MILLSAPS SPRING 2022
MAGAZINE
3
The college’s Office of International Education sponsored a photo contest for Millsaps students studying around the globe this past winter. First- and second-place winners were rewarded with gift cards to the campus bookstore. The winning photo features senior Brayden Stensaas in a cenote outside of the Yucatán jungle in Mexico. Said Brayden, “We went swimming in an underground cave after traveling on horseback to reach the location. It was a very unique and exciting experience, and one of my favorite days on the trip.” (Photo credit to Else School student Hunter Magno-Hester.) The second-place photo features sophomore Thien Pham in front of the Pyramid of the Magicians in the ancient Maya city of Uxmal, Mexico. Although the aspect ratio of the photo makes the pyramid look small, it is actually the tallest and most recognizable structure in Uxmal. (Photo credit to senior Sakshi Singh.) “Millsaps offers opportunities for students to enhance their education through global awareness and intercultural development,” said Director of International Education Dr. Véronique Bélisle. “It’s rewarding to see the excitement of their experiences translated through photos.” MILLSAPS MAGAZINE WINTER 2021
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022 EDITOR
Annie Schott Mitchell ASSOCIATE EDITOR
John Sewell DESIGNER
Kelley Matthews MILLSAPS MAGAZINE ONLINE
Emma Stockton
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Amber Ewing Chris Lawrence John Sewell
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ron Blaylock Greg Campbell Jake Jones John Sewell
Millsaps Magazine is published by the Office of Marketing and Communications at Millsaps College, 1701 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39210, for distribution to alumni, parents and friends. Visit millsaps.edu/magazine to view the magazine online. SEND ADDRESS CHANGES OR UPDATES TO Office of Alumni and Parent Relations Millsaps College 1701 N. State St. Jackson, MS 39210 alumni@millsaps.edu 601-974-1000
Millsaps College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any legally protected status.
CONNECT WITH US
FROM THE PRESIDENT Spring is my favorite season to walk campus with Phoebe, and our golden retriever, Spencer, is always a willing partner. The college is fortunate to be home to over 25 noteworthy types of trees that add beauty this time of year, including flowering dogwoods, southern magnolias, eastern redbuds, catalpas and tulip trees, along with flowering shrubs like rhododendrons, azaleas and forsythias. From vivid magenta to bright red to — naturally — deep purple, the season of renewal at Millsaps is a symphony of refreshing color and rebirth following the dormant winter months. The refreshed energy of spring extends to the amazing work of our students, faculty and staff. I’m excited that in the following pages you will have the opportunity to read about some of our international students who are optimistically looking toward May graduation after successfully arriving in the United States in the fall of 2018 — many for the first time — and managing classes, new people and lots of new experiences … along with a global pandemic that impacted their ability to go home. The influential work of our faculty and staff, like Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Liz Egan and Director of Executive and Continuing Education LeAnne Brewer, continues to challenge students and benefit the region. From aspiring high school writers who participate in the college’s annual McMullan Young Writers Workshop to seasoned employees of Sanderson Farms and Continental Tire acquiring additional skills to develop their companies’ next generation of leaders, Millsaps is proud to execute its mission of dedication to academic excellence and the social, economic and cultural progress of our region. As we appreciate the beauty of the season, we are also grateful for the work and service of our alumni and friends, like Washington Post reporter Casey Parks ’25; 2022 Mississippi Arts Commission Governor’s Choice award winner and Millsaps Board of Trustees member Holly Lange ’91; and former Millsaps Trustee Bill Bynum, who recently received the Heinz Award for the Economy. Like the vibrant colors of spring, signs of progress and transformation bloom at Millsaps. Thank you for being an important part of the celebration of the season. I hope to see you on campus soon.
Best,
Rob Pearigen
4
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE WINTER 2021
WE’VE GOT MAJOR THINGS HAPPENING! Make sure you’re following Millsaps College on all of your social media feeds to stay connected. FACEBOOK: FACEBOOK.COM/MILLSAPSCOLLEGE INSTAGRAM: @MILLSAPSCOLLEGE TWITTER: @MILLSAPSCOLLEGE LINKEDIN: LINKEDIN.COM/SCHOOL/MILLSAPS-COLLEGE
2
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
CONTENTS 4
MARTY SMITH TAKES THE REINS OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT New leadership looks to continue fundraising success
6
NEW WELLS TO OFFER WATER RELIEF ON CAMPUS Millsaps to develop a reliable water source for campus
10
CREATING A SAFE SPACE FOR EXPRESSION Liz Egan and the McMullan Young Writers Workshop
18
REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS, THE MILLSAPS WAY Else School of Management provides opportunities for local executives to continue education
20
TOUCHDOWN: MILLSAPS SETS STUDENT-ATHLETES UP FOR SUCCESS Teammates on the field and in the workplace
22
CLASS NOTES Majors on the Move
23
MILLSAPS TRUSTEES LEADING BY EXAMPLE THROUGH SERVICE Holly Lange and William Bynum receive awards for service
7
12
14
CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY: SENIOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ON THEIR MILLSAPS EXPERIENCE Six class of 2022 international students tell their stories
TELLING THE STORIES WE NEED TO HEAR Millsaps alumna, journalist and author Casey Parks
MILLSAPS FAMILY CREATES A LEGACY OF CARE The Brandon family continues a legacy of Millsaps excellence
MILLSAPS.EDU
3
4
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
MARTY SMITH TAKES THE REINS OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENTby John Sewell Seated in his new office on the second floor of Whitworth Hall, Marty Smith already looks at home. “I’m a product of a small private college and have spent nearly 30 years working with small private colleges,” said Smith. “It was important to me that, if I was going to make a move, it be to a college like Millsaps.” That’s what initially attracted Smith to his new role as vice president of institutional advancement. Beyond that, he cites the opportunity to work with Dr. Rob Pearigen, president of Millsaps. “He’s a successful fundraising president, and I wanted the opportunity to work with someone who is experienced in fundraising,” Smith said. “And joining a team that has enjoyed success through the difficult years of the pandemic was important.” Pearigen has a similar view of what it will be like to work with Smith. “Marty understands the value of a residential, liberal arts college education and is quick to say that his own life was transformed by such an experience,” Pearigen said. “He has led institutions to a greater engagement of alumni, developing the creative programs and events that led to that engagement. He has a warm and embracing personality and is a person of strong character and deep faith.” Smith comes to Millsaps from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he served as senior associate vice chancellor for development and alumni affairs. He also previously held roles as vice president for advancement at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, and Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, and as vice president for university advancement at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts in public relations at Ottawa University and his Master’s in Sports Administration at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. At Ottawa University, Smith led the most successful campaign in the institution’s history and then did the same at Illinois Wesleyan, raising more than $141 million to establish new student scholarships and new endowed professorships, build and improve campus facilities and support the overall endowment. He looks to replicate that success at Millsaps but is quick to note that it’s not an individual effort. “Those previous campaigns weren’t Marty Smith accomplishments — we had wonderful support across the board that made them successful,” he said. “Millsaps has a strong president who knows fundraising, an active and engaged board of trustees and an accomplished staff.” One important part of Smith’s transition is becoming familiar with the campus community and surrounding areas. He and his wife, Cindy, have been impressed by their welcome so far. “We’ve had a great experience, and everyone is so committed to Millsaps. I’m getting to know the staff and look forward to getting to know more students and faculty.” Cindy also worked at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has recently accepted a position at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, so she and Marty will continue to work close to each other. They have three children — Caleb, who works in Chicago; Rachel, in Lexington, Kentucky; and Gabe, who is a junior at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The Smiths like to spend their free time hiking and are looking forward to finding new trails around the state. Smith is quick to admit that they also like to find trails with great places to eat close by in order to start and end their treks with a good meal. Smith replaces Hope Carter, who accepted a position at the University of Florida last year. Smith started in his new role on Jan. 18, 2022. He can be reached at marty.smith@millsaps.edu.
THE SMITH FAMILY: MARTY, CINDY, CALEB, GABE AND RACHEL MILLSAPS.EDU
5
NEW WELLS TO OFFER WATER RELIEF ON CAMPUS
by John Sewell
Thomas Fuller, a 17th-century clergyman and historian, once said, “We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.” Four hundred years later, his statement has echoed around the Millsaps campus as the college has dealt with ongoing water challenges brought on by winter weather and infrastructure issues in the Jackson area. Water main breaks off campus often mean a loss of pressure on campus, exacerbated by the fact that the college sits on one of the highest points in the city. And in February 2021, a severe winter storm severely impacted the city and shut down the water system; a mobile shower unit was brought to campus and pallets of bottled water were distributed to students, faculty and staff. Looking ahead, however, Fuller’s quote will not mean as much as the college prepares to develop its own water source. Work will begin this spring to dig two wells on campus and construct a 100,000-gallon water tank, ensuring that water issues become a thing of the past. The wells will be dug along the west side of campus, tapping into the Sparta Aquifer located a few hundred feet down. The nearly 200-foot-tall water tank will also be located on the west side of campus. “This is a critically important project for our campus,” said Dr. Rob Pearigen, president of Millsaps. “We simply must provide this most basic service to students, faculty and staff.” Pearigen met recently with Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba to share the plans. Coleman Bond, director of facilities management at Millsaps, noted the challenges and the benefits of the project as work prepares to get underway. “We have a lot of work to do in terms of navigating the underground utilities and remaining on schedule with potential weather conditions or national supply chain issues,” said Bond. “In the end, however, Millsaps will have its own reliable, potable water source. The city of Jackson will
6
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
remain as a secondary source, and the water tank will provide water for two to three days should both the primary and secondary water sources become unavailable.” The total cost of the project is estimated at $3.5 million and has been approved by the board of trustees. The college has already received a $1.5 million commitment from the Arkansas-based Windgate Foundation, which previously funded half of the new $6 million Windgate Visual Arts Center on campus and, last fall, established a $2 million scholarship endowment. The college must raise a $1 million match to receive full funding from the Windgate Foundation. “Thankfully, I was meeting with the leadership of the Windgate Foundation in November, just after a city water failure disrupted campus at the beginning of Thanksgiving week,” recalled Pearigen. “I shared with them the challenges we were facing, including the issues resulting from the storm in February 2021. The following day, they called me to talk about the possibility of helping us fund an independent water source, and within a week the foundation board made this new, extraordinary commitment to the college.” Pearigen said the college already has commitments in hand toward the matching funds and is actively working to solicit support from others. The Office of Institutional Advancement, led by new Vice President Marty Smith, is taking the lead in these efforts alongside the active participation of members of the board of trustees. “This is an important, visible and tangible project in the life of this campus community,” Smith said. “We are confident we can raise the resources necessary to complete the work and encourage anyone interested in supporting it to contact me directly.” Smith can be reached by email (marty.smith@millsaps.edu) or phone (601-974-1024). The project is slated for completion by the late spring or early summer of 2023. However, the new water supply may be in operation once the wells are functional, even if the tower itself is not fully finished.
MILLSAPS.EDU
7
CHINWE EMENIKE | Lagos, Nigeria Major: Biology Minor: Health and Fitness Plans After Graduation: Nursing School Favorite Restaurant: Picante’s Grill | Top Reasons to Belong at Millsaps: Professors, Community The first time Chinwe Emenike came to Mississippi was when she flew to Jackson to study at Millsaps College. Upon landing, Emenike and her family were nervous about the sprawling landscape compared with her home in Lagos. “Lagos is not very big in terms of land size,” she said. “It’s very populated but a small state. We were worried when we left the airport and saw tons of trees but no people.” Emenike soon started building relationships with people in the Millsaps community, including Dr. Elizabeth Hussa, associate professor of biology. “Dr. Hussa is my adviser. I love her teaching style and how she explains things. She makes sure we understand. She has given me such good advice and helped me with my classes and future plans.” She also praised Dr. Cory Toyota, associate professor of organic chemistry, saying, “He helped me with registration while I was in Nigeria and makes chemistry fun!” Emenike has enjoyed the calm and kindness of our community. “I got a lot of help from people here, such as helping me with visas and answering my questions. Millsaps was the best fit for me.” SERGEY KOLESNIK | Moscow, Russia Major: Applied mathematics and business administration Plans After Graduation: Soccer Management/Operations or Soccer Data Analysis | Favorite Off-Campus Restaurant: Aladdin | Top Reasons to Belong at Millsaps: Academics, Community Sergey Kolesnik traveled the world by the age of 18. He specifically chose to attend college in the United States because of the educational system. His criteria for the perfect college? “I wanted a good math department, good business school and somewhere I could play soccer.” Kolesnik found his match at Millsaps College. He has made the best of the close community at Millsaps by fostering relationships with professors and finding a second family through his involvement in soccer and track. “The community here is great,” Kolesnik said. “If there is something that is going wrong with your academics or social life, there is always someone who will give you a helping hand.” Kolesnik grew close to Dr. Alex Rice, assistant professor of mathematics. “Dr. Rice helped me find a path and helped me with a lot of the questions I had, and he helped me figure out what experiences I wanted. Now, Dr. Rice and I are working together on a research project.” Kolesnik is especially grateful for his academic experience at
8
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
Millsaps. “I have learned so much here, and I can already start applying what I’ve learned. It has given me a leg up on the competition.”
DANIIL PUGACHEV | Kaluga, Russia Major: Business administration — entrepreneurship Plans After Graduation: Return to Russia; Business and Politics | Favorite Off-Campus Restaurant: CAET | Reasons to Belong at Millsaps: Community, Trust Daniil Pugachev had completed his first year at a college in Russia when his family moved from Russia to Madison, Mississippi. He decided to join his family to experience different cultures, and after researching colleges in the area, Millsaps College stood out to him as the best option. He became friends with other international Millsaps students, including another student from Russia, Sergey Kolesnik. He was also able to connect with other students from Russia and the surrounding region. He developed great relationships with his professors, including Dr. Penelope Prenshaw, professor of marketing at the Else School. “We met with Dr. Prenshaw after the first class to make sure we were on the same page, and I understood the material in the right way. She does a great job sharing her knowledge and experience to get me prepared for future career levels.” Like Dr. Prenshaw, other Millsaps professors have helped Pugachev transition to the United States’ educational style, including the freedom to explore his interests. “At Millsaps, you can study with a high education pace, lots of teamwork and the possibility to share your own thoughts and come up with the right decisions,” said Pugachev. He is looking forward to his future and moving on to the next phase of his life and career endeavors. “I have chosen business administration because I wanted to get a better understanding of business. Millsaps helped me get professional business qualities and improve my personal and professional levels.”
SAKSHI SINGH (LEFT) VISITS NEW ORLEANS WITH HER HOST FAMILY, DIANE AND CLAY ROUSE
ANGELA JIMMY | India and Saudi Arabia Major: Psychology and neuroscience (pre-medical) | Minor: Sociology and chemistry Plans After Graduation: Research; Medical School | Favorite Restaurant: Keifer’s | Reasons to Belong at Millsaps: Connection, Community Angela Jimmy discovered Millsaps College through the Next Genius Foundation, which connects high-achieving Indian students with scholarships to study in the United States. Right away, the college’s small student body appealed to her. “It mattered a lot to not be just a grade to a professor, but to be an individual to them,” she said. Angela was also drawn to Millsaps because of the college’s community involvement. She found a real-world connection through her involvement with Millsaps’ “One Campus, One Community” program and taking a course taught by Dr. Louwanda Evans, associate professor of sociology and director of African American Studies. Angela said, “Dr. Evans’ ‘Many Dimensions of Poverty’ helped me see the world in a sociological perspective that I was able to apply to Mississippi.” Angela does her best to stay busy. In addition to her studies and community involvement, she currently serves as president of the college’s chapter of the Nu Rho Psi honor society, psychology club and Millsaps International Buddy System (MIBS). She also works in the office of admission and is a chemistry and physics teaching assistant. Her favorite part about her Millsaps experience has been connecting with the students and professors. “Our professors are really invested in our experience,” she said. “I’ve had fun every day at Millsaps.” VISHAL BALAJI | Coimbatore, India Major: Applied mathematics and economics Plans After Graduation: Career in Data Analytics | Favorite Restaurant: Sushi Village | Reasons to Belong at Millsaps: Connections, Professors Vishal Balaji learned about the connections between professors and students at Millsaps College from his brother, Vajresh, a class of 2020 graduate. Balaji has made the most of those connections by participating in campus activities like Millsaps’ annual Diwali festival and joining the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. “A lot of people see us as nerds, but we also have fun,” Balaji laughed. Above all, Balaji is a serious student. He is graduating a year early and enrolled in the Else School’s data analytics program. He enjoys his studies and has connected with professors who are invested in his success, such as economics professor Dr. Blakely Fender.
“Dr. Fender’s teaching is extremely good. Her experience and pacing help you not feel overwhelmed while enjoying a high caliber of learning.” Balaji feels the connections he has made at Millsaps help ease the pressure of being an international student. “I came to Millsaps for the relationships between students and professors,” he said. “You can’t really do that in India. Back home, the class sizes are 150 for one teacher. Here, in every department, I have a least one professor or staff member I can talk to.”
EMENIKE (BACK LEFT) AND JIMMY (BACK RIGHT) ENJOY DINNER WITH FRIENDS.
SAKSHI SINGH | Indore, India Major: Applied mathematics and economics Plans After Graduation: Working in economics in the U.S. | Favorite Off-Campus Restaurant: Thai Time | Reasons to Belong at Millsaps: Opportunities, Community Like Angela Jimmy, Sakshi Singh discovered Millsaps College through the Next Genius Foundation’s scholarship program. She chose Millsaps based on the college’s small class size, as well as meeting with an international admission officer, along with the president of the college, Dr. Rob Pearigen. “I found it interesting the way President Pearigen represented the college’s values and what opportunities were available in the city of Jackson,” Singh said of the meeting. Singh has focused on fostering connections and experiences while at Millsaps, including participating in Millsaps’ internship program in summer 2020. Singh said of the experience, “I could apply what I was learning in my economics, analysis and math classes to my internship experience.” Singh has been able to build relationships with professors who have guided her throughout her Millsaps experience. “Dr. Fender is my favorite professor. The things she knows and how she explains things — I want to be exactly like her.” Singh has also enjoyed her time in Mississippi and the friends she has made. “I enjoy being here. I have friends who are like family. When I miss home, I can talk to a friend and feel understood.”
MILLSAPS.EDU
9
Creating a Safe Space for Expression by Amber Ewing
10
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
“Kind.” “Optimistic.” “Mentor.” “Friend.” When you mention Liz Egan’s name in the Millsaps community, you will likely hear these words to describe her. Egan, assistant professor of creative writing and the director of the Centers for Writing and Academic Success at Millsaps, came to Mississippi in 2014 from the Washington, D.C. area. She always had a profound respect for the literary history of Mississippi, and when a job opening at the college came her way, she jumped at the opportunity. “I had amazing mentors in D.C. and got to experience the large literary community there, so I saw a move to Jackson as an opportunity to build a literary community. I was drawn to Millsaps in particular because I wanted to work in a small college setting where the students really wanted to be students.” Soon after coming to Millsaps, Egan was appointed director of the first McMullan Young Writers Workshop. The workshop is a five-day, residential creative writing experience for young writers. Each July, high school students reside on the Millsaps campus and immerse themselves in creative writing. Students are exposed to the various styles of creative writing, partake in readings of their work and hear lectures by acclaimed writers. Past keynote speakers for the workshop include Natasha Thethewey (Native Guard), Joyce Carol Oates (A Garden of Earthly Delights), Richard Blanco (How to Love a Country), Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give) and Kiese Laymon (Long Division). “It’s one of very few opportunities like it in the state,” Egan said. “In the first year, we had 23 students participating. Since then, we’ve had as many as 82 students with an average of 72-75 students attending each summer.” Most of the young writers attending the workshop are from Mississippi, including current Millsaps student Izzy Suell. Suell attended Murrah High School, less than a mile from the Millsaps College campus, and participated in the 2018 and 2019 McMullan workshops. “I gained a sense of self as a writer, and I was exposed to a variety of writers,” Suell said of her experience. “I was able to see different perspectives of writing — not just poetry but also short stories, graphic novels and creative nonfiction. The McMullan workshop gave me the experience of attending a professional writing workshop.” One of the key factors to the workshop’s success has been Egan’s kind leadership. MacKenzie Moffett, a Millsaps class of 2021 alumna and admission counselor for the college, got involved with the workshop
during her second year at Millsaps working as Egan’s program assistant. “I still have the email from Liz announcing the job posting,” Moffett said. “I worked with Liz throughout my time at Millsaps and took her creative writing classes. She encouraged me to stretch my boundaries and explore classes I may not have been interested in before. She became my mentor and close friend — we even exchange Christmas gifts!” One of Egan’s standout qualities is her persistent optimism and presence as a safe space for students. “Liz’s personality is what keeps students coming back,” Suell said. “There’s a lot of rejection in writing, and it’s not easy being a student and getting rejections from different poetry magazines or a hard workshop. But it’s a lot easier when there are people who treat you kindly and give you a space where you feel accepted.” Margaret McMullan, who founded the workshop with her partners at the Eudora Welty Foundation, thinks the growth of the workshop has been remarkable. McMullan also has ties to Millsaps; her mother Madeline was a history professor at the college. “I attribute a lot of that (growth) to Liz,” she said. “Students keep coming back because of her. The program is a crown jewel in Mississippi and a special program nationally.” Over the years, 24 students have matriculated from the workshop to Millsaps. Workshop alumni are taking initiative to improve the event and act as resident advisers to the new groups of young writers. Egan said, “They’ll come to me during the week and be like, ‘We have an idea to do this with the students!’ I’m like, ‘That’s awesome — let’s do it!’” Egan, McMullan and the workshop team are excited for the next event in summer 2022. Author Stephanie Land will be the keynote speaker; her memoir “Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive” was recently adapted into a Netflix series. McMullan believes Land will be able to connect with students on a personal level because of the shared COVID-19 experience, saying, “Young writers explore their personal lives for material, and Stephanie does that really well. “After the last three years, students have had a rough time. They are experiencing depression and loneliness. Connecting with people who are willing to explore difficult topics is really, really important for young people — especially young writers.” The 2022 McMullan Young Writers Workshop will take place from July 18 to July 22.
MILLSAPS.EDU
11
Telling the Stories We Need to Hear
by John Sewell
“I knew I wanted to be a journalist before I came to Millsaps.” That determination has pushed Casey Parks, a 2005 graduate of Millsaps College, to the forefront of journalists getting national exposure, as she now works as a reporter with The Washington Post covering stories on gender, family and other social issues. Known for her honest and insightful stories about the South and education, she has written for the Oxford American, The New York Times, The New Yorker, USA Today and ESPN. It’s been an amazing career so far for Parks, especially considering Millsaps does not offer a degree in journalism but instead offers a variety of both academic and experiential opportunities that help students apply knowledge and build the foundation for their careers.
12
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
“So many moments at Millsaps shaped me, but I think what affected me most was when Dr. Paula Garrett agreed to create and teach a journalism class,” Parks recalled, saying that Garrett put together a course of study tailored to Parks’ specific interests. “Dr. Garrett agreed to advise me on a thesis about the history of features journalism. Those lessons eventually led me to a career in journalism.” Growing up in Monroe, Louisiana, Parks was the first in her family to attend college. She graduated from a high school with no guidance counselor, leaving her to work her way through the process of college decisions on her own. A brochure from Millsaps ended up in her mailbox, and she and her mother both liked the idea of a college with a female president. A visit during her senior year, in which she sat in on a class taught by Dr. George Bey, professor of sociology and anthropology, sealed her decision to attend Millsaps. “His lecture that day was about how people became obsessed with paint-by-numbers during the Cold War,” said Parks. “I just thought what he had to say was so much more interesting than anything I'd learned in high school.” Once on campus, Parks reveled in her coursework, being exposed to literature that she remembers as “works I loved so much, I almost felt guilty earning a degree just for reading them.” Those loved works included “The Crying of Lot 49,” by Thomas Pynchon; Eudora Welty’s beloved short story “Why I Live at the P.O.” and “Post Office,” Charles Bukowski’s account of his time working with the United States Postal Service. Parks holds fond memories of her classes and professors, and still feels influences today. “I would kill to relive the post-colonial literature class Dr. Laura Franey taught,” Parks said. And of course, Franey would gladly welcome her back. “It really was a wonderful class, and I loved having Casey in my literature classes since she always tried to get to the heart of why something we were reading worked,” Franey remembers. For Parks, getting to the heart of literary works found great reward in a class taught by Dr. Greg Miller, professor of English. “Dr. Miller’s Literature and Sexuality course has stuck with me the most,” recalled Parks. “I was just realizing I was gay when I took the class, and the Audre Lorde and Adrienne Rich poems we read gave me a road map for the rest of my life.” Former Millsaps art professor Sandra Murchison also had a special impact on Parks. “My favorite person at the college was Sandra Smithson (Murchison), not just because she was a great teacher,” Parks said, “but because she was the mentor I needed at age 18. She was the first person I told I was gay, and she took me to my first art gallery. My adult life began with her.” The memory of Parks as a student is still fresh for Murchison. “I still see her in my mind’s eye, sitting with one foot tucked underneath herself and seemingly on the perimeter of our liberal studies first-year course,” Murchison recalled. “There was both an eagerness exuding from her as she leaned toward the edge of that precarious seat
on top of her foot and a hesitancy to say too much. From her writing and the comments that she did offer, I knew that she was both especially quick and filled with empathy. Her sensibility was perfect for what I was trying to do with the class: to seek out new disciplines at Millsaps and to get the students to head out into the community.” Parks has built a stellar career on the foundation provided to her by Millsaps faculty. Just a year after graduation, Parks entered the inaugural “Win a Trip with Nick Kristof” contest sponsored by The New York Times. Parks' essay was selected out of 3,800 entries and she traveled to Africa with Kristof to report on issues of poverty, maternal mortality and AIDS. In the years since, the accolades for her work have continued. She was a 2016 finalist for the Livingston Award, which recognizes journalists under the age of 35; received the 2018 Notable Narrative from Mayborn Best American Newspaper Narratives; was awarded the Best Feature Award in 2019 from the Education Writers Association; and received first place for Feature Writing for Magazines in 2021 from Green Eyeshade Awards. In 2015, together with Aubree Bernier-Clarke, Parks produced and directed a short film titled “The Ballad of Little Pam.” Over the course of the nine-minute film, viewers hear the story of Pam Sykes and her return home to Louisiana to care for her mother, who had kicked her out of the family home 40 years prior because she was gay. The film won the “Most Transformative” award at the 2016 Crossroads Film Festival and has since screened at other festivals across the country and around the world. After reporting stints with The Hechinger Report and Portland’s The Oregonian, Parks pursued her Master of Arts in journalism at Columbia University, where she was a Spencer Fellow in education reporting. Now with The Washington Post, Parks continues to produce important stories related to gender and social issues. Next up for her is the publication of her book, “Diary of a Misfit,” which tells the story of her own upbringing and the emotional and fascinating story of Roy Hudgins, a local musician in her mother’s hometown. Soon after Parks came out as gay, her grandmother confided in her that Roy had always been seen as a man. After the death of Roy’s mother, Jewel, Parks’ grandmother shared the real story: Roy used to be a little girl named Delois. Jewel had kidnapped Delois, then renamed the child Roy. “Diary of a Misfit” is scheduled for publication in May 2022. Parks recently won the J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award from Columbia and Harvard for the book. Parks credits her mentor from Millsaps for making it all possible. “I wouldn't have been able to write this book without the strength Sandra Smithson gave me my freshman year.”
MILLSAPS.EDU
13
MEMBERS OF THE BRANDON FAMILY IN FRONT OF THE FAMILY CLINIC. FROM LEFT: DR. STEVEN BRANDON AND KATHY BRANDON WITH THEIR CHILDREN, JONATHAN BRANDON AND DR. EMILY LANDRUM. JONATHAN HOLDS A PICTURE OF HIS GRANDFATHER, DR. LEONARD BRANDON.
14
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
MILLSAPS FAMILY
A LEGACY OF CARE by Amber Ewing
Jonathan Brandon (’20) did not originally plan to attend college, much less pursue an MBA. The Starkville, Mississippi, native knew he wanted to be a chef and restaurateur from an early age. However, Brandon also came from a long legacy of Millsaps College alumni. Five of his close relatives are Millsaps graduates: his grandfather, Leonard Brandon, M.D. (’48); parents, Steven Brandon, M.D. (’82) and Kathy Brandon (’83); and his two sisters, Emily Landrum, M.D. (’11) and Caroline (’15). “My grandfather was always very well-read, and he placed a lot of value on education,” Brandon said. "That value was passed on to my father and then further to me. My siblings and I were always expected to do our best and apply what we could from our educational experiences." In addition to the family’s Millsaps legacy, the Brandon family is also known for their health care practice in Starkville. Dr. Leonard Brandon opened the doors to The Family Clinic in 1954. Jonathan’s father, Steven, joined the practice in 1992, and Jonathan’s sister Emily began providing care at the practice in 2018. “The clinic has always been a staple in our family. My grandfather and grandmother ran it. My mother eventually began managing the books while my father practiced medicine.” When Jonathan was contemplating options for his future after high school, his grandmother encouraged him to consider Millsaps. “When I visited, I felt comfortable and was impressed with the focus on education. I felt like I was going to learn a lot while I was there.” Jonathan thrived during his time at Millsaps. He majored in business administration with the intent of fulfilling his dream of attending culinary school after college. His uncle Ward Van Skiver thought business would be a good fit for Jonathan. Van Skiver is also a 1965 graduate of Millsaps and currently serves on the college’s board of trustees. “My uncle worked in finance, and he encouraged me to look into the business field. I figured
MILLSAPS.EDU
15
16
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
out I was really good at finance, and I knew having a business degree would be helpful when I eventually started my own restaurant,” Jonathan said. With his father’s encouragement, Jonathan pursued his MBA through the Else School of Management’s Early Start Program, which allowed him to take classes for the graduate degree during his senior year. Upon graduation in May 2020, he only had one year left to complete the program and begin his journey into the restaurant industry. However, Jonathan’s plans were impacted when the world began to shut down in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many Millsaps students, Jonathan left school for spring break that year and never returned to campus. The pursuit of his MBA at the Else School provided additional security during the chaotic job market. He said, “I had been anxious about the job market. Participating in the MBA program while COVID disrupted the country not only gave me additional skills, it also gave me time to truly explore my career options.” Similarly, the clinic was also experiencing COVID-19-related change. Emily felt the stress of the constant adaptation required of the clinic in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said, “At the beginning of the pandemic, we had to completely revamp how we operated by incorporating telehealth as a large part of our practice; we had to continuously adapt and change almost every day.” Jonathan saw how these difficult changes were negatively impacting and causing stress for his father, sister and the rest of the clinic team. “The doctors had always managed the business side of the clinic. All of a sudden, they found themselves seeing patients via telehealth systems, experiencing staffing issues and handling an influx of people needing care. Whether directly related to the virus or not, the level and style of health care the clinic was able to provide was interrupted,” said Jonathan.
“Seeing how COVID impacted the way my dad and sister were having to practice medicine helped make it clear to me that they needed to focus on providing care to the patients and let someone else think about how to make it all work.” Because of his Millsaps education, Jonathan was the right man at the right time for the job. “It was as if there was a role available at the clinic that had never existed before, and it only seemed natural for me to fill it.” Jonathan started in the summer after receiving his MBA in May 2021. He decided to run the clinic like a restaurant with a customer-service mindset. He implemented new systems and technology to increase efficiency. He began analyzing revenue cycles to cut costs and maximize profits. And with these changes, Jonathan is able to help his father and sister provide better care to their patients. “The medical practice requires a lot of things to be well-run. From procedures to privacy laws, I’m making sure all the correct boxes are checked. I hope to create a better experience for the patients that enter the clinic through shorter wait times and fewer headaches.” Emily spoke to the relief of having Jonathan’s assistance at the clinic. “It’s been a huge help to have him helping us at the clinic,” she said. “He’s been able to provide a fresh set of eyes to help us begin to reboot after the pandemic forced us to prioritize certain things over others.” Through it all, Jonathan’s dream of eventually becoming a chef and restaurateur hasn’t gone away. For now, however, he’s happy to stay involved with the clinic and help with the books. “I am thankful that Millsaps gave me the tools I needed to continue my family’s legacy of care in Mississippi.”
FROM LEFT: JONATHAN WITH SISTERS CAROLINE BRANDON AND DR. EMILY LANDRUM; GRANDMOTHER RACHEL “RAE” BRANDON AND JONATHAN; JONATHAN AND UNCLE WARD VAN SKIVER; JONATHAN AND FAMILY AT GRADUATION.
MILLSAPS.EDU
17
REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS, THE MILLSAPS WAY by John Sewell
18
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
YATES CONSTRUCTION, SANDERSON FARMS, TRUSTMARK, C SPIRE, CONTINENTAL TIRE, SOUTHERN FARM BUREAU CASUALTY AND OTHER COMPANIES FROM AROUND MISSISSIPPI HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON. When their executives are looking for programs through which they can build the next generation of leaders for their businesses, they look no further than the executive education programs developed and presented through the Else School of Management at Millsaps College. From the long-standing Business Advantage Program (BAP) to the newer Advanced Applied Leadership Program (AALP), there is a no shortage of options for busy working professionals interested in building stronger career skills. The Else School is also now offering customized development programs and a graduate certificate in data analytics. These nondegree professional development programs offer comprehensive training ranging from one-day workshops to customized education courses that last nearly a year. The Business Advantage Program was started in 2009 and offers classes during the fall semester to working professionals with no prior business education. Participants come from all walks of life — government agencies, nonprofits, entrepreneurial enterprises and even the clergy. The program covers the fundamentals of accounting, economics, marketing, finance, business law, and management. To date, more than 250 people have completed the BAP in great part due to the generosity of the Hearin Foundation, which has graciously provided scholarships for many civic leaders, budding entrepreneurs and leaders of nonprofits. “The Business Advantage Program is the perfect fit for the professional who is looking to leverage his or her calling—whether that calling is in health care, law, advocating for others, or pursuing artistic endeavors,” said Dr. Blakely Fender, professor of economics, J. Armistead Brown Chair of Business Administration and director of EMBA and MBA programs. “The program provides the business knowledge required to put professional passions to work in the context of an organization or business.” Whether it’s a physician completing the program to help them with their practice or a CPA looking to develop their leadership and career skills, the executive education programs present a distinct growth path for those who enroll. “People are able to get a taste of what we are doing here at Millsaps — offering a personal experience with instructors who genuinely care about their program participants,” said LeAnne Brewer, director of executive education with the Else School. A 1988 magna cum laude graduate of Millsaps, Brewer returned to Millsaps and the Else School on a part-time basis in 2017 after a career in sales and nonprofit management. She moved into a full-time role in 2018 with the first class of the AALP and graduated from the Executive MBA program in 2019. In her current role, she oversees a broad range of course offerings for those in the prime of their career as well as for others who may be retired but are still interested in enrichment and selfdevelopment.
The AALP has been one of the fastest developing of all the programs, growing from 11 members in the first cohort to 31 members last year. Brewer said the growth has been driven not only by the quality and content of the programming, but also through the public support of some of the state’s largest businesses. “Sanderson Farms is our biggest supporter, sending eight to 10 people each year,” said Brewer. Jennifer Franklin, manager of training with Sanderson Farms and a 2019 AALP Fellow, echoed the positive impact of the program. “It offers real-world solutions to management issues through any level of management,” Franklin said. “Many times we go to training and may or may not bring anything back that is practical and relatable to our role in an organization. This training is different.” Brewer cites the program’s faculty as a key to its success. Longtime faculty from the Else School, including Dr. Ray Grubbs and Fender, lead specific courses in strategic leadership, critical thinking and decisionmaking. Deirdre Danahar, MSW, MPH, LICSW, PCC, and Chuck Sampson, MBA, both professionals in leadership development and organizational effectiveness, bring their specific backgrounds to the AALP for courses in high-impact communications, productive conflict and cross-functional collaboration. The demand for the AALP has been strong enough that it will be expanding to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. By adding a new cohort in March 2022, local industries in the area will have the benefit of the Millsaps experience in their own backyard. Another key to the success of executive education has been the design of course offerings specific to a company’s needs. “We’re honored to work with C Spire on a customized program called C Spire Leadership Vision,” Brewer said. “Each year, we work with the company to develop content for a group of eight to 10 people who go through their program. Their senior leadership loves the results they get working with Millsaps and sending their teams off campus to a distinct learning environment. The cohorts that grow from that experience really establish some nice cross-collaboration within their company.” The Continental Tire plant in Clinton, Mississippi, has also established itself as a strong partner with the executive education programs, said Brewer. “We’ve done presentation skills training to four different groups, plus coaching and professional development with their lead technicians. This work has also opened the door for the exploration of other opportunities with Continental for programs customized to their needs.” However broad or specific the course offerings are through the Else School’s executive education programs, Brewer says it comes back around to the core of the Millsaps experience. “We’re not teaching people what to think, we’re teaching them how to think,” she said. “So much of what we do is helping them think about how to do their job differently — more thoughtfully and more effectively. It’s the Millsaps way.”
MILLSAPS.EDU
19
CHRISTIAN ROBERTS
THOMAS JEANSONNE
TOUCHDOWN: MILLSAPS SETS STUDENT-ATHLETES UP FOR SUCCESS by Chris Lawrence It’s an exciting development when a student lands a profitable and fulfilling job upon graduation. Call it a bonus when that job matches up with the type of degree earned through years of hard work. But call it sold when that same job allows them to work alongside former teammates and classmates they trust! This is exactly what 2021 Millsaps graduates and Major football teammates Christian Roberts, Thomas Jeansonne and Austin Russell are doing now at Jackson-area real estate solutions and investment firm Atlas Property Investors. Roberts serves the firm as a lead manager, while Jeansonne and Russell work as acquisitions specialists. They are also joined by current interns and former teammates Amryn Jeffrey, Peyton Leingang and Conner Rucker as well as current Major baseball standout Mark Petkovsek Jr. All of the Majors either majored or minored in business administration, with several focusing on finance and entrepreneurship. The group was initially introduced to the opportunity by Millsaps alumnus and former Major football player Beau Brady ’14. The teammates started working together soon after graduation and credit Millsaps with preparing them for life after college.
20
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
AUSTIN RUSSELL
“At Millsaps I learned how to identify problems and solve them,” Roberts explained, something he has to do on a daily basis at his job. “Hiring people, establishing a brand and creating a training guide are recent tasks that Millsaps helped prepare me to do.” Jeansonne credits Millsaps for giving him the skills to be a better salesman. “The business courses prepared me through public speaking, presenting, PowerPoints and writing essays,” Jeansonne said. “They made me a better overall student and more intelligent person.” Personal growth is also tied to the company’s mantra of getting 1% better every day, and this mindset ties remarkably well to the friends’ days as teammates on the gridiron. “It’s actually kind of crazy because on the football field it was the same goal, get 1% better every day,” added Roberts. “When you’re working with people you’ve known your whole life … you just pick up right where you left off.” When asked what advice he’d give to the up-and-coming Majors, Russell said, “Enjoy the time. If you truly have no idea about where life will take you after college, trust in the relationships you have built with classmates, teachers and other student body members throughout the years.” “I think our experiences speak to the power of a Millsaps education and are in keeping with the saying ‘Across the street and around the globe,’” added Jeansonne. “A connection I made to come play football at Millsaps may end being one of the best decisions I make in my life.”
MILLSAPS.EDU
21
CLASS NOTES
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please help keep the broader Millsaps College family informed about what’s happening in your own family. Let us know about a new child, a wedding, a new degree or award, job promotions and more. Don’t forget to share a high-resolution photograph along with your news. There are also times when you will want to let us know about the loss of a classmate or friend of the Millsaps family. Please submit those listings as well for our memorial section. All submissions can be made through www.mbench.org/MyNews. If you haven’t already registered on MBench, please sign up so we can stay in touch!
1964 Geran Dodson, Ph.D., has published two books. Dodson’s books “The Impact of Reason on Faith, Ethics and Belief” and “Freewill, Neuroethics, Psychology and Theology” were both published by Vernon Press in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Dodson is retired but still serves as an adjunct professor at the University of North Georgia — Mike Cottrell College of Business.
1983 Robert G. “Bob” Anderson was appointed executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services on March 4, 2020. In this role, Anderson has created a new Office of Compliance and implemented a number of other internal controls. He was also instrumental during the 2021 legislative session in convincing the Mississippi Legislature to increase monthly Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits to Mississippi families for the first time since 1999.
1987 Tom Rishel, Ph.D., received his doctorate in computational science with an emphasis in computer science from the University of Southern Mississippi in May 2021. He is an
22
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
assistant teaching professor at the university’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, Mississippi. His research interests include natural language processing and machine learning.
1989 Dosha Cummins, Pharm. D., has been named as one of 2021’s Power Women by Arkansas Money and Politics. She is currently chair of basic sciences at the New York Institute of Technology’s College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
1991 The Mississippi Arts Commission recently awarded Holly Lange the Governor’s Choice Award for the 2022 Governor’s Arts Awards. See story on Page 23.
1993 Mark Mulvihill, Ph.D., was promoted to chief science officer of discovery at HiberCell, which is dedicated to metastatic cancer treatment research. He has been with HiberCell since 2018 and previously served as the senior vice president of the company’s chemistry and drug discovery division.
1995 Albert Mosley, M.Div., S.T.M., D.D., Ed.D., was recently named the 13th president of Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa. He will begin his tenure as university president in June 2022. Thomas Temple Jr. was recently named to the 2022 class of Louisiana Super Lawyers. Temple practices civil litigation with a focus on defense at Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson LLP, Baton
1992 Amie Peele, Esq., has been appointed to the MothersEsquire board of directors. She is the founding partner of Peele Law Group in Zionsville, Indiana, which focuses on providing intellectual property legal solutions to a variety of businesses.
Rouge, Louisiana.
HOLLY LANGE
BILL BYNUM
MILLSAPS TRUSTEES LEADING BY EXAMPLE THROUGH SERVICE
by Amber Ewing
The expectation for excellence in leadership and service flows throughout the Millsaps community, from student organizations to the college’s board of trustees. Recently, two Millsaps leaders were recognized for their work in improving their communities. Holly Lange (’91), an alumna of Millsaps College and current member of the Millsaps Board of Trustees, was awarded the 2022 Governor’s Choice Award through the Governor’s Arts Awards, a program sponsored by the Mississippi Arts Commission. Lange was selected to receive the award because of her support of the Mississippi arts community. Lange is a passionate supporter of her community and has provided service through various roles, including leading the opening events for the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Mississippi History Museum, serving on various philanthropic boards and founding the annual Mississippi Book Festival. She attributes her upbringing and time at Millsaps as key drivers of her service-driven life. As the child of an Episcopalian minister and public-school teacher, Lange says, “Service to others was modeled for me as just a part of life. “When I was at Millsaps, the professors and administration encouraged you to be of service. You give. That’s what you do.” Dr. Rob Pearigen was proud to nominate Lange for the award. In a letter to the selection committee, Pearigen wrote, “Holly’s passion for the arts, her commitment to the promotion of artists and her determination
to draw the world to Mississippi’s artistic stage have made an enormous difference for our state, our citizens and our recognition of art as a way of life.” “Without patrons and promoters of the arts like Holly, without the talent, skill and drive that Holly herself brings to her work and advocacy for the arts, our exposure to art would be limited and our appreciation diminished,” says Pearigen. In addition to the arts community, Millsaps leaders are working to improve economic conditions in their communities. William “Bill” Bynum, a former member of the Millsaps Board of Trustees and longtime friend of the college, was honored with an award from the Heinz Family Foundation. Bynum, founder and CEO of Hope Enterprise Corp., received the 26th annual Heinz Award for the Economy in honor of his work in expanding access to financial tools for low-income individuals. Bynum did not expect to receive the award and was honored to have been selected. “People are seeing that our work makes a difference. I see it as trying to do what I can to put people in a position to support their families,” he said. Bynum believes Millsaps plays a critical role in improving the lives of Mississippians. As a trustee, he initially partnered with Millsaps to inform the college on the 1 Campus, 1 Community initiative. Bynum was attracted to the college because of its legacy of academic excellence and service, including the college’s work with the Freedom Riders of the 1960s and its partnership with Tougaloo College. “Millsaps’ history of educating Mississippians at the highest level says a lot about the impact of the college,” Bynum says. “Millsaps produces people who prioritize making the state better, not just putting more money in their pockets. Millsaps graduates act in the interest of the greater good.” MILLSAPS.EDU
23
MAJORS, JOIN YOUR CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS FOR SPRING ALUMNI CAMPUS: WEEKEND ON APRIL 8-10, 2022
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: FRIDAY, APRIL 8 Distinguished Alumnus Lecture, Geology Reunion Open House, Alumni Awards Celebration, Class of 1970 and 1971 Reunion Dinner, Millsaps at CS’s
HOTEL RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE AT: Residence Inn at the District: 601-362-8003 Homewood Suites Fondren: 601-398-9500
24
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SPRING 2022
SATURDAY, APRIL 9 Major Generals Brunch, Picnic in the Bowl, Men’s and Women’s Alumni Soccer Games, Geology Reception at the President’s Home, Lambda Chi Alpha Centennial Celebration
SUNDAY, APRIL 10 Palm Sunday Service Celebrated by the Rev. Dr. Joey Shelton
PLUS: ENJOY A FULL WEEKEND OF MILLSAPS SPRING ATHLETICS! Visit gomajors.com for baseball, tennis and softball schedules! Find the full schedule of events and register at www.mbench.org/spring22.
$139,067 RAISED | 400 DONORS INTRODUCING... Hi, I’m James Forté, Director of Annual Giving. My introduction to the college was the annual Show Your Love for Millsaps giving day, and I have seen and felt the MAJOR love already! As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and Teach for America alumnus who is rooted in community development, I am excited to share in these Millsaps traditions with alumni and look forward to building campus life through the Annual Fund. Thank you to everyone who made Show Your Love for Millsaps a success. Still want to participate? It’s never too late to show your love! Visit www. MBench.org/impact to make your gift or contact me at james.forte@millsaps.edu or 601-974-1044.
MILLSAPS.EDU
Millsaps Christmas tree located in the Yates Chapel of the Selby and Richard McRae Christian Center
25
MILLSAPS: THE MAGAZINE OF MILLSAPS COLLEGE 1701 N. State Street • Jackson, Miss. 39210-0001 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
ON THE COVER:
Millsaps senior international students (from left, clockwise): Chinwe Emenike, Daniil Pugachev, Sakshi Singh, Vishal Balaji, Angela Jimmy and Sergey Kolesnik. See Page 7 to read their stories.
