Ole Miss Alumni Review - Spring 2024

SPRING 2024

Tailor-made

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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

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Kayden Breedlove

ART DIRECTOR

Amy Howell

CONTRIBUTORS

Kevin Bain (BA 98), Danny Barrett Jr., Bill Dabney (BA 89), Srijita Chattopadhyay, Reagan Collins, Natalie Ehrhardt (BAJ 15), Joe Ellis, Jay Ferchaud, Erin Garrett (BAJ 11, MS 20), Thomas Graning (BAJ 17), Brian Hudgins, Robert Jordan (BA 83, MA 90), Logan Kirkland (BAJ 16, MS 22), Joshua McCoy, Maggie Miller (BS 23), Annie Oeth, Jeanine Rauch (EdD 20), Edwin B. Smith (BA 80, MA 93), Jaylin Smith, Clara Turnage (BAJ 17)

OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Karen Moore (BS 82) president

Jeff Hubbard (BBA 80, JD 83) president-elect

Charles White (BBA 82) vice president

Todd Sandroni (BSPh 92, PhMD 97) 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

Savannah Dye (BS 21, MS 23), assistant director

Jessica Lynch (BSES 05), assistant director

Steve Mullen (BA 92), assistant director for marketing

Annie Rhoades (BBA 07, MBA 09), assistant director for communications

Mary Kate Skelton (BS 18), alumni fundraising director

Scott Thompson (BA 97, MA 08), associate director, engagement

Jim Urbanek (BA 97), associate director, communications and marketing

Rusty Woods (BBA 01), associate director for information services

86865

from the Chancellor

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Happy spring! As our campus reaches full bloom, our community’s accomplishments are following suit. Across our alumni, students and faculty, Ole Miss delivers flagship achievements!

Look no further than the 16 Ole Miss alumni named among Mississippi’s influential and emerging leaders by Mississippi Top 50! Our alumni honorees include elected officials, business leaders and Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter. These alumni are leaders in their sectors and across our state who exemplify our spirit of leadership and commitment to Mississippi. And, how about the Ole Miss Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40? Selected from more than 500 nominations, the Class of 2024 is making significant impacts and continuing to reach for more. These alumni represent the levels of excellence and fulfilling outcomes that students can achieve with the education, opportunities and experiences they gained at Ole Miss.

Likewise, our students continue to strive for and redefine exceptional standards. RebelTHON 2024 set a new record for total money raised. With 1,115 participants, the 12th annual student-driven dance marathon raised $272,616 for the Children’s Miracle Network hospital at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. I’m grateful for our students who are passionate about serving others and making a difference.

Our faculty continues to lead the way for our state and nation. Robert Hester, professor of physiology and biophysics, is the new president-elect of the American Physiological Society. He is the 10th UMMC faculty member or trainee to lead the organization. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association honored Heather Landry Shirley, assistant professor and program director of athletic training in the School of Applied Sciences, with its 2024 Athletic Trainer Service Award for her outstanding service in the profession of athletic training. These accolades are representative of our faculty’s commitment to leadership, service, advocacy and professional activities at all levels.

Congrats to Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan and Jalani Davis who won individual titles at the 2024 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships! Robinson-O’Hagan won Ole Miss’ first-ever NCAA title in the men’s shot put. Davis repeated as NCAA champion in the women’s weight throw and became the first Rebel woman to repeat as a national champion in any event. And, congrats to the Ole Miss women’s basketball players and coaches for their third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament — we’re proud of how hard they played and how they represented Rebel Nation!

Spring at Ole Miss also means the height of educational achievement as we celebrate Commencement. It is the pinnacle of our academic year and a time-honored tradition that celebrates students crossing the “finish line” to walk across the graduation stage and into lives of purpose. We can’t wait to see the bright futures forged by our graduates as they join the ranks of our 150,000-plus alumni who have developed personal legacies of excellence, service and leadership that began right here at Ole Miss.

All this certainly deserves a heartfelt “Hotty Toddy!”

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

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from the President

Dear Alumni and Friends,

As I see reports of many universities around the country facing strong headwinds, I am filled with pride and gratitude that Ole Miss is thriving by every conceivable metric. With the support of the ever-faithful Ole Miss alumni, our university leadership has masterfully charted a brilliant course for prosperity, advancement and growth in every major area of our great university.

As we enjoy springtime on our “most beautiful campus in the country,” we see tangible evidence of the Ole Miss success story in our winning athletics teams, our state-of-the-art buildings under construction and our exemplary research results coming out of many academic departments. Ole Miss continues to boldly illustrate that it’s “a great American public university” through accolades such as our coveted R1 research status, our record-breaking growth in student enrollment and innovative initiatives ranging from our Declaration of Independence Center, our Center for Practical Ethics and our MIND Center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Through our Ole Miss Alumni Association, we have enjoyed outstanding fellowship opportunities. We hosted the Black Alumni Reunion from Feb. 29 to March 3, which drew more than 360 attendees. Among many events over four days, Dr. Ethel Scurlock was honored for being the first Black female dean of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.

I am pleased to welcome Mary Kate Skelton who joined the Alumni Association team as our new fundraising director. She has already spearheaded many lead gifts for building the new Triplett Alumni Center. Mary Kate comes to us as the former alumni liaison for UM’s Patterson School of Accountancy, School of Business Administration and School of Pharmacy. She brings new, vibrant energy to this exciting new building project. Please reach out to her for more information on how you can help.

This year’s Rebel Road Trip is underway, touching down in Birmingham in April. Stops scheduled for June include Memphis (June 4), Biloxi (June 6), Jackson (June 11) and Corinth (June 13). Make-up trips are also planned for Dallas (TBA), Hattiesburg (TBA) and Nashville (TBA) that were postponed due to severe weather. If it is in your area, please plan to attend. We have much to celebrate as Ole Miss Rebels, and these events are fabulous opportunities to reconnect with fellow alumni in your city, introduce Ole Miss to high school students and hear an update directly from university leadership.

As we close out the spring semester, I hope you were able to join us in honoring our 40 Under 40 honorees on April 12. It is a distinguished list that you will find in this issue. The caliber of young alumni is beyond impressive, and this group is further evidence of the life-changing experiences that our students have as Ole Miss Rebels.

I would be remiss if I didn’t add that if you want to make your graduates happy, purchase a brick for their graduation. It is a forever gift that is priceless!

Hotty Toddy,

Karen Moore (BS 82) President Ole Miss Alumni Association

f rom the Circle

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

Lifetime Achievement Award

HISTORICAL SOCIETY HONORS CHARLES REAGAN WILSON

The Mississippi Historical Society presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Charles Reagan Wilson, retired University of Mississippi professor and former director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, on Feb. 23 at the society’s annual meeting.

Wilson, who retired in 2014 after more than 33 years at Ole Miss, says the award is special because of his longtime involvement with the society.

“I started attending the Mississippi Historical Society annual meetings almost as soon as I came to Mississippi in 1981,” he says. “I have very fond memories of those meetings and the people I met. I developed some deep friendships with other historians and people from other universities across the state and the South.

“For that organization to give me

the award after being involved with it so many ways over the years — it means all the more to me.”

Wilson led the Southern studies program from 1991 to 1998 and the Center for the Study of Southern Culture from 1998 to 2007. During that time, he helped establish both the Southern Foodways Alliance and the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, which has since changed its name to The Alluvial Collective.

Katie Blount (MA 90), director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, was in the second class of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture. She calls Wilson “one of our state’s most distinguished historians.”

Wilson has a love of Southern oddities, a fascination with death rituals and a passion for teaching, Blount says.

“Distinguished scholar, gifted writer,

authority on Southern culture and history, collector of gewgaws, entranced by death — I still don’t feel like I’ve given you a full picture of the mind of Charles Wilson, but I’ve done the best I can,” she says.

Wilson has written a number of books on Southern history and culture but says that his proudest achievement is his work on the  Encyclopedia of Southern Culture, an encompassing look at what cultures, traditions and history make up the Southern identity.

“That encyclopedia was our signature piece announcing to the world that we were an institute that was serious about looking at the South and provided research and teaching,” Wilson says. “The South has had a rich history, and out of that has come a rich culture, world-class artists, musicians, chefs, writers.

“It’s important to study this rich heritage to see where we are today and to see where we want to go in the future.”

After the first encyclopedia — of which Wilson was the managing editor — published in 1989, Wilson swore to never work on another, Blount says. In the early 2000s, however, he and colleagues at the center and at the University of North Carolina Press began work on a new encyclopedia that, by its publication in 2013, had grown to include 24 volumes on different subjects relating to Southern culture.

The encyclopedia shaped not only Wilson’s leadership on campus for nearly a decade, but influenced the center itself, he says.

“All of that came out of that encyclopedia really established the center’s approach, its focus on history, music, art and culture,” Wilson says. “I hope the center will always be a place where people with all sorts of views will be able to come together and promote a better future for the South.”

Charles Reagan Wilson served as director of the UM Center for the Study of Southern Culture from 1998 to 2007. | Photo by Robert Jordan

Dance On

ANNUAL REBELTHON RAISES OVER $272,000

RebelTHON 2024 reached a new record for the total money raised during its 12-hour run on Saturday, Feb. 24.

With 1,115 participants, the University of Mississippi’s 12th annual student-driven dance marathon raised $272,616 for the Children’s Miracle Network hospital at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The previous record was $265,912 in 2018.

“We by far exceeded our goal,” says Ashley Myers, a senior exercise science major from Raymond who serves as RebelTHON president. “Our overall theme was ‘School House Rocks,’ because our fundraising efforts are going toward a school center in the hospital.”

Myers says the record in donations was especially rewarding, considering the goal for this year was $224,000.

“We require participants to raise a ‘dancer minimum’ in order to attend our event, and we had 760 participants reach that dancer minimum,” she says.

The event began at noon with miracle kid Kingston Murriel. The 12-year-old was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which required many surgeries before he was even a year old.

“Now he is happy, healthy and loves anything to do with sports,” Myers says.

Other ‘miracle children’ present were Owen Overby, 6, and his brother, Nathan, 8.

“Owen was diagnosed with viral meningitis at 5 weeks

old, but now is completely healthy and loves playing baseball,” Myers says. “Nathan was diagnosed this past year with neurofibromatosis, a condition where tumors develop often in his brain.

“He will continue to receive multiple surgeries at Children’s of Mississippi in the future. Yet he is the most energetic kid that loves all things dancing and music.”

The event had theme hours where our participants could dress up for each theme.

“Everyone that was there was on the dance floor most of the night,” Myers says. “Our executive board and board of directors did our morale dance — a choreographed dance we do to keep the energy up each hour — on the stage at the top of each of the 12 hours and one more time to finish out the night.”

Morale captains were spread throughout the dance floor the entire 12 hours and kept energy and enthusiasm high the entire time.

RebelTHON has raised more than $1.8 million for Children’s of Mississippi over the past 12 years. The annual event continues to make a difference all year long, says Jordain Lang (MA 19), assistant director of student activities at Ole Miss.

“Funds that the hospital receives from us are nonrestrictive, so its administration will use the money as they see fit,” Lang says. “Specifically, this year our money will be going towards (a) new school center in the hospital, so children that are unable to leave the hospital will be able to stay on top of their schoolwork.”

Captains for the 2024 RebelTHON dance marathon display the total amount raised during the 12-hour event, held Feb. 24 in the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union at the University of Mississippi. | Photo by Thomas Graning

Warning Signs

HEART SYMPTOMS THAT SHOULDN’T BE IGNORED

Heart disease may seem to show up unexpectedly, but often there are clues leading the way to a cardiologist’s office.

“Some symptoms may be attention-getting, but some are subtle and may be ignored,” says Dr. Mike McMullan (MD 91), director of the Division of Cardiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. “There are many nonspecific symptoms that might signify a heart problem, such as arm and jaw pain, sweating, nausea or swelling.”

Those could be signs of heart disease or a heart attack, or not. Experiencing other more severe symptoms should prompt a call for help and immediate care, he says.

“The main two symptoms that concern me are, first, new onset symptoms that come with exertion, especially that limit activity and improve with rest, and secondly, fast heart rates that occur for no reason, such as at rest,” McMullan says.

A rapid heart rate, especially when at rest, could be a sign of tachycardia or, less often, a heart attack. The rapid heartbeat of atrial or supraventricular tachycardia keeps the heart’s chambers from filling completely between contractions, which may compromise blood flow to the rest of the body.

Chest pain or tightness or shortness of breath with exertion are among the signs of a potential heart attack as well as the potential for one.

“This is another advantage of regular exercise,” McMullan says. “Besides the benefits from a health standpoint, being active also allows people to notice changes in their activity levels that might signify a problem. New onset exertional chest tightness that limits activity gets my attention.”

Dr. Bryan Barksdale (BS 69, MD 72), professor of cardiology, got his warning when he experienced angina, or chest pain, when exercising on a Saturday morning.

“I remember the date — April 18, 2021,” he says. “I had a low-risk profile, but I was in enough pain that my wife called for an ambulance to take me to UMMC.”

Barksdale wasn’t having a heart attack, but it was a warning he didn’t ignore. Two days later, he was having a coronary bypass at the Medical Center.

“I’ve had wonderful results,” he says. “The team did a great job, from Dr. Ashok Kumar Coimbatore Jeyakumar and the surgical team to the ICU staff, the floor nurses and the physical therapists.”

Among women, the most common heart attack symptom is chest pain, but they may have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and pain in the jaw, back, shoulder or arm.

These symptoms are also common with atrial fibrillation, or “a fib,” an irregular heartbeat. Having atrial fibrillation makes strokes more likely.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show. In the U.S., one person dies from cardiovascular disease every 33 seconds.

“If you’re concerned about whether you may be having a heart attack, call 911,” McMullan says. “That is the fastest way to receive the care that might save your life.”

Barksdale agrees: “If you’re having chest pain, never drive yourself to the hospital.”

Photo illustration courtesy of UMMC

Identifying False Information

SUMMIT EXPOUNDS UPON NEED FOR NARRATIVE INTELLIGENCE

Narratives shape perspectives of the world, from posts on social media to television, blogs and digital signage. To harness and understand those narratives, the next generation of the workforce must understand narrative intelligence.

That’s the message national leaders in politics, business and the military shared in February at the inaugural National Security Summit hosted by the National Center for Narrative Intelligence at the University of Mississippi.

“We want to be the champions of (narrative intelligence), and we think this could be something our state is very proud of,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96) says. “We intend to be at the forefront of it here in Oxford by serving as the home for this vital initiative.”

Narrative intelligence is an artificial intelligence- and human-driven process that gathers and analyzes enormous amounts of data from across the internet to detect trends. It is particularly useful in identifying misinformation and disinformation, making it an asset for national security, as well as business.

“We are entering a phase in our history in which the amount of info is not only growing, but the amount of information that is not real is growing by leaps and bounds,” says William Crowell, former deputy director of the National Security Agency. “We need tools to examine narratives to find out where they come from, what their purpose is and whether they are based on real facts or if they’ve been made up. That’s what this summit is all about.”

The National Center for Narrative Intelligence aims to teach students and companies the importance of narratives and research new techniques and applications on how to use narrative intelligence to understand and change perspectives, says Wes Jennings, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies.

Jennings and Andrea Hickerson, dean of the School of Journalism and New Media, are co-directors of the center, which launched in fall 2023 as the first of its kind in the country.

“We need to develop people in all different sectors that can join together to advance education and research around narrative intelligence,” Jennings says. “The next generation of the workforce in any of your industries needs to be aware of narrative intelligence.”

who’s behind the narrative and what is the intended impact.”

The timing of the center and the summit could not be better, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (BA 73, JD 75) says. As America contends with rising tensions with Russia, China and others, global threats — including disinformation — grow exponentially by the day, he says.

The use of misinformation — unintentionally false information — and disinformation — propaganda or lies

The amount of information on the internet grows by approximately 2.5 quintillion bytes per day — far more than any human can consume, says Joe Stradinger, CEO and founder of the company EdgeTheory, who spearheaded the idea for the center. In all those bytes arise narratives, he says.

“Just like the rise and fall of stocks causes changes in markets, the rise and fall of narratives cause death, cause warfare, etc.,” Stradinger says. “When you study publicly available information — using narrative intelligence — you’re able to tell

designed to change a person’s opinion or understanding of an issue — in warfare is not new, says Doowan Lee, adviser and national security expert at EdgeTheory.

The difference between the propaganda of the past and the disinformation of today is the reach and potential impact of the internet, he says.

“I would say we are in a hot conflict in the information domain, the human domain and the cyber domain,” Lee says. “This is not a new form of warfare. This is literally the most persistent and present threat we’re facing every day.”

Chancellor Glenn Boyce speaks at the inaugural National Security Summit. | Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay

Re-Rebs

OLE MISS STUDENT PROJECT AIMS TO STEM CLOTHING WASTE

What began as a University of Mississippi class project has evolved into a campuswide initiative to keep discarded clothing out of landfills and into the hands of people who need it.

Through an Ignite Ole Miss crowdfunding campaign, UM senior Mia McKey is seeking financial support for her project, Re-Rebs. The campus-enrichment project was spawned in McKey’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College public policy leadership course.

Re-Rebs, which places clothing-donation bins in residence halls, is already benefiting Ole Miss and the surrounding community.

hopes to raise $3,500 to install new steel anti-theft bins in Martin, Stockard, Crosby and Pittman residence halls and in the Luckyday Residential College. Each bin costs $480. Ultimately, the goal is to install donation bins in all 15 residence halls across campus.

The idea for Re-Rebs began when McKey noticed large amounts of clothes being discarded by students in her sorority.

“I wanted to work with sorority houses to redirect this clothing not only from the landfill but away from national donation companies to local organizations to better support the Oxford-Lafayette-University community,” she says.

To determine whether such an

Motivated by the statistics, McKey placed boxes in residence halls and sorority houses, and students used them. McKey then collected the donated clothes and gave them to local organizations that would reuse them.

Brady Bramlett (BA 16, MA 18), director of development for the Honors College, says he found this project to be particularly meaningful.

“It’s evident how our Honors College prepares our students to be changemakers and to think critically about our world,” he says. “Re-Rebs is the perfect example of an idea taking spark and becoming an initiative much bigger than a class project.”

Part of the initiative is to spread awareness of the environmental and ethical concerns of the fast-fashion industry. This industry churns out trendy clothing, often mass-produced and sold at low prices. Unfortunately, this has led to a culture of purchasing and rapidly discarding clothing, resulting in overflowing landfills packed with wearable items.

Research indicates that young adults are most likely to buy, wear and throw away fast-fashion clothing, so the problem is especially acute on college campuses.

“We hope the implementation of permanent bins will help divert the average 82 pounds of clothing waste the average American consumer throws away every year into the hands of those in need,” says McKey, of Oxford.

Re-Rebs began with cardboard boxes placed around campus, but McKey

initiative was needed, McKey conducted a campuswide poll that revealed 50% of students or their friends threw away used clothes rather than donating them. Additionally, 96% of students responded they would be more likely to donate clothes if designated bins were accessible on campus.

“We hope Re-Rebs starts conversations and prompts consideration about where your clothes come from, where they go and what you can do to change the trajectory of the fashion industry,” says McKey, who plans to pursue a master’s degree in environmental management and development after completing her undergraduate degree in May.

Honors College students Mia McKey and Ross Cohen are securing funds for clothing donation bins for UM residence halls. | Submitted photo

TOM FRANKLIN WINS PRESTIGIOUS HARPER LEE AWARD

Tom Franklin has appeared at the Monroeville Literary Festival in Alabama five times, but the most recent in March saw him on center stage as recipient of this year’s Harper Lee Award.

The annual award recognizes the lifetime achievement of a writer either born in Alabama or strongly connected to the state. The University of Mississippi English professor is a native of Clarke County, north of Mobile.

“I grew up about 45 minutes from Monroeville, in Dickinson, Alabama, and first read Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird in my early 20s,” Franklin says. “I couldn’t believe she was from Monroeville. I love that book, and the movie of it, and I love coming to Monroeville whenever I can.”

Franklin, who teaches creative writing in the Ole Miss master’s program in creative writing, is the bestselling author of Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter , which won the Los

Tom Franklin

Angeles Times Book Prize and the Crime Writers’ Association’s Gold Dagger Award. His previous works include Poachers, Hell at the Breech and Smonk.

Holding onto Memories

He received the award March 1 at the Monroe County Museum, which organizes the festival. He and other award winners were honored at a reception and dinner that evening.

Caroline Wigginton, UM chair and professor of English, says Franklin’s latest honor is just one more proof of his brilliance as a novelist.

“Professor Franklin is an acclaimed fiction writer renowned as an originator of a subgenre called Southern Grit Lit,” she says. “A mainstay of our creative writing programs, his reputation as a teacher and author brings undergraduates and graduate students to our university to learn from him, even as his fiction delights and enriches his readers.

“Through his creative writing, he has transformed our community, our students and Southern literary culture.”

UM NEUROLOGY EXPERT SHARES TIPS FOR MAINTAINING MENTAL ABILITIES WHILE AGING

Brain function normally lessens with age, but there are ways to slow the decline, a University of Mississippi neurology expert advises.

As people grow older, the size of key brain regions — including the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus — may start

to reduce in volume, says Paul Loprinzi, associate professor of exercise science.

“As the brain literally shrinks, the communication among neurons in these regions may also start to be compromised,” he says.

There are key distinctions between “natural” memory loss and memory loss possibly caused by disease, such as Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia.

“Natural memory loss with aging may include, for example, forgetting aspects of an event, being able to eventually remember aspects of the event later and generally able to follow verbal/ written directions,” Loprinzi says. “In contrast, memory loss due to pathological reasons is often characterized as forgetting the entire event, rarely able to remember the event later and a gradual inability to follow verbal/written directions/instructions.”

Regular exercise is a practical,

inexpensive way that people can improve brain function, he says.

“Physical activity raises blood flow to the whole body, including the brain,” Loprinzi says. “The increased network of capillaries from regular exercise could help to provide added nourishment to the brain to keep one’s memory sharp.

“Regular exercise has also been shown to increase the number and size of neurons in the brain, and also improve the communication among these neurons, all of which may help with cognitive function, including memory.”

Other suggestions:

1. Eat healthy.

2. Reduce stress.

3. Limit distractions.

4. Stay intellectually stimulated.

5. Rest well.

6. Manage chronic health problems.

7. Spend time with others.

8. Seek help.

Paul Loprinzi

Hydrogen Research

UM CHEMISTRY PROFESSOR, STUDENT STUDY HOW TO MAKE CLEAN ENERGY AVAILABLE

To create clean energy sources that are affordable and easy to replicate, researchers must first figure out how to efficiently create hydrogen. That is the process University of Mississippi professor Vignesh Sundaresan hopes to improve in his upcoming research.

The National Science Foundation has awarded Sundaresan, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, $244,000 in an Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research grant for a partnership with Lane Baker, a Texas A&M electrochemist who specializes in scanning probe techniques.

The collaboration’s aim is to study electrocatalyst testing methods in hopes of creating more reliable hydrogen production for use in fuel cell-based vehicles and other clean energy-powered devices.

“To make clean hydrogen, we need the tools to determine what works best,” Sundaresan says. “We must be able to measure the efficiency and stability of hydrogen-producing catalysts. That’s the goal of this project.”

Fuel cell-based vehicles are similar to electric vehicles in that they do not use fossil fuels. However, they do not

rely on lithium, a rare mineral that is a necessary component in the batteries for electric vehicles. Fuel cell-based vehicles emit only water vapor, making them a clean mode of transportation.

The problem? Hydrogen production is costly and only California and Hawaii have hydrogen refueling stations, making widespread use of fuel cell vehicles difficult.

The creation of hydrogen relies largely on electrocatalysts, substances that speed up chemical reactions, Sundaresan says. The current testing method for electrocatalysts does not give a nuanced view of each particle’s reaction, making production of chemicals such as hydrogen less precise.

Sundaresan and his Ole Miss team hope to design an electrochemical-optical microscope that can test electrocatalysts at the particle level and give scientists a deeper understanding of which catalysts produce hydrogen best.

“We can see the need of moving from fossil fuel-based energy to clean energy sources,” says Shubhendra Shukla, a second-year doctoral chemistry student from Gonda, India. “We have to find other sources that are clean and environmentally friendly. Hydrogen is one of these.

“We need to focus on how to produce hydrogen so we can be less dependent on other forms of energy.”

Sundaresan and Shukla will live in College Station for roughly six months over two summers as they work with Baker, and the grant will also fund a summer research program for K-12 students, where Sundaresan says he hopes to encourage students’ interest in STEM.

“We’re going to be working with Coffeeville High School to boost STEM learning for students there,” he says. “We want to use this research as a bridge to encourage the K-12 students in our community, and we hope to see more Mississippi-based students here at Ole Miss in STEM.”

Vignesh Sundaresan, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Mississippi, works in his lab. Sundaresan has been awarded $244,000 from the National Science Foundation to develop a method of measuring the efficiency and stability of hydrogenproducing catalysts. | Photo by Kevin Bain

Skin Deep

LESIONS CAN BE SIGN OF CHARACTER OR CAUSE CONCERN

Lesions on the skin can be a mark of character or an unsightly hindrance to a smooth shave, depending on one’s perspective. More often than not, they’re just harmless identifiers of who we are.

Moles, warts and skin tags are easily distinguished by dermatologists who determine the likelihood any of them will become more than just a facial or bodily feature.

“Moles are common anywhere on the body and, although often benign, do have the potential to become a melanoma, a form of skin cancer,” says Dr. Jeremy Jackson (MD 06), professor and chair of dermatology. “Benign moles generally don’t need treatment, but if one changes color from brown to something else, have it evaluated by a dermatologist.”

Skin tags, which can range in size from a barely there nodule on the neck to a hanging, pointy dart in the folds of a person’s neck, forehead, armpit, abdominal or facial regions, can be fleshy or brown and extend from the skin on a thin base.

“What happens most often with those is they’re often irritated by a person’s clothes or jewelry rubbing them,” Jackson says. “In those cases, they can be removed by cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) or a snip excision in a clinic setting.”

Warts are caused by versions of the human papillomavirus that cause benign, often hard growths on the hands, knees or feet. They are rough on the surface and can feature small, black dots, or “seeds” on the lesion.

“Those represent blood vessels just beneath the surface of the wart,” Jackson says.

Topical solutions containing salicylic acid found over the

counter in drugstores can work to get rid of them, as do prescription medications such as imiquimod and laser therapy. A vaccine is available to help protect against the types of HPV that cause genital warts.

None is inherently harmful, though when the looks of any of them reach a certain appearance, a biopsy can confirm both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.

“Nonmelanoma are more common and grouped into basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma,” Jackson says. “Basal cell presents typically as a bump or pimple that doesn’t heal and bleeds easily. Squamous usually presents as a red, scaly papule on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, scalp and arms.”

Heredity plays a part in the number of moles seen on the body as well as the risk of developing a more serious form of skin cancer. Too much fun in the sun without protection can increase the risk, especially for certain skin types.

“It can be influenced by ultraviolet light exposure and/or a history of bad sunburns,” says Dr. Chelsea Mockbee (MD 12), associate professor of dermatology. “And people with lighter skin are more susceptible to this type of sun damage as compared to darker skin types.”

Factors to watch out for when it comes to monitoring any lesions involve changes in shape, size, color and rate of change if any.

“If you see a mark, mole or other form of lesion that doesn’t appear to be healing, or changing in a way that’s puzzling, it’s time to consult a physician,” Jackson says.

Photo illustration courtesy of UMMC

Workforce Generation for Nuclear Energy

UNIVERSITY ACCEPTED TO NUCLEAR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Students at the University of Mississippi can contribute to improvements in nuclear energy through the U.S. Department of Energy’s University Nuclear Leadership Program.

As a member of the University Nuclear Leadership Program, Ole Miss joins a select group of institutions that can receive funding for the next 10 years from the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy for student research projects.

“This is a highly competitive fellowship,” says Samrat Choudhury, associate professor of mechanical and general engineering. “As an approved university, we are joining institutions like MIT and Berkeley.”

The program awards scholarships to undergraduates and fellowships to graduate students who are working in fields related to nuclear energy.

“We would like to generate more workforce in nuclear energy to motivate our students to get into nuclear energy-related activities,” Choudhury says. “Students in computer science focusing in cybersecurity or mechanical engineering students working in heat transfer can all apply — it’s a broad

umbrella and a very good opportunity for our students.”

Nuclear energy accounts for roughly 20% of the country’s electricity and is one of the most proven sources for mass production of energy, Choudhury says.

“It’s almost zero emission,” he says. “There is some, but not a whole lot. It is a low-cost, well-proven technology that has been around for more than 50 years.”

Benjamin Rhoads, who joined the mechanical engineering doctoral program this spring, is the first Ole Miss student to have received a fellowship from the UNLP.

“We want to make nuclear fuel more efficient, environmentally friendly, safe and cost-effective by leveraging modern machine learning tools,” Rhoads says. “These machine learning tools can help optimize the processes through which nuclear energy is generated.

“That’s a really big task — especially when we’re talking about processes involving radioactive materials, which may be controversial at times.”

The main strategy is to use AI to analyze data about nuclear energy production, Rhoads says. This would

streamline and maximize the process.

“As humans, we can’t always deal with the massive amount of data produced during nuclear energy generation processes; that’s where AI comes in,” he says. “Throughout this fellowship, there will be multiple ways to use it.”

Machine learning could also accelerate the design of new types of fuel. That is typically a decades-long process, Choudhury says.

Rhoads will conduct computational work at the university and collaborate with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The fellowship also provides financial support for Rhoads to spend a summer at any DOE national lab to get hands-on experience and work with scientists from national labs.

He is looking forward to conducting experimental research on nuclear fuels at the laboratory as part of his summer internship opportunity.

“We have increasing energy demands and we’re running out of resources, but nuclear energy is a reliable alternative,” Rhoads says. “I’m excited to be able to work on this and be part of a much bigger effort to solve this problem.”

Samrat Choudhury (left), associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Mississippi, discusses nuclear energy research with graduate student Ben Rhoads and Raj Rajendran, mechanical engineering chair. | Photo by Thomas Graning

Up for Discussion

SPEAKER’S EDGE CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY

After two decades, the annual Speaker’s Edge workshop and competition at the University of Mississippi continues to help students gain confidence and skills in public speaking to jump-start their professional careers.

The 20th annual competition wrapped up this year’s edition of Speaker’s Edge on Jan. 11-12 at the Jackson Avenue Center. Master’s-level students in business, accountancy and law competed individually by responding to ethical dilemmas and presenting their own marketplace pitches. They also worked with partners to deliver compelling team pitches.

Lee Baker, an accountancy and law student from Augusta, Georgia, took the overall award, which included a $1,000 prize.

“Before taking this class, I was always anxious to speak in front of people, to the point I dreaded it,” Baker says. “Speaker’s Edge, through Dr. (Ellie) Moore’s unique approach, with its blend of challenging competitions and practical skills training, made me a more confident speaker.

“I now feel I can speak with more clarity and conviction, even in high-pressure situations. I have no doubt that these skills will serve me well in my business career, and I consider Speaker’s Edge one of the most beneficial classes I’ve taken at Ole Miss.”

This year’s winners in the Ethical Dilemma category are:

• Lee Baker, first place

• Mac McMullan, accountancy/law student from Kennett, Missouri, second

• Jackson Tournillon, MBA student from Covington, Louisiana, third.

For the Marketplace Pitch category, competitors created ideas that ranged from advanced air mobility for FedEx, at-place robot and AI-generated car dent repair, and chef-created meals at home. This year’s winners are:

• Cole Runyan, MBA from Ashland, Alabama, first place

• Lee Baker, second

• Daniel Hinke, MBA, from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, third.

In the Team Pitch category, participating students 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 for Vivint. This team created a new product line for a pet protection service that is both cost-effective and efficient while still in line with smart home technology and security, making sure customers are assured that their pets are safe while they are away.

Members of the winning team are:

• Emily Britton, accountancy major from Jackson

Moore (EdD 19), the program’s coordinator and director of the university’s Speaking Center, says the annual event fills a need for aspiring professionals.

“The founders of Speaker’s Edge in 2003 aimed to answer this call by developing a course that leverages speaking assignments into a competition allowing graduates to ‘road test’ their professional communication abilities in an intensive two-week ‘boot camp’ for advanced public speaking,” she says.

• Kit McCormack, MBA student, from Jackson

• Jeremy Obregon, MBA student, from Columbia, Illinois

• Marc Gorski, MBA student, from Atlanta.

Speaker’s Edge is co-hosted by the university’s School of Business Administration, Patterson School of Accountancy, Trent Lott Leadership Institute, Department of Writing and Rhetoric, and Division of Outreach and Continuing Education.

Melissa Jones, associate director of the Trent Lott Leadership Institute at the University of Mississippi, presents Lee Baker with his prize as the overall winner of the 2024 Speaker’s Edge competition. | Submitted photo

Among the attendees at the 2024 Speaker’s Edge competition at the University of Mississippi were Ellie Moore (left), the program’s coordinator and director of the university’s Speaking Center, and Rebecca McCarty, corporate communications director at Paul Moak Automotive in Jackson and the first Speaker’s Edge winner. | Submitted photo

Tired of Pollution

MICROPLASTIC POLLUTION FROM TIRES FOUND IN AIR NEAR ROADWAYS

Two University of Mississippi researchers have been investigating what happens when the rubber meets the road, and their results have led to a published paper.

James Cizdziel, professor and interim chair of chemistry and biochemistry, and Boluwatife Olubusoye, a second-year doctoral chemistry student from Lagos, Nigeria, studied the increase and possible effects of the microscopic particles shed by tires near major roadways. Their research has been published in the Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

“Tire wear particles generally fall in the category of microplastic pollution,” Cizdziel says. “Think about when driving your car; every couple of years, you have to change the tires. Where does all that tread go?

“It breaks off into particles and gets into the environment.”

The smallest tire wear particles can pass through the lining of the lungs and into the bloodstream when inhaled, according to research conducted at the

Imperial College of London. Tire wear particles have also been found in soil and in stormwater runoff from roadways.

Olubusoye and Cizdziel collected air samples at varying distances along state Highway 6 near Oxford for 10 days. At each of the sampling stations, they found tire wear particles containing toxic compounds, 6PPD-Q and 4-ADPA, with more particles closer to the road.

“We detected these two toxic compounds in the air at each of the locations,” Olubusoye says. “Mind you, this was for just 10 days.

“Humans can inhale these particles, and when they get into their system, these same toxic compounds may be leached from them, exposing people to these compounds as well.”

The chemical compound 6PPD is added to tires in the manufacturing process to prevent them from wearing down quickly. When the compound is exposed to ozone, it creates the toxic 6PPD-quinone, which has been proven deadly to certain fish and detrimental to the environment.

Likewise, 4-ADPA is commonly found in dyes and is used in the rubber manufacturing process. But researchers have found the compound causes difficulty breathing and other health issues in rats, according to a study from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

While no definitive study has been completed on the impact of these compounds on humans, Olubusoye says test results in mice indicate how the compounds may react in the human body.

“It causes pathological changes in the lungs, the liver, the kidney and in the testes, all of which can lead to adverse effects,” he says. “While humans are obviously different than mice, these findings are nevertheless concerning and deserve further scrutiny.”

In the next phase of the study, the Ole Miss team will examine how much of these toxic compounds leach into bodies after being inhaled, as well as develop innovative ways to remove them in runoff from roads before they enter streams, rivers and lakes.

Boluwatife Olubusoye, a second-year doctoral student in chemistry from Lagos, Nigeria, sets up a passive air sampler on the roof of Anderson Hall at the University of Mississippi. | Submitted photo

His Final Blueprint

UNIVERSITY ARCHITECT RETIRES AFTER TWO DECADES

Hailing from the smallest county in England, Ian Banner’s start in architecture had less to do with his career aspirations than it did with an ultimatum from his mother.

“At 18, my mum told me it was time to leave the house,” Banner says. “She cut out some job postings in the paper — one of which was for the National Bus Co. architect’s office in Peterborough. I went after it and got a junior technician’s position there.”

Little did he know, this first job printing blueprints and holding the “dumb end” of the tape would be the beginning of a long and distinguished career. Banner retired recently from the University of Mississippi, bookending a nearly two-decade chapter of serving as the institution’s master planner and chief architect.

“I’m thrilled to congratulate Ian on his well-deserved retirement, but there is no doubt his immeasurable vision and impact will be missed, as his contributions have been central to the preservation of the integrity and beauty of our campus,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96) says. “His passion for his profession and his respect for his team were always on full display.

“We will certainly miss his wonderful way with words and ability to bring his light-hearted humor to any moment.”

From virtually every vantage point on campus, Banner’s architectural influence can be found. He has played a primary role in construction projects such as the Robert C. Khayat Law Center, The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss and South Campus Recreation Center, as well as the renovation of residence halls and restoration of historic buildings including Garland, Hedleston and Mayes halls.

Even buildings not yet completed have been guided by Banner’s leadership. The ongoing construction of the Jim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation reflects the efficient design principles that Banner implemented when he first came to campus in 2004.

“The STEM building manages energy very well indeed,” he says. “So, it’s a highly efficient building. That’s really the ultimate for me, even though I won’t see it finished.”

In December 2004, Banner became university architect. Within a year, he was promoted to director of facilities planning.

Throughout all the projects and achievements during his time at Ole Miss, Banner says one that he’s most proud of is managing the university’s first master plan, which began in 2007.

“I took this very, very seriously,” he says. “I was working on how to deal with growth. That was, I think, the biggest challenge — and still is.”

Chad Hunter, newly named director of facilities planning

and university architect, says he was fortunate to have had the “opportunity and pleasure” to work with Banner for the last 17 years.

“Ian has made a positive impact across campus, the community of Oxford and the state of Mississippi,” Hunter says. “While we are excited for him and his future adventures, we miss seeing him every day.”

Outside the office, soccer has remained a large part of Banner’s life. Ten years ago, he agreed to provide commentary for the first SEC Network broadcast of the Ole Miss women’s soccer team.

“I’ve done every home game broadcast since, except when they bring in the big guns for nationally televised games,” he

says. “It keeps me in the game, and over the years I’ve seen an unbelievable rise in the technical ability, the skills, the enjoyment factor of watching those women play.

“I still do that, and I will do it again this year.”

With retirement behind him, Banner does not plan to slow down just yet. He will work alongside his son at his construction company in North Carolina, helping with drawings and projects.

Ian Banner | Photo by Thomas Graning

Surprise Tribute

ALUMNI, FRIENDS HONOR FORMER LAW DEAN WITH SCHOLARSHIP IN HER NAME

Anew scholarship in the University of Mississippi School of Law will serve as a perpetual tribute to the immediate past dean, Susan Duncan.

Alumni and friends of the school who were gathered at the 2023 meeting of the Mississippi Bar Convention surprised Duncan with the announcement of a scholarship fund established in her name.

“I am completely humbled and so honored,” says Duncan, who resigned as dean last year after serving six years but remains at Ole Miss as a law professor. “As a faculty and staff, we made great strides on behalf of the law school during my tenure.

“We had challenges, not the least of which was navigating the unique aspects of educating students during a pandemic, but we prevailed together.”

The Dean Susan Duncan School of Law Scholarship Fund was started by Suzette Matthews (EdD 20), development officer for the school, who considers Duncan one of her closest friends.

“I love Susan and I’m going to miss her so much. I want her legacy as dean to live on forever,” says Matthews, who appealed to alumni and friends for help funding the scholarship.

Duncan is credited for increases in bar passage rates, enrollment, fundraising and career placement numbers. She’s

also lauded for establishing Ole Miss Law School CARES, a program that allows alumni, faculty, staff or students who endure a traumatic event to receive help from members of the same community.

Ben Cooper, the school’s senior associate dean, served with Duncan all six years of her tenure.

“I got to work with her up close and talk with her on a daily basis,” Cooper says. “Primarily, what I respect and admire about her as a leader is that she prioritized serving the people she led. It was never about her own ego or self-aggrandizement, and Susan demonstrated that in the way that she worked hard in the best interest of the institution.

“We were in a good place when she started, but she took us to an even better place by really trying to get all of the units at the law school to function at their very best. She put the faculty and staff in a position to thrive with her support.”

Duncan joined the Ole Miss law school as dean in August 2017. She is the first woman to serve as law dean not in an interim capacity.

Duncan’s work has garnered recognition by many, including such honors as the 2016 Kentucky Bar President Special Service Award, the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award from Louis Brandeis School of Law and the 2010 Louisville Bar Association Award for Distinguished Service.

Susan Duncan | Photo by Logan Kirkland

Calendar

MAY

Through June 1 Exhibit: “Continued Artistry.” Choctaw basket weaving is an important traditional artistry that has been practiced for centuries. UM Museum. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Visit museum.olemiss.edu.

Through August 10 Exhibit: “Magic Lanterns.” Magic Lanterns is an immersive exhibit containing luminous prints and projections of astronomical and astrological imagery sourced from 1860’s magic lantern slides from the Millington-Barnard Collection of Scientific Instruments. UM Museum. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit museum.olemiss.edu.

Through Dec. 9 Exhibit: “Friends of Theora.” This exhibit examines the external influence of other artists that inspired Hamblett as an emerging artist, student and observational painter searching for her own artistic voice. UM Museum. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Visit museum.olemiss.edu.

Through Dec. 13 Exhibit: “More Than Words: The Book As Object.” This exhibition celebrates the concept of the

book for itself, not necessarily for its specific content. J.D. Williams Library. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit events.olemiss.edu.

3

Board Meeting: College of Liberal Arts Alumni Advisory Board Meeting. Invitation only. McMillan Boardroom, The Inn at Ole Miss, 2 p.m. Call 662-915-7375.

3First Friday Free Sketch Day: UM Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (drop-in). Visit museum.olemiss.edu.

3Event: Victorian Magic Lantern Show. Popcorn, cotton candy and refreshments will be provided to enjoy during a theatrical demonstration of Victorian magic lantern slides. All ages are welcome at this free event! Walton Young House. Reception at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Visit museum. olemiss.edu.

8Awards Ceremony: School of Law. The law school will host a ceremony to recognize recipients of student awards for the 2023-24 academic year. Weems Auditorium, 4-5 p.m. Visit law.olemiss.edu/events.

8

Commencement: Graduate School Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. The SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

9

Commencement: School of Pharmacy. The SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss, 11 a.m. Visit commencement. olemiss.edu.

9

Commencement: School of Law. The SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

9Commencement: Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College Ceremony. The SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss, 7 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

10Reunion: 50 Year Class Reunion. Various times and locations. Visit olemissalumni.com/events.

10Commencement: School of Business Administration – Master’s Degree Ceremony. Ford Center, 9:30 a.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

10

Commencement: School of Education. The SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss, noon. Visit commencement. olemiss.edu.

Photo by Kevin Bain

10

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

10

Commencement: School of Applied Sciences – Master’s Degree Ceremony. Ford Center, 3:30 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

10

Commencement: School of Business Administration. The SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss, 4 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

10

Commencement: Patterson School of Accountancy. The SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss, 7 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

10-12Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Texas A&M. Oxford-University Stadium, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit olemisssports.com.

11Reception: A Toast to Graduates. The Ole Miss Alumni Association invites its members from the Class of 2024 to a reception in their honor featuring photo opportunities and commemorative champagne flutes. Triplett

Alumni Center, 9-11 a.m. Register at olemissalumni.com/events.

11

Commencement: Convocation. The Grove, 9 a.m. In case of inclement weather, Convocation will be held in The SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

11

Commencement: School of Engineering. The SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss, 11 a.m. Visit commencement. olemiss.edu.

11

Commencement: General Studies. Ford Center, 11 a.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

11

Commencement: School of Journalism and New Media. The SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

11

Commencement: College of Liberal Arts. The SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss, 6:30 p.m. Visit commencement. olemiss.edu.

12

Commencement: School of Applied Sciences. The SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss, 9:30 a.m. Visit commencement.olemiss.edu.

23-26

Festival: Old Time Piano Playing Contest and Festival. On Memorial Day weekend, the 50th annual World Championship OldTime Piano Playing Contest is held in Oxford. Ticket required. Various times and locations. Visit events.olemiss.edu.

JUNE

4

DeadSoxy Rebel Road Trip: Memphis Botanic Garden, 5:30 p.m. Visit rebelroadtrip.com.

6DeadSoxy Rebel Road Trip: Biloxi. Ground Zero Blues Club, 6 p.m. Visit rebelroadtrip.com.

7First Friday Free Sketch Day: UM Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (drop-in). Visit museum.olemiss.edu.

7

Young Alumni Outing: Nashville Sounds vs. Louisiana Bats. First Horizon Park, Nashville, Tennessee, 6:35 p.m. Visit olemissalumni.com/events.

11

DeadSoxy Rebel Road Trip: Jackson. Country Club of Jackson, 6 p.m. Visit rebelroadtrip.com.

13

DeadSoxy Rebel Road Trip: Corinth. Crossroads Arena, 6 p.m. Visit rebelroadtrip.com.

JULY

12Law Alumni: UM Law Alumni Luncheon at the Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Bar. Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida, 12:15-1:30 p.m. Call 662-9151878 for more information.

For a complete and latest listing of Ole Miss sports schedules, visit olemisssports.com.

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

TAILOR-MADE

Alumnus leaves stylish mark on bespoke clothing industry

BY ANNIE RHOADES

As a child, University of Mississippi alumnus Stephen Richards (BBA 13), owner and founder of Nashville-based Richards Bespoke, looked for any excuse to wear a suit. Named “Best Dressed” in high school, he was constantly sought out by his Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity brothers for his fashion expertise during his time at Ole Miss.

“Ever since I was little, I’ve always loved fashion,” Richards says. “It was one of the only things in life that came naturally to me. Especially in college when we would go to fraternity formals, guys would come into my room and ask if this tie goes with this shirt or suit. I didn’t have to think about the advice I gave — it’s just something that I’ve always enjoyed.”

A 2009 graduate of Brentwood Academy, the Nashville native had his sights set on attending the University of Tennessee. But a weekend trip to Oxford with his friends in fall 2008 to watch the Rebels vs. Auburn quickly changed his mind.

“All it took was one time,” Richards recalls. “As soon as I stepped on campus — it was just like it felt right. Everything in Oxford is beautiful … the campus, people and atmosphere. I came home and told my dad I was applying to Ole Miss.”

The son of entrepreneurs, Richards knew a business degree would give him a solid foundation to move back home and join the family’s company, Richards & Richards Secure Shredding Services, specializing in secure paper shredding, magnetic media and hard drive destruction.

“For my siblings and me, my dad had requirements for coming back into the family business,” he says. “You had to get a four-year degree, and you had to be revenue generating, which meant taking on a sales role. In hindsight, I wish I would’ve majored in what I’m doing now, but I think the business aspect of business school at Ole Miss really helped me start my company.”

After spending over two years in a sales role wearing “cheap suits,” Richards knew he needed a change. While he enjoyed working with his family, he didn’t love the industry.

“I had to wear suits every day,” he says. “I didn’t have much money, so I was buying cheap suits and getting them altered, essentially doubling the price of the suit. They wore out after a little while. That’s when I ended up buying my first custom suit from a company in Nashville and fell in love with the process of getting to pick out your own fabrics, buttons, linings and designs.”

Photos courtesy of Stephen Richards

EYE FOR DESIGN

After making a few connections in the industry and undergoing a six-month apprenticeship in Georgia, Richards Bespoke was born in 2016.

Former English professor and Dean of Students Sparky Reardon (BAEd 72, PhD 00) isn’t surprised by Richards’ success.

“He was not only a good writer, but had a great sense of humor and creativity,” Reardon says. “He makes good decisions, looks at setbacks as opportunities and does it all with a sense of style. It seems to be that his sense of daring and resolve will make him very successful.”

Although Richards earned his undergraduate degree in business administration, his coursework didn’t focus on entrepreneurship.

“I was 25 or 26 at the time and knew nothing about starting a business,” he says. “The first thing I did was tap into a network in Nashville and tried to take as many people out as I could for coffee, lunch, drinks, dinner and pick their brains on how they started their companies.”

A member of the Music City Ole Miss Club board, Richards connected with fellow Ole Miss alumni who offered their expertise and resources.

“I talked to lawyers, bookkeepers and people in finance that were able to help me get off the ground legally and get the business going,” he says. “Anybody can start a company. The hard part is keeping it going and adapting to changes.”

Richards’ business coach, Chris Weinberg, of Nashville-based Well Coached Consulting, says Richards has a “relentless desire” to create “raving fans” through his craft of designing bespoke clothing.

“He has an unmatched work ethic with an exceptional eye for detail,” Weinberg says. “He is also able to quickly identify personal styles and needs of his clients, which allows him to create wonderful bespoke experiences.

“I am fully confident that while Stephen has already built a great business, he is just getting started. His nationwide recognition, coupled with his high-profile client list and his relentless pursuit of excellence will undoubtedly keep him on an upward trajectory.”

MASTERING

HIS CRAFT

In a time-tested industry that’s constantly evolving, it’s important to stay abreast of the latest trends and ever-changing client lifestyle needs.

“In custom clothing, there’s a bunch of companies nationwide that their whole thing is they’ll come to you to make it convenient for the client,” Richards says. “That’s how I started out, and I didn’t think that I would need a storefront. But when businesses started shifting to people not having their own office space, I knew I needed a place for clients to come visit me.”

His business quickly took off, and after establishing Richards Bespoke in Nashville’s Entrepreneur Center, Richards

created a showroom that served as both his home and business.

“I told my realtor I needed to find something I could live and work in,” he says. “He found an English-style loft with the bedroom in the loft and the showroom downstairs where you can have retail space. It was perfect for me. At the time, I was working alone but realized when I started hiring people that I needed to move out of the shop. We’ve been in the same location since 2018.”

In 2019, Richards became a certified master bespoke clothier, an industry certification that demonstrates the knowledge and ability to measure and create a bespoke garment.

“On an average client, we take 40-50 measurements,” he says. “It’s also a certification that gives you validity with manufacturers so that they know you’re not just in this to get suits for cheaper prices, but it’s an actual business you own and you’re measuring clients.”

In an industry that consists of a small group of clothiers nationwide that have largely been in business for decades, Instagram offered Richards an avenue to capture a younger demographic interested in the latest trends in custom clothing.

“In the beginning, I worked off of a lot of referrals and contacts I had already established,” Richards says. “After probably six months is when Instagram was getting big. Typically, if somebody’s in this industry, they’re in their 60s or older, and their websites, pictures and styles aren’t updated. Instagram was probably my biggest driver in the beginning.

“Every day I would post to stories and my feed. Anything that we made, I would document it. I also started working with athletes, which gave a nice push for Instagram followers.”

Richards with Lane Kiffin

FAMOUS FACES

A few of those notable clients include Ole Miss football Head Coach Lane Kiffin, former Rebel football players Evan Engram (Jacksonville Jaguars) and A.J. Brown (Philadelphia Eagles), along with Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs), Daniel Jones (New York Giants), Brandon Chubb (Carolina Panthers) and Bradley Chubb (Miami Dolphins) among others.

“One of my fraternity brothers introduced me to Evan,” he recalls. “When A.J. was drafted by the Titans, I DM’d him and said, ‘I went to Ole Miss, and I own a custom clothing company in Nashville. I know you have to wear suits to away games and would love to suit you up for it.’ I didn’t know if he’d respond, and in probably 10 minutes he responded back saying, ‘What’s your address? I need suits.’ I’ve been working with him ever since. It’s always fun to get that Ole Miss connection.

“Patrick is probably my longest-standing client, and we do all his suits for the season. He’s been a huge boost for me, to have somebody of that caliber wearing our suits. He’s also one of the easiest people to work with. I did his suit and groomsmen suits, as well as his dad, and his wife Brittany’s dad for their wedding.”

The company started out offering suits, sport coats, blazers, business slacks and dress shirts. Today Richards Bespoke offers a vast array of custom clothing and accessories including everything from leather jackets and knitwear to trench coats and Blue Delta Jeans. The womenswear line is expanding and occupies its own space adjacent to his menswear line.

“We’ve silently been in womenswear since 2018, but we haven’t really focused on it,” Richards says. “Womenswear is very difficult. The shape of women’s bodies makes it a lot harder than men’s, and a lot more handwork goes into it. In the first couple of years, I didn’t advertise, but if women reached out, I would tell them that I’m learning this and it’s not something I can guarantee like menswear. The past two years is when it really started taking off. In fact, two of my top five clients are females.”

BOOMING BUSINESS

Realizing the demand was strong for women’s bespoke clothing, Richards secured the space next door and hired alumna Holland Downs (BFA 19), certified master bespoke clothier, to take over that side of the business.

“I tried to learn, but I can’t keep up with the requests and the styles,” he says. “For men, pretty much any guy can walk in, and they want basically the same thing. Women are more artistic and into fashion, so their preferences are completely different. I’m excited to see that side of business grow.”

A typical day for Richards starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. with several appointments booked throughout the day for both new and existing clients.

“Designing is 100% my favorite part of what I do,” he enthuses. “I love sitting down with guys and pulling out the fabric books and helping them pick out linings and buttons. The days when it’s all existing clients, I get to do all the design. A lot of my clients trust me to choose. They’ll say I need three more suits and five more shirts — surprise me. It’s fun to be able to put things together and see their reactions when it comes in.”

While he’s eager to expand the womenswear side, he’s just as passionate about menswear and being able to “hone in on clients’ needs” while continuing to grow.

“I’ll start to hire more as I go down the road, but I want to just keep doing what I’m doing and growing. I always wanted to find something that made me happy — that I could do for the rest of my life, and it not feel like a job. I’ve found it.”

Visit richardsbespoke.com or @richards_bespoke on Instagram to learn more about Richards’ bespoke creations.

Richards with A.J. Brown

Patrick Mahomes and groomsmen

Road Road

to Recovery to Recovery

Rolling Fork continues to rebuild one year after tornado devastation

By Brian Hudgins

ongtime Mississippi Delta residents had heard or read the words dozens of times through the decades: tornado warning.

Andy Anderson (BBA 81, MBA 82) ran a few errands before heading home on March 24 last year. He went by a restaurant, an office and a store to pick up an Easter gift for his wife. All three businesses would be gone within the next three hours.

“We went inside to watch the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament on a local station,” Anderson says. “Sharkey County was under a tornado warning. We get those all the time.”

The next thing Anderson heard was “You have two minutes!”

“I put my wife and dog in the tub and opened the (interior) doors to try and equalize the pressure,” he recalls. “I saw a tornado to the right. I got in the tub and started praying.”

An EF4 tornado rolled through Rolling Fork, leaving the town without the nursing home, hospital, post office, fire station, funeral home, police station and city hall. The list of destroyed buildings was long … with the library left damaged, but still standing.

“Even if everything had worked (every possible warning system), it happened so quickly,” Anderson says.

Light of Day

Meg Cooper (BRL 83), coordinator of Mississippi’s Lower Delta Partnership, a grassroots nonprofit that works to promote and enhance the economic and environmental health of Mississippi’s Lower Delta, was at home in nearby Anguilla when she received a call. Before she could get to the phone and pick up, a second call came … and then a few more repeating calls.

She received a verbal warning similar to the one Anderson heard. Get somewhere safe!

“I texted my son and asked him where are y’all?” Cooper says. “He said, ‘It just went over my house.’”

Cooper’s office is in Rolling Fork. Fearing the potential damage — that quickly became Cooper’s panic. “We drove into Rolling Fork, which was stupid,” Cooper says. “Driving in the dark and in the rain — people are trying to get to the hospital.”

Clay Cavett (left), OMAA associate director of campaigns and special projects, and Andy Anderson

ooper and her husband made it to her office. She briefly saw the desk where her computer tower had been and was able to recover the tower. Then her husband said they needed to leave. It was apparent gas lines had been broken and posed their own threat.

“The next day … seeing it in the light of day took your breath away,” Cooper says. “Going from one side of town to the other was devastating. It was a whole new experience with a big learning curve for all of us.”

The catastrophic storm made national news and killed 21 people in the state, most of whom were in Rolling Fork. Agencies and volunteer organizations quickly sent supplies

and people to help however they could. Cooper and Anderson were and continue to be among the many people instrumental in the recovery.

Tents set up at a civic center became the hospital as people tried to take in the immediate damage and plan for the coming days. The local hospital personnel communicated with peers in Vicksburg to discuss patient transport and care planning.

Many residents were displaced — homeowners, renters, people in duplexes or trailers — all of them were left with either major structural damage or no structure. The immediate recovery involved local farmers using their equipment to help neighbors.

“Early on, FEMA said we were weeks ahead (of typical recovery pace),” Cooper says. “I credit that to the local farmers. Those people came in and asked, ‘Do you want me to clear your lot?’”

After some cleanup, volunteers streamed in with food, water and other necessities. The relief stations were both structured and improvised. Pyramids of drinking water were delivered, and drivers would sometimes see individuals standing on the side of a road handing out chicken sandwiches.

After those initial days and weeks, groups started to show up in Rolling Fork and fanned out to nearby towns. “Good Morning America” brought its crew, equipment and anchors to broadcast the need for assistance to a nationwide audience.

“‘Good Morning America’ came in a month out, three months out and six months out,” Cooper says. “All the colleges around the state came and helped out. We had chores for them to do, and their work was so appreciated.”

That included a big University of Mississippi presence — with alumni, administrators and students. Volunteers brought supplies and helped move larger items into position for debris-hauling companies to do the rest. The football team also helped put some tombstones back up and cleared some lots.

After the first steps, a lull occurred during a portion of 2023 until construction projects could be approved and started. South Delta High School was still standing but heavily damaged.

Volunteers visit a medical tent set up in Rolling Fork.

Devastation in the aftermath of the tornado that hit Rolling Fork

“We lost a large percentage of public school students,” Anderson says. “A large percentage of the population were renters. If those landlords did not have insurance, they were not coming back.”

All Rise

To help people return home, several Rolling Fork residents planted the seeds of Rolling Fork Rising. The local nonprofit is providing homes to former renters that can be purchased at a discounted price.

“Through donated funds, a renter gets a 20-year, 0% (interest rate) mortgage,” Anderson says. “We have awarded five houses. Two (new homeowners) moved in, in April. Three more foundations are laid. To qualify, you have to have been a renter.”

While the wheels turn to bring people back to Rolling Fork, the many volunteer crews that have come through the region need food, water and sleeping accommodations. Local churches have readily provided resources such as bunk beds in Rolling Fork First Baptist that have accommodated 50 volunteers. Groups have come from Nebraska and Iowa.

“This county is so poor,” Anderson says. “When a tornado devastates your whole infrastructure, that keeps you in the news.”

Private businesses are coming back more quickly than the housing. Much of Rolling Fork still does not have outdoor lights.

“It’s depressing with so many empty lots,” Anderson says. “Downtown is gone. We have one relatively new café and Chuck’s Dairy Bar.”

Chuck’s Dairy Bar has been in Rolling Fork for more than 60 years. When community fundraisers or clothing drives are needed, the planning and execution often happen at Chuck’s.

It serves as a food delivery service for seniors or a home base for kids before school.

However, this was one time the owners and staff needed to find their own path to safety. Owners Tracy and Tim Harden hustled the staff into a walk-in cooler. After the EF4 came and went, two things were left standing: a restroom and that walk-in refrigerator.

Given that situation, Anderson was thankful to see immediate assistance from folks after the tornado.

“A lot of good can come out of a disaster,” he says. “The town had countless backhoes, tractors, fence crews, bulldozers and other equipment manned by volunteers who would not take any pay. We had people coming in and cooking for us. The restaurant situation was very limited, and we had people coming from out of town we had to feed.”

As days and weeks have turned into a one-year anniversary, the restoration work has continued. Damage was not limited to twisted metal or ripped-up roof shingles. Cars had been tossed around. Anderson notes his mother-in-law’s car had traveled about the length of a football field and ended up on top of some dollar store debris.

“For every home lost, that was also one or two vehicles,” Anderson says. “There was a lot of lost wealth and income through this.”

Small Steps, Bigger Strides

Cooper’s path starting from day one to being operational again at the Lower Delta Partnership included working from a home office and using sheds to store items that had been salvaged. The next tasks were also challenging: procuring computers, printers and office supplies. Once Cooper and her

A crowd gathers while ‘Good Morning America’ films a segment on recovery efforts. The courthouse remained standing but suffered significant damage.

peers progressed one step at a time, the next mission was — what could the organization do to help recovery?

The partnership had been told in January 2023 that Rolling Fork would be a host city for the Smithsonian Institute Traveling Exhibition “Crossroads: Change in Rural America,” which looks at societal change and how rural America responded.

“We had 10 months (after the tornado),” Cooper says. She told herself, “We can fix this. It would be such a morale boost.”

The library was a city building that had not been destroyed. Cooper stressed its importance because people needed a place to work on school projects, do general recovery research or fill out job applications.

“The library commission took stuff back to Jackson to store,” Cooper says. “That was huge. It became apparent in the fall that the library would not be repaired in time for the exhibit. Then it became a scramble to find a place to host the exhibition.”

Meanwhile, she searched for any office space large enough to potentially host the Smithsonian exhibition.

“Any little offices were all taken by other places,” Cooper says. “I called funeral homes … we ended up with a still-being-renovated office suite.”

Then came the next tasks — clearing up any flooring, plumbing and other issues before the exhibit was set to open. On Feb. 1, the renovations were not close to being completed. Cooper sounded the alarm: We have 16 enormous crates coming!

“I went and talked to contractors and (on-site workers),” Cooper says. “They were still putting flooring down when we unloaded those 16 crates. It got finished. One reason I wanted it so bad was ‘Crossroads: Change in Rural America’ …. that is us. Where are we going to go?”

Anderson and Cooper hope the set-in-stone path forward will become apparent soon.

“Local infrastructure is behind,” Anderson says. “Plans going forward have been discussed (at the city level), but have not been agreed upon.”

Cooper credits Rolling Fork Rising for incredible work.

“We have tried to stay in our lane and give a positive lift to the community,” Cooper points out. “I hope we have injected positivity into Rolling Fork’s history. This tornado … will be history.”

Cooper went from having her breath taken away by the daylight on day one after the tornado to seeing people come in with food and pyramids of water. Most eateries either had no electricity, no gas or had been completely wiped out. Volunteers came from the Midwest or closer to home via the Cajun Navy Ground Force, a nonprofit that recruits and trains volunteers to deploy after disasters.

Now more than a year removed from that March 2023 night, Cooper ponders possible opportunities when Mississippi residents could return the favor.

“I have a feeling we will have people go (provide volunteer aid) in the future because of the help we received,” she says. “It’s really been so moving!”

Ole Miss alumni and staff volunteers bring supplies after the EF4 tornado.

Volunteers help move supplies during recovery efforts.

Stopping the

STIGMA

Magee Institute, pharmacy school working to fight addiction stigma

By Natalie Ehrhardt

A$5 million grant secured by the University of Mississippi’s William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing is helping the School of Pharmacy tackle addiction stigma in Mississippi’s health care system.

The Magee Institute landed the funding from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The overall project is housed in the institute’s Jackie and Faser Triplett Center for AOD Research.

Meagan Rosenthal, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Administration and interim director of the Magee Institute, is the project’s principal investigator.

“This is an opportunity to begin shifting the conversation around substance use disorder for our entire state,” Rosenthal says. “This is a substantial amount of funding to tackle the problem, and it’s a chance to prevent as many young people as we can from getting into these problems to begin with and ensuring that everyone around young people can have these conversations with students.”

The grant is funding work related to substance use disorder, with the goal of reducing drug use across Mississippi, particularly among young people.

The Ole Miss schools of Pharmacy, Applied Sciences and Education, plus Baylor University’s School of Education and Shatterproof, a nonprofit organization focused on transforming addiction treatment and ending stigma, are all involved in different components of the effort.

The pharmacy school team will focus on stigma and continuing education for health professionals.

The education schools are working to increase awareness in the middle and high school settings. Work in the School of Applied Sciences targets mental health first aid training for adults who engage with youth across the state.

“There are more people with substance use disorder in the United States than with diabetes,” says Stuart Haines, professor of pharmacy practice and principal investigator for the pharmacy school’s work on the project. “Stigma has a significant impact on whether people seek care from health professionals, and stigma is the No. 1 barrier to treatment.”

Only one in 10 people who suffer from substance use disorder has ever received any kind of treatment for their condition, Haines says.

Illustration by iStock

Meagan Rosenthal

tigma also has an impact on health professionals’ willingness to screen patients, talk to patients about their disorder, provide treatment or referral and create an environment that’s welcoming enough that people feel safe to reveal things about their addiction or substance use.” — Stuart Haines

Substance use and addiction can cover a range, from gambling to alcohol to opioids, Haines says.

“Addiction can be broadly defined as a behavior that a person regularly and compulsively engages in that negatively affects their life, their relationships and their ability to function in society.

“When most people think of substance use disorder, they think of opioids because it’s in the news a lot and so many people are dying from fentanyl overdoses, but that’s just one type of addiction, though obviously an important one.”

Haines names the misuse of stimulants such as Adderall and sleep drugs as common issues affecting students today.

“Sometimes these medications are used under a physician’s care, but that doesn’t make it any less of a problem if it’s impacting a person’s day-to-day life,” he says.

The goal behind Haines and his team’s work is to help health professionals perceive substance use disorder for what it is: a disease.

“Our role as health professionals is to help those who suffer from disease get treatment,” he says. “That includes being willing to screen for it, refer patients and talk about it.

“When we have the expertise to provide treatment, we should be willing to openly discuss it and not create unnecessary barriers for people who have substance use disorder.”

Time is of the essence when it comes to treatment, which makes breaking down barriers to treatment crucial, Rosenthal says.

“It’s an illness that causes physiological changes in your body and brain over time,” she says. “New pathways are actually formed in the brain, so the longer you’re in that space with the addiction, the longer it takes to undo those pathways.

“That’s part of the reason we often see the cycle of relapse and recovery; their brain has become hardwired. It’s not a choice they’re making.”

Mental health treatment has improved over time, with stigma decreasing and people being more willing than ever to discuss their mental health and seek help. The same cannot be said for substance use disorder, as the stigma surrounding the disease continues to linger not just in the health care system but in society at large.

To address the stigma, the pharmacy school team’s strategy relies primarily on educational interventions, including online messages and a podcast, as well as workshops around the state focused on skill development, such as interacting with patients in a way that is not stigmatizing.

“People with a substance use disorder come from every socioeconomic background, and health professionals are not immune either,” Haines says. “In fact, health professionals with a substance use disorder face unique challenges because of their access to drugs.”

While the scope of the project is large, the timeline for the work is short, as the funding covers only one year, Rosenthal says.

“This is the tricky part with research; it always takes longer than people think it should, but when we’re dealing with such a vulnerable population, we don’t want to get it wrong,” she says. “We want to make sure what we’re putting together does what it’s supposed to do and benefits the population.

“When the year is up, we will keep looking for opportunities to continue this research.”

Stuart Haines

Illustration by iStock

Ole Miss Sports

On Deck

OLE MISS ANNOUNCES BASEBALL STADIUM PROJECT

As part of the Champions. Now. campaign, Ole Miss Athletics announced expansion plans at Oxford-University Stadium that include a new club section, increased entrance to the venue and a plaza to honor the Rebels’ first baseball national title team.

The project, which will add around 450 premium seats, will begin at the conclusion of this season and be in place for the 2026 campaign.

“This is an exciting project that achieves some of our core goals for Oxford-University Stadium — increasing capacity, providing more premium opportunities, improving ingress/ egress for the venue and celebrating our baseball legacy,” says Keith Carter (BBA 01, MBA 16), vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics. “We look forward to once again partnering with ICM and CDFL/HOK on the expansion.”

The new club will be erected where the current concessions stand is located at the end of the third base line. Club ticket holders will enjoy covered, reserved seats outdoors, and within the club area, they can take advantage of a spacious social area, personal lockers, TVs, private restrooms and complimentary food. In addition, the club features 38 feet of drink rails to complement the chairback seats.

Between the new club and the existing Diamond Club, private loge boxes will be installed above the current grandstands. The 11 boxes boast seating for four.

As part of the construction, the main grandstand canopy will extend to the end of the new club, providing almost

continuous shade along the third baseline seating.

Below the club, upgraded concessions and restrooms will be constructed. The new club section above will create a covered concourse area that is open to the field.

With the building of the new structure, an expansive gate will be added from street level. A large new staircase will offer convenient entry and exit from the seating bowl and improve overall traffic flow for the entire west side of the venue. In addition, a new drop-off location complements the expanded facade of the stadium while increasing accessibility for all spectators.

Adjacent to the new stadium gates, the First Champions Plaza will be erected outside the facility along University Place. The exhibit will feature a statue and visuals that celebrate the Rebels’ 2022 national championship.

As a preview of the construction project, the statue will be showcased for fans inside Oxford-University Stadium this season. It will be located down the third base line in the open space between the grandstands and concessions stand, and the wall behind it will be wrapped with graphics dedicated to the 2022 title team as well as details on the rest of the upcoming renovation.

“During the 2025 campaign, the renovation will affect foot traffic in the stadium but should have no bearing on capacity,” Carter says. “Based on the pace of fundraising and trends in the college athletics industry, we will continue to explore the other planned projects at O-U Stadium in the future.”

Linebacker’s Legacy

WILLIS TO BE INDUCTED INTO PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

Ole Miss football legend Patrick Willis (BSCJ 07) cemented his legacy as one of the best to ever play the game after being named into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Willis is just the third Rebel to ever enter the hallowed halls of Canton, joining Bruiser Kinard (BSC 38) and Gene Hickerson (58). Willis and Kinard are in even more exclusive company as the lone two Rebels to now be part of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame, with Willis inducted in 2019 and Kinard in 1951.

A four-year letterwinner for the Rebels from 2003 to 2006, Willis is one of the most decorated defensive players in Ole Miss football history. He was a consensus All-American as a senior in 2006, when he also won the Butkus Award and Lambert Trophy as the nation’s best linebacker.

He twice led the Southeastern Conference in tackles and was selected to the most first team All-American squads (13) ever by a Rebel player in a single season. A first team All-American in 2005 and 2006, he was also a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

The senior team captain ranks sixth all-time at Ole Miss

with 355 career tackles, and he is tied for sixth with 33 career tackles for loss. Willis was the recipient of the 2006 Conerly Trophy as the best college football player in the state of Mississippi and was also the 2006 recipient of the Ole Miss Chucky Mullins Courage Award. The Bruceton, Tennessee, native ended his collegiate career as the Defensive MVP for the South Team in the 2007 Senior Bowl.

Willis matched his on-field success in the classroom, earning Academic All-SEC honors and receiving the 2007 Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award. A 2015 inductee into the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame, he was selected to SI.com’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

The 11th overall selection of the 2007 NFL Draft, Willis won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year during his debut season with the San Francisco 49ers. Willis went on to enjoy an eight-year NFL career in which he made seven Pro Bowls and was voted All-Pro five times.

One of the best defensive players of his era, Willis finished his NFL career with 950 combined tackles (732 solo, 218 assists), 20.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, five fumbles recovered, eight interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.

Photo illustration courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

Ole Miss Sports Signed for Success

OLE MISS, CHRIS BEARD COMMIT TO NEW CONTRACT

After guiding the Rebel basketball team to its first 20-win season in five years and an eight-win improvement, head coach Chris Beard has agreed to a new contract with Ole Miss.

“The future of Ole Miss Basketball could not be brighter under Coach Beard’s leadership,” says Keith Carter (BBA 01, MBA 16), vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics. “His impact on every facet of our program was immediately apparent, and it has translated to a new standard of success and a culture that is building every day.”

‘The future of Ole Miss Basketball could not be brighter under Coach Beard’s leadership.’ — KEITH CARTER

“I appreciate Chancellor Boyce, Keith and the Ole Miss administration for their belief and support as we continue on our path of building a championship program in Oxford,”

Beard says. “I also want to express my gratitude to the Ole Miss fan base, supporters, alumni and our students for their dedication to our players and program. We are just getting started. Great times ahead in the SJB Pavilion and Oxford.”

Hired in March 2023, Beard took over the helm of the Ole Miss program and caught national attention early during his first year with a 13-0 start to the season. The team’s opening record tied the program record for the longest winning streak of all time, as the Rebels were one of just three teams to make it to 13-0 in all of college basketball.

Excitement around Ole Miss Basketball has led to record-breaking attendance records, with its season total setting a program record and was the second-largest increase from last year in the SEC. For the Jan. 30 victory over Mississippi State, the SJB Pavilion was packed with 10,630 fans, the most in program history. Season ticket sales increased by nearly 22% in Beard’s first campaign.

Beard stands as one of the premier coaches in the nation, owning a career win percentage of 70.2%, the 15th-best among active coaches with 10 or more years of experience. He is a four-time conference coach of the year and has compiled numerous top 10 nationally ranked recruiting classes during his time at the Division I level.

Photo illustration courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

Ole Miss Sports

Ahead of the Pack

DAVIS, ROBINSON-O’HAGAN EARN TRACK AND FIELD HONORS

Ole Miss track and field NCAA champions Jalani Davis and Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan have both been named U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Field Athletes of the Year for the South Region, as announced by the association in its regional awards release in March.

Both awards constitute the fourth and fifth all-time South Region honors for Ole Miss during the indoor season, with Robinson-O’Hagan now the first Rebel men’s athlete to win and Davis the third on the women’s side after Olympians Brittney Reese (BA 11) and Raven Saunders (18). Combined with outdoor, this stands as the first season in Ole Miss history that the Rebels have won multiple regional awards within the same season.

At this year’s NCAA Indoor Championships, Davis became the first Rebel woman to ever repeat as a national champion in any event. She also became the first back-to-back champion in the weight throw nationally since 2009-10, and one of just seven in NCAA history with multiple weight throw titles to their names. Davis ends her career as the Ole Miss indoor leader among both men and women with 26 points at the indoor national meet.

Two weeks earlier, Davis became just the second woman in SEC history to sweep the conference titles in the weight throw and shot put, moving up to No. 3 in collegiate history and No. 9 in world history, while also moving up to No. 12 in collegiate history in the shot put at 18.61m/61-00.75 (eighth

among American-born collegians). She is the only woman in world history to break 80 feet in the weight throw and 60 feet in the shot put indoors, and she has now done so twice at both the 2023 and 2024 SEC Indoor Championships.

Davis is one of just 10 athletes in world history and three collegiately to ever break 25 meters in the weight throw alongside Southern Illinois University’s Brittany Riley and fellow Rebel Shey Taiwo (BBA 21) — both of whom were also coached by Ole Miss head coach Connie Price-Smith and John Smith.

Robinson-O’Hagan won Ole Miss’ first-ever NCAA title in the men’s shot put — indoors or outdoors. Robinson-O’Hagan — a sophomore native of Woonsocket, Rhode Island — won at a monster 3-foot personal record of 21.05m/69-00.75 to become the first underclassman to win the shot put indoors since world record holder Ryan Crouser did at Texas in 2014. His winning toss also ranks sixth alltime among sophomores indoors.

At the SEC Championships, Robinson-O’Hagan became the first athlete to ever sweep the men’s shot put and weight throw at the conference meet, earning him a share of the SEC Men’s Cliff Harper Trophy for most points scored, as well as SEC Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year honors. He ended his sophomore season ranked third in collegiate history in combined weight throw/indoor shot career-best marks at 44.67m.

Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan | Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

Jalani Davis | Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

Ole Miss Sports

CURTIS NAMED TO 2024 SEC MEN’S BASKETBALL LEGENDS CLASS

The Southeastern Conference announced the selections for the 2024 class of SEC Men’s Basketball Legends in February with Ole Miss alumnus Dwayne Curtis (BSFCS 08) earning the honor. The class was honored in March at the 2024 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville.

One of 42 student-athletes to score 1,000 career points at Ole Miss, Curtis is one of just 13 to do so in three years or less. Following one season at Auburn, the Chicago native joined the Ole Miss program in 2005, leading the team in scoring (13.6 points per game) and rebounding (7.6 per game) in his first year.

Curtis would lead the Rebels in rebounding each of his three seasons in Oxford and helped guide the team to a 2007 SEC West Championship. He finished with the highest career field-goal percentage in school history, a record he still holds at 58.4%.

He was a Coaches’ All-SEC Second Team and AP All-SEC Second Team selection in 2008 and earned all-conference honorable mention honors from the AP in 2006. Curtis was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ All-District Second Team in both 2006 and 2008. Off the court, his efforts in the community were

Oxford Commons

Photo illustration courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

Just Published

American

Landscapes: Meditations on Art and Literature in a Changing World, edited by Ann J. Abadie (MA 62, PhD 73) with text by Lisa Howorth (BA 76), W. Ralph Eubanks (BA 78), John Grisham (JD 81), Curtis Wilkie (BSJ 63), William Dunlap (MFA 69) and Jason Bouldin, 352 pages (hardback, also available in Kindle), University Press of Mississippi, ISBN: 978-1496845733

The publication is a vibrant result of the University of Mississippi Museum’s 2019 acquisition of William Dunlap’s seminal painting “Meditations on the Origins of Agriculture in America” (1987). The acquisition was presented in an exhibition of 40 works by Southern artists curated by Dunlap and Melanie Munns Antonelli revealing a range of interpretations of landscape. This diverse group explores key events in American history portrayed in Dunlap’s painting, including the displacement and genocide of Native Americans, the enslavement of Africans, the Civil War and William Faulkner’s fiction. Together, the contributors examine the history of landscape art and literature through the lens of the American South, connecting art with the works of major writers such as Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Natasha Tretheway and Jesmyn Ward.

Ann J. Abadie is former associate director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi and co-editor of numerous

scholarly collections from the Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference.

BeeBop: The Honeybee Wannabee Hero by James D. Bell (BAEd 75, JD 77), 86 pages (paperback, also available in Kindle), independently published, ISBN: 979-8846879508

BeeBop, a young orphan bee, wants to make a name for himself in the hive that adopted him. But prejudice and an oversized bully bee stand in his way. The hive desperately needs a major nectar find before winter, and BeeBop makes the biggest discovery in the history of the hive. He races to the hive to announce the discovery, but no bee “beeleaves” him, except his one loyal friend. Together, they convince the hive to take a chance and travel a great distance to retrieve the nectar. But, when they arrive, the flowers are gone. Rejected and shamed by the hive, BeeBop must overcome despair, doubt, a bully and even a bear to solve the mystery of the missing flowers and regain the respect of his best friend. Will BeeBop overcome impossible obstacles to save the hive, or will all be lost?

James D. Bell is an award-winning author and retired judge who received the highest bar association approval ratings ever given to a Mississippi circuit or county judge. Bell is author of two previous legal thrillers, The Vampire Defense and Maximilian’s Treasure

A Hound Dog Tale: Big Mama, Elvis, and the Song That Changed

Everything by Ben Wynne (PhD 00), 184 pages (paperback, also available in Kindle), LSU Press, ISBN: 978-0807181140

The release of the song “Hound Dog” in 1953 marked a turning point in American popular culture, and throughout its history, the hit ballad bridged divides of race, gender and generational conflict. Ben Wynne’s A Hound Dog Tale discusses the stars who made this rock ’n’ roll standard famous, from Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton to Elvis Presley, along with an eclectic cast of characters, including singers, songwriters, musicians, record producers and managers, famous television hosts, several lawyers and even a gangster or two.

Wynne’s examination of this American classic reveals how “Hound Dog” reflected the values and issues of 1950s American society, and sheds light on the lesser-known elements of the song’s creation and legacy. A Hound Dog Tale will capture the imagination of anyone who has ever tapped a foot to the growl of a blues riff or the bark of a rock ’n’ roll guitar.

Ben Wynne received his Ph.D. in history from the University of Mississippi and is a professor of history at the University of North Georgia. He is also author of In Tune: Charley Patton, Jimmie Rodgers, and the Roots of American Music.

As an Ameriprise private wealth advisory practice, we have the qualifications and experience to help navigate your complex financial needs. Whether it’s investment management, tax strategies or legacy planning, we can work with you to grow and preserve what you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Call us today and discover the personal service you deserve.

Forrest Johnson Wealth Management A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

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601.442.6292

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult with a tax advisor or attorney. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2024 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Rebel Traveler 2024

The alumni travel program is a service the Ole Miss Alumni Association offers as part of its mission to unite its 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.

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 662-9157375 or email travel@olemissalumni.com.

ENCHANTING GEMS OF AUSTRIA

JUNE 12-21, 2024

Tour Operator: AHI

Be captivated by Austria’s splendor on this exceptional, eight-night experience brimming with history, natural beauty and scrumptious cuisine! Enjoy four nights at first-class hotels in the heart of both Graz and Salzburg, named UNESCO World Heritage sites. Take in Graz’s charming ambience on a guided stroll and from atop its iconic hilltop. In musicfilled Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, delight in a memorable performance of his works with a three-course dinner and see the landmarks of his life. Outings around the Styria region introduce you to mighty Riegersburg Castle and the renowned Lipizzaner horses. You’ll also discover the farm-fresh delicacies and fine wines that have made Graz Austria’s culinary capital. Sample pumpkin seed oil at a family farm and creamy sweets

at a chocolate factory. Other standouts include a cruise on picturesque Lake Hallstatt and a day in Bavaria featuring the historic Eagle’s Nest, a salt mine tour and a beer garden lunch. This smallgroup journey features insightful guides and lecturers, plus an ample meal plan with wine at dinner. — From $4,095

ALLURING AEGEAN

JULY 8-17, 2024

Tour Operator: Arrangements Abroad

In July 2024, venture to the ancient cradle of Western civilization on an Aegean Sea voyage from Athens to Istanbul. First, enjoy overnight hotel accommodations in the Greek capital, where a private, after-hours tour and reception at the Acropolis Museum — with views of the Parthenon — will be rare pleasures. Then embark on your seven-night Aegean cruise aboard the elegant Sea Cloud II, discovering timeless villages,

Sarlat-la-Canéda, France

whitewashed houses, natural splendors and treasures of antiquity. Step ashore on stunning Greek islands of myth and legend, including Santorini and sacred Patmos. Sail onward to the Greco-Roman sites of Asia Minor, now in modern-day Turkey. Enjoy a special excursion to Troy, immortalized in Homer’s Iliad . Discover the region’s fascinating history over several millennia, from Bronze Age archaeological wonders to Byzantine monasteries. — From $8,999

RADIANT ALASKA

JULY 9-19, 2024

Tour Operator: Go Next Explore the “Last Frontier” on this riveting, 10-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ Regatta . Revel in the scenery of steep, forested mountain slopes and pristine waters while cruising the Outside Passage and Hubbard Glacier. Begin your journey in Seattle and set sail for Seymour Narrows. Catch a crab feast or enjoy fresh salmon in the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan, where fishermen pull each day’s dinner fresh from the water. Witness the picture-perfect Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Feel the excitement of the gold rush in Skagway, a scenic valley town rooted in history and surrounded by rugged

white-capped mountains. Spot Icy Strait Point’s spouting whales and immerse yourself in nature in Hoonah. Test your luck at salmon sport fishing and get the local experience in Sitka. Before journey’s end in Seattle, seek out craft breweries, gardens and local seafood specialties in Victoria, British Columbia. — From $3,599, including airfare

CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS

JULY 13-19, 2024

Tour Operator: Premier World Discovery

“The Cape” – Cape Cod, located in eastern Massachusetts is among New England’s favorite summer vacation destinations, and it thrives on tourism, beautiful ocean beaches and small unique businesses. Travelers come to lose themselves among endless miles of windswept seashore, dune-studded landscapes, inshore forests and historic sights. Enjoy your first night in exciting Boston and then head out for five nights at One Hotel on the Cape to experience its beauty and history. Visit amazing Boston; mansion-filled Newport, Rhode Island; Provincetown; a cranberry bog; and ferry to the two most scenic and famous islands off the Cape, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. — From $3,675, including airfare

VILLAGE LIFE FRANCE

SEPT. 19-27, 2024

Tour Operator: Gohagan

Immerse yourself in the authentic provincial character of the Dordogne region in Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of France’s most beautiful and well-preserved medieval towns, on this one-of-a-kind, seven-night experience. Discover charming villages, medieval castles and prehistoric treasures through specially arranged excursions, including Sarlat’s famous open-air market; the pilgrimage site of Rocamadour; the English-style gardens of Eyrignac; the fascinating prehistoric cave paintings of Cap-Blanc; the perfectly reproduced cave art at Lascaux and Rouffignac; and a specially arranged gabare cruise on the Dordogne River. — From $3,995

VILLAGE LIFE — ITALIAN LAKES

SEPT. 21-30, 2024

Tour Operator: Gohagan

Northern Italy’s fabled Lake District beckons with its shimmering glacial waters, soaring Alpine peaks and bijou towns on a seven-night itinerary that immerses you in the distinct bella figura Italian style that has inspired poets, composers, artists and philosophers for centuries. Visit Bellagio, Villa del Balbianello, Stresa, Isola Bella and Sacro Monte di Orta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Milan, visit the Duomo and Teatro alla Scala, and enjoy a specially arranged viewing of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”

— From $3,895

DANUBE RIVER: VIENNA TO BUCHAREST

SEPT. 26-OCT. 8, 2024

Tour Operator: Gohagan

This extraordinary journey from the Habsburgs’ imperial capital of UNESCOinscribed Vienna to the captivating Black Sea features two nights in Romania’s elegant capital of Bucharest and a nine-night river cruise through the Iron Gates to discover the eastern Danube River Valley. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-designated castles, palaces and squares of Budapest; Hungary’s fabled Puszta (plains); the young territories

Rebel Traveler 2024

of Serbia and eastern Croatia; and the ancient land of Bulgaria. Enhance your experience with the Vienna pre - program and/or Transylvania post-program options. — From $4,995

ROMANCE OF DOURO

SEPT. 27-OCT. 8, 2024

Tour Operator: AHI

Discover the treasures of Portugal on this handcrafted, 10-night program, featuring three nights in Lisbon and a seven-night Douro River cruise. Begin in Portugal’s humming capital, enjoying its diverse neighborhoods, nautical monuments and the Jerónimos Monastery. Travel north to romantic Óbidos and Coimbra, home to Portugal’s revered university. Spend time exploring Porto, an enigmatic harbor town known for its storied Ribeira district and bohemian culture. Then cruise aboard a first-class ship through the world’s oldest demarcated winemaking region, the fabled Douro River Valley. Carve a path through sculpted hills and bucolic lands steeped in winemaking traditions. Daily excursions feature visits to wine estates and charming townships, including Vila 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 and traditional “Tuna” performance. This

journey features a choice of included excursions to personalize your journey and an extensive meal plan. No single supplement for solo travelers. — From $4,895

ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FIESTA OCT.

9-15, 2024

Tour Operator: Premier World Discovery Travel with us to the Land of Enchantment where you will enjoy New Mexico’s beautiful landscapes, history and architecture. A highlight will be a visit to the world-famous Albuquerque Balloon Festival — the world’s largest hot air ballooning event. You’ll have an opportunity to learn about Native American history and culture with visits to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Taos Pueblo. Taos Pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring ancient Pueblo homes that have been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years. Enjoy three nights in Santa Fe, founded in 1607, making it America’s oldest state capital city and third-oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S. Enjoy this UNESCO Creative City, which is renowned for its beauty, Pueblo-style architecture and for being one of the most important art markets in the U.S. You’ll also visit the Los Alamos Bradbury Museum, which tells the story of this isolated town and its role in the Manhattan Project. — From $3,775, including airfare

NEW ENGLAND RAILS AND TRAILS

OCT. 9-16, 2024

Tour Operator: Premier World Discovery Immerse yourself in the vibrant fall colors of New England. Ride the rails from Massachusetts to Maine and back on this seven-night journey. Beginning in Boston, see the Old North Church where Paul Revere got the signal to start his famous ride, tour the restored Boston Tea Party ships, and wander historic Beacon Hill. Enjoy breathtaking vistas aboard the Cog Railway as you summit Mount Washington — the highest peak in the Northeast. Return to North Conway, New Hampshire, and board the Conway Scenic Railroad for a nostalgic ride through the Mount Washington Valley countryside. Next, travel from North Conway to Burlington, Vermont, along the Kancamagus Highway. This drive offers unparalleled views of the Quechee Gorge, “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon,” and the opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations at the Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock. Just outside Burlington, view the impressive collection of American art at the Shelburne Museum and watch apples turn to cider at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Lastly, pay a visit to the home of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, founded in 1978 in a renovated gas station. In Portland, Maine, take a scenic cruise around Casco Bay before snapping an obligatory photo in front of the famed Portland Head Lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth. Before concluding your trip back in Boston, get a taste of Maine with a farewell lobster dinner. — From $4,395, including airfare

GRAND DANUBE PASSAGE

OCT. 15-30, 2024

Tour Operator: AHI

Experience the timeless heritage and cultures of eight distinct countries while sailing the Danube River. Plus, bookend your cruise with stays in Prague, Czech Republic, and Sofia, Bulgaria. This handcrafted itinerary awards fascinating landmarks, celebrated cities and local experiences to immerse you in each destination. Witness cathedrals, mosques and

Budapest, Hungary

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 eight-night river adventure, discover 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 enjoy a folk show and Viennese waltz performance. Along the way, get a deeper look at select destinations with our special Personalize Your Journey excursions that focus on cuisine, architecture and local life. You’ll enjoy first-class ship accommodations, deluxe hotels and a generous meal plan featuring wine and beer with lunch and dinner. No single supplement for solo travelers. — From $5,895

CHRISTMAS MARKETS ALONG THE DANUBE

DEC. 6-14, 2024

Tour Operator: Gohagan

Celebrate the enduring magic of the Yuletide season on an enchanting seven-night river cruise to Europe’s most beloved Christmas markets. Discover magnificent settings where cobblestoned streets strung with colorful lights meet festive market stalls of handcrafted ornaments, fine wooden toys and irresistible holiday treats. This unique itinerary brings the old-world charm of the holidays to life in a vivid celebration of history and culture. Be inspired by some of Europe’s most noteworthy landmarks — Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg, the 900-year-old Abbey of Melk in the legendary Wachau Valley and the glamorous imperial monuments of Habsburg Vienna. Enhance your expedition with the Vienna pre-program and Munich post-program options. — From $2,995

MONTREAL AND QUEBEC CITY CHRISTMAS MARKETS

DEC. 11-16, 2024

Tour Operator: Premier World Discovery

Embrace the holiday spirit and the wonderland of the Christmas season with a unique and warm atmosphere,

beautiful decorations, a great selection of succulent treats and exquisite Christmas gifts. This tour features world-famous hotels, sightseeing, wonderful meals and provides ample time to explore Montreal and Quebec City during this festive season. In Montreal, check in for two nights at the historic Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel. Enjoy this bustling modern city by seeing Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Joseph’s Oratory, Jacques Cartier Square, McGill University and a panoramic view from atop Mount Royal. Explore the Montreal Christmas Market visiting the shops, sipping mulled wine and enjoying the sights and sounds. Board the Via Rail train for the scenic journey to the “Paris of North America,” Quebec City. This UNESCO World Heritage city is one of the best-preserved cities in North America. A highlight of the trip is a three-night stay at the world-famous Chateau Frontenac. While in Quebec City, enjoy visits to St. Anne de Beaupre Shrine, Albert Gilles Copper Museum and Montmorency Falls, the highest falls in Eastern Canada. Enjoy leisure time at the German Christmas Market in the heart of Old Quebec, designed to recreate the atmosphere of

the big European Christmas markets. Embrace this magical city with illuminated pedestrian streets, decorated shops and bistros, all offering a festive atmosphere during the holiday season. With roundtrip airfare included, we hope you can join us on this amazing trip. — From $3,849, including airfare

BATTLE OF THE BULGE DEC. 11-19, 2024

Tour Operator: National WWII Museum Prepare to walk in the footsteps of those brave Americans who faced the German onslaught in December 1944. This comprehensive tour includes the principal battle sites in Belgium and Luxembourg. Visit Bastogne, where Gen. Anthony McAuliffe of the 101st Airborne Division replied to a German demand for surrender with a single, pithy word: “Nuts!” Pay solemn tribute to the men massacred near Malmedy by the SS troopers of Kampfgruppe Peiper. Travel the “Bulge” from its north shoulder at Elsenborn Ridge to Diekirch, Luxembourg, in the south, while listening to the heroic stories of American soldiers who fought through bitter cold and snow to prevail against a hardened and desperate enemy. — From $6,495

Salzburg, Austria

A lumni News Association Leaders

2024 NEW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS

The 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.

MENDE MALOUF ALFORD (BA 94), of Jackson, is owner of the Old Capitol Inn, located in the heart of downtown Jackson. She is involved in the day-to-day operations from overnight rooms to events in the Gala Ballroom. She serves on numerous boards and committees including Visit Jackson and Metro Chamber of Commerce. She was selected as Mississippi Business Woman of the Year in 2013 by Mississippi Business Journal . While at Ole Miss, she was a member of Delta Gamma Fraternity. She attends St. Richard Catholic Church with her three girls, Riena, Hala and Truus, who are enrolled at Ole Miss.

JENNIFER CALHOUN (BBA 96), of Tupelo, serves on the M-Club board of directors. She is a member of Chi Omega Fraternity and lettered for four years on the Ole Miss women’s golf team. She is president-elect of the Tupelo Ballet board of directors, past Charity Ball chairman of Tupelo Junior Auxillary, past president of Lee County Medical Alliance and a member of the Tupelo Country Club board of directors. Calhoun and her husband, Bo, attend First United Methodist Church in Tupelo and have three children: Anna (BAccy 22), Boatner and Hudson.

BILL FRY (BPA 80), of New York, is vice chairman of the board of Air Methods, as well as a director of SimonMed. He was previously CEO of Oreck Corp. and has also been at the helm of several other entities. Fry spent eight years in the U.S. Navy, last serving as a lieutenant in the Nuclear Propulsion Program. Fry received an MBA from Harvard Business School. He serves as a member of the board of Trek Bicycle Corp., a warden on the Vestry of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church (NYC), and a member of the board of advisers of the UM School of Business Administration.

JIMMY GRANBERY (BBA 79), of Nashville, serves as chair of the board and CEO for H.G. Hill Realty Co. He is involved in various civic organizations, including commissioner for the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority. He is also active on the boards of the Nashville Zoo, UT Southern and YMCA of Middle Tennessee. Granbery and his wife, Jamie (BBA 79), have two children and three grandchildren.

CHAD GREER (BBA 96), of Nashville, is a partner with Optimis Wealth at Northwestern Mutual. He began his career with Northwestern Mutual as an intern while at Ole Miss. Greer received the 2023 Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals ranking and 2023 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking. While at Ole Miss, he was vice president of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He and his wife, Kristen (BA 96), met while at Ole Miss and have three daughters.

COOPER JONES (BBA 99), of Nashville, is president of HUB Mid-South, covering Tennessee and Kentucky. He was selected as one of the Nashville Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 honorees and has served on the boards for Ensworth School, Fannie Battle Day Home for Children, Westminster School for Young Children, PENCIL Foundation and others. Jones and his wife, Hallie, have three kids, Landon, Adeline and Luke.

DEXTER MCCLUSTER (BUS 21), of Brentwood, Tennessee, is CEO of McCluster Fit. He is the recipient of numerous football awards and rankings from his time at Ole Miss. He was drafted in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. After four seasons there, he spent two years with the Tennessee Titans and then the 2016 season with the San Diego Chargers. McCluster was named one of the 10 Most Influential Trainers of 2021 by USA Top 100. He was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in 2021 and named to the M-Club Alumni Hall of Fame in 2022.

FRED MORAN (BBA 83), of Ocean Springs, is president of the Moran Cos. LLC, managing member of Ocean Springs Lumber Co. LLC, SEFCO LLC, Moran Properties LLC and Moran Realty Co. LLC, and he serves as president of JARDEL Inc. He is a licensed real estate broker and spends most of his time in commercial real estate development. Moran is heavily involved with the Mississippi Gulf Coast community and is a member of multiple area boards and organizations. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs. He and his wife, Dr. Stacey Moran, have three children, Russell (BBA 20, MBA 22), John and Molly.

IAN PIGG (BA 22), of Washington, D.C., is a legislative assistant for Sen. Marsha Blackburn. While at Ole Miss, Pigg was elected Mr. Ole Miss where he — alongside Miss Ole Miss Madison Gordon — established the First Gen Fund, a scholarship fund for first-generation college students. He also served as the Student Activities Association executive director and was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Pigg is an active member of the Mississippi Society of D.C. and the Taste of the South Gala Committee.

BETHANY STANFILL (BBA 12), of Madison, is a state lobbyist and a partner with BSS Global in Ridgeland. She is a member of Chi Omega Fraternity and secretary/treasurer of the Cardinal Club. She was awarded the Mississippi Top 50 Most Influential Leaders in the state in 2022. She serves on the Central Mississippi Ole Miss Rebel Club board, the Ole Miss Alumni Association Young Alumni Council and the board of advisers of the UM School of Business Administration.

PRESTON THOMAS (BA 05), of Oxford, is senior vice president and principal at Colliers International in Memphis. He has been with Colliers for 17 years, since graduating from Ole Miss. He is a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and has served on the board of advisers of the UM School of Business Administration. Thomas has received many industry accolades throughout his career at Colliers. He and his wife, Carlyle Thomas (BA 03), live in Oxford and have three sons, Bill, Charlie and Fred.

WILLIAM B. WEATHERLY (BA 82, JD 85), of Gulfport, is managing partner of Weatherly Law Offices PLLC and Weatherly Real Estate LLC. He is a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, and in law school was a member of the Mississippi Law Journal . Weatherly has been married to his wife, Callen, for over 25 years. They attend St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and have five children: Kate, Meg, William Jr., George and Claire.

CHARLES WHITE (BBA 82), of Mountain Brook, Alabama, is a managing director in the Fixed Income Division of Stifel Financial. A member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, White is married to the former Mary Samuelson (BAEd 83), and they have three children: Elizabeth (BA 11), Matthew (BBA 14) and Virginia (BA 16). White is a member of the Vaught Society, the UM Foundation board, the Ole Miss Banking and Finance Council, an elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church, chairman of Alliance Ministries and treasurer/board member of Covenant Heirs International Ministries.

WILMA J. WILBANKS (BSPh 81), of Cleveland, is a community pharmacist. She is the past international president of Delta Gamma Fraternity and National Panhellenic Conference delegate and previously served as chairman of the board of trustees of the Delta Gamma Foundation. She was named the Outstanding Pharmacist Civic Leader in the nation in 2017. Wilbanks and her husband, Bob (BSPh 82), are communicants of Calvary Episcopal Church and share three sons and five grandchildren. They were recognized as the 2022 Distinguished Pharmacy Alumni of the Year. Wilbanks was a 2019 inductee into the Mississippi Pharmacy Hall of Fame.

Simply Outstanding

BLACK ALUMNI REUNION BUILDS ON PAST SUCCESS

The 2024 Black Alumni Reunion at the University of Mississippi, held Feb. 29 to March 3, brought more than 360 alumni back to campus for a four-day weekend packed with more than a dozen events. Though traditionally held every three years, the reunion was moved up a year due to its continued popularity and alumni interest in increasing its frequency.

“The Black Alumni Reunion is a great opportunity for our graduates to return to campus to renew old friendships, make new ones and to reconnect with their alma mater,” says Kirk Purdom (BA 93), Ole Miss Alumni Association CEO.

“This reunion is always well attended and includes excellent programming. This year was no exception, as it was filled with events and activities for our returning alumni to learn, to network with fellow alumni and to celebrate excellence and achievement.”

In the early 1980s, Ole Miss Alumni Association Director Jim Butler (BSHPE 53, MEd 62) and then Assistant Director Brenda West (BAEd 76, MEd 77) worked to increase minority alumni involvement and engagement with the university.

To help achieve that goal, the Association created the University Affairs committee in 1984 and added a position the following year to devote attention to the area of minority recruitment and identification of black alumni.

Phyllis Thompson (BSB 80), the first to serve in that role,

helped form the Black Alumni Advisory Council, which held its first meeting in February 1987. Thompson left the university before the inaugural reunion held in 1988, but BAAC members played a key role in making that event a success.

Former Assistant Director Bonita Terry-Malone (BA 88) joined the staff in 1988 and worked to develop the Black Alumni Reunion as part of the Alumni Association’s strategic plan — not only to draw black alumni back to campus but also to get them involved in and committed to influencing policy decisions, funding scholarship opportunities and networking.

By the third reunion, the number of dues-paying black alumni increased by more than 200%. Apart from bowl game events, the reunion remains the largest registered event presented and sponsored by the Alumni Association.

As part of this year’s reunion, attendees were invited to a variety of events over a four-day span beginning on Thursday with BAR Unplugged followed by a Karaoke & Kickback party, both in the Stark Family Garden at The Inn at Ole Miss.

Friday’s festivities included a state of the university panel discussion led by Shawnboda Mead (EdD 19), vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement.

The evening included a Greek Stroll Off, held at the SJB Pavilion, in what has become a signature event of the reunion. The night concluded with a Dress Your Decade Party at the

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Bill Dabney

Powerhouse Community Arts Center. Saturday events included a Career Coachella networking program and cookout.

One of the highlights of the reunion was the Masquerade Ball and Awards Gala held Saturday night at The Inn at Ole Miss. The Dr. Jeanette Jennings Trailblazer award was presented to John H. Hawkins III (BBA 84), the university’s first Black cheerleader, and Tyrus McCarty (MS 79, PhD 87), UM’s first Black faculty member in the School of Engineering.

Velsie Pate (BA 92, BA 05, MA 09, MA 12) received the Jackie Certion Guiding Light Award. The Wayne Johnson Community and Civic Award went to former Miss Mississippi Asya Danielle Branch (18). The Alumni Achievement Award recipient was Deterrian L. “D.T.” Shackelford (BA 12, MA 15, EdD 21), and the Celebrated Athletic Award was presented posthumously to Coolidge Ball (BRL 75).

BAR concluded on Sunday with an Inspiration Brunch. Featured speakers included Ole Miss track and field head coach Connie Price-Smith and former Ole Miss football player K.D. Hill (BSES 22). The Grammy-nominated UM Gospel Choir also performed.

“This year’s BAR was simply outstanding,” says Ole Miss Alumni Association President-Elect Jeff Hubbard (BBA 80, JD 83). “Dr. Alexandria White and her committee teamed with the Ole Miss Alumni staff to present great speakers at a myriad of different venues in and around campus and host a lot of fun social events.

“But of course, like all reunions, my favorite was seeing friends that we have known — some for a number of years — and getting to know acquaintances better and meeting a ton of new friends.”

Class Notes

’50s BOB DUNLAP (BBA 51), of Batesville, was presented with the National Eagle Scout Association Outstanding Eagle Award. Dunlap, CEO of Dunlap and Kyle, has been a lifelong supporter of Scouting.

’70s HARRIS “TRIP” BARNES III (JD 72), of Flowood, was featured in Millennium magazine as a 2024 Distinguished Leader Honoree for the Marquis Who’s Who. He was also recognized for this achievement in the Wall Street Journal.

DAVEY LEE FARRIS JR. (BRL 75), of Clarksdale, was honored by Coahoma County High School when it named the football field in his honor.

LINDA REDMOND TAYLOR (BA 78), of Memphis, was voted Professional Advocate of the Year by the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing during its 2023 convention in Washington, D.C.

’80s VICTORIA JACKSON GRAY (BA 86, MA 91), of Memphis, graduated from Memphis Theological Seminary in 2023 with a Master of Divinity.

LESLIE RAY MATTHEWS (BA 85, MD 89), of East Point, Georgia, pioneered using highdose vitamin D3 to reduce heart attacks. His work was recently validated by a British Journal of Medicine study suggesting D3 may lower heart attack risk by 19%.

RICHARD WHITE (BBA 86, MBA 87), of Madison, Alabama, published “Wet and Dry: The Alabama Beverage Control Act and the Prohibition of the Saloon” in The Geography of Beer: Policies, Perceptions and Place.

’90s PERRY MOULDS (BA 99, MA 03, PhD 12), of Brentwood, Tennessee, was selected by the Bethel University board of trustees to serve as the university’s president, effective July 1.

MELISSA PRIVETT (BM 92), of Lynn Haven, Florida, graduated with an Educational Specialist degree from Liberty University and is an administrator in Bay District Schools in Panama City, Florida.

’00s COREY ADDY (BBA 01), of Oxford, recently joined Citizens Bank as its Oxford-Lafayette County market president.

L. KASIMU HARRIS (MA 08), of New Orleans, was announced as a Prospect 6 Artist for Prospect New Orleans. Harris will exhibit “Vanishing Black Bars and Lounges” from his new critically acclaimed series in this multivenue contemporary art project. Prospect 6 will run from Nov. 2, 2024 to Feb. 2, 2025.

JEREMY ROBERTS (BA 07, BS 10, EdD 23), of Montgomery, Alabama, received his Doctor of Education from the University of Mississippi’s School of Education in May 2023.

WES SCOTT (BAccy 03, MTax 04), of Nashville, joined the firm Epstein Becker & Green as a member of the Health Care and Life Sciences practice group.

KYLE VEAZEY (BA 04), of Memphis, has been named chief of staff and chief communications officer at ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

’10s ANDREA BUCCILLA (BA 10, MA 12), of Richmond, Virginia, produced her first feature-length documentary, “Shattered Glass: A WNBPA Story.”

MATT CONNER (BAEd 11), of Madison, was named defensive coordinator at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

ASHLEY GLOVER (BSW 11), of Austin, Texas, was appointed the Nomination and Leadership Identification Committee State of

Texas chair with the National Association of Social Workers. She also was selected by Our Lady of the Lake’s Alumni Executive Council as an Outstanding Alumni in service to the profession.

JESSICA TAYLOR GRADOLF-MORELAND (BA 13), of New Orleans, was promoted to librarian V, public service supervisor for the Jefferson Parish Library system.

JENNY ANN URBAN (BA 11, MBA 13, JD 15, LLM 16), of Littleton, Colorado, has joined the National Air Transportation Association as its managing director of Air Charter and Maintenance.

’20s

ELIZABETH C. TIRRILL (BA 20), of Nashville, has joined Neal & Harwell PLC as an associate in the firm’s litigation group. Her practice will focus on complex business litigation, entertainment laws and intellectual property matters.

BIRTHS

Beaubien Cade and John Davis, sons of Kaleigh Clanton and John Cade Clanton (BBA 11, MBA 12), Dec. 4, 2023.

Leighton Ava, daughter of Sloan Alexandria Strange Little (BS 16) and Wilson Denton Little (BSGE 15), Jan. 24, 2024.

WEDDINGS

Laney Annette Baker (BGS 19) and Chris Gordon (BBA 20), Dec. 16, 2023.

Rebecca Eileen Donnelly (BAccy 21, MTDA 22) and Walter James deMasi (BS 20), April 20, 2024.

Jessica Taylor Gradolf (BA 13) and Jesse Dean Moreland, Oct. 13, 2013.

Molly Katherine Maclin (BAccy 18, MTax 19) and Tyler Steven Aldridge, Aug. 26, 2023.

Emily Elizabeth Myers and Mason Wayne Comans (BA 20), Sept. 29, 2023.

Kie Ellen Purdom (BSGE 19) and Hunter Logan Simrall, Aug. 13, 2022.

Emily Alexandra Winkler (BSES 17) and Ryan Lynn Pinkerton, Jan. 7, 2024.

Top 40

OLE MISS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HONORS 2024 40 UNDER 40 RECIPIENTS

The Ole Miss Alumni Association recognized its 40 Under 40 Class for 2024 at a ceremony on April 12 as part of Young Alumni Weekend, which included a Barbecue for Books fundraiser at Swayze Field. The program celebrates the personal, professional and philanthropic achievements of successful University of Mississippi graduates under the age of 40.

The 2024 group of young alumni includes a hatmaker, a facial plastic surgeon, an executive producer for an Emmy-nominated visual effects studio and a supervisory intelligence officer for the FBI.

“This year’s class of 40 Under 40 is outstanding, and we were excited to welcome them back to campus to honor their accomplishments,” says OMAA CEO Kirk Purdom (BA 93). “These talented individuals exemplify leadership in their industries and communities, and I am thrilled that we can showcase their achievements through 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 an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with the university and the OMAA.

“With the program in its third year, the Class of 2024 did not disappoint, boasting young alumni from Ole Miss with

diverse careers in health care, design, accountancy, educational administration and governmental affairs,” says Sunny Brown (BSFCS 09, MA 11), assistant director of Alumni Affairs who organized the awards. “It was so special to award them in April and allow our current students to network with all that our group has to offer.”

Members of the 2024 class of 40 Under 40, including their degrees and graduation years from UM, are:

• Scott Bierman (BA 11), of Woodstock, Georgia, vice president of government affairs, Georgia Restaurant Association

• Caroline Bobinger (BSPSC 14, PharmD 17), of Madison, clinical pharmacy specialist, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center

• Sherika Bradford (BA 11), of Savannah, Georgia, support operations transportation officer in charge, Department of Defense, U.S. Army

• Anne Hall Brashier (BS 13), of Ridgeland, chief of staff, Office of the Governor, State of Mississippi

• Robin Brown (BS 11, JD 17) of West Point, county attorney, attorney adviser, Clay County, Social Security administrator

• Mark Cleary (BBA 06), of Oxford, president, Cannon Cleary McGraw

• Ashley Collins (BBA 08), of Tampa, Florida, supervisory intelligence analyst, FBI

• Laurie Beth Ellis (BAEd 06, MEd 08), of Oxford, third grade INSIGHTS teacher, Oxford School District, gifted testing coordinator

• Alexis Evans (BA 08), of Jackson, deputy director, State Agencies, Boards and Commissions Division, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office

• Hunter Evans (BS 12), of Jackson, chef and owner, Elvie’s Restaurant

• Lillie Flenorl (BA 08), of Memphis, media relations adviser, ALSAC

• Gray Flora IV (BA 07, PhD 20), of Oxford, director, Grove Scholars, University of Mississippi

• Kimberly Hampton (BA 09, JD 13), of Oxford, assistant U.S. attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office

• Megan Edwards Hodge (BS 07, BA 08), of Oxford, neurologist, Oxford Neurology Clinic

• Deterrian Jones (BA 23), of Washington, D.C., Office of Digital Strategy, the White House

• Parker Kennedy (BS 18), of New Orleans, owner and founder, Piqué by Parker Kennedy

• William Kneip (BA 16), of Oxford, chief of staff and director of external relations, University of Mississippi

• Alexa Lampkin (BA 13, DMD 17), of Ridgeland, dentist, assistant professor, director of admissions, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Dentistry

• Ben Lane (BS 14), of Jackson, director, government and business wireless, C Spire

• Andrew Mays (BSPhSc 10, PharmD 12, MBA 22), of Madison, medical science liaison, parenteral nutrition, Fresenius Kabi USA LLC

• Jermaine McCaskill (BAEd 10, MEd 13, SpecEd 16), of Memphis, school administrator, Memphis-Shelby County Schools

• Brenton Montgomery (BSCvE 07), of Franklin, Tennessee, manager, key accounts, Nashville Electric Service

• Eden Bowen Montgomery (BS 21), of Pontotoc, owner and founder, Essentials with Eden

• Dennis Pickens (BAccy 10, MAccy 11), of Atlanta, manager financial services, technology lead, The Home Depot Corporate

• Mary Landrum Pyron (BS 16), of Crystal Springs, owner and head hatmaker, ML Provisions

• Stephen Rao (BBA 17), of Houston, Texas, vice president, 49 Financial

• Sara Martin Robertson (BS 06, MD 10), of Madison, associate professor of anesthesiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center

• TreMarcus Rosemon (BBA 15, JD 18), of Jackson, owner and managing attorney, The Rosemon Law Firm PLLC

• Seth Rowland (BAccy 06, MAccy 08, JD 10), of Memphis, tax managing director, KPMG

• Stephen Roybal (BAccy 12, MAccy 13), of Ocean Springs, tax senior manager, Deloitte

• Erin Smith (BA 07, MD 14), of Austin, Texas, facial plastic surgeon and owner, Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery

• Bethany Stanfill (BBA 12), of Madison, partner, BSS Global

• Stephen Stanford (BA 09), of Ripley, owner and dentist, Stanford Family Dental and Vision

• Ben Still (BBA 15), of Memphis, partner and financial adviser, Bluff City Advisory Group LLC

• Ellen Thomas (BS 12), of Oxford, owner and CEO, Ellen Thomas Event Design

• Anna Touchstone (BSPhSc 17, PharmD 20), of Madison, central pharmacy supervisor, University of Mississippi Medical Center

• Chip Trammell (BA 08), of Jackson, Tennessee, owner and orthodontist, FMY Orthodontics

• Chigozie Udemgba (BS 10, MS 12), of Alexandria, Louisiana, assistant health services administrator, Department of Homeland Security

• Jazzmine Williams (BA 10), of Clinton, owner and therapist, Williams Counseling and Consulting Services LLC

• Lindsey Yates (BAJ 13), of Roswell, Georgia, executive producer, Barnstorm VFX

Alumni News

IN MEMORIAM

1940s

Mittie Johnson Aiken (BA 48), of Jackson, Feb. 12, 2024

Marjorie Louise Watson Buntin (BA 47), of West Memphis, Ark., April 6, 2023

Benjamin Lampton Crawford Jr. (BA 49, MedCert 51), of Clinton, Jan. 29, 2024

Emmagene Hardy Crunk (BA 49), of Columbus, Jan. 26, 2024

Lilla Jean Barksdale Holmes (BSC 41), of Ridgeland, Jan. 10, 2024

Joyce Kunofsky Kantrowitz (48), of Brooklyn, N.Y., Aug. 5, 2023

Patricia McLaughlin Knowles (46), of Pensacola, Fla., Jan. 24, 2024

Julia Falkenheiner Montfort (BAEd 48), of Woodville, March 17, 2024

Raymond Martin Sheely (48), of Elizabeth City, N.C., Oct. 12, 2023

Richard Garland Walls (BA 49), of Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 15, 2024

Elizabeth Hopkins Witty (BA 44), of Columbus, Jan. 24, 2024

1950s

Thomas Jefferson Anderson (BS 52, MedCert 54), of Laurel, Jan. 14, 2024

William Hoytte Austin Jr. (BBA 56), of Lake Cormorant, Jan. 29, 2024

Betty Ann Johnson Barkley (BM 57), of Ridgeland, Feb. 1, 2024

Brashier Temple Barnard (BA 51), of Dallas, Dec. 5, 2023

Suezette Buehler Barringer (BA 51), of Marks, July 6, 2023

Murry Dale Brackman (BBA 58), of Hattiesburg, Jan. 17, 2024

James Walter Bryant (MedCert 53, MS 53), of Memphis, Feb. 22, 2024

Ted Carley Jr. (54), of Columbia, Feb. 23, 2024

Robert Daniel Coit (LLB 56), of Chunky, Feb. 12, 2024

J. Carmon Cowart (BSPh 57), of Terrell, Texas, Jan. 22, 2024

William Sultan Donald Jr. (MEd 59), of Southaven, Sept. 15, 2023

Richard Buxton Douglas (BSPh 55), of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 10, 2024

James Milton Ewing Jr. (BA 56, MA 62), of Gainesville, Ga., Jan. 22, 2024

Betty Parks Gary (BS 54, MA 81), of Oxford, Jan. 22, 2024

Cook

Anne Carlton Gorton (59), of Belzoni, March 18, 2024

Hugh Smith Harris Jr. (BS 56), of Natchez, Jan. 25, 2024

Jackson Allen Herrington (BBA 58), of New Albany, Jan. 13, 2024

Billie French Horton (BBA 50), of Fort Worth, Texas, Feb. 22, 2024

Jerry Ervin Ishee (BSPh 53), of Jackson, Feb. 4, 2024

Florence Phyfer Krause (BA 51, MA 53), of Columbia, Mo., May 7, 2023

Suzanne Moffitt McDonald (BA 57), of Birmingham, Mich., Dec. 22, 2023

Virginia Davis McGinnis (51), of Meridian, Feb. 18, 2024

Edgar Charles Medlin (BA 59), of Alexandria, La., Dec. 17, 2023

David Ralph Mitchell (BSHPE 59, MEd 69), of Pontotoc, March 7, 2024

Charles Kistner Pringle Sr. (BBA 53, LLB 55), of Biloxi, March 10, 2024

Tony Paul Provenza (BBA 52, LLB 54, MBA 55), of Greenville, March 16, 2024

Dorothy Ewell Roberts (BS 54), of Jackson, Dec. 21, 2023

Janis Knox Sanders (BAEd 59, MEd 73), of New Albany, Feb. 9, 2024

Donald Gordon Shipp Sr. (BSPh 50), of Big Creek, Jan. 28, 2024

Byrd Carlton Sorrells (53), of Greenville, Sept. 16, 2023

Jane Phillips Speed (ME 57), of Little Rock, Ark., Dec. 26, 2023

William Mathew Trice (MBA 57), of Fayetteville, Ga., Feb. 6, 2024

Louise White Waller (BBA 50), of Oxford, Jan. 19, 2024

Mary Virginia Nash Watson (BA 52), of Greenville, Feb. 5, 2024

Charlie Fagin Yancey (BSChE 57), of Bartlett, Tenn., Feb. 24, 2024

1960s

Howard Smith Ainsworth (BBA 65), of Arlington, Tenn., Jan. 3, 2024

Sara Turner Allen (BA 63), of Sedona, Ariz., Dec. 24, 2023

James Noble Anderson (BA 61, MD 65), of Montgomery, Ala., Jan. 15, 2024

Joyce McClure Arnold (BA 60), of Dallas, Dec. 24, 2023

Cecilia Powder Babij (BAEd 68), of Enfield, Conn., March 8, 2024

Fred Allen Bell Jr. (BBA 65), of Kosciusko, Jan. 24, 2024

Louise Touchstone Bell (MA 60), of Houston, Texas, Nov. 20, 2023

Howell Johnson Boyles (BS 68), of Richmond, Va., Dec. 13, 2023

Dan Hill Brady (65), of Jackson, Jan. 13, 2024

Alumni News

James Dexter Brickell (BA 62), of Niceville, Fla., Feb. 5, 2024

Sam Glenn Britt (MFA 66), of Cleveland, Dec. 18, 2023

Patrick Michael Brown (BS 60), of Exton, Pa., Feb. 12, 2024

Steve Buchanan (67), of New Suffolk, N.Y., Feb. 7, 2024

Joe Camp (BBA 61), of Bell Buckle, Tenn., March 15, 2024

Cindy Browning Chastain (BS 65), of Windermere, Fla., Feb. 21, 2024

Johnette Walker Colingo (BSC 61), of Fairhope, Ala., March 17, 2024

Sidney Anderson Cox (BA 66), of Brandon, Feb. 28, 2024

Donald Newson Downer (BS 66, PhD 72), of Starkville, Dec. 21, 2023

Mary Carlisle Evans (BAEd 69), of Blairsville, Ga., Feb. 17, 2024

Sylvia Sarphie Foran (BAEd 60), of New Braunfels, Texas, Jan. 3, 2024

James Glynn Fortenberry (BBA 60), of Columbia, Feb. 16, 2024

Rodney Edgar Frothingham Jr. (MD 65), of Ruleville, Feb. 5, 2024

John Gregory Gassaway (MD 66), of Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 10, 2024

Lanny Lee Gooch (BSHPE 63, MEd 68), of Houston, Feb. 10, 2024

William Alexander Gowan Jr. (BBA 64, JD 66), of Madison, Dec. 20, 2023

Marsha Rosalyn Perry Hataway (BA 64, MA 65), of Kingsport, Tenn., Jan. 14, 2024

Charles Gerald Henson (BA 64), of Wimberley, Texas, Jan. 20, 2024

William Stewart Hester Sr. (BAEd 68), of Madison, March 12, 2024

Glyn Roy Hilbun (MD 62), of Madison, Feb. 3, 2024

John Charles Hill (BBA 67), of Sarasota, Fla., Jan. 2, 2024

George Hardin Homich USAF (Ret.) (BBA 65), of Mathews, Va., Jan. 17, 2024

John William Hovious (BA 67), of Rincon, Ga., Jan. 4, 2024

Clarence Galloway Hull III (BS 60, MD 64), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Feb. 14, 2024

Adene Hurst (MA 66), of Madison, Dec. 28, 2023

Emery Hampton Jewell Jr. (MEd 62), of Tampa, Fla., May 2, 2023

Clarence James Kees III (MD 64), of Pinola, Jan. 5, 2024

Robert Myers Laird IV (BBA 63), of Land O Lakes, Fla., Jan. 31, 2024

Grace Fredean Stone Langford (BSC 62), of Lyon, Jan. 30, 2024

David Henry Lankford (MS 66), of McKenzie, Tenn., Dec. 26, 2023

Michael Paul Larroux (68), of Bay St. Louis, Jan. 24, 2024

Mary Margaret Lindsey Lawhon (BBA 63), of Laurel, Jan. 23, 2024

Harry Edward McCollum Jr. (BSPh 66), of Hattiesburg, Dec. 19, 2023

Sondra Montgomery McGann (BSC 60), of Chattanooga, Tenn., Feb. 22, 2024

Charles Arthur McIntosh Jr. (BA 63, JD 66), of Oxford, Dec. 20, 2023

Buddy McRaney (BBA 60, LLB 62), of Collins, Feb. 12, 2024

James Herring Perkins (BBA 62), of Brookhaven, Feb. 17, 2024

William Bindley Profilet Jr. (MD 69), of Grenada, Jan. 2, 2024

Bobby Riley Redding (BSCvE 62), of Clinton, Jan. 10, 2024

Orville Gaston Robertson (BAEd 63), of Oxford, Feb. 13, 2024

Margaret Diane Fuller Seal (BA 67), of Picayune, March 1, 2024

Margie Glenn Lancaster Smith (MS 66, MD 69), of Terry, Nov. 11, 2023

Stover Lester Smith Jr. (MD 61), of Laurel, Dec. 16, 2023

James Ronald Staten (BS 68, MD 71), of West Point, Feb. 18, 2024

Lawton Terry Stevens Jr. (BA 65), of Coppell, Texas, Nov. 21, 2023

Charles Melchior Tilly (BSCvE 60), of Germantown, Tenn., March 6, 2024

• Get the advanced degree you need in just two years.

• Develop a broad range of business skills that can be applied in any setting.

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• GMAT/GRE waivers available for professionals with 5+ years post-graduate work experience.

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Rebecca Ramsey Triplett (MM 65), of Senatobia, Feb. 27, 2024

Arthur Lee Vaughan Jr. (BSPh 63), of Ferriday, La., Feb. 4, 2024

Ruth Montgomery Walker (BAEd 65), of Franklin, Tenn., Dec. 20, 2023

James Darrel Willcox (MEd 63), of Conway, Ark., March 19, 2024

William Roberts Wilson Jr. (JD 69), of Oxford, Jan. 30, 2024

Margaret McKee Worley (MLS 61), of New Market, Ala., Nov. 18, 2023

1970s

William Stephen Adams (78), of Birmingham, Ala., Feb. 23, 2024

Ludis Dainis Barenis (BBA 73), of Greenville, Dec. 30, 2023

Cheryl Merritt Barry (BA 77), of Meridian, Dec. 24, 2023

Rebecca Fudoli Bost (BM 72), of Fillmore, Ill., March 1, 2024

Nancy Stringer Bramlett (74), of Brandon, Feb. 27, 2024

John Brandon Brewer (BBA 76), of Oxford, Feb. 13, 2024

Sharon Gale Wesson Bridger (EdD 74), of Shreveport, La., Feb. 6, 2024

Andrew Byron Brown III (MD 77), of Flowood, Dec. 31, 2023

Kenneth Ray Brown (BBA 70), of Hickory, N.C., Jan. 23, 2024

Patrick Lyle Bryan (BSPh 78), of Starkville, Feb. 27, 2024

Lee Calvin Buckley (JD 79), of Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 23, 2023

Thomas Ware Burt (JD 71), of Montrose, Ala., Feb. 29, 2024

James Carroll Caffey (BBA 72), of Winona, Dec. 31, 2023

Bettina Adams Caldwell (MEd 78), of Como, March 9, 2024

Paula Young Chaffin (BAEd 70, MEd 72), of Oxford, Jan. 28, 2024

Bernard William Nelson Chill Jr. (JD 77), of Jackson, Feb. 18, 2024

John Calvin Clay (MD 70), of Meridian, Jan. 13, 2024

Onnie Rex Coker (BPA 73), of Amory, Feb. 5, 2024

Alumni

John Michael Covington (BBA 75), of Ridgeland, Dec. 19, 2023

Pauline Cecile Crouch (MEd 71), of Natchez, Dec. 20, 2023

John James Crow Jr. (BA 73), of Water Valley, March 20, 2024

William Lee Davis (BA 77, MD 81), of Louisville, Jan. 27, 2024

Robert Cleland Fair Jr. (BA 77), of Bay City, Mich., Dec. 31, 2023

James Murry Faulkner Jr. (BBA 79), of Jackson, Jan. 27, 2024

James Oliver Ford (JD 70), of Tupelo, Feb. 1, 2024

Betty Waddle Garrison (MEd 75), of Decatur, Ala., March 6, 2024

Martha Dixon Glissen (MEd 76), of Ripley, Feb. 4, 2024

Rebecca Ann Enloe Graeber (BS 71), of Jonesboro, Ark., March 10, 2024

James Alan Grimes (BBA 70), of Laurel, Feb. 9, 2024

Michael Alan Gunter (BBA 77), of Lucedale, Feb. 21, 2024

Katherine Weddel Hampton (MA 79), of Pensacola, Fla., Dec. 17, 2023

Martha Prewitt Hitch (MM 73, DA 96), of Oxford, Feb. 10, 2024

Gene Norris Howell Jr. (BS 75), of Ripley, Jan. 30, 2024

Sarah Brasher Huber (Cert 75), of Madison, Dec. 4, 2023

Frederick William Johnson Jr. (JD 71), of Madison, Jan. 16, 2024

Jacqueline Lyda Johnston (BAEd 79, MEd 82, SpecEd 83), of Laurel, Feb. 25, 2024

Margaret Sullivant Jourdan (BAEd 78, MEd 13), of Oxford, Dec. 24, 2023

Mary Green Keeton (BA 73), of Harrison, Tenn., March 4, 2024

Carole Goldsworthy Kehrer (MEd 71), of Punta Gorda, Fla., Feb. 19, 2024

Jackie Stephen Klepzig (BBA 77), of Hernando, March 17, 2024

Knox Harold Loftin Jr. (BPA 79), of Tupelo, March 14, 2024

Alumni News

William Wallace McBride Jr. (BBA 70), of Blue Springs, Feb. 26, 2024

Franklin Cooper McKenzie Jr. (JD 72), of Laurel, Dec. 29, 2023

Edith Hubbard Moon (MEd 74), of Somerville, Ala., Feb. 4, 2024

Sidney Gerald Morgan (BSPh 72), of Okolona, Jan. 17, 2024

Virginia Wilson Mounger (JD 79), of Jackson, March 1, 2024

Rupert Hugo Newcomb Jr. (JD 70), of Oxford, Feb. 18, 2024

Robert King O’Reilly Jr. (BBA 73), of Marietta, Ga., March 2, 2024

Harry Moore Paslay (BA 74, MURP 76, JD 86), of Dallas, Aug. 10, 2023

Davidson Henry Prewitt (BBA 73), of Richmond, Texas, Feb. 16, 2024

Michael Donn Price (BAEd 71), of Saltillo, Feb. 4, 2024

Rene Marie Reeb (MN 72, PhD 81), of Madison, March 6, 2024

Don James Robbins (MEd 71), of Conway, Ark., Feb. 5, 2024

Malcolm Schalick Sharp (BBA 72), of Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 22, 2024

Billy Ray Shotts (BBA 75), of Fulton, Jan. 30, 2024

Larry Sigmund Solanch (PhD 78), of Seymour, Conn., Dec. 10, 2023

Mary Louise Liddell Spann (MCS 76), of Stone Mountain, Ga., Feb. 10, 2024

John Howard Staggs (BAEd 75), of New Albany, Jan. 19, 2024

Seth Berry Stalcup Jr. (MS 72), of Florence, Ala., Jan. 2, 2024

Martha Lenoir Wadlington Stanley (BS 73), of Corinth, Dec. 25, 2023

Frederick Paul Strickland Jr. (BBA 71, JD 73), of Louisville, Jan. 14, 2024

Emily Carol Long Strider (BAEd 72, SpecEd 06), of Oxford, Jan. 10, 2024

Linda Watts Swearingen (BAEd 71), of Etta, Jan. 22, 2024

James Robert Thomas (BAEd 72), of Holly Springs, Nov. 9, 2023

Carolyn Dixon Thompson (BAEd 76), of Memphis, Jan. 23, 2024

Stephen Cason Vaughan (BBA 71), of Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 3, 2024

Thomas Franklin Vegod (BA 70), of Pendleton, S.C., Feb. 24, 2024

Marilyn Broker Wenzel (MN 79), of Covington, La., March 5, 2024

Styron Gray West Jr. (BSPh 72), of Waynesboro, Dec. 28, 2023

Patricia Seger Wildman (MEd 75), of New Albany, Feb. 22, 2024

1980s

Edwin B. Baker II (BRL 82), of Hattiesburg, March 15, 2024

William Douglas Brandon Sr. (MA 80), of Bryson City, N.C., Feb. 12, 2024

Mark Dudley Brown (81), of Memphis, Dec. 18, 2023

Bobby Joe Conn Jr. (BA 84, MA 86), of Tremont, Dec. 22, 2023

Cynthia Adair Crosby (MEd 85), of Dumas, Feb. 20, 2024

Linda Ellis Darphin (BS 83), of Ocean Springs, Feb. 24, 2024

Sandra Dees (BAEd 81, MEd 95) of Oxford, March 2, 2024

John Dee Dial (MD 81), of Madison, Feb. 14, 2024

Donald Cruse Fisher (PhD 86), of Germantown, Tenn., Feb. 29, 2024

Shannon Charles Flynn (MHCA 82), of Sugar Land, Texas, Feb. 12, 2024

Kennetha Kirk Foley (MEd 87), of Blue Springs, March 16, 2024

Joyce Lowe Franco (BA 84, BSN 87), of Miramar Beach, Fla., Feb. 22, 2024

Edward Alton Frederick (BBA 83), of Mooreville, March 8, 2024

William Weston Rodes Harrison (BBA 84), of New York, N.Y., Nov. 24, 2023

James Halyard Hawkins (BBA 80), of Oxford, Jan. 28, 2024

Deborah Rishel Hester (JD 83), of Long Beach, Jan. 19, 2024

Andrew Wellborn Hurt (BSJ 83), of Long Beach, Jan. 14, 2024

Donna Kaye Lillard (BAccy 83), of Memphis, March 16, 2024

Laura Ann Livingston (BBA 83), of Lexington, Ky., Jan. 19, 2024

Jack Gibson Moss (JD 80), of Raymond, Oct. 12, 2023

Philip Halbert Neilson (BA 83, JD 87), of Oxford, Jan. 7, 2024

Judith White Overall (JD 87, MS 88), of Booneville, Feb. 10, 2024

Frank Vincent Rose (PhD 88), of Topping, Va., Feb. 15, 2024

Valerie Ashman Schlosser (MS 85), of Lincolnshire, Ill., Feb. 5, 2024

Earnestine Evans Scott (MEd 82, MEd 91), of Holly Springs, Jan. 15, 2024

John Gregory Sparrow (MD 82), of Jackson, Tenn., Feb. 2, 2024

Bonita Colston Stephens (BS 83), of Arlington, Tenn., Jan. 5, 2024

Sherrye Lee Thomas (BPA 87), of Waterford, Jan. 25, 2024

Sharron Jenkins Wall (BSHPE 84), of Oxford, Feb. 6, 2024

David Wayne Williams (BSHPE 82), of Nesbit, Jan. 15, 2024

1990s

Jesse Mike Amis (BBA 93), of Batesville, March 14, 2024

Nolan Lamar Buckner (MM 98), of Northport, Ala., Dec. 8, 2023

Susan Smith Carley (BSN 96), of Brandon, Jan. 31, 2024

Garrod Shaine Huckaby (BBA 93), of Bono, Ark., Jan. 20, 2024

Darryl Andre King (BBA 94), of Oxford, Feb. 27, 2024

John Overby Montgomery (BA 97), of Franklin, Tenn., Feb. 17, 2024

Paul Edward Moyers (JD 95), of Jackson, March 6, 2024

John Allen Murphy Jr. (JD 96), of Cleveland, Tenn., March 8, 2024

Matthew Adam Root (BBA 96), of McComb, Feb. 3, 2024

Ashley Laine Stack (BBA 95), of Atlanta, Feb. 26, 2024

George Stennis Watson (MA 96, PhD 99), of Richardson, Texas, Jan. 13, 2024

Stephen Buford Wigginton (BSJ 91), of Brandon, Jan. 10, 2024

2000s

Garret Lee Emerson (BBA 08), of Starkville, Feb. 3, 2024

Garrett Avery Gavrock (BBA 01), of Hernando, Feb. 19, 2024

Leonard Kevin Grace (BBA 08), of Tupelo, Jan. 27, 2024

Leah Marie Hebert (BA 06), of Fulton, Dec. 28, 2023

Jay Howard Hurdle (JD 08), of Starkville, Jan. 3, 2024

Henry Parker Johnson Jr. (BA 01, MD 05), of Oxford, Jan. 11, 2024

Cherie Washington Labat (MA 00), of Little Rock, Ark., Jan. 9, 2024

Richard Erwin Nelson (BBA 00), of New Albany, March 14, 2024

George Ferris Pettey (02), of Pontotoc, Jan. 2, 2024

Andrew McDade Seale (BBA 01), of Franklin, Tenn., Jan. 18, 2024

Matthew Caperton Steadman (BFA 01), of Gautier, Jan. 13, 2024

Morgan Bishop Waddle (BBA 07), of New Albany, Jan. 13, 2024

2010s

Nathan Penn Bass (JD 10), of Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 27, 2024

John Bartley Boykin (BA 15), of Hollandale, March 9, 2024

James Kirkland Harper II (14), of Brandon, March 3, 2024

Morgann Marie McKethan (BAJ 12), of Houston, Texas, Feb. 26, 2024

Angela Ferguson Rogalski (BAJ 12), of Abbeville, Feb. 28, 2024

2020s

Nathan Harrison Vaughan (MAT 23), of Advance, N.C., Feb. 20, 2024

STUDENTS

Christopher Sanchez Little (23), of Jackson, Dec. 17, 2023

Cole Whitaker Murray (22), of Greenup, Ky., Jan. 16, 2024

FACULTY, STAFF AND FRIENDS

Curtis Lee Berry, of Oxford, Jan. 4, 2024

Robert Clifton Bishop, of West Point, Jan. 16, 2024

Lawson Kelly Broadrick, of Atlanta, Aug. 29, 2023

Ben Brooks, of Suwanee, Ga., Feb. 14, 2024

Ronald Eugene Cook, of Meridian, Dec. 18, 2023

Alumni News

Mary Ann Pipkin Crocker, of Coffeeville, Dec. 22, 2023

Scott Davidson Deleve, of Red Oak, Texas, March 2, 2024

Lenzo Dennis, of Abbeville, Jan. 2, 2024

Edna Pegues Dickens, of Oxford, Feb. 29, 2024

Hans-Jürgen Jakob Gaycken, of Oxford, Jan. 30, 2024

Albert Price Grantham, of Oxford, March 1, 2024

Katherine Dawson Gray, of Fredericksburg, Va., Feb. 6, 2024

Jo Ann Black Harris, of Rossville, Tenn., Feb. 20, 2024

Trish Hightower, of Southaven, Feb. 1, 2024

Samuel Lamar Jennings, of Oxford, Jan. 21, 2024

Sammie Jones, of Oxford, Feb. 10, 2024

Donald Howard Keith, of Farmington, N.M., Sept. 29, 2023

Crawford Calvin King Jr., of Oakland, Jan. 9, 2024

Martha Claire McManamy Knee, of Hixson, Tenn., Aug. 23, 2023

Kim Meredith Lang, of Amherst, Va., Nov. 21, 2023

William D. Longest, of Oxford, Jan. 4, 2024

David Lynch, of Abbeville, Sept. 15, 2023

Wayne Mahon, of Blue Springs, Dec. 28, 2023

Phil Malone, of Oxford, Jan. 24, 2024

James Paul McCauley, of Oxford, Jan. 10, 2024

Thad McLaurin, of Ridgeland, Dec. 27, 2023

Colleen McPherson, of Oxford, March 20, 2024

Marion Lynn Menne, of Abbeville, Jan. 1, 2024

Jerry Dean Moore Jr., of Abbeville, Feb. 12, 2024

Sherrita Lashae Murray, of Oxford, March 20, 2024

Jan O’Bryan Nelson, of Hattiesburg, Feb. 7, 2024

Mary Beverly Sugg Noble, of Flowood, Jan. 11, 2024

Richard Partridge, of Jackson, March 8, 2024

Ashley Hardy Prince, of Tupelo, Jan. 17, 2024

Robert Louis Robinson, of Iuka, Dec. 28, 2023

Nick Russell, of Oxford, Jan. 1, 2024

Charline Herring Ryan, of Wesson, Feb. 1, 2024

Cora Hardison Shields, of Oxford, Dec. 20, 2023

Catherine Cullum Shirley, of Aiken, S.C., Dec. 28, 2023

Eugene Augustus Stansel Jr., of Greenwood, Jan. 25, 2024

Frederick Enos Steiner, of Oxford, Feb. 28, 2024

Jack Dougherty Stovall Jr., of Mustang, Okla., May 4, 2023

Susan Bell Treas, of Jackson, Jan. 10, 2024

Annelies Sondheim Zachary, of Lutherville Timonium, Md., April 30, 2023

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 1374, Oxford, MS 38655. 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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