MILLSAPS Magazine
Summer 2014
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” —St. Augustine of Hippo
This observation from St. Augustine, which hangs atop the international display in the A. Boyd Campbell College Center, reminds passersby that engaging difference is an important part of the Millsaps education. For many of our students, simply traveling across the street leads to encounters with worlds unknown, and for about half our students studying outside the United States provides additional opportunities—borrowing St. Augustine’s language—to read a few more pages of the world’s book. Earlier this summer, Dean Keith Dunn and I had the opportunity to travel to St. Augustine’s home continent of Africa. In Tanzania we observed Anthropology Professor Julian Murchison in action with his group of Millsaps students who spent several weeks living in Peramiho (a community in the Ruvuma region) and learning about culture, politics, economics, and history through the lens of everyday life. While in Rwanda, Dean Dunn and I participated in a celebration commemorating the founding of the Isaro Foundation, a nonprofit educational organization established at Millsaps in 2012 by Rwandan student Jean Leon Iragena. Whether sending local students far afield or bringing students to our campus from halfway around the world, Millsaps’ engagement with places and people around the globe is a significant part of our educational mission. A Millsaps education helps students to find connections between seemingly separate ideas and to discover relationships between disciplines not obviously related. In a world increasingly connected by technology, high-speed transportation, and, perhaps most importantly, by a growing awareness of our common social, economic, and climatic challenges, it has become ever more vital that our students gain knowledge and develop skills that allow them to approach issues and problems with a broad, even global, perspective. Readers of this magazine may recall that recent issues have highlighted features of our strategic plan, Across the Street and Around the Globe:
Partnerships and Influence at Millsaps College. While continuing to cover some of the ways that members of the Millsaps community are engaging their local communities, this issue includes several pieces that focus on the “Around the Globe” portion of our strategic plan. With stories chronicling my own recent trip to Africa, the role Millsaps students and faculty have played in tutoring the “Lost Boys” of Sudan, our national championship-contending tennis star from Mauritius, and our partnerships in Yucatán, these pages highlight some of the ways Millsaps is enriched by reaching around the globe. For me, personally, one of the most meaningful experiences of my summer abroad was when our Millsaps delegation visited two elementary schools in rural Tanzania. Students greeted us with song, voicing their school’s motto in Swahili. At Sinai Primary School, that motto was “elimu hazina,” or “education is a treasure.” And at Mang’ua Primary School, it was “elimu haina mwisho,” or “education has no end.” May we at Millsaps, with our great privileges and boundless opportunities, embrace and promote the same values: Education is a treasure with no end.
France
On the Cover: Across the Street and Around the Globe The World According to Millsaps College
18
a n a Gh
atรกn On Campus Commencement Admissions
Costa Rica
Multicultural Education Campus Landmark
cuador Phi Beta Kappa
Accolades
2 6 10 12 14 16
Major Sports Director of Athletics
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Greg Campbell, Frank Farmer, Maddie Thurston, and Sophie McNeil Wolf
Education Leader Class Notes
Peru
Dr. S. Keith Dunn, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
WEB Lucy Molinaro*
Inspiring Teacher
Medical Student
EXECUTIVE EDITOR John Sewell*
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ruth Cummins, Nell Luter Floyd, Nell Knox*, John Sewell*, John Webb, and Sophie McNeil Wolf
Alumni President
Nonprofit Leader
EXECUTIVE STAFF Dr. Robert W. Pearigen, President
PUBLICATIONS MANAGER Nell Luter Floyd
34 36
Committed Architect
MILLSAPS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2014
DESIGN Kelley Matthews
Tennis Champion
Alumni
Dr. Robert Alexander, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing Louise Burney*, Vice President for Finance Terri Hudson, Vice President for Institutional Planning and Assessment Michael V. Hutchison, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. R. Brit Katz, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Kenneth Townsend*, Special Assistant to the President
In Memoriam
38 40 44 46 48 50 55 59
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Robert W. Pittman*; Donna Ruth Else
J. Thomas Fowlkes*, Chair; The Rev.
Roberts; Dr. Robert C. Robbins*; E. B.
Jerry Bostick Beam*; The Rev. Zachary
Robinson Jr.; Nat S. Rogers*; Toddy
C. Beasley; Paul T. Benton*; Ms. Carol A.
Porter Sanders*; The Rev. Dr. J. Joseph
Biedenharn*; The Rev. Warren Black*;
Shelton IV*; Mike Sturdivant Jr.*; Bishop
William Bynum; James A. Coggin;
James E. Swanson Sr.; Rowan H. Taylor;
Robert H. Dunlap*; William R. Flatt*;
J. Mack Varner*; John C. Vaughey; Ruth
Mark R. Freeman*; Gale L. Galloway;
W. Watson*; Leila Clark Wynn; William
The Rev. Elisabeth Anne Garvin*; Dr.
G. Yates III
Cristina P. Glick; William F. Goodman III*; Judge James E. Graves Jr.*; Maurice
*Denotes Millsaps Alumni
H. Hall Jr.*; Monica Sethi Harrigill*; The Rev. Heather K. Hensarling; Richard G. Hickson; William R. James; William T. Jeanes*; Peder R. Johnson*; The Rev. W. Geoffrey Joyner*; Charles R. Lathem*; R. Eason Leake*; Robert N. Leggett Jr.*; John L. Lindsey; J. Con Maloney Jr.*; Mr. Paul F. McNeil*; Richard D. McRae; Vaughan W. McRae; Michael T. McRee; Jean N. Medley*; Richard H. Mills*; Dr. Don Q. Mitchell*; P. Cooper Morrison*;
Millsaps Magazine is published by Millsaps College, 1701 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39210, for distribution to alumni, parents of students, and friends of the College. For the online magazine, visit www.millsaps.edu/magazine.
{COMMENCEMENT}
2
www.millsaps.edu
{COMMENCEMENT}
2014 graduates urged to go forth in confidence Millsaps College graduate Priya Patel stressed the importance of the humanities during her address at the College’s 120th commencement ceremony, held May 10 at Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson. “During times when we obsess over economic stability and global competition, we must remember that those who study the humanities become great future leaders, citizens, and most importantly inventors,” said Patel, the 2014 recipient of the Millsaps College Founders’ Medal. The medal is presented to the graduate with the highest grade point average and a score of excellent on comprehensive examinations. “Before manufacturing revolutionary technology, we must first imagine and invent them and this is the step where a humanities education is useful,” Patel said. “. . . Steve Jobs understood the significance of the humanities as he said ‘technology alone is not enough, it’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields the result that makes our hearts sing.’ ” Patel spoke to the 181 undergraduates and 50 graduate students who received degrees from the College. The ceremony was moved from the
Bowl on campus to the church due to the threat of rain. Victor Cobb, who was named the Outstanding M.B.A. Graduate, gave the Else School of Management graduate address. He praised the College’s “dedicated professors who genuinely care” and the “intelligent and extremely hardworking students whose presence makes you smarter.” Cobb said the connection between the two had helped him grow as a student and a person. Cobb urged graduates to step out of their comfort zones and be willing to fail. “You cannot let the fear of failure paralyze you from acting and hold you back from exploring your capabilities and potential,” he said. “In other words, you cannot be afraid to take risks.” Anna Claire Loflin Gary was recognized as the recipient of the Frank and Rachel Anne Laney Award for her essay that reflected upon the value of a Millsaps liberal arts education. Margaret Eggers was recognized as the Outstanding Master of Accountancy Graduate. Lily Womble was named the recipient of the Don Fortenberry Award, which recognizes the graduating senior who has demonstrated the most notable, meritorious, diligent, and devoted service to the College with no expectation of recognition, reward, or public remembrance. Dr. Wolfgang H. Kramer, associate professor of chemistry, received the Distinguished Professor Award. The College conferred honorary degrees on three individuals for their accomplishments and service to their communities. (See below.)
HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS The Rev. Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr. of Washington, D.C., received a Doctor of Divinity degree. A Millsaps graduate, Weems is distinguished professor of church leadership and director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.
Elise Varner Winter of Jackson received a Doctor of Public Service degree. Winter has led various advisory boards concerned with affordable housing, was instrumental in establishing the Jackson chapter of Habitat for Humanity, and later served on the Board of Habitat for Humanity International.
Roger Mudd of McLean, Virginia, received a Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Mudd was an award-winning newspaper and television reporter for more than 50 years, beginning with The News Leader in Richmond, Virginia, before moving on to a distinguished career with CBS News, NBC News, The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour on PBS, and The History Channel. Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
3
{ON CAMPUS}
Meet Airriel O’Banner, a senior
Q: WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN ON CAMPUS?
from Jackson majoring in biology. She
Athletes Leadership Team, a biology tutor, and an office assistant to
considered numerous options for college but chose Millsaps because of top-notch
A: I’m a cheerleader, a member of the Fellowship of Christian the coordinator of academic affairs. I am co-president of Beta Beta Beta biological sciences honorary and former executive director of membership for SAPS. I play on flag football and basketball intramural
professors, the opportunity to be involved
teams, work with the Major Calling Program and have volunteered at
in numerous campus activities, and a
Elementary as part of classes that offer a community engaged learning
campus culture that strives for excellence. Q: WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND MOST TRANSFORMATIVE ABOUT BEING A STUDENT AT MILLSAPS? A: I have grown in my appreciation of the College motto, Ad Excellentiam (Towards Excellence), and the culture that emphasizes and promotes the continuous pursuit of excellence in everything. The motto reminds me of what my family always tells me: “In everything you do, do your best and do it all for the glory of the Lord and not for men.” During my time here, I have grown in my faith, become a better leader, a better well-rounded student, and also an influence on the local Jackson community.
the Jackson Zoo, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, and Brown component.
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER PLANS? A: Since the age of three, I have dreamed of becoming an obstetrician/ gynecologist. I knew I wanted a career in medicine and felt it was my calling. I love babies and desire to help people. Upon graduation in May of 2015, I plan to attend medical school in preparation to become an obstetrician/gynecologist with my back-up plan being a career in sports medicine. Science is my thing, it’s what excites me. Every time I watch Grey’s Anatomy (my favorite medical show), I get excited and picture myself walking in scrubs and being an amazing doctor.
4
www.millsaps.edu
{ON CAMPUS}
Meet Dr. Connie Campbell, professor
I also really enjoy helping to create a community that values discovery
of mathematics at Millsaps College, who
hand, but also to make new discoveries.
finds joy in breaking down a concept and helping students not only understand it,
and that helps students develop the skills to not only navigate the task at
Q: WHAT IS YOUR AREA OF RESEARCH? A: I’m a graph theorist by training and spent the first 15 years of my
but also see its limitations and implications,
career working in the area of extremal graph theory.
including how the concept might extend to
Early in my tenure at Millsaps, I became active with the Mathematical
other situations. Q: WHAT APPEALS TO YOU ABOUT MATHEMATICS? A: I love the structure, together with the unlimited possibilities. I know beauty can be found in all fields, but I see it most clearly in mathematics. The practicality of mathematics is an added bonus. I see mathematics as a model for rational decision-making and believe that when taught properly, it helps students develop strong critical thinking skills—skills that will help them in many areas of life.
Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT TEACHING AT MILLSAPS? A: I really appreciate the sense of community, the ethos of mutual respect, and the environment of scholarly engagement. There is a sense that we as faculty, students, and staff are all in this together, we all want
Association of America and interested in the teaching of introductory proof writing. I began working on how to best structure an introduction to proof writing course. This long-term study resulted in several presentations and papers, as well as a course textbook, which was published in 2012 by Cengage Learning. I also have worked in the area of teaching introductory proof writing with two other mathematicians: Jim Sandefur of Georgetown University and Kay Somers of Moravian College. Our most recent project was “Research-Based Video for Developing Mathematical Thinking Skills in Proof Writing and Problem Solving.” We are working to disseminate this project and to train faculty in its use. We were recently selected to offer a workshop on just this through the Mathematical Association of America’s Professional Enhancement Program.
to learn, and we are working together to make the world a better place.
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
5
{ON CAMPUS}
{ON CAMPUS}
Hard work pays off with large freshman class The largest incoming freshman class in five years is the result of teamwork, technology, and a dogged determination to share the value of a Millsaps education with the broadest audience possible. As of mid-August, the class of 2018 includes nearly 250 students from 18 states across the country, with more than 100 of those students coming from within Mississippi. This new class is 30 percent larger than last year’s class, while maintaining or improving academic standards; the average ACT score for the incoming class is 26, and the average high school GPA is 3.7. Millsaps expects 10 international students from Vietnam, Rwanda, China, Guatemala, Mexico, Norway, and South Korea. In addition to these freshmen, 25 students will be transferring to Millsaps from other institutions. “The competition for students is tougher than ever before,” said Dr. Robert Alexander, vice president for enrollment and communications. “We have to be more aggressive, disciplined, and persistent in how we recruit students to Millsaps because every other institution is vying for their attention as well. It’s important that we clearly articulate the value of the Millsaps experience, and do it in a way that students and parents both understand and appreciate our message. The academic prestige and close personal attention from world-class faculty is tangible here, but a common claim from many other schools.” The increased use of technology has played a major role in the successes seen over the past year. The admission office is utilizing technology that helps the counselors not only better identify and
6
www.millsaps.edu
communicate with prospective students across Mississippi and beyond, but also reach a greater number of students. With improved data and contact information for students, admission counselors were able to regularly communicate with students/applicants and answer their questions about Millsaps. Scheduled outreach from the office to students and parents often provided answers before the questions were asked, across a broad range of topics from scholarship opportunities to events in cities around the country. Technology is not responsible by itself for the impressive gains in enrollment. Behind the technology is a team of individuals who ensure that everything, from a student’s or parent’s first impression of Millsaps to the submission of their deposit, is a quality experience. “The success we’ve seen this year is built on a team of people who are committed to helping as many students as possible experience and benefit from a Millsaps education,” said Jonathan Ferrell, director of admission. “Everyone here, from the staff who travel constantly to those who ensure the smooth operation of our day-to-day work, is excited about Millsaps and thrilled to see the results of their work in this year’s incoming class. Basically, our staff are rock stars!” In addition to the admission staff, students and alumni had an impact on the growth of the freshman class. Whether attending alumni receptions around the country or visiting the campus, prospective students heard the Millsaps message loud and clear. The work of the past year will be realized on Aug. 22, when new students move into their residence halls, begin the Welcome Weekend, and take their first steps into an experience that will change their lives.
{ON CAMPUS}
Major transfer-mation
David Herbert Donald, a native of Goodman, attended Holmes Community College before graduating from Millsaps, where he studied history and sociology. Donald went on to a distinguished career as an au-
Millsaps College is reaching out to talented community college students and encouraging them to advance their lives of learning, leadership, achievement and service here. This spring, Millsaps College President Dr. Robert W. Pearigen,
thor and professor of history. He taught at Harvard from 1973 until 1991, and won two Pulitzer Prizes for his biographies of abolitionist Charles Sumner and novelist Thomas Wolfe. Donald, who died in 2009, also authored what many consider to be the definitive biography of Abraham Lincoln.
in conjunction with Dr. Eric Clark, B.A. 1973, executive director of the Mississippi Community College Board and former Mississippi secretary of state, and Dr. William A. Lewis, president of Pearl River Community College, hosted a meeting for presidents of all of the community colleges in Mississippi. Pearigen welcomed the group, and engaged in a meaningful discussion of the value Millsaps offers to graduates of community colleges. Clark later reinforced his support of “the message that Millsaps is actively seeking community college transfer students.”
Millsaps College admission counselor Stephen Smith is coordinating the recruitment of transfer students and visiting regional junior colleges to meet with prospective students, transfer advisors, and advisors of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, an honor society for two-year colleges. “We value our transfer students and offer admission and scholarships to qualified transfer students who apply to Millsaps College,” said Dr. Robert Alexander, vice president for enrollment and communications.
The Millsaps College Board of Trustees boasts several successful
“While all students who have completed college-level work are encour-
graduates of community colleges who transferred to Millsaps. The list includes the Rev. Jerry Beam, B.A. 1964; Paul Benton, B.A. 1976; the Rev. Warren Black, B.A. 1971; the Rev. Heather Hensarling, B.L.S. 1993; the
aged to apply, all students with at least a 3.2 grade point average and 30 transferrable credit hours are guaranteed admission to Millsaps plus at least $15,000 in scholarship funds.”
Rev. Geoffrey Joyner, B.A. 1976; Dr. Bobby Robbins, B.S. 1979; and the Rev. Dr. J. Joseph Shelton IV, B.B.A. 1982. Life Trustee Con Maloney also attended Millsaps for an academic year. Beyond these active members of the Board of Trustees are others who share a similar journey from a community college to Millsaps. Before
A Phi Theta Kappa member with a grade point average of 3.5 and 30 transferrable hours is eligible for at least $18,000 in scholarship funds. “Our commitment to diversity is central to Millsaps’ core identity,” Alexander said. “Our students come from a range of generational, geographic, ethnic, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. Transfer
he served as Secretary of Labor during the administration of President
students offer a unique perspective that is crucial to the vibrancy and
Jimmy Carter, Dr. Ray Marshall attended Hinds Community College
vitality of our campus. With past experiences at state, private and com-
and then earned his undergraduate degree in economics and business
munity colleges, their maturity and perspectives play an important role
administration at Millsaps. He completed post-graduate studies at LSU and the University of California at Berkeley, and also studied in Finland
in Millsaps’ campus life and the classroom experience.”
as a Fulbright Scholar and as a Wertheim Fellow at Harvard.
MAJOR MADNESS, held in March, brought fun, games, and food trucks to campus,to name just some of the week’s highlights. Students tried their luck with favorite arcade games from the ‘80s, and LurnyD’s Grille and Tito’s Tacos dished out the burgers and tacos. Asher Roth and Moon Taxi performed in concert at Hal & Mal’s in Jackson, and a crawfish boil closed the week.
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
7
{ON CAMPUS}
CAMPUS EVENTS
SCHOLARS, AUTHORS, AND MUSICIANS WERE AMONG VISITORS DURING THE SPRING SEMESTER.
Affordable Care Act
Public Education Funding
The Theodicy Jazz Collective
ELISE AND WILLIAM WINTER SPEAKER SERIES Leaders from state government, the healthcare industry and a legal advocacy group gathered in January on campus for a discussion of the Affordable Care Act and its impact on citizens throughout the state of Mississippi. Speakers included Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney; Mississippi Senator Hob Bryan, vice chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee; Dr. Thomas Fenter, B.S. 1966, chief medical officer at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi; Dr. Tim Alford, B.S. 1978, former president of the Mississippi State Medical Association; and Linda Dixon Rigsby, health law director at the Mississippi Center for Justice. Lawmakers, policy analysts, education professionals, and reformers met on campus in April for a discussion of public education funding in Mississippi. The panel included State Representative and former House Education Committee chairman Cecil Brown; Nancy Loome, executive director of the Parents’ Campaign, Kim Merchant, education law director at the Mississippi Center for Justice; Todd Ivey, deputy state superintendent of the Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Accountability; and Ravi Gupta, managing partner of RePublic Schools, the charter operator that will open Mississippi’s first charter school in Jackson in 2015.
ARTS & LECTURE SERIES The Theodicy Jazz Collective, which includes Ann Phelps, former director of the 1 Campus 1 Community Initiative, performed the program “Jazz, Justice and the Journey of Tradition,” in February. Theodicy Jazz Collective was formed at Oberlin Conservatory in 2006 and developed both musically and theologically while in residence at Yale Institute of Sacred Music 2008-2012. James Martin, a graduate of The Juilliard School, and Jovanni-Rey de Pedro, who earned a doctor of musical arts in piano pedagogy and performance at the University of Michigan, presented in April an evening of music. Walter Biggins, a former editor in comics studies, and Brannon Costello, a current scholar/writer of comics studies, discussed in April how comics have historically represented the South and key events.
MILLSAPS FORUM Dr. Markus Tellkamp, assistant professor of biology at Millsaps, provided an update in January about how Millsaps faculty and students are studying jaguars and other predators at our Kaxil Kiuic Biocultural Reserve, providing students with a unique experience. Millsaps undergraduates presented in January the results of scientific research projects during the 24th Annual Millsaps Student Science Research Symposium, sponsored by Beta Beta Beta, the biological sciences honor society. The Millsaps College Honors Conference undergraduates participating in the Honors Program at Millsaps College presented their research findings in February. The Honors Program provides students the opportunity to pursue original work with the mentorship of a faculty advisor. Maya archaeologist and National Geographic Explorer Franscisco Estrada-Belli discussed in February his discovery of a perfectly preserved Maya frieze from the site of Holmul Guatemala. The frieze, 26 feet long and 7 feet high, offers a new window into the politics, rituals and religion of the 8
www.millsaps.edu
Maya kings who ruled during the first millennium A.D. in the rainforest of Guatemala.
{ON CAMPUS}
Ellen Gilchrist
Jill McCorkle
Film Forward
Dr. Tonya Moore, chief learning officer at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, explained why education is so crucial to health outcomes in Jackson when she shared in February results of her cross-sectional analysis of the Jackson Heart Study. Dr. Louwanda Evans, assistant professor of sociology at Millsaps and author of Cabin Pressure: African-American Pilots, Flight Attendants, and
Emotional Labor, spoke in February about interviews with African-Americans in the aviation industry and her examination of the emotional labor involved in a business that offers occupational prestige, but also a history of the systemic exclusion of people of color. Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez, one of this generation’s most influential civil rights activists, discussed in March immigrant and LGBTQ rights in America and provided insight about the inner workings of current political debates and how to become more educated and involved. Dr. Matthew Hughey, sociologist and author of The White Savior Film: Content, Critics, and Consumption, spoke in April about his research analyzing 50 “white savior flms,” ranging from Glory (1989) to The Blind Side (2009). His talk contested “common-sensed” views on the current state of race relations and the media-saturated world.
DUNBAR LECTURE Colin McGinn, author of The Mysterious Flame: Conscious Minds in a Material World and Mindsight: Image, Dream, Meaning, Moral Literacy
and The Power of Movies, spoke in February about “The Good Life as Thinking Well.”
VISITING WRITERS SERIES Ellen Gilchrist, B.A. 1967, winner of the National Book Award for Victory Over Japan and the author of more than 20 books, including novels, short stories, poetry, and personal essays, spoke in April about her latest book, Acts of God, a collection of short stories. Award-winning fiction writer Jill McCorkle read from her novel Life After Life in February. McCorkle leapt into national recognition when her first two novels were published on the same day in 1984. McCorkle has published seven other books of fiction, five of which were named New York Times notable books.
HOWORTH ART LECTURE SERIES Tom Rankin, noted Southern photographer, author, filmmaker, and folklorist, visited campus and spoke in February. Rankin directs the Master of Fine Arts program in Experimental and Documentary Arts at Duke University.
SUNDANCE INSTITUTE FILM FORWARD SERIES Millsaps College, in partnership with the Mississippi Film Office, Tougaloo College, and the Crossroads Film Society, participated in the Sundance Institute’s Film Forward program, “designed to enhance cross-cultural understanding, collaboration, and dialogue around the globe.” As part of this program, the College hosted film screenings in February including the Oscar-winning “20 Feet From Stardom,” “Dancing in Jaffa,” “Valentine Road” and “If You Build It.”
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
9
{ON CAMPUS}
10
www.millsaps.edu
{ON CAMPUS}
From the heart of the Midwest into an urban world apart
cultural education class. There, she got a glimpse into Chicago’s complicated public schools. “That class really opened my eyes to a lot of things, and compelled me to consider living outside of Nebraska,” she said. Flash forward not quite a decade. Phelps discovered from her father, a Hastings faculty member, that a new professor was taking the reins of the program and was open to exploring the South and building on the existing relationship with her. “As director of 1 Campus 1 Community, I knew I could facilitate it,”
Ann Phelps won’t soon forget the January morning when she and an all-white group of students from Nebraska’s Hastings College stood inside Brown Elementary, which reflects the Jackson school district’s majority AfricanAmerican enrollment. “It was the day after the Martin Luther King holiday,” remembered Phelps, Millsaps College’s 1 Campus 1 Community former program director. “One of the children’s assignments was to write their version of the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. The Hastings students were standing in a room at Brown with a little girl who was speaking at the intercom.” They were mesmerized as the child spoke. “She said things like, ‘I have a dream that one day, everyone will be nice to each other. I have a dream that people won’t have to commit crimes to get what they want,’” Phelps said. “Half of them were tearing up,” Phelps said of the dozen or so Hastings students visiting Millsaps for a week-long multicultural immersion program with goals that included inspiring participants to pursue careers in teaching. “It was hard not to be touched by the announcements,” Brad Davis, a Hastings stu-
Phelps said. She rekindled relationships with her Hastings College education professors and partnered with Susan Womack, Millsaps’ associate vice president for development operations, to arrange for 26 Hastings students and three professors to observe in Jackson and Rankin County district classrooms. For three days, the Hastings students were immersed in classrooms that ranged from urban Lanier High in Jackson, which houses some of the district’s poorest students, to Northwest Rankin High in Rankin County, which is both affluent and majority white in comparison. “They really can’t get (at Hastings) some of the things they see in Jackson, and they certainly can’t get the immersion into a troubled
For three days, the Hastings students were immersed in classrooms that ranged from urban Lanier High in Jackson, which houses some of the district’s poorest students, to Northwest Rankin High in Rankin County, which is both affluent and majority white in comparison.
dent, wrote later in his evaluation of the spring 2014 program. “It painted a picture of struggle. The concerns that most of us have as far as society treating us fairly are never in question. Here, it’s still a battle.” The Hastings College students traveled more than 16 hours by bus for an experience that opened their eyes to a diverse society, especially as seen through the eyes of an educator in Midtown-area public schools. Their stay showed them that in many ways, they live a world apart from the southern culture that enveloped them on their visit. “We’re our own little micro-culture at Hastings, very middle class, very white,” said Lisa Smith, an assistant professor of teacher education at the private liberal arts college associated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) located in Hastings, in south central Nebraska. “Some of the students on the trip had never experienced a multicultural relationship. Many of the students had never been south of Missouri.” Phelps, who received her undergraduate degree from Hastings, drew
history that still complicates our education system in every way,” Phelps said. Said Smith: “They recognized how challenging it is to be a teacher in Mississippi. In Nebraska, we don’t have that historical carryover.” Sarah Thornton of Nashville, a Millsaps senior history major, was among students helping to make the visitors feel at home. “The first night they were in town, we had a dinner and an introduction to Jackson and the school district,” Thornton said. “Ann asked if they had ever been the only white person in the room before. Maybe a fifth raised
their hands, but with everyone at Millsaps, that had happened before.” The visitors adjusted well to southern culture, said Ashley Melancon Prewitt, then a fellow in the 1 Campus 1 Community program. “They were able to really take part in classroom activities and learn about what it is to be part of a world where their norm is not everyone else’s. I love that 1 Campus 1 Community was able to help facilitate that experience.” The Hastings students returned home with the realization that perhaps they are more like their southern counterparts than they first believed. “My expectations were shattered in the sense that I saw good kids in bad situations,” Davis said. “The kids were no different than kids in Nebraska. The environment is the difference. “Walking away from this experience has given me hope.” —RUTH CUMMINS
on her own experiences to bring Hastings students to Jackson, a city whose culture is reflected in the public schools. As a college student, Phelps and a group of her peers traveled to Chicago as part of a multi-
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
11
{ON CAMPUS}
Written in the stars: new life for beloved landmark Plans are in the works to restore the Millsaps College James Observatory, a long-standing landmark of the campus. Millsaps College is the recipient of two grants totaling $209,960 from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History that will help fund restoration of the James Observatory. The grants will supplement private funding directed toward the
The James Observatory has been officially designated a Mississippi Landmark property as the first operational observatory constructed in Mississippi, and one that reflects astronomical technology at the dawn of the 20th century. The James Observatory honors Peter James, a wealthy Delta planter and one of the first trustees of Millsaps College. It was donated in 1901 by his son, Dan James; construction was completed the same year. Sophisticated for its time, the observatory and its instrument were the most advanced in Mississippi when first completed. One of the instruments was used to record extremely accurate astronomical time; that instrument was later sold to the railroad for coordination of their timepieces. Only two other buildings existed on the Millsaps campus at the time
observatory’s restoration. “Along with the generous grant, we are grateful
of the observatory’s construction. The selection of an observatory was
to our individual donors who have helped make this project possible,”
probably influenced by Dr. James Moore, an early astronomy professor
said Mike Hutchison, vice president for institutional advancement at
and father of Ross Moore, a respected Millsaps history professor. Astron-
Millsaps. “Special thanks is owed to our trustee Dr. Cris Glick, who
omy was a required subject at the College in 1900.
made a lead gift for the restoration of the observatory in memory of her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Lester Glick, whose passion for learning provided great inspiration to Cris. “Generous support for the project was also provided by trustees and
Restoration of the James Observatory is in keeping with the College’s strategic plan, Across the Street and Around the Globe: Partnerships and
Influence at Millsaps College, which, among other things, focuses on campus enhancement and partnerships with the broader community in
friends of the College who traveled to Kaxil Kiuic, Yucatán, in February
the Jackson metropolitan area and beyond. The restored observatory will
2013, and by former Dean of the Else School of Management Howard
benefit both Millsaps students and members of the public interested in
McMillan and his wife, Mary Eliza. As interim president of Millsaps
astronomy.
(2009-2010), Dean McMillan played an important role in securing the historic landmark status of the observatory.”
Millsaps alumnus Robert Parker Adams, a Jackson architect and nationally recognized authority on the preservation and restoration of historic buildings, is lending his expertise to the renovation of the James Observatory.
12
www.millsaps.edu
{ON CAMPUS}
Berry family endows new science chair Dr. Tim Ward, associate dean of sciences at Millsaps College, has been named the first professor to hold the Berry Family Endowed Chair in Science at Millsaps. The Berry Family Chair was established in memory of Dr. J. T. B. Berry, a physician and surgeon in the Brandon area for many years; his children, Mary, Christine, and Tom; and his granddaughter, Merle Berry Tennyson Montjoy, a Jackson artist, volunteer, and philanthropist. It was the benefactor’s hope that the endowment would enable faculty to focus special attention on students who are interested in a career in medicine. After completing his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Ward worked several years at Syntex Pharmaceuticals before he joined the faculty at Millsaps in 1990. He was chair of the chemistry department at Millsaps for 10 years before becoming the associate dean of sciences. His accomplishments include authorship of more than 40 publica-
tions in scientific journals, many of which include Millsaps students as co-authors. He has received the Millsaps Distinguished Professor Award, the highest honor paid to a Millsaps professor; the Exemplary Teacher Award given by the General Board of Higher Education for the United Methodist Church; the Chemist of the Year award from the Mississippi Section of the American Chemical Society; and has earned recognition from the Mississippi Academy of Sciences for Outstanding Contributions to Science. Dr. Keith Dunn, senior vice president for academic affairs at Millsaps, said Ward has been instrumental in both the College’s undergraduate research and pre-medical programs. “He has generated in excess of $2 million in support for these programs from foundations such as the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Keck Foundation, and from friends and alumni of Millsaps College,” he said. “Tim Ward is an excellent teacher, a prolific scholar, an able administrator, and a caring mentor for our students.” Ward said being named the holder of an academic chair is a distinct honor. “What is most important is that the award signifies how fortunate I have been to be in a position to have a positive impact on the lives of so many of our students—that is indeed the true honor,” he said. Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
13
{ON CAMPUS}
Back row, from left, Sara Del Castillo, Michael Bell, Eli Kerby, Casey Spell, Faustin Mwambutsa, Shreyansi Agarwal, and Anna Nations. Front row, from left, Sonum Sanjanwala, Olivia Reinecke, Kellen Dawson, Kelsey Hall, Mary Schmidt, and Laney Lenox. Not pictured: Alexis Guice.
Phi Beta Kappa initiates Phi Beta Kappa is synonymous with excellence in the liberal arts, and membership in the society is considered a great honor. Millsaps is one of only 280 colleges and universities to have a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. Millsaps College was the first college or university in the state of Mississippi to be granted a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. The Alpha of Mississippi Chapter was installed at Millsaps College on March 4, 1989, and since that time hundreds of Millsaps students have been initiated by the chapter.
THE 2014 INITIATES Shreyansi Agarwal will start law school at the University of Pennsylva-
Kelsey Hall will enroll in a dual degree program at the University of Georgia and pursue a master’s in social work along with a master’s in theology from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Her goal is to work in a ministry for the homeless.
Eli Kerby will attend law school at William & Mary. He plans to specialize in health care law.
Laney Lenox plans to pursue international conflict resolution. Faustin Mwambutsa will pursue a chemical engineering doctorate at Vanderbilt University. He plans to do research either in academia or industry, and eventually return to Rwanda.
Anna Lynn Nations will pursue a master’s in studio art, then attend medical school or optometry school. Her goal is to become a pediatrician
nia this fall and wants to eventually participate in policy making.
or optometrist.
James Michael Bell will attend the Baylor College of Medicine Gradu-
Olivia Reinecke will pursue a doctorate in industrial/organizational
ate School of Biomedical Sciences. He intends to work as a computational biophysicist.
Sara Del Castillo will teach bilingual secondary math education in New Orleans as a Teach for America Corps member. She plans to obtain a
psychology at Louisiana Tech University. Her career goal is to practice as an industrial/organizational psychologist or management consultant and later teach at the college level.
Sonum Sanjanwala will attend Mississippi State University to earn a
master’s and doctorate in sociology, urban planning, and policy.
master’s in counseling with a concentration in school counseling. Her goal
Kellen Katherine Dawson will attend medical school at the Louisi-
professional counselor.
ana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Her goal is to become an anesthesiologist.
Alexis Guice will attend medical school at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. She plans to become a dermatopathologist and perform medical missionary work in Latin America.
14
www.millsaps.edu
is to become a school counselor and eventually a licensed
Mary Elizabeth Schmidt eventually plans to attend graduate school for speech pathology.
Casey Spell plans to attend medical school beginning in the 2015-2016 academic year. His goal is to become an anesthesiologist or pediatric specialist.
{ON CAMPUS}
Retired bishop recalls turmoil of the 1960s Retired United Methodist Bishop Clay F. Lee Jr., B.A. 1951, spoke about his years as a pastor in the turbulent 1960s in Mississippi as part of the 2014 Rabbi Perry Nussbaum Lecture. At age 34, Lee moved to First United Methodist Church in Philadelphia,
The annual Rabbi Perry Nussbaum civil justice awards and lecture series honor Rabbi Nussbaum and other individuals, many of whom have gone unrecognized, for their selfless contributions to the civil rights movement in Mississippi and beyond. Dr. John D. Bower endowed the series in 2008 in honor of Nussbaum, rabbi at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson from 1954 until 1974. The award and lecture series were expanded this year to honor more contemporary work around civil and social justice issues.
RECIPIENTS OF THE 2014 AWARDS
Mississippi. Three weeks after his arrival, three civil rights workers were
Dr. W. Charles Sallis, emeritus professor of history at Millsaps,
murdered. In early August 1964, their bodies were found and identified:
was honored for his civil rights work including co-writing and editing the
James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner. The FBI ar-
first Mississippi history textbook to include an honest presentation of
rested 19 suspects, most of them tied to the Ku Klux Klan.
racial bigotry, violence, and oppression in the state.
On Dec. 6, 1964, Lee preached a sermon titled “Herod Was in Christmas,” in reference to the Methodist Lectionary for the day that recounted
Sara Del Castillo, a Millsaps student, was honored for her work
Herod’s intention to kill the baby Jesus. Lee associated Herod with
around immigrants’ rights.
bigotry and intolerance. Lee’s sermon drew the attention of newspaper reporters from New
The late Rev. William P. Davis was honored for his leadership
York, Baltimore, and Los Angeles. He reconstructed the sermon earlier
in Committee for Concern, a network of clergy who helped restore Afri-
this year and the process was featured in a New York Times article.
can- American churches that were burned during the civil rights era.
“We were honored to have Bishop Clay F. Lee as the 2014 Rabbi Perry Nussbaum lecturer at Millsaps, as he is an exemplar of the College’s
The late Hazel Brannon Smith was honored for her work as a
strategic plan goal to promote our heritage of social justice, freedom
newspaper publisher and editor who won a Pulitzer Prize for her “steadfast
of thought, acceptance of diversity, and critical reflection on the most
adherence to her editorial duties in the face of great pressure and opposi-
important questions in life,” said Mike Hutchison, vice president for
tion” from the Holmes County Citizens’ Council, which had formed in
institutional advancement.
1954, and from its segregationist supporters.
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
15
{ON CAMPUS}
ACCOLADES Millsaps faculty members spend time in the classroom, but that's not all they do. They find time for research and creative endeavors, and they participate in professional activities that expand their knowledge and enhance their teaching. Our staff members stay busy, too. Here are some of their recent professional activities. SARAH LEA ANGLIN, professor of biology, and her collaborators at Ohio
DAMON E. CAMPBELL, associate professor of management information
State University published “Identification of Interphase Functions for
systems, and D. Veena Parboteeah (Eastern New Mexico University) pub-
the NIMA Kinase Involving Microtubules and the ESCRT Pathway” in
lished “The Long and the Short of eCommerce Intentions: Examining
volume 10, issue 3 of PLOS Genetics, dated March 27.
the Distinguishing Effect of Time Orientation Between Behavioral Intentions and Behavioral Goals” in the June 2014 Review of Business
JESSE D. BEELER, professor of accounting, participated in the National
Information Systems journal.
Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts seminar on preparation of “Special Purpose Valuations: Mergers and Acquisitions” in October
BLAKELY FENDER, professor of economics, and CARL BROOKING, emeritus
2013.
professor of economics, presented “Constructing Age-Earnings Profiles Useful for Predicting Future
JESSE D. BEELER, professor of accounting; DAVID CULPEPPER,
GREG MILLER, the Janice B. Trimble
professor of accounting; and
Professor of English, retired this
PENELOPE PRENSHAW, profes-
summer after 23 years of service to
sor of marketing, presented a
Millsaps College. Miller’s excellence
paper entitled “Native Ameri-
Earnings” at the American Economics Association meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in January.
RICHARD FREIS, emeritus
can Youth Entrepreneurship
in all aspects of a professor’s work
professor of classical studies,
Summer Camp: An Intensive
has been recognized by his being
has been informed that his
Instructional Approach” at the
named the Millsaps Distinguished
novel Confession, published
Center for Scholastic Inquiry
Professor, the Carnegie Foundation
by Sartoris Literary Group, is
conference in San Francisco
for the Advancement of Teaching
in April.
Mississippi Professor of the Year,
being considered for an award by the 2014 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards.
GEORGE J. BEY III, Chisholm
and the Mississippi Humanities
Chair in Arts and Sciences
Council Humanities Teacher of the
BRENT HENDRIXSON, assistant
Year for Millsaps College. He served
professor of biology, published
and associate dean of international education, had his chapter “The role and realities of popol nahs in northern Maya archaeology” published
the College in many ways including as Faculty Council president and chair of the English Department. As department chair, Miller oversaw the creation of a concentration
“An exploration of species boundaries in turret-building tarantulas of the Mojave Desert (Araneae, Mygalo-
in the volume The Maya
and then a minor in creative writing that eventually led to a creative
and Their Central American
writing major. Miller also served as vice president and then presi-
Aphonopelma)” and “An
Neighbors (Routledge). He
dent of the Southern Literary Festival.
evaluation of sampling effects
also presented a paper entitled
morphae, Theraphosidae,
on multiple DNA barcoding
“Returning to the Scene of
methods leads to an integra-
the Crime: The Early Tollan Phase and the Growth of Tula, Hidalgo,
tive approach for delimiting species: a case study of the North American
Mexico” at the 2014 meetings of the Society for American Archaeology in
tarantula genus Aphonopelma (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosi-
Austin, Texas.
dae)” in the journal Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. He was the
JAMES BOWLEY, professor of religious studies, spoke on April 30 to firstyear medical students at the University of Mississippi Medical Center about “The Really Real of Sickness and Religions” as part of the Health Care That Connects Series. Bowley and STEVE SMITH, professor of phi-
scientific consultant for a children’s book entitled Inside the Tarantula’s
Burrow by Natalie Lunis, published in 2014 by Bearport Publishing. He spoke in July at the annual conference of the American Tarantula Society in Tucson, Arizona.
losophy and religious studies, spoke on April 24 about “Difficult Texts in
daniel johnson [sic], director of Lewis Art Gallery and Emerging Space,
the Holy Books” at the Dialogue Institute of Mississippi.
performed “Core Sample, a work of Significant Developments, LLC” at the Mississippi Museum of Art, Dec. 9, 2013 through March 20, 2014.
16
www.millsaps.edu
{ON CAMPUS}
MOLLY McMANUS, associate librarian, has been elected vice president/
Carrington and the Art of Landscape” at the Southeastern College Art
president-elect of the Mississippi Library Association for 2015-2016. Mc-
Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina, in October 2013.
Manus has been active in the MLA since her arrival at Millsaps in 2001. She has served as the association webmaster, parliamentarian, treasurer, and committee chair.
STEVE SMITH, professor of philosophy and religious studies, screened his short film Close at the 2014 Crossroads Film Festival in Jackson in April. His article “Daimon Thinking and the Question of Spiritual Power” ap-
GUY McCLAIN, assistant professor of accounting, will have the article,
peared in The Heythrop Journal (March 2014).
“The Impact of Product Differentiation on the Collapse of Arthur Andersen” appear in a forthcoming issue of The Journal of Business In-
TIM WARD, associate dean of sciences and professor of chemistry, is one of
quiry. McClain wrote “The Auditor’s Report on Internal Control & Fraud
32 mid-level administrators in higher education selected by the Council
Detection Responsibility: A Comparison of French and U.S. Users’
of Independent Colleges to participate in a yearlong Senior Leadership
Perceptions” (with Benjamin Foster and Trimbak Shastri) that
Academy. He will participate in two seminars, a mentoring program, and
appeared in the 2013 Journal of Accounting, Ethics & Public Policy.
webinars and engage in a series of readings and case studies during the
EMLEE NICHOLSON, assistant professor of mathematics, published “Degree sum condition for k-ordered hamiltonian connected graphs” in Graphs
2014-2015 academic year.
SHERRYL WILBURN, director of intercultural and international student
and Combinatorics.
programs and services, retired July 11 after serving Millsaps College for 22 years. She created and/or nurtured many related intercultural or
RAY PHELPS, associate professor of marketing, is a senior research fellow
international student traditions, including Best Start, International New
for the marketing strategy group of ARG Consulting and a mentor for small businesses for the City of Madison. Phelps and co-author J. Phillip Macon had the article “Exploratory Research: A Practical Spread-Sheet Based Method for Identifying Issues and Defining Problems of Members, Volunteers, and Employees” accepted for publication in the International
Student Orientation, Passages-Poetry-Pastries, the Intercultural Festival, the International Student Dinner with the Deans, the Millsaps International Buddy System, Safe Space, the Intercultural Homecoming reception, African-American History Month, and the Humanitarian Awards.
Journal of Management Research and Business Strategy.
ELISE SMITH, professor of art history, presented ‘“Asphalt or Turf. Pose or Repose’: The Rural Garden as Respite” at the Nineteenth Century Studies Association in Chicago in March and “Making Her Mark: Dora
Instagram follow @millsapscollege
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
17
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
y n a m r Ge & d n a l g n E Scotland France
Yucatรกn Ecuador
18
www.millsaps.edu
a n a h G Costa Rica Peru
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
ny Italy Greece
Israel
a n i h C
Cambodia
m a n t e i V
a i n a Tanz
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO
MILLSAPS COLLEGE Millsaps students traverse the globe during one-of-a-kind, faculty-led programs in Albania, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador (Galápagos Islands), England, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Israel, Italy, Mexico (Yucatán), Peru, Scotland, Tanzania, and Vietnam. Many students also choose to study abroad for longer periods, utilizing the College’s Office of International Education as the main resource for study abroad advising. During the last five years, Millsaps students have also studied in Austria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, the
Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, India, Ireland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Mexico, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Panama, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Trinidad, and Turkey. Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
19
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
While in Tanzania, President Pearigen and the Millsaps delegation was welcomed and hosted by the mayor of Songea, the Honorable Charles Muhagama.
20
www.millsaps.edu
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
MILLSAPS COLLEGE PRESIDENT ROBERT W. PEARIGEN AND DR. S. KEITH DUNN, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND ACADEMIC DEAN OF THE COLLEGE, spent 12 days in Tanzania and Rwanda this summer. They toured the site for Songea-Mississippi, a non-governmental organization dedicated to education and culture, in southern Tanzania. Dr. Julian Murchison, associate professor of anthropology and sociology, and Dr. Damas D. Ndumbaro, a Tanzanian colleague, are co-directors of Songea-Mississippi. While in Rwanda, Pearigen and Dunn participated in a ceremony honoring the work of the Isaro Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the reading and writing skills of Rwandan children and founded by Jean Leon Iragena, a 2014 Millsaps graduate.
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
21
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
22
www.millsaps.edu
Jean Pierre Niyigena, Jean Leon Iragena, Faustin Mwambutsa, and Fabio Ntagwabira
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
Rwandan scholars plan to pay it forward
As part of the Rwanda Presidential Scholars Program, mathematics and science students in Rwanda such as Mwambutsa and Iragena compete for places at 18 participating American colleges throughout the South. Each Rwandan student selected to participate in the program receives a full tuition, four-year undergraduate scholarship. The students’
Faustin Mwambutsa and Jean Leon Iragena distinguished themselves as top math and science students in Rwanda, earning a Rwanda Presidential Scholarship that brought them to Millsaps College in 2010. They’ve distinguished themselves again as the first Rwandan stu-
living and travel expenses are covered, and they receive a book allowance and a stipend, all of which are paid for by the Rwandan government. The Rwanda Presidential Scholars Program is a key component of the Rwandan government’s redevelopment efforts. In addition to the loss of more than one million lives, one of the most devastating consequences of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda was the near-total destruction
dents to graduate from Millsaps.
of the country’s government and private sector infrastructure. Almost all
Mwambutsa, B.S. 2014, will continue his education at Vanderbilt
of the senior government officials, educators, and business leaders were
University where he will pursue a doctorate in chemical engineering. A
killed or driven out of the country by the perpetrators of the genocide.
chemistry and applied mathematics major, Mwambutsa plans a career in
And while the Rwandan government has been successful in establishing
research either in academia or industry and
a politically stable and secure environment during the last decade, the
also teaching, eventually returning to Rwanda.
process of identifying, recruiting, and training a new generation of lead-
Mwambutsa’s commitment to academic excellence and the hours he devoted to study earned him membership in Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor society. The Millsaps chapter, Alpha of Mississippi, elects members from the senior class on the basis of
ers is slow. The government has chosen math, computer sci-
Democratic Republic of the CONGO
scholarly achievement, broad cultural interests and good character.
UGANDA
TANZANIA
neur. “I want to start my own business from scratch
professors in these specialized areas of study, it is impractical to educate the students in Rwanda. Pools of scholarship candidates are established
Kigali
by the Rwandan Ministry of Education based on nation-
ics and economics, will pursue an M.B.A. at Millsaps with the goal of becoming an entrepre-
primary focus for the program. Because of the high cost of equipping laboratories and recruiting
RWANDA
Iragena, who majored in applied mathemat-
ence, physics, chemistry, and biology as the areas of
al high school test scores and other objective standards, such
BURUNDI
and grow it,” said Iragena, who was a student senator for two years, a member of Sigma Lambda honor society, worked on campus for Residential Networking, and tutored students in math and French. Like Mwumbatsa, Iragena also plans a career back in Rwanda. With the help of the Millsaps community, Iragena established the nonprofit Isaro Foundation dedicated to improving the reading and
as English language proficiency examinations. This merit-based approach is intended to avoid favoritism in the selection process and to ensure that the government’s limited financial resources are spent on educating its most promising students in these designated areas. Mwambutsa said he and Iragena spent three months learning Eng-
lish and living with American host families in Little Rock, Arkansas, before their arrival at Millsaps. “By the time school started at Millsaps, we had already learned a lot
writing skills of Rwandan children. Millsaps College President Robert W.
about the American culture and food,” he said. “The only person we knew
Pearigen and Dr. Keith Dunn, senior vice president for academic affairs
at Millsaps was Dr. (Irene) Omo-Bare, who came to Rwanda for the Eng-
and dean of the College, visited the Isaro Foundation this summer and
lish testing and interview and to select the students to come to the U.S.”
were part of festivities to celebrate its founding. In his remarks at the celebration, Pearigen said, “The work of the Isaro Foundation is an example of the dedication of individuals, like
Mwambutsa said he was surprised when he arrived on campus that many people knew students from Rwanda were going to attend Millsaps. “The Millsaps International Buddy System was also really helpful
Millsaps’ student Jean Leon Iragena, whose creativity, determination,
in providing assistance and helping us getting used to campus life,” he
and hustle have helped change your society and the world for the better
said. “Millsaps has been incredibly helpful in so many ways. I have had
. . . We at Millsaps feel a deep connection to the Isaro Foundation—a
the opportunity to be involved in an undergraduate research program
connection that is rooted in our founding relationship and sustained by
and to get teaching experience through the Ford Fellowship program. At
a shared vision of the importance, indeed the power, of education.”
Millsaps, I have worked with faculty whose goal was to see me succeed
In less than three years, the foundation has distributed more than 50,000 printed books, and 10,000 electronic books (including e-reading
and that has been a great motivation for me.” Millsaps currently has two junior students, Fabio Ntagwabira and
devices) to students and schools. The foundation has also trained 30
Jean Pierre Niyigena, from Rwanda, and two additional Rwandans will
teachers in creative writing, and more than 80 reading and writing clubs
join the student body when the class of 2018 arrives this fall.
have been created in schools by the foundation. Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
23
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
24
www.millsaps.edu
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
Alumnus wins award to study peace and conflict resolution
of those who were affected, connecting them with resources from the communities and state and federal agencies. That was my first real job out of college. I did this in order to give back to the community that welcomed me as a refugee in order to start a new life that is full of promises and to be able to make a difference in the lives of others.” Mabil, who earned his master’s degree in public administration, works for the Mississippi Department of Transportation, helping the disadvantaged gain access to public transportation through federal grants
Bul Mabil, B.A. 2006, experienced the destruction, hardship and anguish of war in South Sudan as a young boy. Today, he is among 50 recipients worldwide of a Rotary Peace Fellowship.
made possible by the Federal Transit Administration. He holds significant national leadership positions, both elected and appointed, within the Episcopal Church’s Sudanese ministries. Dr. Greg Miller, retired Janice B. Trimble Professor of English at
He will study peace and conflict resolution at the Rotary
Millsaps who has taught Mabil and worked with him as a member of
Peace Center at the University of Bradford in Bradford,
the Sudanese Ministry Committee of the
West Yorkshire, England, for 15 months starting in August.
Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, wrote in
The Division of Peace Studies at Bradford is the oldest
his letter of recommendation that Mabil’s
and largest department of peace studies in the world.
commitment to international relations and
Between 10 to 12 Rotary Peace Fellowships are
peace and conflict resolution is deep and
awarded each year for study at Bradford. Fellows are
longstanding.
selected from around the world, based on
“With a major in political science
their potential as leaders in government,
from Millaps College and a master’s in
Republic of NORTH SUDAN
business, education, media, and other professional areas.
public administration, with a specialization in human resources from Belhaven
Rotary Peace Fellowships fund fees,
University, this culminating study in
living and travel expenses, and threemonths of applied field experience.
peace studies will give Bul a unique and important combination of skill sets and
CHAD
They conclude with a dissertation on a focuses on various approaches to understanding, preventing, and resolv-
Central African REPUBLIC
Western Bahr El Ghazal
Unity Northern Bahr El Ghazal
ing conflict and includes reflection on practices of peace intervention. The Rotary Club of North Jackson endorsed Mabil as a candidate for the fellowship, and the District 6820 Peace
work experiences to enable him to work
Upper Nile
topic of a fellow’s choice. Coursework
Fellowship Committee endorsed him to The Rotary Foundation. Mabil’s desire for peace comes from being uprooted in 1989 as a five-year-old boy, walking hundreds of
Ajueny
ETHIOPIA
Republic of
Juba
Central Equatoria
foster peace and stability. Bul is a highly effective writer and public speaker,
SOUTH Jonglei SUDAN
Western Equatoria
Democratic Republic of the CONGO
for an NGO or international agency to
and he will make use of his knowledge to be an effective advocate for and
Eastern Equatoria
UGANDA
facilitator of peace.”
KENYA
Miller further endorsed Mabil by writing, “Bul’s intellectual curiosity and independent thinking will serve him well in
graduate study. Bul continues to be a voracious reader, and his hunger for knowledge will serve him well in continuing graduate studies. Bul has linguistic
miles along with other groups of boys to a refugee camp in Ethiopia and
strengths: he is fluent in Dinka, the language of between three million
then northern Kenya, where they were resettled before fleeing another
and five million people in South Sudan and bordering countries, has
outbreak of civil war in Ethiopia. He came to the United States through
some knowledge of Swahili, and limited listening comprehension of the
a refugee resettlement program and arrived in Jackson in the fall of
dialects of Arabic spoken in Sudan . . . While deeply interested in par-
2000. He is now a naturalized U.S. citizen, married, and the father of two
ticulars and in history, Bul is also interested in the more theoretical and
children.
philosophical underpinnings of practical decision-making and policy.
“My experiences in the war in Sudan have played a large role in
Since he will enter this program having completed one master’s-level
shaping my view about the world and the importance of helping one
degree already, and since he has such a broad work history, he will be
another,” Mabil wrote in an essay for the fellowship. “My experience
particularly motivated to succeed.”
has instilled in me a passion to assist others and protect the values and principles of human rights. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States, and I was able to help advocate on behalf
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
25
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
Kueth Wal and Millsaps student Daniel Kees work during a tutoring session in the English House. 26
www.millsaps.edu
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
Life after the ‘Lost Boys’: Journey of self discovery BY DANIEL KEES, CLASS OF 2016
expected to find—to alter my interactions with Kueth during our sessions. I once peeked at the table of contents, and I saw Kueth Wal’s name beside one of the entries. I had not really considered the fact that he was part of the exclusive club called the Lost Boys. During meetings, we had awkwardly chatted a bit, but we had little time for particularly engaging discussions. So I decided to begin reading, although I was afraid that what I might find would keep me up all night.
As a freshman entering Millsaps College in the fall of 2012, I repeatedly heard the phrase “across the street and around the globe” in reference to the College’s strategic plan. I soon found that the strategic plan is far more than a clever quote. The entire Millsaps community seemed to embody that idea, as community engagement is a staple of campus life. From study abroad trips to work in the neighboring Midtown community, student involvement in programs such as 1 Campus 1 Community and Wellspring Learning Community provides many opportunities for the life-altering experience of community engagement.
Being from a typical small, southern town, I was in no way a stranger to conflict. Still, I was afraid that what I might read would permanently alter my perception of the world. I almost felt a sense of invasion. I had never seen war, at least not on a home front. Not with actual guns. Not with actual killing. I finally decided to read Kueth’s story. I had always detested ignorance, and the irony of hiding behind my own for fear of being confronted with an uncomfortable reality proved too great. The stories were haunting, a feeling magnified by the unbearable—but almost unbelievable—fact that they were the undeniable truth. People had actually lived through the horrors recounted in those pages. As I got on my knees to pray that night, I found myself reflecting on how Kueth and other students had repeatedly said, “Educa-
Republic of NORTH SUDAN
After my first year in Wellspring, I learned I would have the option of
tion is the key to life.” Kueth, who is studying to become a social worker, wants to help those
tutoring Sudanese students at my Well-
still in Sudan and others around the world.
spring community engagement site.
From birth, my mother had drilled a singular
I had always wanted to experience
phrase into my mind: “Education is key.”
CHAD
Growing up, especially as a black male in the
teaching non-native English speakUpper Nile
ers; I felt it would be a great learning opportunity that took me across the street and around the globe, simulta-
Western Bahr El Ghazal
Northern Bahr El Ghazal
Central African REPUBLIC
neously. Crossing the wide, deep river of a language barrier had always been a challenge I was eager to undertake. Now that Millsaps was giving me that opportunity, I could not refuse.
Kate opRust Deep South, I felt education was my only
Republic ofAjueny
SOUTH SUDAN
Western Equatoria
Democratic Republic of the CONGO
A decade prior, Dr. Greg Miller’s Sudan: A World in Conflict class had compiled a booklet detailing the lives of the Sudanese before their arrival in
ETHIOPIA
a very similar phrase written by another
Jonglei
young black male around my age 10 years
BOR Juba
tion for advancement. Yet here I was, reading
Eastern Equatoria
Central Equatoria
UGANDA
prior. For Kueth, education was everything.
KENYA
While I was grappling with the juxtaposition of Kueth’s mantra and my own, I found my eyes casually drifting over the cover of The
Long Journey. The black-and-white image featured only two Millsaps students and a Sudanese tutee. As I looked at the picture of that little space in the English House
Jackson. Under the supervision of Miller, a professor of English, Millsaps
on the Millsaps campus, with the big table and the bulletin board and the
students had assisted the young Sudanese in recording their narratives
chalkboard hovering in the background, I realized that spot was the exact
in The Long Journey: Sudanese Refugees in Mississippi Tell Their
place where I sat every Monday and Wednesday with Kueth. The legacy
Stories.
continues almost 10 years later. The Lost Boys are not boys anymore. I
I cannot say why, but I was reluctant to read the booklet. I knew very little of Sudan, but I knew it was a country in turmoil. I knew that the Su-
wanted to know what had happened in those 10 years that made Kueth the determined, intelligent, and astoundingly insightful man he is today.
danese students were refugees, and that the young Sudanese males who
As the days passed, I thought more of Kueth, his friends, and the
made their way to Jackson were called the “Lost Boys.” I knew that many
Millsaps tutors of the past decade. In an effort to learn more about those
of them now lived in a small community not far from campus. I knew
10 years, I came across an old copy of a Millsaps Magazine that explained
that the name of my tutee was Kueth Wal. That was all I knew.
the origins of the Lost Boys and Millsaps’ continued involvement with the
After my first meeting with Kueth, I still had not read The Long
Journey. I did not want what I found in the book—or maybe what I
Sudanese community. The program was started by Miller and his student at the time, Kenneth Townsend. Kenneth Townsend, B.A. 2004, is now
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
27
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
my political science professor and also special assistant to Millsaps
culture and my culture. Millsaps students went in intimidated by the
President Robert W. Pearigen.
newness of the experience, but they came out of it with a better
The program was an immense success. I asked Townsend if he experienced any particularly rewarding moments during his time as a
understanding of themselves and the human experience.” Miller also said that, in taking advantage of the tutoring sessions and
tutor. “There were a few moments,” Townsend said. “We attended their
furthering their educations, the Sudanese are not simply paying it back;
graduation at Bailey High School right across the street from Millsaps.
they are paying it forward. “Some have returned permanently to South
[Graduation] was the tutoring’s initial goal, actually. To see them come to
Sudan to make use of their educations in helping the young nation and
Millsaps as students the following fall was particularly rewarding. I was
their families. Some travel back and forth, a few working with USAID
their resident assistant my last two years here. To be their peer, in a way,
[the U.S. Agency for International Development] on projects … Several
was a proud moment … Over all, I think that was one of the highlights—
belong to groups that raise money to establish clinics or schools in their
if not the highlight—of college.”
hometowns.” The program’s effects are continually seen and felt across
The journey has not been an easy one; hard work is required for success. As Kueth said, “It’s hard to find [jobs] but we will keep going. It’s not the end, though. You have to keep learning.”
the street and around the globe. Miller summarizes the significance and legacy of the tutoring sessions. “Our students transformed the lives of the people whom they
This engagement has not only benefited the Sudanese community, but also Millsaps students and alumni. Emily Tuberville, B.A. 2011, whose tutoring experience inspired her to become a Fulbright Teaching Fellow in Bangladesh, was recently accepted to the doctoral program at Columbia University’s International Education program. Tuberville also
helped, and over and over again I saw our students unalterably changed by the interactions.” Referring to Millsaps, Kueth quietly, pensively said: “[You] welcomed us. That was a great thing.” Statements like that are why I am proud to be in Millsaps’ Wellspring
acknowledges the “inevitable reciprocity of learning” experienced by
program, which furthers the legacy started almost a decade ago. In my
students.
Intro to Community Engagement course, we often discussed the nature
She said, “During this experience, my Millsaps education was no longer isolated to the classroom, but rather I began to see the ways in which
of civic engagement versus service. Civic engagement implies that both parties grow from fellowship, while service connotes one-sidedness, a
political and cultural conflict permeated the lives of those around me.”
false altruism. It finally occurred to me that those students, both Sudanese
This community engagement resulted in personal investment, a
and from Millsaps, had civically engaged with one another. Those meet-
strengthened political awareness, and a call to action by Millsaps and
ings have changed the world for the better. It is my hope that I may con-
Sudanese students alike.
tinue that legacy, that I may play a small role in life after the Lost Boys.
The program’s longevity and success is easily attributable to the nature of the partnership, the interaction between two communities.
The Long Journey: Sudanese Refugees in Mississippi Tell Their Stories
Katie Wilson, B.A. 2013, said: “I did not expect such a mutually
is available at www.millsaps.edu/thelongjourney.
beneficial experience. The Sudanese helped me better understand their
Delicious
Flickr
facebook facebook.com/millsapscollege Facebook
28
www.millsaps.edu
MySpace
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
AFRICA IS AN IMPORTANT REGION of the world for economic, political, and cultural reasons, and it’s one of the places where Millsaps professors lead study abroad experiences. In Tanzania, Millsaps students have the opportunity to gain a deep and rich understanding of life, history, economics, and culture in East Africa. In Ghana, students focus on the country’s historical legacy, politics, and development.
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
29
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
30
www.millsaps.edu
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
World class: Maya scholar raises College’s profile in international education In Chichén Itzá, a pre-Columbian city in the Mexican state of Yucatán, two Millsaps professors and their pupils were passing through the doorway of an ancient Maya structure. One student asked about the state of the building before its repair. “Well,” began Dr. Tomás Gallareta Negrón, the College’s Scholar of Maya Studies, “when I rebuilt this doorway 30 years ago, we believed . . .” Jaws dropped.
believe in the conjunction of ideas. When life offers an opening, and one person comes along with an idea and another comes along and builds on that idea—then, wow! Whether you call it God, destiny, or fate, it means you are in the right place at the right time.” Foremost on the minds of Gallareta and Bey at that time was the global tension between archaeology and capitalism. Emerging among them was a vision for “transcending the traditional objectives of archaeology” to protect the community, the environment, and the national heritage. “We share many ideals, and we have a real commitment to these ideals,” said Gallareta. Sharing in that commitment is longtime Millsaps trustee and former board president Maurice Hall, B.A. 1967. “I have visited the Yucatán projects created by George and Tomás almost every year since we began acquiring the property, and to see the amazing research facilities Millsaps has created and experience the excitement of our students working with Tomás and our other faculty members has been a highlight of my over 50 years of involvement with Millsaps College.
“The students were blown away,” said Dr. Eric Griffin, who chairs the
“Together, Dr. Gallareta and Dr. Bey have built for Millsaps a unique
English department and teaches in Yucatán with Gallareta. “There they
profile in international education,” Hall said. “The program they have
were, talking to the guy who actually did the work. Then Tomás goes on
developed has raised the profile of Millsaps both nationally and interna-
to explain the way archaeological
tionally, building a new model of international education for our
restoration techniques have
students, while creating a model system for
continued to develop, that he
addressing the critical challenges of
wouldn’t do it the same way today,
Mérida
and that this was why we now approach our work in a more environmentally aware way. “And then, once we’ve had
VERACRUZ
our lesson, we drive past touristy restaurants near the site and into town to some little restaurant we
exploring the archaeological treasures of the Maya in the Yucatán without damaging
YUCATÁN CAMPECHE
CHIAPAS
would never have found on our own, where the students can practice their Spanish
BELIZE
foreign institutions to control or manage archaeological sites, Hall said, adding that it was only through the leadership of Gallareta—
as “one who assimilates both scholarly research and influence with the Mexican government”—that the mission was accomplished.
“Now that’s study abroad the Millsaps way.” If Millsaps’ complex pyramid of academic and environmental
Mexico is generally reluctant to allow
GUATEMALA
and have an amazing meal together.
the habitat of the dry tropical forest in the Yucatán.”
A photograph taken in the ancient Maya city of
Uxmal shows Gallareta flanked by U.S. President George
pursuits in Yucatán has a foundation, it is Gallareta. “Living in Yucatán,
W. Bush and his Mexican counterpart Felipe Calderón. “I mean, that tells
the biocultural reserve, the business school in Mérida, Kaxil Kiuic—
the story right there,” said Griffin. “Another time he toured with Crown
none of these would have been possible without Tomás’ vision,” said Dr.
Prince Naruhito of Japan. He is such a highly regarded Mayanist that
George Bey, professor of anthropology, for whom Gallareta seems to be a
when some foreign dignitary tours Yucatán, Tomás gets the assignment.
synthesis of mentor, brother, colleague, and beloved friend. “He came to
When Millsaps’ Scholar of Maya Studies rubs shoulders with public fig-
Millsaps and said, ‘Here’s an opportunity to purchase this land,’ and he
ures like these, well, the photo op is worth a thousand words.”
has helped us every step of the way.”
Those images show how highly Millsaps faculty are regarded in the
From Gallareta’s perspective, it was luck, synergy, synchronicity,
world of Maya archaeology, Griffin said. “They’ve raised the profile of the
and random opportunity that converged three decades ago to ultimately
College by giving us a signature program, one that’s globally recognized,”
realize this ambitious project.
he said.
“The Maya combined astronomy and astrology, and certain conjunc-
Despite his formidable stature, faculty and students alike find him
tions might be a sign that the timing is right for a major undertaking,”
eminently approachable. “Given his high profile in Yucatán and his busy
said Gallareta, whose soft-spoken humility belies his stature as one of the
schedule, I am always astounded that he accepts my invitation to spend
premier archaeologists in Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and
a day or two with my students when I teach in Yucatán,” said Dr. Curtis
History. “I don’t believe in the conjunction of stars or planets, but I do
Coats, who in 2009 helped establish the College’s communications studies
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
31
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
major. “He offers our students the attention and commitment that he
changing. No longer is education confined to lectures in a classroom,
offers heads of state when he gives them tours. He is passionate about his
with teachers asking students if they have questions—”
discipline, and this passion rubs off on the students who encounter him.” “His use of the Socratic method in teaching archaeology taught me
“Which they never do,” deadpanned Bey. “We are setting standards for new practices in education, showing
how to think critically about the archaeological record in a way that a
what’s possible,” Gallareta said. “The fact that a small college can do this
lecturer or book simply cannot,” said Evan Parker, B.A. 2011, who is
shows it’s not just a matter of money or power, it’s a matter of will.”
pursuing a Ph.D. in anthropology at Tulane. “Good scholarship isn’t just
Bey said when students return home, they see that “what they learned
driven by powerful data or innovative ideas; it is driven by relationships
is a vital part of their education, and that international education is a real
with other scholars, and I think my rapport with Dr. Gallareta bodes very
part of the campus, and a real part of this landscape. That is going to sus-
well for my future as a scholar. More importantly, his relationships with
tain all our international programs, and that is going to sustain Millsaps.”
students bode very well for the future of Millsaps College.”
Field-based learning can extend far beyond Maya ruins, Parker said.
As do his relationships with other faculty.
“While many of the Millsaps students Dr. Gallareta teaches will probably
A strong synergy exists between Gallareta and faculty like Griffin, who
never become archaeologists, I think he does teach them how to apply
together lead Millsaps students across the Mexican countryside analyzing
what they’ve learned in the liberal arts to real life situations,” he said. “I
ruins from the perspectives of both Maya and Spanish history. “Eric is an
think that’s going to be a critical teaching innovation if American higher
expert in 16th century Spanish history, and I have the perspective of the
education and the liberal arts will continue to remain relevant. That this
pre-Spanish period,” Gallareta said. “When he and I take students to a
is occurring at Millsaps College is a testament to the strategic foresight of
site we talk about certain symbols, Spanish and Maya iconography, and
administrators and faculty on the future of higher education.”
the way they are blended.” Convents, monasteries, and churches present the richest examples
The ceiba tree—in Maya mythology the tree of life and the origin of thought—towers over the Yucatán rainforest, its intricate weave of roots
of that mix, he said. “That is where you see a lot of syncretic art—the
standing taller than a man to support the massive canopy. Now that the
blending of two cultures and two symbols that create a new one,”
Yucatán program has taken root and is nourishing and bolstering the
Gallareta said. “Take the cross. When 16th century friars introduced
College in so many complex ways, how will it withstand the buffeting of
the Christian cross it already had meaning for them because the Maya
an unknown future?
also had cross iconography—their sacred tree of life,” which was thought to connect life, death, and paradise. “It is powerful to students to see this discourse between two professors, to see how knowledge is built from different perspectives,” Bey said. Despite discrete perspectives on archaeology, Gallareta and Griffin share a passion for classic rock, which helps pass the time on long road
“Tomás has been focusing on what kind of rethinking we need to do about the long-term success of the program,” Bey said. “If he doesn’t contribute to that conversation, the long-term success is not very clear. His commitment is crucial to our sustainability of programs and infrastructure.” If archaeology aims to unearth lessons from the past, then judging by
trips. “We have music in common,” Gallareta said. “We talk about music,
its history so far the Yucatán program promises a wealth of opportunity
and when we are traveling we put on Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones,
for the College.
the Beatles, you name it.” Millsaps’ southern address has become a cultural crossroads of sorts.
What would lead a Mexican archaeologist to devote so much of his life to Millsaps? “The objectives of my country and Millsaps meet,”
Scholars come from major U.S. universities. Students come from nearby
Gallareta said. “Thanks to Millsaps I am here and our work is helping
Maya villages. Archaeologists come from all over the world. And they
the Maya recover their history and the pride of their ancestors. I don’t
meet at Kiuic.
want to pretend this is like charity. These are people with a very, very
“Many colleges and universities have used Kiuic as a classroom,”
important history, and they have not received any benefit.”
Gallareta said. “A broad range of visitors come for all kinds of purposes.
“Tomás really embodies the idea of thinking globally and acting
They come from area high schools, from the University of Yucatán, from
locally,” Griffin said. “That’s what our strategic plan is all about, Across
New Mexico State University and Brigham Young University. Some are
the Street and Around the Globe—wherever that street happens to be. As
also our partners in research, studying soil data or cave data, maybe.”
early as the 1990s, working with George to develop the Living in Yucatán
For instance, he said, the wife of the manager the Oxkutzcab camp is a local professor, and because the town is a citrus capital she had her class strategizing with Millsaps business students a plan for organic honey production. “Part of tourism education is looking to the local area for alternatives to Eurocentric business plans and starting new philosophies and new approaches,” Gallareta said. “You go to Disney World, and every time you go on the safari ride you get the same spiel. We on the other hand offer an ever-changing openair museum and educational and cultural opportunities that are always
32
www.millsaps.edu
program, Tomás was already pointing us in the direction we’re going now.” Indeed, the search for the lost Maya may also be a search by the College to find itself. Said Bey: “Tomás has helped us find out who we are as a College and where we want to go.” —JOHN WEBB
{ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE}
A VALID PASSPORT and sturdy luggage are great to have at Millsaps. From biological studies in the Galรกpagos Islands to international business courses in London, study abroad provides students with a tool for understanding the world. Some students travel to Vietnam to be immersed in the study of the American war there. Others study the history and culture of Italy.
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
33
{MAJOR SPORTS}
{MAJOR SPORTS} {MAJOR SPORTS}
Director of athletics to build on success of Millsaps scholar-athletes Josh Brooks, former associate athletic director at the University of Georgia, is the new director of athletics at Millsaps College. “This is an exciting hire for Millsaps, and we look forward to work-
Prior to his time at the University of Georgia, Brooks worked at the University of Louisiana-Monroe as a graduate assistant coach and director of football operations. Brooks began his career as a student manager at Louisiana State University. He will bring all of this experience to a strong athletics program at Millsaps. “I believe that success is a science,” said Brooks. “If you have the right conditions, success will follow. I know that Millsaps has the right conditions for success, and I’m excited about the opportunity to help lead the coaches and scholar-athletes to a new level. It’s going to be a new era for Millsaps athletics.” Greg McGarity, athletic director at the University of Georgia, praised Brooks’ hiring in a recent letter to Pearigen. “I’ve been fortunate to be
ing with Josh in the years to come,” said President Pearigen. “He brings
involved in college athletics for almost four decades and can easily say
tremendous energy to this position, in addition to a wealth of experience
that Josh would rank in my top three favorite people to work alongside,”
and an exciting vision for Millsaps athletics.”
McGarity wrote.
34
www.millsaps.edu
{MAJOR SPORTS}
Helping baseball fans sit back, relax, and enjoy the game The 2014 baseball season marked the inauguration of improved facilities for the Millsaps Majors baseball team. New bleacher-style seating, including some with chair backs, accommodates approximately 400 spectators, twice the previous number. The front row is accessible to the handicapped. Also new is a brick press box that will accommodate radio/Internet broadcasts and includes restroom facilities. The Millsaps logo is prominently displayed on the back of the press box, branding the facility and making it easily seen by visitors. Upgrades were made to the landscaping and the playing field. Jim Page, who came to Millsaps as a student in 1981, was named head baseball coach in 1989 and has guided six teams to NCAA regionals and
only pleased by the new facilities but also the role that former players provided in making them possible. “It makes you feel good when former players think back on their experiences and want to make sure that the tradition of baseball continues in an even better way,” he said. “The support from current and former players and their parents is instrumental in keeping the tradition going.” The new facilities will enhance the fan experience, help with recruiting baseball players and other students, and improve opportunities for the College to host postseason play. “This project, in particular, is not only an affirmation of Coach Jim Page and his staff but also of our many alumni and friends who are committed to helping Millsaps live out its motto, Ad Excellentiam,” said Mike Hutchison, vice president for institutional advancement. “As an alumnus, Coach Page understands that athletics plays a role in the transformative learning and leadership experience we provide all of our students,” Hutchison said. “The project could not have happened without generous contributions from parents, friends of the College, and former players such as Dr. Kirk Kinard, B.S. 1996, who helped organize the fund-raising effort.”
the 2013 team to the Division III Baseball World Series, said he was not
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
35
{MAJOR SPORTS}
Millsaps tennis player advances to nationals, earns All-American status Millsaps Majors women’s tennis player Deena Li Kam Wa made history this year: She became the first Millsaps woman to make the national championships since Paige Carpenter Pratt, B.B.A. 1990 and M.B.A. 1991, did in 1989. Li Kam Wa was among 32 players selected to compete in the 2014 NCAA D-III Champi-
36
www.millsaps.edu
onships hosted by the Claremont-Mudd Scripps Colleges. The selection of teams and individuals for the championships was based on win-loss record, strength of schedule, and eligibility and availability student athletes. “Deena has worked extremely hard over the last three years,” said Millsaps tennis coach Jason Box. “She deserves to be recognized as one of the top players in the country.” During the championships, Li Kam Wa won her first match in straight sets, but she lost the second. In 2014, she went 18-2, rose to a No. 5 ranking in the Atlantic South region in 2014 and was named to the 2014 All-American Team by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Over her three seasons, Li Kam Wa has a 61-6 record. An accounting major who is planning to earn a minor in math, Li Kam Wa is from the Republic of Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa.
{MAJOR SPORTS}
Plan now for
A Major Experience.
Millsaps College Homecoming 2014 | October 24–26
Millsaps vs. Sewanee
►CLASS REUNIONS 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 ►ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS EVENT honoring Distinguished Alumnus Andy Mullins ’70; Outstanding Young Alumnus Ricky James ’04; Jim Livesay Service Award recipients Gene Ainsworth ’64 and Chat Lenhart ’03 ►GET YOUR BOWL ON and meet new Athletics Director Josh Brooks ►MAJOR TAILGATES before the game ►ALL ALUMNI PARTY after the game ►MEMORIAL SERVICE for Alumni and Friends LOOK FOR MORE HOMECOMING INFORMATION AT WWW.MILLSAPS.EDU.
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
37
{ALUMNI}
{ALUMNI}
38
www.millsaps.edu
{ALUMNI}
A message from your alumni president The year 2014 has been a great one for Millsaps College. Overall alumni giving increased over last year, helping the College reach $1.6 million, the highest level of giving to the Annual Fund. “Millsaps on the Move” events have been held in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Baton Rouge, Vicksburg, Oxford, Birmingham, Jackson, and Madison. This series of gatherings has created energy among alumni, parents, friends, prospective students, and high school counselors. Additional events are scheduled for the months to come. On the admissions front, we have met and exceeded our goal for the freshman class for the 2014-2015 academic year. We’ve had a very good year. I often talk with alumni who ask, “What can I do to support the College?” Here are some ways to engage with Millsaps: FLY THE FLAG – Let your neighbor and friends know how proud you are of your alma mater. Whether that takes the shape of a bumper sticker, a flag, a coffee table book, or even a T-shirt,it is important to name it and claim it.
STAY CONNECTED – Take time to “like” the College Facebook page (facebook.com/millsapscollege) and follow on Twitter (@millsapscollege) and Instagram (@millsapscollege).
MENTOR A STUDENT – Does your business need interns? Perhaps you are hiring. You can connect alumni to resources in your city. Join the Millsaps “Major Mentors” group on LinkedIn or share your expertise in the classroom.
RECRUIT – There is no better way to give back than to refer students to Millsaps. As the Millsaps student body grows, so does the value of your degree
GIVE – For faculty development, study abroad, classroom technology, scholarships and more, your gifts are essential to the Millsaps College student experience. As president of our Alumni Association, I had the privilege of being on stage in May when my son, Collin, received his diploma. I welcomed the Class of 2014 into the Alumni Association, letting graduates know that the longer they are away from this special place the more they may realize just how much they were given and how much their Millsaps experience contributes to their success. It was a proud day for me, but also a vivid reminder that we all need to be good stewards of our alma mater. —CHRIS CHEEK, B.B.A. 1985 AND M.B.A. 1989
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
39
{ALUMNI}
40
www.millsaps.edu
{ALUMNI}
Lifting hearts and minds of disadvantaged students through music Backstage at Carnegie Hall on the evening of May 24, 2013, after a standing ovation from a sold-out audience: “We did it!” a tearful 8-year-old girl tells her choir director, Laura (Barrett) Taylor, B.A. 1988.
She found that she loved working with children. “As her children got older, into middle and high school, she was leading the children’s choirs at church and loved it,” Forrester said. “It was a source of energy for her.” When Taylor heard about Houston’s Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) for disadvantaged students in the public schools, she knew she wanted to be part of it. Founded in Houston two decades ago, KIPP has spread to 20 states and the District of Columbia, serving nearly 50,000 children. In its literature, KIPP says it seeks to “develop in underserved students the academic skills, intellectual habits, and qualities of character necessary to succeed at all levels of pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, college, and the competitive world beyond.” Taylor had not trained to be a public school music educator, but that did not matter. “I did the research, I did all the work, and I began creating
Taylor had brought the girl and 62 of her third- and fourth-grade classmates to New York to perform with the KIPP SHARP Singers, a
a graded music program based on solid methodologies,” said Taylor, who
choir from a largely Hispanic, lower-income, crime-ridden neighborhood
is now certified in Kodaly and Orff elementary music techniques. “It’s
of Houston known as Sharpstown.
working.”
“Who would have thought,” Taylor said, “that I could take a ragtag
The satisfaction, she said, comes “when a child gets to sing onstage for the first time and you see that ‘Aha!’ moment.”
group of kids to Carnegie Hall?” The program included John Rutter’s Mass of the Children and works
As an extension of her music education classes, Taylor created the KIPP SHARP Singers performance choir in
by an award-winning African-American composer and music educator, Rollo Dilworth, who attended the concert and congratulated the children afterward. “Now they knew they could sing up against any elite group,” said Taylor, who has sung soprano with the New York Choral Society and with the American Cathedral of Paris and Paris University choirs, as well as the Houston Symphony Chorus. “These kids had experienced nothing but closed doors in life, but they had gotten to Carnegie Hall. And if you can get to Carnegie Hall you can
“I’m free in my class to teach them French or history—or the life lesson that Beethoven was deaf when he wrote his Ninth Symphony” . . . “We may be singing in Chinese or learning about Russia. We cross the globe through music.” —LAURA TAYLOR
do anything. Doors are open to you.” In the audience to cheer on their old friend from the Millsaps Singers
2010. “Within a couple of years she had these children singing works in Latin, French, German, and Chinese, and it’s just amazing music,” Forrester said. The turning point for the chorus was an opportunity to sing Carl Orff ’s Carmina
Burana with the orchestra of the Texas Medical Center (whose president is another alumnus, Dr. Bobby Robbins, B.S. 1979). “I auditioned second-graders with no musical experience and worked them every day,” Taylor said. “As it turned out, the performance was so extraordinarily well-received that the
orchestra asked if we would like to collaborate on other projects.”
were Dr. Michelle Forrester, B.A. 1987, Dr. Lisa (Bowden) Boswell, B.S.
Taylor then joked to the conductor, “How about Carnegie Hall?”
1987, and Patton Stephens, B.A. 1987.
“Why not?” was the response.
“We watched her onstage with those little children, and it was incred-
The gauntlet had been cast down. “It took two years to get the choir
ible,” said Forrester, a Houston child psychologist. “It was one of the most
to the level it needed to be in size and quality,” Taylor said. “I had to raise
touching things I’ve ever seen. She has opened their eyes to things they
$200,000, and I’m a teacher not a fund-raiser, so I used the public rela-
could only imagine.”
tions skills I’d honed in New York.”
That was the point, Taylor said. “My dream is to give these kids the chances I’ve had.” After an illustrious career in international public relations and years
Unexpectedly, she credits those skills not to an NYU business or communications class but to a Millsaps College course on the parables of Jesus. “It was primarily writing, and that was huge for me, just to be able
spent living in New York and Paris, Taylor understands the romance and
to learn basic skills in writing,” Taylor said of the class taught by the Rev.
reward of opportunities seized. Still, she was hungry for more.
T.W. Lewis, professor emeritus of religious studies. “I learned not only
While living in Houston with her husband, Larry, and sons, Dean and Barrett, Taylor also began volunteering as director of several children’s choirs at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, which has a large
writing but also developed the life skills and character I would need to survive in that world.” Said Lewis: “As a student, Laura brought the kind of intelligence,
urban outreach program. She also worked as a substitute music teacher
curiosity, and thought to a subject that made her presence most welcome
at The Kinkaid School, which her sons attend.
in my class. I was impressed with her capacity to engage a point of view critically but with respect for the other holding that view, which made for
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
41
{ALUMNI}
honest and productive discussions.” Thanks to honest and productive discussions with the movers and
singing a French art song,” she said. “In French class I might be learning about the period when it was written, and my music teachers would
shakers of Houston, Taylor said, her “KIPPsters” were soon on their way
apply ideas from my study of French to music. The cross-curricular
to Carnegie Hall. “We did it,” she said, echoing the enthusiasm of her
experience offered by Millsaps—whether I was in my science or sociology
pupil after the concert. “It goes back to Millsaps and that idea that you
class—linked varied disciplines together to provide a depth and breadth
can do anything if you believe in yourself.”
of learning and knowledge.”
That Taylor is changing lives is not unexpected among those who
Through the lens of music, Taylor is exposing her own students to
know her. “You might assume Laura would pursue a glamorous career in
subjects like geography, language, history, culture, and current events.
any number of fields,” Lewis said, but to “friends who know her integrity,
“I’m free in my class to teach them French or history—or the life lesson
compassion, loyalty, and sense of calling, it is not surprising that she has
that Beethoven was deaf when he wrote his Ninth Symphony,” she said.
opted for a music ministry to persons in a disadvantaged Hispanic com-
“We may be singing in Chinese or learning about Russia. We cross the
munity. That is who she is.”
globe through music.”
Dr. Don Fortenberry, who served as the Millsaps chaplain for more
Sharpstown is a world apart from the Champs-Élysées, Fifth Avenue,
than 30 years, recalls Taylor’s passion and compassion for the world
and the glitterati of global commerce. “I’ve done a lot of thinking about
beyond her ken. “It is no surprise that her talents have been directed to
this,” Taylor said. “How did I get here? I was having a fabulous life, but
the Hispanic youth choir in Houston that she founded. I am profoundly
underneath all that was the core that Don Fortenberry gave me, the
grateful that her social awareness continues to assert itself.”
desire to do more.”
Taylor also learned at Millsaps how to harmonize a world of academic disciplines with the melody line of music education. “Let’s say I’m
42
www.millsaps.edu
—JOHN WEBB
{ALUMNI}
THE MILLSAPS ANNUAL FUND SUPPORTS EVERYTHING ON CAMPUS, FROM FINANCIAL AID TO ACADEMIC PROGRAMS TO OUTSTANDING FACULTY TO ATHLETIC EXPERIENCES TO HANGING OUT IN THE BOWL.
HOW WILL YOU SHOW YOUR #MAJOR PRIDE?
OF ENTERING STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
YOU KEEP THE WATER HOT, THE LIGHTS ON, AND THE CAMPUS BEAUTIFUL
OF STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT BY FACULTY MEMBERS, 94% OF WHOM HOLD THE HIGHEST DEGREES IN THEIR FIELD
OF MILLSAPS STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEER WORK
*ISRAEL
*TANZANIA
*EUROPE
*YUCATÁN
* FROM RELIGIOUS RESEARCH IN ISRAEL TO CULTURAL STUDIES IN TANZANIA, BUSINESS CLASSES IN EUROPE, AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS IN YUCATÁN, STUDY ABROAD PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH A POWERFUL TOOL FOR UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATING OUR COMPLEX WORLD.
BECAUSE SE OFYOU OF YOU,
MILLSAPS CHANGES LIVES ACROSS THE STREET AND AROUND THE GLOBE EVERYDAY
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
43
{ALUMNI}
44
www.millsaps.edu
lickr
ADVERTISEMENT
Architect’s commitment to the underserved earns national recognition Ivenue Love-Stanley, B.S. 1973, is the 2014 recipient of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award given by the board of directors of the American Institute of Architects. She is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. The award recognizes Love-Stanley’s career-long dedication to bringing design to underserved communities and to making design education,
{ALUMNI}
ate from the College of Architecture at Georgia Tech in 1977. She later became the first African-American woman to become a licensed architect in the Southeast. In 1978, she co-founded Atlanta-based Stanley, LoveStanley with her husband, William Stanley, also a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and recipient of the Whitney Young Award in 1995. Love-Stanley and Stanley are the first husband and wife to have both received the Whitney Young Award. As an advocate for minority inclusion in the architectural profession, she helped forge connections between the AIA and the National Organization of Minority Architects. Her support for minority students pursuing architectural degrees continues through her annual sponsorship of the National Organization of Minority Architects/American Institute of Architecture Students student mentoring programs. As a member of Atlanta’s zoning review board, she championed the
and education in general, inclusive and accessible to all. She was hon-
causes of inner-city redevelopment and urban-neighborhood revitaliza-
ored in June at the 2014 AIA National Convention in Chicago.
tion. Michael Lomax, president and CEO of the United Negro College
Established in 1972, the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award has honored ar-
Fund, describes Love-Stanley as a “rare individual. She believes deeply
chitects and organizations that embody the profession’s proactive social
that all people—of whatever ethnicity, from whatever economic stra-
mandate through a range of commitments, including affordable housing,
tum—should have the opportunity to have their lives enriched by care-
inclusiveness, and universal access.
fully considered, functional, and imaginative design.”
Reared in Meridian, Love-Stanley earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Millsaps, an experience that she considers critical to her success.
Love-Stanley also has contributed her services pro bono to projects in need of a design champion. She was involved in the design and
“I honestly don’t think I would have found my way into architecture
development of the Sweet Auburn Avenue project, which was part of the
if it were not my Millsaps experience,” she said. “The totally segregated
revitalization of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic District in
but nurturing environment in which I was raised and educated was a
Atlanta. She provided design services for Youth Art Connection, a gallery
far cry from Millsaps. At Millsaps, I was forced to mature quickly in an
devoted to art created by children. She also designed and oversaw the
environment that encouraged critical thinking. It also afforded me an
installation of a “Celebrate Africa” exhibit and performance during the
opportunity to understand ‘southern gentility’—a coping skill that has
1996 Summer Olympics.
been an invaluable GPS system for navigating the channels of the male-
The award is named after the civil rights–era head of the Urban League who confronted the AIA’s lack of socially progressive advocacy at
dominated profession of architecture.” Love-Stanley became the first African-American woman to gradu-
the 1968 AIA National Convention.
twitter twitter.com/millsapscollege Twitter
Retweet Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
45
{ALUMNI}
46
www.millsaps.edu
{ALUMNI}
At the Kennedy Center, putting a spotlight on arts patronage
of corporate, foundation, and government relations for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for two years. “At Millsaps I was challenged to think creatively, act boldly, and live vibrantly,” said Davis, who received the Millsaps Winston Churchill Award for Public Management and Administration and was elected to the College Hall of Fame. “I knew I wanted a career that would encourage creative thinking but provide a structured and logical approach to
When Zach Davis wants to see how his work pays off, he visits one of the theaters at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. “I see hundreds of elementary students about to see a show in our Family Theater or visitors getting settled in to watch a performance
research and analysis.” Davis, who majored in public management and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, the Millsaps Chamber Singers, and president of the Inter-Fraternity Council, had a summer internship in 2009 after his sophomore year with U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, in Washington.
on our Millennium Stage, a venue that hosts free performances 365 days a year,” said Davis, B.A. 2011, assistant manager of corporate and foun-
Davis and his wife, Maria Underwood Davis, B.A. 2011, both sought jobs that would have a positive impact.
dation relations for the Corporate Fund at the Kennedy Center.
Maria Davis, who majored in religious studies, received the Lewis
Davis’ work is integral to the center because the Corporate Fund helps pay for its artistic programs and education initiatives. So do ticket sales and gifts from individuals and private foundations. “My day is filled with constant reminders that my work matters,” he said. Located on the banks of the Potomac River near the Lincoln Memorial, the Kennedy Center presents theater, dance, ballet, and orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, and folk music, in addition to multimedia performances for all ages. Nearly two million
and Reiff Community Service and Leadership Award and served as
“At Millsaps I was challenged to think creatively, act boldly, and live vibrantly . . . I knew I wanted a career that would encourage creative thinking but provide a structured and logical approach to research and analysis.”
people annually attend the approximately
—ZACH DAVIS
2,000 performances at the center, and 20 million more watch touring productions and television broadcasts and listen to radio broadcasts. The center’s artistic endeavors are impressive and have included more than 300 new works of theater during the last 40 years; world pre-
co-chair of the Campus Ministry Team, is a development director for the American Heart Association. She began working for the Heart Association in Birmingham and was able to continue in Washington. Dr. Brit Katz, vice president for student life and dean of students, remembers the couple as leaders on campus. “If you combine their co-curricular records, you’ll discover every area of campus life and community engagement,” he said. “Moreover, their interpersonal skill-sets were
punctuated by polished verbal and written communication skills.” For anyone considering a job in the nonprofits, the couple advises choosing one that is dedicated to its mission. “As with any field, take the time to evaluate the costs and benefits;
miere performances offered as part of a commissioning program for new
think about your values and the outcomes of your work product,” Zach
ballet and dance works; dozens of pieces commissioned by the National
Davis said. “Think about where you want to be in 10 years and whether
Symphony Orchestra; countless festivals celebrating cities, countries,
or not this opportunity builds toward that narrative. Not all nonprofits
and regions of the world; hundreds of performances by legendary jazz
are the same—take the time to research how the organization is structured
artists who have helped shape the art form as well as artists who are
and how they do business.”
emerging on the jazz scene; and many educational programs to reach young people, teachers, and families throughout the nation. Davis recruits support from businesses for the Corporate Fund, which is governed by a board of 90 chief executive officers from across the nation. The fund raises about $4 million annually.
“Choose a nonprofit with a mission that you are passionate about,” said Maria Davis. “Often, nonprofits are stressful and require a lot of extra hours working or being at events. At the end of the day though, it is worth the work if you believe in your mission.” —NELL KNOX, B.A. 2012, AND NELL LUTER FLOYD
“I work with many of our constituent boards to cultivate corporate relationships in the community and around the country,” Davis said. “A fair amount of my day is spent on the phone letting donors know the benefits associated with membership and making sure they are aware of what is going on with the center, as well as recruiting new businesses.” Fundraising is challenging but rewarding, a lesson Davis learned during his first job after graduation from Millsaps. He was manager
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
47
{ALUMNI}
48
www.millsaps.edu
{ALUMNI}
Pre-med education at Millsaps instills desire, eagerness for learning During the Founders’ Day 2014 celebration, Emily Brandon, B.S. 2011, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, said this about her pre-medical education at Millsaps: Ask anyone who attended Millsaps College what they got from their education and they will likely say, “Millsaps taught me to think.” While it may sound cliché, it’s true. My time at Millsaps really did teach me to think. Many things in science are so grounded in facts that it’s sometimes difficult to think outside the realm of rote memorization. While there are topics that do require that type of memorization, I’ve found that my ability to appreciate the complexity of the facts I’m learning has served me well. I had the pleasure of encountering Dr. Jim McKeown, who taught biology at Millsaps for 49 years, in a couple of my classes. He taught me that there are so many things we take for granted because they are just plain normal. But underneath it all there are a million sequences and patterns that had to happen at exactly the right time in the perfect order for normal to be the outcome. Millsaps professors have a way of integrating deep knowledge and practical application into their lectures. Lectures
into small town Mississippi to care for the patients in that community. To do so effectively, I think it requires that you have a desire to become a part of that small community and get involved with the people in the community. Millsaps cultivates that desire in its students. My dad is a family physician in Starkville. Not only am I a thirdgeneration Millsaps graduate, hopefully, when I graduate in a couple of years, I will be a third-generation family medicine physician who graduated from Millsaps. My grandfather, Leonard Brandon, graduated from Millsaps in 1943. After attending medical school at Columbia University, he established a medical clinic in Starkville, more than 50 years ago. My father has practiced in the clinic for more than 20 years now, and I would love to practice with him at some point in my career. Whether that will be immediately after residency or a little further down the line, I’m not quite sure, but I can’t wait to practice medicine in small town Mississippi. I think three generations of doctors says a lot about Millsaps’ commitment to excellence in the sciences and pre-medical education. It says a lot about the College’s competitive niche, the continuum of extraordinary faculty, and the powerful relationship between Millsaps and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. I’m proud to be part of that legacy, and I am hopeful that it will continue for many generations to come. I will be forever grateful to the people, known and unknown to me, who have helped make the College the outstanding place it is today so that I and so many others may take advantage of the transformative experience that is Millsaps.
don’t come word for word from a textbook. They teach you to understand why and how things happen and how to apply knowledge to various topics, which the practice of medicine requires. Professors don’t just see you in class or when you’re there to take a test. They are always available to help—even after you graduate. Just a few weeks ago, I emailed Dr. Debora Mann, one of my former professors, with a question about botany that related to one of my patients. She promptly responded with exactly the answer I was looking for. Millsaps prepared me for medical school, and I see a difference between my approach and that of my peers. I think I have a stronger appreciation and desire for learning. I often see other medical students learning just what they need to graduate and not appreciating the difference that truly understanding something can make. My eagerness to do my best at understanding everything I learn is a result of having attended Millsaps and having the Millsaps ideals and standards of excellence instilled in not only me, but my family. I am a third-generation Millsaps graduate and so I’m used to being held to those high standards. When I think about the connections between Millsaps and the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program, I think of the Millsaps environment as its own “rural community.” I chose Millsaps because it is a smaller school and I wanted to be able to get to know my professors. I didn’t want to sit in freshman biology with 300 other students and not
An excerpt from remarks by President Robert W. Pearigen at the 2014 Founders’ Day celebration: Millsaps regularly fills a substantial portion of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine class and sends three to five times the number of students per capita to medical school when compared with larger private schools or public institutions. According to a 2007 University of Mississippi Medical Center report, Millsaps is the only Mississippi college to have ever exceeded the national MCAT average. And, while the national average for medical school admission is about 45 percent in the two years following graduation, Millsaps regularly boasts a 95 percent plus acceptance rate to medical school. Few schools can match that. What makes these statistics even more impressive is that we know the students who attend medical school in Mississippi tend to remain in the state to form their medical practice. According to UMMC, Mississippi retains 60-65 percent of its graduates, making the connections formed between Millsaps students and UMMC particularly significant and important.
know who anyone was. I think that translates to what the Rural Physicians Program is all about. The goal of the program is to get physicians back
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
49
{ALUMNI}
50
www.millsaps.edu
{ALUMNI}
State education icon lends expertise to College Board of Visitors Mississippi educator Andrew P. “Andy” Mullins retired— if one can actually call it that—last year after a 43-year career in which he helped mold young lives on the K-12, community college, and university levels.
“The quality of intelligence and soul that enabled him to work through hard questions as a student has made him such a valuable assistant to governors and university presidents,” said Dr. T.W. Lewis, B.A. 1953, emeritus professor of religion. “I observed him as a student encounter points of view that were larger and often different from those of his inherited culture. And he does this with such grace. It is always about the matter at hand, and not about Andy. That is because with him, it is always about the greater good.” Mullins’ professional journey began when he took his bachelor’s degree in history to St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Jackson, where he taught history and achieved a personal goal as the school’s football coach: bringing together public and private school teams in the same
But these days, he is as busy as ever.
conference. While teaching, he completed a masters in history from Mis-
Mullins, B.A. 1970, teaches classes in education leadership and na-
sissippi College in 1976 and a Ph.D. in college administration from the
tional and state education issues in the University of Mississippi School of Education, places Mississippi Teacher Corps members in schools
University of Mississippi in 1992. It was at St. Andrew’s that Mullins was tennis coach to the daughter
across the state, and chairs the Mississippi Humanities Council, which
of former Gov. William Winter. When Winter was elected governor of
provides public programs in traditional liberal arts disciplines.
Mississippi in 1980, he hired Mullins as his education advisor. With a
He also heads the Millsaps College Board of Visitors, which is
group of young staff members dubbed “The Boys of Spring,” Mullins
building upon years of work by alumni and the Office of Institutional
helped Winter push the landmark Education Reform Act, which among
Advancement. The Board of Visitors provides opportunities for leading
other things required public schools to offer kindergarten.
alumni, parents, and friends to engage in informed discussion about
Mullins wrote about the political process involved in the Winter
issues at the College and offer insight and counsel for the College’s ad-
administration’s efforts to change the education system in Mississippi in
ministration, faculty, and Board of Trustees.
the book entitled Building Consensus, A History of the Passage of the Edu-
“There are several alums who volunteered to write letters to potential students, and to take them to dinner,” Mullins said. “We suggested that alumni be actively involved in Millsaps’ 125th year in 2015, and in the 50th anniversary of integration at Millsaps this year.” Kenneth Townsend, B.A. 2004, special assistant to Millsaps College
cation Reform Act of 1982. He is also author of The Measure of Our Days: Writings of William F. Winter, a collection of the governor’s writings. After several years serving under former Mississippi Gov. Bill Allain, as a campaign aide to Winter, and as special assistant to three state superintendents of education, Mullins embarked on an initiative that
President Robert W. Pearigen and assistant professor of political science,
has changed the face of education in Mississippi. Mullins and Harvard
said Mullins’ leadership has been instrumental with the board.
University student Amy Gutman created the Mississippi Teacher Corps,
“When the idea developed for establishing a Millsaps advisory
an alternate-route licensing program for students who did not major in
board, Andy was the first name that came to mind as a possible chair,”
education that continues to place educators in many of the state’s poorest
Townsend said. “Andy is a model alumnus who embodies the best of a
and under performing classrooms. The Mississippi Teacher Corps was a
Millsaps education. He is smart, hard-working, accomplished, and com-
precursor to, and model for, the Teach for America program.
mitted to making the world a better place—and he seems to know just about everyone in the state of Mississippi.” Credit that in part to the Noxubee County native’s four years at
Mullins went on to create the Mississippi Principal Corps—in part, he said, because Teacher Corps members said they regularly worked with principals who would benefit from additional support and training. Mul-
Millsaps, where Mullins says he learned the value of a liberal arts educa-
lins changed the education landscape again, and put renewed emphasis
tion and thrived on the wisdom of professors.
on the University of Mississippi as a national academic and leadership
Mullins followed his Methodist upbringing to Millsaps, where he was a member of a history honorary and Kappa Alpha fraternity. Mullins considers his experience at Millsaps as life-changing. “I came from a rural environment, and a pretty weak high school with a
player, when in 2008 he chaired the committee that brought a presidential debate to the University of Mississippi campus. He’s left his mark by his involvement in the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation and the Lott Leadership Institute and with his
lot of prejudiced ideas,” he said. “Millsaps taught me how to make my own
work with the Barksdale Reading Institute that strives to improve literacy
decisions, opened my mind, and helped me in my search for the truth.”
in Mississippi elementary schools. During his 19 years with the univer-
Dr. Charles Sallis, Millsaps emeritus professor of history, taught Mullins in the late ’60s. “Millsaps had a lot of fine students, and he certainly held his own,” Sallis remembered.
sity, Mullins served as special assistant to Chancellors Gerald Turner and Robert Khayat and as chief of staff to Chancellor Dan Jones. —RUTH CUMMINS
He has followed Mullins’ career, noting their joint devotion to the Mississippi Humanities Council. “Everything he’s been involved with, he’s done an excellent job,” Sallis said. Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
51
{ALUMNI}
Strengthening alumni engagement is focus of Board of Visitors Millsaps has established a College-wide advisory board to take better advantage of the collective wisdom and experience of Millsaps’ leading alumni, parents, and other friends of the College. The Board of Visitors will gather once a year during the third week of
In the months after the February meeting, the members of the Board of Visitors put their own recommendations into practice by deepening their commitment to the College in various respects. More than half of the 31 Board of Visitors members present for the February meeting volunteered to make calls to parents of students admitted to Millsaps in the days leading up to the May 1 college decision deadline, and all of the members present for the February meeting made financial contributions to Millsaps during the 2013-14 fiscal year, including eleven who have joined the Building Towards Excellence initiative. Millsaps President Robert W. Pearigen explained the impetus behind creating the Board of Visitors: “I am excited about the opportunities this group will provide for leaders to connect with each other and for the value such gatherings offer the College,” he said. “Given the challenges
February to discuss timely topics in higher education, focusing in particu-
and opportunities in higher education today, it is increasingly important
lar on issues of relevance to Millsaps. The inaugural meeting of the Board
to take seriously the expertise and resources available in our midst.” The Board of Visitors will reconvene informally during the
of Visitors was held Feb. 21-22, and it focused on how to enhance alumni
Homecoming Weekend of Oct. 24-26, and its next full meeting will be
engagement at Millsaps. The Board of Visitors, chaired by Andy Mullins, B.A. 1970, produced
Feb. 20-21, 2015.
a written report for the Board of Trustees, senior administrators, and the Alumni Association Board, which outlines recommendations regarding alumni engagement at Millsaps.
Chairman Andy Mullins of Oxford
Peter Bernheim of Gulfport
Katherine Brady of Houston, Texas
Jim Carr of Kansas City, Missouri
Henry Chatham of Jackson
Kacky Cole of Jackson
Michele Wren Cook of West Hartford, Connecticut
Ward Emling of Florence
Rachel Davis Fowlkes of Abingdon, Virginia
Lloyd Gray of Tupelo
James Graves III of Ridgeland
Jeanne Middleton Hairston of Jackson
James L. Henley Jr. of Jackson
Jessica Knight of Washington, D.C.
Manisha Sethi Malhotra of Madison
David Martin of Jackson
April Slayden Mitchell of San Jose, California
Shawn O’Brien of Houston, Texas
Molly Mitchell Walker of Jackson
Betsy Stone Walkup of Nashville, Tennessee
Members of the Board of Visitors, who are not pictured, include Mike Bourland of Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina; Clay Crystal of Jackson ; June Langston DeHart of Alexandria, Virginia; Tom Dupree of New York City; Todd Glisson of Nashville; Banks Link, of Nashville; Mike Morris of Naples, Florida.; Mike Tagert of Starkville; Carol Hederman Tatum of Cleveland; Melody Smith Webb of Oxford; and Mary Martin Young of Coral Gables, Florida.
52
www.millsaps.edu
{ALUMNI}
Book highlights careers of innovative, talented business leaders When Tim Medley, 1966, ran across a book about New Orleans entrepreneurs, he was so inspired he wanted to produce a similar publication that would feature Mississippi entrepreneurs. Medley, a financial advisor and former Millsaps College trustee, became an entrepreneur himself. He turned to the Else School of Management at Millsaps for guid-
Medley hopes the book will spark an entrepreneurial spirit in all who read it, but especially young people. The Selby and Richard McRae Foundation plans to place two copies of the book in every high school and library in the state, he said. The Mississippi Development Authority has ordered approximately 200 books for its use, and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation has authorized a grant to place more than 300 books in high schools, community colleges, and libraries in south Mississippi. Ward Van Skiver, B.A. 1965, plans to provide a copy of the book to each Millsaps M.B.A. and M.Acc. graduate in 2014 and 2015.
Millsaps alumni featured in the book Jill Beneke, M.B.A. 1987, CEO and president of PILEUM Corporation Betsy Bradley, B.A. 1984, director of the Mississippi Museum of Art Jeff Good, B.B.A. 1986, managing partner of Mangia Bene Restaurant Group (BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar, Broad Street Baking Company, and Sal & Mookie’s New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint)
ance, meeting with Howard McMillan Jr., who was then dean of the Else
Monica Sethi Harrigill, B.A. 1988, a Millsaps trustee and vice
School, and Dr. Kimberly G. Burke, current dean of the Else School.
president of Jackie’s International (Bumpers Drive-Ins, Fresh Market
Faculty and graduate assistants in the ELSEWorks Entrepreneurship
Cafes, Fresh Market Grills, and Super Saver convenience stores)
Initiative of the Else School supported the endeavor with research. Along the way, Medley formed the publishing company Cat Island Books with David Martin, B.A. 1969; Mike McRee, a current Millsaps trustee; Rowan H. Taylor, a Millsaps life trustee; and Paul Calhoun, a certified public accountant.
Mississippi Entrepreneurs, by Polly Dement, B.A. 1967, published by Cat Island Books and distributed by University Press of Mississippi, debuted in June, drawing attention to some of the state’s most successful business leaders. Seetha Srinivasan, director emerita of University Press of Mississippi, was project director for the book. The book details the stories of 70 entrepreneurs in narrative form and also in a question-and-answer format. It broadens the definition of an entrepreneur to include some who have taken risks not for potential personal financial gain, but to seek benefits for the community as a whole. “The role of the entrepreneur is an overlooked aspect of the state’s history,” said Dement, who grew up in Vicksburg. After graduation from Millsaps, she worked for the Senate Watergate Committee writing profiles of the witnesses who testified and then worked for the National Commission on Children and the Washington, D.C., communications firm Hager Sharp, Inc. Dement is well-qualified to tell the stories of the state’s entrepreneurs. For a decade she had written about investors and entrepreneurs for the National Association of Investment Companies. Dement said entrepreneurs share common traits such as passion, vision, drive, the willingness to take risks and change to a better way, the ability to innovate, solve problems, and turn luck—good or bad—to their advantage. “Very few of them come from family wealth and many work with borrowed debt during stages of growth,” she said. Most share the rewards of their work with the community, she said, and many have established their own charitable foundations.
Joe Frank Sanderson, B.A. 1969, CEO and chairman of Sanderson Farms, the third largest poultry producer in the United States
Entrepreneurs featured in the book who received honorary degrees from Millsaps College Jim Barksdale—Barksdale Reading Institute Martha Bergmark—Mississippi Center for Justice Warren Hood Sr.—Hood Industries, Inc. Richard McRae—McRae’s Department Stores Chief Phillip Martin—Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians John N. Palmer—Former Ambassador to Portugal—SkyTel Joe Frank Sanderson, B.A. 1969,—Sanderson Farms Sadnam L. Sethi—Jackie’s International Dr. Aaron Shirley—Jackson Medical Mall Seetha Srinivasan—University Press of Mississippi
Additional Millsaps connections William Bynum—Trustee at Millsaps College Toni Cooley and Bill Cooley—Lillian Cooley, mother of Toni Cooley and wife of Bill Cooley, served as a Millsaps librarian.
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
53
{ALUMNI}
As seen in CEO Magazine
THE MILLSAPS COLLEGE MBA AND EXECUTIVE MBA
NEXT STOP, WHEREVER YOU WANT.
FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, THE ELSE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AT MILLSAPS COLLEGE RANKS IN THE TOP TIER OF NORTH AMERICAN M.B.A. www.millsaps.edu/esom
Delicious
54
www.millsaps.edu
Flickr
flickr.com/millsapscollege
{CLASS NOTES}
Class Notes Check out Class Notes to find out who has celebrated a major milestone.
READ MORE ABOUT IT Millsaps Magazine prints only information sent in specifically for Class Notes. We would like to encourage all alumni to send in their news items, large or small, personal or professional, to Nell Luter Floyd, Office of Communications, Millsaps College, 1701 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39210-0001. Fax : 601-974-1456. Phone: 601-974-1033 or 1-86-MILLSAPS (1-866 - 455-7277). Email: communications@ millsaps.edu. Please include your name, address, phone numbers, email address, graduation year and degree, and any news you want to share. Appropriate items include births, weddings, advanced degrees, awards, job promotions, etc. Photographs are also welcome. If you are aware of alumni who are not receiving the magazine, please send us their names and addresses.
William R. Crout, B.A. 1949, of Cam-
Dorothy Davis Miley, B.A. 1960, of Jackson,
bridge, Massachusetts, is curator of the Paul
received the 2013 Zeta State Achievement Award
Tillich Lectures at Harvard University. Crout
from Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization of
founded the lectures in 1990 to commemorate
key women educators. It is one of the highest
Tillich, Harvard’s most renowned theologian
honors a member can receive. Miley, a member of
and one of the most eminent and influential
Tau Chapter since 1968, served as chapter presi-
religious thinkers of the 20th century, and to
dent from 1998 until 2000 and was central district
provide a forum where speakers of interna-
director from 2001 until 2003. She received the
tional distinction address philosophical and
Woman of Distinction Award in 2001 and the
religious issues representing the vast range of
Red Rose Award in 2003.
Division of Nephrology and a professor of medi-
Bell produced the groundbreaking finding that
Tillich’s contributions. Crout entered Harvard Divinity School in 1955 as a student and became an editorial assistant and friend of Tillich. Crout’s scholarly work with Tillich continues
Dr. Phillip Darwin Bell, B.S. 1974, of Birmingham, Alabama, and Charleston, South Carolina, is the research endowed chair in the cine at the Medical University of South Carolina. toxins in seafood, at levels considered safe for consumption, can cause kidney damage. Bell
Bell’s laboratory also focuses on understanding
published in Germany last February.
the molecular mechanisms that cause polycystic
Crout, who received an S.T.B. in 1958 from
kidney disease.
Harvard and an A.M. in 1969 from Harvard, has taught in the humanities and philosophy
which is voted upon by students.
University Press of Mississippi.
densa cells in controlling glomerular function.
history of Harvard, in three volumes, which was
for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching,
acclaimed Thomas Jefferson on Wine from
of renal hemodynamics and the role of macular
tion. He is also contributing editor to a religious
is a recipient of the Everett Moore Baker Award
of Mississippi. He is the author of the critically
research interests are in the area of regulation
editing of a first volume of lectures for publica-
nology and in general education at Harvard. He
is an adjunct professor of law at the University
is head of the Renal Biology Laboratory. His
with a monograph on his Harvard years and
departments at Massachusetts Institute of Tech-
an inaugural Overby Fellow in journalism. He
John Hailman, B.A. 1965
John Hailman, B.A. 1965, of Oxford, is the author of From Midnight to Guntown: True
Crime Stories from a Federal Prosecutor in Mississippi. He was a federal prosecutor at the U.S. attorney’s office in Oxford for 33 years, and
Dr. Michael Mansour, B.S. 1979, of Greenville, is the chair of the American College of Cardiology Board of Governors and secretary of the board of trustees, the main governing body of the college, for 2014-2015. His term
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
55
{CLASS NOTES}
Dr. Michael Mansour, B.S. 1979
Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he currently
passage of legislation that will maintain access
serves as deputy commanding general. Turello
to care for elderly and disabled Americans.
was commissioned in 1983 as a second lieuten-
Sponsored by the American Academy of Family
ant in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in
Physicians and the Council of Academic Fam-
numerous leadership positions for more than
ily Medicine, the conference educates partici-
six years. He joined the Mississippi Army
pants on family medicine’s legislative priority
National Guard in 1990 and served as detach-
issues, how to educate lawmakers on Capitol
ment commander, company commander,
Hill, and allows participants to put these skills
executive officer, and operations officer in the
to use with federal legislators and their staff.
2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group. He entered active duty in 2000. In 2008, he
began March 31 at the conclusion of the
transferred to the Utah Army National Guard,
American College of Cardiology’s 63rd Annual
where he commanded the 19th Special Forces
Scientific Session in Washington, D.C. The
Group serving in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti,
ACC’s annual scientific session brings together
and the African Command Counter-LRA
cardiologists and cardiovascular specialists
Control Element in Uganda. He returned to the
from around the world each year to share the
Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg as
newest discoveries in treatment and preven-
senior guard advisor in 2011. He has received
tion. Mansour has been a member of the board
numerous awards and decorations throughout
of governors and president of the American
his military career.
College of Cardiology’s Mississippi chapter since 2011. As chair of the board of governors, Mansour will lead a body of 66 governors from
Atoka, Tennessee, an elementary gifted education teacher for the CLUE (Creative Learning in a Unique Environment) program in the Shelby County School system in Memphis, achieved National Board certification in Literacy: Reading and Language Arts in Early ceived an M.Ed. in gifted education at William Carey University in Hattiesburg in 2008.
Paul Aertker,
Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. Uniformed
B.A. 1988, of Den-
Services. The governors are elected to facilitate
ver, Colorado, is
communication between college leaders and
author of the book
their members in the state they represent.
Valeria Wade Walters, B.A. 1996, of
and Middle Childhood Grades in 2013. She re-
all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto
Brainwashed. The book, the
first in the Crime Travelers series, is a realistic middlegrade actionPaul Aertker, B.A. 1988
adventure novel, tracking a group
of international teenagers who race through Paris to sabotage the Good Company’s profitable kidnapping business.
Dr. Jennifer D. Gholson, B.S. 1992, Brigadier General Michael D. Turello, B.A. 1983, is pictured with his wife, Beth, after his promotion ceremony at Special Forces Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Michael D. Turello, B.A. 1983, former Mississippi Army National Guard officer, was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony at the U.S. Army Special Forces Command in
56
www.millsaps.edu
of Summit, attended the Family Medicine Congressional Conference April 7-8 in Washington, D.C., as a representative of the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians. During the meeting, Gholson had opportunities to meet with U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper and the healthcare staff of U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, and U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo to urge
Jason Loden, B.S. 1997
Jason Loden, B.S. 1997, of Dallas, an attorney with the law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP in Dallas, was selected for inclusion in Texas Rising Stars 2014 by Thomson Reuters. Texas Rising Stars represents the top 2.5 percent of Texas attorneys who are 40 years old or younger or those attorneys who have been practicing for 10 years or less. The list was published in the April 2014 issue of Texas
Monthly.
{CLASS NOTES}
Matthew P. McLaughlin, B.S. 1999,
ness, and commercial loans. He also manages the day-to-day operations of the bank’s Lakeland Drive location.
of Jackson, joined the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz in Jackson. He will focus on emerging company
Brittani Johnson, B.B.A. 2010, of Arlington,
and startup work, community and economic
Virginia, is now marketing manager at Avectra.
development work, and the development of a practice focused on the craft beer industry.
She joined Avectra in 2011 as a business devel-
promoted to team lead. Avectra, now an Abila
opment representative and within the year was company, serves strategic leaders and managers in nonprofit organizations, associations, and
Michael J. Bentley, B.B.A. 2000, a senior
government agencies with membership man-
associate in the Jackson office of Bradley Arant
agement and software solutions.
Boult Cummings LLP and a member of the firm’s Appellate Litigation Practice Group, has been named to the Mississippi Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40,” recognizing Mississippi’s up-and-coming business leaders. In addition to his responsibilities at the firm, he was elected to and serves as chair of the Mississippi Bar As-
Jay Liles, B.S. 2005
Jay Liles, B.S. 2005, of Brandon, received an award from Mississippi College School of Law during its annual Law Day ceremony. Liles was the recipient of the Frisby Griffing
sociation’s Appellate Practice Section.
Marble Scholarship, presented to second-year
of the class who show potential for outstanding
Jamie Dickson, B.A. 2001, of Jackson, an English/creative writing teacher and chair of the English Department at Germantown High School in Madison, was voted by his fellow teachers as Teacher of the Year at Germantown High. He was then nominated for and named one of 12 Metro Teachers of the Year by the
or third-year law students in the top one-third service to the legal profession.
Chelsea L. Chicosky, B.A. 2006, of Flowood, received two awards from Mississippi College School of Law during its annual Law Day ceremony. Chicosky was the recipient of
Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership.
the Mississippi Association for Justice Roy
Melinda Bott Friedhoff, B.A. 2001, of
student who best exemplifies the attributes of
Noble Lee Award, presented to a second-year
State College, Pennsylvania, and her husband,
a successful trial lawyer, and the Dean Patricia
Ken Friedhoff, announce the arrival of their
Evans Scholarship, awarded to a student who
daughter, Helena Lillie Friedhoff, on Nov. 27,
embodies the attributes of an ethical attorney
2013.
with a special emphasis on community service.
Russell Turley, B.B.A. 2007, of Jackson, vice president at Community Bank of Mississippi, has been named to the Mississippi Business
Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40,” recognizing
Sital Sanjanwala, B.B.A. 2010 and M.B.A. 2011
Sital Sanjanwala , B.B.A. 2010 and M.B.A. 2011, of Jackson, has been named a Rising Star by Campaigns & Elections magazine, which recognizes the up-and-comers of the campaign world. She started her career as a project manager at Zata|3 Consulting and then joined Millsaps alumnus Brad Chism in his venture, Chism Strategies, and expanded her role as a consultant and project manager for clients such as Planned Parenthood, the Trust for Public Land, and the League of Conservation Voters.
Mississippi’s up-and-coming business leaders. At Community Bank, Turley is responsible for Helena Friedhoff, daughter of Melinda Bott Friedhoff, B.A. 2001
the growth and management of a $13 million portfolio consisting of consumer, small busi-
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
57
{CLASS NOTES}
petition. The competition is held in Jackson every four years. The 2014 competition, June 14-29, drew competitors from 20 nations.
Nile Patterson, B.A. 2011, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, received the Roland Pellegrin Sociology Outstanding Graduate Student Award at Louisiana State University. He is a graduate assistant at LSU and is pursuing a doctorate in sociology. Patterson and two colleagues from LSU are scheduled to present “Black Ethnicity and Rethinking Assimilation Theories: A Multilevel Analysis of Housing Values Among and Between Whites and Native- and ForeignBorn Blacks in the U.S” at the XVII ISA World Congress of Sociology July 13-19 in Yokohama, Andrew A. Hatten, B.B.A. 2011 and M.B.A. 2012
Andrew A. Hatten, B.B.A. 2011 and M.B.A. 2012, of Hattiesburg, received an award
Marlaina Berch, B.S. 2012; Laura Cost, B.A. 2011; Laura McCann, B.A. 2013; Emily Mote, B.A. 2013; and Christie Campbell Stroud, B.S. 2013. Dr. James Bowley, professor of religious studies at Millsaps, and Chris Walters, B.A. 2004, were readers. Austin Deskewies, B.S. 2013, and Cheryl Cole, currently a Millsaps junior, served as acolytes. The Rev. Warren C. Black , B.A. 1971, officiated.
Dora Lambert, B.A. 2013, of Starkville, a graduate student at Mississippi State
the recipient of the Mississippi Corporate
University, has been selected as a National
Counsel Association Endowed Scholarship
Science Foundation fellow for the coming
in Law Award, presented to a second-year law
year. She will work with the Initiating New
student who shows interest in corporate and
Science Partnerships in Rural Education
business law.
(INSPIRE) project between Mississippi State University and three rural school districts in north-central Mississippi.
Friends of the U.S.A. International Ballet Com-
Stay Connected to Millsaps. We want you to stay abreast of all of our news. To update your address and other information, go to www.mbench.org.
58
www.millsaps.edu
were married at Oxford-University United Methodist Church in Oxford, Mississippi, on
its annual Law Day ceremony. Hatten was
volunteered as communications chair for the
Chelsey Overstreet, B.A. 2013, and Christopher Hedglin, B.A. 2002,
Japan.
from Mississippi College School of Law during
Liz Lancaster, B.A. 2011, of Jackson,
Christopher Hedglin, B.A. 2002 and Chelsey Overstreet, B.A. 2013
June 15, 2013. The wedding party included
Chelsey, who worked as a 1 Campus 1 Community fellow at Millsaps, will attend Vanderbilt University Divinity School in the fall.
{IN MEMORIAM}
{IN MEMORIAM} Christine Smith Dickson, B.A. 1933, of
in English from Fordham University in New
University of Cologne in Germany and later an
Mount Olive, died Tuesday, July 8, 2014. She
York. After serving in the U.S. Army during the
International Fellow at the Columbia Univer-
was a resident of Mount Olive for 60 years. She
Korean War, he returned to the United States
sity School of International Affairs. Williams
lived to be 102 years old.
to resume a teaching career. He taught at the
earned a master’s of divinity from Union
University of South Alabama from 1967-1990,
Theological Seminary in New York City and
where he was named professor emeritus. He
served as assistant pastor of First Presbyterian
published five books.
Church of Levittown, New York, for two years.
Carl Henry Privette, 1933, of Alexandria, Louisiana and formerly Jackson, died Feb. 19, 2014. She was a college teacher and director
He then returned to graduate school at the Uni-
of the pre-school at Broadmeadow United
Sarah Gray Bernhard Pittman, 1955,
versity of Maryland, obtaining an M.S. and a
Methodist Church, which was named the
of Wills Point, Texas, died Oct. 23, 2013. She
Ph.D. in clinical psychology. He then served as
Privette School in her honor.
was a stewardess with American Airlines. She
a clinical psychologist for the National Security
was a member of the Blytheville, Arkansas,
Agency.
Jean Roberts Jeffreys, 1938, of Jackson,
Junior Auxiliary for several years, as well as a
died Dec. 23, 2013. She taught pre-schoolers
substitute teacher at the junior high and high
The Rev. David Wilson Carlisle,
for more than 30 years at St. James Episcopal
schools.
1960, of DeKalb, Illinois, died Dec. 29, 2013.
Church and Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Jane Clark Wilson, B.A.1942, of
He graduated from Lambuth College and
Richard “Dick” Fleming , B.S. 1956,
Vanderbilt University Divinity School and
of Meridian, died Nov. 11, 2013. He earned
later received a master’s degree from Dubuque
Birmingham, Alabama, died June 22, 2014. She
his medical degree from the University of
Theological Seminary. He served several
served as a dedicated Marine Corps wife to her
Mississippi School of Medicine. After induction
parishes in Tennessee while in seminary
husband, Louis Hugh Wilson, for his entire
into the U.S. Army Medical Corps, he served his
and then moved to Illinois, where he served
military career. As the First Lady of the Marine
tour of duty in Vietnam and was discharged as
numerous parishes and as district superin-
Corps from 1975-1979 when General Wilson
a captain. Returning to Meridian, he joined the
tendent of the DeKalb District of the United
was commandant, she was the hostess for
medical practice of Dr. Med Scott Brown, one
Methodist Church.
functions at the Home of the Commandants
of his early mentors.
in Washington, D.C., for dignitaries including
David Allen Lawrence, B.A. 1960, of
presidents, first ladies, and foreign military and
Ted J. Alexander, B.A. 1958, of
political leaders.
Hattiesburg, died July 2, 2014. He was one
graduated from Emory University School of
of Mississippi’s longtime leading educators,
Theology in 1963. He was a United Methodist
Virginia Carmichael Shackelford,
Ethelsville, Alabama, died Jan. 10, 2014. He
business development leaders, and philanthro-
minister for 50 years and served churches in the
1944, of Jackson, died Jan. 10, 2014. She
pists. At the time of his death, Alexander
Holston Conference of East Tennessee.
graduated from Texas Christian University
was serving as the first president and chief
in 1945. As a longtime member of Northmin-
executive officer of the Lower Pearl River Valley
H. Lee Pittman Jr., 1960, of Long Prairie,
ster Baptist Church, she helped with Meals
Foundation, based in Picayune. He completed
Minnesota, died Nov. 6, 2013. He was a pianist,
on Wheels, Stewpot Food Pantry, the Adopt-
a 14-year tenure as president of Pearl River
singer, director, choreographer, designer, pro-
a-School program and was a Sunday school
Community College before assuming the
ducer, teacher, and mentor. He was co-founder
teacher. She was a member of the Junior
foundation appointment in 2000. He received
of The Prairie Players in Long Prairie and
League of Jackson, the Jackson Symphony
his master’s degree from Mississippi College
artistic director for 13 years.
League, and the Mississippi Museum of Art.
and his doctorate in educational administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Bessie Ruth Shanks Hnath, B.A. 1948,
Jane A. Stanford, 1961, of Grenada, died June 15, 2014.
of Williamsville, New York, died June 27, 2014.
Sarah Anne Bayliss “Sadie” Ervin,
She earned a master’s degree in social work
1959, of Montgomery, Texas, died April 26,
from the University of Wisconsin. She was a
2013. She received her bachelor of arts from the
The Rev. James Ronald “Ron” Williams, 1961, of Aberdeen, died May 21,
social worker for 40 years at both Buffalo State
University of Mississippi. She taught English in
2014. He graduated from Mississippi State
Hospital and Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
Chile, worked as a court reporter in Louisiana
University and attended Emory University.
and was a realtor and broker in Houston.
For 41 years he was a minister in the North
Seaborn Lowrey “Larry” Varnado III, B.A. 1951, of Mobile, Alabama, died May
The Rev. Dr. Jon Edward Williams,
8, 2014. He earned an M.A. in English from
B.A.1959, of Annapolis, Maryland, died Jan.
Tulane University in New Orleans and a Ph.D.
1, 2014. He was a Fulbright Scholar at the
Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Millsaps Magazine | Summer 2014
59
{IN MEMORIAM}
Devada Wetmore, B.A. 1962, of Green-
Michael Tait Hendrix , B.B.A. 2009, of
wood, died Feb 13, 2014. She was an English
Madison died June 4, 2014. While at Millsaps,
of the Southeastern College of Bishops and as
and Latin teacher.
he was named First Team All-Conference as
president of the worldwide Council of Bishops.
a pitcher and outfielder and was one of a few
After his retirement, he and his wife, Martha,
Matthew J. Lautar, 1963, of Cordova,
pitchers at Millsaps to reach the 200 strikeout
returned to Birmingham, where he served as
Tennessee, died June 2, 2014. He established
milestone. He coached a year at Jackson Prep,
bishop-in-residence and a faculty member at
Omni Packaging Corporation in 1979 and was
returned to school for prerequisite coursework
his alma mater, Birmingham-Southern College.
its president until his death.
and was to begin dental school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in August 2014.
Stuart Liles, 1963, of Tybee Island, Georgia, died March 5, 2014. When he lived in Jackson, he played bass, sang in musical revues, and was a member of the St Andrew’s Episcopal
Bishops
of Global Ministries. He served as president
Trustee The Rev. Henry C. Clay Jr., of Jackson, a former Millsaps College trustee, died Nov. 22,
Retired United Methodist Bishop Roy Clyde Clark , B.A. 1941, of Nashville,
2013. He earned a B.A. from Rust College and
died May 27, 2014. He was known for nurturing
Seminary in Atlanta. He was admitted into
Church Choir.
United Methodist ministry globally and vital
the Mississippi Annual Conference as a
congregations locally. He was a graduate of Yale
probationary member, ordained deacon in
William Cato Mayfield Jr., of Jackson,
University Divinity School. He was ordained an
1954, admitted in full connection, and became
elder in Mississippi, where he eventually served
an ordained elder 1956. Rust College honored
five pastorates between 1944 and 1963. Clark
him with a doctor of divinity degree in 1969.
was bishop of the Columbia (South Carolina)
Clay’s years of service to the ministry spanned
Area, which encompasses the South Carolina
more than 44 years, and he served appoint-
Annual (regional) Conference, from 1980 to
ments in the Mississippi Conference of the
his retirement in 1988. As an active bishop, he
United Methodist Church beginning in 1956. He
was a director of the denomination’s mission
served on numerous boards and agencies of the
in Jackson for more than 30 years.
agency, the United Methodist Board of Global
Conference, jurisdictional and general church
Ministries. For four years, he also was the
levels. He represented the United Methodist
Susan Duquette Mayfield, B.A. 1968,
president of the United Methodist Committee
Church at several World Methodist Conferenc-
on Relief, which as part of the mission agency
es. He was one of the founding members of the
coordinates the denomination’s humanitarian
Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference
relief and disaster response. In retirement, he
and served as the chairman for two terms.
Cathedral Choir and the Chamber Society. In Savannah, Georgia, he sang with Christ Church Episcopal Choir and All Saints Episcopal
1966, died June 6, 2014. He graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and completed a residency in ophthalmology at the Eye Foundation Hospital in Birmingham. During the Vietnam War, he was in the U.S. Navy and served at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. He was an ophthalmologist
of Jackson, died April 30, 2014. She was a piano teacher, member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, former member of the Jackson Academy Board of Directors and the Band Boosters, and
a master’s degree from Gammon Theological
remained a leader of the Council of Bishops’
volunteer.
work in missions. He also led the Council of
Any submissions for In Memoriam received af-
Bishops’ initiative Vital Congregations—Faith-
ter July 10, 2014, will appear in the next issue of
Elizabeth M. “Betsy” White, B.A. 1970,
ful Disciples, a predecessor to today’s efforts to
Millsaps Magazine.
of Pearl, died Jan. 11, 2014. She graduated magna cum laude from Millsaps while caring for her invalid mother-in-law and four teenagers. She earned her master’s degree in special education from Mississippi State University
foster congregational vitality.
Retired United Methodist Bishop Robert “Bob” C. Morgan, a Millsaps College trustee from 1986 until 1992, died
and taught school.
March 16, 2014. Morgan served in the late 1980s
Marion Edith Chase, B.A. 1976, of
Mississippi Area, in which role he oversaw the
Brandon, died June 20, 2014. For many years, she owned the Riverboat Shop in Deposit Guaranty Plaza in Jackson and provided part-time jobs for numerous Millsaps students working their way through school.
and early 1990s as the resident bishop of the merger of the North Mississippi and Mississippi Annual Conferences. In his long career in ministry Morgan served various appointments throughout the North Alabama Conference, was president of the General Board of Church and Society, and a member of the General Board of Discipleship and the General Board
60
www.millsaps.edu
Help transform the lives of students for decades. Contributing to a Millsaps Charitable Gift Annuity can be a wonderful way to achieve your financial and charitable life goals and also help Millsaps College. Rates of return on a Millsaps Charitable Gift Annuity are based on the American Council on Gift Annuities suggested rate schedule. The minimum contribution is $25,000. To receive a personalized analysis of the income tax benefits or for your rates, please call us at 601-974-1454 or email beth.autrey@millsaps.edu.
Single life rates of return Age
65
70
75
80
85
90
Rate
4.7% 5.1% 5.8% 6.8% 7.8% 9.0%
Two lives rate of return Age
64/66 74/76 80/80 86/86 90/90
Rate
4.2%
5.0% 5.7%
7.0%
8.2%
How a Millsaps gift annuity works. Vic Shaw, Class of 1962, funded a Millsaps Charitable Gift Annuity in 2011. “My gift will help support the mission of Millsaps College,” he said, “and I was able to designate how and where my gift will be used.” Vic is now 74. If he decided to fund a $50,000 charitable gift annuity in 2014, he would receive a 5.7 percent rate of return, providing him $2,850 annually for the rest of his life. Of that $2,850 payment, $2,128.95 may be tax free. He would have received a $22,121.50 charitable deduction at the time he made his gift.
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS 1701 NORTH STATE STREET JACKSON • MS • 39210-0001
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage P A I D Jackson, MS Permit No. 164