DAILY HELMSMAN Wednesday 04.17.13
The
For a recap of Tuesday night’s game, see page 7
Vol. 80 No. 102
Independent Student Newspaper of the University of Memphis
Festival Fashion 4 Men’s Tennis
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of M Behind the Blue Blazer Ubrings Raines talks childhood, U of M, and the next chapter of her life
By Joshua Cannon
news@dailyhelmsman.com President Shirley Raines will surely be remembered for a number of achievements while at the University of Memphis. At the tail end of January 2001, she was named the University’s 11th president — a position that allowed her not to step into the shoes of the 10 men who had served before her, but to kick them off and slip on a pair of heels as the University’s first female president. Yesterday The Daily Helmsman chronicled some of the changes the University saw during her 12-year tenure as a Memphis Tiger. But who is Shirley Raines underneath all of the academic allure? In short, there is no way to separate education from her personal life, according to Raines. Growing up, she knew that she wanted to teach. “I was the first grandchild in our family, and there were lots of others that followed me,” Raines said. “I was always in charge of the children, and it was a great honor for me to get to be a teacher.” Raines grew up plowing fields with her family on a 300-acre farm in Crockett County, Tenn. — just a touch over 70 miles away from Memphis. She was the only daughter among
By L. Taylor Smith
news@dailyhelmsman.com
two brothers, one of whom still manages the family farm today. Her mother was Baptist while her father was Methodist, and they attended separate churches just yards away from each other. According to Raines, the time she spent running between the con-
gregations each Sunday offered many experiences that helped shape her. “I would go over and play the piano during Sunday school and there were maybe 40 people there at the Methodist church, so they would forgive any mistakes I made as a child,”
Raines said. “Then I’d run over and do Sunday school and just be a participant in my mom’s church.” As a young girl, Raines always wanted to live in Memphis. According
The University alum worked his way up to CEO of Saks Incorporated, a retailer that includes Saks Fifth Avenue, Proffitt’s, Younkers, Carson Pirie Scott and Bergner’s. He served as Student Government president and was a member of the Student Ambassador Board during his time at the University. He has recently chaired the U of M Board of Visitors and Foundation Board of Trustees. He is currently a member of the Tiger Athletic Advisory Board. Morgan described Martin as a successful businessman, prais-
ing him for his understanding of elements of customer service, including reaching and communicating with the population. “When you have the momentum going is when you have to take advantage of that and move forward,” Morgan said. Martin has been described as someone capable of interacting with financial stakeholders, someone who understands the University and a person who will help identify ways to enhance the University’s presence in the community. Martin will serve as a tempo-
rary president while a permanent successor for retiring President Shirley Raines is found. “The good thing that Brad Martin brings to the table for this interim assignment is that he is committed to this University but he is also a businessman, he’s a successful businessman, who can look at the University through a different perspective than an academician can,” Morgan said. Morgan said he believes Martin will help serve the University by bringing in a different point of
“Medea” is coming to the University of Memphis Thursday. Director Brian Fruits spent last summer in Italy learning the art of mask making. With “Medea” he wanted to incorporate this new skill and challenge himself before he graduates with a Masters in Fine Arts in Theatre from the U of M’s Department of Theatre & Dance. “I’ve never done this; I’m scared of it,” Fruits said. “The Greeks have been around 2,800 years, so we have to think about what’s the relevancy, how to stick true to the story while we take some major liberties.” In addition to guiding actors technically, Fruits tries to bring the emotions behind the dialogue to a boil. Laura Knote plays Medea, and in order to give her a better idea of the physicality of the character, Fruits asked her to take a class in krav maga, a non-competitive form of self-defense. “It really showed me what it’s like to be weak as a woman and how to work around people to get what I want,” Knote said. “To play Medea, I had to know how to be vulnerable and become vulnerable.” During one rehearsal, Fruits brought in a social worker he knows who has dealt with traumatic circumstances like the ones in “Medea.” His goal
see INTERIM on page 6
see MEDEA on page 5
photo By nathanaeL paCKaRD | staff
University of Memphis President Shirley Raines awards students from the U of M Campus School for the original art pieces they created for the University’s annual holiday card competition.
see RAINES on page 3
Interim President revealed By Jennifer Rorie
news@dailyhelmsman.com Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan announced yesterday that R. Brad Martin, chairman at RBM Venture Company, a private investment company, will serve as interim president for the University effective July 1. Martin graduated with a Master in Business Administration from Owen Graduate School of Management. He was also the youngest member elected to the Tennessee General Assembly, where he served five terms.
Greek tragedy to stage
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