Ole Miss Alumni Review - Spring 2022 by Ole Miss Alumni Association

OLE MIS S ALUMNI RE VIE W

A L U M N I

R E V I E W

SPRING 2022

Mitchell’s House

VOL . 71 NO. 2

MOTHER GIVES HOME BASE TO FAMILIES AFFECTED BY TERMINAL PEDIATRIC ILLNESSES

Young alumna Gresham Meek designs her success

UM researchers send sonic experiment to space station

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Contents

VOL. 71 NO. 2 | SPRING 2022 A L U M N I

R E V I E W

Departments 2 4 6 22 38

Rifle places fourth in NCAA Championships

44 | Just Published 46 | Rebel Traveler 50 | Alumni News

Features

24 | Mitchell’s House

2022 Alumni Association board members

Mother gives home base to families affected by terminal pediatric illnesses

OMAA announces inaugural 40 Under 40 recipients

By Brian Hudgins

Strong return for BAR 22 Alumna fulfills lifelong dream of being on ‘Jeopardy’

30 | Curating a Lifestyle Young alumna Gresham Meek designs her success

Alumnus discovers family history preserved at Ole Miss

By Annie Rhoades

34 | Out of This World Experiment UM researchers send sonic experiment to space station By Mitchell Diggs

ON THE COVER

Meg McElwain (BA 01) started the Mitchell Turner Pediatric Fund and Mitchell’s House, a nonprofit counseling center for families dealing with terminal pediatric illnesses, in honor of her son, who died from acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2014. | Illustration by Mitchell Bays Turner

Ole Miss Alumni Review PUBLISHER Kirk Purdom (BA 93) EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jim Urbanek II (BA 97) jim@olemissalumni.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR AND ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Annie Rhoades (BBA 07, MBA 09) annie@olemissalumni.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Benita Whitehorn ART DIRECTOR Amy Howell CONTRIBUTORS Kevin Bain (BA 98), Karen Bascom, Thom Baur, Jason Bouldin, Rebecca Lauck Cleary (BA 97, MA 18), Stella Connell, Daniel Coston, Mitchell Diggs (BSJ 82), Joe Ellis, Jay Ferchaud, Hannah Gibson, Thomas Graning (BAJ 17), Rick Hovis, Brian Hudgins, Greg Johnson, Robert Jordan (BA 83, MA 90), Logan Kirkland (BAJ 16), Joshua McCoy, Michael Newsom (BA 05), Susan Nicholas (BA 14), Edwin B. Smith (BA 80, MA 93), Christina Steube (BAJ 11, MA 16, MA 18), Whitney Tarpy (BA 09), Lou Tyson OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Dr. Bob Warner (BA 79, MD 83) president Bill Reed (BA 72, JD 77) president-elect Karen Moore (BS 82) vice president Johnny Maloney (BBA 78) athletics committee member Bruce Ware (BBA 99) athletics committee member ALUMNI AFFAIRS DIRECTORS Kirk Purdom (BA 93), chief executive officer Joseph Baumbaugh, assistant director for information services Sunny Brown (BSFCS 09, MA 11), assistant director Clay Cavett (BBA 86), associate director, campaigns and special projects Michelle Coughlin (BAccy 93, MAccy 94), chief financial officer Junae Johnson (BBA 15), assistant director Steve Mullen (BA 92), assistant director for marketing Annie Rhoades (BBA 07, MBA 09), assistant director for communications Scott Thompson (BA 97, MA 08), associate director, engagement Jim Urbanek (BA 97), associate director, communications and marketing

from the Chancellor Dear Alumni and Friends, Each season at Ole Miss highlights the many wonderful attributes of our splendid campus. With spring upon us, the campus is buzzing, our celebrated landscape is in full bloom, and our students are brimming with enthusiasm. Their energy drove the record levels of student participation in the 10th annual RebelTHON, a 12-hour danceathon benefiting Children’s of Mississippi, and the Ole Miss Big Event, our universitywide day of service benefiting the Lafayette-Oxford-University community. We’ve seen huge jumps in student event registrations this spring as our students have emerged from the pandemic determined to put their stamp on the vibrant atmosphere of the Ole Miss community. I’m thrilled to share that several of our online programs rank among the best by U.S. News & World Report. The Ole Miss online Master of Business Administration tied for No. 9 among public universities. I’m a product of the Ole Miss School of Education, so I’m proud to share that our School of Education has two top-ranked online programs — the educational leadership program tied for 13th and the online master’s program ranked 33rd among public schools nationally. I’m also pleased to share that the university extended the contract of Keith Carter as vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics. Since taking the reins of Ole Miss athletics in 2019, Keith has demonstrated exemplary leadership and instilled a culture of excellence in our athletics program. His strong record of success, focus on enhancing the student-athlete experience, and excellent management skills have led Ole Miss athletics into a new era of success as seen in how many of our programs are winning at every level. Some highlights of his tenure include Ole Miss women’s golf capturing the university’s first women’s national title, a record-breaking 10-win season in football, historic postseason berths for every varsity program and the launch of a landmark capital campaign. And, the Ole Miss cheer team — for the second time in the last five years — returned to Oxford from the Universal Cheerleaders/Dance Association College Nationals as national champions! As we look ahead, I hope you’ll stay tuned for the university’s plans to honor our distinguished alumnus James Meredith and the 60th anniversary of the integration of the University of Mississippi. We’ve been hard at work on plans to mark this pivotal milestone for our campus with a series of great events, commemorations and other activities for the week of Sept. 26, culminating with the anniversary of integration on Saturday, Oct. 1, which is also our Homecoming game against Kentucky. Finally, I know you’ll beam with pride that we have three finalists for the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship (for students who are pursuing careers in government or public service), and three more students who won the coveted Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (one of the oldest national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics). Our students are truly spectacular, and they are upholding a long legacy of Ole Miss students competing at the national level for elite scholarships. Hotty Toddy!

Rusty Woods (BBA 01), associate director for information services The Ole Miss Alumni Review (USPS 561-870) is published quarterly by the Ole Miss Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Affairs. Alumni Association offices are located at Triplett Alumni Center, 651 Grove Loop, University, MS 38677. Telephone 662-915-7375. 61690

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Glenn F. Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96) Chancellor

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As spring arrives, the warmth and vibrance of the University of Mississippi are evident across all of our campuses. The flowers are in bloom, excitement is contagious, and the enthusiasm is unsurpassed for all things Ole Miss! Our university “aspires to be a preeminent public international research university and a leading force for innovation and opportunity in Mississippi, the United States and the world.” This vision is realized and bodes well for our future as a relevant contributor to higher education in America. Ole Miss continues to accumulate success stories, made possible by students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni and friends. We recently celebrated three Goldwater Scholars: Ethan Lambert, Matt Knerr and Ally Watrous, all from the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. The UM MBA program is ranked in the top 50 programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report. The schools of Law and Pharmacy recognized outstanding alumni at their Hall of Fame banquets. The 2022 edition of Rebel Road Trip is ongoing and continues to draw record crowds throughout the country. The Now & Ever campaign is hallmarked by growing involvement and unsurpassed generosity. Baseball is in full swing with a national ranking. The Ole Miss community is surrounded by the best college town in America, Oxford. As highlighted in this issue, the inaugural class of 40 Under 40 outstanding alumni was recently honored. Five months ago, my journey as your Alumni Association president began, and it has been a privilege to work with so many wonderful people. “It has been eye-opening to see the Alumni Association staff’s efforts that, led by CEO Kirk Purdom, support alumni chapters at every school on campus and alumni clubs in over 40 cities. The staff members also host numerous other alumni activities throughout the year, manage The Inn at Ole Miss, McCormick’s, and all alumni banquets and events. They support our officers, executive committee and board of directors in many tasks, including exciting plans for a new 40,000-squarefoot alumni center, facility improvements at The Inn and McCormick’s, membership growth and the Now & Ever campaign. The 26 members of the Alumni Association staff are always in the background providing the fabric that allows us all to be a bigger part of our cherished alma mater. I first came to Ole Miss at the age of 2, as my dad returned to complete his engineering degree after military service. Over the last five decades, we have seen firsthand the positive accomplishments at our university. Over these years, I have come to understand the special words written by Frank Everett (BA 32, LLB 34), “The University gives a diploma and regretfully terminates tenure, but one never graduates from Ole Miss.” On behalf of the past presidents, alumni officers, executive committee and the board of directors, I thank the Alumni Association staff members for all they do, which they do with confidence and pride, quietly and without fanfare. You allow us all to continue to be Ole Miss Rebels. And to never graduate from Ole Miss. Hotty Toddy,

Bob Warner (BA 79, MD 83) President Ole Miss Alumni Association

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from the Circle

THE L ATEST ON OLE MISS STUDENTS, FACULT Y, STAFF AND FRIENDS

Cannabis Center NEW UM CENTER ADVANCES MEDICAL CANNABIS SCIENCE, EDUCATION

he University of Mississippi is home to a new center that will prioritize resources toward patient and public safety on the medicinal use of cannabis. The National Center for Cannabis Research and Education will foster and conduct scientific research, data analysis, education and training on the health effects of cannabis. NCCRE researchers and leaders will aid in policymaking and outreach as state programs emerge. Based within the School of Pharmacy, the new center’s foundation will build on the school’s long-standing history of cannabis research. “There is no doubt that cannabis can provide treatments for serious diseases, and there is a solid research foundation for further exploration,” says Larry Walker, interim director of the NCCRE, who served 16 years as director of the National Center for Natural Products Research. “The potency of the plant, the sophistication of preparation and delivery, the ready availability of these products and the declining perceptions of risks mean that many seeking its health benefits could experience various adverse effects. “The goal of the NCCRE is that health professionals and patients have the products and information that will allow them to tap the hope for new treatments from cannabis, while understanding and minimizing harmful effects.” The center was approved on Jan. 20 by the board of trustees

of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. The center’s initiatives emphasize research, advising and education in medical cannabis as well as cannabis-related drug development. Along with working toward the creation of new drugs and formulations, the NCCRE will perform data collection and analysis while engaging in training and education with medical professionals, industry and government officials. “The creation of this outstanding center draws and builds upon the University of Mississippi’s internationally renowned research expertise in cannabis,” says Chancellor Glenn Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96). “With our decades-long scientific leadership in this field, we’re equipped to be a leading resource in this area, and we’re ready to play an invaluable role in ensuring the future of cannabis is safe, productive and effective.” Decades of experience in both cannabis research and health education have the NCCRE uniquely positioned to advance the science of medical cannabis. It will build on the school’s expertise in cannabis, medication outcomes, drug regulatory science and policy, as well as pharmacy and interprofessional education. The NCCRE joins the pharmacy school’s four established centers in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences: NCNPR, Pii Center for Pharmaceutical Technology, Center for Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management, and Center for Clinical and Translational Science.

Cannabis plants grow in an indoor facility operated by the School of Pharmacy. | Photo by Robert Jordan

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from the Circle

Top Scholars THREE UM STUDENTS NAMED TRUMAN FINALISTS

hree University of Mississippi juniors who have worked to improve access to education and to raise awareness about mental health issues have been named finalists

for the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship. National finalists for the honor were announced Feb. 18. Jilkiah Bryant, a junior public health and health sciences

Three UM juniors, Jilkiah Bryant (left), Alex Bush and Andy Flores, are national finalists for a Truman Scholarship. Passionate about mental health issues and access to education, the students competed in March against other Truman finalists for as much as $30,000 in scholarships each. | Photo by Logan Kirkland

major from Macon; Andy Flores, a junior public policy leadership and philosophy major from Ocean Springs; and Alex Bush, a junior psychology major from Denver, are among them. All three are members of the university’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. They’re vying for up to $30,000 in scholarships each. Vivian Ibrahim, director of the UM Office of National Scholarship Advisement, has been working with the students on their applications. She is extremely proud of them. “The students are exceptional this year,” Ibrahim says. “Mississippi has such brain drain with our young talent leaving the state. “What we have here are young trailblazers who really want to give back to their communities and really want to improve things in the long-term. They are not just looking at right now.” The two Mississippi students were scheduled to participate in regional competitions March 18 in Nashville, and Bush on March 11 in Denver. No matter what happens there, the students are difference-makers, Ibrahim says. “These are young people who are going to clearly change what our state looks like and what Colorado looks like,” Ibrahim says. “They really have already made such inroads. “At t h e a g e o f 4 0 , I h a v e n o t done what they have done. They are amazing.” The scholarship, which memorializes the nation’s 33rd president, awards merit-based scholarships to college students who plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service. Truman Scholars receive funds for graduate or professional school, participate in leadership development activities and have special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government. The 2022 Truman Scholars will be announced by April 15, 2022. S PR I NG 2022

from the Circle

18 and Growing SPEAKER’S EDGE COMPETITION HELPS DEVELOP CAREER-RELEVANT SKILLS

ake vaccine cards, inappropriate behavior on Zoom, underreporting billable hours to improve bonuses, equal opportunities in the workplace, fitness apps, cruelty-free skin products and ways to be a better employer were among the topics addressed at the 18th annual UM Speaker’s Edge competition. More than 109 graduate students in business, accountancy and law tackled issues ranging from disclosing co-workers’ exposure to the virus to employees being encouraged to work in the office for preference in performance reviews and promotion consideration, all during a global pandemic. They were joined by 111 judges and 22 coaches for this year’s speaking competition. Held Jan. 13-14, the event is a partnership between the university’s School of Business Administration, Patterson School of Accountancy, Trent Lott Leadership Institute, Department of Writing and Rhetoric and the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education. After two days of competition, Elizabeth Tettleton Mason (BS 14), an MBA candidate from Oxford, was declared the overall winner and was awarded a check for $1,000. “The Speaker’s Edge program is one of the most unique aspects of the Ole Miss MBA program,” Mason says. “I am honored to be named the overall champion this year and want to thank Katherine Anderson for her generous gift as my award.” “We are excited and pleased with the 18th annual Speaker’s Edge competition,” says Ken Cyree, dean of the School of Business Administration. “I am grateful for the dedication of our staff and the commitment of our judges who made the competition a success and provided a unique learning opportunity through creating a competitive environment to test the mettle of our students.” In the Ethical Dilemmas category, Aldyn Ewing (BAccy 21), a master’s student in accountancy from Corpus Christi, Texas, took first place, followed by Mason. In third place was Anna Michele Borgen (BS 21), an MBA candidate from Heath, Texas. In the Marketplace Pitch category, Caitlin Marie Moak (BBA 21), an MBA candidate from Canton, Georgia, took first place. She was followed by Mason and Borgen. The competition provides an exceptional vehicle for students to enhance their verbal communication skills, says Mark Wilder, UM accountancy dean. “Thank you to Dr. Ellie Moore (EdD 19) and the faculty, coaches, judges, staff and sponsors for a highly successful Speaker’s Edge 2022,” Wilder says. “This was Dr. Moore’s first year to lead the event, and we received excellent feedback from students about the course and competition. “It was an outstanding learning experience once again for students, and we are proud of all who participated.” In the Team Pitch category, participating students 8

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Elizabeth Tettleton Mason (left) accepts a check as the overall winner of the 2022 Speaker’s Edge competition. The check is presented by Billy Gottshall, executive director of the UM Trent Lott Leadership Institute. | Photo by Logan Kirkland

randomly selected companies and applied the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, or SWOT, analysis to evaluate them. The goal was to determine and address points of vulnerability or opportunity and how best to present a solution or highlight a strength. The winning pitch was from Team Olay, which involved the marketing of a new cruelty-free skin product line targeted to people in their 20s and 30s and using social media influencers to promote it. Members of the winning team were all master’s students from the School of Accountancy. They are Walker Cottrell (BAccy 21), from Columbus, Georgia; Logan Gage (BAccy 21), of Ridgeland; J.R. Kellen (BAccy 21), from Lexington, Kentucky; Kelly Moran, from Martinez, California; and Trey Sankey (BAccy 21), of Tallahassee, Florida. The competition was launched in 2004 by Ole Miss alumni. It brings together industry professionals, retirees, working alumni and students, requiring students to adapt their message to different audiences. “The 2022 Speaker’s Edge competition was a great success,” says Moore, the competition’s coordinator. “A special thank you goes to my predecessor, JoAnn Edwards (MA 83), for laying the foundation for this great competition.”

from the Circle

Blues on Display DONOGHUE COLLECTION BRINGS MUSIC LEGENDS TO LIFE

onny Boy Williamson soap and incense, test pressings of Memphis Slim and Buddy Holly records, and a signed contract by B.B. King are only a few of the many items recently donated by the family of William “Bill” Donoghue to the J.D. Williams Library at the University of Mississippi. A man of many interests, Donoghue, who died in January 2017, was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, but settled in Seattle. He was a respected author and investment expert best known for his book and newsletter tracking the growth of money market mutual funds, who in 1980 wrote William E. Donoghue’s Complete Money Market Guide (Harper & Row), which reached No. 3 on The New York Times bestseller list. He followed that successful first guide with a series of similar books. But Donoghue’s other passion was Alex Miller, better known as Sonny Boy Williamson II, an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter. Williamson first recorded with Elmore James on “Dust My Broom,” and some of his popular songs include “Don’t Start Me Talkin’,” “Checkin’ Up on My Baby” and “Help Me,” which became a standard recorded by many blues and rock artists. He toured Europe with the American Folk Blues Festival and recorded with English rockers including the Yardbirds and the Animals. Donoghue’s brother Ned said he was a great enthusiast for Williamson, as well as anything jazz or blues related that drew his attention. “He swallowed mountains of data,” Ned Donoghue says of his brother, a longtime jazz and blues aficionado with an

encyclopedic knowledge of the genres who became a leading authority on Williamson. Bill Donoghue also maintained a website devoted to the musician, plus a large collection of memorabilia. After conducting and recording interviews with more than 200 of Williamson’s friends and colleagues, Donoghue started writing a biography about the singer-songwriter titled Hiding in the Spotlight: The Untold Story of Sonny Boy Williamson II. “His mysterious life is the stuff of legend and in my opinion, he was arguably the most colorful and overlooked character in American blues folklore,” Donoghue writes in the introduction. After his brother’s death, Ned Donoghue wanted to find the proper place for Bill’s incredible amount of memorabilia, so he called the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and spoke with Katie McKee, the center’s director and an Ole Miss professor of English and Southern studies. “I was moved and touched by one brother’s concern for another’s collection, so I put Ned in touch with Greg Johnson at the Blues Archive,” McKee says. “I believe it is here that the collection can be most accessible to the broadest range of scholars and be well taken care of by Greg.” When the enormous collection arrived via truck from Seattle, Johnson says he was blown away. “This is a huge collection with an awful lot of research and display potential,” he says. “There is great value to researchers and so many beautiful posters, photos and fliers. We can’t wait to put up the physical collection.”

The ‘Bring It On Home’ exhibit at the J.D. Williams Library includes a sampling of the vast collection of memorabilia donated to the university by the estate of Bill Donoghue. The exhibit is on display in the Department of Archives and Special Collections through early December. | Photo by Greg Johnson

S PR I NG 2022

from the Circle

UM students participate in the 2022 RebelTHON dance marathon fundraiser at the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union. | Photo by Kevin Bain

10-Year Best REBELTHON 2022 SETS RECORD

he 2022 edition of the annual RebelTHON fundraiser set a new record for participants on Feb. 26. The University of Mississippi’s 10th annual, student-driven dance marathon raised $227,148 for Children’s of Mississippi, the Children’s Miracle Network hospital at the UM Medical Center. Some 1,321 students registered for the Saturday event, which ran from noon to midnight in the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union. “The students registered set a record for the organization,” says Harrison Grimes, a senior mathematics and economics major from Madison and RebelTHON president. “We ended up having a record 708 of our participants raise at least $100.” Grimes says the record in donations is especially rewarding considering a fundraising goal was not set for this year. “Each year, our hope is just that we will be able to make a positive impact on the children’s hospital through our fundraising efforts,” he says. Chancellor Glenn Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96) says he was

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inspired to see so many students enthusiastic about participating in RebelTHON. “This event truly embodies the character and spirit of Ole Miss and how we value the health and well-being of Mississippians,” Boyce says. “Our students are making a real difference in the lifesaving and life-changing work of Children’s of Mississippi at our University of Mississippi Medical Center.” RebelTHON continues to make a difference all year long, says William Takewell, associate director of student leadership and engagement. “Each year, our executive officers, board of directors and committee members put together an exciting event to engage student participants as well as to showcase what RebelTHON does to promote Children’s of Mississippi’s lifesaving work,” Takewell says. “We hope that the success of this year’s event will motivate even more students on our campus to get involved in the university’s philanthropy of RebelTHON.”

from the Circle

Focused on a Healthy Heart UM RESEARCHER EXAMINES MOLECULAR CAUSES BEHIND HEART DISEASE

ikki Reinemann (BS 13, BSChE 13), assistant profes- American Heart Association estimates that one in every 500 sor of biomedical engineering at the University of Mis- people has HCM, but a large percentage of those are undiagnosed. This condition can cause shortness of breath, chest pain sissippi, is using a three-year grant from the American Heart Association to delve into the underlying causes of and even death in young adults. This is a personal challenge for Reinemann, as her heart disease. father, George Reinemann, died of a heart attack Reinemann hopes that her work may help in his 50s. physicians find ways to prevent and treat “I knew that I wanted to combine my heart disease, the nation’s No. 1 cause of love of engineering and research to better death, according to the U.S. Centers for understand how disease manifests at Disease Control and Prevention. Spethe molecular level, but this particular cifically, she is looking at the molecular event motivated me to pursue research bases of muscle contraction and how in the area of heart disease.” those proteins affect the heart. Her focus is on the role of myosins, “We understand how an individual motor proteins found in muscle cells, molecule works,” Reinemann says. “We in achieving muscle contraction. This understand how a muscle functions. should allow scientists to discern where What I’m trying to understand is how do errors can occur that cause heart disease. those individual molecules work together to She is using a sensitive instrument known as achieve that muscular function.” To pursue this work, Reinemann has received an Nikki Reinemann an optical trap or tweezers to examine the myosins. The instrument features a laser that is introduced Early Career Development Award from the American Heart Association. She will receive $231,000 over the three- into a microscope, and the laser beam becomes highly focused. The focused laser beam can then act like a pair of tweezers, year period to help fund the necessary materials, along with research assistance from two undergraduate students and a with the ability to catch or “trap” microscopic objects and move them around, sort of like a tractor beam in “Star Wars.” graduate student from UM engineering departments. UM is one of few institutions in the region to have this Reinemann is looking into the causes behind heart wall thickening, called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM. The specialized instrument.

ACTIVE MINDS RETURNS TO CURB CAMPUS SUICIDES

national traveling exhibit designed to help prevent campus suicides returned to the University of Mississippi in March. The “Send Silence Packing” display, containing more than 1,000 backpacks, was placed in the Grove all day on March 7. The backpacks, each with a story attached to it, represented the number of college students lost to suicide each year. The program is designed to raise awareness about the incidence and impact of suicide, connect students to needed mental health resources, and inspire action for suicide prevention. “The purpose of ‘Send Silence Packing’ is to give students a visualization of how pertinent suicide has been to our demographic, also known as college students,” says Ivonne Perez, of Eugene, Oregon, a senior integrated marketing and communications major and co-president for the event. “I also think a purpose for this exhibition is to share the stories of lost ones and appreciate their legacy, rather than dwindling them down to a statistic. “We hope that SSP starts some good conversations between students and that awareness builds for the situation.”

Hosted by the national Active Minds organization, “Send Silence Packing” annually visits 30-40 schools and communities. The all-day exhibit raises mental health awareness, inspires action for suicide prevention, connects viewers to mental health resources and jump-starts action. The Ole Miss chapter of Active Minds hosted the event for the first time in 2018. Trained professionals from the national Active Minds organization are on-site at every display. The chapter will also host Mental Health Awareness Week at a later date to promote conversations about the importance of mental health and well-being. Active Minds is a national organization, founded in 2003 by Alison Malmon, who was a junior at the University of Pennsylvania. She lost her brother to suicide and wanted to implement a way for college campuses to reduce the stigma of mental illness and encourage students who need help to seek it out. More than 400 college chapters of the organization have been created. Active Minds has been at Ole Miss for seven years.

S PR I NG 2022

from the Circle PHARMACY SCHOOL, MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE PARTNER ON ADMISSIONS PATHWAY

he University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy and Mississippi College have boosted their commitments to public health with an admissions partnership. With the preferred admission program, qualified Mississippi College students who express an interest in pharmacy may be admitted to the School of Pharmacy after the first semester of their freshman year. Students must show high achievement in pre-pharmacy coursework and be involved in service activities. MC students will then finish their pre-pharmacy coursework in Clinton before joining the pharmacy school in Oxford and continue working toward a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. “As a proud three-time graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, I am thankful to work with my alma mater to advance pharmacy education,” says Blake Thompson (BSPh 97, MS 01, PhD 02), president of Mississippi College. “This agreement brings excellent value to students in the pre-pharmacy program at Mississippi College. It ensures the courses they are taking at MC keep them on track with the admissions requirements for the School of Pharmacy.

“It also helps to confirm their calling to a world-class education in health services. I look forward to seeing a generation of MC-UM pharmacy graduates.” Students admitted via the preferred admission program will be on the School of Pharmacy’s standard graduation track and held to the pharmacy school’s academic and service expectations. MC becomes the sixth in-state institution to collaborate with the pharmacy school’s preferred admission program. Other participants are Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, Millsaps College, Mississippi State University and Tougaloo College. The newest partnership will continue to enhance pharmacy education in the state, says Donna Strum (BSPh 95, MS 97, PhD 99), the pharmacy school’s dean. “Adding these exceptional Mississippi College students will have a tremendous impact on our school as well as the pharmacy profession,” Strum says. “We are committed to strengthening public health in Mississippi, and with the preferred admission program, our schools provide those educational opportunities for future health care innovators.”

Alumna Leader DONNA STRUM SELECTED AS SCHOOL OF PHARMACY DEAN

“Dr. Strum is an accomplished and respected scholar with onna Strum (BSPh 95, MS 97, PhD 99), whose nationally respected career has spanned professional prac- a national reputation in pharmacy,” says Noel Wilkin, UM tice, academics and administration, has been named provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. the new dean of the School of Pharmacy and executive direc- “She has distinguished herself as a trusted and respected leader tor of the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the and administrator, and I am confident she will be able to help the nationally ranked School of Pharmacy achieve even University of Mississippi. greater success.” Strum served as interim dean and executive B efore her interim role, Str um was director since July 1, 2021. The Mississippi Instiappointed as the university’s associate tutions of Higher Learning trustees approved provost in 2017, where she oversaw a wide the official role change on Feb. 17. variety of faculty, student and admin“I am honored to lead one of the best istrative matters, including academic pharmacy schools and research enterbudget, student retention and human prises in the nation,” Strum says. “We resource issues. have a strong foundation of excellence After eight years on the faculty for on both our Oxford and Jackson camthe College of Pharmacy at the Univerpuses and throughout our vast network of alumni, preceptors and professional sity of Arkansas Medical Sciences, she community.” returned to Ole Miss in 2008 as chair and As dean, Strum will oversee the growing professor in the Department of Pharmacy educational opportunities for the undergradAdministration. uate, graduate and professional programs at the She was recognized with the 2015 Duncan Donna Strum nationally ranked pharmacy school. She will guide Neuhauser Award from the Academy for Healthcare the five research centers within RIPS, including the recently Improvement and the school’s 2016 Faculty Instructional added National Center for Cannabis Research and Education, Innovations Award for her role in creating and implementing and help facilitate industry partnerships and research funding, the teaching tool Educating Pharmacists in Quality, or EPIQ. as the school brought in more than $19.2 million in external The resource trains pharmacists and student pharmacists to measure and improve quality in pharmacy care. funding last year. 12

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from the Circle

Mutual Commitment PHARMACY SCHOOL PARTNERS WITH DŌTERRA ON ESSENTIAL OIL RESEARCH

ealth and wellness company dōTERRA and the Uni- on this important research,” Khan says. “The growth in versity of Mississippi National Center for Natural essential oils and the results of recent research substantiate Products Research, based within the UM School of the need for higher standards in the industry, so we appreciate Pharmacy, have agreed to a five-year research partnership that dōTERRA’s willingness to invest in the validation process, will focus on establishing quality standards for the putting quality and safety first.” essential oil industry. NCNPR is an internationally renowned As part of the partnership, NCNPR will research center and has been named a Federal study the chemometrics, pharmacokinetDrug Administration Center of Excellence ics, pharmacodynamics and metabolomfor its research of botanical dietary ics of essential oils. supplements and training of FDA man“Natural products are inconsistent ufacturing field inspectors since 2008. in potency due to normal variation that Earlier this year, scientists at NCNPR exists in nature, but that doesn’t give published a dōTERRA-backed study, “A our industry a pass on delivering to the novel approach for lavender essential oil marketplace pure, consistent and potent authentication and quality assessment,” products,” says Dr. Russell Osguthorpe, in the Journal of Pharmaceutical and chief medical officer of dōTERRA. “We Biomedical Analysis. The study presents need to pursue scientific understanding of new standards and methods to assess lavender essential oils so we can validate their impact on essential oil quality and detect adulteration. Ikhlas Khan health and wellness. Of the dozens of lavender samples analyzed in the “Over the past four years, the relationship study, two-thirds were found to be highly adulterated between NCNPR and dōTERRA has strengthened because of and of poor quality, meaning they were mislabeled, had fillers our mutual commitment to ensuring the safety, efficacy and and additives, and/or contained compounds that were of synquality of natural products. Together, we can help to create thetic origin. higher standards that will allow the world to see the true “NCNPR’s team of biochemists, chemists, pharmacists and benefits of dōTERRA essential oils.” other scientists are expertly qualified and equipped to develop The work aligns with the natural products center’s mission the scientific framework that will define what a quality essento research, develop and commercialize potentially useful tial oil looks like,” Osguthorpe says. “They have already done natural products, says Ikhlas Khan, NCNPR director. it with our lavender, so there really isn’t a better, more trusted “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with dōTERRA place in the world for this type of research to be conducted.” The National Center for Natural Products Research is renowned for its work in the research, development and commercialization of potentially useful natural products. | Photo by Robert Jordan

S PR I NG 2022

from the Circle

Advancing toward ‘Eagle’ UNIVERSITY HOSTS AREA SCOUTS FOR MERIT BADGE COLLEGE

he University of Mississippi regularly attracts students from around the country and even the world, but it was a different kind of college experience that drew students from across northeast Mississippi to the Ole Miss campus recently. About 65 youth members of Boy Scouts of America attended a daylong Merit Badge College, sponsored by the Chicksa District of the BSA Yocona Area Council. Scouts chose from among 10 different merit badges: Astronomy, Chess, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Coin Collecting, Digital Technology, Geology, Nuclear Science, Stamp Collecting and Welding. Scouts could sign up for two classes, one in the morning and the other in the

Ben Pharr (right), director of the Mississippi Center for Supercomputing Research and an assistant scoutmaster for BSA Troop 144 in Oxford, addresses Scouts from across northeast Mississippi at the recent Merit Badge College conducted recently at the University of Mississippi. | Photo by Jason Bouldin

Research and one of the event’s organizers. “There are too many resources in town and on campus not to do this,” says Pharr, also assistant scoutmaster of Troop 144 in Oxford. “It makes perfect sense.” The BSA merit badge pro g r am i nt ro du c e s Scouts to a wide range of knowledge and skills. More than 135 merit badges are available, including badges involving outdoor skills, sports and recreation, Charlie Smith (right) supervises William Bouldin as he gets hands-on crafts, business, trades, citizenship and STEM experience while earning a Welding merit badge at the UM Haley f i el ds . T he pro g r am Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence. | Photo by Jason Bouldin plays a major role in a afternoon. The university’s classrooms Scout’s advancement. and labs, as well as the instructional This year, attendees came from eight expertise among its faculty, graduate of the council’s troops, including three students and undergraduates, made female troops: Troop 43 in Oxford and hosting the college a natural fit for the troops 92 and 2627 from Tupelo. university, says Ben Pharr (BSCS 03, “The University of Mississippi is MSESc 07), director of the university’s proud to host the Merit Badge College Mississippi Center for Supercomputing for the Chicksa District,” says Noel 14

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Wilkin, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. “As an Eagle Scout myself, I am convinced of the value that earning merit badges affords. “As a leading educational institution, we recognize that learning on our campus demystifies college and reinforces the value of education. Additionally, Ole Miss offers scholarships for Eagle Scouts, and I hope that these participants will continue their progress within the Scouting program.” Scouts’ registration included lunch in the Rebel Market, and they were able to explore some of campus between sessions. “We are extremely grateful to the University of Mississippi for helping us host this Merit Badge College and for being a partner in the BSA’s mission to offer unique experiences, leadership opportunities and character development for our area youth,” says Joe Connole, the council’s senior district executive. BSA is a national volunteer organization that focuses on character development, outdoor education, public service, community engagement and leadership.

from the Circle ONLINE MBA PROGRAM RANKS AMONG TOP 10 IN NATION

he University of Mississippi’s online Master of Business Administration program has been named as one of the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings, released on Jan. 25, place Ole Miss in a three-way tie for No. 9 among public universities and No. 12 overall. UM is tied with the University of Maryland at College Park and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst for the No. 9 spot. “We are thrilled with this recognition of our online MBA program that indicates the outstanding education and value of the degree,” says Ken Cyree, dean of the School of Business Administration. “We have focused on the best online experience possible that mirrors our on-campus program, while allowing students to keep their jobs while earning their degree.” MBA programs have a greater enrollment than any other type

of graduate business degree program in the country, the U.S. News release noted. Prospective students often narrow their research exclusively to programs that award MBAs. To aid their efforts, the publication compiles annual rankings of distance education MBA programs. This year’s rankings include 361 schools nationally. “The rankings reflect a combination of excellent faculty credentials, high standards for student performance and outstanding technical support from our outreach division,” says Walter Davis, faculty director for the MBA programs. “This is truly a team effort.” For the 2022 edition, U.S. News ranked online MBA programs using five categories: student engagement, expert opinion, faculty credentials and training, student excellence, and student services and technologies.

Worth Reading WILLIE MORRIS AWARDS ANNOUNCES FICTION, POETRY WINNERS

debut fiction writer penning a ask readers to engage with the complex- Southern verse and encourages emergtale of redemption, loss and social ities of the American South. ing poets. For her winning poetry entry, change amid intersecting relaAs the fiction winner, Harris receives Weatherly receives $2,500. tionships in the Reconstruction $10,000. He holds a Master of Weatherly is a poet, writer and South and a poet rediscovFine Arts from the Michener professor of English at Georgia State Uniering Southern roots are Center at the University versity’s Perimeter College. Her work has the winners of this year’s of Texas. Harris was a appeared in Tulane Review, Plainsongs Willie Morris Awards National Book Foun- Magazine and Auburn Avenue. for Southern Writing, d a t i o n 5 Un d e r 3 5 “This poem grew out of a need to not housed at the Univerhonoree in 2021. only go back to my Southern roots, but sity of Mississippi. The Seattle resident it also spoke to where I was personally at The Willie Morris received national atten- the time,” she says. “Winning the Willie Award for Southern Fiction when Oprah Winfrey Morris Award affirms to me that writing tion went to Nathan Harris selected his debut novel for in your truth is what this art form is for The Sweetness of Water her book club, propelling it to all about. I am incredibly grateful for Nathan Harris (Little, Brown and Co., 2021). New York Times’ bestsellthis artistic space to share my Monica Weatherly won the ing status. writing.” Willie Morris Award for Southern Poetry “I’m so humbled to As the youngest-ever for her poem “If I Had My Grandmama’s be the recipient of the editor-in-chief at HarpPraise.” Willie Morris Award er’s magazine in New The winners were celebrated as part for Southern Fiction,” York, Morris inspired of the Oxford Conference for the Book Harris says. “Allow me great writers and on March 31-April 1. to express my deepest helped shape careers. “Nathan Harris has written a pro- g r a t i t u d e f o r t h e As writer-in-residence found novel,” says Stephen Monroe (MA judges, the University of at UM, Morris mentored 03, PhD 07), chair of the UM Depart- Mississippi and the spirit s tu d e nt s an d a s pi r i ng ment of Writing and Rhetoric. “We hope and legacy of Mr. Morris writers, stimulating both the Willie Morris Award leads more himself. This is an honor I will Monica Weatherly t h e i r c re at iv it y an d t h e i r people to read his beautiful debut.” be reflecting on for some time.” passion for the written word. A national panel of judges reviewed The Willie Morris Award for South- The Willie Morris Awards continues nominated novels looking for works that ern Poetry celebrates the diversity of that legacy. S PR I NG 2022

from the Circle

First Chair DANIELL MATTERN NAMED INAUGURAL STEFANI-MILLER CHAIR

aniell Mattern, professor of chemistry and biochemistry says. “I always admired his passion for teaching chemistry. “I didn’t know Eldon Miller, although I did often see him at the University of Mississippi, has been named to a new endowed chair established to bolster teaching and research around Oxford. He was also highly regarded as a teacher.” Mattern is a great choice for the position, says Greg Tschumper, in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry. With a gift of $1.5 million, Dr. Rhett Atkinson “I cannot think of a more deserving candi(BS 70, MS 72, MD 79) and his wife, Elaine, date for the inaugural appointment to the established the Doctors Andrew Stefani and Stefani-Miller Chair because Dr. Mattern’s Eldon Miller Memorial Chair for STEM pedagogical activities epitomize the very Teaching and Research in 2019 to honor essence of the position,” Tschumper says. Stefani, former professor and chair “He has received numerous awards for his in the Department of Chemistry and teaching excellence. Biochemistry, and Miller, former pro“Over the years, he has had an incredfessor and chair in the Department of ibly positive impact on the education and Mathematics. Mattern is the inaugural lives of many, many Ole Miss students who holder of the position. have been fortunate enough to have him as a The Atkinsons’ gift provides income teacher and a mentor.” to the College of Liberal Arts to support A UM faculty member since 1991, Matthe recruitment and retention of a top-tier tern is a previous recipient of the Elsie M. Hood scholar who demonstrates outstanding teachOutstanding Teacher Award, College of Liberal Arts ing in STEM and is also a productive researcher Daniell Mattern Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Alpha Epsilon Delta in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, physics or astronomy. Outstanding Teacher of the Year and the Margaret Coulter “My wife and I strongly believe in education and academ- Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the university’s ics, and we want to give back to the institution that gave me 25-Year Service Award. After completing his bachelor’s degree at Kalamazoo the background and the tools I needed to be successful,” says College, Mattern earned master’s and doctoral degrees from Atkinson, of Sedona, Arizona. Mattern says he is delighted to be selected as the inaugural chair. Stanford University. He has been a postdoctoral fellow at Tufts “I knew Andy Stefani, who was also an organic chemist and University School of Medicine and the University of California the department chair when the department hired me,” Mattern at San Diego.

UM SCHOOL OF EDUCATION ONLINE PROGRAMS RANK AMONG NATION’S BEST

he University of Mississippi’s online master’s programs in education and educational leadership have been ranked among the nation’s best in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of online offerings at more than 360 U.S. schools. U.S. News & World Report ranked the UM online education master’s program tied at No. 34 nationally, and 33rd out of all public schools. The magazine also named the university’s educational leadership program tied at No. 13 in the country, out of both public and private universities, in the latest rankings for online programs, which were released Jan. 25. “The rankings are a true testament to our faculty’s hard work and dedication to provide high-quality programs that are accessible to today’s working professionals,” says David Rock, dean of the School of Education. “Access to quality programs is critical in today’s high-paced working environment, especially for educators and professionals with families and multiple job responsibilities. 16

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“I am extremely proud of their hard work and commitment.” The school’s online programs have incredible reach, says Richard S. Balkin, professor and interim chair of the UM Department of Leadership and Counselor Education at the School of Education. “We are extremely proud of this recognition,” Balkin says. “Our online program enables our faculty to reach out to rural areas of Mississippi and across the state that might not otherwise have access to opportunities to advance their career in educational leadership and have an impact on students, teachers, school districts and communities.” Balkin says many have played a role in the online programs’ success. “Dr. Jill Cabrera (PhD 10) has served as our program coordinator for our online programs, and we are grateful for her leadership, along with the excellent work of our educational leadership faculty, to earn this recognition,” he says.

from the Circle

The 2022 class of business law fellows at the School of Law are (front row, from left) Dawn Jackson, Kennedy Gerard, Hattie Burdin, Morgan Weeks, Hannah Kent and Madison Gray, and (back row, from left) Colin Haley, Mary Caroline Newman, Cassidy Dearman, Holdon Guy, Oliver Samples, Winston Lee, Hayden Park and Tyler White. | Photo by Christina Steube

Kick-starting Careers UM LAW SCHOOL NAMES 2022 CLASS OF BUSINESS LAW FELLOWS

he University of Mississippi School of Law has named 14 first-year law students as 2022 business law fellows. The new fellows are Hattie Burdin, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Cassidy Dearman, Leakesville; Kennedy Gerard, Laplace, Louisiana; Madison Gray, Monticello, Arkansas; Holdon Guy, Johnson City, Tennessee; Colin Haley, Charlotte, North Carolina; Dawn Jackson, Baldwyn; Hannah Kent, Dyersburg, Tennessee; Winston Lee, Grenada; Mary Caroline Newman, Memphis, Tennessee; Hayden Park, Corinth; Oliver Samples, Pulaski, Virginia; Morgan Weeks, Decatur, Illinois; and Tyler White, Flora. The Business Law Fellowship is a program unique to the Ole Miss law school. It allows first-year law students who are interested in business and corporate law to kick-start their careers by spending a summer in general counsel offices of large corporations. “The Business Law Fellowship program’s continued success sets us apart as a leader in business law education,” says Susan Duncan, the school’s dean. “Thanks to our corporate partners,

our students gain invaluable experience through an opportunity that would typically take years of legal practice. “A goal of UM law is to prepare our students for the realworld practice of law, and this program does just that.” Corporate partners include FedEx, C Spire, International Paper and Ingalls Shipbuilding. To apply, first-year students submit a written essay and complete a competitive interview process. The fellowship continues beyond working for a major company during the summer. Fellows are also placed in advanced business courses, including Corporations, Mergers and Acquisitions, Business Law Writing and Accounting for Lawyers. The school also hosts guest speakers as part of the Business Law Fellows speaker series. The fellowship began in 2019 and is part of the school’s business law program. National Jurist magazine consistently recognizes Ole Miss as a top school for business law. The university strives to be a resource and partner for industry. S PR I NG 2022

from the Circle

First in State UMMC LAUNCHES STATE’S ONLY GENETIC TESTING ADVANCEMENT

new laboratory procedure at the University of Mississippi Medical Center allows physicians to assess DNA samples from some cancer patients faster and cheaper than before, all in-house. The Department of Pathology cut the ribbon on its clinical next-generation sequencing (NGS) machine, a first-inthe-state resource. The new procedure, used with the first patient samples March 9, searches for genetic variants associated with some forms of blood cancer and lymphoma. This testing allows physicians and patients to choose the treatments best suited for their particular genetics and do it quickly. Dr. Sarika Jain, assistant professor of patholog y, leads the molecular pathology lab at UMMC. She says using next-generation sequencing for this purpose is faster and more cost efficient than the older approach, known as Sanger sequencing. “With Sanger sequencing, you can only look at one gene at a time. But with next-generation sequencing, you can look at multiple genes, including multiple portions of the same gene, all at once,” Jain says. UMMC’s NGS platform can examine up to 40 genes at a time, using infinitesimally small amounts of DNA that fit in grooves on two-inch-long chips. The next-generation sequencing process requires several hours of laboratory prep, followed by about 24 hours of run-time, depending on the specifics of the case. UMMC’s new ability to do it in-house is also more efficient in time and resources than the previous practice of having an out-of-state lab with NGS capabilities do the work. “We were paying a lot of money to send samples out of state for processing,” Jain says. Considering the volume of tests UMMC needs each year, she estimates that bringing the NGS in-house could save the Medical Center hundreds of 18

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thousands of dollars yearly. The testing is especially useful for acute leukemia patients treated by providers in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. “It’s kind of a prognostic for us,” says Dr. Stephanie Elkins (MD 87), the divi-

“The thing that matters to patients is information,” Elkins says. “We’ve hounded (outside testing labs) quite a bit for results. Having to say ‘we don’t know’ for two weeks means that is hanging over our patients’ heads. “Having a quick response means they

The molecular pathology team at UMMC is celebrating the capacity to perform for the first time in-house genetic testing for certain cancers using next-generation sequencing, a technique that can scan for many different genes at once. | Photo by Joe Ellis

sion’s director. “Who would do poorly with standard therapy? Who would do better? Who needs a bone marrow transplant? “We’ve used the same treatment for years, but in the last five years we’ve had new therapies,” she says. “Some are designer therapies usually based on the next-generation testing. We use this to help us know what’s the most effective treatment, who will need more aggressive therapy or who we can expect to get better.” UMMC has the only providers who treat acute leukemia in the state, Elkins says. “A few get sent to other institutions, but the majority come to us. Every one of those patients can get the next-generation testing.” The speed of getting next-generation test results within a day or two because it’s done in house likely won’t in itself affect treatment — but it can be a boon for patients, she says.

won’t spend as much time in limbo.” In early 2020, Jain and her team began the process of setting up and validating NGS in the molecular lab. They knew it would take time. Conducting NGS or any other procedure in a clinical lab requires certification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services program for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, or CLIA. “In March 2020, we ran our first batch of test samples on the NGS platform,” Jain says. “Then, the world changed and we had to switch gears.” The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the molecular pathology lab to work on new projects, including standing up UMMC’s successful in-house testing program that same month. The lab made progress on NGS validation in between COVID waves, thanks to increased staff. The lab celebrated its “go-live” date March 1, complete with a ribbon cutting and cake.

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from the Circle

RECOVER Explores Long COVID UMMC ONE OF SITES IN NATIONWIDE STUDY

ome people catch COVID-19 and recover from the Long COVID. He thinks the rate is likely closer to 30%, but cough and fever quickly. Others spend months with some studies place it even higher. With more than 78 million persistent fatigue and trouble breathing. confirmed infections in the U.S. since early 2020, that They’re in it for the long haul. means potentially 25 million or more Americans Now, a massive nationwide effort seeks have had PASC at some point. to understand why. The University of RECOVER aims to recruit tens of Mississippi Medical Center is part of thousands of adults across the country to RECOVER (Researching COVID to study Long COVID. The UMMC study Enhance Recovery), a study on who is site hopes to enroll about 80 particimost likely to develop Long COVID, pants this spring. and how to treat and prevent it. That’s why the NIH needs a broad The National Institutes of Health n e t w or k t o c on du c t R E C OV E R . has dedicated nearly $470 million across UMMC is one spoke in a larger study the United States to conduct RECOVER. hub of participating institutions led by Led by New York University, the study will West Virginia University. The Medical have hundreds of enrollment sites that expect Center is a critical location because it serves to recruit more than 10,000 individuals for the a high proportion of people who appear to be study. UMMC received more than $566,000 from the most at-risk for Long COVID. Black Americans Gailen Marshall NIH in late 2021 to begin its study site. experience PASC at a rate nearly three times higher Dr. Gailen Marshall, R. Faser Triplett Chair of Allergy and than white Americans. Marshall says PASC also appears more Immunology, is the lead investigator for UMMC’s study site. frequently in rural residents. He says that earlier in the pandemic, the health and medAmy Wigglesworth (BSN 09), a clinical research nurse ical community “put a lot of focus on the acute phase of the working on RECOVER, says UMMC started recruiting particdisease.” ipants in December 2021. They aim to enroll about 83 adults That included the development of effective treatments and in the study by May. vaccines. However, “It began to emerge that that some people RECOVER will follow its participants for four years, who had been ill with COVID-19 to variable degrees had including additional clinic visits and phone calls. persistent symptoms,” he says. For more information about the study, visit recovercovid. These symptoms can include cough, breathing difficulty, org. aches, weakness, fatigue or cognitive dysfunction known as “brain fog.” When these occur 30 days or more after a COVID19 diagnosis, it’s known as Long COVID. “While most people with COVID-19 become well in 14 days, there’s an alarming number who are either still ill after more than 30 days, or they recover and then symptoms emerge or reoccur,” he says. “And it’s not just people who went to the intensive care unit. There are people who didn’t even go to the hospital who experience PASC.” That’s short for post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, a term the medical community uses for Long COVID. “The definition for PASC is intentionally broad,” Marshall says. “There are people who have a cough for one month, while others have a brain fog for three months.” RECOVER aims to clarify some of the unknowns with Long COVID. Why do some people have much more serious cases than others? How does PASC differ among the virus variants? How do vaccinated individuals fare? What we do know is that Long COVID causes a substan- Registered nurse Amy Wigglesworth prepares to enter data gathered at the tial health burden at the population level. Marshall says the Clinical Research Trials Unit. She is working on the RECOVER study, a “conservative” estimate is that about 10% of survivors develop national effort to understand Long COVID. | Photo by Jay Ferchaud 20

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OUR OWNERS ARE BORN IN, EDUCATED IN AND INVESTED IN MISSISSIPPI

George Walker OLE MISS CLASS 1990

Wayne Pierce

OLE MISS CLASS OF 1985

Calendar Convocation MAY 7

Photo by Thomas Graning

MAY

Through May 28 Exhibition: “Theora Hamblett: Holy Symbols.” The exhibit showcases Hamblett’s paintings, drawings and mosaics that depict the symbols that were so important to her and her faith. UM Museum. Visit museum.olemiss.edu. Through Aug. 20 Exhibition: “Jacob Hashimoto: The Other Sun.” Jacob Hashimoto playfully balances the dichotomies he observes in landscapes and constructed virtual worlds. UM Museum and Rowan Oak. Visit museum.olemiss.edu. Through Sept. 20 Exhibition: “Immaginazioni Fantastiche: The Ancient World of Piranesi.” The exhibit explores the 18th-century etchings by Italian architect, archaeologist and artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi. UM Museum. Visit museum.olemiss.edu. April 30-May 2 Softball: Ole Miss vs. Tennessee. Ole Miss Softball Complex, 4 p.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday, 6 p.m. Monday. Visit olemisssports.com. 22

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Spanish Hour: Oxford Spanish Hour at Heartbreak Coffee. Meets every two Wednesdays to carry conversations in Spanish. Open to everyone in the Oxford community. Heartbreak Coffee, 5-6 p.m. Visit events.olemiss.edu.

Commencement: Class of 2022. Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College Ceremony. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, 7 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

Commencement: School of Business Administration – Master’s Degree Ceremony. Ford Center, 10 a.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

First Friday Free Sketch Day: UM Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (drop-in). Visit museum.olemiss.edu.

Commencement: School of Education. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, noon. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

Commencement: School of Pharmacy. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, noon. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu. Commencement: School of Law. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, 3 p.m. Visit commencement. olemiss.edu. Commencement: Graduate School Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, 7 p.m. Visit commencement. olemiss.edu.

Commencement: College of Liberal Arts – Master’s Degree Ceremony. Ford Center, 1 p.m. Visit commencement. olemiss.edu.

Commencement: School of Business Administration. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, 4 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu. Commencement: School of Journalism and New Media. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, 7 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

Calendar

6-7

Commencement: Celebration of Achievement. Ford Center, 7 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu. 50-Year Class Reunion: For the first time, the reunion will be held on graduation weekend, and attendees will be recognized during the Commencement ceremony. Various times and locations. Visit olemissalumni. com/events.

6-8

Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Missouri. Oxford-University Stadium, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Visit olemisssports.com.

Convocation: The Grove, 8 a.m. In case of inclement weather, Convocation will be held in The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

Reception: A Toast to Graduates. The Ole Miss Alumni Association invites its members from the Class of 2022 to a reception in their honor featuring photo opportunities and commemorative champagne flutes. Triplett Alumni Center, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Register at olemissalumni.com/events.

Commencement: Patterson School of Accountancy. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, 10:30 a.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

Commencement: School of Engineering. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, 2 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu. Commencement: General Studies. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, 5 p.m. Visit commencement. olemiss.edu.

Commencement: College of Liberal Arts. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, 9 a.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

Commencement: School of Applied Sciences. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, 1 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

12-14

SEC Track and Field Outdoor Championships: Ole Miss Track and Field Complex, various times. Visit olemisssports.com.

12-14

19-21

Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Texas A&M. Oxford-University Stadium, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Visit olemisssports.com.

JUNE

Social: Opening Night Reception at 151st Mississippi Pharmacists Association Annual Convention sponsored by the UM Pharmacy Alumni Chapter. Beau Rivage, Biloxi, 6-8 p.m. Call 662915-1878.

BancorpSouth Rebel Road Trip: Jackson. Country Club of Jackson, 5:30 p.m. Call 662-915-7375 or visit rebelroadtrip.com.

BancorpSouth Rebel Road Trip: Gulf Coast. Hilton Garden Inn, Pascagoula, 5:30 p.m. Call 662-915-7375 or visit rebelroadtrip.com.

2022 Alumni Track and Field Weekend: Coincides with the SEC Outdoor Championships. Ole Miss Track and Field Complex, various times. Visit olemissalumni.com/events.

Performance: “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” – National Tour. “Beautiful” tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom. Ford Center, 7:30 p.m. Visit fordcenter.org/events.

BancorpSouth Rebel Road Trip: Tupelo. BancorpSouth Conference Center, 5:30 p.m. Call 662-9157375 or visit rebelroadtrip.com. BancorpSouth Rebel Road Trip: Corinth. Crossroads Arena, 5:30 p.m. Call 662-915-7375 or visit rebelroadtrip.com.

JULY

Luncheon: UM Law Alumni Luncheon at the Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Bar, Hilton Sandestin Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida, 12:15-1:30 p.m. Call 662-915-1878. For a complete and latest listing of Ole Miss sports schedules, visit olemisssports.com.

Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Texas A&M MAY 19-21

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

Photo by Kevin Bain

S PR I NG 2022

Meg McElwain | Photo by Daniel Coston 24

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Mother gives home base to families affected by terminal pediatric illnesses By Brian Hudgins he moment Meg McElwain (BA 01) heard the word, everything changed. “When I was pregnant, I worried about things like: Would my kids have peanut allergies and what was I going to pack them for lunch? Then I had a child with cancer,” she says. “I never in a million years …” Mitchell Bays Turner was 3 months old when his mom heard the diagnosis: ALL — acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is a very rare diagnosis for infants. About 90 cases occur annually in infants under the age of 1, according to the National Institutes of Health. McElwain took her son to the family’s pediatrician in Charlotte, North Carolina, because Mitchell had bruising on his legs. A blood panel test on a Monday morning in 2012 determined two possibilities. “Our pediatrician said, ‘We are sending you to the hospital,’” McElwain says. “Mitchell is anemic, and his white blood count is extremely high. The best-case scenario is he has a blood infection. The worst case is he has cancer.” Cancer was confirmed in a matter of hours.

Illustration by Mitchell Bays Turner

S PR I NG 2022

Counselor and child doing sand therapy | Photo courtesy of Meg McElwain

Counselor and siblings in the teen room | Photo courtesy of Meg McElwain 26

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he last decade has been a journey that included two grueling years of treatment for Mitchell. He died in 2014. During the prolonged hospital stay, McElwain started the Mitchell Bays Turner Pediatric Fund — as a donor-advised fund to serve the St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Novant Health. Hospital staff members helped identify family needs, such as mortgage payments or financial coverage of funeral expenses. “We also were able to provide transportation for an 18-year-old in Philadelphia who was terminally ill,” McElwain says. “He wanted to come home to die. We paid for ambulance transport to get him back to Charlotte.” Mitchell’s Fund recently opened Mitchell’s House, a nonprofit counseling center that includes counselors who provide art, play and talk therapy to more than 200 children each year. Mitchell’s House opened its doors in mid-March, more than two decades after McElwain initially moved to Charlotte. McElwain, a Grenada native who earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from Ole Miss (minor in English), moved to Charlotte in 1998 and started a sales job within a couple of weeks. Five years later, she opened her advertising firm Magnolia Marketing. Cancer created a new mission. “That firm existed for almost 15 years,” McElwain says. “The year Mitchell was born (2012) was my 10th year in business. I was on top of my game. I never thought I would not have Magnolia Marketing.” Following Mitchell’s cancer diagnosis, McElwain maintained Magnolia Marketing. His death, a mother’s grief and her resolve moved her in a new direction. “I didn’t want to do [marketing] anymore,” she says. “I didn’t want to do anything when he died. Moving forward, I decided I was going to be my true, authentic self in everything I did. That makes business politics hard.” McElwain was president of the Charlotte Ole Miss Alumni Club for five years, so as Mitchell’s story became better known in Charlotte, fellow Ole Miss graduates chipped in their resources. Ashley Anderson Mattei (BA 97), a Plano, Texas, native, graduated from Ole Miss with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and English. She had taken classes with McElwain, and the two reconnected through the Charlotte alumni group. Mattei and her family were living abroad in France when Mitchell died. A Charlotte-based outlet kept Mattei emotionally locked in to the McElwain family’s experiences. “Meg wrote about being a ‘momcologist’ for the Charlotte Observer,” Mattei recalls. “It was so authentic and personal. It was really helpful for those who felt helpless. It was a good window into this nightmare they were living.” Mattei, who served as a producer, reporter and anchor for WCCB, a CW-affiliated TV station in Charlotte, realized the importance of Mitchell’s Fund for families who faced a grim prospect. “So many families lose a job (with a child hospitalized),” she says. “It is not a great choice as medical bills pile up. From the beginning, Meg was so generous thinking how she could support other families.”

MOTHER TO MOTHER

McElwain and Ashley Anderson Mattei | Photo by Daniel Coston

The support was not limited to financial assistance. When McElwain shared her story at a church luncheon in 2014, Mattei saw the emotional effect on people who heard the details. “That baby was only 2, and he went through all that,” Mattei says. “It says a lot about Meg that she is able to say that story. It is very powerful.” As McElwain explored various ways Mitchell’s Fund could assist Charlotte residents, Mattei also saw the power of Ole Miss, as alumni answered the call to help. “Ole Miss people in North Carolina are instant family,” Mattei says. “Ole Miss still feels like a small school. I am grateful there is something we can do (to help).” The community effort helped McElwain transform Mitchell’s Fund from an emergency funding provider for families with a child facing a life-threatening pediatric illness to a support program for children and families who have experienced trauma. “I knew from the beginning we would do something in mental health,” McElwain says. “I didn’t know what it would be. We were serving obvious needs in the beginning.” After Mitchell died, the chief pediatric oncologist in the St. Jude affiliate clinic where Mitchell was treated had a question for McElwain. Would Mitchell’s Fund pay the salary of a counselor/play therapist to work in the clinic? McElwain immediately said yes — and that resource was added to assist families. Mitchell’s Fund paid that position for three years. During the past two years, McElwain started getting referrals for families whose child had been diagnosed with a rare disease and the child was terminally ill. “When there are other children in the home and one is actively dying, the whole family needs support,” McElwain says. “It became clear we should start our own nonprofit counseling center.”

McElwain knew the battles those families were facing. She had experienced them firsthand: being in a stressful hospital environment, keeping medical appointments, making sure prescriptions are picked up and maintaining communication with in-home health care providers. “That is on top of your life as a parent who is managing children’s schoolwork and their activities and trying to keep their lives as stable as possible,” McElwain says. The next steps involved finding a brick-and-mortar facility that could serve as a home to handle those complex needs. It needed to be affordable for a nonprofit and be close to both children’s hospitals in Charlotte. Adequate parking was another necessity. Not long after Mitchell’s Fund started searching for a place for Mitchell’s House, one of McElwain’s business colleagues invited her to tour a new office. She had found the location for Mitchell’s House. “It all happened so quickly, and I was excited to have a place where families with sick children — and the siblings especially — can come find relief and learn coping skills,” McElwain says. “The reality is if you have a child with a terminal illness in your family, there are going to be survivors. It’s important those survivors have coping skills that lead toward resilience.” When Mitchell was diagnosed with ALL, his older brother, Frank, was 3 years old. A world that had contained routines for the first three years changed instantly. Frank’s brother was sick. Mom was frequently at the hospital. Young children do not have words to express feelings, and it shows in negative behavior. Mitchell died when Frank was 5 years old. “Frank was physically ready for school, but not emotionally,” McElwain says. “It was a lot for him to deal with … having to visit his brother in the hospital, emergencies that happened at home, doctors, nurses. That’s a lot for a child. It’s a lot for an adult. Counseling helped.” For many parents who are in their 20s or 30s, caring for a terminally ill child marks their first time experiencing extended hospital stays. Mitchell’s House has on-site counselors to discuss those feelings with family members of severely ill pediatric patients. McElwain’s contributions to parents do not come from a medical perspective. She is a mom who watched her child on life support for a week. She had to make a decision. “It was 3 a.m., and Mitchell was in distress,” McElwain says. “I was there alone and had to sign paperwork to put him on life support. When it was clear that he was no longer there, I had to sign to turn it off. I walked out of the hospital an hour later without my child.” Now, from time to time, I will be referred to a young mother who is with her child on life support. Most recently, I had a 28-year-old mom whose 2-year-old child had been fighting cancer for over a year.” That mother had a question for McElwain. How did you know? How did you know it was time to turn life support off? McElwain wondered to herself: What do you say to a mother? “No one can tell you when it is time,” McElwain says. S PR I NG 2022

“You are the only one who can make this decision, and you will know when it is time. It was clear to me. It was horrible. My child was unrecognizable. He had liver and kidney failure.” There are many other milestones in McElwain’s memory. The family had been in the hospital for two weeks, and the medical team offered morphine as an option to ease Mitchell’s cries and pain. McElwain described having to ask someone to administer morphine to her 3-month-old baby as “life changing.”

COPING SKILLS

McElwain and son Frank Turner | Photo by Rick Hovis

Considering those questions connected to medical care, paperwork, job responsibilities and family needs continually need to be answered by parents, McElwain’s motivation to get Mitchell’s House opened in March largely centered on giving family members a new set of coping skills. “We want to give parents those skills because their child is looking at them as their beacon,” she says. “Their parents’ behavior and emotional state is a compass for the child, the siblings and the whole family.” The Ole Miss family provided McElwain guidance at various points in both Oxford and Charlotte. McElwain credits Ralph Braseth (MA 92, EdD 96), former director of student media and assistant professor of journalism at Ole Miss, as making a huge difference for her. “He had more influence on me than he ever knows,” she says. As McElwain ramped up her plans for a stand-alone Mitchell’s House, Bill McMullen (JD 69), who earned his undergraduate degree at Duke University before earning his J.D. from Ole Miss, provided a voice of experience in Charlotte. When McElwain was crafting her Mitchell’s House business plan, McMullen said he was glad to review the material and give his input on best practices. McMullen is a Virginia native who later moved to Charlotte. He was “an outsider” who came to Ole Miss, which helped shape his view of McElwain’s journey. “She started Mitchell’s Fund — an incredible organization,” McMullen says. “She got people to work together as an outsider.” Families were able to go inside Mitchell’s House following its grand opening on Feb. 27. The opened doors marked the first steps on their new journeys. “When families come into Mitchell’s House, they don’t have to begin by explaining all of the medical environment,” McElwain says. “Our counselors understand that. It takes a layer off the parent because people can relate and have experienced it as counselors.” Meg McElwain is the daughter of the late Maryhardy Bays McElwain (BAE 63, MLS 81) and the late Joe Mitch McElwain (BA 63). Visit mitchellsfund.org for more information.

McElwain and Kaye and Bill McMullen | Photo by Daniel Coston 28

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mitchellsfund.org

Gresham Meek | Photo by Hannah Gibson, @hannahvistaphoto 30

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CURATING

a Lifestyle Young alumna Gresham Meek designs her success By Annie Rhoades

any young girls spend hours making friendship bracelets, but few can say they turned their craft into a business. For alumna Gresham Meek (BA 12), CEO and chief creative officer of Gresham Jewelry, this childhood pastime turned into a career that began with her first trunk show in elementary school. “I made friendship bracelets like every other little girl — I just never quit,” laughs Meek. “I used to go to these little bead-stringing classes to learn different techniques. I had my first trunk show in the sixth grade at my mom’s friend’s house. I made 40 necklaces, and I sold out.” Meek continued hosting shows and selling her handmade jewelry throughout high school and well into college, learning new techniques and perfecting her craft along the way. “While I was at Ole Miss, I would take classes to learn more complicated techniques,” Meek recalls. “My senior year I set up at Double Decker, and I may have been the only student that did Double Decker as an artist. The show was a sellout. It was amazing, and it gave me that confidence to say, OK, when I graduate, maybe I can pay the bills doing this.”

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Longtime friend and mentor Doug Self (BAccy 85), who owned Provision Oxford at the time of the company’s launch, was thrilled to feature Meek’s unique designs in his store. “I loved what she showed me, her attention to detail, thoughtful approach to her brand and immediately offered her a place in the store,” Self says. “I saw in Gresham someone with incredible creativity and a keen business sense, along with a passion for her brand and the grit to achieve whatever she set out to accomplish. I think her future is filled with even more and larger opportunities, and I have full confidence that she will achieve whatever she sets out to do.” Meek quickly found herself not only paying the bills but developing her craft into a lifestyle brand. After graduating with a liberal arts degree in 2012, Meek officially launched the company.

The Dallas native and Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College alumna counts her time studying abroad in Florence, Italy, as a life-changing experience that continues to define her career. “That was one of the highlights of my time at Ole Miss,” Meek says. “I took three different classes and was there for six weeks studying. The art history class was probably my favorite class I have ever taken because it directly inspired my thesis for the Honors College. It was about Renaissance Italian jewelry and is about to inspire a whole new collection that we are launching later this year. I got all my books out from that class a couple of months ago to start the focus for this new collection of jewelry.” A member of Delta Delta Delta Fraternity and an Ole Miss varsity cheerleader, Meek counts the lifelong friendships she built with her sorority sisters and cheering on Ole Miss football in the Cotton Bowl as her fondest memories. “Being back in my hometown to cheer in the Cotton Bowl was amazing,” she says. “Ole Miss did a fabulous job preparing me for what I do now. I’m so appreciative of the liberal arts program that allowed me to create a major that wasn’t necessarily a jewelry designer major, but a major that laid the foundation for the purpose of my jewelry.” What began as a jewelry line composed of different styles of

La Tua Storia Letter bracelets | Photo by Hannah Gibson, @hannahvistaphoto

Cheering on the Rebels | Photo courtesy of Gresham Meek

Studying Abroad “I come from a family of Ole Miss graduates, so I always knew I wanted to go there,” she says. “I knew I wanted to do something in the art world, but Ole Miss doesn’t have a textile or smaller art program. Fortunately, the liberal arts program allowed me to study in a few areas that helped me with my jewelry career.” 32

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Florence bracelets | Photo courtesy of Gresham Meek

one-of-a-kind, handmade necklaces, bracelets and earrings, soon turned into a lifestyle brand for women of all ages. In addition to jewelry, the company now boasts art, décor, clothing and more.

Booming Business “We expanded into a lifestyle brand for the modern woman,” Meek says. “Our focus is on creating and generating products that are curated, effortless and lively and can be worn by women of all ages with an on-the-go lifestyle. You don’t have to get super dolled up or be going to a major event to wear our products.” During the pandemic, many businesses found their sales slow and, in some cases, halt. But for Meek, the business quickly skyrocketed. “When I started, I handmade every single piece for several years,” she says. “As the business continued to grow and the demand got higher, I added team members and worked with other jewelry makers in Dallas. Throughout the pandemic we had to pivot. Even though we lost that in-person communication with people, we had a super-high rise in demand for our products. “We started working with social media advertisements, and it really took our brand off the ground. Suddenly we had such a great demand that I turned to working with other partners worldwide to help me create mass production for the pieces that I’m designing.” Meek quickly learned that success brings its fair share of challenges, and a level of decision making well beyond deciding what her new designs will entail. “I think the hardest part is the determination to keep going once you realize that what you love about what you’re doing is only a fraction of what you’re going to actually do each day,” she says. “There are so many more moving pieces in building a business that are unexpected.

Meek and her husband, Stephen, with son, Hodges, and daughter, Kaki Photo by Hannah Gibson, @hannahvistaphoto

“My passion is to design jewelry, but I don’t get to do that every day because running a business won’t thrive on just me designing jewelry. It’s important to find the right people to help you along the way to do the things that you can’t do. No one can do it alone – it takes a village.” When the company was in its infancy, before the boom of social media driving commerce, it relied mainly on boutique sales. While the Gresham line is still sold in over 250 retail stores, the company has transitioned over the past decade to focus on e-commerce with most of its sales being generated from its online store.

jewelrybygresham.com “It’s been overwhelming to see the company grow, but super exciting,” Meek says. “The hardest part is knowing when to grow and when to hire new people. We have always had a steady growth, and you want to keep that momentum going. I never imagined the company would be where it is today. It’s been an incredible blessing from above.” Close friend Jennifer Shipp (BAEd 00), who first met Meek when she served as rush adviser, is proud of all she has accomplished and thinks “the sky is the limit” for Meek. “God gifted Gresham with an incredible artistic eye,” Shipp says. “What sets her apart is her attention to detail. She not only wants the product to look great and the buyer to feel great, but she wants the quality of the product to be incredible. When you receive your purchase from Gresham, you will immediately love the packaging and it only gets better from there. She has an amazing pulse on what people like, as well as adding her own personal flair to make it extra special.”

40 Under 40 Due in part to the success of her business, Meek was recently named a member of the Ole Miss Alumni Association’s inaugural 40 Under 40 class, recognizing the personal, professional and philanthropic achievements of successful University of Mississippi graduates under the age of 40. “I couldn’t believe that I even got a nomination,” Meek says. “I was stunned and just so honored. I can think of so many in my class and the classes above me that are doing incredible things, so to be included is an incredible honor.” The wife and mother of two plans to continue developing her business that includes a new collection inspired by her studies at Ole Miss and her love of the Italian Renaissance. “I want to expand our reach online and in stores, as well as add to our team here in Dallas,” she says. “Lord willing, I want to continue growing our family and find that work/life balance. I think it’s important for anyone starting their own business to not be afraid to ask for help and to not be afraid to fail. There will always be ups and downs, but if you love it and you’re passionate about it, you’ll succeed in the end.” Visit jewelrybygresham.com to view Meek’s entire collection. S PR I NG 2022

Out of This World

Experiment UM researchers send sonic experiment to space station

device that can move liquids without physical contact sounds like the stuff of science fiction, so perhaps it’s appropriate that a prototype of just such a marvel is headed to the International Space Station for an out-of-this-world test of its capabilities.

When NASA’s next resupply mission to the ISS, Cygnus NG-17, blasted off on Feb. 19 from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, an acoustic tweezers device conceived and built at the University of Mississippi was among its cargo. Likun Zhang, assistant professor of physics and astronomy and a researcher at the university’s National Center for Physical Acoustics, and Robert Lirette (PhD 19), a former UM doctoral student in physics and postdoctoral research associate, hope to explore the ability of the device to control fluids in the zero-gravity environment of space. “NASA is interested in being able to manipulate fluids in space, and I think we can help with that,” Zhang says. “As you might imagine, fluids present problems in zero gravity, so a way of controlling them without physical contact would be a

valuable thing on space flights.” Being able to control liquids on a spacecraft or space station has applications for propulsion, power generation, temperature control and life support functions, he says. In zero gravity or microgravity, droplets can float freely in a spacecraft, posing danger to crew and equipment. Zhang hopes to develop acoustic technologies that could help astronauts contain and control liquids on long-duration space missions. The acoustic tweezers technique works by forming sound waves into a specially shaped beam that creates a small pocket in the beam, which acts as a trap. Projecting the sound beam into a fluid containing liquid components that do not mix allows the pocket – the tweezers – to capture a droplet.

The Antares booster and Cygnus NG-17 supply spacecraft sit on the launch pad at the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. A UM experiment to control fluids in zero gravity is part of the cargo that made the journey to the International Space Station. | Photo by Thom Baur/Northrop Grumman 34

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By Mitchell Diggs

Once the droplet is captured, the sound beam can be tilted or moved to maneuver it. Under the guidance of Zhang and Joel Mobley, Ole Miss professor of physics and astronomy and a senior scientist at NCPA, Lirette succeeded in capturing a droplet and moving it using only acoustic forces. That work was featured in the December 2019 edition of Physical Review Applied. In a previous project funded by the NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR, Zhang and his team at NCPA investigated problems related to using structures of minimal contact to control fluids. The project followed up on previous research funded by NASA when Zhang was a graduate student at Washington State University. “With all our prior works funded by NASA, together with the other experience built upon our recent success, the research is mature enough to design an experiment that can be safely flown on the ISS,” Zhang says. Zhang, the principal science investigator on the project, proposed to EPSCoR to send an acoustic tweezers

Likun Zhang

Robert Lirette

experiment to the space station. The project was among only seven awarded during its funding cycle. “The ISS is really the place to conduct an experiment without the constraints of Earth — to see the effects in zero gravity,” Zhang says. “This is a great opportunity to develop the ability for fluid control and guide further development of the technology.” Preparing their experiment to head to space presented a host of technical challenges, says Lirette, who recently began a new job as a postdoctoral researcher with the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the University of Colorado at Boulder. “We had a very tight deadline to get everything fabricated and certified for the flight,” he says. “There are a lot of weird things you have to pay attention to get an experiment in space, things that you might never think about in a lab here on Earth.” For example, the equipment and all materials used in the experiment must be nonflammable. This meant that the wiring for the device’s electronics had to be wrapped in Teflon rather than the PVC commonly used for electrical wiring on Earth. Also, all edges on the device had to be rounded to avoid crew members being injured on sharp corners and edges. And all the materials must be nonshatterable because fragments from a broken component could float around and pose a major problem on the ISS. The transducer for the acoustic tweezers is a ceramic disc, which can shatter under extreme conditions. Lirette solved this problem by covering the transducer with thin steel wire mesh. Much of the credit for building the device on schedule goes to Paul Dakin and Ronald Oswalt, the technical staff in the NCPA machine shop, Lirette says. “The machine shop basically made everything on the chamber under my advice, and I did all the wiring, epoxying and filing of the corners,” he says. “The only thing that wasn’t built there was the amplifier.” S PR I NG 2022

Wayne Prather (MA 97, PhD 99), a senior scientist at NCPA, also helped modify the original design of the sample chamber — where the droplets are produced and suspended — so that it could be fabricated by the machine shop. “It’s very different working with NASA than it is to just do an experiment in the lab,” Prather says. “In the lab, you just make it happen, but one aspect he had to pay attention to in this case is that when they inject the droplets into the chamber, you can never have any expansion of the liquid so that it would squirt out. That would not be good in space. “You have to incorporate some kind of expansion chamber

equipment may not return for some time, the researchers will have data to examine soon after the experiment runs. “I’ll be on the phone with someone who has a direct link to the crew aboard the ISS when they run the tests,” Lirette says. “I’ll be able to answer questions and get feedback. “The actual data is the high-definition video that will be captured during the experiment. It will take about a day to download it to Earth, but we’ll be able to view it pretty quickly and make measurements of the droplets’ motion.” Besides the practical applications for space travel, the experiment also will help researchers learn more about fluid dynamics in a zero-gravity environment, Zhang says. “We want to see how the droplets move without the interference of gravity,” he explains. “This will tell us a lot about the fluid dynamics and the capability of the tweezers to manipulate fluids in zero gravity. “This is a really good opportunity for us because you can work with larger droplets in space than you can on Earth.” The work also will have applications on Earth, particularly for applications where fluids need to be controlled without physical contact, Lirette says. “At Tulane University, for example, they have used this technique for precisely measuring coagulation of blood droplets,” he says. “They use the The original acoustic tweezers apparatus, built at the UM National Center for tweezers to suspend the droplet and oscillate it, and Physical Acoustics, was used to demonstrate the technique for controlling liquid then they measure the coagulation without having droplets without physical contact. | Submitted photo to physically contain it.” to account for the increased volume, and I had some ideas The EPSCoR funding is the latest affirmation of Zhang’s that helped design a simple solution that worked pretty well research, which began when he studied how to use acoustic for that.” forces to contain and move objects as a graduate student. He The experiment device, which includes a control box, received the R. Bruce Lindsay Award from the Acoustical an amplifier and the sample chamber, had to pass a host of Society of America during its 180th meeting last summer, certifications to be deemed flightworthy. For example, it had to recognizing in part his research to help understand the interbe certified for resistance from electromagnetic interference. action between fluid flows and acoustic fields. “The first time, it actually failed the EMI certification, so “This is the third science experiment from the University of I had to make some modifications and do it again,” Lirette Mississippi that will fly on the ISS,” says Nathan Murray (MS says. “The only place we could complete the testing was in 03, PhD 06), an associate professor of chemical engineering, Cleveland, at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, so I took it there, senior scientist for aeroacoustics at NCPA and director of the and it passed the second try.” Mississippi NASA Space Grant Consortium. The amplifier was custom-built by Electronics & Inno“The funding from NASA EPSCoR supports the growth of vation Ltd., of Rochester, New York. When it failed the EMI NASA-relevant research capabilities in Mississippi, and this testing, the company’s technicians modified it for free to pass unique fluid control device is a great example.” the tests, he says. It represents a huge win not only for acoustics researchers The equipment also had to pass testing to confirm it would at NCPA, but around the world, Lirette says. be able to withstand the vibrations of launch, and certified “Getting this experiment on the space station is huge for for human factor investigational tool criteria, which include the acoustics community,” he says. “It’s kind of a blueprint checking labeling of components, testing fit of connectors and for how to get a high-powered acoustics experiment on the making sure all steps of the experiment are clear. ISS, and that opens up all kinds of possibilities for future The experiment is slated to be conducted in April aboard experiments.” the orbital laboratory. The NCPA team is grateful for an opportunity to conduct A crew member will activate the experiment and use a research aboard the ISS, Zhang says. syringe to inject a small amount of hexadecane, an oily, organic “Fluid control techniques are relevant to NASA’s strategic compound, into the sample chamber. High-definition video will research and technology development priorities in fluid capture the droplet’s motion as it is affected by the acoustic field. management technologies,” he says. “Our development of fluid The experiment will be repeated for five data collection control using sound waves will open up a new flexibility for fluid runs before being stowed for return to Earth. Although the control, particularly in a reduced gravity environment.” 36

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Ole Miss Sports New Faces on the Field OLE MISS ANNOUNCES ADDITIONS TO 2022 FOOTBALL STAFF

le Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin continues to strengthen his staff, officially announcing three new hires on March 2. Maurice Crum has been named co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, while Marty Biagi joins the Rebels as special teams coordinator. On the team administration front, Austin Thomas has been added as football chief of staff. In addition, tight ends coach John David Baker, who served as the Rebels’ passing game coordinator last season, has been elevated to co-offensive coordinator. Crum comes to Oxford after five seasons at Western Kentucky, including the 2021 campaign in which he served as defensive coordinator for the Hilltoppers. Crum’s WKU defense held opponents to 21 points or less in seven of their last eight regular-season games last season. Western Kentucky finished third in Conference USA with 2.57 sacks per game. As the Hilltoppers’ co-DC and linebackers coach in 2020, Crum helped the WKU defense rank eighth in pass yards allowed (177.3), 28th in total yards allowed (348.7) and 41st in points allowed (25.3) per game. Crum served as linebackers coach for three seasons (2017-19) when he first arrived in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Biagi, a two-time finalist for Football Scoop’s Special Teams Coordinator of the Year, joins the Rebels after two seasons at Purdue, serving in the same capacity for the Boilermakers. Biagi joined the Purdue staff after spending the previous three seasons in a similar capacity at North Texas. The Mean Green scored six special teams touchdowns, blocked nine punts, four kicks and had 10 players recognized with All-Conference USA accolades during Biagi’s tenure. Biagi’s special teams unit

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Maurice Crum | Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

at UNT finished in the top 20 in the Football Bowl Division in blocked kicks/ punts all three seasons in Denton, tying for 11th in 2017 (4), for 19th in 2018 (3) and for sixth in 2019 (4). Thomas, who has two previous stints on Kiffin staffs, will oversee the day-to-day operations of Ole Miss’ player personnel, recruiting, performance analytics, academic support and other areas. A native of Franklin, Tennessee, Thomas comes to Oxford from LSU where he served as general manager for the Tigers. It marked his second stay in Baton Rouge after also working on staff from 2013 to 2017. In 2016, he was named the first general manager in the history of the Southeastern Conference and was one of only two with that title in college football. Thomas ser ved as the associate athletic director for football personnel at Texas A&M for two years during the

2018 and 2019 seasons. Considered one of the top off-thefield professionals in all of college football, Thomas spent multiple seasons on Kiffin’s staff in off-the-field roles at both USC and Tennessee. Thomas served as a defensive quality control coach for Kiffin in Knoxville in 2009, followed by a twoyear stay at USC as the Trojans’ assistant director of player personnel from 2011 to 2013. Baker just wrapped up his first season at Ole Miss as the Rebels’ passing game coordinator and tight ends coach. Baker, who was named to 247Sports’ 30Under30 in 2020, previously served as tight ends coach at USC in 2020 and as an offensive quality control analyst for the Trojans in 2019. The San Angelo, Texas, native was an offensive quality control coach at North Texas for three seasons (2016-18).

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Ole Miss Sports

Continued Leadership OLE MISS EXTENDS CONTRACT FOR ATHLETICS DIRECTOR KEITH CARTER

With Carter’s leadership steering the athletics department he University of Mississippi has extended the contract of Keith Carter (BBA 01, MBA 16) as vice chancellor for through the COVID-19 pandemic, Rebel teams excelled with intercollegiate athletics. The four-year contract took effect 17 of the 18 programs advancing to the postseason en route to a 22nd-place finish in the 2020-21 Learfield IMG College last month and increased his annual salary to $1.1 million. Directors’ Cup standings, the highest ever by a Mis“Since taking the reins of Ole Miss Athletics in sissippi university. 2019, Keith has demonstrated exemplary leadOther Ole Miss squads achieving at a ership and instilled a culture of excellence in high level included rifle finishing third in our athletics program,” Chancellor Glenn F. the nation; track and field/cross country Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96) says. “His strong earning a third-place finish for the men and record of success, focus on enhancing the seventh for the women from the USTFCstudent-athlete experience and excellent CCA; and baseball, soccer and men’s tennis management skills have led Ole Miss reaching the NCAA rounds of 16. Athletics into a new era of success as seen The momentum continued under Carter’s in how our programs are competing and leadership in fall 2021, as every Rebel fall sports winning at every level.” program secured a postseason berth for the first The contract extension comes on the heels time in the modern era, including the football team of remarkable successes across the Department of Keith Carter receiving an invitation to the AllState Sugar Bowl. Intercollegiate Athletics, including the university’s In a formal event during the Sugar Bowl trip, Ole Miss first outright NCAA team championship by women’s golf, a record-breaking 10-win season in football, historic postseason Athletics launched the Champions. Now. capital campaign. participation by every varsity program and the launch of a The $350 million campaign will improve several key facilities landmark capital campaign. throughout the athletics department, including Vaught-Hem“I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to ingway Stadium, the Olivia and Archie Manning Athletics continue our leadership of Ole Miss Athletics into the future,” Performance Center, the Ole Miss golf, softball and soccer Carter says. “I would like to thank Chancellor Boyce for his complexes and Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field. Carter’s tenure also has included the implementation support and the confidence he has in me and our team. “We look forward to continuing our success and strengthening of Next Level, a comprehensive name, image and likeness Ole Miss Athletics as one of the premier brands in college athletics.” program.

BRAD CREAMER PROMOTED TO VOLLEYBALL ASSISTANT COACH

fter assisting Ole Miss volleyball in a record-breaking season programs nationally to see a 20-plus win improvement from the previous year. and its first NCAA Tournament berth in 11 years, Brad Creamer has been named an assistant coach, Before he arrived in Oxford a year ago, Creamer rounding out head coach Kayla Banwarth’s staff. wrapped up his playing career at George Mason “I’m so excited to have Brad remain on our University. Over the course of his five years with the Patriots, he garnered multiple accolades, includstaff as an assistant,” Banwarth says. “The coning being tabbed as a 2021 AVCA All-American tributions he made to our team in the fall were instrumental in our record-breaking season. He’s in his redshirt senior season, 2021 Off the Block an outstanding, up-and-coming coach, and I’m National Player of the Month, 2021 Off the Block thrilled he’ll continue to be at Ole Miss.” National Player of the Year Finalist and 2021 Creamer served as a volunteer assistant this All-EIVA Second Team selection. past season before being promoted to assistant “I am excited to continue my career at Ole Miss, working with a team consisting of both great athletes coach. He was part of the best turnaround in Division as well as great people,” Creamer says. “The support I volleyball. Creamer helped Ole Miss improve from 1-19 Brad Creamer in 2020-21 to 21-9 in 2021, a 65% increase in winning of the Ole Miss community is electric, and I’m honored percentage. Further, of the teams that competed during the shortened to be working with so many talented staff members under Coach 2020-21 season, Ole Miss is one of two Power Five teams and five Banwarth’s leadership.” 40

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Ole Miss Sports

Ole Miss shoots its way to fourth place overall in the NCAA Championships. | Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

Good Aim OLE MISS RIFLE FINISHES FOURTH AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

risten Derting once again led the way for No. 5 Ole Miss rifle as the Rebels wrapped up the 2022 season with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Derting finished fourth in the individual air rifle competition and turned in an 1185 aggregate score to tie for fifth overall. After finishing Day 1 in fifth after a 2337 smallbore score, Ole Miss finished fifth in air rifle at 2376 for a 4713 aggregate score, just enough to edge Air Force (4712) for fourth place overall. Kentucky took home its second straight national title with a 4739 aggregate score, just ahead of runner-up TCU (4736). The Ole Miss team score comes as its highest ever at the NCAA Championships, topping the 2021 team score of 4710, which earned the Rebels third place. 42

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Lea Horvath, Jillian Zakrzeski and Abby Buesseler started things off for Ole Miss in Relay 1. Horvath fired a 595 for an aggregate score of 1180, her 25th consecutive score of 1180 or higher in 25 career matches. Zakrzeski turned in a 590 for an aggregate score of 1171, while Buesseler shot 585 for an 1167 aggregate. Derting and Claire O’Neel gave the Rebels a strong finish in the second relay. Derting posted a 596, one shy of her career-high for an aggregate score of 1185, which tied her career best and was good for a tie for fifth overall. O’Neel notched a 595 for one of four counting scores for the Rebels. In the air rifle finals, Derting was third after the first five shots at 51.7 and remained there at 101.7 through the next five. Derting held third throughout

OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS 1. Kentucky: 2360-2379—4739 2. TCU: 2350-2386—4736 3. Alaska Fairbanks: 2351-2382—4733 4. Ole Miss: 2337-2376—4713 5. Air Force: 2342-2370—4712 6. West Virginia: 2320-2380—4700 7. Murray State: 2326-2361—4687 8. Navy: 2303-2378—4681 much of the finals, but in an elimination shot, TCU’s Kristen Hemphill fired a perfect 10.9 to steal third and bump Derting from the podium.

Ole Miss Sports

Coach to Don Stars and Stripes BIANCO NAMED MANAGER OF USA COLLEGIATE NATIONAL TEAM

n Feb. 3, USA Baseball named Ole Miss head baseball coach Mike Bianco the manager of the 2022 Collegiate National Team, marking the Rebel skipper’s managerial debut for the Red, White and Blue. It will be the second time donning a Team USA uniform for Bianco, who served as the pitching coach for the Collegiate National Team in 2013. “I am honored and humbled to be selected as the manager of the Collegiate National Team,” Bianco says. “I did it as an assistant back in 2013, and it was one of those ‘dream come true’ scenarios. Anytime you can put USA across your chest and represent your country is a special thing, and to do it again as the manager is a really cool feeling.” The 2020 National Coach of the Year,

Bianco is the winningest coach in Ole Miss history and the third winningest SEC coach of all time with a career record of 812-462-1 in 21 seasons. During those 21 campaigns, the Rebels have made 17 postseason trips, including seven super regional appearances, advancing to the College World Series in 2014. “We are thrilled to welcome Mike back to Team USA as the manager of the Collegiate National Team in 2022,” says Eric Campbell, USA Baseball general manager of national teams. “Mike is an outstanding baseball coach who has set a remarkable standard of excellence and success in his long tenure at the University of Mississippi. His expertise and passion for the game will be invaluable assets for these young athletes.” The remaining 2022 Collegiate

Mike Bianco | Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

National Team staff, as well as more information about the schedule, will be announced at a later date.

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Just Published

The Judge’s List b y John Grisham (JD (paperback; also available for Kindle), Mor81), 368 pages (hardcover, also available in paperback and Kindle), Doubleday, First Edition, ISBN: 978-0385546027 Lacy Stoltz, investigator for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct, meets a mysterious woman who is so frightened she uses a number of aliases. Jeri Crosby’s father was murdered 20 years earlier in a case that remains unsolved and that has grown stone cold. But Jeri has a suspect whom she has become obsessed with and stalked. Along the way, she has discovered other victims. Suspicions are easy enough, but proof seems impossible. The man is brilliant, patient and always one step ahead of law enforcement. He is the most cunning of all serial killers. He knows forensics, police procedure, and most important: he knows the law. He is a judge in Florida — under Lacy’s jurisdiction. He has a list, with the names of his victims and targets, all unsuspecting people unlucky enough to have crossed his path and wronged him in some way. How can Lacy pursue him, without becoming the next name on his list? John Grisham is the author of more than 30 novels, one work of nonfiction, a collection of stories and seven novels for young readers.

Redemption: The Two Lives of Harry Brooks by Brooks Eason (BA 79), 278 pages

gan James Fiction, ISBN: 978-1631957482 Redemption: The Two Lives of Harry Brooks is a work of historical fiction based on the life of Brooks Eason’s grandfather. Harry Brooks was a Methodist minister who served many of the leading churches in Texas and Mississippi. When FDR spoke to a crowd of 75,000 in Tupelo in 1934, Rev. Brooks gave the invocation. When he died eight years later, his obituary stated that he was “a gifted evangelistic preacher, and his labors bore fruit as his churches went forward.” But Harry Brooks was not always an upstanding man. In the first half of his life, he embezzled tuition payments and tried to escape Liverpool using an assumed name. But Scotland Yard arrested him, he was extradited, tried and convicted, and he served three years in the state penitentiary in Pittsburgh. He lost everything and could have given up, but instead he came to the South and helped thousands of people find God. Redemption is Brooks Eason’s fourth book. Information on the other three can be found at brookseason.com. Eason and his wife live in Madison.

Pay Dirt, A Memoir b y Richard Herzog (BSHPE 84), 210 pages (hardcover; also available in paperback and Kindle), Newman Springs Publishing, ISBN: 978-1636924007 “I will always love you. I will never leave you ...”

Richard Herzog heard those sweet words from his high school teacher just three months after his 16th birthday. Love and security were two missing pieces of his childhood, and Richard wanted and needed them more than anything. But those words would haunt him for nearly 40 years. Raised in the “City that Care Forgot,” Richard spent his formative years helping and supporting others — friends, neighbors and an English teacher. After a student placed a condom box on the teacher’s desk, Richard felt compelled to help her. He was an ordinary freshman attempting an extraordinary feat, but she was no ordinary person. A former college homecoming queen, she was smart, beautiful and had a passion for literature — and one student. What began as platonic progressed into a period in which she weaved Richard into a web of sex, lies and broken promises. After she ended the relationship, he spiraled down a destructive path, until he crossed the bridge onto the road of 12-step recovery. Honest, painful and often funny, Pay Dirt tells a story of lost innocence, sexual abuse, addiction, perseverance and ultimately redemption. Richard Herzog holds a master’s degree in health promotion from Vanderbilt University. He spent four years in the Air National Guard, 27 years in education and 31 years coaching football, four as a graduate assistant in the SEC. He lives in the Nashville area.

Information presented in this section is compiled from material provided by the publisher and/or author and does not necessarily represent the view of the Alumni Review or the Ole Miss Alumni Association. To present a recently published book or CD for consideration, please mail a copy with any descriptions and publishing information to: Ole Miss Alumni Review, Ole Miss Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677. 44

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Rebel Traveler

he alumni travel program is a service the Ole Miss Alumni Association offers as part of its mission to unite alumni and keep them connected to Ole Miss and one another. OMAA has partnered with several tour operators that specialize in alumni travel to offer a broad selection of educational tours. Alumni and friends obtain group rates and discounts. Listed prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and pricing and dates are subject to change until booking. Airfare is not included unless noted. Visit olemissalumni.com/ travel for a complete listing and the most up-to-date information. Due to the continued effects and uncertainty on travel as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, these offerings and itineraries are subject to change or cancellation. OMAA strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance. For a brochure or more information on a trip, contact the Alumni office at 662-915-7375 or email travel@olemissalumni.com.

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ROMANCE OF THE DOURO RIVER MAY 20-31, 2022

Tour Operator: AHI Delight your senses on this handcrafted, 10-night program, featuring a threenight stay in world-class Lisbon and a seven-night cruise through the Douro River Valley, the world’s oldest demarcated winemaking region. Begin in Portugal’s humming capital, enjoying its diverse neighborhoods, the Jerónimos Monastery and monuments. Travel north to visit romantic Óbidos and Coimbra, home to Portugal’s revered university. After boarding your firstclass ship in Porto, spend time exploring this enigmatic harbor town known for its storied Ribeira district and Bohemian culture. Then cruise the fabled Douro River, carving a path through sculpted hills and bucolic lands steeped in winemaking traditions. Daily excursions feature visits to wine estates and charming townships with wonderfully preserved architecture, including Vila

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Real, Lamego and Salamanca, Spain. Along the way, impress your tastebuds with regional dishes, local pastries and authentic port wines. Plus, enjoy an authentic Portuguese folk show. This journey features a choice of included excursions to personalize your journey and an extensive meal plan. No single supplement for solo travelers. — From $4,295

IN THE WAKE OF THE VIKINGS AND GAELS MAY 28-JUNE 6, 2022

Tour Operator: Gohagan Discover the lands of the Vikings and Gaels on this exclusive, 10-day itinerary combining the legendary treasures of Scotland and Iceland. Experience eight nights aboard the exclusively chartered, five-star Le Bellot from Glasgow, Scotland, to Reykjavík, Iceland. Visit a Scottish malt whisky distillery on the island of Isle. Cruise past the over 500-foot Stac Lee and marvel at its large

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enchanting towns. On our incredible, seven-night journey, you’ll be seduced by this alluring slice of Italy where honored history and rich culture are revealed. Stay in charming Vietri sul Mare, venturing out to explore Ravello, Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento, endearing villages perched majestically above the coast. Soak up unspoiled vistas while cruising azure seas, and delve into fascinating legends at Herculaneum and Pompeii, frozen in time by the mudflows of Mount Vesuvius. Unravel history amid Paestum’s Greek temples, and tuck into the region’s sensational cuisine, including olive oil and cheese tastings during a rural farm experience. Whether visiting the renowned National Archaeological Museum or discovering Old Naples, your Italian daydreams will come to life. This handcrafted, small-group journey features first-class accommodations and an extensive meal plan. — From $3,595

Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangau, Germany

gannet colony. Explore UNESCO World Heritage-designated St. Kilda and the 5,000-year-old Neolithic ruins of the Standing Stones of Callanish on the Isle of Lewis. Visit breathtaking Tvøroyri and Tórshavn on the archipelago of the Faroe Islands. In Iceland, call at Djúpivogur and enjoy an excursion to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, home to playful seals swimming among calving glaciers and passing ice floes. Tour Heimaey Island, which records the largest sea catches in Iceland since the days of its first settlers. Visit the new Eldheimar Museum to learn about the “Pompeii of the North,” Eldfell volcano. Cruise along Iceland’s UNESCO-inscribed Surtsey, one of Earth’s youngest islands. Edinburgh and Glasgow pre-program and Reykjavík and the Golden Circle post-program options are available. — From $5,995

CANADIAN MARITIMES JUNE 11-20, 2022

Tour Operator: AHI Canada’s stunning Maritime provinces dazzle with craggy coastlines, picture-perfect fishing villages, thick forests and fertile farmland. Explore their picturesque beauty and enduring bond with the sea

Rebel Traveler

on this nine-night journey featuring first-class stays in Halifax and Baddeck, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Delight in coastal beacons and quiet coves along Nova Scotia’s Lighthouse Route; tour Old Town Lunenburg, a well-preserved British colonial town; and sample wines in lush Annapolis Valley. Spot whales breaching on a Bay of Fundy cruise, and marvel at rocks sculpted by the bay’s mighty tides. On Prince Edward Island, take in the enchanting settings of the Anne of Green Gables books. You’ll also savor sensational ocean vistas on one of Canada’s most scenic drives, the winding Cabot Trail that hugs Cape Breton Island. As part of your generous meal plan, enjoy a traditional lobster boil and wine with all dinners. This small-group experience includes a travel director and expert insights from guides and lecturers. — From $4,295

THE CHARM OF THE AMALFI COAST JUNE 22-30, 2022

Tour Operator: AHI Immerse yourself in the unending splendors of the Amalfi Coast, from ancient ruins to sun-swept coastline and

OBERAMMERGAU AND CRUISING THE DANUBE RIVER JULY 17-27, 2022

Tour Operator: Gohagan Experience one of the world’s greatest dramatic spectacles amid the storybook landscapes of the Bavarian Alps — the extravagant Passion Play staged once a decade by residents of the quaint German village of Oberammergau. With a cast of thousands and a legacy that encompasses nearly four centuries, Oberammergau’s rare tradition is made even more exceptional with this program’s specially reserved seating and thoughtfully arranged cultural enrichments. This custom itinerary, effortlessly blending remarkable history with stunning scenery, features an exclusively chartered, five-night deluxe cruise along the fabled Danube River, two nights in the idyllic Bavarian Alps and two nights in Munich. Visit four countries — Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany — and enjoy excursions to medieval Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site and scenic backdrop for “The Sound of Music,” and Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for Walt Disney’s iconic S PR I NG 2022

Rebel Traveler 2022 Sleeping Beauty Castle. Experience five UNESCO World Heritage sites. Tour Budapest’s most historic landmarks, the world-class city of Vienna, 11th-century Melk Abbey and medieval Bratislava. Budapest pre-program and Berlin post-program options are available. — From $4,395

NORTHERN REALMS AUG. 6-17, 2022

Tour Operator: Go Next We’re on our way north — come bask in the beauty of the Baltics. From Denmark to Sweden and everywhere in between, this trip will lead you through secret tunnels, into towers and turrets, and behind the scenes in some of the world’s most fascinating towns. Make your way through medieval ruins in Visby, and kayak down a calm Lithuanian river in Klaipėda. Tour Tallinn’s underground passageways as you learn about its historic past, then cruise into Helsinki, the white city of the north, where you can peruse an open-air market for the perfect present to pack in your suitcase. Before ending in Stockholm, experience Finnish coastal charm in Kotka as you learn about Finland’s seafaring history at Merikeskus Vellamo, a wave-shaped dockside museum. — From $4,199, including airfare

GREAT PACIFIC NORTHWEST, PORTLAND TO SPOKANE AUG. 14-22, 2022

Tour Operator: Go Next Explore the beauty of the Pacific Northwest on this nine-night adventure with American Queen Steamboat Co. Enjoy a complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay in Vancouver, Washington, then board the American Empress to sail to Astoria, the oldest settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. Next, cruise to Portland and walk through the serene Japanese Garden. Stop in Stevenson, where you can visit the historic Bonneville Dam. Spend two days in The Dalles to learn the exciting history of a city that was once the stomping grounds of gold miners and gunslingers. In Richland, stroll the downtown streets to browse the cafés and shops. Before journey’s end, spend 48

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a day in Clarkston, gateway to North America’s deepest river gorge — Hells Canyon. — From $3,899

ADRIATIC AND AEGEAN ARRAY OCT. 5-16, 2022

Tour Operator: Go Next Follow the sweeping path of Europe’s palaces and panoramic views on this 10-night trip aboard Oceania Cruises’ Nautica. Spy the steep slopes of Amalfi

local battlefield guides who paint a compelling picture of the struggles and triumphs the Allies faced in 1944. Continue to the Anzio Beachhead, where the Allies attempted to circumvent the stalemate at the Gustav Line, before heading to the picturesque Tuscany region. Here, guests pay their respects at the Florence American Cemetery and learn of the harrowing challenges the Allies faced at the Gothic Line. Honor the servicemen

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

as you take a coastal cruise up the UNESCO-listed shores. Under the gaze of Mount Etna, enjoy a Sicilian lunch of pecorino and prosciutto. History buffs will linger in the lanes of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, filled with fortresses and fortifications. Spend two days in timeless Venice, where you’ll glide the old canals on gondolas while Italian musicians serenade you. In Greece, catch a glimpse of ancient Olympia near Katakolon, and in Santorini, relax in the sea breeze with a glass of award-winning wine. — From $3,349

ITALY: 1944 OCT. 6-12, 2022

Tour Operator: National WWII Museum Venture into Italy to examine the beginnings of its liberation and hear the stories of the men who fought there. Starting in Rome, tour with expert,

of the Italian Campaign by walking in their footsteps. — From $4,695

VILLAGE LIFE IN DORDOGNE OCT. 6-14, 2022

Tour Operator: Gohagan Experience the authentic provincial character of Dordogne for a week in Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of France’s most beautiful and well-preserved medieval villages. Stay in the family-owned Plaza Madeleine Hôtel, formerly a grand 19th-century townhouse. Discover the region’s charming villages, medieval castles and prehistoric treasures through specially arranged excursions and cultural enrichments — the pilgrimage site of Rocamadour and the fascinating prehistoric cave paintings of Rouffignac and Cap-Blanc, all UNESCO World Heritage sites; the perfectly reproduced cave art at Lascaux, the “Sistine Chapel

2022 of Prehistory”; a private performance of French folk music and dance; Sarlat’s famous open-air market; the Englishstyle Gardens of Eyrignac; and a specially arranged gabare cruise on the Dordogne River. Gain insight during the exclusive Village Life Forum with local residents who will share firsthand perspectives on daily life in Dordogne. Complement your exploration of France’s rich culture with the Bordeaux pre-program option, featuring the famous wine region of St. Émilion, and the Albi and Toulouse post-program option, visiting the storybook medieval towns of southern France. — From $3,995

GRAND DANUBE PASSAGE OCT. 15-30, 2022

Tour Operator: AHI Experience the classic cultures, unique traditions and time-honored heritage of eight distinct countries, and sail the mighty Danube River on an unforgettable European journey. Plus, bookend your cruise with stays in Sofia, Bulgaria, and Prague, Czech Republic. This special, handcrafted itinerary presents fascinating landmarks, iconic cities and authentic experiences to provide you with an up-close and personal look at each

Carcassonne Castle, Carcassonne, France

destination. Witness cathedrals, synagogues, mosques and fortresses that spring from the pages of storybooks, and stroll through medieval towns brimming with hallowed history. Visit Vienna, Bratislava and Belgrade, and feast your eyes on an illuminated Budapest on an evening cruise. During your river adventure, discover an abundance of beauty around every bend, from the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk Abbey and the Iron Gate Gorge to idyllic villages perched above. Taste delicacies in Croatia’s Slavonia region, and celebrate rich culture while enjoying a folk show and Viennese waltz performance. Along the way, a selection of included excursions immerses you in each destination’s cuisine, architecture, local life and much more. You’ll enjoy first-class ship accommodations, deluxe hotels and a generous meal plan featuring wine and beer with lunch and dinner. There is no single supplement for solo travelers. — From $5,295

ANTIQUITIES OF THE RED SEA AND AEGEAN SEA OCT. 29-NOV. 11, 2022

Tour Operator: Gohagan Join us on this custom-designed, 14-day journey to the cradle of civilization.

Rebel Traveler

Visit three continents, navigate the legendary waterways of the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Aegean Sea, transit the seminal Suez Canal and experience up to nine magnificent UNESCO World Heritage sites. Cruise for seven nights aboard the exclusively chartered, five-star Le Bellot, featuring just 92 elegant suites and staterooms, each with a private balcony. Stand in the shadows of the Great Pyramids of Giza, the only remaining wonder of the Ancient World. Mid-cruise, overnight in awe-inspiring Luxor in a Nile-view room, and enjoy a specially arranged visit into the UNESCO-inscribed tomb of Queen Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings. Follow in the footsteps of nomadic Bedouins across dramatic Wadi Rum, and tour the “rose-red city” of Petra. Experience one night in Aqaba and three nights in Amman to visit Greco-Roman Jerash. Two-night Classical Greece pre-program and six-night The Holy Land post-program options are available. — From $7,895

OPERATION HOME FRONT NOV. 6-9, 2022

Tour Operator: National WWII Museum Travel to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans to explore, remember and reflect on World War II through exclusive access to the museum’s campus. The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world — why it was fought, how it was won and what it means today — so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. Enjoy easy access to the National WWII Museum during your stay at The Higgins Hotel, located across the street from the museum. Prominently located in the New Orleans Warehouse District and directly on the museum campus, The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center features a striking 1940s theme and is part of the exclusive Curio Collection by Hilton. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience a custom program at this world-class institution. — From $1,399 S PR I NG 2022

Alumni News Leading the Way

2022 NEW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS

he new members of the Alumni Association board of directors are involved in a wide range of careers and community organizations. One-third of the board is appointed each year by the Ole Miss Alumni Association president and serves a three-year term. JOHN P. BAXTER (BA 95) is a senior vice

president at Hancock Whitney Bank in Gulfport. He has been with Hancock Whitney for 27 years. He specializes in wealth management and heads up a team of private bankers, trust officers, financial planners and financial advisors. While at Ole Miss, he was president of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and president of IFC. He and his wife of 21 years, Jeanne (JD 99), reside in Bay St. Louis and have two children, William and Rebecca. They are members of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church. BOB BOX (BBA 80, JD 88) is a partner in the law firm of Jones Walker LLP in Jackson. While at Ole Miss, he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau. Box served a two-year term as president of the Central Mississippi Ole Miss Club and a three-year term as president of the Rebel Club of Jackson. He and his wife, Cathy (BA 81), reside at Lake Caroline in Madison County. QUINTAVIUS “Q” BURDET TE (BAcc y 16,

MAccy 17), born and raised in Mississippi, is a real estate agent with RE/MAX in Germantown, Tennessee. While at Ole Miss, he played football and ran track. After graduation, he moved to Atlanta to practice accounting with KPMG before changing careers and getting his real estate license. He has been named a top 30 under 30 realtor and top 40 under 40 realtor in the U.S. Burdette enjoys traveling the world and telling his story as a source of inspiration. He is married to Emily (BSES 20), former volleyball player for the Rebs.

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BRITT BURKHALTER (BS 15) is an ASHA certi-

fied speech-language pathologist specializing in the treatment of speech and language disorders in preschool and school-age children. She owns a private practice where she works with children in homes and schools across the Jackson metro area. While at Ole Miss, she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority, was elected Sophomore Homecoming Maid and was named a Class Favorite. She was also involved in the Student Alumni Council, where she served as vice president of external affairs. She and her husband, Byron (BAccy 13, MAccy 14), reside in Jackson with their daughter, Kate. JENNIFER CALHOUN (BBA 96) is president-elect of the Tupelo Ballet board of directors, Alliance, and a member of the Tupelo Country Club board of directors. She also serves on the M-Club board of directors. While at Ole Miss, she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority and a four-year letterman on the Ole Miss women’s golf team. She and her husband, Bo, attend First United Methodist Church in Tupelo and have three children: Anna, Boatner and Hudson. GARY CHILDERS (BA 83) serves as senior vice president-private banking manager for Farmers & Merchants Bank. He is a past president of the Northeast Arkansas Ole Miss Club and is a member of the Vaught Society. He is past president of Jonesboro University Rotary Club, past board member of the Greater Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce and the Craighead County Community Foundation and serves as a board member of St. Bernards/Five Rivers Hospital. He and his wife, Marketta McAtee (BSPh 83), have two children, Haley Jones and Garrett, and one grandchild, Wilder Jones. They are members of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

Alumni News SCOTT COOPWOOD (BA 84) is a newspaper and magazine publisher with titles including Delta Magazine, Delta Business Journal and The Bolivar Bullet. He is also owner of the full-service advertising, marketing and public relations firm Coopwood Communications. While at Ole Miss, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He has served on the board of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks since 2015, having been reappointed in 2021. He also serves on the boards of Entergy Mississippi, the Mississippi Economic Council and Delta Council. He lives in Cleveland with his wife, Cindy, and they have three children. JOHN FLETCHER (JD 94) is a partner in the

Jackson office of Jones Walker LLP. He was recognized as Best Lawyers’ 2022 Mississippi Lawyer of the Year in Tax Law and served as 2019-20 chair of the Tax Section of the Mississippi Bar. He is immediate past chair of the board of directors of the Mississippi Children’s Museum, current chair of the finance council of St. Richard Catholic Church and serves on the board of governors of the Mississippi Economic Council. He will soon conclude his term as president of the Delta State University National Alumni Association. He and his wife, Lisa, have three sons, William, Talbot and Robert. KAILYN A. HARTNETT (BBA 09) recently joined Gartner Inc. as a client executive in sales supporting high-tech corporations. Before accepting this position, she was with IBM Corp. since 2010. After spending many years in New York City, Hartnett now resides in Midtown Atlanta with her husband and their rescue dog. She has been active with the Ole Miss Young Alumni Council as well as professional associations and community organizations in Atlanta. While at Ole Miss, she was part of the University Chorus, Alpha Omicron Pi and was an orientation leader among other campus involvement.

JENNIE HIBBARD (BBA 88) of Corinth has served as president and administrator of Whitfield Nursing Home Inc. since 1989. She has carried on the family tradition of providing health care to Alcorn County since 1928. Hibbard is past president of Corinth Junior Auxiliary and Rotary Club of Corinth. She has had an active role in

Rotary International at the local, national and international levels, serving at various levels for the Sydney, Australia, International Convention. She is married to Jack Hibbard, U.S. Navy retired, and they have one daughter, Jacqueline, who is attending Ole Miss. ALI HOPSON (BS 92) is a registered dietitian at Promise Hospital, Merit Health, and co-owner of Nutrition Matters LLC. While at Ole Miss, she served as president of Kappa Delta Sorority and was a Campus Favorite. Hopson serves as president of the Official Mississippi Women’s Club and vice chair of the Vicksburg Convention Center board. She has served as a fundraising event chair for the American Cancer Society and United Way. She and her husband, Briggs (BBA 87, JD 90), live in Vicksburg and attend Crawford Street United Methodist Church. They have three children, Liam (BBA 20), Walt and Jane. CALLIE MAYO (BS 17) is a marketing coordinator for Brasfield & Gorrie, one of the largest privately held construction firms in the nation. In this position, she manages the entire pursuit process from early strategy through proposal and pursuit interview for the health care, commercial and industrial divisions. She also supports regional operations and business development on internal projects, presentations, award submittals, trade shows and special events. During her time at Ole Miss, Mayo was a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, Student Alumni Council and Chi Omega. She is a native of Oxford and proudly comes from a long line of Ole Miss alumni. She resides in Nashville. MURRAY MILLER (BA 15) serves as a legisla-

tive assistant for U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee. In this role, she oversees the congressman’s agriculture, energy and environment portfolio, as well as natural resources portfolio for his personal office. Before her current position, she served in the office of U.S. Rep. Michael Guest and in the government relations field at a trade association in Washington, D.C. Miller grew up in Jackson, and serves as a volunteer on the Chi Omega National Recruitment Team and in the D.C. Junior League.

S PR I NG 2022

Alumni News KAREN MOORE (BS 82) is president of the nonprofit Project Redesign in Nashville, where she and her husband, Bruce, reside. She serves on the boards of directors for the Frist Art Museum and the Nashville Zoo. They have three children, all of whom attended Ole Miss: Tyler (BAccy 10, MAccy 11), Margaret Anne Byerly (BAEd 12) and Mitchell; and one grandchild, Clarke. She has served on the Ole Miss Women’s Council for Philanthropy since 2007 and is a past chairman. She also served on the UM Foundation board of directors for three years. She and Bruce Moore serve on the UM Development Planning Committee for the “Now and Ever” campaign. CONSTANCE SLAUGHTER-HARVEY (JD 70),

former assistant secretary of state and general counsel, is founder and president of the Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation Inc. and Scott County Bar president. She is the first African American female to receive a law degree from the University of Mississippi and to serve as judge in Mississippi. She was a founder of the National Black Law Students Association in 1968 and was adjunct professor at Tougaloo College for more than 36 years. Slaughter-Harvey has received more than 1,000 awards for her contributions. She has been inducted into the halls of fame for Tougaloo College, the National Bar Association, UM School of Law and the University of Mississippi. In 2020, she was listed as one of 10 Mississippi Women of the Century by the USA Today Network. She has a daughter, Constance Olivia Slaughter Harvey Burwell, and grandson, Tre. JODY VARNER (BAccy 85, MAccy 86, JD 88)

is an attorney with Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes PLLC in Jackson, where he concentrates his practice in federal income and transfer tax issues, including transactional tax planning, estate and gift taxation and entity formation. While at Ole Miss, he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and Beta Alpha Psi. He attends Christ United Methodist Church, and has served as president of the Country Club of Jackson and president of the Jackson Academy board of trustees. He and his wife, Michelle, are parents of two children, Ashley (BBA 17) and Will (BA 19).

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WILMA J. WILBANKS (BSPh 81) is a commu-

nity pharmacist at Walgreens in Cleveland. She serves as international president of Delta Gamma Fraternity and National Panhellenic Conference delegate. She previously served as chairman of the board of trustees of the Delta Gamma Foundation. She is a past president of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Delta Arts Alliance and the Crosstie Arts Council. She and her husband, Bob, are communicants of Calvary Episcopal Church and share three sons and five grandchildren. The couple was recently named the University of Mississippi’s 2022 Distinguished Pharmacy Alumni of the Year, and she was a 2019 inductee into the Mississippi Pharmacy Hall of Fame. TISH HAAS WILLIAMS (BA 80) is a Gulf Coast native with over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management and economic development. She is executive director of the Hancock Chamber of Commerce, Partners for Stennis & Michoud, and the Hancock County Community Development Foundation. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she received the Phoenix Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration for Outstanding Contribution to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official and was recognized by the Sun Herald as one of the top 10 Outstanding Community Leaders. She is married to George Williams and has two daughters, Georgia (BS 19) and Tricia (BAccy 19). EUGENE WING (BBA 70) of Jonesboro,

Arkansas, retired after 34 years of government service and five years as director of Total Life Healthcare in Jonesboro. He is a past president and has served on the boards for the Rotary Club of Jonesboro, receiving the club’s Rotarian of the Year award; St. Bernards Development Foundation; Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, receiving the Hunger Relief Alliance Award; and Craighead County Community Foundation. He also is a member of the Northeast Arkansas Ole Miss Club. He and his wife, Becky (BA 71), have been married for 51 years and have two sons.

Ole Miss Athletics

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP.

BAMA WEEKEND IS ON US. Ole Miss is leading the state in academics, athletics and alumni involvement. Your membership in the Alumni Association is critical to keep up the momentum. Join, extend your membership or become a Sustaining Life Member by May 31, and you will be entered into a chance to win two tickets to the Alabama football game on Nov. 12 and a Saturday night stay at The Inn at Ole Miss! Thank you for being an active part of the Alumni Association.

olemissalumni.com/join

Alumni News

Sumner Abraham

Julie Addison

Vince Chamblee

Melissa King

Martha Frances Dalton

Quadray Kohlhiem

Betsey Mosby

Sarah Bracy Penn

Mollie Spencer

Phelton Moss

EJ Presley

Grace Sturdivant

Jessie Austin

Kimbrely Dandridge

Reed Barrett

Addison Edmonds

Dex Landreth

Nicole Tisdale

Erika Berry

Christin Gates-Calloway

Billy Glasco Jr.

Lauren Lyles-Stolz

Ian Navarro

Daniel Roberts

Cody Berrey

Ty New

Anna Rubinstein

Jenny Ann Urban

Ashley Sheils

Kyle Veazey

Gresham Hodges Meek

Casey Butts

Davis Horton

John Monteith

Joshua Norris

Chase Parham

Collins Tuohy Smith

Tywanna Smith

Marc Walker

Charlie White

Top 40 OMAA ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL 40 UNDER 40 RECIPIENTS

he Ole Miss Alumni Association unveiled its inaugural 40 Under 40 Class for 2022. This program celebrates the personal, professional and philanthropic achievements of successful University of Mississippi graduates under the age of 40. Recipients were recognized with a ceremony on March 25 as part of Young Alumni Weekend, which included a crawfish boil at Swayze Field. The 2022 group of young alumni includes an NBC News producer, a U.S. Space Force commander, a specialist for talent relations and awards at Netflix and a director of the National Security Council. “We are thrilled to unveil this first year’s class of 40 Under

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40 and welcome them back to campus to honor their accomplishments,” says Kirk Purdom (BA 93), Ole Miss Alumni Association CEO. “These outstanding individuals exemplify leadership in their industries and communities, and I’m happy we were able to launch this program of recognition.” Nominations for 40 Under 40 were open from October to December, and more than 500 nominations were received for this year’s class. Honorees must be active members of the Alumni Association, have made a significant impact on their industry or field, have civic or professional achievements, aspire to uphold the core values of the UM Creed, have earned continued on page 55

Alumni News continued from page 54

an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with the university and the OMAA. “The Class of 2022 truly represents the young alumni

from Ole Miss with careers in television, government affairs, philanthropy and even the outdoorsman,” says Sunny Brown (BSFCS 09, MA 11), assistant director of Alumni Affairs who organized the awards. “It was very special to honor them and to have them network with current students.”

2022 CLASS OF 40 UNDER 40 • Dr. Sumner Abraham (BA 12, MD 16) of Oxford, chief medical operating officer, Relias Healthcare • Julie Howell Addison (BA 07, JD 10) of Oxford, assistant U.S. attorney, U.S. Department of Justice • Jessie Austin (BAccy 11, MTax 13) of Washington, D.C., audit liaison, U.S. Mint • Reed Barrett (BBA 07) of Houston, Texas, software executive and co-founder, CampusOptics • Cody Berrey (BSME 15, MS 17) of Oxford, senior mechanical engineer, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems • Erika Berry (BA 08) of Nashville, Tennessee, senior director of policy, TennesseeCAN • Casey Butts (BAccy 04, JD 07) of Laurel, staff attorney, Sanderson Farms Inc. • Vince Chamblee (BA 10, BAccy 10) of Oxford, senior financial adviser, Hardy Reed • Dr. Martha Frances Dalton (BS 11) of Corinth, assistant clinical professor of veterinary pathology, Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine • Kimbrely Dandridge (BAJ 13) of Seattle, corporate counsel/ entertainment attorney, Amazon • Addison Edmonds (BBA 09) of Nashville, Tennessee, founder, Gunner Kennels • Christin Gates-Calloway (BA 11) of Verona, Wisconsin, programs & policy manager, Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness • Billy Glasco Jr. (BA 05) of Greenville, archivist, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum – National Archives and Records Administration • Davis Horton (BBA 12) of Memphis, sports agent, Creative Artists Agency • Melissa King (BBA 07) of Tupelo, Victims of Crime Act staff attorney, North Mississippi Rural Legal Services • Quadray Kohlhiem (BBA 14) of Seattle, senior vendor manager, Amazon • Lt. Col. Dex Landreth (BBA 04) of Viera, Florida, commander, National Reconnaissance Office, U.S. Space Force • L auren Lyles-Stolz (BPSC 13, PharmD 16) of Alexandria, Virginia, health legislative assistant, U.S. House of Representatives • Gresham Hodges Meek (BA 12) of Dallas, CEO/creative director, Gresham Jewelry • John Monteith (BAJ 14) of Los Angeles, specialist – talent relations and awards, Netflix

• Betsey Mosby (BAccy 07, MTax 08) of Jackson, owner/principal, Betsey Mosby Interior Design • Phelton Moss (BA 12, PhD 20) of Washington, D.C., professor of education policy and leadership, American University, and senior TA consultant, Center on Great Teachers and Leaders • Ian Navarro (BFCS 07) of Denver, COO/senior VP sales, What Chefs Want • Ty New (BBA 11, MBA 12) of Memphis, co-founder/president, Project Apoyo • Joshua Norris (BA 09, BAccy 09) of Jackson, owner, LeFleur Financial Wealth Management • Chase Parham (BUS 18) of Oxford, editor/podcast host and co-owner, Rivals.com/MPW Digital • Sarah Bracy Penn (BA 15, BAJ 15) of New York, New York, producer, NBC News • E J Presley (BA 10, MEd 12, EdD 19) of Oxford, assistant director of career development, University of Mississippi • Daniel Roberts (BA 14) of Washington, D.C., head of communications, BrightDrop • Anna Rubinstein (BA 11, BA 11, BSChE 11) of Arlington, Virginia, director of test and evaluation, MORSE Corp. • Ashley Sheils (BAEd 05, MEd 06) of Madison, director, MiSsion Acceleration, University of Mississippi • Collins Tuohy Smith (BA 09) of Memphis, co-owner, Whimsy Cookie Co.; CEO, Collins Closets • Tywanna Smith (BBA 04, MBA 05) of West Memphis, Arkansas, president, The Athlete’s Nexus • Mollie Spencer (BSPSc 08, PharmD 11) of Senatobia, owner/ pharmacist, Community Pharmacy • Grace Sturdivant (BA 06) of Ridgeland, founder and owner, OtoPro Technologies • Nicole Tisdale (BA 06, JD 09) of Washington, D.C., director, National Security Council, the White House • Jenny Ann Urban (BA 11, MBA 13, JD 15, LLM 16) of Oxford, consultant, GoCrisis and adjunct professor of aviation law, Eastern New Mexico University • Kyle Veazey (BA 04) of Memphis, senior vice president/executive operations, ALSAC • Dr. Marc E. Walker (BS 06) of Jackson, professor of plastic surgery and orthopedic surgery, division director of adult and pediatric hand and upper extremity surgery, and fellowship program director of surgery of the hand, University of Mississippi Medical Center • Charlie White (BBA 06) of Tupelo, director of safety, environmental and human resources, B&B Concrete Co. Inc. S PR I NG 2022

Alumni News

Class Notes ’70s

JERE HUMPHREYS (BM 71) of

Phoenix was named professor of music emeritus by Arizona State University, where he taught for 34 years, from 1987 to 2021. DAVID NELSON (BBA 77) of Eau Claire,

Wisconsin, was honored by the American Red Cross of Wisconsin with its Hero of a Lifetime Award for his contributions as a board member and volunteer responding to numerous national disasters.

DAVID O’CONNER (MA 73) of Natchez is the

author of A Priestly Pilgrimage, which was released in July 2021. The book takes readers through his 55 years of ministry in Mississippi as a Catholic priest in times of cultural and theological change. He retired in June 2019.

’80s

DARREL NOLON BL AYLOCK

(MPA 84) of For t Payne, Alabama, took over as the new CEO of DeKalb Regional Medical Center in February, bringing more than 30 years of experience to the role.

DR. DAN EDNEY (MD 88) of Vicksburg was

named deputy state health officer by the Mississippi State Department of Health. Edney is also a member of the American Medical Association and the Mississippi State Medical Association where he serves as past president. PEGGIE GILLOM-GRANDERSON (BSW 80)

of Abbeville was honored as an SEC Trailblazer during the 2022 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville in March. The honor recognizes those who contribute to the advancement of women and the growth of women’s athletics at their universities and within the Southeastern Conference.

WIL HAMPTON (BA 84) of Ave Maria, Florida, joined the Ave Maria University Athletic Department as associate athletic director for external operations. He will head up the athletic fundraising and sponsorship programs while also supervising men’s basketball, men’s baseball, men’s soccer, as well as the men’s and women’s tennis and golf coaching staffs.

G. DEWEY HEMBREE III (BBA 83, JD 86) of

Madison, attorney with McGlinchey Stafford in Jackson, was recognized in the 2021 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers.

BRIGGS HOPSON (BBA 87, JD 90), state senator from Vicksburg, was elected to serve on the 2021-22 National Conference of State Legislatures’ executive committee at the 2021 Legislative Summit in Tampa, Florida. MATT PARHAM (BAccy 84) of Oxford was recently named 2021 Board Member of the Year by the United Way of OxfordLafayette County. Parham, president of the Bank of Commerce in Oxford, has been a member of the UWOLC board since 2013 and serves on the organization’s finance and campaign committees.

’90s

ANTHONY AMOS ( BA 9 3

(s o ciolog y), BA 93 (psychology)) of Memphis was promoted to chief compliance officer by the Memphis Area Transit Authority. In this role, his responsibilities include compliance monitoring of all business aspects as well as

JOIN THE REBEL MUG CLUB $500 per member. Membership includes a commemorative beer mug for your home, 20-ounce draft beer for the price of a pint in McCormick’s and a tax-deductible donation to the University of Mississippi. The first 200 charter members will have their names placed on a plaque at McCormick’s.

olemissalumni.com/mccormicks 56

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Alumni News compliance with civil rights and the Americans with Disabilities Act provisions of stakeholder agreements. LYNETTE JOHNSON (MEd 90, EdD 18) of

Hernando was honored as an SEC Trailblazer during the 2022 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville in March. The honor recognizes those who contribute to the advancement of women and the growth of women’s athletics at their universities and within the Southeastern Conference.

’00s

J. CARTER BURNS (JD 05) of

Natchez was elected to the board of trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. He has served as executive director of the Historic Natchez Foundation for the past three years.

’10s

SHERIKA L. BRADFORD (BA

11) of Leavenworth, Kansas, was promoted to the rank of major in the U.S. Army.

CARLOS MAURY (BBA 11) of Oxford was

ROBERT CHAPMAN (BA 07) was named

promoted to leader, business system analysis, at CoreLogic Inc.

LEE MULLEN (BA 91) was named Teacher of the Year for Oxford High School by the Oxford School District. Each school in the district selects its own Teacher of the Year.

RONALD MORRIS (BSCJ 08) of Pfafftown,

JESSICA SEWELL (BA 13 (international studies), BA 13 (Chinese)) of Renton, Washington, accepted a new role as legal counsel with Blue Origin in Kent, Washington.

JOSEPH REID (BA 92, JD 95) of Springfield,

Madison was named director of principal gifts and strategic planning for the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Missouri, attorney with Kutak Rock, was elected to firm partnership, effective in January. He has over 26 years of civil litigation experience representing a wide array of businesses and individuals.

RYAN T. SENTER (BA 96) of Fort Worth,

Texas, joined Opportune LLP as partner to lead the firm’s performance improvement practice. He brings over 25 years of experience advising Fortune 1000 companies in the consumer products, health care, energy and financial services sectors.

Clinton Public School District’s Administrator of the Year. Chapman serves as director of communications and public information officer.

North Carolina, was named chief legal officer by Asteya Inc.

CANDIE SIMMONS (BBA 02, MBA 15) of

DR. JOHN VANDERLOO (BA 02, MD 10) was

honored to serve as Doctor of the Day at the Mississippi State Capitol on Feb 8. He was introduced on the floor of the Senate by Sen. Walter Michel (BBA 83).

’20s

RYAN LUBKER ( B A 2 2 ) o f Charlotte, North Carolina, is co-founder and co-owner of Beer Deer, a company that creates decorative, 3D deer head wall art from heavy-duty cardboard.

ALUMNI FRIENDS JOHN CROSSMAN of Orlando, Florida, business leader, real estate executive and author, launched his own weekly radio show, “The Crossman Conversation,” on Jan. 22 across the Shepherd Network.

MIKE WHITE (BBA 00) of Athens, Georgia,

was named head basketball coach of the Georgia Bulldogs in March. He had served as Florida’s coach for the past seven years.

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S PR I NG 2022

Alumni News

Reunion to Remember STRONG RETURN FOR BAR 22

he 2022 University of Mississippi Black Alumni Reunion, held March 3-6, comprised over 15 different events and boasted the largest crowd of registrants to date. Traditionally held every three years, the reunion is a time to celebrate the vast contributions of black alumni to the university while recognizing individuals who paved the way. This year’s reunion was originally slated for 2021, before being rescheduled due to the pandemic. “The Black Alumni Reunion is a time for black graduates to return to the university for a time of enjoyment,” says Junae Johnson (BBA 15), Ole Miss Alumni Association assistant director

for diversity and inclusion. “The weekend consisted of various events and activities to celebrate black excellence and to exhibit the different cultures that are intertwined in what we call home.” As part of this year’s reunion, attendees were invited to a variety of events over a four-day span beginning on Thursday with the BAR Kickback party featuring karaoke in the Stark Family Garden at The Inn at Ole Miss. 58

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Friday’s festivities included mixers with students and alumni as well as campus visits with the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement and the College of Liberal Arts. The evening concluded with a Battle of the Greeks Step Show at Fulton Chapel followed by the Official Bar Party at the Powerhouse. Other events held over the weekend included the Jackie Certion Walk, an Old Skool Jam, panel discussions, a picnic and Sunday devotional service. One of the highlights of the weekend was the Black Alumni Awards Gala held on Saturday night at The Inn at Ole Miss. The banquet celebrates the organization’s history, honors outstanding alumni and offers classmates a chance to reunite. Six awards were presented to 11 honorees including the newly created Jackie Certion Guiding Light Award, given to Morgan Taylor Jones (BA 13, MBA 15) and John Cochran (BE 01), and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award presented to Eric Brown (BPA 73, MURP 77) and Ryan Upshaw (BA 06, MA 08). Other awards presented that evening included the Celebrated Athletics Award, presented to Derek Horne (BBA 87) and Jamil Northcutt (BSES 03, MA 04, PhD 13); Alumni Achievement Award, presented to Dexter McCain (BBA 92) and Suneisha Williams (BPS 10, JD 13); Dr. Jeanette Jennings “Trailblazer” Award, presented to James Hull (75); and the Wayne Johnson Community and Civic Award, presented to Ravyn Hampton (BAEd 20) and Herman Hicks (BA 80). Submitted photos

Alumni News ALUMNA FULFILLS LIFELONG DREAM OF BEING ON ‘JEOPARDY’

hen Ole Miss alumna Margaret Shelton (BA 01) finished her five-game run that aired in early March, she had amassed nearly $80,000 and likely assured herself of a spot in the annual “Tournament of Champions,” but just being on “Jeopardy” had been her dream since she was a kid. “Getting to make it real was amazing,” she says. “It was so much fun and so surreal to be up there behind that podium and selecting from that board. The whole experience is a happy blur. The only things I remember are the questions I missed.”

Shelton says all the people who make the show are at the top of their game, and it runs like a Swiss watch. “The only thing that changes are the categories and contestants,” she says. “And since that’s the exciting part, I got to be a little bit of the exciting part!” She says though being a contestant was stressful, it was also fun. “My only regret is that I never got to meet Alex Trebek: a classy, funny, intelligent man who was a constant for so many people for so long.”

WEDDINGS Eden Elizabeth Gayle Bowen (BS 21) and John Ross Montgomery (BAccy 20, MADA 21), June 5, 2021. Katherine Kristine Gentry and Wade Dungan Wood (BAccy 20, MAccy 21), July 10, 2021. Amanda Michelle Pickett (BUS 21) and Matthew Christopher Mims (16), Feb. 22, 2022. Christian Page Pugh (BSFCS 03) and Matt Dean, Feb. 2, 2022.

IN MEMORIAM 1940s Billups Henry Allen (BA 42, BSPh 48) of Flora, March 13, 2022 Margaret Spain Blalock (BAEd 48) of Oklahoma City, Okla., March 7, 2022 William Stanley Currie (BA 47, MA 50) of Houston, Texas, Dec. 28, 2021 Cecil Sheffield Franks (MedCert 43) of Tupelo, Feb. 27, 2022 Howard Green Hilton (BA 49) of Sterling, Va., Nov. 11, 2021 Burton Lindau (BA 46, BS 48) of Metairie, La., Sept. 9, 2021 Richard Golden Mendrop, USAF (Ret) (41) of Mesa, Ariz., March 5, 2022 Helen Hayes Mestayer (BA 45) of Bay St. Louis, June 16, 2022 Mary Coleman Milonas (41) of Madison, Feb. 3, 2022 Una Caldwell Robertson (43) of Jackson, March 9, 2022 Hugh Alford Stuart (BA 45) of Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 14, 2021

1950s Billie Mills Allio (BAEd 59) of Oxford, Jan. 4, 2022 Elizabeth Burgess Best (BA 54) of Mountain Brook, Ala., Jan. 8, 2022 Callie Swango Brandon (BSC 54) of Helena, Ark., Jan. 15, 2022 Norman Brown (MBA 51) of Germantown, Tenn., Feb. 18, 2022 Hubert Fulton Campbell (MedCert 50) of Wiggins, March 10, 2022 Jesse Theo Davis Jr. (BA 59, BS 60, MD 63) of Oxford, March 8, 2022 Mollie Catchings Devening (BAEd 55) of Woodville, March 19, 2022

Submitted photo

Irene Wiggins Enger (BA 52) of Mobile, Ala., Feb. 27, 2022 Alfred Dale Garmhausen (MM 54) of Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 30, 2021 George Hewitt Gent (BSPh 56) of Hattiesburg, Feb. 15, 2022 Eugene Burton Gifford Jr. (BPA 58, LLB 60) of Booneville, Feb. 26, 2022 Natalie Thompson Gilmore (BA 50) of Warner Robins, Ga., Feb. 13, 2022 Benjamin Leslie Harrison, USA (Ret.) (BA 52) of Katy, Texas, Jan. 22, 2022 Floyd Gene Henderson (BBA 58, MBA 59) of Port Charlotte, Fla., Oct. 29, 2021 John Eldon Hoar (BA 59) of Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 27, 2022 John Clark Hudson Jr. (BSME 59) of Sardis, Jan. 17, 2022 Raymond Lowell James (BSHPE 55) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dec. 20, 2021 Vance Shelby Jennings (MEd 52) of Tampa, Fla., Feb. 9, 2022 Linda Lindley Jensen (BSHPE 51) of Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 26, 2022 Salvatrice Portera Joseph (BAEd 57) of Houston, Texas, Feb. 18, 2022 Earle Leland Kitts Jr. (BA 58) of Hendersonville, N.C., Dec. 20, 2021 William Van Knight (BSPh 58) of Fairhope, Ala., Jan. 27, 2022 Marjorie Patricia Bishop Lacey (BSHPE 59) of Kosciusko, Feb. 1, 2022 Albert Langford (BBA 55) of Lexington, Aug. 11, 2021 Curtis Joseph Matthews (BSME 56) of Rock Hill, S.C., Jan. 13, 2022 Charles Russell McDaniel Sr. (BSPh 52) of Roanoke, Va., May 23, 2021 Sara Graves McElroy (BSC 52) of Tupelo, Jan. 10, 2022 Charles Carroll McGill (BA 51) of Belden, Jan. 18, 2022 Leonard Clell Miller (BA 58) of Collierville, Tenn., Feb. 28, 2022 Betsy Beall Reed (BAEd 58) of Mount Pleasant, S.C., Jan. 6, 2022 Lawrence David Riley Jr. (BSChE 56) of Panama City, Fla., Feb. 22, 2022 Ann Jones Stowers (51) of Nashville, Tenn., March 10, 2022 John Morell Sumner Sr. (BBA 59, JD 65) of Oxford, Jan. 10, 2022 Margaret Standridge Tillman (BS 57) of Tillatoba, Feb. 20, 2022 William LeRoy Tomlinson Jr. (BBA 59) of Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 24, 2021 William Sidney Van Zandt (50) of Brandon, Jan. 20, 2022 Ernest Nolan Waller (MBA 57, BBA 57) of Oxford, March 21, 2022

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Alumni News Gerald Wayne Walton (MA 59, PhD 67) of Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 23, 2022 Harlan Clifford Watts (BSCvE 51) of Hernando, Jan. 20, 2022 Ruth Streeter Wells (BSPh 55) of Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 29, 2022 Mary Lane Burkes Wheatley (MD 59) of Clinton, Jan. 28, 2022 Martha Bowman Wilson (BSHPE 50, MEd 51) of Jefferson City, Tenn., Feb. 7, 2022 Eugene Gregory Wood Jr. (MD 59) of Flowood, Dec. 8, 2021 Lockie Holmes York (BSC 58) of Oxford, Jan. 6, 2022

1960s William Henry Allen Jr. (BA 62, MS 63) of Sedona, Ariz., Dec. 21, 2021 Carl Weis Aron (BSPh 61) of Monroe, La., Jan. 5, 2022 Dixie Thompson Austin (BA 63) of Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 4, 2022 Fannye Graddy Bost (MEd 68) of Amory, March 23, 2022 Lillilan Sullivan Botts (BAEd 67, MEd 78) of Tupelo, Feb. 27, 2022 Walter Mason Bounds Jr. (BSChE 67, MS 68) of Baton Rouge, La., Dec. 14, 2021 James Beverly Bowen Jr. (BA 69, BSPh 76) of Plano, Texas, Jan. 27, 2022 Walter Umberger Brown Jr. (MD 64) of Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 16, 2022 Charles Russell Burke (BBA 62, JD 72) of Portsmouth, Va., Feb. 9, 2022 Robert Kenneth Coleman (BBA 60) of New Albany, Jan. 25, 2022 Linda Ledbetter Cooksey (BAEd 67) of Hernando, Feb. 6, 2022 William Lee Dees (MEd 68) of Sardis, Feb. 3, 2022 Dale Lee Duckworth, USAF (Ret.) (BBA 65) of Germantown, Tenn., Jan. 31, 2022 John Arthur Eaves Sr. (LLB 63) of Canton, March 18, 2022 James M. Epting Jr. (BBA 64) of Pascagoula, March 10, 2022 Hilton McKay Fairchild (MD 61) of Philadelphia, Jan. 21, 2022 Ron Franklin (65) of Austin, Texas, Jan. 18, 2022 Eddie Howard Gatlin (BBA 62) of Oxford, Dec. 31, 2021

Cook

Richard Newell Graham (BA 69) of Rives, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2022 Hattie Sue Chancellor Gray (MM 64) of Jackson, Feb. 11, 2022 John Thomas Grissom (BS 62, MS 66) of Albuquerque, N.M., Oct. 8, 2021 William Lodwick Hand (BS 62) of Ridgeland, March 3, 2022 John Robert Harris III (BBA 68) of Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 4, 2022 Ralph William Hemphill Jr. (BA 65, MA 67, PhD 70) of Macon, Ga., March 13, 2022 Billy Jones Herndon (BSPh 61) of Amory, March 24, 2022 Travis Gerald Hickman (BS 62, MS 64) of Lawrenceville, Ga., May 5, 2021 Daniel Clyde Hughes Jr. (BBA 65) of Jackson, March 11, 2022 Bobby Newell Irby (MCS 62, EdD 67) of Boonsboro, Md., Feb. 6, 2022 Joyce Dunn Johnson (BSC 61) of Oxford, Jan. 9, 2022 Katherine Skeen Johnson (BM 67) of Ballwin, Mo., March 15, 2022 John Rayburn King (BBA 60, MS 61) of East Stroudsburg, Pa., March 2, 2022 Don Preston Lacy (JD 66) of Raymond, Feb. 27, 2022 Robert Adams Lawson (64) of Oxford, Feb. 11, 2022 Jane Hudson Lee (BA 67) of Diamondhead, March 19, 2022 John Wincie Lee Jr. (JD 68) of Hattiesburg, Oct. 27, 2021 Edwynne Joiner Love (BA 60) of Little Rock, Ark., March 10, 2022 Elizabeth Ann Willey Lovett (BA 61, MEd 63) of Morton, Jan. 29, 2022 Sara Brooks Collins Marr (MEd 68) of Tupelo, Dec. 17, 2021 George Gilmore Martin (BA 66, JD 69) of Vicksburg, March 4, 2022 Annette Campbell Mauldin (BAEd 65) of Laurel, Feb. 23, 2021 Jerry Wain McDonald (MEd 66) of Converse, La., Jan. 31, 2022 Mattie McKinney McDowell (MM 60) of Columbia, Aug. 19, 2021 Edward Clarence McKinney Jr. (BBA 69) of Elkins, Ark., Oct. 29, 2021 James Gray McLemore Jr. (JD 66) of Carthage, Feb. 19, 2022 John Calvin McMullan (EdD 69) of Kennett, Mo., Jan. 2, 2022 Joseph Manuel Menendez (MEd 67) of Concord, N.C., Feb. 17, 2022

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Alumni News Edward Joseph Miller (68) of Altoona, Pa., Jan. 20, 2022 Bettie Royals Moody (MA 62) of Fruitland Park, Fla., Jan. 25, 2022 Edward McGehee Moore Jr. (BA 60) of Plano, Texas, Jan. 31, 2022 Alan Homer Mumm (MD 69) of Poulsbo, Wash., Jan. 25, 2022 Alan Linn Murphree (BA 67) of Pasadena, Calif., March 9, 2022 Christopher Lagrone Neal (BA 65, JD 71) of Venice, Fla., Dec. 17, 2021 Charles Richard Nute (BSHPE 66, MEd 71) of Munford, Tenn., Jan. 5, 2022 Karen Sue Burgdorff O’Cain (65) of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Jan. 4, 2022 Betty Lou Larson O’Neal (BAEd 64) of Pearl, Jan. 27, 2022 Lucas Oliver Platt (MD 68) of Tupelo, Jan. 29, 2022 George Harrison Reid (BBA 68) of Houston, Texas, Feb. 13, 2022 Vivian Randall Richmond (64) of Jackson, Feb. 2, 2002 Rudolph John Roy Jr. (BA 63) of Virginia Beach, Va., March 6, 2022 Autry Garner Russell (BSCvE 60) of Pass Christian, Jan. 14, 2022 Robert Clay Russell Sr. (BSHPE 60) of Thaxton, Oct. 6, 2021 Herman Guy Smith Jr. (JD 66) of Lakeland, Fla., Feb. 12, 2022 Jerry Claude Smith (BS 65) of Peachtree Corners, Ga., Jan. 12, 2022 Sidney Clifford Smith (BBA 63) of Centennial, Colo., Sept. 27, 2021 William Stanley Sullivan (BAEd 68) of Brandon, March 21, 2022 Raymond Clarence Swartzfager Jr. (LLB 63) of Laurel, Jan. 22, 2022 Davis Littleton Temple Jr. (BSPh 66, PhD 69) of Greensboro, Ga., Sept. 6, 2021 Davey Lewis Tucker (JD 68) of Jackson, Jan. 24, 2022 Eugene Seldon Van Cleve Jr. (BBA 60) of Indianola, Feb. 9, 2022 Rebecca Blocker Wade (BSN 67, MN 75) of Brandon, March 18, 2022 Raiford Payne Wallace Jr. (BAEd 61) of Baldwyn, Jan. 28, 2022 Oscar Richard Weiss (MD 69) of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., March 4, 2022 Sandra Veazey Williams (BA 66) of Senatobia, Jan. 21, 2022 William Don Williams (MCS 67) of Lincoln City, Ore., Sept. 7, 2021 Jerrel Keith Yates (BS 64, PhD 72) of Columbus, Ga., Jan. 16, 2022

1970s Anthony Martinez Alba (MPA 79) of Lawrenceville, Ga., Jan. 16, 2022 Elmer Dale Allen (BSHPE 73) of Delhi, La., Feb. 16, 2022 Barbara Shannon Armstrong (BAEd 74) of Plantersville, Jan. 27, 2022 Henry Beneke III (BA 71) of Onekama, Mich., Dec. 17, 2021 JoAnne Tidwell Bingham (MEd 78) of Myrtle, Jan. 6, 2022 William Marlin Bost Jr. (JD 70) of Vicksburg, March 3, 2022 Thomas McDowell Brabham (JD 75) of McComb, Feb. 21, 2022 Michael Colin Chatham (BE 73) of Oxford, March 1, 2022 Jane Copeland Cromeans (BAEd 70) of Oxford, March 11, 2022 Nelma Sue Crutcher (74) of Dover, Tenn., Jan. 17, 2022 Miriam Blakeney Ethridge (73) of Madison, Dec. 23, 2021 Jimmie Maddox Frierson (MA 73) of Oxford, March 3, 2022 Gayla Jan Garrison (BSN 78) of Drew, Aug. 30, 2021 Fannie Hurst Gathwright (MEd 71) of Marks, Jan. 19, 2022 Valerie Lynette Henderson (BAEd 76, MLS 77) of Jackson, Feb. 15, 2022 Delton Cleon Huffman Jr. (PhD 71) of Henderson, Tenn., Jan. 17, 2022 L.C. James (JD 73) of Ridgeland, Dec. 25, 2021 Leo Kleb Johnson (BRL 76, MA 78) of Lady Lake, Fla., Jan. 10, 2022 James Harrison Jones Jr. (BBA 77) of Madison, Feb. 2, 2022 Cassandra Wilson Kauerz (BA 70) of Oklahoma City, Okla., Dec. 17, 2021 Robert Read Kirkpatrick Jr. (BBA 77) of Aurora, Colo., Jan. 2, 2022 Kathryn Bizzell Leigh (72) of Hernando, Jan. 16, 2022 Jack Roland Lincoln (EdD 70) of Lees Summit, Mo., March 9, 2021 Donna Edwards McKibbens (BA 70) of Worcester, Mass., Nov. 20, 2021 Russell Lee Moore Jr. (BBA 70, JD 71) of Dyersburg, Tenn., Jan. 28, 2022 Herbert Clarence Nappier III (BSHPE 72) of Thompsons Station, Tenn., Feb. 13, 2022 Peggy Frederick North (BAEd 78, MEd 81) of Tremont, March 10, 2022

S PR I NG 2022

Alumni News Billy N. Owen (BA 76, JD 80) of Blue Mountain, Jan. 17, 2022 John Hicklin Paslay (BSPh 72) of DeSoto, Texas, Jan. 27, 2022 Calvin Roberson (77) of Tupelo, Dec. 27, 2021 Albert Andrew Sanderson (BSPh 79) of Cunningham, Tenn., Feb. 2, 2022 Jeffrey Clayton Short Sr. (BBA 73) of Tupelo, Jan. 22, 2022 Leilas Terrell Simpson (JD 71) of Perkinston, Jan. 17, 2022 Sidney J. Sims (BBA 75) of Jackson, Dec. 7, 2021 William Neal Small (BA 76, JD 79) of Memphis, Tenn., March 3, 2022 Juanita Parton Smith (BA 75, MA 78) of Cottondale, Ala., Feb. 24, 2022 Billy Darrell Stroupe (MEd 76) of Booneville, Jan. 23, 2022 Frederick James Swearingen (BSEE 76) of Florence, S.C., Feb. 8, 2022 Thomas Walter Tardy III (JD 73) of Madison, March 7, 2022 Alvin Thomas (MEd 75) of Okolona, Jan. 8, 2022 Ouida Landreth Tomlinson (BA 77) of Oxford, Feb. 16, 2022 Rex Noel Weathers (BAEd 79) of Burnsville, March 3, 2022

1980s Mary Margaret Boyles Bollinger (JD 89) of Powhatan, Va., Jan. 8, 2022 Nancy Fairchild Bryant (BSN 89) of Magee, Jan. 21, 2022 Patricia Givens Butler (MN 83) of Grapevine, Texas, Jan. 9, 2022 John Brice Caldwell Jr. (BBA 86) of Madison, April 2, 2022 Laurie Stachura Caldwell (JD 80) of Gulfport, Jan. 8, 2022 David Arnold Cleveland (BSPh 82) of Tupelo, Jan. 11, 2022 Peggy Bowen Coleman (JD 80) of Chantilly, Va., Dec. 28, 2021 Charles Martin Dunagin Jr. (BAccy 82, JD 85) of Houston, Texas, Feb. 2, 2022 Edith Mathis Eddings (MLS 81) of Boaz, Ky., Jan. 30, 2022 George Kennedy French Jr. (MBA 83) of Arlington, Texas, Jan. 25, 2022 Vernon Delma Furniss (MA 88) of Rena Lara, Jan. 31, 2022 Joseph Franklin Gray (BA 81) of Walnut, Jan. 6, 2022 Robert Morris Hunter (BBA 87) of Olive Branch, Jan. 13, 2022 William Lawrence Jackson (80) of Manhattan, Kan., Dec. 19, 2021 Tanya Jenkins Jeannice (BAEd 82, MEd 83) of Vidalia, La., March 3, 2022 Chris Kevin Johnson (BAccy 86) of Collierville, Tenn., Jan. 5, 2022 Dana Earl Kelly (JD 83) of Jackson, Feb. 26, 2022 Rose Stowe Kersh (BS 83) of Madison, March 14, 2022 Reita Stuart Keyes (PhD 84) of Flora, Dec. 16, 2021 Julie Brooke Koehler (BS 89) of Memphis, Tenn., March 4, 2022 Harriet Causey Kuykendall (MLS 83) of Ridgeland, Dec. 26, 2021 Karen Mitchell LaBach (BA 88) of Oxford, Jan. 30, 2022 Mitch Livingston (82) of Amory, Oct. 19, 2021 Katharine Clare Manning (BA 85) of Germantown, Tenn., Dec. 23, 2021 John Michael McCauley (86) of Oxford, Nov. 16, 2021 Leon Perry Jr. (80) of Woodville, Feb. 19, 2022 Thomas Wendall Prewitt Jr. (BA 83, MD 88) of Jackson, Feb. 18, 2022 Lindy Lafaye Root (BSB 85) of New Orleans, La., Feb. 16, 2022 Paula Dennard Stansell (BS 83) of Linville, N.C., Jan. 22, 2022 Irma Armstrong Stewart (SpecEd 84, MEd 90) of Aberdeen, Feb. 6, 2022 Philip John Vedros III (JD 85) of Vicksburg, Jan. 16, 2022 62

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1990s Janet Whittington Barnes (BA 98) of Oxford, Feb. 17, 2022 Cindi Covey Cannon (94) of Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 3, 2022 Rommie Burns Cheshier (MA 97) of Franklin, Tenn., Jan. 20, 2022 Heather Vahle Dews (BA 91) of Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 10, 2022 Glendell Ray Fann (MA 94) of Houston, Texas, March 11, 2022 Wanda Crosby Gann (BA 95) of Mooreville, Jan. 6, 2022 Stephanie Reuter Gettys (BA 93) of Baton Rouge, La., Feb. 12, 2022 Cinnamon Pugh Howard (JD 99) of St. Augustine, Fla., Jan. 5, 2022 Michael Weston Janus (MPA 91) of Biloxi, Feb. 15, 2022 Frankie Parker Johns (MSN 99) of Louisville, Jan. 19, 2022 Sheila Morgan Keller (BS 96, PhD 01) of Brandon, March 18, 2022 Robert William King (BE 97) of Oxford, Jan. 18, 2022 Martha Whatley Moorehead (MA 90) of Bartow, Fla., March 8, 2022 Randall Kirk Reid (MD 90) of Madison, Jan. 15, 2022 Venice Ladon Russ (BSN 94) of Kosciusko, Jan. 5, 2022 Benny Bryant Smith (BSPh 96) of Terry, Feb. 14, 2022 Milissa Luck Spayde (BS 90) of Buford, Ga., Jan. 10, 2022

2000s Radford Jones Fedric V (BBA 03) of Madison, Feb. 15, 2022 Jermaine Anthony Handford (BBA 05) of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 20, 2020 Milton James (BBA 00) of Oxford, March 4, 2022 Maggie Keller Jones (BA 04) of Oxford, Jan. 22, 2022 Edward Peebles Peacock IV (BA 03) of Clarksdale, Dec. 30, 2021 Bettie Taylor Puckett (MA 00) of Olive Branch, Jan. 5, 2022 LeQuesha Celeste Simmons (BSW 08) of Blue Springs, Jan. 10, 2022 Maxwell Quinn Woodliff (BA 08) of Jackson, Feb. 1, 2022

2010s Victoria Ard Darsey (BSW 12) of Belden, Jan. 22, 2022 Matthew Lee Green (BGS 17) of Golden, June 19, 2021 Angela Nichols Heavener (BGS 16) of Corinth, Jan. 20, 2022 Hunter Nicholas Herring (BAEd 15) of Southaven, Jan. 16, 2022 Jacob Gray Holcombe (BSGE 18) of Ellijay, Ga., April 5, 2021 Mya Ke’amber King (19) of Saltillo, March 14, 2022 Lacey Adams Maness (BSCJ 10) of Lexington, Tenn., Nov. 16, 2021 Sharon Hayes Prescott (EdD 10) of Canton, N.C., Nov. 28, 2021 Janelle Rose Toungett (BBA 15) of Southaven, Jan. 17, 2022 James Curtis Wesley (BS 10) of Naples, Fla., March 15, 2022

STUDENTS Austin Lawrence Driver of Oxford, March 15, 2022 ShaTasha O’Neal Hardin of Tupelo, Aug. 26, 2021 Shelby Rebecca Long of Avondale Estates, Ga., Jan. 16, 2022 Ann Caroline McIntosh of Oxford, Feb. 10, 2022 Marvin Grant Mitchell of Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 18, 2022 Caroline McCollum Simrall of Vicksburg, Jan. 11, 2022 Joseph Keenan Walser of Bay Shore, N.Y., Sept. 15, 2021

Alumni News OLE MISS FRIENDS Gladys Burns Atkinson of Hernando, Feb. 17, 2022 Mason McDaniel Baker Sr. of Oxford, March 21, 2022 Dana Siddall Barrett of Katy, Texas, Feb. 11, 2022 Bobby Gayle Bell of Carrollton, March 2, 2022 Mary Huston Bradley of Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 21, 2022 Michael Lee Bridge of Oxford, Jan. 5, 2022 James Ralph Coleman of Oxford, Feb. 8, 2022 Eron C. Harris of Rossville, Tenn., Feb. 13, 2022 Edward Slater Hesselbein of Ridgeland, Feb. 9, 2022 Ruth Gary Hill of West Point, Jan. 30, 2022 Lavern Austin Hilliard of Abbeville, Jan. 25, 2022 Monty Horne of Oxford, Feb. 12, 2022 Wanda Daniel Hurst of Hoover, Ala., Jan. 31, 2022 Shirley Ann Ivey of Oxford, March 5, 2022 Cole Joseph Kelly of Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 15, 2022 Maureen Heffernan Liberto of Oxford, Feb. 21, 2022 Troy Sylvan Maxcy Jr. of Tupelo, Dec. 23, 2021

Clement Leroy Mullins of Oxford, Jan. 25, 2022 James Jeffrey Plummer Jr. of Winona, March 15, 2022 James Aubrey Rabun Sr. of Sebewaing, Mich., Jan. 28, 2022 Bill Robinson of Germantown, Tenn., March 4, 2022 Martha Thompson Segars of Iuka, Jan. 19, 2022 William Gene Smith, USAF (Ret) of Batesville, Jan. 12, 2022 Wilbrod St. Amand of Oxford, Jan. 7, 2021 Michael F. Tatum of Water Valley, March 7, 2022 Marlin Taylor of Oxford, Jan. 11, 2022 Phillip W. Tharpe of Batesville, Jan. 12, 2022 Betty Jo Treppendahl of Woodville, Feb. 2, 2022 Don Laroy Trigg of Gautier, Jan. 31, 2022 Anthony Joseph Verlangieri of Oxford, Feb. 27, 2022 Robert Thomas Walden of Paducah, Ky., Jan. 26, 2022 Mary Eoff Walker of Senatobia, May 21, 2021 June Groome Williamson of Roanoke, Va., Jan. 7, 2022 Paul Hayden Windham of Batesville, Feb. 19, 2022

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

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Alumni News ALUMNUS DISCOVERS FAMILY HISTORY PRESERVED AT OLE MISS

ourth-generation Ole Miss alumnus Lee Paris (BA 79, JD 82) hadn’t planned on compiling a book of letters that his great, great grandparents exchanged during the Civil War. He wasn’t even aware of the letters’ existence until their mention turned up in some research in 2021. What made those letters even more special to him was that he discovered they were housed at his alma mater as part of the James W. Silver Collection in the UM Library’s Department of Archives and Special Collections. “Ole Miss has been an integral part of our family since 1871, but to find part of our family’s history actually buried in the heart of the Ole Miss campus was an unexpected but joy-filled thrill,” Paris says. Paris compiled and created Letters of Love and War with the help of his daughter, Rachel Marie Paris Pritchett (BA 05) and presented it as a gift to his mother, Rose (BA 53). The letters it contains were written by Dr. James Anderson Carlisle and his wife, Lucretia Jane Harris “Cressy” Carlisle, in 1861 and 1862. Carlisle penned his letters to his wife from Charleston Harbor at the beginning of the War Between the States and from the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg in 1862. Lucretia Carlisle penned her letters from her home in Attala County. Carlisle served as a physician throughout the war, many horrors of which he wrote about in his letters before the war’s end. He survived the war and returned home to his wife in Attala County. He

Lee Paris (right) presents his book, Letters of Love and War, to his mother, Rose, with his niece Mary Carlisle Causey (BBA 18) and newly discovered cousin, Rick Carlisle (BA 70, JD 72), looking on. In researching the book and Carlisle descendants, Paris discovered 73 Carlisle graduates from Ole Miss and expects some of those are also likely descendants of James Carlisle. | Submitted photo

died there on March 18, 1909, while Lucretia survived until March 21, 1921. They are buried in Liberty Hill Cemetery near McCool in Attala County.

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