Ole Miss Alumni Review - Winter 2015

OLE MISS ALUMNI REVIEW

Winter 2015

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WINTER 2015

Extreme Explorer Alumnus achieves Adventurers Grand Slam

VOL. 64 N O. 1

A year in pictures: highlights of 2014 Rare pediatric heart procedure debuts at UMMC

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Vol. 64 No. 1

features

26 A Year in Pictures Ole Miss Highlights of 2014

32 Healing Hearts

Rare pediatric heart procedure debuts at UMMC

BY RUTH CUMMINS

departments 6 FROM THE CIRCLE

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

16 CALENDAR

36 All Access

Vaught-Hemingway expansion plans released

40 SPORTS

Shackelford wins Wuerffel Trophy Rebels shine in track-and-field opener

44 ARTS AND CULTURE 46 REBEL TRAVELER 50 ALUMNI NEWS

20 Extreme Explorer ON THE COVER

Alumnus achieves Adventurers Grand Slam

On the cover: On May 6, 2014, alumnus Ryan Waters became the first American to complete the “Adventurers Grand Slam” unsupported, reaching the North and South poles on foot and climbing the highest mountain peaks on all seven continents.

BY ANNIE RHOADES

Cover photo courtesy of Eric Larsen

Ole Miss Alumni Review P ublisher TimothyL.L.Walsh Walsh(83, (83) Timothy 91) Editor Jim Urbanek II (97) jim@olemiss.edu A ssociate Editor and A dvertising dvertising Director irector Tom Speed (91) Annie Rhoades (07, 09) tom@olemiss.edu annie@olemiss.edu C ontributing ontributing E Editor ditor C Benita Benita Whitehorn Whitehorn Editorial A ssistant A rt Director Brandon Irvine Amy Howell Designer C ontributors EricElizabeth SummersBurgreen (14), Kevin Bain (98), Ruth Cummins (82), Mitchell Diggs (82), C orrespondents Jay Ferchaud, Win Graham Kevin Bain (98), Tobie Baker(11), (96), Tina Hahn, Robert Jordan Rebecca Lauck Cleary (97),(83), LexiNathan Combs, Latil, JoshuaDiggs McCoy, Katie (01), Mitchell (82), JayMorrison Ferchaud, Michael Newsom (05), Gary Pettus, Michael Harrelson, Robert Jordan (83), Edwin SmithLatil, (80,93), Pam Starling (03), Nathan Jack Mazurak, Christina Steube (11) 02) Deborah Purnell (MA Edwin Smith (80), Matt Westerfield Officers of the University of M ississippi A lumni A ssociation Officers of The University of

M ississippi A lumni ssociation Trentice ImblerA(78) Billpresident May (79), Eddiepresident Maloney (72) president-elect Richard Noble (68), president-elect Hal Moore (76)

vice Bryan president Larry (74), vice president Kimsey O’Neal Cooper (94) Mike Glenn (77), athletics committee member athletics committee member Chip Crunk (87) Sam Lane (76), athletics committee member athletics committee member A lumni A ffairs Staff, O xford A lumni A ffairs Staff, O xford Timothy L. Walsh (83, 91), Timothly L. Walsh (83), executive director executive director Joseph Baumbaugh, systems analyst III Joseph Baumbaugh, systems analyst III Clay Cavett (86), associate director Clay Cavett (86), associate director Martha Dollarhide, systems programmer Martha Dollarhide, systems programmer II II Sheila Dossett (75), senior associate director Sheila Dossett (75), senior associate Julian Gilner (04, 07), assistant director director Port Kaigler Julian Gilner (06), (04), alumni assistantassistant director and senior club Sarah Kathryn M. coordinator Hickman (03), Annette (79), assistant Kelly director for accountant marketing Steve Mullen (92), assistant director Port Kaigler (06), alumni assistant and for marketing club coordinator AnnieAnnette RhoadesKelly (07, 09), (79),publications accountant editor AnnaSpeed Smith(91), (05),publications alumni assistant Tom editor and club(97), coordinator Scott Thompson assistant director Scott (97,assistant 08), assistant director Jim Thompson Urbanek (97), director for Jim Urbanek (97), assistant director communications for communications Rusty Woods (01), assistant director for Rusty Woods (01), associate information services director information services James for Butler (53), director emeritus (60, 66),director WarnerWarner Alford Alford (60), executive executiveemeritus director emeritus The Ole Miss Alumni Review (USPS 561-870) is published published quarterly quarterly by

by The the University is University of of Mississippi Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Affairs. Alumni Association offices are located at Triplett Alumni Center, 651 Grove Loop, University, MS 38677.

Telephone 662-915-7375.

AA-10504 122908

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Chancellor Dear Alumni and Friends,

The holidays are past and winter has come in full force, which means this is a great time to reflect on the accomplishments of the previous year and focus on goals for this year. Looking back, 2014 was an exciting year for the University of Mississippi, one that brought its share of challenges but also much for which to be thankful.

Our enrollment continued to grow last year, climbing to nearly 23,100 students across all our campuses. That’s up 3.6 percent from the previous year, continuing a remarkable 20-year surge in our enrollment. And our freshman class isn’t just bigger; it’s better prepared, posting an average ACT score of 24.3, a university record.

We continued to improve and expand our spaces for teaching and research, and the final phase of the National Center for Natural Products Research should be ready later this year. The expansion of Coulter Hall, home of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, also is progressing nicely. The cafeteria at Johnson Commons, renamed Rebel Market, opened this summer and has gotten great reviews from students and others. Our new parking garage is opening this spring, and the new basketball arena, the Pavilion at Ole Miss, is taking shape next door. We demolished Guess Hall in preparation for building two new state-of-the-art residence halls so we can continue to provide housing that meets our students’ needs. We also plan to begin a major expansion and renovation of the Student Union. And maybe the most exciting news is that the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation has provided a lead gift of $20 million toward development of our new science building, which will be a major addition to campus in a few years.

In athletics, 2014 was a banner year for Ole Miss baseball fans. The Rebels advanced to the College World Series, and our fans turned out in record numbers to watch the season unfold.

The men’s cross-country team was ranked for the first time and went to the national championships in Terre Haute, Ind. Our football Rebels opened the season with a 7-0 run, including a thrilling win over Alabama, and made history by being among the first teams selected for one of the “New Year’s Six” bowl slots in the Peach Bowl. And one of our perennial goals was finally realized when ESPN brought its “College GameDay” show to the Grove, showing off our gameday atmosphere to the entire country. In the classroom, Ole Miss student-athletes posted their highest ever semester GPA with a 2.93.

Most of you are aware that our executive director of the Ole Miss Alumni Association, Tim Walsh, is moving on to take a leadership position in the alumni association at the University of Florida. Tim has provided outstanding leadership for us and will be missed. I know you join me in appreciation for Tim and in wishing him well in his new responsibilities. Working with your elected leaders of our association, we will move forward in identifying the right leader to continue the great momentum we have enjoyed with Tim’s leadership.

I close with a personal expression of appreciation from Lydia and me for all the prayers and expressions of support during my illness. These last months of dealing with Burkitt’s lymphoma have been difficult, but we are so encouraged by good results from the chemotherapy and by your expressions of concern and support. I’m also grateful to Morris Stocks and others on our leadership team who continue to move us forward while I am out of the Lyceum. I look forward to a full recovery and resuming all my responsibilities as chancellor soon.

Sincerely,

Daniel W. Jones (MD 75) Chancellor

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Since our fall publication, the Rebels football team has given us much to cheer about. We welcomed ESPN’s “College GameDay” and “SEC Nation” to our campus. Our fans did not disappoint as so many of us flocked to campus to show our true Rebel spirit and pride to the rest of the world watching. We celebrated tremendous victories over Alabama and Mississippi State. Many of us also traveled near and far to cheer on our Rebels at away games, including the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.

If you have visited our campus lately, you will notice so much growth all around.

I continue to be amazed each time I drive on campus. The parking garage is almost complete, and new residence halls are under construction. Renovations to VaughtHemingway Stadium are about to begin, and soon we will have a new basketball arena. Changes are all around us, and the blessings are abundant.

Our faculty and university continue to receive recognition: • A lice Clark, vice chancellor for research and sponsored programs, was honored as a prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science fellow.

• Kenneth Sufka, professor of psychology and pharmacology, was recognized as Carnegie – CASE Mississippi Professor of the Year.

• The Ole Miss MBA program received its highest national ranking ever.

You can read more about those accomplishments in this issue.

Some of you may not yet know that effective March 2, 2015, Tim Walsh, executive director of the Ole Miss Alumni Association, has accepted a position as assistant vice president for alumni affairs at the University of Florida. Tim started his career at Ole Miss almost 25 years ago after earning two degrees on our beloved campus. He held several positions on the alumni staff before becoming the executive director in July 2008. The University of Florida recognized Tim’s accomplishments and expects he will help its association as he has helped ours.

Our Alumni Association has grown to almost 27,000 members under Tim’s leadership. We reach those members through print and electronic communications and social media, which have all grown tremendously during his tenure as executive director. He oversaw the completion of the $21.5 million The Inn at Ole Miss in 2008, the renovation of the Triplett Alumni Center after it flooded in 2009 and significant growth in alumni staff.

Tim, there are too many accomplishments to name here. We thank you for your leadership and wish you much continued success. Just remember this fall, when the Rebels travel to Florida to see the Gator-Rebel matchup, we will be waiting for your reaction to “Are You Ready?” Best wishes to you, our friend!

As I close, I’d like to say change is inevitable as we watch Ole Miss flourish. Come to campus this spring – enjoy the beauty.

Please continue to keep our chancellor, Dan Jones, and his wife, Lydia, in your prayers. They are special friends to many of us.

Thankful to be an Ole Miss Rebel!

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THE LATEST ON OLE MISS STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF AND FRIENDS

The Secret Is Out

ISS MINOR BECOMES INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED PROGRAM

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he intelligence and security studies minor at the University of Mississippi is officially an internationally certified program.

The UM minor is the first program to receive certification from the International Association for Intelligence Education, or IAFIE. The endorsement helps CISS remain at the forefront of intelligence education.

Following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, U.S. intelligence agencies sought ways to improve the critical task of analysis. As part of this effort, the UM School of Applied Sciences created the CISS to train students for careers in intelligence analysis and provide educational and scholarly resources to the national intelligence community.

IAFIE’s decision to certify the CISS minor is a validation of the faculty and staff’s hard work in building the program over

the last six years, says Carl Jensen, the center’s director.

“We have sought this IAFIE certification since the first day it was offered,” Jensen says. “Being the first program to receive it is an incredibly rewarding experience.”

IAFIE certification required meeting 32 standards, including intelligence history, organizations, planning, collection, analysis, counterintelligence and security. The organization has more than 230 member institutions and agencies.

“These days, we have a steady stream of students from all over the country visiting the center,” says Melissa Graves (JD 07, MA 11), associate director and instructor of the center.

“Having this certification allows us to provide evidence that people from within the intelligence community and academe have reviewed our program inside and out and concluded that we meet their rigorous standards.” AR Photo courtesy of the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies

CISS director Carl Jensen teaches a course.

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UM REMAINS A KIPLINGER’S ‘BEST VALUE’

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or the second straight year, the University of Mississippi has been named among the nation’s best values in higher education.

The editors of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine placed UM on its “Top 100 Values in Public Colleges” list for 2015. The university is ranked No. 59, up from last year’s No. 78 position. Other SEC institutions that made the list are Florida (No. 3), Georgia (10), Texas A&M (25), Alabama (44), Arkansas (58), Tennessee (78) and Auburn (88). Millsaps College (No. 77) is the only other Mississippi institution to make Kiplinger’s rankings, on its “Top 100 Values in Liberal Arts Colleges” list.

“When you look nationwide, the University of Mississippi stands out as a university with outstanding academic programs at a price substantially below similar universities, with the bonus of offering an outstanding collegiate experience,” says Morris Stocks, provost.

Kiplinger’s process in naming Best Values relies on data submitted by the colleges and universities. Non-U.S. schools and specialty schools, such as military academies, medical specialty schools and art schools, are not included. The list is narrowed down to the most selective universities, based on entrance exam scores of the 2014 freshman class.

To further reduce the list, additional quality measures are reviewed, including four-year graduation rates, the number of freshmen who return as sophomores and student-faculty ratios.

As state funding has declined, college tuition has soared nationwide. But Ole Miss has several programs to help ease the costs of higher education for families. For example, the university and the Luckyday Foundation annually award hundreds of Luckyday Scholarships, ranging from $2,000 to $7,000 a year.

Another program is the Ole Miss Opportunity Scholarship program for low-income Mississippi students. Launched in 2010, OMO guarantees financial aid support for tuition, housing and meals. About 365 students enrolled last fall under the program.

Private support is also a critical factor in the university’s surge in standing among American universities, says Wendell Weakley (BBA 76), president and CEO of the University of Mississippi Foundation.

“Even as the nation and other large institutions in our state see enrollment declines, the demand for entrance at the state’s flagship institution has never been higher,” Weakley says. “This is due in large part to the investments that donors have made and continue to make in this great university.” AR

UM Dedicates Pittman Hall EVENT PAYS TRIBUTE TO JACKSON COUPLE’S GENEROSITY, INVOLVEMENT Photo by Kevin Bain

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he last of the three residence halls known as the Ridges, in the former location of Miller Hall, was officially named for Scarlotte (BSC 63) and Crymes G. (BA 64, JD 66) Pittman of Jackson at a ceremony in November to honor the couple’s longtime generosity and service.

Pittman Hall, located just off Rebel Drive, shares a courtyard with Minor and Burns halls.

UM Chancellor Dan Jones (MD 75) expressed gratitude for the couple’s contributions.

“Scarlotte and Crymes Pittman are outstanding alumni,” Jones says. “We are extremely grateful and proud of their many investments in the life of the University of Mississippi directed to both academic and athletics programs. The Pittmans are thoughtful and visionary in their support, as evidenced by their creation of the Freshman Seminar to enhance students’ educational experiences. They always have the best interests of our students and the

future of this university uppermost in their hearts and minds.”

Crymes Pittman was inducted into the School of Law Hall of Fame in 2011 and was named Law Alumnus of the Year in 1999. He co-created a scholarship endowment in Pittman, Germany, Robert & Welsh’s name at the UM School of Law and has generously provided personal gifts

to this endowment to assist law students.

Likewise, the firm continues as a generous financial supporter of the university.

Pittman also has given his time and expertise to serve as a board member of the University of Mississippi Foundation, Ole Miss Alumni Association, Lamar Order, Law Alumni Chapter and the MomentUM Campaign. AR Winter 2015 7

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U.S. Supreme Court justices Antonin Scalia (middle) and Elena Kagan share insights at the Gertrude C. Ford Center.

High Honor TWO U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICES SPEAK AT UM

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.S. Supreme Court justices Antonin Scalia and Elena Kagan offered advice to law students and others at the University of Mississippi during a law school event at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts.

The justices told the audience of nearly 1,000 about their days at Harvard Law School, their journey to the nation’s highest legal status and their decisions on some of their most interesting cases.

Although the justices may have differences of opinion, there is no animosity on the court, Scalia said, adding that he and Kagan are good friends.

“If you can’t disagree on the law without taking it personally, find another day job,” he said.

This is the first time two Supreme Court justices have visited the Ole Miss campus together, says Matthew Hall, the law school’s senior associate dean.

“This is one of the branches of the federal government, and it’s led by nine people,” Hall says. “Two of them are here at the University of Mississippi. That’s an extraordinary occasion for the university, particularly for the law students who want to hear constitutional law straight from the source.”

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Learning about the justices’ personal experiences resonated for Marie Wicks (BA 12), an Ocean Springs native and former Miss Mississippi who is in her second year of law school.

“It’s just such an incredible opportunity,” Wicks says. “It was an illuminating experience to have two Supreme Court justices come and visit my school at the point when I’m halfway through law school. It’s one of those experiences that I will never forget.”

Third-year law student Davis Gates (BA 12), of Byram, enjoyed learning the views the two justices have of the Constitution, as well as experiencing a little bit of their individual characters.

“I’m really happy that I got to see a different side of the justices,” he says. “It really humanized them.”

Gates adds that when he arrived at Ole Miss in 2008, he had no idea that he would witness some of the events that have happened on campus.

“I’ve been all across the nation and to D.C. and never once even caught a glimpse of a justice,” he says. “I’ve been here since 2008, since the presidential debate, so in order to continue to be able to have these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities is definitely amazing.” AR

Key Player ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE CREATES UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

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n 2013, concert pianist Bruce Levingston, the enthusiastic crowd. who was serving as the chancellor’s special Students also performed with Levingston at adviser on the arts, was approached by UniMississippi Gov. Phil Bryant’s event touting 2014 versity of Mississippi administrators to develop a as the “Year of the Creative Economy” at Power program in which Ole Miss students would expeAPAC Elementary School in Jackson, attended a rience the art of classical music. performance at the Governor’s Mansion in JackLevingston invited students to attend his son and visited Levingston in New York, where he performances around the country to get a behindinvited them to his concert at Carnegie Hall. the-scenes look at how concerts are staged, meet Students also got to join Levingston as he players at each venue and act as ambassadors for played piano for the Boston Ballet premiere the university in each city. of “Close to Chuck.” Katie Shuford and Kate Some students were even asked to participate Prendergast ventured backstage to meet dancin some of Levingston’s performances. Students Bruce Levingston ers, choreographers and other members of Clarissa Brumley and Richard Culpepper both the Boston Ballet creative team. Shuford and performed with Levingston in front of local schoolchildren in Prendergast also visited the Boston Ballet School to see how Lexington. The Ole Miss musicians played their instruments, the school was run and meet with the physical therapist who trumpet and piano, respectively, and answered questions from treats the dancers. AR

UM VICE CHANCELLOR HONORED AS PRESTIGIOUS AAAS FELLOW

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lice M. Clark, vice chancellor for research and sponsored programs and Frederick A.P. Barnard Distinguished Professor of Pharmacognosy at the University of Mississippi, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Election as a fellow is bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers based on the candidates’ scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications. This year’s 401 new AAAS fellows were formally announced in the Nov. 28 issue of the journal Science, the largest peer-reviewed general science journal in the world, with 1 million readers.

“This is an outstanding recognition of Vice Chancellor Alice Clark’s accomplishments,” says Morris Stocks, UM provost. “She is an exemplary educator and a distinguished scientist who holds the respect of her colleagues. Her commitment to excellence is matched only by her commitment to research and service.”

Being named an AAAS fellow is one of the highest honors in the sciences and engineering, one shared by only three other current UM faculty members. Clark

joins Julius Cruse, professor and director of immunopathology in the UM School of Medicine, who was elected in 1970; Marjorie Holland, a professor of biology who was elected in 1991; and Steven Case, professor of biochemistry in the School of Medicine, who was elected in 2002.

Alice M. Clark Stephen Duke, research leader at the USDA Agricultural Research Service unit in the university’s National Center for Natural Products Research, also is an AAAS fellow, elected in 1993. Russell Aven, a retired UM professor of chemical engineering, was elected in 1960, and former pharmacognosy professor James McChesney was elected in 1995.

“I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition,” Clark says. “I realize my good fortune to have enjoyed an exciting and fulfilling career at an institution that values scholarship and service to society. I also know full well that whatever accomplishments are attributed to

me are, in truth, shared accomplishments with my many colleagues here at the University of Mississippi and throughout the countr y with whom I’ve had the privilege to work. I accept this honor as a tribute to our collective efforts over 35 years.”

A member of the organization’s Section on Pharmaceutical Sciences, Clark was cited for her “tremendous contributions to pharmacognosy of anti-infective agents, leadership in university science and stellar service to the National Institutes of Health review system.”

Clark earned her bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Troy State University and her master’s and doctoral degrees in pharmacognosy at UM. After spending a year as a Robert F. Welch Fellow at the Drug Dynamics Institute at the University of Texas, she returned to Ole Miss, where she helped establish one of the longest continually funded antifungal research programs in NIH history. AR Winter 2015 9

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n the largest study of the genetics of memory ever undertaken, an international team of researchers, including scientists from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, has associated two common genetic variants with memory performance.

The findings, posted online in November by the journal Biological Psychiatry, may provide clues to better understand memory loss in disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and during normal aging.

“Longer life spans and the growing prevalence of memory impairment and dementia worldwide have increased the urgency of efforts aimed at deciphering the underlying mechanisms of human memory,” says Thomas Mosley, Ph.D., director of the MIND Center at UMMC and senior scientist on the study. “If memory loss can be slowed just a little bit, giving older adults even just a few additional years of functional independence, the population burden from dementia would be dramatically reduced, as would some of the burden on families and the nation’s health care system.”

The researchers analyzed genetic data from almost 30,000 dementia-free individuals of European descent who were 45 and over from collaborating research centers from around the world. In addition, data from nearly 11,000 participants of European descent, nearly 4,000 African-Americans and about 1,500 young adults were analyzed for comparison.

Examining more than 2.5 million sites along each participant’s genome, researchers associated genetic variants near the apolipoprotein E gene with poor memory performance, mostly in the oldest individuals.

The same genetic variants are known to convey an increased risk of dementia, especially 10 Alumni Review

Alzheimer’s disease.

In a substudy using postmortem brain samples, participants with more memory-risk variants also had more pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease, perhaps reflecting some instances of early preclinical stages of the disease, the researchers said.

According to the researchers, two additional regions of the genome pointed to genes involved in immune response, providing new support for the role of immune system dysfunction in age-related memory decline.

“Interestingly, genetic variants associated with memory performance also predicted altered levels of expression of certain genes in the hippocampus, a key region of the brain for the consolidation of information,” says lead author Stéphanie Debette, M.D., Ph.D., an adjunct associate professor at Boston University School of Medicine. “These were mainly genes involved in the metabolism of ubiquitin that plays a pivotal role in protein degradation.”

Mosley credits the genetic discovery to the large worldwide collaboration developed through the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology consortium, also known as CHARGE. “Through CHARGE, we have brought together leading researchers from around the world who have agreed to pool data and analytic resources, which has greatly enhanced our ability to identify genetic variations for complex phenotypes like memory and Alzheimer’s,” Mosley says.

The core CHARGE cohorts include five populationbased studies. For the memory analysis, 23 additional studies contributed data. Funding for the core CHARGE cohorts was provided by the National Institutes of Health.

More research is needed to confirm the findings before exploring treatments or the development of diagnostic genetic tests, researchers say. AR

MBA Program Ranked by Businessweek NEW MARK IS HIGHEST NATIONAL RANKING EVER FOR PROGRAM Photo by Nathan Latil

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he University of Mississippi’s MBA program has been ranked 76th nationally by Bloomberg Businessweek.

The schools that made the ranking are considered by Businessweek to offer the strongest education and best preparation for business careers.

“We are very happy with the MBA ranking,” says Ken Cyree, dean of the School of Business Administration. “This ranking reflects the hard work of our faculty and staff, as well as the board who has helped us in many ways. We are grateful for the recognition and will continue the good work to provide an excellent education and preparation to our students entering the workforce, and enhance the value of the MBA degrees for our alumni.”

The MBA program has been ranked in the low 90s by U.S. News and World Report, but this is the highest national ranking it has ever received, says Del Hawley, the school’s senior associate dean. The program was ranked higher

The UM School of Business Administration is housed in Holman Hall.

than other respected programs, including those at the University of Alabama, Oklahoma University and Baylor University, he says.

“The Businessweek ranking is exciting news,” Hawley says. “Clearly, our program delivers tremendous value to our students and is an increasingly attractive alternative to many larger and more costly programs.”

The rankings are based on student satisfaction, which includes school

culture and academic quality; a survey from employers that hire those graduates to reflect career prep of the program; and faculty expertise, including articles by faculty published in business journals.

According to the findings, the Ole Miss business school has an average GMAT score of 550 for admitted students. The cost of the program for Mississippi residents is around $15,000, and the average salary of graduates from the program is $56,000 annually. AR

FRATERNITY RECOLONIZES AFTER 60 YEARS

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he options for Greek life at the University of Mississippi officially grew by one in October. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity recolonized after a more than six-decade absence from campus.

The Alpha Lambda chapter of Pi Kappa Phi chartered at Ole Miss in 1927. For 22 years, the fraternity was a prominent student group, producing many leaders in the campus community.

However, when World War II affected many of the “Pi Kapp” members, the chapter was forced to dissolve. Over the next 60 years, the Alpha Lambda chapter struggled to regain a presence on campus.

In 2012, the Pi Kappa Phi national staff started conversations with a few undergraduate men whom they thought might be interested in joining their brotherhood. Representatives from the fraternity traveled to the Ole Miss campus in spring 2013 to conduct information sessions and recruit students. A leadership consultant helped recruit 28 men.

“We recruited, raised money and awareness for people with disabilities through our philanthropy, stayed in the top three fraternity GPAs on campus, held fun and safe social events, and we made lifelong bonds and friendships with the men around us,” says Phillip Schmidt, Pi Kappa Phi president.

Over the course of the first year on campus, the fraternity

formed an executive council, successfully participated in formal recruitment and gained a total of 67 men by December 2013 to help celebrate its first Founder’s Day. “As a veteran of 25 years in the Army, these young men have embraced high standards that I respect, and I’ve been honored to help them work through the process of colonization,” says Michael Howland (MCJ 13), veteran and military services coordinator in the Center for Student Success and First-Year Experience and Pi Kappa Phi faculty adviser. “Their hard work resulted in a very diverse group of 102 young men who chartered and initiated, and that makes me proud of what they have accomplished.”

It wasn’t until Oct. 11 that the fraternity regained its charter and recolonized on the UM campus.

The fraternity has already made a name for itself on campus through Pi Kappa Phi’s national philanthropy, The Ability Experience, which raises awareness and money and recruits volunteers for those with mental and physical disabilities. The chapter held a 24-hour bike-a-thon called Pedal for a Push, raising $2,900. Pi Kappa Phi is the only national Greek fraternity to operate its own philanthropy. AR Winter 2015 11

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Circle Outstanding Educator SUFKA NAMED CASE-CARNEGIE MISSISSIPPI PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR

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respected University of Mississippi educator and researcher is 2014’s Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Council for Advancement and Support of Education Mississippi Professor of the Year.

Kenneth J. “Ken” Sufka, professor of psychology and pharmacology, received the prestigious honor in November at the U.S. Professor of the Year Awards celebration in Washington, D.C. The program salutes the country’s most outstanding undergraduate instructors and is the only national effort to recognize excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring.

“When I first read the letter, I was flat-out dumbfounded. I had to read it again,” Sufka says. “The CASE-Carnegie Foundation Award is by far the most prestigious recognition one can receive in this profession. For CASE-Carnegie to think that the entire body of my academic work is worthy of such recognition is both overwhelming and humbling.”

Douglass Sullivan-González, dean of UM’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, says Sufka sets the bar for excellent teaching and creative scholarship among students and colleagues. “[He] has produced more final theses with our high-

performing honors students than any other professor on campus,” Sullivan-González says. “The ethic of excellence that guides his work and interaction with our students creates a powerful magnetic attraction to those who want to push the boundaries of knowledge and wisdom.”

Sufka is most deserving of the award, says Michael T. Allen, chair and professor of psychology.

“I immediately felt a sense of pride for him and the Department of Psychology, but I wasn’t really surprised,” Allen says.

“Dr. Sufka has won essentially all of the awards for teaching and service that the university bestows, and he has been a magnificent teacher and mentor of students for many years. What makes him so special is his love of teaching and his constant effort to become better and better at it, along with his sincere desire to have students succeed in his classes.”

Sufka earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Iowa State University. Before joining the UM faculty in 1992, he conducted research at Drake, Des Moines and Duke universities. Sufka is a visiting research fellow at Newcastle University and an associate member of the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Cancer Institute. AR Photo by Robert Jordan

Ken Sufka lectures to one of his classes.

12 Alumni Review

Academic Jump-start POLE VAULT CHAMPION TAILORS DEGREE THROUGH BGS PROGRAM Photo by Joshua McCoy/Ole Miss Athletics

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y now, just about everybody has heard about Sam Kendricks’ exploits – flying through the air at track-and-field meets all over the world – but only a handful know about his success designing an academic degree program.

In fact, that latter achievement has helped Kendricks, a University of Mississippi senior and reigning Southeastern Conference, NCAA and USA outdoor pole vault champion, excel in other areas during his time at Ole Miss. The degree program he helped design – his own – gave the 22-year-old from Oxford flexibility to compete as a studentathlete, train as an Army ROTC cadet and develop leadership skills.

Kendricks is part of a growing segment of UM students pursuing a Bachelor of General Studies, or BGS. These students want to take more control of their own career path and craft a plan of study that not only leads to a bachelor’s degree, but also helps them gain the

Sam Kendricks, UM senior, designed his own degree through the Bachelor of General Studies program.

knowledge and skills they feel will most likely help them excel at their own goals.

“An Ole Miss student was taking me on a tour of campus back when I was

still in high school,” Kendricks says. “I remember something the student said that has stuck with me. ‘Ole Miss is whatever you put into it,’ she told me.

I’m so glad that I have put everything I have into my time here.”

The university added the BGS program to its undergraduate offerings in 2011. More than 500 students are constructing their own college education by choosing from a wide variety of options to pursue three minors and 30 hours of core courses.

Kendricks chose three distinct minors to craft his Ole Miss degree: mathematics, recreation management and military science leadership.

“I have been so lucky to have all of the experiences I have had at Ole Miss,” Kendricks says. “My classes have prepared me for my future just like my athletic training is preparing me for the next level of competition. I’m happy that my education fits my goals and interests so well.” AR

UM FOCUSES INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT ON INDIA, CHINA

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niversity of Mississippi officials have set a goal of doubling international student enrollment in five years, and officials from the UM Office of Global Engagement recently ventured into India and China to recruit students from high-performing secondary schools.

Greet Provoost, director of the Office of International Programs, traveled with Jean Robinson, the office’s assistant director, to Hyderabad, India, where UM sponsored the Oakridge International School’s Model United Nations Conference, or OAKMUN. The conference brought together global-minded students from 30 schools around India and South Asia. Provoost also traveled to Nanjing, China, for the Jiangsu Star Students Search and met with prospective students to get the word out about UM.

“We are increasing awareness that we are on top of our game here at the University of Mississippi,” Provoost says. “We are letting prospective students and their parents know about our excellent academics, our incredible scholarship program, our safe and beautiful campus, and about the opportunities available to them as part of our campuswide focus on internationalization.”

University officials want to double international enrollment, which is nearly 1,000 students from 92 countries. To reach that goal, the Office of Global Engagement is partnering with schools, universities and media, as well as government and private agencies in target recruitment countries, with the goal of promoting UM and its reputation for academic excellence.

A few of the strong selling points at OAKMUN were UM’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, Croft Institute for International Studies and strong bachelor’s degree programs. Efforts to get attention from international students were helped by the Manning name and the movie “The Blind Side,” to which students often referred when talking with Provoost. Video clips and pictures prompted prospective students to say UM’s campus looked as nice as a resort.

Efforts to recruit international students will continue in China, India and other target countries by the offices that make up the Office of Global Engagement: Office of International Programs, Study Abroad Office and the Intensive English Program. AR Winter 2015 13

fromthe

Circle Photo courtesy of SpaceX

The SpaceX CRS-4 launch in September 2014 included the second phase of John Z Kiss’ seedling experiment.

Space Plants Return to Earth UM RESEARCHER’S EXPERIMENT GERMINATES ABOARD SPACE STATION

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arming in deep space is explored in the recent movie “Interstellar,” but a University of Mississippi biologist’s research program appears to be bringing the sci-fi scenario closer to reality.

The Seedling Growth Series of plant biology experiments is part of an agreement between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), says John Z. Kiss, dean of the UM Graduate School and NASA’s principal investigator for the project. PIs from both agencies combined proposals to maximize scientific returns.

“The major goals are to determine how gravity and light responses influence each other in plants and to better understand the cellular signaling mechanisms of phototropism and cellular response of light stimulation involved,” Kiss says.

The first phase of the space seedlings experiment was aboard the SpaceX-2 launch in March 2013 and returned on the SpaceX-3 in May 2014. The second phase traveled to the International Space Station on SpaceX-4 last September and was scheduled to return in January.

Preliminary data indicate the plants are taking root, showing promise for future such experiments and eventually leading to actual extraterrestrial crops and harvests.

“In SG-2, we have successfully completed the reduced gravity series, which can be added to the series in SG-1,” says Kiss, whose 14 Alumni Review

leading role as a NASA spaceflight researcher spans more than 20 years. “To our knowledge, for the first time in the course of plant space biology, we will have information on a physiological response across a continuum of gravity conditions.”

Scientists are confident they have a sample size that will produce statistically significant results due to the robust design of their experiment. Findings will be published in respected peer-reviewed journals.

F. Javier Medina, a researcher at the Spanish National Research Council and ESA’s PI on the space seedlings project, indicated the development of SG-2 operations in flight is quite satisfactory.

“The seeds have germinated at a good rate, and seedlings of all genotypes have shown a robust growth,” Medina says. “In the first run of the experiment, we have attempted for the first time the growth of seedlings under the constant conditions of gravity throughout the entire growth period, either micro-G or one-G.” Following the return of the seed cassettes and subsequent findings, NASA and ESA will develop SG-3, which is expected to launch on SpaceX-9 in late 2015. The development of SG-4 is to be determined.

For updates on the Seedling Growth Series project, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/ seedling_growth_2. AR

OXFORD’S BEST HOTEL 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014

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Whether you are planning a dream wedding, a business conference, an educational forum, or just looking for the most elegant and luxurious accommodations in the region, look to The Inn at Ole Miss Hotel and Conference Center.

Now with more than 146 elegant guest rooms, including executive suites, a stunning new ballroom, flexible meeting rooms, and a catering kitchen second to none in the region, you’ll find all the services and facilities necessary to plan a memorable event or getaway you’ll never forget.

For reservations call 888-486-7666.

Legendary Hospitality. Uncompromising Comfort.

Alumni Drive • Oxford, MS • www.TheInnAtOleMiss.com

Calendar FEB. 25

FEBRUARY

25

Reception: School of Applied Sciences Networking Reception. The Inn at Ole Miss Ballroom, 4-5:30 p.m. Call 662-915-7375 or visit www.olemissalumni.com/events.

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Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Central Arkansas. Swayze Field, 4 p.m.

Visit www.olemisssports.com.

25

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Georgia. Tad Smith Coliseum, 8 p.m. Visit www.olemisssports.com.

25

Musical: “Jekyll and Hyde,” National Broadway Tour. Gertrude C. Ford Center, 7:30 p.m. Call 662-915-2787 or visit www.fordcenter.org.

25

Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. LSU. Tad Smith Coliseum, 6 p.m. Visit www.olemisssports.com.

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-28 Leadership Ole Miss Conference: For Alumni Association club leaders. Triplett Alumni Center. Call 662-915-7375 or email port@olemiss.edu.

Performance: “The Great Gatsby,” Montana Repertory Theatre. Gertrude C. Ford Center, 7:30 p.m. Call 662-915-2787 or visit www.fordcenter.org.

MARCH

5

-8 Reunion: Black Alumni Reunion. Various times and locations. Call 662-915-7375 or visit www.olemissalumni.com/events.

6

-8 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Stetson.

Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.olemisssports.com.

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Vanderbilt. Tad Smith Coliseum, 8 p.m. Visit www.olemisssports.com.

-13 Spring Break

Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m.

Visit www.olemisssports.com.

20

-21 Reunion: Law Reunion Weekend. Various times and locations. Call 662-915-7375 or visit www.olemissalumni.com/events.

20

-22 Baseball: Ole Miss vs.

Florida. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Visit www.olemisssports.com.

24

Baseball: Ole Miss vs. UAB. Doubleheader. Swayze Field, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. Visit www. olemisssports.com.

Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Central Arkansas

FEB. 25

25

-27 Conference: Oxford Conference for the Book.

The 2015 conference celebrates books, reading and significant contributions made to American letters by Mississippi writer Margaret Walker. Visit http://oxfordconferenceforthebook.com.

Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. LSU

Performance: Bruce Levingston and Friends MARCH 27

27

Performance: Bruce Levingston and Friends, “Music Noir: An Evening of Words and Music.” Gertrude C. Ford Center, 7:30 p.m. Call 662915-2787 or visit www.fordcenter.org.

27

-28 Reunion: Rugby Alumni Reunion. Times and locations TBD. Call 662-915-7375.

30

Dance Performance: Pilobolus.

Gertrude C. Ford Center, 7:30 p.m. Call 662-915-2787 or visit www.fordcenter.org.

Winter 2015 17

APRIL

2

Grove Bowl

-4 Women’s Golf: Rebel Intercollegiate. Ole Miss Golf Course. Visit www.olemisssports.com.

APRIL 11

3

-5 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Tennessee.

Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.olemisssports.com.

11

Grove Bowl: Red/Blue football game fundraiser for the J.W. “Wobble” Davidson Scholarship. Call 662-915-7375.

15

Baseball: Ole Miss vs. UTMartin. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m.

Visit www.olemisssports.com.

16

Engineering Awards Banquet: The Inn at Ole Miss, 6 p.m.

Call 662-915-7375.

17

Golf Tournament: School of Pharmacy Scholarship Golf Tournament. Ole Miss Golf Course, 10 a.m. To register or sponsor the event, call 662-915-1878.

17

-18 Pharmacy Weekend: Various times and locations.

Call 662-915-7375.

18

Performance: “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark,” University of Mississippi Opera Theatre. Gertrude C. Ford Center, 7:30 p.m. Call 662-9152787 or visit www.fordcenter.org.

23

19

24

-24 2015 Rebel Road Trip: Various times and locations.

Call 662-915-7375 or visit www. olemissalumni.com/events.

21

Performance: “Cinderella,” Russian National Ballet. Gertrude C. Ford Center, 7:30 p.m. Call 662915-2787 or visit www.fordcenter.org.

22

Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Memphis. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m.

Visit www.olemisssports.com.

18 Alumni Review

Accountancy Honors Banquet: The Inn at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. Call 662-915-7375.

-26 Accountancy Weekend: Various times and locations.

Call 662-915-7375.

24

-26 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Alabama. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, noon Sunday.

Visit www.olemisssports.com.

30

Reception: Mississippi Bar Swearing In Law Alumni Reception, 4 p.m. Carroll Gartin Justice Building, Jackson. Call 662-915-1878.

For a full and most recent listing of spring Ole Miss sports schedules, visit www.olemisssports.com.

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

Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

Calendar

TOMORROW HOLDS HOPE. But today, over half of Mississippi’s counties don’t have the doctors needed to care for our communities. As Mississippi’s only Academic Medical Center, we’re teaching the state’s next generation of doctors, nurses, dentists and medical pioneers. Over the next decade, we’re making the 1,000 doctor difference – a commitment to educate and inspire 1,000 new doctors dedicated to Mississippi’s communities.

We believe in tomorrow. Because we see it today.

Tomorrow. Every day.

ummchealth.com/wish #ummcwish

20 Alumni Review

EXTREME EXPLORER ALUMNUS ACHIEVES ADVENTURERS GRAND SLAM

By Annie Rhoades

Photo courtesy of Eric Larsen Winter 2015 21

Photos courtesy of Ryan Waters

Waters takes the frigid plunge, swimming a lead during his trip to the North Pole.

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itting in physics class on the Ole Miss campus, staring at a picture of Mount Pumo Ri on his textbook cover, Ryan Waters (BS 98) dreamed of the day he might have a shot at scaling the famed Himalayan mountain range.

“I daydreamed about that picture, and I still have the book,” says Waters, outdoor adventurer and owner of expedition guide service Mountain Professionals. “At the time, I had never really climbed a big mountain. I had only been rock climbing for a few years, but I’d look at that picture and think how incredible it would be some day to go to the Himalayas. Inside the cover, the caption in the book says many people believe Mount Pumo Ri to be the most beautiful mountain in the world. For some reason, I got this idea that someday I’m going to go climb that mountain, and it kind of stuck with me.”

A native of Marietta, Ga., Waters graduated from Wheeler High School in 1992 and attended East Tennessee State University, where he played football for one year before enrolling at Ole Miss.

Once he arrived in Oxford, Waters quickly focused on the geology program. Having an avid interest in all things outdoors since childhood, he believed it would be a good fit.

As it turned out, geology laid the groundwork for the path his career would take.

“I took Geology 101 as an elective my freshman year at East 22 Alumni Review

Tennessee,” Waters says. “When I transferred to Ole Miss, they had a more significant program. It seemed like a good idea for a major because I had always wanted to be outside.”

A member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Waters received a Bachelor of Science in engineering in 1998 and promptly moved back to Georgia to accept a job as a geologist in Atlanta with Black & Veatch, a global engineering, consulting, construction and operations company.

“I worked there for about three-and-a-half years, but the whole time I was there I was climbing more and getting interested in expeditions and high mountains,” Waters says. “I call it my mid-20s crisis because, after thinking a lot over a two-year period, I decided that I had always been interested in working in the outdoors.”

Waters took a chance and began spending his summers working as a climbing instructor for North Carolina Outward Bound School, essentially giving up a full-time formal career as a geologist.

He delved into rock-climbing instructing and backpacking in the U.S., which only deepened his interest in his newfound career.

“I started being more serious about going on my own trips, and that slowly progressed into a couple of years working part time as a geologist and part time as an outdoor educator,” Waters says. “That eventually brought me down to the Patagonia area in southern Argentina.”

Aviva Argentina Waters moved to Argentina in 2004, where he began working as a mountaineering instructor – a move that would ultimately change his life.

“I lived there a couple of years and really started to pursue mostly mountain climbing,” Waters says. “I started traveling to the Himalayas and all kinds of crazy places and eventually got into guiding more formally as opposed to instructing.”

Doug Sandok, executive director of Paradox Sports, recalls Waters’ steadfast demeanor during their time instructing together in Patagonia.

“He’s a steady hand and doesn’t get bent out of shape about a lot of things,” Sandok says. “He kind of keeps his eye on the ball in a very calm, reassuring way. That’s how he is with his clients too. When he comes into the tent, he’s a very warm personality that people really respond to. He’s also a very driven person that has this tremendous ability to continue to dig deep. Not everyone has that.”

After numerous high altitude climbs and expeditions, Waters had the opportunity in 2003 to summit Mount Pumo Ri, the mountain that had haunted his dreams after first spotting it on the cover of his physics book.

“I ended up climbing that peak, and that was a really cool experience,” Waters says. “I told myself that once I climb this I’m going to take a break for a while, but what really happened was it turned me on to the Himalayas. I was so amazed by that place. Standing on the top of Pumo Ri, I looked across – and there was Everest.”

The following year in 2004, Waters returned to the Himalayas to climb Everest for the first time.

It turned out to be the first of many trips guiding others through the harrowing trek to reach the peak of the famed mountain.

“It allowed me to suddenly have a good starting point to build a resumé on not only my personal climbs but also mountaineering guiding companies.”

Within two years, Waters also scaled Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world, and had three more Himalayan trips under his belt.

The next climb for Waters was obvious – in Pakistan.

with then co-founder Dave Elmore. Since 2008, Waters has been the sole owner of the Boulder, Colo., based company and continues to lead expeditions and trips.

“We have a list of trips that we offer,” Waters says. “Some people may have an interest in Kilimanjaro, trekking the Everest Base Camp or even climbing Mount Everest. There are people that are looking for an operator and either join one of our trips or set up a private trip.”

While he enjoys leading groups of people on various climbs and expeditions, perhaps his favorite trips are the ones he takes to achieve his own goals and dreams.

And achieve them he has.

Grand Slam On May 6, 2014, Waters became the first American to complete the “Adventurers Grand Slam” unsupported, traveling to both the North and South poles on foot and climbing the highest mountain peaks on each of the seven continents.

“I never really set out to do that,” Waters says. “It just happened. As a mountain guide, there is a lot of business climbing the seven summits, so I just did it by guiding.”

Waters began his ascent to adventurer fame by not only climbing the highest peaks but also by skiing to the South

Pakistani Peaks In 2006, Waters set out for the Karakoram Himalaya in northern Pakistan to attempt climbing Broad Peak, the 12th highest mountain in the world at 26,414 feet (8,051 meters), as well as the infamous K2, the second highest mountain in the world at 28,251 feet (8,611 meters), after Mount Everest.

“That was a significant trip for me because we summited Broad Peak, but we didn’t summit K2,” Waters says. “I was leading the expedition, and the weather had been a little dangerous with rock fall, so it just wasn’t going to happen that year.”

Since that trip, Waters has traveled to Pakistan numerous times and recently returned to the U.S. from his 15th expedition to the Himalayas.

Boulder Bound In the midst of his many expeditions, Waters found the time to start his own guide company, Mountain Professionals, in 2005

Waters proudly displays his Ole Miss flag at the North Pole.

Pole in January 2010 with Norwegian adventurer Cecilie Skog, unassisted and unsupported – without the use of kites or resupplies.

“Cecilie had this idea of trying to ski across Antarctica because it had been crossed a couple of times in various ways but never unsupported,” Waters says. “One other Norwegian guy had crossed it unsupported, but he had used a kite to help pull him across. I was just naïve and said, ‘Yeah, I’ll go with you,’ not really knowing how big of a deal it was. It’s a huge expedition that took us 70 days to complete.”

Winter 2015 23

Photos courtesy of Ryan Waters

Waters trains in Norway for his next adventure.

The duo became the first to ever ski unsupported and unassisted across Antarctica via the South Pole.

Waters suddenly realized the only thing left to do to be the first American to complete the Adventurers Grand Slam was to ski to the North Pole unsupported, a treacherous feat few have accomplished.

Due North Waters contacted his close friend and polar adventurer Eric Larsen to begin planning the journey.

“He said, ‘Let’s go for it,’” Waters says. “Eric had already skied to the North Pole two times, but both times were supported with resupplies being dropped in by airplanes. My big thing was I wanted to do it unsupported, so I could have that clean record doing both poles unsupported.”

It took more than a year and a half of extensive planning, training and securing funding via sponsorships to see the trip come to fruition. A deal was struck with the television network Animal Planet to become a sponsor and film the expedition for a documentary to be aired in the first quarter of 2015.

On day one, the two set out alone from Cape Discovery on Canada’s Ellesmere Island into the vast expanse of unknown water and ice.

“It is by far the most difficult thing I have ever done,” Waters says. “It was definitely a life-changing experience. I remember there was a feeling before climbing Everest and after climbing Everest; you have this different feeling about yourself and your life almost. Now I have this North Pole feeling. It’s a traumatic 24 Alumni Review

experience because it’s so difficult; you’re so focused on it, and it’s dangerous the whole time. It was definitely a long process to come away from that trip.”

The pair reached the North Pole after 53 days of skiing, swimming and walking 480 nautical miles through treacherous, polar bear-dodging, sub-zero conditions at best.

“The unsupported expedition to the North Pole is easily one of the most difficult expeditions on the planet,” Larsen says. “We spent 53 days pulling 325-pound sleds day in and day out and almost got eaten by a couple of polar bears. As physically hard as the expedition was, the emotional toll was even greater.”

The two tended to balance each other well throughout the many ups and downs they faced, leaning on each other when times got tough.

“The big difference is Antarctica and the South Pole is ice on top of land, so there’s a continent,” Waters says. “The Arctic and the North Pole is just an ocean with ice floating on the water, so you’re skiing on top of ice that can be anywhere from 10 feet thick in some places down to a mere half-inch thick in others – or no ice at all.”

With tides, temperature and wind affecting ice conditions, cracks and gaps create pans of ice that can range in size from a tiny room to 3 miles across. Depending on the size of the pans, decisions have to be made on whether to ski around them or jump in the freezing water and swim across with a sled in tow.

“The pans may be so long it’s not realistic to try to ski around them because you’re wasting so much time and you need to just

Waters spends downtime in a ‘home away from home’ on one of his many expeditions.

keep going,” Waters says. “The mental part is just as hard as the physical because you have so much time to think about things.

I remember there were several days where I was thinking about Ole Miss just to keep my mind busy and planning what I’m going to do with my parents and friends the next time I go to a football game weekend in Oxford. It was a great, positive thing that really helped me.”

Whiteouts, polar bears, fatigue and a set timeline to get to the North Pole are just a few of the many life-threatening factors that set the pace for the expedition.

“I like to tell people that I didn’t know we were going to make it even when we were half an hour away from the North Pole,” Waters says. “There are so many variables and uncertainty. It was minus 50 degrees when we started, and it’s constantly evolving.

You don’t really ever relax.”

Race to the Finish As the rendezvous date for the airplane to pick them up grew nearer and the gap to their final destination was not closing in fast enough, the two had to regroup and take a more extreme approach during the final 60-nautical-mile, four-day stretch.

“We started skiing much more in a day than we had been,” Waters says. “We would only sleep for six hours and then be skiing again. It’s 24 hours of sunlight at that point, so we didn’t care if it was night or day anymore. I can remember one day the weather was really bad, and we were just skiing and falling over. We couldn’t navigate or see where we were to make good decisions. I was really down, and Eric and I both

started to cry in our goggles. We really had to bond together then and say we can do it, let’s just keep going.”

Only the third and fourth Americans ever to ski unsupported to the North Pole, the two finished the trek in record-breaking time, surpassing the previous American speed record of 55 days by two days.

“Reaching the North Pole in and of itself is a tremendously difficult accomplishment,” Sandok says. “I’m close with Eric and Ryan both, so I was paying a lot of attention and reading their blog posts. In a way, it’s almost like the rest of what he’s done combined times 10. It is really just a tremendous achievement.”

It took nearly two months of recovery for Waters to begin feeling like himself again and for his body to adjust back to normal day-to-day life.

“Eric and I didn’t talk about it that much,” Waters says. “It’s a very humbling place. I’m glad we did it, but I’m also glad it’s over.”

Since returning to Colorado, Waters, an avid outdoor photographer, continues guiding expeditions, and is engaging in public speaking and authoring a book about his trip to Antarctica.

While he looks forward to new expeditions through his guide company, Waters is equally excited to achieve more of his own goals.

“A goal of mine has always been to climb an unclimbed mountain in the Himalayas, and I think that’s going to happen in the next two years,” he says. “Nepal just opened 106 new peaks that were previously closed, and I want to be the first person to climb one. That would be a cool thing.” AR Winter 2015 25

OLE MIS S 2 014

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rom national recognition for programs, students and faculty to excellence in athletics to campus construction and growth, the University of Mississippi had a banner year in 2014. Enrollment increased by 3.6 percent, with the freshman class boasting an average ACT score of 24.3, a university record.

The year was full of wins for Ole Miss sports programs.

The baseball team advanced to the College World Series for the first time since 1972, the men’s cross-country team made history with an appearance in the national championships, and the football team opened the season with a 7-0 run for the first time since 1962. ESPN’s “College GameDay” also made its first appearance on campus. It was a great year to be an Ole Miss Rebel.

The following photos were taken by Kevin Bain, Robert Jordan and Nathan Latil with University Communications and Joshua McCoy with Ole Miss Athletics. To view these and more, visit http://olemiss.photoshelter.com and http://www.olemisssports.com. AR

26 Alumni Review

A YEAR I N PI C T U RE S

Winter 2015 27

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A YEAR I N PI C T U RE S

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A YEAR I N PI C T U RE S

Winter 2015 31

Photos by Jay Ferchaud

(above right) As mom Michelle Morgan of Biloxi watches, 2-year-old Abigail Morgan gives her heart surgeon, Dr. Ali Dodge-Khatami, a big high-five just two days after he repaired a ‘hole’ in her heart and her leaking mitral valve with an innovative procedure performed at only a few medical centers worldwide.

32 Alumni Review

ichelle and Seth Morgan knew early on that their daughter, Abigail, would need heart surgery to repair life-threatening defects.

But when the 2-year-old was wheeled into surgery Nov. 10 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Batson Children’s Hospital, what would normally be a terrifying experience for the parents was much less traumatic.

That’s because their only child’s chest would not be opened by sawing through the sternum, standard procedure for closing a hole between the atria and repairing the mitral valve.

Instead, Dr. Ali Dodge-Khatami used an approach that has been performed in only a handful of centers internationally, gaining access to her heart by making an incision underneath her right arm to close the hole with a patch and repair her leaking mitral valve.

“What we do inside the heart is exactly the same thing as we do through the front, where 99 percent of surgeons do it,” says Dodge-Khatami, professor of surgery in the division of pediatric and congenital heart surgery.

The difference? Not only will Abigail avoid a long scar running down her chest, but her recovery time will be much quicker.

“It’s covered almost entirely by the right arm,” Dodge-

Khatami says of the surgical scar. “No one can tell the child has had open-heart surgery.”

After the surgery, Abigail’s parents say they were in awe when first allowed to see her – and more amazed as the day continued.

“We expected her to have a breathing tube in. We expected lots of tubes,” says Michelle Morgan of Biloxi. “But when she was wheeled into the ICU, there was no breathing tube. There was color in her face. We didn’t expect her to be alert.

“In two hours, she was watching ‘Frozen,’” her mom says, referring to the Disney movie.

Credit that quick turnaround in part to the fact that “we didn’t have to cut through her breastbone but instead went between two ribs,” Dodge-Khatami says. “The kids can be spontaneously breathing much more quickly. This child came off the ventilator in the operating room and was sitting up in bed the day of the surgery and sipping water.”

“This beautiful little girl doesn’t have to have a scar on her chest for life,” says Dr. Jorge Salazar, professor of surgery and chief of cardiothoracic surgery, who co-directs the Children’s Heart Center with Dr. Mary Taylor.

“Dr. Dodge-Khatami played a major role in bringing this Winter 2015 33

procedure to the attention of the international community,” Salazar says. “It’s very cutting edge for pediatric heart surgery worldwide, and we don’t compromise on the quality of the repair.”

Abigail left the ICU for a regular room the day after surgery.

A talkative and precocious little girl with blonde pigtails, she went home on Thursday morning after having surgery Monday – that, after letting her parents know for days that she’d rather be running around than stuck in a bed.

UMMC nurse practitioner Keli Ballard lets Abigail listen to her heart during a checkup exactly one week after the toddler’s heart repair.

“Never did I think we’d be having heart surgery on a Monday and be home before the weekend,” Michelle Morgan says. “Part of the reason I haven’t felt so nervous and anxious is because she’s in such good health. She easily went into her nurse’s arms to go back to surgery. I felt like she was in such good hands.”

Although Dodge-Khatami approached Abigail’s heart through the incision under her right arm, “the risks involved are absolutely the same, being very low,” he says. “The most important thing is that this offers the same quality of repair of the heart defects but avoids a visible scar on the front of the chest. It allows the kids to leave the ICU and hospital more quickly so that they can go back to being kids again.”

Michelle and Seth Morgan didn’t hesitate to approve the surgery.

If Abigail hadn’t had the two- to three-hour surgery “before she was a teen, she would have gone into heart failure,” DodgeKhatami says. “Her heart would have dilated and failed, and she would have been a transplant candidate. So, we try to do this during infancy or definitely before the child is school age. Once we’ve done the surgery, [the child] can go on to live a completely normal life.”

Dodge-Khatami says he learned the rare procedure in Zurich in his native Switzerland, where he served as a staff pediatric cardiovascular surgeon at University Children’s Hospital from

34 Alumni Review

2003-08. He arrived at UMMC in 2013; previously, he was professor of cardiovascular surgery, chief of pediatric cardiac surgery and head of the congenital heart program at the University of Hamburg School of Medicine in Hamburg, Germany.

“I’m not the first one to do the surgery, but probably no other center in the United States does these procedures from the side,” Dodge-Khatami says. “My ex-chief in Zurich pioneered expanding the indications for performing more complex open heart repairs from the side, something I picked up in Switzerland 10 years ago.

“You can’t do every single surgery from the side. You have to select which ones are possible from the side and which are not,” Dodge-Khatami says.

Bu t w i t h t h e s a m e type of surger y, he says, “we can also do more complex repairs, such as working on valves and closing holes between two ventricles.”

Although the surgery performed is innovative, Abigail’s heart defects are very common, Dodge-Khatami and Salazar say.

“We’re pushing the envelope here in a very safe way to provide better care,” Salazar says.

“She had two problems, and we were able to fix both in the same operation in a minimally invasive way that had the least impact on her, both physically and emotionally.”

Expect more referrals leading to more procedures at the Children’s Heart Center once word gets out to the national and international pediatric heart communities, the doctors say.

Abigail’s surgery was the second performed by DodgeKhatami at UMMC, with a third just days later.

Abigail’s parents are confident her future holds lots of possibilities.

“She likes to climb on stuff. She really enjoys books, and she likes to look at pictures of herself,” Michelle Morgan says.

“She was born during the Olympics,” says Seth Morgan, an airman first class at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. “The sport on TV at the time was beach volleyball. So, maybe she will play beach volleyball!” AR

Only YOU can help us grow higher!

Alumni Association membership has reached an all-time high. Plant the seeds for future growth by renewing your membership and encouraging your classmates, neighbors and friends to remain active.

Membership is open to graduates and non-graduates.

olemissalumni.com/join

Vaught-Hemingway expansion plans released

ith excitement still high surrounding Ole Miss’ third impressive football season under the direction of Head Coach Hugh Freeze, the university continues to move closer to making the master plan for Vaught-Hemingway Stadium a reality.

Launched in fall 2011, the Forward Together campaign has now reached $125 million in total cash and pledges, and between the ongoing construction of The Pavilion at Ole Miss and the parking garage, the athletics front door for Ole Miss is beginning to take shape.

“When the Forward Together campaign was launched in the fall of 2011, the goals for VaughtHemingway Stadium were to expand the overall stadium capacity and fan-experience amenities, upgrade exterior elements around the stadium that provide more consistency with university architecture, and to expand premium-seating offerings in order to provide necessary funding,” Athletics Director Ross Bjork says. “We are confident and believe this master plan accomplishes those objectives while adding in new elements along the way.”

As part of this front door, scheduled for completion by the start of the 2016 football season, two new entry points will be constructed.

One will be a new plaza between The Pavilion and VaughtHemingway Stadium, and the other will be a new green space that extends the Walk of Champions through a new north stadium plaza and bell tower. The plans also include the construction of an M-Club letter winners’ wall honoring every letter winner from every sport at Ole Miss.

“The campus of Ole Miss is incredibly unique,” Bjork says. “Everything from the architecture, to the campus layout, to immaculate landscaping, to green spaces like the Grove and the Circle, they are all key factors for why we are voted the most beautiful campus year in and year out.

“The location of the front door of athletics not only connects us to the heart of campus but builds upon that beauty, while also serving as a functional and effective way to continue to provide Rebel fans with an unmatched game-day experience.”

The master plan also includes two phases of renovation and expansion that will have VaughtHemingway Stadium completed by the start of the 2016 football season, bringing the seating capacity to 64,038.

The first phase will be a renovation and expansion of the south end zone, which began in January and is scheduled to be finished for the first game of the 2015 season.

As part of this phase, 30 luxury suites and 770 club-level seats will be added. All 30 luxury suites have already been sold, and 60 percent of the club-level seats have been sold.

Winter 2015 37

“We chose the south end zone for the expansion of premium seating because it allows for us to capitalize on the efficiencies of using the same infrastructure already in place, such as a kitchen, elevators, concourse and access to parking,” Bjork says. “In addition to the premium seating, the south end zone’s main concourse will be expanded by 2,500 square feet to accommodate more walking space, as well as the addition of 43 new toilets and 32 concession points of sale.”

The second phase will be a renovation and expansion of the north end zone that will include the completion of the stadium seating bowl with a new brick-and-stone exterior that matches campus architecture.

Other additions include the installation of a 104-foot-wide and 49-foot-tall video board into the existing structure in the north end zone and the installation of two new 30-foot by 50-foot video boards flanking the south end zone tower.

As part of the overall expansion in capacity and an effort to further integrate the student body into Ole Miss athletics, the student section will also see an increase in capacity and a move to the north end zone for the 2016 season.

“The student section will grow from 8,200 seats to just over 10,000 seats, but more importantly, the north end zone keeps more students closer to Hollingsworth Field, where they can create the home-field advantage we know the Vaught must have to compete for championships,” Bjork says.

With the renovation and expansion, Ole Miss will be able to accommodate 5,500 more Rebel fans, once the stadium reaches a full capacity of 64,038 for the 2016 season. It will also include the addition of 185 new toilets and 56 concession stands in the stadium. AR Article and art courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

38 Alumni Review

Sports BATOON PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH

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orey Batoon, who has been a member of head football coach Hugh Freeze’s Ole Miss staff since February 2012, will be the assistant coach for safeties and serve as the Rebels’ special teams coordinator, starting immediately.

Batoon takes over a vacated spot after linebackers coach Tom Allen left to be the defensive coordinator at the University of South Florida.

Ole Miss defensive coordinator Dave Wommack, who has been coaching safeties, will slide down to oversee the linebackers.

“Corey is a brilliant football mind, and I am Corey Batoon confident he will thrive in this role,” Freeze says. “He has served as an on-field coach on my staff in the past, and I have seen the impact he can make with our players. In addition, I believe staff chemistry and loyalty are huge components in a team’s success, and Corey has been a part of our program for a long time and understands our values.”

A 19-year veteran in the college coaching ranks, Batoon has served as Ole Miss’ assistant athletics director for recruiting operations the last two seasons after being the assistant A.D. for player development in his first year in Oxford.

Prior to joining the Ole Miss staff, Batoon spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Arkansas State, where he coached cornerbacks, safeties and special teams during his tenure.

Batoon went to Arkansas State after spending the previous 11 seasons as the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Northern Arizona. He also spent time as the special teams coordinator during his time with the Lumberjacks.

Batoon played at San Diego City Junior College and later at Long Beach State (1988-89). He graduated from LBSU with a degree in political science in 1991, later earning a master’s in health, physical education and recreation from Saint Mary’s in 1996. AR

Unanimous Decision GOLSON NAMED FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN

40 Alumni Review

Illustrated, USA Today, ESPN.com, CBS Sports, Scout.com, Athlon, College Sports Madness and Sports on Earth. He is also a unanimous first team All-SEC pick.

A finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which goes to the national defensive player of the year, Golson leads the SEC and ranks second nationally with nine interceptions. His theft in the back of the end zone sealed the Rebels’ 23-17 win over No. 1 Alabama. He also has 41 tackles, three tackles for loss, eight pass breakups and two quarterback hurries.

Golson has also been tabbed the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by Scout.com and College Sports Madness and was a finalist for the Conerly Trophy, which goes to the top college football player in Mississippi.

Ole Miss has had several others receive All-America distinction this year, including sophomore tight end Evan Engram, sophomore defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche,

Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

A

fter an outstanding senior season, Ole Miss cornerback Senquez Golson has been chosen as a first team All-American by every major outlet that has named a team so far.

Golson is the first consensus first team All-American since offensive tackle Michael Oher in 2008.

To receive that recognition by the NCAA, a player must be listed on the most first team All-America teams competing against players at that position only (in Golson’s case, cornerback). A player has to be named first team on at least two of the five major All-America teams (American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News and Walter Camp Foundation).

So far this postseason, Golson has been named a first teamer by all five of aforementioned outlets, as well as Sports

Senquez Golson

senior free safety Cody Prewitt and sophomore offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. AR

Shackelford Wins 2014 Wuerffel Trophy GRADUATE LINEBACKER HONORED FOR EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

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ormer Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel announced Dec. 9 that the winner of the 2014 Wuerffel Trophy is Ole Miss linebacker Deterrian Shackelford.

The All Sports Association presents the Wuerffel Trophy to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision football player who best exhibits exemplary community service.

“It’s hard for me to express how excited I am to announce Deterrian Shackelford as the 2014 Wuerffel Trophy winner,” Wuerffel said. “This young man truly exemplifies not only all that is good about football but the important and positive aspects of life.”

Shackelford has two degrees from the University of Mississippi, a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in higher education, and continued taking graduate classes this past fall. The Decatur, Ala., native has helped lead two mission trips to Haiti and Panama while also mentoring local youths. He has been actively involved in the Oxford community, helping lead efforts to fight hunger and raise funds for cancer research. He is also a highly sought-after speaker for school, community and church groups.

The Rebels’ starting middle linebacker is a five-time selection to the SEC Academic Honor Roll, a two-time semifinalist for the National Football Foundation ScholarAthlete Award, a two-time member of the SEC Community Service Team, and all while helping Ole Miss to lead the nation in scoring defense, as the Rebels allowed just 13.8 points per game to opposing teams.

This is the 10th anniversary of the Wuerffel Trophy, an award named after Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner who led the Florida Gators to the 1996 national championship,

Deterrian ‘D.T.’ Shackelford, the first ever two-time recipient of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award, at the 2014 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game against Boise State at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta

played six years in the National Football League and has received national recognition for his humanitarian and community service efforts with Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans and around the country. AR

REBELS TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL SCHOOL DAY GAME

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he Ole Miss baseball team will host the third annual School Day game March 24 at 11 a.m., as the Rebels take on UAB in the first game of a doubleheader.

Students, teachers, chaperones and bus drivers are encouraged to attend this event. All will receive complimentary admission to cheer the Rebels on to victory.

Schools are welcome to bring sack lunches to the game, but concession stands will offer a School Day combo meal for just $5. The meal includes a hot dog, chips and a juice box. The Rebel Shop will also be open and selling the latest in officially licensed Ole Miss merchandise.

First pitch is set for 11 a.m. Fans who attend the first game are invited to attend the second at no additional charge. The second game will start at around 2 p.m.

The Ole Miss baseball team is coming off a 2014 College World Series appearance after an impressive 48-21 (19-11 SEC) season. The Rebels also claimed the 2014 SEC Western Division title.

For schools interested in attending the School Day game, please contact Ole Miss Sports Marketing at 662-915-3604 or sportsmarketing@olemiss.edu. AR

Winter 2015 41

Sports Rebels Shine in 2015 Track-and-Field Opener MILLER’S WORLD-LEADING 60-METER SETS TONE

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Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

alen Miller clocked the world’s fastest 60-meter dash of the year, and Ole Miss picked up nine total victories to kick off the 2015 season at the Gene Edmonds Invitational, hosted

by Purdue University.

Miller was not the only star of the day as the Rebels not only won nine events but also broke two school records.

The Rebel men won all but three events in which they competed and claimed victory in every individual running event in which they lined up an athlete.

The highlight of the day was undeniably Miller’s dominating 6.56 in the 60-meter final, which set a facility and meet record on top of being the fastest time in the world so far in 2015. It was .01 second off Mike Granger’s school-record time of 6.55 at the 2011 NCAA Championships. A sophomore from Tunica, Miller started the day crushing his personal best with a 6.57 in the prelims.

Junior Darryl Brown, in his Ole Miss debut, clocked a converted 21.42 to win the 200 meters, with Miller right behind at 21.93. Due to running on a flat track, times for all races at 200 meters or longer were converted to a bankedtrack equivalent. Brown’s time ranks him eighth in the school record books.

Senior Dameon Morgan established a school record in the 600 meters with his time of 1:18.48, breaking Thomas Johnson’s record that had stood since 1991.

Senior Robert Semien started the season strong with a winning time of 7.90 in the 60-meter hurdles, while he also placed third in the 200 at 21.99.

Newcomers Adam Aguirre and Branden Greene tied for the high-jump title, both clearing 6-8.75.

Senior Phillip Young captured the triple-jump crown with his leap of 51-0.75.

The Rebel women also had some standout performances, led by freshman Brooke Feldmeier in her first ever race in the red and blue. A native of Olympia, Wash., Feldmeier won the 600 in a school-record time of 1:28.42. The previous record of 1:29.63 was set by Sofie Persson in 2011.

Ole Miss claimed the women’s long and triple jumps, with senior Kierra White taking the long jump with a 19-4.25 and freshman Lanae Newsome winning the triple jump with a 39-3.AR Jalen Miller

42 Alumni Review

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arts &

Culture Super Boards: How Inspired Governance Transforms Your Organization by William R. Mott, Ph.D., 256 pages, $25 (Hardcover), ISBN: 9781467551021 A follow-up to The Board Game, this book sets forth a clear path to help forge organizational excellence for independent schools and nonprofit organizations and avoid destructive behaviors that stifle and hurt these organizations.

Super Boards outlines an action plan for changing an organization through building transformational board leadership and effective governance.

Prepare to see conventional wisdom debunked to empower strong leadership, and experience success at levels previously unattainable.

Readers learn about the major board responsibilities that must be clearly understood by each member and that board leadership is a dynamic, ever-changing entity.

Case studies throughout the book offer the reader an understandable application of each principle including valuable and practical tools and templates to guide in creating and sustaining a “super board.”

As a consultant, author and speaker, William R. Mott (BA 76) has assisted many organizations, including numerous independent schools, colleges, museums, libraries, churches and nonprofit organizations, with governance, fundraising, marketing and management issues.

In Tune: Charley Patton, Jimmie Rodgers and the Roots of American Music b y Ben Wynne, 296 pages, $37.99 (Hardcover), ISBN: 9780807157800 Born into poverty in Mississippi at the close of the 19th century, Charley Patton and Jimmie Rodgers established themselves among the most influential musicians of their era. In Tune tells the story of the parallel careers of these two pioneering recording artists — one white, 44 Alumni Review

one black — who moved beyond their humble origins to change the face of American music.

At a time when segregation formed impassable lines of demarcation in most areas of Southern life, music transcended racial boundaries. Rodgers and Patton drew inspiration from musical traditions on both sides of the racial divide, and their songs about hard lives, raising hell and the hope of better days ahead spoke to white and black audiences alike. Their music reflected the era in which they lived but evoked a range of timeless human emotions.

As the invention of the phonograph disseminated traditional forms of music to a wider audie n c e , Ro d g e r s gained fame as the “Father of Country Music,” w h i l e Pa t t o n’s work eventually earned him the title “King of the Delta Blues.”

A n a t i ve o f Fl o re n c e , B e n Wy n n e ( P h D 00) earned his doctoral degree in histor y. He teaches at the University of North Georgia and has written several works related to Southern history.

Corporate Intelligence: A Baldrige-based Corporate Espionage Organizational Assessment by Donald C. Fisher, Ph.D., 244 pages, $28 (Paperback), ISBN: 9781491249079 The concept and scope of corporate

intelligence entails the high stakes of corporate espionage being deployed by individuals, corporations and countries worldwide. Corporate espionage is the most common means by which an organization tries to gain competitive or financial advantage over one or more competitors.

In a global economy saturated in the transfer of competitive data in nanoseconds, the need to turn competitor information into actionable intelligence has never been greater. Most organizations’ corporate intelligence resides within the organization among employees who can be either perpetrators o r re s o l v e r s o f corporate intelligence problems and issues. This comprehensive manual helps organizations identify strengths and opportunities for improvement in their overall intelligence and security initiatives.

Donald C. Fisher (PhD 86) is the executive director/CEO of the Mid-South Quality/Productivity Center – The Quality Center, a partnership between the Greater Memphis Chamber and Southwest Tennessee Community College, and a Tennessee Board of Regents Center of Emphasis. He served on the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners.

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

acoustic blues artist

RoRy

Block

Feb. 23

Feb. 24 & 25

Cinderella

Bruce Levingston

& friends Music Noir: An Evening of Words and Music

Mar. 27

Feb. 28

Russian national Ballet

April 21

pilobolus Mar. 30

Sponsored by

April 18

Ford Center for the Performing Arts • Oxford, MS

Prince of Denmark

May 30

Vinohrady Theatre • Prague, Czech Republic

TickeTs: www.fordcenter.org or 662.915.7411

Download the Ford center app for iPhone and Android

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Now ... TWO great ways to shop for exclusive alumni gifts!

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The Brandt Gift Shop at The Inn at Ole Miss

Our Alumni Shop at olemissalumni.com/shop

HOTTY TODDY!

Winter 2015 45

2015

rebel

raveler T

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he Ole Miss Alumni Association is offering a number of spectacular trips for 2015.

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

celebrated course has world-renowned features: Amen Corner, Rae’s Creek and the Eisenhower tree, all a golf enthusiast will recognize. The spectators will enjoy the smaller field of players for they get to watch the best of the best compete for the famed green jacket and earn the title of Masters Champion. The package features world-class hospitality at The Executive Club, which includes private outdoor patios and lounge areas with high-definition monitors, and numerous buffets accompanied by a complimentary full-service bar. — From $695

THE MASTERS APRIL 6-12, 2015 The Masters Tournament is the first of the four major championships in professional golf. The Masters, unlike the other major championships, is played every year at the same location: the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. The

PARIS IMMERSION APRIL 16-27, 2015 Paris earned its nickname — the City of Light — because it embraced education and the exploration of new ideas during the Enlightenment. Today, Paris remains unparalleled in its cultural wealth. For 10 nights, explore the city and its environs at

Sestri Levante, Italy 46 Alumni Review

an unhurried pace. Visit the Latin Quarter to see the sites of the French Revolution and the oldest café in Paris. Marvel at the opulent palace at Versailles. Discover the places that played a large role during the World War II occupation of Paris.

Expand your horizons with excursions to the Burgundian town of Dijon, including lunch at a hôtel particulier, and journey to Rouen, the capital of Normandy. This unique opportunity includes an extensive meal program with wine at dinner, accommodations in the heart of the city, Metro tickets so you can travel through Paris like a local and ample independent leisure time to pursue your individual interests. — From $3,340 TRADE ROUTES OF COASTAL IBERIA APRIL 17-25, 2015 This exclusive eight-day itinerary and small-ship voyage showcases the coastal jewels of the Iberian Peninsula between

Lisbon, Portugal, and Barcelona, Spain.

Cruise up Spain’s legendary Guadalquivir River into the heart of beautiful Seville. Visit Portugal’s Algarve region and the regal city of Granada, Spain. See the scenic Strait of Gibraltar, and call on two of the enchanting Balearic Islands — Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca. Visit four UNESCO World Heritage sites while cruising the ancient trade routes aboard the exclusively chartered, fivestar, 45-stateroom M.V. Tere Moana. A two-night Lisbon pre-cruise option and two-night Barcelona post-cruise option are offered. — From $5,295 WATERWAYS OF HOLLAND AND BELGIUM APRIL 20-28, 2015 Join us in Holland and Belgium for nine days, cruising for seven nights aboard a deluxe, state-of-the-art AMA Waterways vessel when Holland’s breathtaking tulip fields are in bloom! Meet local residents during the exclusive River Life Forum for a personal perspective of the Low Countries’ modern life and cultural heritage. Expert-led excursions include private canal cruises in Amsterdam and Bruges, the windmills of Kinderdijk, the prestigious Rijksmuseum, world-class Kröller-Müller Museum, famous Keukenhof Gardens, medieval Antwerp and the impressive Delta Works. A pre-cruise option in Amsterdam is offered. This comprehensive, all-inclusive itinerary — an exceptional value — is continually praised as the ideal Holland and Belgium experience. — From $3,395 ITALIAN RIVIERA MAY 2-10, 2015 An area known for its sparkling turquoise sea, sun-kissed beaches and charming towns, the Italian Riviera has been captivating visitors for centuries. Experience the enchantment of this famous region on a seven-night program that takes you to key landmarks and historic villages.

Your home base is Sestri Levante, with its historic town center and brightly colored buildings framing the coastline.

Venture to Santa Margherita, a town of colorful flowers, swaying palm trees and hillside villas, then cruise to Portofino, playground of the rich and famous. Visit the walled city of Lucca, and explore

Genoa, the maritime republic believed to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Visit the picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre, the famous Five Lands. Journey to Carrara, and discover the origin of the beautiful white marble that sculptors have turned into works of art for centuries. This Alumni Campus Abroad program includes excursions and informative educational programs, deluxe accommodations and an extensive meal plan with wine at dinner, and no single supplement for solo travelers. — From $3,040

CELTIC LANDS MAY 12-21, 2015 Cruise for eight nights aboard the exclusively chartered, five-star small ship M.S. Le Boréal from Glasgow, Scotland, to Ireland, Wales and France. By special arrangement, Dwight David Eisenhower II, grandson of former U.S. general and president Dwight D. Eisenhower, will join you to provide exclusive lectures and personal insights. Enjoy guided excursions in each port of call, including the beaches of Normandy, 71 years after the Allied Forces made their historic

Duart Castle, Isle of Mull in Scotland

TRANSATLANTIC VOYAGE MAY 4-16, 2015 This 13-day transatlantic voyage is aboard the six-star, all-suite small ship M.V. Silver Whisper. This opportunity offers many complimentary features aboard ship: all onboard gratuities and port taxes, personal butler service, beverages in your suite and throughout the cruise, and even complimentary fitness classes. Cruise from New York to London on a classic journey across the Atlantic Ocean, with port calls in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and St. John’s, Newfoundland; along the coast of Ireland; and in the quaint Cornish port of Fowey. Unpack only once! An excellent value for this one-of-a-kind opportunity.

A London post-cruise option is also available. — From $4,995

landings, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Caernarfon Castle near Holyhead, Wales. View treasures of rich Celtic heritage on the beautiful isles of Iona, Mull and Skye, and in Ayr and Dublin. — From $5,695 RIVER ROUTES AND CHANNEL CROSSINGS MAY 18-JUNE 3, 2015 Indulge in a unique 16-day luxury cruise featuring the postcard-perfect towns and stunning scenery of eastern Canada and the timeless architecture and cosmopolitan energy of British Isles’ cities. Board Oceania Cruises’ majestic Marina in Montreal and sail to Trois Rivières, a picturesque city nestled along the St. Lawrence River, graced with handsome historic architecture. Discover Winter 2015 47

2015 rebel

Traveler the old-world European charm of North America’s only walled city, Quebec City, and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region in northern Quebec. Cruise the St. Lawrence to Corner Brook, Newfoundland, a sleepy, forested town surrounded by pristine coves, magnificent fjords and rugged headlands. Head to Nova Scotia and stroll Sydney’s attractive waterfront, and savor the delightful French ambiance of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, rocky islands famed for their candy-colored houses, crooked streets and quaint shops. Take in marvelous harbor views in St. John’s, Newfoundland, before crossing the Atlantic to the Emerald Isle, first stopping in Belfast, Northern Ireland, a vibrant city adorned with Victorian architecture, classic pubs and attractive gardens. Next, visit Ireland’s alluring capital, Dublin, brimming with Georgian elegance, and then cruise east to Holyhead, a gateway to the exquisite Welsh countryside. Before concluding your voyage in Southampton, England, experience the Channel Islands’ most beautiful town, St. Peter Port, boasting ancient landmarks, pristine coastal paths and a lovely old quarter. — From $5,299 (including airfare) EXOTIC MEDITERRANEAN MAY 19-31, 2015 Experience an exotic kaleidoscope of colors, sounds and cultures as you sail from Turkey to Greece, Malta, Tunisia, Spain and Portugal aboard Oceania Cruises’ intimate Nautica. Depart Istanbul for Turkey’s third largest metropolis, Izmir, featuring a dazzling bayside promenade studded with chic boutiques and cafes. Then sail to the lovely Greek island of Santorini, a stunning natural spectacle of volcano-carved landscapes and blue-domed, whitewashed villages. Next is Valletta, Malta’s picturesque capital sprinkled with 16th-century limestone buildings and ancient fortifications, and then visit Tunis and explore its historic medina laced with narrow, twisting lanes and colorful souks. Marvel at Palma’s 48 Alumni Review

Peterhof Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia

massive Gothic cathedral and circular castle overlooking the harbor, relax amid its windmill-dotted countryside, or stroll the cobbled streets of Old Palma. Absorb more Spanish culture in Cartagena, an ancient seaport sheltered by a medieval fort and home to a first-century Roman theatre, and cruise to Spain’s Costa del Sol. Conclude your unforgettable voyage in Europe’s second oldest capital, Lisbon, where its golden age is reflected in the ornate Belem Tower and incredibly beautiful Jerónimos Monastery. — From $3,999 (including airfare) CZECH REPUBLIC FEATURING ‘HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK’ MAY 22-JUNE 1, 2015 The Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts is offering an 11-day tour in the Czech Republic in conjunction with the European premiere of “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” and featuring composer and 2007 University of Mississippi Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Nancy Van de Vate (MM 58). The first leg of the trip includes guided tours of Prague as well as an opera performance, followed by two nights in Olumouc with the cast of “Hamlet” and the opportunity to attend two rehearsals with the orchestra. Travelers return to Prague on May 27 and check into Hotel Lunik, just steps away from the performance venue, the Vinohrady Theatre.

The European debut of “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” takes place May 30. The evening of May 31 features a farewell banquet with the cast of “Hamlet.” — From $2,110 (airfare not included). For more tour information, registration and payment instructions, please contact Tour Resource Consultants at Hamlet@TourResource.com or call 913-538-5524.

CHANGING THE TIDES OF HISTORY — CRUISING THE BALTIC SEA JUNE 4-13, 2015 Experience the cultural rebirth of the Baltic States, the magnificent imperial riches of St. Petersburg and the spectacular “White Nights” of summer on this remarkable six-country, eight-night Baltic Sea cruise. By special arrangement, enjoy enriching presentations by Lech Wałęsa, former president of Poland, and Sergei N. Khrushchev, Brown University professor and son of Nikita Khrushchev, former premier of the Soviet Union.

Professor Khrushchev will accompany you aboard the exclusively chartered, five-star M.S. Le Boréal. Cruise from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Stockholm, Sweden, visiting Gdańsk, Poland; Tallin, Estonia; Helsinki, Finland; and Visby, Sweden. Spend two days in St. Petersburg. Norway pre-cruise and Stockholm post-cruise options are available. — From $5,995

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Winter 2015 49

News alumni

Class Notes ’40s

HAROLD BURSON (BA 40) of New York was featured in MS Observer magazine for all his accomplishments in communications and public relations.

’50s ’60s

LEE DAVIS THAMES (BA 58, LLB 60) of Vicksburg was named a Life Science Star in LMG Life Sciences 2014.

JAMES L. DICKERSON (BA 68) of Brandon published his novel Mojo Triangle: Birthplace of Country, Blues, Jazz and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

MICHAEL WREN (BBA 60) and his wife, Frances, of Long Beach, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

’70s

GWEN POLK ALDRIDGE (MS 78, PhD 00) of Batesville was recognized by the Southeastern Association of Community College Research, which established the Gwen P. Aldridge Institutional Effectiveness Award in her honor.

CHARLES GLEN BUSH JR. (JD 77) of Copeland Cook’s Ridgeland office was recognized as Lawyer of the Year for Oil and Gas Law. MARK CHINN (JD 78), of Chinn & Associates PC in Jackson, was selected for the ninth consecutive year as one of the top Mississippi family law lawyers for inclusion in Mid-South Super Lawyers.

MICHAEL DUCKER (72), chief operating officer and president of Memphis-based FedEx Express International, was elected vice chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

STEPHEN EDDS (BA 71, JD 73), shareholder in the Jackson office of Baker Donelson, was appointed to a five-year term with the Mississippi Arts Commission.

DUKE GARRAWAY (BBA 79) of Jackson was elected president of the Mississippi Coalition of Appraisers for the 2015 term.

JIMMY HEIDELBERG (JD 77) of Pascagoula was named to the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation board.

50 Alumni Review

RUSSELL HENSLEY (BA 78), shareholder at Evans Petree PC, was elected to serve on the 2014-15 board of trustees for Christian Brothers University in Memphis.

IKE TROTTER (BA 74) of Greenville was selected as a member of the Leaders in Finance Class of 2014 by the Mississippi Business Journal.

JERE HUMPHREYS (BM 71), professor at Arizona State University, taught a graduate music course at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in summer 2014. He was elected vice president for personnel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona board of directors.

BILL WALLER JR. (JD 77), chief justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court in Jackson, was awarded the 2014 Judicial Excellence Award at the Mississippi Bar’s annual meeting.

CHARLES HUSSEY (BS 71, PhD 74), chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Mississippi, won an R&D 100 Award from R&D magazine for his Portable Aluminum Deposition System (PADS), recognized as being one of the most technologically significant products of 2014.

ROBERT M. JONES (BA 75, JD 78) of Jackson was appointed president and chief executive officer of Medical Assurance Co. of Mississippi.

JOHN MCCULLOUCH (JD 78), associate dean for outreach (Metro Jackson) for the University of Mississippi School of Law, was named chairman of the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project.

STEVEN G. MCKINNEY (BA 76) of Birmingham was elected to the governing board of regents by the American College of Environmental Lawyers.

DAVID MILLER (BBA 79), CPA with Nail McKinney Tate & Robinson in Tupelo, was appointed to a three-year term on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Auditing Standards Board as a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy-nominated representative.

’80s

DR. JOSEPH AUSTIN (MD 80) of Vicksburg was named District 7 trustee of the Mississippi State Medical Association.

JOHN B. BEARD (BAccy 87, JD 90), shareholder in the Jackson office of Baker Donelson, accepted the position of chair for the Governance Affinity Group of the American Health Lawyers Association for the sixth consecutive year.

JOHN BRISTER BURNS (BA 86, JD 90) joined the Nashville office of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis LLP. COL. JEFF CHOSTNER (JD 80) was elected district attorney for the 10th Judicial District in Pueblo, Colo.

KERRY COMMANDER (BS 80, PhD 85) of Clarksdale earned the National Defense Industrial Association Bronze Medal for achievements in science and technology.

DR. DANIEL P. EDNEY (MD 88) of Vicksburg was named president-elect of the Mississippi State Medical Association at the organization’s 146th annual meeting.

DONALD C. FISHER (PhD 86) of Memphis released his latest book, Corporate Intelligence: A Baldrige-Based Corporate Espionage Organizational Assessment.

ALICE SEALE (BS 76) of Dallas recently coauthored the book Winning Ways in Commercial Real Estate: 18 Successful Women Unveil the Tricks of the Trade in the Real Estate World.

SEN. BRIGGS HOPSON III (BBA 87, JD 90) of Vicksburg was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for strengthening DUI laws.

KARL STEINBERGER (BA 73, JD 76), shareholder at Heidelberg, Steinberger, Colmer & Burrow PA in Pascagoula, was appointed to serve on the board of directors of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

DAVID MICHAEL ISHEE (JD 88), judge for the Mississippi Court of Appeals in Jackson, was selected for induction into the University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame.

KRISTINA M. JOHNSON (BBA 89, JD 92), partner in the Jones Walker LLP Business & Commercial Litigation Practice Group in Jackson, will join the American College of Bankruptcy as part of the 26th class of the college’s fellows.

LISA DALE JORDAN (JD 89) was named Queen Rosalie XXXIII of the Krewe of Phoenix for the 2015 Mardi Gras season in Natchez.

WESLA SULLIVAN LEECH (BA 84, JD 87) of Jackson was elected president of the Law Alumni Chapter of the University of Mississippi Alumni Association.

GREGG LOGAN (80) of Flora was named chief technology officer of C Spire.

JACQUELINE MASK (JD 82), Chancery Court judge in Mississippi’s First Chancery District, was awarded the 2014 Susie Blue Buchanan Award by the Women in the Profession committee at the Mississippi Bar’s annual meeting.

DR. CRYSTAL TATE (BA 88, MD 92) of New Albany was appointed District II health officer with the Mississippi Department of Health.

ROB TYSON (JD 87), a member of Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte LLC in Columbia, S.C., was certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court’s Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification as a Circuit Court mediator.

LEE WATT (BAccy 81, JD 83) joined Gibbs Whitwell & Travis PLLC in Jackson as a partner in the firm.

MIKE WEBB (BAccy 87), chief executive officer of Iuka-based First American National Bank, was appointed to the board of directors of Mississippi Home Corp.

’90s

JAMES H. BOLIN (MAccy 91, JD 96) of Butler Snow’s Ridgeland office met the requirements to serve as a National Football League Players Association contract adviser (NFL agent).

JAY P. CARMEAN (BA 96, JD 99) of Tannehill, Carmean & McKenzie in Oxford, was voted by his peers to receive an AV Peer Review rating for high to very high legal ability and very high ethical standards.

MICHAEL A. CARRAWAY JR. (BAccy 94, MAccy 95) of Ridgeland joined GranthamPoole as a partner.

DAVID HOUSTON (BPA 97, JD 00) of Nashville was named vice president and presidentelect of the Tennessee chapter of the Turnaround Management Association.

YOLANDA INGRAM (BA 91) was named director of student services for Penn State University’s Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pa. TALMAGE H. JORDAN III (95) was named manager of Regions Bank’s U.S. 80 branch in Clinton.

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Winter 2015 51

News alumni

DR. BRYAN D. LEATHERMAN (MD 97), ear, nose, throat and sinus surgeon at the Coastal Sinus and Allergy Center in Gulfport, was reelected to the board of directors of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy.

ANDRE LEWIS (BSW 92) was appointed assistant professor and director of social work at the University of Arkansas-Monticello.

KATE MARGOLIS (JD 99) of Jackson received the Outstanding Service Award from the Capital Area Bar Association for her service to the organization.

J. BLAKE MURPHY (BAccy 92, MAccy 93) was named senior vice president of Trustmark National Bank’s corporate office in Jackson, where he serves as enterprise risk management manager.

SCOTT SEARHOUSE (BBA 92) of Augusta, Ga., joined EDTS as outside sales manager for the technology firm.

KELLY WYNNE FERGUSON (BA 09) of Austin, Texas, was recognized in Mississippi Magazine for her collection of designer handbags.

JOSH SMITH (BBA 98) was elected vice chairman of the board of directors for Brookhaven Academy.

DAVID HUMPHREYS (JD 00) joined Gibbs Whitwell & Travis PLLC in Jackson as a partner in the firm.

PHILLIP SYKES (JD 95) joined the Ridgeland office of Butler Snow.

C. HUNTER KITCHENS (BSCvE 07) joined Waller law firm in Nashville, Tenn.

REGINALD H. TURNER (BBA 92), president of Westwood College’s Atlanta Northlake campus, was selected by Who’s Who in Black Atlanta as one of Atlanta’s Leaders in Academia.

KEN LUCAS (01), former NFL defensive back, visited Jackson to promote “Financial Football,” a video game that teaches financial literacy in the course of a football game and will be distributed to Mississippi’s middle schools and high schools.

’00s

LAURA PICKENS (BA 97), vice president of marketing and public relations for St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark., received the 2014 Rising Star Award from the National Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development.

VINCE RODRIGUEZ (BSEE 94, PhD 99) was named a senior applications engineer at MI Technologies in Suwanee, Ga., and a Gillespie fellow of the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association at the organization’s annual meeting and symposium.

MICHAEL P. ADCOCK (BSN 01, MSN 03) of New Orleans was named chief operating officer of West Jefferson Medical Center.

ALEXANDER BONDURANT (BA 08, JD 13) joined the Jackson office of Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush in the firm’s appellate and natural resources practice areas.

THURMAN L. BOYKIN III (BA 00, JD 03) became a shareholder in the Flowood office of Page Kruger & Holland.

THOMAS A. CROSBY (BA 08) of New Orleans joined the law office of Chehardy Sherman.

MARKEEVA MORGAN (BSEE 01), Space Launch System (SLS) Program Stages avionics hardware subsystems manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., returned to the University of Mississippi for a series of SLS events, speaking with students and serving as guest lecturer.

ELIZABETH J. OWENS (JD 09) opened her own law firm in Hernando.

TAYLOR M. SLEDGE JR. (BA 07), owner of Sledge & Co. Financial Services in Madison, was named one of the top “Four Under 40” financial advisers in America by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

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52 Alumni Review

New Mann on Campus UMMC HIRES ALUMNI DIRECTOR

T

hroughout her career in higher education, April Mann has sought jobs that keep her close to students.

At UMMC, she found one that also keeps her closer to her loved ones.

Mann took over as director of alumni affairs in October, replacing Geoffrey Mitchell, who retired in May. A Birmingham native, Mann arrived in Jackson from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“This is the closest I have lived to family and friends since college,” says Mann, former director of UNC’s Office of New Student & Carolina Parent Programs.

She now leads a six-member office, including Ginger Daniels, longtime associate director. The staff’s goal is to keep former Medical Center students connected and deeply engaged with their alma mater.

“That may be speaking at an alumni luncheon, or volunteering for [the] alumni board, or serving as a student mentor or giving back financially,” says Mann, who received her Master of Education degree at the University of South Carolina and is pursuing her Doctor of Education.

“What’s important is that we at Alumni Affairs provide that array of opportunities for them, whether they live in Jackson or anywhere in the world,” she says.

That’s one of her two major goals. The other is producing publications for all Medical Center alumni from all schools.

Mann’s work for the last seven-plus years in Chapel Hill included overseeing programs, events and newsletters centered on students’ and their families’ needs.

— Gary Pettus AR

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Winter 2015 53

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KYLE WIDDOWS (BBA 08, MBA 09) of Ocean Springs was promoted to director of database marketing with Beau Rivage Resort and Casino.

’10s

BRIAN ALEXANDER (BBA 10) of Jackson joined Baker Donelson as an associate and represents clients primarily in matters of construction and insurance litigation.

EMILY WILKINS (BAccy 06, MAccy 07, JD 14) joined the Jackson office of Daniel Coker Horton & Bell.

BRITTANY L. BAILEY (JD 13) of Jackson joined the staff of Michael Randolph, a presiding justice on the Mississippi Supreme Court.

BEN WYNNE (PhD 00), associate professor of history at the University of North Georgia, released his book In Tune: Charley Patton, Jimmie Rodgers and the Roots of American Music.

CORY N. FARRAEZ (JD 14) joined the law office of McHard and Associates PLLC of Hattiesburg.

KATIE HOOD (BBA 11, JD 14) joined the Gulfport office of Balch & Bingham LLP as an associate.

RYAN VINER (BBA 10) of Memphis was named executive director of Coaching for Literacy.

MICHELLE WELANDER (MSN 10, DNP 13) of Jackson was named chief nursing and clinical services officer of Batson Children’s Hospital and its statewide network of clinics, Children’s of Mississippi.

MARCUS A. WILLIAMS (BA 10, JD 14) joined the Jackson office of Daniel Coker Horton & Bell.

OMAA Director to Retire in March WALSH ACCEPTS POSITION WITH UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

T

im Walsh (BPA 83, MEd 91), executive director of the Ole Miss Alumni Association, is retiring from the University of Mississippi after working there for almost 25 years.

He has accepted a position as assistant vice president for alumni affairs at the University of Florida. Effective March 2, he will be responsible for managing operations and will report to the executive director.

Walsh, 53, is a Memphis native who worked briefly for a family business after graduating but soon returned to the university.

He started in Alumni Affairs working with the alumni club program under longtime executive director Herb Dewees (BA 65, JD 68), whom Walsh credits as his mentor in learning the business of managing an alumni association. Walsh became executive director in 2008.

“It is with mixed emotions that we wish Tim the very best in his new role at the University of Florida,” UM Chancellor Dan Jones (MD 75) says.

“We are proud of every alumnus whose accomplishments lead to recognition as one of the best in his field, but we are at the same time sad to see one of our accomplished leaders move on.”

54 Alumni Review

The Ole Miss Alumni Association includes nearly 27,000 dues-paying members and 70 functioning alumni clubs. “ Wi t h Ti m’s l e a d e r s h i p, o u r association grew to a record number of dues-paying members, became one of the top two in the SEC in alumni per capita giving and established a strong relationship with our alumni,” Jones says. “He earned the trust and confidence of our volunteer leaders and university leadership.”

Walsh says he is particularly proud of the Alumni Association’s growth, recalling, “We thought it was an ambitious goal to even get past the 20,000-member mark.”

“Tim has been a very valued member of the Ole Miss family,” says Jimmy Brown (BBA 70), Ole Miss Alumni Association past president. “He will be recognized as one of the great leaders of the Alumni Association, and while he will be missed, we will all be happy that he has started a new chapter in his life at Florida.”

The addition of a dozen new clubs across the country, enhanced alumni communication through an expanded magazine and social media, the opening of the $21.5 million Inn at Ole Miss, retirement of the

Inn’s $400,000 bond debt four years early, the restoration and expansion of the Triplett Alumni Center, and the many colleagues and alumni who have become close friends are among the many special memories of his time here, Walsh says.

“Tim had a keen eye on each aspect of the Alumni Association,” says Ole Miss Alumni Association President Trentice Imbler (BS 78). “He will be greatly missed.” AR

WEDDINGS Angela Marie Barlow (BBA 09) and Nicholas Scott Brown (BBA 03, JD 05), Aug. 9, 2014.

Mary Elizabeth Hoehn (BSFCS 03) and Charles Hunter Kitchens (BSCvE 07), Aug. 2, 2014.

Jasper Keith, son of Salley Amanda McCullar (BBA 04, MTax 05) and Keith Wilson McCullar (BAccy 04, MAccy 05), Oct. 21, 2014.

Chamblee Elizabeth, daughter of Stacy Chamblee Meek (BA 93, BAEd 96) and Glenn Randal Meek (BSChE 92), July 10, 2014.

Mary Lyons Mitchell (BALM 03) and Franklin A. Rouse Jr., Nov. 22, 2014.

James Simmons, son of Margaret Simmons Miller (BSFCS 07) and Andrew Rowland Miller (BBA 07), Sept. 15, 2014.

Ann Elizabeth Waller (BA 09) and Charles Julian Allen (BAccy 07, MTax 08, JD 11), Nov. 15, 2014.

Paris Olivia, daughter of Rachel Paris Pritchett (BA 06) and Billy Pritchett, Dec. 8, 2014.

Tarah Michelle Wiley (BA 13) and Allen Christopher Butler (BFA 13), Aug. 2, 2014.

Jackson, son of Jennifer L. Serakas and Brian John Serakas (BA 04), Dec. 5, 2014.

BIRTHS Sarah Ellen, daughter of Elisha Blades Bailey and Matthew Richard Bailey (BAccy 06, MAccy 07), Sept. 15, 2014.

Madison Kate, daughter of Adelyn Marie Dinkins (BSPh 09, PharmD 11) and Jonathan Michael Dinkins (BA 07), March 22, 2014.

Alice Rowan, daughter of Lauren Simms Gregory (BSFCS 08) and Brian M. Gregory, Dec. 18, 2013.

Marian Chambers, daughter of Lauren McFall Hollis (BSFCS 04) and Denson Braswell Hollis (BA 01), Oct. 26, 2014.

Amos Jackson, son of Catherine Carter Sledge (BA 07, DMD 11) and Taylor Marklin Sledge Jr. (BA 07), Aug. 24, 2014.

Emma Claire Page, daughter of Gretta G. Stephens (BAEd 99, MEd 00) and William A. Stephens (BBA 98), Nov. 5, 2014.

Fiona James, daughter of Liza Chaney Tidwell (BAEd 11, MEd 12) and Blake Justin Tidwell (BBA 11), Sept. 9, 2014.

Gabriel, son of Angela Williams (BBA 92), Dec. 22, 2013.

Sarah Evans, daughter of Mary K. Wilson and Stephen Paul Wilson (JD 03), Sept. 19, 2014.

Jack Warren, son of Amy Simms Knight (BAccy 00, MAccy 01) and Martin Alexander Knight Jr., Sept. 20, 2014.

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IN MEMORIAM

1930s Jep S. Brock (39) of McComb, Oct. 10, 2014 Edward A. De Miller Jr. (BA 39) of Madison, Dec. 15, 2014 Guion Bowie Snyder (BA 37) of Winnsboro, La., Dec. 6, 2014 Lucille Wilsford Wilson (37) of Oxford, Dec. 7, 2014 1940s James Edward Barber (BSHPE 49) of Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 11, 2014

Finis Stephen Patton Jr. (BSChE 48) of Knoxville, Tenn., Dec. 30, 2014 Katherine Waring Silver (44) of Greenwood, Dec. 29, 2014 Kathleen Keen Sinnett (BA 48, MA 49) of Rossville, Kan., Oct. 14, 2014 James Gordon Stuart (BBA 47) of Gastonia, N.C., Dec. 6, 2014 Earle Lewis Wrenn Jr. (BA 44, MedCert 45) of Greensboro, N.C., Nov. 6, 2014 1950s JoBeth Byrd Abrams (BA 56) of Florence, Dec. 29, 2014

James C. Bishop (BA 46) of Hattiesburg, Dec. 3, 2014

Edward Lafayette Atkinson Jr. (BA 53, LLB 56) of Quitman, Texas, Oct. 14, 2014

Claudine Smith Coker (BAEd 49) of Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2014

Walter I. Austin (BS 58) of Colorado Springs, Colo., May 2, 2014

Dorothy Stevens Crouch (BSHPE 44) of Gulfport, Dec. 29, 2014

Richard Warren Ball (BBA 55) of Columbia, Sept. 30, 2014

Robert Durley Dean (BS 46, MedCert 49) of Marietta, Ga., Nov. 7, 2014

Wilson F. Beavers III (BA 53) of New Orleans, La., Nov. 27, 2014

Betty Long Early (BAEd 48) of West Point, Oct. 1, 2014

Arthur W. Bonds (BSC 52) of Houston, Texas, Oct. 25, 2014

Gladys Ramsay Easterling (46) of Alexandria, La., Oct. 9, 2014

William Harper Booth Jr. (BSPh 51, MS 52, MedCert 54) of Leland, Sept.

12, 2014

Kenneth Cox Foose (BBA 47) of Jackson, Sept. 26, 2014 Nancy Comfort Heilbronner (BA 42) of Kosciusko, Dec. 22, 2014 Ralph Leon Holland (47) of Oxford, Dec. 5, 2014 Marjorie Luna Johnson (BAEd 45) of Columbus, Dec. 5, 2014 Frank Thaddeus Marascalco (43) of Oxford, Dec. 1, 2014

Claude Allen Boyd Jr. (BS 58) of North Augusta, S.C., Sept. 20, 2014 Jon Robert Boyden (BBA 57) of Oxford, Nov. 20, 2014 Lydia Elizabeth Aldridge Brown (BAEd 58) of Winona, Oct. 11, 2014 Helen DeForce Buford (BA 57) of Apollo Beach, Fla., Dec. 3, 2014

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Glenn Spencer Calvert Jr. (BSME 57) of Tequesta, Fla., Dec. 20, 2014 Graham Walter Christian Jr. (BBA 51) of Laurel, Sept. 4, 2014 Theodore LeRoy Coleman Jr. (BAEd 59) of Norfolk, Va., Dec. 1, 2014 Mary Ann Mobley Collins (58) of Beverly Hills, Calif., Dec. 9, 2014 William Getz Crenshaw Jr. (BBA 54) of Shreveport, La., Nov. 28, 2014 Billie Simmons Davis (BS 57) of Wiggins, June 9, 2014 Kathryn Davis Dodds (BAEd 58) of Aberdeen, Sept. 22, 2014 Gladys Thweatt Douglas (BAEd 54) of Batesville, Oct. 12, 2014 Donald Joseph Dubuisson (BA 50) of Humboldt, Tenn., Nov. 18, 2014 Hubert Lynn Foley Jr. (BSCvE 59) of New Albany, Oct. 26, 2014 Arcadio Garcia-Colon (BSPh 57) of Camuy, Puerto Rico, Nov. 30, 2014 Allen Gardner (LLB 58) of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 17, 2014 James Louis Garner Jr. (BBA 56, LLB 62) of Brandon, Dec. 11, 2014 Rosie Gong Gee (BSC 51) of Vienna, Va., Nov. 8, 2014 John Ed Harris (MedCert 55) of Tupelo, Dec. 9, 2014 William Lamar Hartman (BBA 54) of Pascagoula, Sept. 8, 2014 Virginia Dean Hillman (MBEd 59) of Leakesville, March 26, 2014 Murrell Weldon Hilton Sr. (BA 54) of Long Beach, Sept. 27, 2014 Richard David Hooker Sr. (BS 56) of Preston, Md., Oct. 27, 2014 Alton Lee Hunter (BSPh 52) of Selmer, Tenn., Nov. 22, 2014 Martha Grantham Jackson (50) of Oxford, Aug. 21, 2014 Wade Hampton Johnson Jr. (BM 50, MM 54) of Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 24, 2014 William Francis Jones (BBA 57, LLB 59) of Hattiesburg, Nov. 9, 2014 Irwin Morton Kaufman (BBA 50) of Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 16, 2014 Mary Hinton Kinman (BS 55) of Troutville, Va., Oct. 18, 2014 Dorothy Barnett Lane (MEd 58) of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Oct. 22, 2014 John Dickinson Laws Jr. (BSPh 56) of Columbus AFB, Sept. 7, 2014 Bill Howard Lee (51) of Bossier City, La., Dec. 6, 2014 Tressa King Love (BAEd 50) of Jackson, Sept. 15, 2014 Samuel Charles Lusco Jr. (BBA 50) of Vicksburg, Dec. 3, 2014 George Matthews Marshall IV (BA 59) of Natchez, Aug. 7, 2014 Mitchell Edward McLaughlin Jr. (BBA 53) of Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 31, 2014 John Meacham Jr. (MBA 54) of Batesville, Dec. 17, 2014 Martin Flood Miazza Jr. (BA 52) of Gulfport, Dec. 24, 2014 Robert Hiram Middleton Jr. (MD 59) of Biloxi, Dec. 20, 2014 Betty Williams Moreton (50) of Owensboro, Ky., Oct. 21, 2014 Miriam Hendrix Newman (BS 57) of Jackson, Nov. 23, 2014 Everett W. Nolen (BSPh 51) of Ocean Springs, Oct. 9, 2014 Jessie Daniel Puckett Jr. (LLB 53) of Brandon, Sept. 27, 2014 Ann Bronn Rayne (BAEd 54) of Houston, Texas, Dec. 3, 2014 James Watford Rice Jr. (BBA 57) of Destin, Fla., Sept. 28, 2014 William Kenneth Roberts (BA 55) of Fairhope, Ala., Nov. 14, 2014 Ralph Franklin Robison (53) of Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 8, 2014 Nell Joyce Ryan (MD 57) of Vicksburg, Nov. 14, 2014 Carroll Christopher Scobey (BA 52) of Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 14, 2014 Elizabeth Moore Scott (BA 50) of Phoenix, Ariz., Sept. 24, 2014

Winter 2015 57

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Together Again

1964 SIGMA CHI PLEDGE CLASS CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

M

embers of the Eta Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity’s 1964 pledge class celebrated their 50th anniversary Sept. 19-20. A cocktail party was held at the home of Dr. Ralph (BA 68, MD 72) and Mary Douglas (BM 67) Vance that Friday evening. Saturday began with a visit to the renovated Sigma Chi house, followed by a tour of both the Olivia and Archie Manning Athletics Performance Center and Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. A dinner and dance at the Oxford Convention Center concluded the festivities. More than 130 were in attendance including special guests Johnny Parker (BA 69), former Rebels strength coach and recipient of 1964 Sigma Chi pledge class

four Super Bowl rings; Jimmy Brown (BBA 70), Ole Miss Alumni Association past president; and Ed Perry (BA 64, JD 67), former state legislator. AR

(from left) Dave Darnell, Hull Davis, Ralph Vance, Tommy James, Ken Murphree and Jesse Tutor were among those in attendance at the anniversary celebration.

James N. Sherman (BBA 57) of Clarksdale, Nov. 18, 2014

John Loyd Boling (BSME 68) of Jacksonville, Fla., Nov. 6, 2014

Mary Nichols Shiver (BA 53) of Oxford, Oct. 26, 2014

Susan Stewart Bonner (BAEd 61) of Clarksdale, May 27, 2014

Charles E. Speed (BBA 52) of Hattiesburg, Oct. 2, 2014

Billie Joe Bray (BSME 61) of Tupelo, Dec. 9, 2014

Russell Aubrey Stokes (MA 51) of Oxford, Sept. 16, 2014

James Neville Busby Jr. (BSME 61) of Brandon, Sept. 7, 2014

Leslie Tubb (BS 53) of Oxford, Sept. 27, 2014

Donal Porter Cavette Sr. (60) of Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 27, 2014

Lamar Preston Waddell Sr. (BBA 53) of Indianola, Oct. 6, 2014

Bennie Rance Clower (MS 65, PhD 67) of Raymond, Nov. 8, 2014

Max Lee Waldrop (BSC 53, MBEd 64) of Aiken, S.C., Oct. 28, 2014

Cathryn Rose Clayton Cochran (BA 63) of Washington, D.C., Dec. 12, 2014

Eli Meredith Whitaker Jr. (BBA 54) of Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 16, 2014

James Batson Draughn Jr. (BBA 63) of Brandon, Dec. 24, 2014

Curtis Norman White Sr. (BSEA 50) of Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 24, 2014

Charles Flowers (BBA 60, LLB 62) of Atlanta, Ga., Dec. 7, 2014

Malcolm T. Yawn (BBA 52, LLB 56) of Fulton, Oct. 3, 2014

Albert Harold Gengnagel (BBA 60) of Auburn, Ind., Dec. 26, 2014 Robert Lawson Grimes (BAEd 61, MEd 67) of Aberdeen, Oct. 20, 2014

1960s John Edward Aldridge Jr. (BS 60, MD 64) of Brandon, Oct. 18, 2014

Betty Holland Hearn (MA 66, PhD 72) of Blue Mountain, Oct. 5, 2014

David Beydler Alexander (MA 61) of Edinburg, Va., Dec. 4, 2014

Larry Lee Johnson (BBA 60, LLB 62) of Jackson, Oct. 14, 2014

George Wells Armstrong III (BSPh 60) of Coffeeville, Oct. 20, 2014 Irvin Clayton Baker (BA 61, MA 62) of Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 28, 2014

58 Alumni Review

Lynda Combest Hyland (BSN 66) of Gautier, Oct. 21, 2014 German Eubank Jordan (BBA 64) of Orange Beach, Ala., Oct. 31, 2014 June Inman Kees (BAEd 63) of Allen, Texas, Dec. 30, 2014

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ARE YOU A CARD-CARRYING OLE MISS FAN? Put the Ole Miss Regions Visa® CheckCard* in your wallet. All you need is a Regions checking account.

There’s never been a better time to show your school spirit. To find out how to customize your Regions CheckCard, stop by any branch to talk with an associate, call 1.800.regions or visit regions.com/gorebels.

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To learn more, stop by a branch, call 1.800.regions or visit regions.com/gorebels © 2014 Regions Bank. All deposit accounts are subject to the terms and conditions of the Regions Deposit Agreement. *Additional fees for collegiate CheckCards.

Students entering 8th, 9th, or 10th grade can get a taste of college life in this two-week residential program on our Oxford campus that offers courses from the Mississippi high school curriculum framework. These courses may be counted toward elective graduation requirements. Please visit our website for a full course listing and session dates.

E-mail summeracademy@olemiss.edu | Call (662) 915-7621 | Follow @UMSummerAcademy

Winter 2015 59

News alumni

J. Lamar Kemp (61) of Pearl, Oct. 13, 2014

Eldridge Dean Bonds Sr. (BSHPE 70) of Oxford, Dec. 27, 2014

Mary Louise King (BA 63, MA 65, PhD 70) of Dallas, Texas, Oct. 23, 2014

Elizabeth Ann Bramlett (BA 72) of Chattanooga, Tenn., Oct. 8, 2014

Donald Gregory Kitchens (BA 68) of Utica, Sept. 8, 2014

John Withrow Burris (MS 75, PhD 77) of Jackson, Dec. 1, 2014

Kerby Edward Ladner (BSPh 67) of Oxford, Nov. 14, 2014

Roger Bynum (BSHPE 72, MEd 75) of Oxford, Nov. 21, 2014

Charlayne Gladney Lamb (BAEd 60, MEd 67) of Batesville, Nov. 16, 2014

John Douglas Caulfield (BA 73, MA 75) of Jessup, Md., Dec. 24, 2014

James Hattox Leeper Sr. (BBA 69) of Saltillo, Oct. 6, 2014

Sarah Katherine Gray Chatham (BA 73, BSW 77) of Biloxi, Sept. 21, 2014

Frank Americus Leto (MEd 69) of Tampa, Fla., Nov. 8, 2014

Van Sam Correro (BSHPE 77) of Monroe, La., Oct. 18, 2014

Myron Willis Lockey (MD 61) of Madison, Sept. 11, 2014

Robert Dean Culpepper (MCS 74, MD 77) of Raymond, Nov. 4, 2014

James Hobson Madison Jr. (BSPh 61) of Cleveland, Tenn., May 27, 2014

Delores Scott Cummings (MEd 74) of Blue Mountain, Oct. 16, 2014

Jerald Monroe Manion (PhD 65) of Conway, Ark., July 18, 2014

Paula Ray Dunnam (MS 71) of Ripley, Oct. 28, 2014

William Montgomery Mars (LLB 64) of Philadelphia, Sept. 4, 2014

Phyllis Dixon Francis (MEd 75) of Athens, Ga., Feb. 10, 2014

Thomas Stanley Martin (MD 63) of Jesup, Ga., Sept. 28, 2014

Henry Lafayette George Jr. (BBA 71, MBA 73) of Booneville, Oct. 9, 2014

Mary Mize Massey (BAEd 60, MEd 77) of Oxford, Oct. 18, 2014

Wayne Carter Gulledge (JD 79) of Flowood, Nov. 3, 2014

John Thomas Mathis II (BBA 61) of Tupelo, Dec. 31, 2014

Bruce Payne Hellmann (MS 78) of Fairfax, Va., Sept. 18, 2014

Barbara Lambert McCollum (BS 65) of Hattiesburg, Oct. 25, 2014

Mildred Inez Hollyhan (MS 76) of Coker, Ala., March 11, 2014

Michael John McIntee (MCS 69) of Sacramento, Calif., Nov. 8, 2014

Patrick Arthur Huggins (BPA 76) of Artesia, N.M., Oct. 27, 2014

Roland Taylor McPhail (BA 62) of Southaven, Nov. 3, 2014

Edwin Kirk Hull (BBA 79) of Cordova, Tenn., Oct. 22, 2014

Van Walker Mitchell (BA 60) of Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 18, 2014

Jackie Steven Ivy (BBA 70) of Plantersville, Sept. 24, 2014

Morris Taylor Murray Sr. (68) of Jackson, Dec. 20, 2014

Rodney Derrell Jones (BAEd 77, MEd 79) of Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 5, 2014

Reita Waldrup Nicholas (BSPh 60) of Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 2, 2014

Ruby Wade Keys (MEd 76) of New Albany, Sept. 3, 2014

Charles Richard Norman (BSHPE 67) of Mobile, Ala., Dec. 18, 2014

Jerry Gale King (PhD 75) of Sumrall, Oct. 17, 2014

Charles Sumner Pendleton (LLB 64) of Granbury, Texas, Dec. 13, 2014

Mary Kirkpatrick King (MEd 70) of Oxford, Nov. 10, 2014

Lillian Humber Robertson (BA 63, MEd 89) of Oxford, Nov. 16, 2014

Mae Green Lambert (MEd 76) of Booneville, Oct. 23, 2014

Betty Freeman Rosenkranz (BSN 63, MN 73) of Madison, Sept. 12, 2014

Christopher Frost Llano (BA 73) of Richmond, Va., Oct. 6, 2014

Walter Thomas Rueff (MD 69) of Jackson, Nov. 19, 2014

Glenn Howard Lowitz (MA 77, PhD 79) of Little Rock, Ark., Oct. 27, 2014

Richard Louis Shelton (BSHPE 60) of Flora, Nov. 30, 2014

Glenn Travler Lunsford USAF (Ret.) (BBA 72) of San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 7, 2014

William Cooper Smith (BSHPE 62, MEd 74) of Wynne, Ark., Oct. 31, 2014 Herman Solomon Jr. (MD 62) of Wichita, Kan., Dec. 19, 2014 Robert Parrish Taylor Jr. (BA 68) of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 12, 2014 William Steele Taylor Sr. (BSCvE 61) of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 12, 2014 Mavis Patricia Johnson Thornton (BSN 62) of Amory, Sept. 11, 2014 John Campbell Underwood Jr. (BBA 69, JD 72) of Jackson, Oct. 13, 2014 Patrick Joseph Waldner (MEd 63) of Rogers, Minn., Nov. 12, 2014 David Edward Weeks (BS 63) of Clinton, Dec. 7, 2014 James Marvin Wilson (MS 63) of Baton Rouge, La., Oct. 16, 2014 Tommy Clinton Wright (MEd 66) of Chattanooga, Tenn., Dec. 16, 2014

John Michael McMillian (BSPh 71) of Chester Springs, Pa., March 13, 2014 John Harbour Mounger (BBA 75, JD 79) of Jackson, Oct. 26, 2014 Elizabeth Dean Robinson (BA 74) of Dyer, Tenn., Oct. 27, 2014 David Edward Rogers (BA 70) of Hernando, Nov. 13, 2014 Samuel Herbert Sandy (BBA 77) of Smyrna, Ga., Oct. 24, 2014 Dorcas Scroggins Saunders (EdD 77) of Gulf Shores, Ala., Nov. 16, 2014 Lou Ann Schmitz (MEd 75) of Victoria, Nov. 7, 2014 David Rowe Sparks (JD 72) of Saltillo, Nov. 29, 2014 Virginia Pennebaker Staggs (MEd 75) of New Albany, Dec. 19, 2014

Charles Max Young (BBA 62) of Corinth, Dec. 17, 2014

Vergie Nichols Swinney (MEd 76) of Oxford, Dec. 10, 2014

1970s Thomas V. Allen Jr. (MD 73) of Little Rock, Ark., Dec. 10, 2014

Ralph Johns Turnbo Jr. (BS 70) of Wesson, Sept. 22, 2014

Betty Kelly Arnold (BAEd 75, MEd 88) of Oxford, Nov. 5, 2014

Gerald Elbert Weaver (MA 77) of Peoria, Ariz., Dec. 3, 2014

Lisa Wakefield Ashford (BAEd 77) of Covington, Tenn., Oct. 27, 2014 Leving Magruder Beckham Jr. (BBA 71) of Oxford, Oct. 10, 2014

Mayva Sue Williams Weaver (BAEd 76, MEd 81) of Cordova, Tenn., Nov. 25, 2014

Bobby Gayle Beene (BSHPE 72) of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., Sept. 27, 2014

Sonja Gwyn Wood (79) of Tupelo, Sept. 17, 2014

Jo Blissard Bomar (MLS 78) of Jackson, Nov. 1, 2013

60 Alumni Review

Timothy Allan Tennyson (72) of Smackover, Ark., Dec. 9, 2014 Alfred Henry Wallace III (BRL 74) of Tupelo, Dec. 12, 2014

1980s John Richard Billips Jr. (82) of Marianna, Fla., Oct. 8, 2014 Barry Christopher Blackburn Sr. (MBA 88, JD 91) of Olive Branch, March 21, 2014 William Darrell Burnham (MD 83) of Hattiesburg, Oct. 19, 2014

Tara Nabors Sudderth (PhD 99) of Birmingham, Ala., Oct. 18, 2014 Tamara Robertson Waldrop (BAEd 91, MEd 00) of New Albany, Sept. 30, 2014

George Glenn Cook (MURP 86) of Starkville, Nov. 20, 2014

2000s Preston Kelly Brooks Jr. (02) of Oxford, Sept. 28, 2014

Marjorie Barker Cook (MEd 81) of Corinth, Sept. 11, 2014

Jimmy Ray Chism Jr. (03) of New Albany, Oct. 3, 2014

Tommy Allen Cossitt (BAEd 87, MEd 99) of Tiplersville, Nov. 10, 2014

André Daniel Sterling (09) of Knoxville, Tenn., Sept. 10, 2014

Susan Byrum Frost (BBA 83) of Goodlettsville, Tenn., Sept. 19, 2014 George Russell Frye (BA 84, MD 88) of Meridian, Nov. 3, 2014 Sam Greer Holston (BBA 88) of Long Beach, Sept. 18, 2014 Jeffrey Lawrence Huddleston (MM 86) of Oakland, Tenn., Nov. 12, 2014 Joel Stokes Johnson (BBA 81) of Biloxi, Sept. 2, 2014 Quentin Robert Laymon (BA 81) of Southaven, June 1, 2014 Jules Brian McKee (BBA 87) of Portland, Ore., Nov. 2, 2014 Albert Hiram Miller (BBA 85) of Powder Springs, Ga., Nov. 4, 2014 Kimberly Ann Murphy-Smith (BSCS 86) of Laurel, Md., Jan. 16, 2014 Gregory Holly Piner (BA 86, MBA 90, JD 92) of Duck Hill, Dec. 17, 2014 Patta Ann Steele (JD 82) of Eutaw, Ala., Sept. 14, 2014 1990s Sheryl Ann Collins (BAEd 97, MEd 00) of Pontotoc, Oct. 10, 2014 Paul Charles Craft Jr. (BBA 90) of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 23, 2014 Clifton Riley Dabbs (BS 95) of Bel Air, Md., Dec. 13, 2014 Darcim Wilson Hammonds (BPA 97) of Booneville, Nov. 28, 2014 James Robert May Jr. (BBA 91) of Hillsboro, Ore., Oct. 31, 2014 Amy Louise Piazza (BA 97) of LaFayette, Ga., Nov. 24, 2014 Gary Wade Stooksberry (BBA 98) of Germantown, Tenn., Nov. 14, 2014

2010s Donald McDaniel Armour (14) of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 12, 2014 Robert Jackson Babb (10) of Odessa, Texas, Dec. 21, 2014 Christopher Demond Bennett (DMD 10) of Gulfport, Nov. 12, 2014 Marcey Cyndal Cleveland (BSCJ 12) of Baldwyn, Oct. 23, 2014 Rebekah Bowen Mansell (MSW 11) of Tupelo, Nov. 14, 2014 Luke Cameron Phillips of Olive Branch, Oct. 17, 2014 James Dalton Cody Rice of Tupelo, Sept. 16, 2014 Carla Reneé Wells (13) of Blytheville, Ark., Dec. 31, 2014 Brandon Daniel Williams of Escondido, Calif., Nov. 6, 2014 Grant Thomas Womack (14) of Franklin, Tenn., Oct. 19, 2014 Faculty and Friends Aline Faccini Alias of Oxford, Oct. 7, 2014 Richard Leon Bailey of Byram, Oct. 18, 2014 Durward Lacey Blakey of Raymond, Dec. 6, 2014 Kathy Linton Carson of Iuka, Dec. 5, 2014 Thomas Henry Cato of Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 14, 2014 Elvis Oscar Champion Jr. of Water Valley, Oct. 15, 2014

IF THE ONLY QUESTION WHEN YOU LEAVE IS WHEN YOU’LL BE BACK . . .

It’s got Oxford written all over it.

12TH ANNUAL OXFORD FILM FESTIVAL t February 26-March 1 OXFORD CONFERENCE FOR THE BOOK t March 25-27 MISS-I-SSIPPIN t April 10-11 20TH ANNUAL DOUBLE DECKER ARTS FESTIVAL t April 24-25 THACKER MOUNTAIN RADIO HOUR t Thursdays Fall & Spring For more information on any of these events,

visitoxfordms.com

Winter 2015 61

News alumni

Peter Wadkin Coleman of Plantation, Fla., Nov. 10, 2014

Stan Sandroni of Oxford, Sept. 10, 2014

Dixie Steele Davis of Bruce, Dec. 15, 2014

Charles Dalton Shorter of University, Sept. 5, 2014

Noll Perkins Davis Jr. of Greenwood, Sept. 15, 2014

Benny Stehr of Clinton, Okla., Dec. 11, 2014

Sharon Burnett Davis of Greenville, Nov. 18, 2014

Joan Lutkin Stevens of Dallas, Texas, Sept. 7, 2014

Pamela Burks Dunlap of Hernando, Oct. 18, 2014

Donald Allan Stewart of Meridian, Nov. 27, 2014

Robert E. French of Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 5, 2014

Joy Rogers Tatum of Oxford, Nov. 27, 2014

Catherine Dwyer Fry of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 19, 2014

Charles Edgar Treas of Oxford, Dec. 24, 2014

Robert Burwell Fulton III of Charlottesville, Va., Nov. 19, 2014

Eric Keith Williamson of Oxford, Sept. 11, 2014

Brent Harbin of Grenada, Dec. 26, 2014

Earline Woods of Booneville, Dec. 31, 2014

Annetta Hardin of Oxford, Nov. 10, 2014 Burl Hunt of Oxford, Dec. 19, 2014 Earl Wayne Jones of Oxford, Oct. 4, 2014 Dorothy Elaine Hatley Little of University, Dec. 18, 2014 Shirley Elizabeth Melton of Southaven, Oct. 31, 2014 Harper Anderson Peacock of Oxford, Sept. 4, 2014 Lillian Kirk Pilkington of Oxford, Dec. 29, 2014 Frank Arthur Raila of Brandon, Sept. 6, 2014 James Dane Reid of Oxford, Nov. 28, 2014 Gwenette Phillips Robertson of Jackson, Oct. 26, 2014

Due to space limitations, class notes are only published in the Alumni Review from active, dues-paying members of the Ole Miss Alumni Association. To submit a class note, send it to records@olemiss.edu or Alumni Records Dept., Ole Miss Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848. Class notes also may be submitted through the Association’s website at www.olemissalumni.com. The Association relies on numerous sources for class notes and is unable to verify all notes with individual alumni. AR

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

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

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

62 Alumni Review

Serving Oxford, Lafayette County and the University of Mississippi

TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2010

142ND Year, No. 169 — 50 CENTS

Run-off solution sought E-Edition booming

INSIDE

Erosion problems wash away county officials’ patience

BY ALYSSA SCHNUGG Staff Writer

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

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

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

Williams Equipment started con-

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

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

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

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

See SOLUTION on Page 2

Oxford schools set budget hearing

GRADUATION CELEBRATION

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

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

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

UM GRADS

ONLINE

BY MELANIE ADDINGTON

The Oxfo rd Eagle E-Edition helps you keep up w ith your home awa y from ho me Complete C o v eragework BP probe on other companies’ of Ofocuses le accepted iss Sports Report: Oversite workersM BRUCE NEWMAN

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

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

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

gifts from oil companies

INDEX

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

One of th e top dail ies in Mississ ippi Subscribe to the E-Edit io n Only $5 p er month

BY GREG BLUESTEIN AND

MATTHEW DALY

Associated Press Writers

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

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

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

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

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

also owned the Deepwater Horizon oil rig.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Transocean LTD, which

PATRICK SEMANSKY/AP

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

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

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

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

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

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

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

Athenia

An 1858 Holly Springs Landmark Offered at $650,000

Built in 1858 it is unsurpassed in its pure classicism and wealth of ornamentation.

Worst-case scenario

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—melanie@oxfordeagle.com —melanie@oxfor

11-14

www.oxfordeagle.com 662-234-2222

‘89

www.oxfordeagle.com

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News alumni

Attention Alabamians OLE MISS LICENSE PLATE DEADLINE LOOMS

A

labamians who haven’t yet signed up for an Ole Miss license plate are running out of time to make the affinity plate a reality in their state. Residents must reach 1,000 pre-commitments by April 30 for the plate to go into production.

Answers to frequently asked questions are below, or those with questions can contact alumni club coordinator Anna Smith at 662-915-7375 or visit the pre-commit site at https://precommit.mvtrip.alabama.gov/UserCommit/Index.

FAQs Do I need to wait until my tag expires before I precommit to the Ole Miss license plate?

No. The pre-commitment process is a way of showing the state of Alabama that there are enough supporters of the Ole Miss license plate for it to be manufactured. It is completely separate from the tag-renewal process. At least 1,000 presale commitments must be reached by April 30 before the license plate is printed and available for issuance.

Is the fee refundable?

The pre-commit tag cost is $52. If 1,000 pre-commitments are not reached, then $3.25 in fees will be retained and $48.75 will be refunded. If 1,000 pre-commitments are received and the plate is produced, then the fee is nonrefundable and goes to cover the cost of the plate.

What information is needed to pre-commit?

Registrants will need their Alabama license plate number or the year, make, model and VIN of their vehicle.

Are you allowed to sign up for more than one license plate per application?

Yes, registrants may sign up for as many as 10 plates per application.

Where do we stand now?

There were 301 pre-commitments for the Ole Miss license plate at the time of this article’s publication. The count is kept updated on the pre-commitment website at https:// precommit.mvtrip.alabama.gov/UserCommit/Index.

How can I help make this a reality?

Purchase an Ole Miss license plate today, and share this information with your family and friends.

K

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

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$388,000

The Highlands Lots

• Oxford City Schools • apx 1-5 acre lots/70 acre bass lake • Beautiful Lake Community

$99,000 to $495,000

Jefferson Place

• 2 BR/1.5 Bath, Upgrades throughout •Walking distance to square!

• Most affordable near the square

$189,900

4003 Robison

• 3 BR/3Baths & guest house • 72 acres w/ 3 ponds • Heart pine floors & 5 fireplaces

$559,900

Come check out these private community lake lots. Features include granite counter tops in kitchen and bath, stainless steel appliances, hand scraped floors, fireplace, crown molding, walk-in closets, and two car garages.

Three lots to choose from with multiple floor plans for you to customize. Experience the beauty and serenity of Tuscan Hills, just 5 minutes from downtown Oxford!

Windsor Falls

• 5 Bed 3 Bath / 3100 sq ft • Community Pool & Club House • Very popular neighborhood!

$334,000