 2025
Clara Anita Hollowell, of Oxford, Jan. 9, 2025
William Michael Kallman, of Greenfield, Ind., Feb. 16, 2025
Jakob Edward Kindt, of Tupelo, March 10, 2025
Eddie Efford Ladner, of Gulfport, March 4, 2025
Janet Elaine Larmon, of Ringgold, Ga., Jan. 15, 2025
Donald Rayford Latham, of Wilmington, N.C., March 13, 2025
Rita Thornton Lee, of Starkville, Feb. 11, 2025
Catalina Van Geuns Mann, of Oxford, Feb. 14, 2025
Vernon Dean Maples, of Oxford, Feb. 18, 2025
Rachel Russell McNeely, of Oxford, Feb. 10, 2025
Thomas Gustave Muir Jr., of Austin, Texas, Jan. 22, 2025
Louie Harold Nichols, of Olive Branch, Feb. 27, 2025
Betty Robinson Oswald, of Gulfport, Jan. 30, 2025
Elizabeth Anne Payne, of Oxford, Feb. 24, 2025
Ray Pickering, of Ridgeland, Jan. 6, 2025
Dustin Brett Pope, of Philadelphia, March 10, 2025
Bobbie Stalyon Ross, of Olive Branch, Jan. 31, 2025
David Walter Sloan, of Austin, Texas, Jan. 7, 2025
Joanette LaShelle Starks Stoddard, of Calhoun City, Feb. 14, 2025
Peggy Hidalgo Supple, of Oxford, March 19, 2025
Tony Tademy, of Jupiter, Fla., Jan. 6, 2025
Barbara Connell Thweatt, of Oxford, Jan. 18, 2025
Loye Elaine Watts, of Oxford, March 2, 2025
Ann Bilbo Wiltshire, of McComb, Jan. 19, 2025
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 1374, Oxford, MS 38655. 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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