Ole Miss Alumni Review
winter 2016
Off to a Good Start UM WELCOMES JEFFREY VITTER AS 17TH CHANCELLOR
winter 2016 Vol. 65 No. 1
Mabus addresses 21st-century needs of Navy Student Union expansion designed with growing student body in mind
ALUMNI REVIEW
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Features
ALUMNI REVIEW
18 Off to a Good Start
UM welcomes Jeffrey Vitter as 17th chancellor By Mitchell Diggs
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24 At the Helm
Mabus addresses 21st-century needs of Navy By Benjamin Gleisser
30 State of the Union
Student Union expansion designed with growing student body in mind
36 Music City Manager
Alumnus counts Brad Paisley among his country music artist clients By Annie rhoades
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Contents Vol. 65 No. 1
Departments
2 President’s Letter
5 From the Circle
winter 2016
On the Cover
16 Calendar
42 Ole Miss Sports
Rebels rule at 2016 Sugar Bowl The Pavilion scores with opening
46 Just Published
48 Rebel Traveler 52 Alumni News
18 Jeffrey S. Vitter has hit the ground running as the 17th chancellor of the University of Mississippi. Cover photo by Robert Jordan
O le M iss A lumni R ev iew Publisher Sheila Dossett (75) Editor Jim Urbanek II (97) jim@olemiss.edu
Fellow Alumni,
Associate Editor and Advertising Director Annie Rhoades (07, 09) annie@olemiss.edu Contributing Editor Benita Whitehorn Art Director Amy Howell Contributors Andrew Abernathy (08,10), Kevin Bain (98), Paolo Bayas, Ruth Cummins (82), Mitchell Diggs (82), Bill Enos, Jay Ferchaud, Erin Garrett (11), Gabrielle Gero (12), Benjamin Gleisser, Armando Gonzales, Thomas Graning, Chaning Green, Robert Jordan (83), Michael Newsom (05), Sam Shavers, Edwin Smith (80,93), Katherine Stephens Officers of the University of Mississippi Alumni Association Eddie Maloney (72) president Dr. Hal Moore (76) president-elect Bobby Bailess (73, 76) vice president Chip Crunk (87) athletics committee member Deano Orr (93) athletics committee member Alumni Affairs Staff, Oxford Sheila Dossett (75), interim executive director Joseph Baumbaugh, systems analyst III Allie Bush, Web developer Clay Cavett (86), associate director Anne Cofer (07, 08), accountant Martha Dollarhide, systems programmer II Port Kaigler (10, 15), assistant director Annette Kelly (79), accountant Steve Mullen (92), assistant director for marketing Annie Rhoades (07, 09), publications editor Anna Smith (05), alumni assistant and club coordinator Scott Thompson (97, 08), assistant director Jim Urbanek (97), assistant director for communications Torie Marion White (07), assistant director Rusty Woods (01), associate director for information services Warner Alford (60, 66), executive director emeritus The Ole Miss Alumni Review (USPS 561-870) is published quarterly by the University of Mississippi Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Affairs. Alumni Association offices are located at Triplett Alumni Center, 651 Grove Loop, University, MS 38677. Telephone 662-915-7375.
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Alumni Review
President from the
Hotty Toddy, Gosh Almighty, Who in the Hell Are We? With our Oxford campus regarded as one of the most beautiful and safest campuses in America; with our accounting, business, law, pharmacy and medical schools all being highly rated; with our Grove being the gold standard for tailgating in all of football; with the opening of our new multimillion-dollar Pavilion; with our studentathletes excelling on the field and in the classroom; with the university’s first Sugar Bowl in 46 years that will go down in history as one of the greatest events many of us have ever experienced; with Hugh Freeze and his staff pulling in a top five recruiting class; with Andy Kennedy working on a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four years; with Mike Bianco looking for a return trip to the College World Series in Omaha, I’m pretty sure that most people know who we are! Happy New Year to all! I doubt a university chancellor or president has ever had a better first day on the job than our new chancellor, Jeff Vitter. Jan. 1 was a magical day for the chancellor and his wife, Sharon. Starting with a dance at the Alumni Association’s New Year’s Eve party, to raising the Sugar Bowl trophy and leading cheers after the impressive win by the Rebels over Oklahoma State, Chancellor Vitter was “all in.” While I’m mentioning the Alumni Association’s New Year’s Eve party, I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank Sheila Dossett and our entire staff for the job they did in New Orleans. We had almost 2,500 attend the New Year’s Eve party and more than 1,200 for our pregame tailgate party. Everything went very smoothly and professionally. We all should be proud of our Association. We definitely put our best foot forward! Our new chancellor has hit the ground running, and after an almost yearlong nationwide search, we will have alumnus Kirk Purdom, our new executive director, starting in midMarch. Considering that our director reports directly to the chancellor, it was only fitting that Dr. Vitter was already in place. Kirk has a strong Ole Miss background, and you can get to know more about both him and the chancellor in this issue. I think we all owe Morris and Cindy Stocks a big “Thank You” for the job they did while Morris was interim chancellor. We are so glad that he is staying on as provost. Chancellor Vitter is eager to get out and meet as many local groups this spring as he can, and Kirk will be with him every step of the way. Let’s give them both a big Rebel welcome! I think the IHL made a great decision with Jeff Vitter. I also think the foundation he inherited is something that can be built on. If we all give Chancellor Vitter our full support, the sky is the limit for Ole Miss. 2015 will go down in history as one of the best years in the long history of the University of Mississippi. 2016 can be just as good or better. As Coach Freeze says, “We are relevant.” As Athletics Director Ross Bjork says, “We are pulling the rope in the same (direction).” As I say, “It’s always good to be an Ole Miss Rebel. Sometimes it’s great!” Hotty Toddy!
Eddie Maloney (BBA 72)
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Only YOU can help us grow higher! Alumni Association membership has reached an all-time high. Plant the seeds for future growth by renewing your membership and encouraging your classmates, neighbors and friends to remain active. Membership is open to graduates and non-graduates.
olemissalumni.com/join
Circle from the
The l ates t on Ole Miss s tudents, facult y, s taff and friends
Undersea Explorer
PROFESSOR’S RESEARCH PROTECTS, RESTORES MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
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hen Marc Slattery is not teaching medical microbiology to undergraduates and chemical ecology to graduate students, he is working in the field, more specifically, the water. The professor of pharmacognosy got his start at the School of Pharmacy two decades ago under the direction of associate dean emeritus Charles Hufford. “I wasn’t a traditional pharmacist, but I came here and found collaborations I normally wouldn’t have and applications for my work that I would have never really considered,” Slattery says. Slattery’s enthusiasm for chemical ecology and natural products has taken him all over the world – from the Bahamas to Antarctica and many places in between. Through deep reef dives, he has studied the effects of climate change on sponges and hybrid soft corals and has worked to replenish their populations. Slattery’s primary focus at the school is the Environmental Toxicology Research Program. Some of his latest and most compelling work has been focused on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. With Hurricane Katrina’s 10th anniversary coming to a close and the aftereffects of the 2010 BP oil spill revealed, Slattery has spent a lot of time using his environmental toxicology skills to collect data on coastal communities and plan for their future. While Katrina and the oil spill had different effects, they both changed the landscape of the coast’s reefs. “It’s really interesting to look at Katrina versus the oil spill in terms of oysters,” Slattery says. “Even though Katrina was a huge disaster, it had an immediate impact. With Katrina, the population went down for a year and then came back. The oil spill impacts certainly appear to be much longer and more damaging.” Slattery and his team have several proposals out for conservation and restoration of the coast’s oyster reefs. Slattery’s passion goes beyond his research. He says he has enjoyed giving back to the university community through teaching and outreach. To give his students as much field experience as possible, he heavily involves students in research projects. “Giving back to my students, whether it’s teaching them,
taking them to the field or providing scholarships, just makes sense for me,” Slattery says. “It’s important.” His love for students, as well as his love for the School of
UM professor Marc Slattery
Pharmacy, has been a great inspiration for Slattery. “I wouldn’t be as successful as I am without the people in the Environmental Toxicology Research Program, my colleagues in the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, and even the administration has been really supportive of me and my research,” Slattery says. “They’ve allowed me to succeed. I don’t know that I could get that anywhere else.” w i n te r 2 016
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from the Circle
Online and Upward
ONLINE GRADUATE DEGREES IN EDUCATION RANKED IN NATION’S TOP 25
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education/play therapy. The School of Education began offering online degrees in 2010, when it accepted the first class into its online master’s degree in elementary education. In the past five years, the education school has attracted online students from more than 15 states to its programs. Education faculty members are recruiting for the first class of the university’s new online master’s degree in early childhood education. It is the state’s only online master’s degree in the field and can lead to license endorsement from the Mississippi Department of Education. “Today, it’s more important than ever to ensure quality graduate programs are accessible to working professionals,” says John Holleman (MA 04), the school’s director of graduate studies. “We provide the academic quality of a flagship university in a way that fits into the lives of talented and hardworking professionals.” The School of Education also offers a graduate certificate in program evaluation that can be completed online.
Photo by Kevin Bain
he University of Mississippi has been ranked among the nation’s top 25 institutions for online graduate degrees in education by U.S. News & World Report. At No. 25, the UM School of Education rose 10 spots from U.S. News’ 2015 rankings. “We are proud to be recognized for the hard work of our faculty, staff and students,” says David Rock, UM’s education dean. “We are committed to creating quality graduate education that is accessible for working teachers, higher education professionals and counselors who seek to be change agents and leaders in their classrooms and communities.” UM is tied with the New York Institute of Technology, University of Dayton, University of Nebraska at Kearney and William Carey University. UM offers four online graduate degrees designed to be accessible for education professionals including the Master of Arts in higher education, Master of Education in early childhood education, Master of Education in elementary education, and Specialist in Education in counselor
Students and faculty from the UM School of Education celebrate Commencement in the Grove. The school has been ranked among the nation’s top 25 programs for online graduate degrees in education. 6
Alumni Review
from the Circle
CAMPUS NAACP CHAPTER WINS 2016 CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
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oining a brilliant cadre of past recipients, the University of Mississippi chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has been awarded the national organization’s 2016 Chairman’s Award. The prestigious honor recognizes special achievement and distinguished public service of individuals and organizations whose groundbreaking work increases public understanding and awareness of racial and social justice issues. Past recipients of the Chairman’s Award include former Vice President Al Gore and Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai, Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, actor Forest Whitaker, U.S. Navy Adm. Michelle J. Howard, the late actressactivist Ruby Dee, singer-humanitarian Bono and then-Sen. Barack Obama. The 47th NAACP Image Awards were
presented Feb. 5 from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Leaders of the campus chapter were elated by news of the recognition.
“The Chairman’s Award is a tremendous honor for our students, our university’s NAACP chapter and the entire campus community,” says James Thomas, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology and faculty adviser for the chapter. “Recognition for our chapter’s efforts to make our campus a more racially equitable space for people of color is both
humbling and inspiring. We know our work is far from done, and our chapter will use this honor as motivation to continue our efforts.” UM administrators commended the group’s efforts and successes, which led to the Chairman’s Award. “This is a well-deserved award that confirms our students’ voices were heard well beyond our campus, and it confirms that their advocacy is appreciated well beyond our campus,” says Donald Cole (PhD 85), assistant provost and assistant to the chancellor for multicultural affairs. Established in 1967 at the height of the civil rights movement, the NAACP Image Awards is the nation’s premier multicultural event celebrating the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors.
Repeat Success
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LISTS UM’S ONLINE MBA PROGRAM IN TOP 25
he University of Mississippi’s online MBA program is again ranked in the U.S. News & World Report‘s 2016 list of 25 Best Online MBA Programs. UM tied for No. 22 in the rankings. Other SEC schools on the list include Florida (No. 4) and Auburn (No. 10). Temple University, Indiana University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked No. 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Notable institutions ranked below UM on the list include the University of Arizona and Oklahoma State University, (tied at No. 41), Florida State University (No. 44) and Baylor University (No. 69). “We are pleased and excited with the recognition of the quality and value of our MBA programs,” says Ken Cyree, dean of the UM School of Business Administration. “The credit goes to our dedicated faculty and staff who provide exceptional educational opportunities to our students.” The Ole Miss online MBA program comprises 12 courses designed for working professionals. With nearly 100 students enrolled, it boasts the same curriculum as the on-campus program but maximizes the flexibil-
ity that working professionals require in a master’s program. By taking two courses per term (spring, summer and fall), students complete the program in two years. Enrollment in less than two courses per term is allowed but will extend the time it takes to earn the degree. In addition to the U.S. News & World Report ranking, Authority Media Group ranked the Ole Miss online MBA program No. 18 nationally and No. 15 among public schools. College Choice also ranked the program No. 3 nationally. UM’s online MBA is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the gold standard of business school accreditation. “Students in the online MBA program value that the program is accredited by AACSB, with the same objectives and learning outcomes as the traditional MBA program,” says Ann Canty (MBA 81, PhD 85), faculty director of the MBA program and associate professor of management. “We will continue to focus our efforts on recruitment and student support. Our goal is to increase enrollment in both our online and campus programs with strong candidates.” w i n te r 2 016
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from the Circle
Cannabis Cultivator
PLANT PHYSIOLOGIST KEEPS MARIJUANA PROJECT GROWING
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hen senior research scientist Suman Chandra first came to the University of Mississippi’s National Center for Natural Products Research in 2001, he had no idea that he would be involved in one of the most pivotal programs in the School of Pharmacy’s history. Chandra, who has extensive training in medicinal plant physiology and biotechnology, carries out a variety of research activities dealing with cannabis as part of the Marijuana Project. Funded by a competitive contract through the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the project is led by Mahmoud ElSohly, research professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and professor of pharmaceutics. As part of the project, the NCNPR supplies high-quality marijuana and its constituents to the NIDA Drug Supply Program. The drug supply program then provides the marijuana to licensed researchers across the country. “I’m very proud to work for the Marijuana Project,” Chandra says. “It is very well-known across the country, and I’m honored to work for Dr. ElSohly.” Growing the standardized cannabis for NIDA is a lengthy process, Chandra says.
“The first step in the process is to do a genetic screening to find out if the plant is male or female, if grown from seeds,” he says. “Cannabis produces a unique class of terpenophenolic compounds called cannabinoids, and females have higher cannabinoids as compared to the male plants. The second step is to keep only female plants and look for the elite clones based on their chemical profile for further propagation.” In 2014, Chandra was heavily involved in growing marijuana outdoors. He moved his office outside to better keep records, paperwork and inventory of the cannabis while bearing the Mississippi heat. “It is extremely important that we keep good security and up-to-date inventory when we are growing,” he says. “We document everything we do and make sure that all the Drug Enforcement Administration and Food and Drug Administration requirements are met.” Originally from India, Chandra received his basic education in the northern region of the Himalayas and went on to Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a Master of Philosophy and a doctorate in plant physiology.
Chandra, who has extensive training in medicinal plant physiology and biotechnology, carries out a variety of research activities dealing with cannabis. 8
Alumni Review
from the Circle
Top 10 Outstanding Faculty Member EDUCATION PROFESSOR HONORED BY KAPPA ALPHA THETA
Photo by Nathan Latil
R
osemary Oliphant-Ingham (MEd 70), a professor of secondary education at the University of Mississippi, was honored by the national Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity as one of the nation’s top 10 Outstanding Faculty Members. Oliphant-Ingham has been a member of the UM School of Education faculty since 1998 and is coordinator of secondary education in the Department of Teacher Education. She was selected from 110 nominees nationwide to receive the honor. “I knew that I had been nominated by the Ole Miss chapter of Theta, but I had no idea it was for national recognition,” Oliphant-Ingham says. “I was quite surprised when I found out that I had been selected. It really was quite nice.” Recipients are considered for the award based on nominations provided by students within the fraternity. Gabby Vogt, a sophomore English education major at Ole Miss, nominated Oliphant-Ingham. Vogt is a fellow in the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program, where she has worked closely with Oliphant-Ingham. “Scholarship is Theta’s highest aim,” says Vogt, a native of Metairie, La. “Dr. O-I makes it clear that academic success is critical. She encourages lifelong learning and sets the example by continuing to take classes in subjects that do not pertain to her field. Dr. O-I continues to be an example of a leading
Rosemary Oliphant-Ingham is one of 10 outstanding faculty members across the nation to be recognized by Kappa Alpha Theta.
woman and mentor for me and other fellows in METP.” Established in 1870, Kappa Alpha Theta was the nation’s first Greek-letter fraternity for women. Since 2011, the organization has selected 10 outstanding college faculty members annually to receive this prestigious award.
CHAIR IN PHARMACY RECEIVES DUNCAN NEUHAUSER AWARD
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University of Mississippi department chair and professor in the School of Pharmacy has been recognized for her efforts to improve pharmacy practice through medication safety and quality. Donna West-Strum (BSPh 95, MS 97, PhD 99), pharmacy administration chair and professor, helped create the Educating Pharmacists in Quality program, which was selected as the 2015 Duncan Neuhauser Award winner by the Academy for Healthcare Improvement. The EPIQ program is used as a tool to improve the teaching of pharmacists, pharmacy students and other health care providers regarding measuring, reporting and improving pharmacy practice. West-Strum West-Strum created the novel training program in partnership with the Pharmacy Quality Alliance and several colleagues from across the nation. “My colleagues and I are grateful for PQA’s support and the adoption of this educational tool by so many faculty across the country,” West-Strum says. “This tool provides access to important material for
learning about pharmacy quality measurement and improvement. Hopefully, pharmacists and pharmacy students are being empowered to improve the quality of pharmacy care.” West-Strum was presented the award alongside EPIQ co-authors Terri Warholak of the University of Arizona, Vibhuti Arya of St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ana Hincapie of the University of Cincinnati and David Holdford of Virginia Commonwealth University at AHI’s annual meeting Oct. 29. “This award solidifies Dr. West-Strum’s reputation as a national expert in the area of quality and medication safety,” says John Bentley (MS 96, PhD 98), professor of pharmacy administration. “It is a significant acknowledgment of her efforts on a national scale.” The five modules in EPIQ and 26 online sessions serve as a resource for professional development and continuing education. The program has been downloaded more than 63,000 times since its launch in August 2014. w i n te r 2 016
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from the Circle
Roll Call
STUDENT ATTENDANCE VERIFICATION GETS UPGRADE
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ince the fall 2015 semester, University of Mississippi instructors have been required to take attendance using the “Attendance Verification Interface” of the myOleMiss class rolls and grades section, or use attendance scanners, and to confirm students’ attendance during the first few days of the semester. This semester, faculty will use an upgraded and improved interface system to record the data. “Attending classes and interacting with faculty are essential elements of our mission,” says Noel Wilkin, senior associate provost. “We have a responsibility to document whether students attend classes. This information is critical in our predictions of student success and ensures compliance with federal requirements.” Instructors are required to confirm students’ attendance at least once during the first two weeks of class during fall and spring semesters. If attendance hasn’t been verified in a class by an instructor, and if the student has not voluntarily dropped the course, the university will administratively drop unconfirmed students from classes. Beginning this year, the rules are also in effect during
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intersession and summer sessions. During the shorter summer sessions and intersessions, the attendance must be registered during the first few days of class. The new procedures will help the university with its overall goal of providing the best education possible for students, says Brandi Hephner LaBanc, vice chancellor for student affairs. “We appreciate the time and attention to detail that our faculty (has) invested to make this successful,” Hephner LaBanc says. “The true beneficiary of this new process is still the student – we use these data to help reach out to students, support and retain them.” The new system will help identify no-shows very early in the semester and also identify students whose financial aid must be modified because they dropped courses or never attended. Attendance is mandatory for establishing eligibility for aid. Another benefit of the new measures is making seats available more quickly to other students who may wish to take a specific class.
The university has announced changes to its attendance recording policy, which take effect this semester, and upgrades to the online system instructors use to record the class roll data. Alumni Review
from the Circle Photo by Robert Jordan
Studies show long-term investment in quality pre-K education provides improved academic performance and long-term public cost savings.
Pre-K Support
UM ESTABLISHES GRADUATE CENTER FOR STUDY OF EARLY LEARNING
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he University of Mississippi School of Education has established a new center to provide research and collaborative leadership to support the growth and development of quality early childhood education throughout the state. Financed with more than $121,000 in external funding from the Phil Hardin Foundation, UM’s Graduate Center for the Study of Early Learning was recently officially approved by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. “Our primary purpose is to raise visibility of the importance of early childhood education,” says Cathy Grace (EdD 79), the center’s co-director. “We hope to collaborate with all stakeholders and to share innovative ideas and collectively work toward a better education system for all Mississippi children.” Above all, the new center is dedicated to providing pre-K stakeholders – including students, teachers, teacher educators, school administrators, policymakers, elected officials, parents and community members – with valuable data and research findings about early childhood education programs in Mississippi. The center will also provide research on methods to overcome challenges in the pre-K field, particularly in high-needs districts. “We are extremely fortunate to have a pre-K leader as influential and talented as Dr. Grace to lead this new
center,” says David Rock, dean of the UM School of Education. “We have the opportunity to make a dramatic impact in the area of early childhood education. We must be willing to invest not only money but our time and effort in pre-K education because we know the critical impact it will have on the future achievement and advancement of our state and nation.” According to the National Institute for Early Education Research, several studies show quality preschool programs can produce lasting gains in academic achievement, including gains in reading and mathematics. Studies also show an estimated $7 return on every $1 invested in public pre-K education in the form of long-term cost savings. Mississippi does not offer statewide early childhood education in public schools. “As a School of Education, our focus is on improving education for all children in Mississippi,” says Susan McClelland (MEd 88, PhD 96), chair of teacher education at UM. “We believe the center will enable our faculty to have a greater impact on providing educational opportunities and current research that extends beyond our students to our state and community leaders. “Our hope is that early childhood education in Mississippi will be transformed to ensure every child receives a quality pre-K learning experience.” w i n te r 2 016
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from the Circle
New Fertility Test Pioneered at UMMC PROCEDURE TO GAUGE FERTILITY LESS PAINFUL, MORE ACCURATE
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Alumni Review
else out there, and light years more gentle.” An abstract Parry published in September 2015 showed that 88 percent of women undergoing the Parryscope have mild to no discomfort, 10 percent have moderate discomfort, and 2 percent have severe discomfort. His first study of the Parryscope showed that 0.4 percent of women having the Parryscope technique reported extreme discomfort as opposed to Photo by Jay Ferchaud
shley Maryland’s two medical procedures to figure out why she was having trouble becoming pregnant were like night and day. “It was awful,” Maryland, a Vicksburg resident, says of the hysterosalpingogram, or HSG, performed there in 2013. “It was overwhelming pain, and there was nothing I could do. It was the worst pain ever.” But her most recent procedure, performed in 2015 by Dr. Preston Parry, University of Mississippi Medical Center associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, was anything but. “I anticipated it hurting. I prepared myself for it. But it didn’t hurt at all, and I got to watch it on a screen,” Maryland says. Not just patients, but their doctors also despise HSG, a test that’s been used for decades to examine a woman’s fallopian tubes to see if they’re blocked. It uses a combination of X-rays and dyes to take a picture of the uterus and typically is done in a hospital. Parry, a reproductive endocrinology specialist and chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, has come up with a technique that minimizes discomfort and is more accurate, faster, cheaper, safer and convenient. It’s called the Parryscope, which is not a piece of equipment but instead a specific procedure that replaces HSG. During HSG, a physician inserts either a stiff or flexible tube into a woman’s cervix on the way to her uterus. Dye is passed through the inserted tube; if the fallopian tubes are open, the dye will flow through, but if they’re blocked, it won’t. Patients don’t receive anesthesia, painkillers or drugs to deaden the affected area. “There are so many women who say it’s the most painful thing they’ve been through,” Parry says. “Women have told me it was worse than childbirth.” In Parry’s procedure, he uses a narrow, flexible fiberoptic camera, saline and air to determine if the saline and air bubbles can enter the fallopian tubes and if the uterus is receptive to pregnancy. Dye isn’t used at all. “If the air bubbles don’t go in, the sperm may have trouble getting in, too,” Parry says. “The camera is the width of a coffee straw,” he says. “We use technology so small and gentle that the speculum for a Pap smear is typically worse.” To his knowledge, Parry says, no one had previously published data validating the use of a hysteroscope to observe air bubbles and saline for fertility testing. He presented his procedure in October 2015 at a meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and also at the Open Endoscopy Forum at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “The input was very favorable,” he says of physicians’ reaction to his procedure. “They wanted to know more. The data (show) it’s as accurate, if not more accurate than anything
Dr. Preston Parry (right), UMMC associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, chats with patient Ashley Maryland of Vicksburg. Also pictured is Maryland’s husband, Antonio Maryland.
42 percent of those who described that level of pain with HSG. Risks are associated with both HSG and Parryscope. A woman with a history of gynecologic infections should inform her doctor, who might want to give her antibiotics before the procedure. Vasovagal reactions are rare, and in the case of a Parryscope, it’s possible that air bubbles could travel to the lungs, causing an air embolus. “Theoretically, this could occur, but in practice and to our knowledge, it has never happened,” Parry says. Parry says that he continues to research the procedure. Over the past couple of years, he’s done the relatively unknown procedure about 500 times. He says the procedure, although patented, isn’t a moneymaker in itself. “They may not have the equipment, but I could teach most OB-GYNs how to do this in 10 minutes,” he says. “The reality is, if you can have a test that’s more accurate, gentler, cheaper and faster, would you do it? Patients overwhelmingly prefer it,” he says. “It’s replacing a test that people passionately hate, and there hasn’t been a viable alternative until now.”
from the Circle
Understanding Zika
VIRUS A CONCERN FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, BUT NOT FOR OTHERS
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ississippi’s almost year-round mosquito population makes it more vulnerable to illnesses such as the Zika virus that’s becoming rampant in Brazil and some other South and Central American countries, a University of Mississippi Medical Center infectious diseases specialist says. “Unfortunately, this is spread by mosquitos, and we have the vector for that here,” says Dr. Skip Nolan (BA 78, MD 82), professor of infectious diseases and head of the Medical Center’s Division of Infectious Diseases. “We likely have the Aedes mosquitos that can transmit the virus.” The Zika virus usually causes either no symptoms or mild effects such as a rash, low fever or joint pain; 80 percent of people infected don’t know it. But in pregnant women or those attempting to become pregnant, it can be catastrophic for their babies. It’s been linked to a spike in the number of babies in Brazil born with a condition called microcephaly, characterized by an underdeveloped brain and tiny head, which causes severe neurological issues and sometimes death. However, people do not need to panic about the virus that’s making national and international headlines, say Nolan and Dr. Michelle Owens (MS 07), associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a maternal-fetal specialist. No deaths have been confirmed from the Zika virus in this country or internationally. It’s popped up in some Central and South American countries, and parts of the Caribbean. “There’s still a lot we don’t know, so we have to be very
careful about making any absolute predictions,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was quoted as saying by National Public Radio. In a briefing for reporters, NPR reported, Fauci added that “we still feel it’s unlikely ... we’ll see wide-scale outbreaks.” There’s not a great likelihood that Mississippi would have an actual outbreak, Owens says. “The virus does not live in all mosquitos but rather in certain types. However, there is a possibility, because of our diverse population and travel, that we might see patients who have been in an area where the virus is more common.” A World Health Organization scientist said in late January that 3 million to 4 million cases of Zika infection are possible in the Americas over the next year. The Zika virus spreads when someone is bitten by an infected mosquito, Nolan says. That person can then have the infection, and if he or she is bitten by a mosquito and the mosquito becomes infected, it can pass it on by biting another person. Owens and the Department of Health advise pregnant patients considering travel to countries with Zika cases to postpone the trip if possible, and if they cannot, to educate themselves on precautions they should take to avoid being bitten. The Mississippi Department of Health posted information on the Zika virus on its home page, http://www.msdh.state.ms.us, including a map of affected countries. The information includes travel precautions, prevention and advice for pregnant women.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY HONORS UM’S BEAUTIFICATION GURU
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he man in charge of efforts to make the University of Mississippi the most beautiful campus in the country and keep it that way has been awarded a very high honor from his alma mater. Jeff McManus, UM director of landscape services and airport and golf course operations, was named the Auburn University Department of Horticulture’s outstanding alumnus for 2016. The 1988 Auburn graduate was honored in a ceremony Feb. 3 at the Auburn Alumni Center. McManus has been the mastermind of keeping Ole Miss’ campus, more than 1,500 acres, looking McManus gorgeous. Those beautification efforts have been nationally recognized four times during McManus’ tenure, including being named Most Beautiful Campus by the Princeton Review, Professional Grounds Management Society and Newsweek. “I am humbled by the honor and wish to share it with all those I work with here at Ole Miss,” McManus says. “Excellence is always
a team effort, and I have been blessed with a supportive and talented team of co-workers and administrators.” UM Chancellor Emeritus Robert Khayat (BAEd 61, JD 66) hired McManus 16 years ago, following a national search to find the best landscape manager in the business to help turn UM into a five-star property. He found McManus, who had made a name for himself after his work leading landscape efforts at two large resorts in Florida: Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando and Turnberry Isle Resort and Club in North Miami. Khayat has said that McManus “changed the landscape culture and the general culture in the local community of Oxford, Mississippi, in a very positive way.” Besides maintaining the beauty of Ole Miss, McManus also does training on leadership development and has written two books, Prune Like a Pro and his upcoming Growing Landscape Weeders to Leaders. w i n te r 2 016
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from the Circle
Reason to Smile
NEW KIDNEY, NEW LIFE FOR SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY ALUMNA
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Photo by Jay Ferchaud
aToya Colenberg-Eakins’ little dog, Deucebug, might have to take a break from crawling into bed with her every night. “He’s going to be so sad,” Colenberg-Eakins (DMD 11) says. Her pug won’t be the only one who will miss out on a favorite ritual. Colenberg-Eakins no longer can enjoy venison. “No wildlife,” she says. “And my husband is a big-time hunter.” The tradeoff, however, is a no-brainer. In January, Colenberg-Eakins turned her back on seven years of dialysis when she received a new kidney at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She lost a little. She gained so much.
In January, Dr. Mark Earl, UMMC assistant professor of surgery, transplanted a new kidney into LaToya Colenberg-Eakins of Pearl, a 2011 graduate of the UM School of Dentistry.
“My incision hurts, but I feel awesome,” Colenberg-Eakins, whose dental practice spans three cities, said less than 24 hours after her surgery. “With dialysis, you feel so heavy. Now, I feel light. It’s weird. I’m hurting, but I feel so great.” Dr. Mark Earl, assistant professor of transplant surgery, performed the procedure. “Her kidney function is outstanding,” he said the day before her scheduled release. “She’s right on track. End-stage renal disease patients who receive a transplant live longer and have a better quality of life generally than those who remain on dialysis.” The Pearl resident’s journey to a kidney transplant began when she was diagnosed at age 13 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a serious disease that usually leads to kidney failure. In her second year of dental school, her kidneys failed completely, and she began the rigors of dialysis five days a week. The dialysis caused a temporary interruption in her classes and her pursuit of a longtime dream: to practice dentistry in Mississippi’s rural communities. 14
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“In Fayette, there are no dentists – no one in general practice,” she says of the town where she grew up. Because their teeth were decayed and neglected, people ended up with extractions. “If they’d gotten earlier care, that wouldn’t have happened,” she says. “I want them not only to have healthy teeth but to look better.” That comes from personal experience. As a young girl, “I hated my teeth. I had a bunch of spacing issues,” says Colenberg-Eakins, now 31. “People thought I was an angry person because I didn’t smile. I got braces and a lot of reconstructive surgery, and that transformed me.” A dental school rotation at the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center locked in her decision to pass up an often-lucrative dental practice in a more urban area. “I’d ask a patient, ‘How long has your tooth been hurting?’ They’d say, ‘Ten years.’” She returned to her roots, now practicing full time at the Claiborne County Family Health Center and working part time for a Jackson dental practice that also has an office in Hattiesburg. And as she became more exhausted, both from her disease and constant travel, she made it onto three kidney transplant waiting lists, the most recent a year ago in Mississippi. “My daily routine has been to get up, drive to work, haul home and get on dialysis for three hours, sit up for 30 minutes to make sure I’m not bleeding, go to sleep, and the next day do it all over again,” she says. “I would normally get to bed at midnight or 1. I had to plan everything.” “It’s a big challenge for the overwhelming majority of patients just to manage their dialysis at home, much less be a busy professional,” Earl says. “That is incredible.” The chance for Colenberg-Eakins to get a kidney transplant came early on a Sunday morning as her parents were driving to the church where her father, the Rev. Anthony Charles Colenberg, is a pastor in Natchez. A weary Colenberg-Eakins was in bed. “I almost missed the call. I had my phone on silent. I just happened to look at it,” Colenberg-Eakins says. Her dad was the alternate contact. He fielded a call, then told his wife. “We turned around and came back,” Betty Colenberg says. “I’ve had a bag packed all this time.” That night, Colenberg-Eakins says her new life kicked in. “It’s a feeling to be in end-stage kidney disease, and it’s gone.” There hasn’t been time for Colenberg-Eakins and her husband, Elbert Eakins Jr., to talk about how life will change. She’s relieved that her husband and mother no longer must be her “dialysis partners,” with one of them present as a condition of home treatment. “I look forward to not having to plan it into my day,” she says. “I look forward to just being free.”
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School of Applied Sciences Networking Reception: The Inn at Ole Miss Ballroom, 4-5:30 p.m. Call 662-915-7375 or visit www. olemissalumni.com/events.
Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State March 2
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Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. South Carolina. The Pavilion at Ole Miss, 8 p.m. Visit www.olemisssports.com.
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-28 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Louisville. Swayze Field, 4 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.olemisssports.com.
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Leap Day 5K Glow Run: Sponsored by RebelWell. Glow sticks provided. The first 50 participants to register will get a free T-shirt. South Campus Rail Trail, 6-9 p.m. Visit https:// racesonline.com/events/leap-day-5k.
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Lecture: Freelance writer David Sax speaks about his book The Tastemakers: Why We’re Crazy for Cupcakes but Fed Up with Fondue. Gertrude C. Ford Center, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Visit www.events.olemiss.edu.
MARCH
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Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State. The Pavilion at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. Visit www.olemisssports.com.
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Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Memphis. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m. Visit www. olemisssports.com.
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-4 Oxford Conference for the Book: The 23rd annual conference brings together fiction and nonfiction writers, journalists, poets, publishers, teachers and students for three days of readings, lectures, panels, workshops and social events that celebrate the written word. Visit http:// oxfordconferenceforthebook.com.
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Ole Miss Luncheon Series: Jackson, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Country Club of Jackson. Call 662-915-7375 or visit www.olemissalumni.com/events.
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-9 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Southeast Missouri. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, 4 p.m. Wednesday. Visit www. olemisssports.com.
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-12 Law Reunion Weekend: Various times and locations. Call 662-915-7375 or visit www. olemissalumni.com/events.
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-13 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Grambling State. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.olemisssports.com.
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-13 Rugby Alumni Reunion: Times and locations TBD. Call 662-915-7375.
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-18 Spring Break
Baseball: Ole Miss vs. UT Martin. Swayze Field, 11 a.m. Visit www.olemisssports.com.
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Ole Miss Luncheon Series: Hattiesburg, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Location TBA. Call 662-915-7375 or visit www.olemissalumni.com/events.
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-24 2016 Ole Miss Insurance Symposium: The Inn at Ole Miss. Register at www.olemissalumni. com/events or call 662-915-2830 for more information.
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-26 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. South Carolina. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday. Visit www.olemisssports.com.
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Easter
Photo by Thomas Graning
FEBRUARY
Calendar APRIL
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MBA Golf Classic: Two-man scramble and silent auction benefiting the Ole Miss MBA Scholarship Fund. Ole Miss Golf Course. Visit www.olemissalumni.com/events.
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Artist Series: “Tina Packer’s Women of Will.” The part master class, part performance explores Shakespeare’s most famous female characters. Gertrude C. Ford Center, 7:30 p.m. Call 662-915-2787 or visit www.fordcenter.org.
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-3 Women’s Golf: Rebel Intercollegiate. Ole Miss Golf Course. Visit www.olemisssports.com.
Ole Miss Luncheon Series: Vicksburg, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Location TBA. Call 662-915-7375 or visit www. olemissalumni.com/events. Musical: The Midtown Men, national tour. The Midtown Men sing their favorite ’60s hits from The Beatles, The Rascals, Motown, The Four Seasons and more. Gertrude C. Ford Center, 7:30 p.m. Call 662-9152787 or visit www.fordcenter.org.
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-10 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Arkansas. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, noon Sunday. Visit www.olemisssports.com.
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Ole Miss Luncheon Series: Clarksdale, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Location TBA. Call 662-915-7375 or visit www.olemissalumni.com/events. -May 1 Exhibition: “First Folio! The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare.” A traveling exhibition from the Folger Shakespeare Library, in partnership with the Cincinnati Museum Center and the American Library Association in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Call 662915-2787 or visit www.fordcenter.org.
School of Pharmacy Scholarship Golf Tournament: Ole Miss Golf Course, 11 a.m. To register or sponsor the event, call 662-915-1878.
-16 Pharmacy Weekend: Various times and locations. Call 662-915-7375.
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Family Friendly Series: “Peter Rabbit Tales.” Enchantment Theatre Company. Gertrude C. Ford Center, 2 p.m. Call 662-915-2787 or visit www.fordcenter.org.
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-22 2016 BancorpSouth Rebel Road Trip: Various times and locations. Call 662-915-7375 or visit www.olemissalumni.com/events.
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Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Murray State. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m. Visit www.olemisssports.com.
Accountancy Honors Banquet: The Inn at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. Call 662-915-7375.
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-23 Accountancy Weekend: Various times and locations. Call 662-915-7375 or visit www. olemissalumni.com/events.
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-24 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Auburn. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.olemisssports.com.
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Reception: Mississippi Bar Swearing-in Law Alumni Reception, 4 p.m. Carroll Gartin Justice Building, Jackson. Call 662-915-1878.
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-30 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. LSU. Swayze Field, 6 p.m. Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday. Visit www.olemisssports.com. For a full and most recent listing of spring Ole Miss sports schedules, visit www.olemisssports.com.
For more Oxford events, news and information, visit www.visitoxfordms.com or call 662-232-2477.
Exhibition: ‘First Folio! The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare’ April 11-May 1
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Ole Miss Luncheon Series: Memphis, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Location TBA. Call 662-915-7375 or visit www.olemissalumni.com/events.
Courtesy of the Folger Shakespeare Library
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Engineering Awards Banquet: The Inn at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. Call 662-915-7375.
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Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Southern Mississippi. Swayze Field, 6:30 p.m. Visit www.olemisssports.com.
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Off to a Good Start UM welcomes Jeffrey Vitter as 17th chancellor By Mitchell Diggs
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t’s almost a cliché, but Jeffrey Vitter truly has hit the ground running since taking over as the University of Mississippi’s 17th chancellor on Jan. 1, 2016. But it’s not just because he has a lot of ground to cover becoming familiar with his new campus, getting to know all the deans and department chairs, and meeting students, alumni, fans and government officials all over Mississippi. Part of it is personal, you see. Vitter has been challenged by his wife, Sharon, to pick up his game. “My wife and I are big Fitbit wearers, and we kind of challenge each other,” Vitter says. “She stepped up her daily goal to 12,000 steps, so now I have to meet that. I’m still at 10,000, but it’s just a good way to remind yourself every day of the importance of physical exercise.” He shouldn’t have any trouble meeting that goal. Since December, his schedule has been packed with meetings, events and travel across the state and region. And the new chancellor plans to spend the spring semester “walking, touring, talking and visiting” to learn as much as possible about the university’s culture, history and tradition, and to have a dialogue with the community about aspirations and issues important to the Ole Miss family. One of the first steps is a series of discussions with alumni and supporters across the state. “I want to connect with as many Ole Miss alums as possible, but also government leaders and key people who influence the resources that we can bring to bear to improve the education and lives of Mississippians,” he says. “I want to get around — both on campus and around the state — to really learn about this flagship institution and how it, more than ever, can play an important role in the vitality of the state, country and world.” One influential UM supporter with whom Vitter has already connected, Chancellor Emeritus Robert Khayat (BAEd 61, JD 66), is thrilled with the university’s prospects for continued progress under its new leadership. Vitter sat down for an extended discussion with the 15th Ole Miss chancellor while on campus in early December. “I’m quite impressed,” Khayat says. “Everything that I have seen and heard about him and his wife, and the questions he asked me during our visit, I thought were right on target, indicating that he knew a lot about Ole Miss, that he had done his homework.”
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Photo by Robert Jordan
played, and everyone knows the great tradition of the university going back to and including William Faulkner,” he says. Vitter’s path to Oxford has taken him literally from coast to coast, with stops at Stanford, Brown, Duke, Purdue and Texas A&M universities, and at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with highest honors in mathematics in 1977. But a couple of years into his studies there, he began to broaden his focus from the abstract realm. “I had the opportunity to take graduate courses my junior year and, while I really enjoyed them, I wanted to have more of a connection with impacting the everyday world, to do what I really loved in the theoretical world and at the same time have practical applications, so I started reading a little bit about computer science,” he recalls. “I took some (computer science) courses as a senior in college and just decided it was the field I wanted to go into.” He earned his doctorate in computer science in 1980 at Stanford, where he studied under Don Knuth, widely recognized as the founder of the field as an academic discipline. But Knuth’s influence on Vitter went beyond the scholarly realm. “I was greatly influenced by his spiritual approach to life,” Vitter says. “He’s an incredible human being and has taught me quite a lot by word and example.”
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Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter visits with Chancellor Emeritus Robert Khayat.
Photo by Kevin Bain
he two enjoyed a candid discussion that spanned the university’s culture, the issues it faces and the opportunities for even greater successes ahead. “I thought he’s done a great job of getting himself fully engaged in the life of Ole Miss, and he seemed to like what he has found and sees the great potential that we have and the progress that we’ve made over the last 20 years, 25 years,” Khayat says. “I have every reason to believe that he’s going to bring enlightened, intelligent and analytical leadership. I believe he’s a good listener, and people in that position have to listen and to really hear — not just listen, but really hear — and I believe that’s his personality.” Besides communicating face to face with students, faculty, staff and alumni, Vitter is embracing technology to help connect with the Ole Miss family. He’s the first chancellor to have his own Twitter account (@UMchancellor), and he has been prolific with tweets about food, sports and accolades for university faculty, students and programs. “I enjoy tweeting,” he says. “It’s a way of connecting with everyone around the university. Social media is just out there, and anything can pop up and go viral. It really quickens the pace at which things happen around a university. I want to be sure that we are reflective, we are out front and communicating at all times so that people know: a, that we care, but b, also that they have an open conduit so we can discuss things and deal with things in a rational and logical and correct way.” Jeffrey S. Vitter speaks to members of the media after being named the 17th Vitter came to Oxford after more than five years chancellor of the University of Mississippi in October. as provost at the University of Kansas, a tenure marked by tremendous change and progress for that instituHe also met his wife, Sharon, a KU graduate, at Stanford, tion. But the New Orleans native didn’t really need a lengthy where she was working as a pharmacist in the university’s introduction to Ole Miss, having been acquainted with the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. The Vitters married in school and many of its hallowed traditions for decades. 1982, and Sharon joined Jeff in Providence, R.I., where he “I went to Sugar Bowl games in the ’60s when Ole Miss was on the faculty in the Department of Computer Science at
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Photo by Robert Jordan
Brown University. Administrative positions at Duke and Pur- were made. That helps what ultimately becomes a strategic plan due followed, and Vitter learned that his academic background to move forward, to be supported, to be successful.” had equipped him well for academic leadership. In addition, One of Vitter’s mentors, former KU Chancellor Gene he got an MBA while on the faculty at Duke. Budig, predicts that UM is poised for an exceptional period “Computer science in its essence is about finding solu- over the next five years. tions, problem-solving,” he says. “You do it typically through “He is well-prepared to lead the modern state university,” programming languages, where you can develop conceptual says Budig, who also served as chancellor at Illinois State Unialgorithms and translate them into programs that solve par- versity and West Virginia University. “He has worked closely ticular problems. I got interested in academic administration as provost at the University of Kansas with faculty, staff and because it’s really problem-solving and finding solutions on a larger scale.” His knack for analyzing and breaking down complex problems earn him high marks from colleagues, including Bernadette Gray-Little, who, as chancellor at the University of Kansas, was Vitter’s superior for the past five-and-a-half years. “He conceptualizes issues in a very broad way,” Gray-Little says. “He thinks about all the relevant things, and then he is persistent in getting them done. “One of the things associated with his legacy here certainly will be the fact that he and one of our faculty members, Mabel Rice, led a very successful planning process that resulted in our strategic plan. It was really an excellent process, it involved all areas of campus and has really helped us to organize our campus and get groups working toward various goals that we wanted to accomplish.” The past five years have brought dramatic changes at KU, she says. Besides the adoption of Bold Aspirations: The Chancellor Vitter visits with students in The Inn at Ole Miss during the Mississippi Outreach to Strategic Plan for the University of Kan- Scholastic Talent (MOST) conference. sas, 2012-2017, another landmark was the adoption of KU Core, the school’s first-ever universitywide students. He knows them, knows them well. He knows and core curriculum, which Vitter guided. understands their values, and they are very, very compatible “These have also been years that there has been a lot of with his.” change externally that affects all universities, especially public Budig and Vitter have talked regularly for several years, universities, such as funding challenges and how this will affect discussing issues, trends in higher education and potential tuition,” Gray-Little says. “We’ve had many discussions about results of proposed changes at KU. issues like that. But what we’ve been focused on internally, “He’s careful to analyze and study the options for instituand what Jeff was so helpful with, is saying, ‘How do we get to tional gain,” Budig says. “He also has been involved in presentwhere we want to go? How do we fund what we want to do and ing academic needs to both the state and private contributors. find resources?’” The University of Kansas has one of the largest and most A key part of Vitter’s success is that he pulls people from all aggressive endowments among state universities. They are areas of campus to provide perspective on issues and help craft about to complete a major drive, and he is the person who has solutions, she says. It’s a method that he plans to implement presented priorities for the drive that affect faculty, staff and right away at Ole Miss. students, and are created in terms of the advancement of the “There’s an incredible fountain of knowledge at universities, university.” and rather than restrict things to just a few individuals, it’s great One of Vitter’s major goals is to elevate the university’s to tap into that collective wisdom. You end up with the best profile in the research arena and to leverage that status to ideas,” Vitter says. “Once you do so and you get those ideas, help boost the state’s economy, improve health care and raise people understand that you’ve really considered the whole the quality of life for people throughout Mississippi and the picture. They may not agree with what the team has assembled region. from all that input, but they understand that their voice has been “What I’m really excited about is pushing new directions in heard, and they understand why the decisions that were made academic research, being innovative, creating new companies w i n te r 2 016
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About the University’s New First Lady programs in the classrooms. She continued to help in the schools in West Lafayette, Ind., after Jeff became Hovde Dean of Science at Purdue University. At both Duke and Purdue, she became increasingly involved in her husband’s efforts to bring people together to solve problems, a role she hopes to continue at Ole Miss. “Jeff ’s style of leadership has always been to invite people into our home for dinner to build camaraderie and get them to share ideas and thoughts,” she says. “I guess I’ve been a big party planner a lot of my life. We’ve thrown some really lively Mardi Gras parties.” In her spare time, Vitter likes to garden, hike and read. She has enjoyed reading in her neighborhood book club as well as the Common Reading books the past few years at KU, and she looks forward to participating in the Common Reading program at Ole Miss. She also is a fan of John Updike’s work and, for the past couple of years, has been involved in a Bible study group led by a retired priest in Lawrence. Like her husband, she is on Twitter and invites the Ole Miss family to follow her (@SharonVitter). She has been impressed with the passion and commitment shown by UM faculty, staff, alumni and supporters since her initial visit to Oxford back in October. “The people here seemed to take the job search extremely seriously, and they were so warm and welcoming when we arrived,” Vitter says. “It’s really helped us feel at home here in Oxford.” Photo by Robert Jordan
A native Kansan who has spent much of her life in college towns that are larger and more fast-paced than Oxford, Sharon Vitter has had little trouble settling in her new hometown since arriving from Lawrence, Kan., in January. “Lawrence is kind of a quirky college town in a good way, and I think Oxford has that same neat feel,” she says. “They both have lots of shops, plenty of good restaurants and so many things to do and see. Oxford has such charm, and there seems to be a lot of energy here.” Raised on a farm in rural Miami County, Kansas, Vitter earned a degree in pharmacy from the University of Kansas in 1978. She worked at a hospital in Kansas City before getting an offer from a Veterans Administration hospital in California. “Growing up on a farm, I had n e v e r b e e n w e s t o f t h e Ro c ky Mountains when I went to college,” she says. “I had a chance to move to California, and being young and adventurous, I decided to go for it.” She later got a job at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, where she met Jeff Vitter, then a doctoral student in computer science. They married a couple of years later, when Jeff was a young faculty member at Brown University. Their three children, Jillian, Scott and Audrey, were all born while at Brown, where Sharon served as an officer in the University Women’s Club. The family later moved to Durham, N.C., where Jeff became department chair and a distinguished professor of computer science at Duke University. There, Vitter volunteered in the schools, helping with reading
Chancellor Vitter and his wife, Sharon, with their children, Audrey (left), Scott and Jillian
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Alumni Review
Photo by Thomas Graning
from those innovations and influencing and helping people chicory, naturally, and Creole mustard is his condiment of think through difficult situations,” he explains. “That’s what choice. A professed chocoholic, he also loves vanilla malts academic research is all about: It’s about creating knowledge, and carrot cake. One of his hopes is to encourage Steak ’n providing insights to help people frame difficult issues and Shake in The Pavilion at Ole Miss to carry malt powder to put things in perspective, and moving society forward in a make malts. number of important ways, both technologically as well as His real leisure passion, though, is sports, and his time sociologically.” at Ole Miss is already intertwined with some of the Rebels’ He is encouraging faculty to tackle “big-picture grand most memorable athletic triumphs of late. After being named challenges,” a term for problems and issues so complex that no chancellor, he attended home football victories over Texas single discipline can provide the answers. Collaborations that A&M and LSU, and his first official event was on New Year’s span several academic areas, as well as other universities in Day — his first day on the job — when Ole Miss triumphed in Mississippi and beyond, are needed to find creative solutions the Sugar Bowl in his hometown. to these challenges. A week later, he was on hand for the opening of The Pavil“Multidisciplinary collaborations are an exciting way to ion, cheering Andy Kennedy’s Rebels to a comeback win over push the boundaries in each individual discipline but, at the Alabama and then again two days later against Georgia. same time, to draw upon the synergies and do really innovative “I’m an academic at heart, but I really love what athletics things at a much broader level,” Vitter says. brings to the university,” he says. “It’s truly the front door of The University of Mississippi Medical Center plays a crucial the university; it exposes people to the passion of Ole Miss, and role in the university’s research enterprise, he says. In fact, once they come to campus, we can show them the complete Vitter plans to spend one day a week at UMMC to encourage picture of all that this great flagship university has to offer. collaborations between the campuses. “The Medical Center is a great asset to the University of Mississippi. It’s a pivotal part of what we do at the university to save lives and to make Mississippi a healthier place. The Medical Center is so very important for this university, so important for the state. It’s a key aspect of what we do. It connects so well with things on the Oxford campus in pharmacy, in physics, in the humanities and social sciences to try to understand how can we be more effective in health care.” When he’s not working, Vitter enjoys sitting down with a good book, such as some of the recent “Common Books” for KU and the city of Lawrence, Kan., including Ernest Hemingway’s classic A Farewell to Arms, Laura Moriarty’s The Center of Everything, Timothy Egan’s The Worst Hard Time, Eula Biss’ Notes from No Man’s Land and Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. He is starting on the finalist candidates for the 2016 selection of UM’s Common Reading Experience. He and his wife also enjoy the arts, movies and catching both new releases in theaters The Vitters celebrate the Rebels’ Sugar Bowl victory against Oklahoma State in the and classics and old favorites at home. Vitter chancellor’s hometown of New Orleans. admits a fondness for musicals, particularly “The Music Man,” the 1962 adaptation starring Robert Preston Athletics creates a sense of spirit and pride that you don’t find and Shirley Jones. at universities in other countries. It’s what makes universities in “My kids always tease me about it, but it’s just a classic the U.S. so special, and Ole Miss is at the top of the list.” American musical,” he says with a chuckle. As he settles into his new role, Vitter is thankful for the The Vitters have three adult children, all Notre Dame enthusiasm of the Ole Miss family. graduates: Jillian, chief resident in anesthesiology at the Uni“All I can ask for is what I’ve already seen, and that’s an versity of Colorado; Scott, a graduate student in mechanical incredible passion for the university and an excitement for engineering at the University of Texas at Austin and former moving forward,” he says. “I really couldn’t ask for more. I just U.S. Army ranger who served in Afghanistan; and Audrey, a want to tap into that passion and learn more about the univerprocess auditor for GE Oil & Gas. sity so that we can continue that forward momentum and do The new chancellor likes to start his day with coffee with even greater things.” w i n te r 2 016
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At the
Helm
Mabus addresses 21st-century needs of Navy By Benjamin Gleisser
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus addresses sailors on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan as it arrives at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paolo Bayas/Released 24
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Mabus delivers remarks at the 240th Marine Corps Ball in Azerbaijan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class
Armando Gonzales/Released
ecretary of the Navy Ray Mabus (BA 69) manages a $170 billion budget and is responsible for the well-being of more than 900,000 enlisted personnel stationed on ships or at naval bases around the world. A big job, and whenever the weight of his position gets too heavy for his shoulders, he gazes at six small, round glass jars sitting on a window ledge across from his desk. Each jar holds sand collected from a beach the Marines invaded during World War II. “It’s a reminder of the importance of what I do,” Mabus says quietly from his office in the Pentagon. “I visited each of those sites. I look at those jars and feel humbled, then awestruck by what those Marines accomplished.” Asked if he ever feels overwhelmed by his responsibilities, Mabus breaks into a gentle laugh. “Overwhelmed, no. Amazed, yes. Back when I was governor of Mississippi, I was young and kept expecting someone to come up to me and say, ‘Hey, kid, get out of here, the governor’s coming.’ My secret weapon is I work with the best people in the world. In fact, I have the best job in America.” Mabus has been secretary of the Navy since 2009 — the longest-serving leader of the Navy and Marine Corps since World War I and the fifth longest in the 240-year history of the armed forces. Under his watch, shipbuilding increased from five per year to now having 70 vessels under contract. Mabus promotes environmentalism through the Great Green Fleet program and mandated the Navy to develop alternate sources of energy and cut its reliance on fossil fuels in half by 2020. In recognition of the stress that servicemen and women undergo while on active duty — especially since the second Gulf War — he inaugurated programs such as the 21st Century Sailor and Marine Initiative, which offers counseling programs 26
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for personnel in the service who are having difficulties coping with the strain of battle, and career and emotional counseling for those transitioning out of the service. Bryan Clark, a retired Navy submarine commander and now senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a nonprofit public policy research group that focuses on national defense, says Mabus “is doing a terrific job focusing on essential missions to improve the Navy, both from within and without. He’s also initiated the role of being an interlocutor between our Navy and the navies of our partners throughout the world. He’s done quite a lot of traveling during his time in office.” During the last Mideast conflict, Mabus traveled to Afghanistan 12 times to meet with sailors and Marines deployed in combat zones. He continues traveling today, logging more than 1.1 million miles and visiting more than 140 countries since taking office. But no matter where he goes, he takes a little bit of America with him. “Last year, I watched the Ole Miss football team play Arkansas on my cell phone in Tajikistan,” he says with a grin.
Support for Service Personnel
Clark appreciates that Mabus understands how important it is to improve the personal lives of servicemen and women. “The challenge facing Navy and Marine Corps personnel at the tail end of our role in Afghanistan was they were dealing with a lot of stress,” Clark says. “There were a lot of suicides in the military, and a rise in sexual assault, drug use and behavioral issues. A decade of war takes a toll on soldiers.” To alleviate some of that stress, the 21st Century Sailor and Marine Initiative is an umbrella program that unites and
Mabus speaks with media after the christening ceremony of the future littoral combat ship USS Detroit at Marinette Marine Corp. shipyard in Marinette, Wis. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sam Shavers/Released
expands a slew of supportive programs that previously existed as separate entities. New items include the Safe Harbor Program, where wounded personnel (pertaining to both physical wounds and emotional scars associated with post-traumatic stress disorder) will receive both physical and mental health care — even if all the person needs is a ride to a Veterans Affairs hospital or an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Under the Transition Assistance Program, people leaving the military can get help seeking education and career training to make an easier transition to the private sector. “We also want to make the military service more family friendly,” Mabus says. “Women are a valuable asset to the military, and we recognize that we need to do more to keep them in the service.” To that end, in 2009, Mabus pushed for women having more of a role in combat, including serving on battleships and submarines. That feeling was recently echoed by U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who ordered the military to open all jobs to women, including those at dangerous and grueling posts. “We’d lose a lot of women because they’d want to start a family, or they’d leave to take care of an aging parent or loved one,” Mabus says. “Besides tripling paid maternity leave, we now open child care centers on bases two hours earlier and close them two hours later. We also offer the Career Intermission Program, where people can take up to three years off during their service to take care of personal matters and then return to active duty.” Another innovative program is the Secretary of the Navy Tour of Industry, where people can spend a year working at a company such as Amazon, Facebook or Google, and later return with both career experience and new skills that can be applied to military life.
Environmental Concerns Mabus has also paid attention to energy usage not only to protect the environment but also to protect personnel. “Fuel can be used as a weapon,” Mabus says, explaining why he wants to change the way the Navy and Marine Corps produce and acquire energy. “At the height of the war [in Afghanistan], we were losing one Marine for every fuel convoy brought in. That’s why we need to focus on our energy usage, to make us better fighters.” In a 2012 speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colo., Mabus said, “We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships, to build our aircrafts or to build our ground equipment. … And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail or whether those aircrafts fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them. Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.” Mabus has set a goal of relying on alternative sources to supply at least 50 percent of the Navy’s and Marine Corps’ energy needs by 2020. In 2012, the Navy unveiled the Great Green Fleet, a carrier strike group of which every participating ship and aircraft operates on alternative energy sources such as nuclear energy and biofuels. “Our newer ships now need to refuel less often,” Mabus says. “They’re cleaner and quieter. And our Marine field teams are using solar and other alternate energy forms to purify water so they can stay out in the field much longer.” And in an effort to create more efficient energy sources, the goal is to produce one gigawatt of renewable energy at naval bases and Marine Corps installations — that’s 50 percent of total shore energy needed. In July 2015, the Navy signed an agreement to build a 210-megawatt direct current solar plant that would feed power w i n te r 2 016
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Mabus discusses ethics and its importance in leadership with students, staff and faculty during an all-hands call at the U.S. Naval War College. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sam Shavers/Released
to 14 facilities across the country. More than 650,000 photovoltaic panels on ground-mounted, horizontal single-axis trackers will be installed, providing a third of the energy needed to power the Navy and Marine Corps installations. Adding solar power to naval installations will provide long-term cost stability, which ultimately contributes to the Navy’s energy security priorities. The project is slated for completion by the end of 2016. But security and combat effectiveness aren’t the only reasons Mabus is committed to upgrading the military’s energy use. “We’re also concerned about climate change,” he says. “We all need to be better stewards of the environment.”
Education First Mabus grew up in Ackerman watching minor league baseball and Ole Miss football. Though he dreamed of being a major leaguer every time he wore a mitt or donned a helmet, his hero wasn’t a sports star. “I’ve only had one hero in my life — my father, Raymond (BSCvE 22),” he says. “I was 38 years old when he died, and in those 38 years I never heard him raise his voice. He was always kind and was one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. During the civil rights movement in the ’60s, he always talked about the dignity and the equality of all people.” After graduating summa cum laude from Ole Miss in 1969 and winning the Taylor Medal in political science the same year, he earned a master’s degree in political science at Johns Hopkins University and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. After Johns Hopkins, Mabus served in the Navy as an officer aboard the cruiser USS Little Rock. “What I learned at Ole Miss has stayed with me throughout my life,” Mabus says. “Ole Miss offered the type of education everyone 28
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should get. People at the school cared about me. They’re the reason I became so interested in public education: Education is the one skill that can guarantee you the opportunity for success. There are no jobs today for people with strong backs and weak minds.” When Mabus was elected governor of Mississippi in 1988, he made public education a priority by passing the Better Education for Success Tomorrow program, which gave teachers the largest pay raise in the U.S. Fortune magazine named him one of the 10 best “education governors.” Terry Cassreino (BA 85) was the Capitol bureau chief for the Biloxi Sun Herald during Mabus’ tenure as governor. Today, he teaches English and journalism at St. Joseph Catholic School in Jackson and remembers Mabus as a “down-home nice person who really had the goodness of the state at heart. “He believed wholeheartedly in public education,” Cassreino says. “He thought an educated populace was the best way to attract business to the state. I was always impressed by him as governor, as I am now in his role as secretary of the Navy.” Studying at Harvard also reignited Mabus’ love for baseball, and today, the die-hard Boston Red Sox fan claims a record feat — he’s thrown a ceremonial first pitch in each major league ball park. At the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in July 2015, in Cooperstown, N.Y., Mabus named the Navy’s newest warship USS Cooperstown, to honor the 62 Hall of Fame members who have served in the military. While Mabus is proud of his achievements, the most important aspect of his job is the men and women he is privileged to serve alongside. “I can’t express the overwhelming feeling of pride I have for every single Marine and sailor I’ve met, whether they’re soldiers on the ground or in the air,” Mabus says. “They’re all volunteers, and every single one is a hero.”
To us it’s pioneering surgery.
To Abigail, it’s child’s play. Abigail Morgan was born with a hole in her heart. Typically, that means open heart surgery. But Dr. Ali Dodge-Khatami at Children’s of Mississippi has pioneered a new technique, repairing Abigail’s heart through a small incision under her arm instead. She was home playing just four days after surgery. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is one of the few places anywhere performing this innovative surgery. It’s one of the many ways UMMC brings leading care to Mississippians, here at home. Your donation can help change more lives just like Abigail’s.
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Abby and Eli Manning with Abigail Morgan
© 2016 UMMC
State of
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hen the Ole Miss Student Union opened in 1977, it was a gathering place for almost 9,000 students. Fast-forward 40 years to a campus that boasts a vibrant, growing student population with needs that far exceed the current facility. Now well underway, a $50 million renovation and expansion of the University of Mississippi’s Student Union began in July 2015. The effort will result in a larger dining area, new student government offices, a ballroom, conference space and other amenities by 2018. Upgrading the building will nearly double its size from 97,000 square feet to about 173,000 square feet. “It’s going to dramatically improve what we can offer our students,” says Bradley Baker (BA 05, MA 10), director of the Ole Miss Student Union. “There will be an incredible synergy that includes a large work space so student organizations can collaborate together and a dedicated space for students to meet. With the addition of the Union Ballroom, we will have the ability to host banquets, musical acts or lectures. The significant increase in meeting space alone will create more opportunities for students and departments to utilize the Student Union more. This newly expanded and renovated Student
Aerial view of the construction in progress, December 2015
Workers construct a temporary structure to protect pedestrians as work begins on the Student Union expansion, July 2015.
Student Union expansion designed with growing student body in mind
Architectural renderings courtesy of Eley Guild Hardy Architects
the Union Union will become the true heart of the campus.” A university committee spent years studying ways to upgrade the building, visiting student unions at universities such as Auburn and LSU. Ultimately, the committee decided to renovate the existing Ole Miss Student Union. The renovations call for a new and expanded student lounge, dedicated student organization space, ne w administrative offices and the Center for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement. The renovation also includes a chamber room with theater-style seating that can be used for Associated Student Body senate meetings and other events, Baker said. The expansion includes an 8,000-square-foot ballroom, with a large adjoining prep area, and a transit center. The project will be handled in phases over about threeand-a-half years, which should minimize disruption. The food court will remain open throughout construction. While studying alternatives for the renovations, UM officials toured several schools with larger enrollments than Ole Miss, finding many either didn’t have post offices on campus or had far fewer boxes than UM. The committee decided the best idea was to renovate the lower level of
the building for other purposes and close the on-campus branch of the U.S. Postal Service. Campus mail services continue with a new system. “It’s just part of the complete renovated Union process,” says Clay Jones (BAccy 04), UM assistant vice chancellor and director of human resources and contractual services. “I think the important thing is we still have mail to the departments and mail to our students.” The 10,000-square-foot post office closed permanently in 2014. UM Student Housing still delivers mail and care packages to students who live in residence halls, and university employees continue to receive business mail at the departments where they work. “The Student Union expansion and renovation project supports the university’s commitment to developing student leaders by providing opportunities to enhance their leadership capacity, value-based development and social responsibility,” says Brandi Hephner LaBanc, UM vice chancellor for student affairs. “The university will capitalize on this opportunity to continue our success in providing leadership opportunities and supporting student activities for Ole Miss students for years to come.” See more renderings on pages 32-34 w i n te r 2 016
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In addition to enhancing the sense of community on campus, the union will offer many opportunities for student employment. The rendering above shows the view of the east entrance of the Student Union lobby. Below is a second-floor view of the dining area.
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The new facility will feature a student organization leadership suite and house the Center for Inclusion and CrossCultural Engagement, providing opportunities to work in an environment focused on teamwork. The council room (above) will boast 2,713 square feet, and the conference room (below) will offer 2,540 square feet of meeting space.
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The Student Union will give students a place to congregate and provide meeting and event space for alumni and the Oxford community. The new ballroom (above) will be 8,205 square feet. Below is a rendering of the north bird’s-eye view of the facility from a similar position to the aerial construction photo on page 30.
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Serving as president-elect of the Country Music Association board of directors, meeting music legends and helping country music star Brad Paisley plan out his next tour are merely a few of the tasks on the day’s agenda for Bill Simmons (BA 74), managing partner with artist management company Fitzgerald Hartley. “I never really knew what I wanted to do,” Simmons says. “But I always loved music.” That love of music paved the road to his success. Through hard work, passion and determination, Simmons navigated the peaks and valleys of the music industry to ultimately make it to the top. However, the journey was anything but easy. “I met and started managing a cover band in Mississippi called Sassy Jones around 1976,” Simmons says. “I was trying to manage them, but, more than anything, I was taking up money at the door when they were playing local clubs. I really didn’t know what the hell I was doing. It’s not like it is today. There wasn’t a place to go and learn to do what we did. Simmons joins Paisley onstage during rehearsals for the 2015 Country Music Awards.
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“All managers were either friends of the band, worked at the record company, were their lawyer — all different things. Now today you can get a degree at Belmont [University] in all kinds of music business-oriented stuff, but when I started, there was none of that.” Born in Swainsboro, Ga., in 1952, Simmons and his family moved to Jackson the summer before his sophomore year of high school. “I consider myself having grown up in Jackson,” Simmons says. “I’m not a native Mississippian, but Mississippi is home to me.” A graduate of Provine High School, Simmons knew he wanted to attend Ole Miss. He enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts with an interest in psychology and political science. “I never really looked at any other place,” he says. “I had the time of my life at Ole Miss. I got a great education and stayed an extra year. I even saw a Billy Joel concert at the Tad Pad with about 800 people. It was fantastic. Oxford was such a sleepy little town then, and I loved it. I enjoyed everything Ole Miss had to offer.” After graduation, Simmons began working at a residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed children on the Georgia coast. He soon returned to Mississippi to work for a similar facility in Crystal Springs near the bustling music scene in Jackson.
Mississippi Beginnings
“When I first graduated from school, I went to work with emotionally disturbed kids, but my heart was always in music,” Simmons says. “I couldn’t really play very well, so I knew if I was going to be in the music business, I had to do something that was going to be on the business side.” Enter Mississippi cover band Sassy Jones. “They were a very popular band that played in the fraternity houses, and I wound up really getting to be friends with the band leader, Johnny Crocker, who’s still like my brother today,” Simmons says. “That wasn’t a national act or anything, but that’s basically how I got started. Jackson was a really happening place in the ’70s with Malaco [Records] being there cutting hit records.” Around the same time, Simmons landed his first big client in fellow Mississippian and singer-songwriter Paul Davis, best known for his late ’70s and early ’80s chart-topping hits “I Go Crazy,” “Cool Night” and “65 Love Affair” to name a few. “In 1978, I went to LA with Paul to do ‘I Go Crazy’ on ‘The Midnight Special,’ which was a big television show back then with Wolfman Jack,” Simmons recalls. “I had never really been much west of the Mississippi River until then. Paul was my first taste of the big time if you will.” Still somewhat new to the business and eager to further his career, Simmons happened upon another opportunity while trying to secure a record deal for Sassy Jones. Simmons arranged for Bobby Colomby, head of Artist and Repertoire for Epic Records and a drummer and original member of rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears, to fly in from Los Angeles to see Sassy Jones perform a showcase in Vicksburg. 38
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“He didn’t sign Sassy, but on the way back to the airport, an attorney in Jackson who was with us put in a tape of another Mississippian named Fred Knoblock, singing this song called ‘Another June Wedding’ at Poets, a restaurant and hangout bar in Jackson. [Colomby] fell in love with the song, and when he returned to LA, he signed Fred to a record deal with another label. The title of the song got changed to ‘Why Not Me’ and became the No. 1 pop record.” Simmons (and Knoblock) moved to LA in 1980, where he managed Knoblock’s career for a couple of years before relocating to Nashville.
Music City Bound
“I loved LA, but I didn’t want to live there all the time,” Simmons says. “I liked the music business and was trying to figure out what I was going to do next, so I moved to Nashville. I got my first job there through a friend who was managing Eddie Rabbitt at the time. He asked me if I would go out on the road with Eddie, so I did as his tour manager.” While Simmons’ stay with Rabbitt was brief, it was through him that he met country music legend Tammy Wynette. The two became fast friends, and through Wynette, he began working with country rock band Southern Pacific, composed of the Doobie Brothers, members of Creedence Clearwater Revival and Pablo Cruise. “They didn’t have a whole lot of commercial success, but that kind of started me in Nashville after Eddie [Rabbitt] and Tammy [Wynette].” From there, Simmons’ music management career took off. In 1987, he started managing country music band Restless Heart and stayed with them for 17 years while picking up numerous other acts along the way. That same year, he joined the Fitzgerald Hartley Co., whose client list today boasts Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Randy Houser, Kellie Pickler, Vince Gill and Chase Bryant. Larry Fitzgerald, co-founder and president of the Fitzgerald Hartley Co., says he could not have found a better fit for his company than Simmons. “Bill is the brother I never had,” he says. “He came to Fitzgerald Hartley with Restless Heart, the very first Nashville act I signed, as their tour manager. After years on the road, he asked if he could come in-house, so to speak, and be my business partner and do their day-to-day management business. Of course we agreed.” Since joining the firm, Simmons helped add a few famous names to the company’s star-studded roster. “Restless Heart was my biggest act for a long time,” Simmons says. “Then I started managing Brad Paisley in 2003.”
Platinum Pairing
Country music superstar, singer and songwriter Brad Paisley debuted on the country music scene in 1999 with his first Billboard No. 1 single “He Didn’t Have To Be.” In 2001, he was inducted into the famed Grand Ole Opry.
Soon Paisley was in search of a new manager, and after several interviews, he chose the Fitzgerald Hartley Co. with Simmons serving as his full-time manager. “He had a manager before me, but he hadn’t exploded to become the big thing he is today,” Simmons says. “A lot of people wanted to manage him, and after interviewing a lot of managers, we won. I think, as managers, all you have is your reputation. Part of your job as a manager is to help
Music Awards, 14 awards from the Academy of Country Music and 14 awards from the Country Music Association including 2010 Entertainer of the Year. It’s undeniable that Simmons’ management has played a large role in Paisley’s success. Friend, mentor and business partner Fitzgerald couldn’t agree more. “Brad’s ultimate rise to super stardom and now an icon in our business speaks volumes for Bill’s skills,” Fitzgerald
Simmons and Paisley take the field at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University to film the music video for his hit song ‘Country Nation.’
them realize their dreams. It sounds bogus, but I really believe that if they can dream it, then I have to figure out how to make it happen for them. That’s what I’ve always tried to do.” With multiple albums and singles certified platinum and double platinum, Paisley’s accolades are hard to match. He has received three Grammys, two awards at the American
says. “[He] has now gone on to be not only one of the most successful managers in the music business but also a pillar of leadership in the Nashville music community. I am proud of Bill’s success and his outstanding management skills, but his contribution to the Fitzgerald Hartley Co. is certainly key to our longevity as a firm. Obviously I’m glad he is now a managing partner and my best friend.” w i n te r 2 016
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Crushin’ It
Simmons counts Paisley’s 2010 Entertainer of the Year win among the many highlights he has enjoyed throughout his career. “Being successful at what you love doing is a pretty big highlight for me,” Simmons says. “I never really had a normal job, and I feel really fortunate to have a job I love. Most of my friends think that it’s just one great time, but it’s hard work, and there are lots of peaks and valleys. You’re never off – there’s always something to do when you have an act like Brad Paisley. As a manager, we are basically the CEO of the company, with that company being the artist.” Simmons spends most of his time running the Paisley empire from his Nashville office and traveling to at least one of the star’s shows every month. Paisley’s hugely successful 2015 Crushin’ It World Tour was extended through spring 2016 to include a string of new performances.
In the midst of all of his music management duties, Simmons somehow finds the time to serve on the CMA board of directors and is serving as president-elect. In 2017, he will serve as president, then chairman of the board the following year. “I really enjoy it – it’s just another chapter at this point in my life,” Simmons says. “I love being a part of the [CMA Awards] television show, getting to manage the host, and have had a pretty active role in both the CMA Awards and the music festival.” Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association, could not be more appreciative of the time and energy Simmons has devoted to serving with the association over the years. “Bill Simmons is a valued member of our CMA board of directors,” Trahern says. “I appreciate and respect his passion for country music, business knowledge and numerous contributions to the growth of the association. We are fortunate to
Simmons, 2016 president-elect of the Country Music Association’s board of directors, pictured with John Esposito (left), chairman of the board; Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association; Frank Bumstead, past chairman of the board; and Sally Williams, president of the board
While the duo’s business relationship is prosperous, it’s the friendship they’ve developed over the years that Simmons enjoys. “We talk so much, I almost probably talk to him more than my wife,” Simmons says. “Brad is so witty and just a very smart person. He’s what I call a true Renaissance man. He can do so many things well [such as] edit movies and paint, besides being one of the world’s greatest guitar players and songwriters. He could do my job. He’s just one of those kind of dudes.”
Taking the Lead
Although Paisley’s career demands a large portion of his attention, Simmons still finds time to manage new talent such as country music artist Chris Young, who in January celebrated his single “I’m Comin’ Over” going platinum in the U.S. 40
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have volunteer leaders like [him] who step up and shape the future and worldwide awareness of country music through their involvement with CMA. “In addition to his direct service as a board member, we work closely with Bill on the award show as his client, Brad Paisley, has co-hosted the show with Carrie Underwood for eight years. Bill does an amazing job of juggling these roles, and his input is key to the success of the program.” When he’s not consumed with all things music and CMA in Nashville, Simmons visits his Oxford home to enjoy football, tailgating, Ole Miss baseball in the spring and, most recently, Paisley’s concert at The Pavilion at Ole Miss as part of his Country Nation College Tour. “I love Oxford, and I hope to be able to spend more time [there],” Simmons says. “I’m 63 years old and don’t really see myself retiring at 65. I may not go to the office every single day, but I plan on doing more of the same. I love what I do.”
Sports Ole Miss
Rout in the Superdome REBELS RULE AT 2016 SUGAR BOWL
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Photos by Thomas Graning
H
ow sweet it was. No. 12 Ole Miss dominated No. 16 Oklahoma State, 48-20, in the 82nd annual Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 2016, in front of a sellout crowd at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. In their first appearance in the Sugar Bowl in 46 years, the Rebels left it all on the field, claiming their first 10-win season since the 2003 campaign. “It’s hard to express all the feelings and emotions that you have,” head coach Hugh Freeze says. “You put so much into a team, the kids you care about, and you go through the disappointments. It’s surreal. I’m happy for these guys, and to be able to send those seniors out on that stage is very rewarding.” It was a record-breaking night for the Rebel offense, but the defense wouldn’t be outshined, holding the nation’s 18th-ranked offense to its lowest point total of the season. Junior quarterback and Sugar Bowl
Photos by Thomas Graning
Ole Miss Sports
MVP Chad Kelly connected on four touchdown passes, the most by a Rebel quarterback in bowl history, and also led the team in rushing with 73 yards on the ground. He fired three touchdown passes to junior star receiver Laquon Treadwell, who finished with six catches for 71 yards.
As a unit, the Rebels put up 554 yards of total offense, the most of any Ole Miss team in any bowl game, and also broke the previous record for points in a bowl game. Even 6-foot-5, 305-pound offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil got in on the fun, trotting in for a 2-yard rush after
a toss back from Kelly. The Rebels finished with 207 rushing yards and 347 through the air. Through one quarter, Ole Miss led it, 10-3, after a 34-yard field goal by Gary Wunderlich, and a 31-yard touchdown pass from Kelly to wide receiver Cody Core. The Rebel defense held the Cowboys to just 36 yards in the opening quarter, including minus 8 yards on the ground. Four minutes into the second quarter, Treadwell began his dominating day, hauling in a 34-yard pass from Kelly to cap a six-play, 51-yard drive to make it 17-3. In that same drive, Treadwell broke one of his many records on the night, the single-season record for receptions (78 at the time). Just five minutes later, the dynamic duo hooked up again, this time a 10-yard connection. But not before Treadwell himself found running back Jordan Wilkins deep for a 45-yard pass and catch. Just two plays later, the 10-yard play ensued, capping an 85-yard drive to extend the Rebels’ advantage to 24-3. Wunderlich again punched through a field goal with 3:39 left in the half, a 38-yarder to push the lead to 27-3. The Cowboys followed with a field goal of their own to make it a 27-6 game. Then, as time expired heading into the break, Tunsil received a toss from Kelly to score the 2-yard run, making it a 34-6 game at the break. The Rebels’ 34 first-half points tied for the most in the Sugar Bowl’s 82-year history. Midway through the third, the Landshark D came up big again as outside linebacker Terry Caldwell forced a fumble and defensive tackle Breeland Speaks recovered, setting up another score just a minute later. That touchdown came from Wilkins, a 36-yard rumble, capping the quick 44-second scoring drive to extend the lead to 41-6. From there, the Cowboys added one score, and Kelly found Treadwell again for his third of the night, a 14-yard play at the 13:04 mark to cap yet another dominating eight-play, 71-yard drive. w i n te r 2 016
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Slam Dunk
THE PAVILION AT OLE MISS SCORES WITH OPENING MONTH Photo by Robert Jordan
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fter a year and a half of construction, The Pavilion at Ole Miss officially opened its doors on Jan. 7, amid a celebration of Rebel basketball, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the first men’s and women’s games, a reunion of past players and live coverage from The Pavilion airing on SEC Network throughout the day. Rebel Nation’s first experience in the new $96.5 million arena began on a Thursday night as the Ole Miss men’s team defeated Alabama 74-66. Prior to tipoff, fans enjoyed an honorary jump ball featuring the first African-American studentathletes from the two basketball programs — Coolidge Ball (men) and Peggie Gillom-Granderson (women). Ball and Gillom-Granderson were special guests at the ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 9, along with numerous speakers. Later that evening, the Rebel men’s team played its second SEC game in the new arena, conquering Georgia 72-71. Special coins commemorating The Pavilion’s opening weekend were given to the first 7,500 fans on that Saturday and the first 1,000 fans for the debut of the Ole Miss women’s team in The Pavilion against Florida the following day. On Jan. 23, the state-of-the-art facility transformed into
a premier concert venue, hosting a free performance by country music superstar Brad Paisley as part of the singer’s Country Nation College Tour. With more than 225,000 total square feet, The Pavilion seats around 9,500 fans, including 1,700 premium seats, and features the largest center-hung video display board in college sports with nearly 2,400 square feet of LEDs. Rebel fans have access to a concourse full of amenities and adjoining five-story parking garage with more than 800 spaces.
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including two combat tours in Vietnam after graduation before returning to Ole Miss for his law degree. He earned his Master of Laws from Yale Law School. He practiced law for 21 years, much of it representing BellSouth Corp. Retired since 1998, Povall and his wife, Janet, live in Oxford. He also is the author of The Time of Eddie Noel.
Wall Street ’s Just Not That Into You: An Insider’s Guide t o Pro t e c t i n g a n d G ro w i n g Wealth b y Roger C. Davis, 152 pages,
A Tapestry of Red & Blue b y Al Povall, 144 pages, $34.99 (Hardcover), Schiffer Publishing Ltd., ISBN: 9780764347313 Based on more than 60 interviews, A Tapestry of Red and Blue is an oral history of Ole Miss Athletics from 1945 to 1970, including a prelude of the war years from William Winter and Lila Lee Nosser McWright. The interviews with the athletes begin with Farley Salmon, who, as the first “T” formation quarterback at Ole Miss, led the 1948 team to an 8-1 record. The era ends with Archie Manning’s injury in the 1970 Houston game, which — along with Coach John Vaught’s heart attack following the devastating loss to Mississippi Southern — signaled the end of that era, known to many Ole Miss fans as “the glory years.” The book covers football, basketball, baseball, golf, tennis and track and sets forth chronologically a history of those sports during the relevant time period, told by the athletes who represented Ole Miss. The book also includes contributions by fans, including anecdotes of trips to games, stories that range from the hilarious to the hysterical. A native of Lexington, Al Povall (BA 63, JD 77) served as a naval officer, 46
Alumni Review
$22.95 (Hardcover), Bibliomotion, ISBN: 9781629561172 Do you consider yourself a long-term investor? If so, chances are you have parked your money with an adviser and pay little attention to its performance and even less to the a m o u nt o f r i s k i n your portfolio. You may be told by Wall Street to buy stocks or funds and hold them, or to create a diverse portfolio to protect yours elf f rom r isk and downturns in the market. Truth be told, new studies show this approach may not be serving the long-term investor well. In his new book, Roger Davis (BBA 91) reveals point-blank that Wall Street’s just not that into you. Drawing on an investment career spanning more than two decades, Davis delivers a dynamic and deadly accurate analysis of Wall Street’s “one-size-fits-all” approach — and why even wealthy investors should be wary. Davis is a wealth manager for successful families and individuals, and is a speaker and author. He is president of
Woodridge Wealth Management LLC and runs the operations of Woodridge Equity Partners LP.
The Adventures of Foxy Reb: The Beginning b y Kathryn R. Hood and
Terry F. Warren, 43 pages, $29 (Hardcover), Catawomper Press, ISBN: 978069244316 In The Adventures of Foxy Reb: The Beginning, a fox living in the Grove becomes the famous Foxy Reb. Join Foxy and Bandit, the resourceful raccoon, as they enjoy the Ole Miss Grove and Rebel football and baseball games. Meet some of Foxy’s friends: Happy, the bossy bluebird; Jake, the dapper deer; and Miss Petunia, the prissy possum. Also meet Bully, the dim-witted bulldog who torments Foxy and Bandit. The Adventures of Foxy Reb is the third Ole Miss children’s book by Kathryn Hood (BA 68). Her first was Ole Miss A to Z and the second, The Ole Miss Activity Book. Her books are licensed by Ole Miss and the Collegiate Licensing Co. The Adventures of Foxy Reb is the first of a series about Foxy and his friends. Hood is a licensed professional counselor and child psychotherapist who specializes in play therapy. She earned her master’s degree in counseling from the College of William and Mary. Information presented in this section is compiled from material provided by the publisher and/or author and does not necessarily represent the view of the Alumni Review or the Ole Miss Alumni Association. To present a recently published book or CD for consideration, please mail a copy with any descriptions and publishing information to: Ole Miss Alumni Review, Ole Miss Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677.
Your Retirement Plan Can Help Build Their Future If you’ve arranged for a loved one to inherit your retirement plan assets, nearly 60 percent could be consumed by income and estate taxes. By naming UM Foundation—a tax-exempt organization—as beneficiary, 100 percent of your retirement plan assets will help ensure the future of University of Mississippi students for generations to come. Make sure your retirement plan assets have the greatest impact. Discover more about this tax-smart gift option. Contact Sandra Guest, vice president, at (662) 915-5208 or visit umfoundation. planmylegacy.org today.
As a member or friend of the Ole Miss Alumni Association, you could receive exclusive savings on auto and home insurance 1 from Liberty Mutual. Along with valuable savings, you’ll enjoy access to benefits like 24-Hour Claims Assistance.
For a free quote, call 1-800-524-9400 or visit www.libertymutual.com/olemiss.
Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. Auto coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty County Mutual Insurance Company, 2100 Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, TX. Home coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Insurance Corporation, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116. ©2015 Liberty Mutual Insurance
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Traveler 2016 REBEL
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he Ole Miss Alumni Association is offering a number of spectacular trips for 2016. Alumni and friends obtain group rates and discounts. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change until booking. Airfare is not included unless noted. For a brochure or more information, contact the Alumni office at 662-915-7375. You also can find the most current and complete listing of trips and prices on the Ole Miss Alumni Association’s website at www. olemissalumni.com/travel.
CUBAN DISCOVERY MARCH 3-11, 2016
Cu b a’s t u r b u l e nt e c o n o m i c a n d political past and vibrant, culturally rich present unfold on this enriching journey developed for the Ole Miss Alumni Association. This exclusive
travel opportunity is organized and operated by Go Next Inc., a qualified people-to-people sponsoring organization allowed to conduct educational exchanges in Cuba. Specially designed to showcase the island’s authentic spirit, this nine-day adventure goes beyond the tourist surface to reveal the rich culture, compelling history and architectural majesty of this longforbidden island on the verge of great change. With an intimate group of up to 25 travelers, you’ll engage with the true heart and soul of this colorful country: the diverse, inspiring people who call it home. During your visits to Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Santa Clara, you will connect with Cuban citizens from all walks of life, including artists, educators and entrepreneurs, to discover the realities of this incredibly fascinating nation. —From $5,499
WATERWAYS AND CANALS of HOLLAND AND BELGIUM APRIL 7-15, 2016
Journey along the waterways of Holland and Belgium aboard the exclusively chartered MS Amadeus Silver II, with luxurious accommodations and a river view from every cabin. New for 2016, enjoy a customizable journey with a choice of included excursions in select ports of call. Begin your adventure in Belgium, where you can witness the unrivaled charm of the important port city of Antwerp and the amazing architecture and art of Bruges. See the renowned Zeeland Coast. While in The Hague and Delft, tour the works at the Mauritshuis, delve deeper into the life and works of Johannes Vermeer, or learn about the renowned Blue Delft porcelain. Continue to charming Giethoorn and well-preserved Kampen. Then, end your adventure in Amsterdam, where you will cruise its scenic canals, and stroll through renowned Keukenhof Gardens, bike through picturesque Waterland, or see Rembrandt’s masterpieces at the Rijksmuseum. This colorful program includes flexible excursions, educational programs, accommodations, and an extensive meal plan featuring wine with lunch and dinner. — From $2,495
TRADE ROUTES OF COASTAL IBERIA (sold out – waiting list only) APRIL 15-23, 2016
Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain 48
Alumni Review
This unique and exclusive nine-day itinerary and small-ship voyage showcases the coastal jewels of the Iberian Peninsula between Barcelona, Spain, and Lisbon, Portugal. Cruise up Spain’s legendary Guadalquivir River, into the heart of beautiful Seville. Visit Portugal’s lesser-traveled Algarve region and the regal city of Granada, Spain. See the scenic Strait of Gibraltar, and call on
2016 rebel Traveler excursions and cultural enrichments, including the medieval pilgrimage site of Rocamadour and the fascinating prehistoric cave paintings of Rouffignac and Cap Blanc, all part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list; the perfect replica cave art of Lascaux II; and the exclusive Village Forum with a local resident who will share candid insights into daily life in Dordogne. Paris pre- and Bordeaux post-program options are offered. — From $3,495
STEPPING-STONES OF WESTERN EUROPE APRIL 23-MAY 1, 2016
Amalfi Coast, Italy
two of the enchanting Balearic Islands — Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca. Visit three UNESCO World Heritage sites while cruising ancient Mediterranean and Atlantic trade routes aboard the exclusively chartered, five-star small ship MV Tere Moana. Barcelona precruise and Lisbon post-cruise options are offered. — From $5,995
EUROPEAN COASTAL CIVILIZATIONS APRIL 16-24, 2016
This unique nine-day itinerary captures the historical legacies and dynamic cultures of coastal Portugal, Spain and France. Cruise for seven nights aboard the exclusively chartered, five-star MS L’Austral, and visit up to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. The exclusive C’est Bon! Culinary Traditions program, led by our culinary expert, Kristine Kidd, celebrates the cuisines and wines of our ports of call through lectures, demonstrations and tastings. Call at Oporto in Portugal’s renowned wine countr y. Walk in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims in Santiago de Compostela. Visit the illustrious Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and beautiful Biarritz and Bayonne in French Basque country. Lisbon pre-cruise and Bordeaux post-cruise options are offered. — From $3,995
MÁLAGA TO ROME APRIL 21-29, 2016
Join this unique seven-night cruise on the Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian seas to the resplendent shores of Spain and Italy, and the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. Cruise from Málaga to Rome aboard the exclusively chartered, fivestar small ship MS Le Lyrial, launched in 2015. This unique itinerary features six UNESCO World Heritage sites and fascinating cultures left in the wake of ancient and classical empires. Explore rarely visited Murcia, Sardinia’s captivating nuraghe, Agrigento’s majestic Valley of Temples, the incredible Greek theater of Taormina and the stunning Amalfi Coast or the perfectly preserved past in Pompeii. Málaga/Granada precruise and Rome post-cruise options are available. — From $3,995
VILLAGE LIFE IN DORDOGNE APRIL 21-29, 2016
Experience the provincial character of Dordogne for one full week in Sarlatla-Canéda, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved medieval villages in France. Stay in the family-owned Plaza Madeleine Hotel, formerly a grand 19th-centur y townhouse. Discover the region’s charming villages, medieval castles and prehistoric treasures through specially arranged
Experience the rich traditions and profound historical significance of France and Great Britain on this outstanding seven-night cruise from Bordeaux to London aboard the exclusively chartered, five-star small ship MS L’Austral. This custom-designed itinerary features five UNESCO World Heritage sites and a memorable cruise up England’s storied River Thames to the illustrious Tower Bridge. Visit Bordeaux’s Port of the Moon, Belle-Île-en-Mer, Guernsey and Mont Saint-Michel. Experience the hallowed beaches of Normandy accompanied by special guest speaker Dwight D. Eisenhower II, grandson of former Gen. and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Cruise by the spectacular White Cliffs of Dover. Bordeaux precruise and London post-cruise options are offered. — From $4,195
PARIS IMMERSION MAY 6-17, 2016
Paris earned its nickname — the City of Light — because it embraced education and the exploration of new ideas during the Enlightenment. Today, Paris remains unparalleled in its cultural wealth. For 10 nights, explore the city and its environs at an unhurried pace. Cruise the Seine River, and see the city’s highlights. Discover the places that played a large role during the World War II occupation of Paris. Visit the Latin Quarter to see the sites of the French Revolution and the oldest café in Paris, and explore artistic Le Marais. Journey by train to grand Versailles and historic Rouen in Normandy. Take w i n te r 2 016
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2016 rebel Traveler a high-speed train to the Burgundian town of Dijon. This unique opportunity includes excursions, an extensive meal program with wine at dinner, accommodations in a quaint Parisian neighborhood, Metro tickets so you can travel through Paris like a local, a museum pass and ample independent leisure time to pursue your individual interests. — From $3,495
Spokane, Washington’s second-largest city, graced with beautiful parks and world-class museums. Then embark on your voyage in Clarkston, where rich Native American culture springs to life at the nearby Nez Perce National Historical Park. Explore the Interpretive Center at Sacajawea State Park, delve into the unique pioneer history of The Dalles, and take in picturesque scenery in Stevenson, Wash., home to the renowned Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum. Visit the Bonneville Dam, a monument to human ingenuity, and discover small-town charms in the oldest city west of the Rockies, Astoria, before your journey concludes in the “City of Roses,” Portland. — From $2,699
ESSENCE OF THE ATLANTIC MAY 14-28, 2016
Mount Hood, Oregon
PASSAGE OF LEWIS AND CLARK MAY 7-15, 2016
Follow the passage of Lewis and Clark’s fabled expedition to the Pacific Coast as you journey through a geological masterpiece of astounding landscapes. From verdant forests and magnificent mountains to breathtaking gorges and sparkling waterfalls, experience the natural majesty of the Pacific Northwest while cruising the Columbia and Snake rivers aboard the American Empress, the largest and most elegant riverboat west of the Mississippi. Begin with a stay in 50
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Sail the sparkling Atlantic, where beautiful cities and lush islands beckon with eclectic architecture and enchanting, rugged scenery, on a tranquil odyssey aboard Oceania Cruises’ luxurious Marina. Depart New York, and discover the colonial histor y and elegance of Boston, f rom B e acon Hil l and Boston Common to the fascinating sites on the Freedom Trail. Cruise along Maine’s cragg y coast, and experience Bar Harbor’s awe-inspiring natural backdrop: rugged valleys, emerald-green forests and ocean-swept granite cliffs. Stroll along the revamped waterfront in Nova Scotia’s beautiful capital, Halifax, before sailing to Portugal’s stunning, remote Azores islands. Take in the whitewashed houses that dot the landscape of Horta, a seaport situated on Faial Island. Then stop at Ponta Delgada, located on São Miguel — the “Green Island” — or explore
the nearby picturesque villages and magnificent jewel-toned crater lakes. Before capping off your voyage in Lisbon, visit Madeira’s lovely capital, Funchal, home to a glorious seafront promenade, palm-shaded cafes and superb museums. — From $2,999
CELTIC LANDS MAY 23-JUNE 1, 2016
Cruise for eight nights aboard the exclusively chartered, five-star small ship MS Le Boréal from Glasgow, Scotland, to Ireland, Wales and France, with guided excursions in each port. By special arrangement, walk the hallowed beaches of Normandy with Dwight David Eisenhower II, grandson of former Gen. and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and meet Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill, cousin of Sir Winston Churchill, former prime minister of Great Britain. Travel into the Scottish Highlands aboard the Jacobite steam train; visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Caernarfon Castle near Holyhead, Wales; experience the austere beauty of the Inner Hebridean isles; and view Celtic treasures in Dublin. Glasgow/Edinburgh pre-cruise and Paris post-cruise options are available. — From $6,195
IN THE WAKE OF THE VIKINGS JUNE 8-16, 2016
Join us for a unique, comprehensive nine-day journey to Scotland’s rarely visited Inner Hebridean, Orkney and Shetland islands and Norway’s majestic coastal fjords. Cruise from Glasgow to Copenhagen aboard the exclusively chartered, five-star MS Le Boréal. Travel in the wake of early Viking explorers, cruising into ports accessible only to small ships, and visit three UNESCO World Heritage sites. Highlights include the Jacobite steam train journey in the Scottish Highlands; the Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis; a special presentation by a local archaeologist in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney; and a tour of Bryggen in Bergen. Glasgow/ Edinburgh pre-cruise and Copenhagen post-cruise options are offered. — From $4,495
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1/6/16 3:21 PM
News ALUMNI
Taking the Lead
KIRK PURDOM NAMED ALUMNI AFFAIRS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
K
irk Purdom, vice president for advancement at Transylvania University and a University of Mississippi alumnus, has been named UM executive director of alumni affairs. Purdom will officially begin his new role on March 14. Tim Walsh (BPA 83, MEd 91), who held the post since 2008, retired in March 2015. Sheila Dossett (BAEd 75), senior associate director of alumni affairs, has served as interim executive director since that time. “We are delighted that Kirk and his family are coming home to Ole Miss,” Chancellor Jeff Vitter says. “He has established a solid record of success while serving universities in Tennessee and Kentucky, and we are excited to have him rejoin our team. The Ole Miss Alumni Association has been blessed with dedicated leadership for many years, and we look forward to its
continued growth and prosperity for years to come.” Purdom (BA 93) has served in his current role at Transylvania University since 2011. Previously, he was vice president for advancement at Kentucky Wesleyan College. “I am extremely honored to be returning to Ole Miss and grateful for the opportunity to lead our Alumni Association,” Purdom says. “Ole Miss is a great institution with wonderful alumni, and the Alumni Association is blessed to have such a dedicated staff. With all the growth and excitement surrounding Ole Miss, I look forward to joining the team and to working with our board of directors as well as Chancellor Vitter and all our great volunteers.” Wh i l e at UM , P u rd om p l ay e d baseball for the Rebels and worked for several departments on campus from 1994 to 2001, including two years with
Kirk Purdom with his family (from left), Kate, Keilly, Kie and Kara Beth, at the 2015 Ole Miss vs. Arkansas game 52
Alumni Review
the Alumni Association. His wife, Keilly (BBA 91), also played golf for the Rebels and served as head women’s golf coach from 1991 to 2001. The Purdoms’ oldest daughter, Kie, is following in her parents’ footsteps as a freshman on the Ole Miss golf team. The Purdoms have two other daughters: Kara Beth, 12, and Kate, 16. It is important for the new executive director to have a strong Ole Miss connection, says Eddie Maloney (BBA 72), Alumni Association president. “After an almost yearlong nationwide search, we are happy to have Kirk as our new executive director,” Maloney says. “Our executive director reports directly to Chancellor Vitter, and I felt a strong Ole Miss background was necessary to keep our university moving in a positive direction with all of us working together. From the interview process, I believe Kirk can follow in the footsteps of his esteemed predecessors.” Purdom becomes only the sixth director to lead the association. Prior to 1947, the highest position, alumni secretary, was elected annually.
ALUMNI News
Class Notes
’60s
LYMAN ALDRICH (BBA 67), president of KMA Inc., received the honor of “Lyman Aldrich Lane” being named after him on Beale Street. The honor is in recognition of the work he spearheaded to make Memphis in May what it is today.
HAZEL BROOKS-JOHNSON (MEd 76), financial administrator for B&B and Brooks Auto in Brooksville, was appointed to the board of trustees of East Mississippi Community College by the board of supervisors of Noxubee County.
GERALD MCRANEY (66) of Los Angeles, Calif., played the role of Dolly Parton’s grandfather in the NBC movie “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors.”
DENNIS E. DOLLAR (BA 75), principal partner of Dollar Associates LLC in Birmingham, Ala., was selected by the readers of Credit Union Times as the most influential credit union leader since 1990.
RICHARD VANCE RANDALL (BBA 68), senior tax partner with Grantham, Poole, Randall, Reitano, Arrington and Cunningham PLLC CPAs in Jackson, completed a three-year term on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Tax Practice Management Committee.
’70s
J. RICHARD BARRY (BPA 76, JD 79), senior partner in the Meridian law firm of Barry Palmer Thaggard May & Bailey LLP, assumed the role of vice chairman of the Mississippi Board of Mental Health.
SAM HASKELL (BA 77) of Oxford served as executive producer of the NBC movie “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” alongside Dolly Parton and Pamela K. Long. JERE HUMPHREYS (BM 71) of Phoenix, Ariz., was a Fulbright Senior Specialist to Turkey in 2015, his third Fulbright grant. He also published articles and book chapters and presented a keynote speech at a world music symposium in DeKalb, Ill., last year.
JOHN MACNEILL (BA 76, JD 79), founding member of MacNeill, McKay and Gay PLLC of Flowood, was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 22nd edition of Best Lawyers in America in the fields of insurance litigation and defendants’ personal injury litigation. He was also selected a Mid-South Super Lawyer for 2010-14. JOHN MILNER (BA 75, JD 78), attorney in the Jackson office of Brunini, Grantham, Grower and Hewes PLLC, was elected vice chairman of the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy and Resources. LANCELOT L. MINOR III (BA 71), a partner with Memphis law firm Bourland Heflin Alvarez Minor & Matthews PLC, was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 22nd edition of Best Lawyers in America in the fields of banking and finance law, commercial litigation and real estate law.
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ALUMNI News DON NOBLITT (BBA 75), co-owner and partner in charge of the financial and land activities of the Mississippi Oil Co. (MOCO Inc.) in Jackson, joined the board of the Parents Television Council. KARL STEINBERGER (BA 73, JD 76), shareholder and vice president of Heidelberg, Steinberger, Colmer and Burrow in Pascagoula, was reappointed to the board of directors of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. DR. C. RANDLE VOYLES (MD 75) of Jackson published his first book, Midnight in Florence: Splattered by Inferno, Sprinkled by Faulkner.
’80s
MAJ. GEN. AUGUSTUS LEON COLLINS (BBA 82) of Jackson was reappointed adjutant general of Mississippi by Gov. Phil Bryant (79). JAMES M. CROSS (BA 86), professor of surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, was named interim director of the division of acute care surgery. STEVE HENDRIX (BAccy 83, MAccy 84, JD 86) of Ridgeland joined Butler Snow as a member of the firm’s business department.
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STEVE SHANER (BAccy 83) was promoted to executive in charge of correspondent banking with First Tennessee in Memphis. J. CARTER THOMPSON (JD 84) was appointed to a one-year term as chairman of the Drug and Medical Device Committee of the Defense Research Institute. He is a shareholder in the Jackson office of Baker Donelson and leader of the firm’s product liability and mass tort group.
’90s
DENNIS CRAVEN (BAccy 93) was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer for Chatham Lodging Trust, a multibillion-dollar hotel real estate investment trust located in Palm Beach, Fla. RHEA DANIELS (MS 99), well-being services manager for the Coca-Cola Co., spearheaded the efforts to open a new state-ofthe-art fitness facility, Uplift Fitness Studio, at the company’s global headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. WALTER A. DAVIS (JD 94), partner in the Oxford law firm of Dunbar Davis PLLC, was appointed by the Mississippi Supreme Court as a new member of the Mississippi Board of Bar Admissions.
ELIZABETH ROSS HADLEY (BA 96, JD 99) was elevated to of counsel in the Austin, Texas, office of Greenberg Traurig LLP. She is a member of the firm’s government law and policy practice. DAVID HOUSTON (BPA 97, JD 00), attorney with the Nashville, Tenn., office of Burr & Forman LLP, was published as a co-author of a Norton Bankruptcy Law Adviser newsletter article titled “In RE ICL Holding Co.: Roadmap for Avoiding the Absolute Priority Rule.” JAY HUGHES JR. (JD 91), senior partner in the Oxford law firm of Hughes Brown PLLC, was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives for District 12. ANDREW F. MOORE (BA 95) retired from the U.S. Navy after 32 years of service. He serves as firearms manager with Cabela’s in Bristol, Tenn. RANDY PIERCE (JD 97) was appointed director of the Mississippi Judicial College, a division of the University of Mississippi School of Law in Oxford.
ALUMNI News
’00s
MARY BETH BARNES (BAccy 01, MA 06) was promoted to senior assistant director for career services at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. JORDAN DOWNS (BA 08) of Washington, D.C., was named deputy policy director for U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper (JD 81). JAMES TATE ELLINGTON (BFA 01) of Madison received his first co-starring role as Simon Asher on ABC’s “Quantico.” ALEXIS FARMER (BSCJ 06, BA 07), Oxford resident and attorney with the Mississippi Taxpayer Assistance Project, was featured in U.S. News for her pro bono legal services and appearance on the weekly podcast “I Am the Law.” EMILY GATLIN (07) of Tupelo wrote a bookazine titled The 101 Greatest American Rock Songs and the Stories Behind Them. MIRIAM KNIGHT HOBSON (BBA 07) was promoted to vice president, business services officer at FNB Oxford Bank. ROB KING (BAccy 08), shareholder with T he Ko e r b e r C o. PA i n Hatt i e s bu rg , was one of 32 CPAs age 40 and under
honored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants with the first annual “Standing Ovation,” which recognizes the best young CPAs in various specialty credential areas. HOLLAND MEISSNER (BA 00) of New Brunswick, N.J., published her book Dying to be Angry, available on amazon.com. TONI FOWLER OVERBY (BA 04) of Oxford published her first novel, Myles of Mississippi, available on amazon.com. DR. ROB ROBERTSON (BA 04, MD 09) joined Southern Bone and Joint Specialists PA in Hattiesburg as a fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon. CLARENCE WEBSTER III (BA 02), an attorney in Jackson, was inducted into 100 Black Men of Jackson at the 25th Annual Scholarship/Mentoring Celebration on the campus of Jackson State University. COLLEEN WELCH (JD 02) joined the Jackson office of Balch & Bingham LLP as a partner in the firm’s Product Liability & Casualty Practice group and Labor & Employment section.
REBECCA BROWN WEST (JD 00) of Lexington, S.C., was granted fellowship in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. RICKY WOOD (BBA 09) accepted the position of front office manager of the Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in D’Iberville.
’10s
MARGARET ANNE MOORE (BAEd 12) was named press secretary for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Homeland Security Committee in Washington, D.C.
WEDDINGS
Katie Renee Cameron and Matt Hoppe, July 18, 2015. Catherine Berkley Dorroh (BS 10) and James Francis Simpson III (BAccy 08), May 9, 2015. Ashlyn Maranne Jones (BA 13) and Tom H. Norsworthy (MBA 14), June 14, 2015. Miriam Elizabeth Knight (BBA 07) and John R. Hobson, Sept. 19, 2015. Sue Ellen Smith (BAccy 80) and Max Miller, Oct. 19, 2015. Lisa Gayle Young (BAEd 81) and Randy Barber, April 3, 2015.
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ALUMNI News
Top of the Mountain
O
le Miss alumni and friends enjoyed a visit to Mount Etna during an exclusive eight-day “Ole Miss Only” trip to Sorrento and Taormina, Italy, in January. The trip was part of the Alumni Association’s travel program. For more information on upcoming trips, visit the Rebel Traveler department on page 48 of this issue, or visit the Alumni Association website at www.olemissalumni.com.
Call me today at (601) 442.6292 319 Main Street Natchez, MS 39120 601.442.6292 • Phone 601.442.6365 • Fax
Forrest A. Johnson III, CFA, CFP® Financial Advisor
www.ameripriseadvisors.com/forrest.johnson forrest.johnson@ampf.com
801 Clay Street, Suite 1 Vicksburg, MS 39182 601.636.7111 • Phone 601.636.7711 • Fax
Financial Planning | Retirement | Investments| Insurance Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2014 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. 56
Alumni Review
ALUMNI News BIRTHS
Emmie Ellen Wade (BA 38, MA 41) of Oxford, Nov. 15, 2015
Amelia Grace, daughter of Phaedra Page Harries (BS 02) and Marcuslene D. Harries (BS 95, MS 99), Sept. 20, 2015. Dan Maurice III, son of Elizabeth H. Harrison and Dan Maurice Harrison II (BBA 08), March 15, 2015. Beckham Manning, son of Caitlan Mitchell and Matthew Loyd Williams (BSES 13), Dec. 21, 2015. Sarah Lane, daughter of Whitney Wilt Paulowsky (BBA 00) and Ryan George Paulowsky, Dec. 30, 2015. William Marion, son of Sarah A. Perkins (BA 01, MEd 04) and Matthew Earl Perkins (BBA 02, JD 06), Nov. 12, 2015.
Hunter George Weddington (BA 39) of Meridian, Jan. 13, 2016
1940s
Marshall B. Allen Jr. (BA 49, MedCert 51) of Evans, Ga., Nov. 13, 2015 Leon Crow Bramlett Jr. (41) of Wichita Falls, Texas, Oct. 19, 2015 Leon Herman Califf (BSC 46) of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 25, 2015 Christine Cherry Cox (BSPh 43) of Lumberton, Sept. 27, 2015 Sarah Hicks Green (BA 44) of Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 12, 2015 Edith Scott Holloway (BA 48) of Jackson, Oct. 23, 2015
Benjamin Peter, son of Darcy Perkins Ross (BAccy 05, MBA 06) and Peter Samir Ross (BSPh 02, PharmD 04), Jan, 7, 2016.
Elizabeth Satterfield Hope (47) of Abilene, Texas, Oct. 10, 2015
Mary Victoria, daughter of Marie Thomas Sanderson and Brian Walker Sanderson (BBA 95, JD 98), Sept. 22, 2015.
Lamar Wadsworth Lane Sr. (BSPh 49) of Rayville, La., Oct. 18, 2015
Lila Katherine, daughter of Temperance Steiskal and Christopher James Steiskal (JD 04), Nov. 19, 2015.
James Earl McGinnis Jr. (BBA 49) of Meridian, Jan. 6, 2016
Gentry Louis, son of Whitney Gentry Waters (BSFCS 04) and Travis Andrew Waters (BBA 04), Nov. 12, 2015. Ilana Reed, daughter of Keishunna R. Webster (JD 06) and Clarence Webster III (BA 02), Oct. 8, 2015.
IN MEMORIAM
1930s
Mary Pritchard Anderson (BA 36) of Lambert, April 5, 2015 Malvina McCool Moore (BA 33) of Louisville, Nov. 26, 2015 Miriam Wallace Scarborough (BA 38, MedCert 39) of Biloxi, Nov. 12, 2015
Homer Lee Howie Sr. (BA 49, LLB 49) of Jackson, Nov. 10, 2015 Mitchell McKree Lundy Sr. (BA 49, LLB 51) of Grenada, Sept. 9, 2015 Charmain Crum McLemore (BA 49) of Brentwood, Tenn., Oct. 27, 2015 Charles R. Moore (BA 47) of Blytheville, Ark., Oct. 23, 2015 Eugenia Poland Mothershed (48) of Batesville, Jan. 2, 2016 Margaret Clay Murphy (BA 40) of Ridgeland, Sept. 27, 2015 Jessie Ford Nobles (BSPh 49) of Raymond, Jan. 2, 2016 John Mack Osborne Jr. (BAEd 43) of Lapine, Ala., Nov. 18, 2015 Lorraine Smith Ott (BSC 40) of Hattiesburg, Nov. 9, 2015 William Lewis Pace (BSPh 49) of Biloxi, Nov. 18, 2015 Joe Ned Pigott (BBA 49, LLB 49) of Ridgeland, Nov. 3, 2015 Curtis Edward Presley Jr. (46) of Oxford, Nov. 7, 2015 Julie Davis Price (BA 49) of San Angelo, Texas, Dec. 26, 2015
Melangelo Fine Art
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ALUMNI News Ellis Salloum Sr. (BBA 47) of Diberville, Dec. 30, 2015
Earl Harvey Fitzpatrick Jr. (LLB 50, JD 68) of Natchez, Nov. 26, 2015
Ethelyn Smith (MedCert 43, BS 43) of Germantown, Tenn., Oct. 12, 2015
James David Gassaway (BS 57) of Starkville, Oct. 3, 2015
Bonnie Graham Soper (BAEd 48, MA 49) of Tupelo, Sept. 19, 2015
Ella Thomas Gordon (MBEd 58, MA 64, MEd 73) of Sardis, Sept. 7, 2015
Harvey Samuel Stanley Jr. (49) of Gulfport, Sept. 16, 2015
Vary Thrower Greaves (BA 53) of Jackson, Dec. 15, 2015
Alex Mac Waites (BA 49) of Hattiesburg, Dec. 12, 2015
Georgia Anne Noel Hamilton (BBA 55) of Flowood, Dec. 18, 2015
Mary Moore Walker (BSC 44) of Greenville, Oct. 12, 2015
Troy Eugene Holliday (BAEd 54, MEd 56) of Ripley, Dec. 15, 2015 Claudia Horn Hollister (BA 53) of Pascagoula, Sept. 12, 2015
1950s
William Murray Hubbard (BAEd 55) of Jackson, Oct. 18, 2015
Myra Jane Hudson Atkins (56) of Humboldt, Tenn., Dec. 4, 2015
Nettie Ruth Crocker Hudson (BA 51, MEd 76) of Ridgeland, Nov. 24, 2015
John Benjamin Barrack (BBA 59, MS 63) of Bogart, Ga., Nov. 13, 2015
Walter Rayford Lamar Jones (BBA 56, LLB 58) of Diamondhead, Sept. 18, 2015
John Elijah Bell III (50) of Winter Springs, Fla., Oct. 22, 2015
Robert Lawrence Jordan (BM 54, MEd 56) of Batesville, Oct. 27, 2015
Mary Elizabeth Joyner Blake (BSPh 53) of Ruston, La., Jan. 6, 2016
Taylor Holcomb McElroy Jr. (BSCvE 50) of Oxford, Nov. 13, 2015
Edward Sidney Bopp Jr. (BSPh 55) of New Orleans, La., Sept. 16, 2015
Elsie Talbert Pittman (BA 50) of Shreveport, La., Sept. 25, 2015
Thomas Pickens Brady Jr. (BA 56, MS 62) of Brookhaven, Dec. 2, 2015
Arthur Jackson Rogers Jr. (BSCvE 54) of Georgetown, Texas, Nov. 3, 2015
Billy Harold Breland (BBA 52) of Tupelo, Dec. 27, 2015
Carl Powell Savage (MBEd 57) of Martin, Tenn., Nov. 5, 2015
Annie Grant Bright (BA 52) of New Albany, Jan. 5, 2016
Mike Scanlon (BAEd 51) of Corona, Calif., Sept. 19, 2015
William Ross Brown Jr. (BBA 56) of Oxford, Sept. 12, 2015
Mary McWhorter Smith (BAEd 51) of Jackson, Nov. 23, 2015
Robert White Brumfield (LLB 53) of Atlanta, Ga., Dec. 19, 2015
Tommy Kenneth Stewart (BPA 53, MS 57) of Waukegan, Ill., Oct. 30, 2015
Royal Stewart Campbell (BBA 52) of Austin, Texas, Aug. 13, 2015
Robert Burwell Townes Jr. (BA 50, MS 51) of Grenada, Oct. 23, 2015
Joe Mack Clanton (MEd 56) of Lakeland, Fla., Nov. 3, 2015
James L. Waring (BBA 51) of Vicksburg, March 14, 2015
Jack Magee Cobb (BM 59) of Hurst, Texas, Dec. 20, 2015
Norman Weathersby Jr. (BBA 58) of Lexington, Oct. 17, 2015
Clarence Henry Conner (MedCert 51) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Nov. 19, 2015
Dudley Andrew Wyatt (BA 59) of Madison, Oct. 1, 2015
Perrin Turner Croy (BS 54) of Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 27, 2015 George Winston Cutrer Sr. (LLB 51) of Tylertown, Dec. 11, 2015 Paul Wayne Daniels (BBA 55) of Madison, Oct. 20, 2015
1960s
Gerald Lynn Abraham (BBA 65) of Greenville, Sept. 24, 2015
Charles Emerson Farmer Jr. (MD 59) of Clinton, Jan. 3, 2016
William Hewes Bell Jr. (BA 63) of Deatsville, Ala., Sept. 10, 2015
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Alumni Review
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ALUMNI News Shirley Ann Berretta (MEd 68) of Fayetteville, N.C., Dec. 25, 2015 Joe Brown Blurton (BSCvE 63) of Jackson, Sept. 25, 2015 Robert Henry Bostwick III (BA 68) of New Albany, Nov. 19, 2015 Carl Denton Bush (BBA 65) of Cordova, Tenn., Jan. 4, 2016 Thomas Patrick Connell (MA 65) of Belmar, N.J., Oct. 18, 2015 Philip Tyre Cornelius Jr. (MA 67) of Winnsboro, S.C., Jan. 10, 2016 Servetus Perkins Crockett Jr. (BBA 64) of Mobile, Ala., Jan. 3, 2016 Sylvia Hall Davis (BSC 67) of Oxford, Oct. 28, 2015 Richard James Doyle (MFA 67) of Chicopee, Mass., Sept. 23, 2015 Henry Cortez Ehl (MEd 66) of Tampa, Fla., April 2, 2015 Michael Edward Ellis (BA 69) of New Orleans, La., Oct. 9, 2015 Robert Frank Farmigoni (BBA 65) of Montgomery, Texas, July 4, 2015 Sherrell Alonza Fowler (MCS 67) of Simi Valley, Calif., March 12, 2015 Jesse Stewart Frame Jr. (BA 67) of Pinellas Park, Fla., Oct. 6, 2015 Howard Herschel Franklin (MD 66) of Gilbert, Ariz., Sept. 7, 2015 Gordon Boyd Freeny (BSCvE 63) of Vicksburg, Nov. 6, 2015 Joseph Edmond Garrison III (BA 66) of Montgomery, Ala., Jan. 1, 2016
When You
Robert Andrews Ham (BA 65) of Sun City Center, Fla., May 11, 2015 Dorothy Burton Henderson (MEd 69) of Oxford, Nov. 17, 2015 Joe D. Herrington (MD 60) of Natchez, Dec. 21, 2015 John Herbert Hogue Jr. (LLB 62) of Yazoo City, Dec. 22, 2015 Dorothy Dill Hollinseed (MLS 65) of Sacramento, Calif., Jan. 21, 2015 Addie Elizabeth Harper Holsberry (BA 66) of Pensacola, Fla., Oct. 20, 2015 Joe S. Hussey (BSPh 64) of Iuka, Dec. 21, 2015 Bennie Wade Johnston (BBA 61, MBA 62) of Dyersburg, Tenn., Sept. 18, 2015 Eudora Grisham Kemp (MEd 60) of Booneville, Sept. 19, 2015 Oscar Buren Ladner (LLB 61) of Gulfport, Nov. 9, 2015 Floyd Garland Lecroy (BS 62) of Benton, Ark., Nov. 15, 2015 Talmadge Dean Littlejohn (LLB 60) of New Albany, Oct. 26, 2015 Mary Burnes Maxey (MSS 67, EdD 75) of Jackson, Oct. 1, 2015 James Garlon Maynor Jr. (68) of Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 7, 2015
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Mary Oden McAnally (66) of Jackson, Nov. 3, 2015 Nancy Hogarth McClanahan (BS 68) of Columbus AFB, Nov. 10, 2015 Wallace Edward McMillan (BBA 67) of Jackson, Nov. 12, 2015 Lucia Manos Morfesis (MA 63) of Charleston, S.C., Aug. 30, 2015 Billy Mack Morgan (BBA 62) of Oxford, Oct. 5, 2015 Robert Lamar Owens (BSHPE 61, MEd 66) of Natchez, Sept. 10, 2015 John Pash (BA 68) of Youngstown, Ohio, Oct. 10, 2015 Donald McLean Paterson Jr. (BA 60) of Brookhaven, Oct. 22, 2015 William Crowder Peay Sr. (BBA 61) of Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 14, 2015 James Buford Roberts Sr. (62) of Chelsea, Ala., Jan. 10, 2016 Joseph Eugene Robertson (BSHPE 62) of Meadville, Oct. 13, 2015
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ALUMNI News Lawrence Santifer Robison III (BSPh 67) of Garner, N.C., Dec. 6, 2015
Dennis Paul Chance (BSPh 77) of Columbia, Oct. 25, 2015
Herbert Graham Rogers III (BBA 64) of New Albany, Nov. 24, 2015
Carol Holloway Coston (BAEd 72) of Longview, Texas, Oct. 19, 2015
Aubrey Dale Rozzell (MEd 66) of Quitman, Oct. 14, 2015
Glen David Curry (MA 73) of Saint Louis, Mo., April 27, 2015
Samuel Elgin Scott (LLB 61) of Hazlehurst, Nov. 21, 2015
Louise Bullard Dotson (BAEd 78) of Burnsville, Jan. 13, 2016
Harry Leslie Smith (BBA 62) of Greenwood, Jan. 12, 2016
James Richard Ford (JD 70) of Mount Juliet, Tenn., Oct. 1, 2015
John McDonald Weathersby Sr. (BBA 61) of Indianola, Sept. 27, 2015
Robert Sharp Forster (JD 70) of Oxford, Nov. 12, 2015
Cleveland Gray Webber Jr. (BBA 63) of Forest City, N.C., Dec. 28, 2015
Viola Morris Foster (MEd 74) of Plantersville, Nov. 13, 2015
W.A. Williams III (BBA 64) of Madison, Jan. 11, 2016
Melba Rowland Gamble (MEd 78) of Baldwyn, Jan. 1, 2016
William Howard Williams Jr. (BSME 64) of Montgomery, Ala., Dec. 15, 2015
George Davis Gober (BBA 70) of Tupelo, Jan. 10, 2016
Helen Sanderfer Wilroy (BSN 66) of Hattiesburg, Nov. 10, 2015
Jo Thompson Haney (BAEd 71) of Quitman, Ark., Oct. 13, 2015 James Allan Harris (BPA 77) of Harker Heights, Texas, Oct. 17, 2015
1970s
Hilliard Carlton James (BA 75) of Corinth, Nov. 13, 2015
Suzanne Hamm Anthony (BA 75) of Olive Branch, Jan. 5, 2016
Charles Donald Justice (MEd 73) of Tupelo, Dec. 20, 2015
Thomas Michael Barlow (BSHPE 76) of Lutz, Fla., Nov. 15, 2015
Raymond Sellen Knowland Jr. (MHCA 79) of Danville, Ind., Jan. 22, 2015
Mary Gaither Barnes (BAEd 75) of Madison, Nov. 29, 2015
Henry L. Knox (73) of New Albany, Oct. 24, 2015
William Thomas Barry (BBA 72) of Brandon, Dec. 31, 2015
Alma Gillespie Krogstad (BA 75, JD 80) of Baton Rouge, La., Sept. 26, 2015
Donald Glenn Breazeale Sr. (BBA 74) of Madison, Nov. 12, 2015
Thomas Jude Long (JD 71) of Houston, Texas, Dec. 14, 2015
Charles Gray Burdick (JD 71) of Hattiesburg, Nov. 9, 2015
Winnie Foster McCaskill (MEd 75) of Oxford, Jan. 11, 2016
Richard Kirk Caldwell (77) of Tupelo, Oct. 8, 2015
Mary Jackson Milan (MEd 74) of Holly Springs, Oct. 15, 2015
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Alumni Review
ALUMNI News Steven Holcomb Monts (BPA 72) of Tupelo, Oct. 28, 2015 Annie Allen Moore (BSN 78) of Jackson, Nov. 6, 2015 James Ottis Pair (MEd 71) of Philadelphia, Oct. 30, 2015 Alma Wilson Poland (MEd 78) of Florence, Jan. 1, 2016 Elizabeth Jones Rectanus (BS 72, JD 74) of Ames, Iowa, Jan. 8, 2016 Kathy Morris Rogers (BA 76) of Clarksdale, Sept. 30, 2015 Donald Wayne Sanders (BSHPE 73) of Cullman, Ala., Nov. 16, 2015 Joseph Arthur Scott (PhD 71) of Evansville, Ind., Jan. 13, 2016 Kim Gardner Skillion (MSP 79) of Marks, Oct. 28, 2015 David Joseph Slatkin (MS 71, PhD 72) of Northbrook, Ill., Nov. 16, 2015 William Scott Steele (BBA 76, MBA 77) of Madison, Sept. 15, 2015 Nausead L. Stewart (JD 70) of Jackson, Nov. 10, 2015 Arthur Douglas Stutsman (PhD 71) of Gulf Shores, Ala., Jan. 8, 2016 John Curran Sullivan Jr. (76) of Montgomery, Ala., Sept. 23, 2015 John Hillary Towles Jr. (BA 76) of Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 15, 2015 Ken Harper Turner (BSHPE 71) of Belknap, Ill., Oct. 21, 2015 Louis Randolph Walsh (MA 71) of Clinton, Oct. 31, 2015 Michael Douglas Ward (BBA 71) of Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 15, 2015 Philip Stewart Young (BA 72) of Johnson City, Tenn., Nov. 22, 2015
1980s
Roger Chester Banks (Cert 89) of Macon, Feb. 28, 2015 James Franklin Curlee (BPA 80) of Booneville, Nov. 28, 2015 Martha Kennedy Fitzner (MEd 82) of Columbus AFB, Sept. 9, 2015 Willie Ed Goodloe Jr. (BBA 89) of Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 14, 2015 John F. Hardy (86) of Avon, Conn., Oct. 22, 2015 Henry Stephen Langenfelder (BBA 83) of Saint Augustine, Fla., Dec. 21, 2015 Nancy Crandall Langford (BS 81) of Colleyville, Texas, Oct. 24, 2015 Michael Sophus Latour (PhD 86) of Ithaca, N.Y., Nov. 8, 2015 Ronald Kent Mason (BBA 83) of Coppell, Texas, Jan. 12, 2016 Michael Hoy Mitchell (BBA 83) of Las Vegas, Nev., Oct. 14, 2015 Roleen Conatser Mitchell (BS 84, BS 86, MEd 88) of Oxford, Dec. 6, 2015 Patricia Goetz Moak (BBA 83) of Dahlonega, Ga., Oct. 31, 2015 Clarence Edward Morgan IV (BA 89) of French Camp, Nov. 6, 2015 James Alston Owen (BSPh 87) of Covington, Tenn., Oct. 6, 2015 Edwin Lloyd Pittman Jr. (JD 87) of Hattiesburg, Jan. 2, 2016 Jerry Wayne Sanford (BSCS 85) of Courtland, Nov. 22, 2015 Patsy Gregory Washington (MEd 87) of New Albany, Dec. 24, 2015
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ALUMNI News
Nominate Someone Great OMAA SEEKS ALUMNI HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS
T
he Ole Miss Alumni Association annually inducts a remain in the selection pool for three years. Anyone may few of its most distinguished alumni into the Hall of submit the name of a University of Mississippi alumna or Fame. The ceremony is part of Homecoming Week- alumnus to be nominated. end festivities and will be held this year on Sept. 30. Criteria and eligibility information can be found on Regular nominations are encouraged to ensure that the the Alumni Association website at www.olemissalumni. selection committee always has a broad range of worthy com, along with a complete list of information and materiindividuals to consider for each class. All alumni are als needed for nomination submissions and list of past eligible for consideration. From the nominations submit- recipients. ted, no more than five outstanding alumni are chosen by It is essential that all materials pertinent to the nominee a seven-member committee and are inducted into the be submitted, as the Hall of Fame Committee will do no Alumni Hall of Fame. further research. Materials may be For alumni to be considered submitted via email to alumni@ Criteria and eligibility information for induction into the Hall olemiss.edu and/or mail to Hall can be found on the of Fame on any given year, of Fame Committee, Triplett Alumni Association website: nominations are required on or Alumni Center, P.O. Box 1848, before April 1, though nominees University, MS 38677-1848. www.olemissalumni.com
62
Alumni Review
ALUMNI News 1990s
2010s
Andyn Tress Temple Gardner (96) of Ridgeland, Nov. 8, 2015
Andrew Thomas Fox (15) of Amory, Nov. 22, 2015
Judith Beavers Harper (MFA 97) of Covington, La., Nov. 20, 2015
Samuel Word Gidden (BSES 12) of Tunica, March 23, 2015
Dawne Robertson Hebert (BBA 91) of Batesville, Jan. 1, 2016
Sharonda Monique Johnson (12) of Horn Lake, Sept. 8, 2015
Lisa Lowe Mann (MEd 91) of Grenada, Oct. 6, 2015
Allyson Leigh Rutherford (12) of Columbus, Nov. 25, 2015
Robert Wayne Marion (BBA 92, BBA 92, MBA 00) of Oxford, Dec. 30, 2015
Samuel Asa Samples (12) of Potts Camp, Dec. 6, 2015
Bryan Dameron McRaven (BA 97) of De Kalb, Jan. 14, 2015
William Jacob Sheffield (12) of Tupelo, Dec. 7, 2015
Eugene Owen Mitchell Jr. (93) of Greenville, Dec. 12, 2015
Sharon Denise Sparks (15) of Southaven, Sept. 7, 2015
Erin Shelby Propst (BS 97) of Little Rock, Ark., Dec. 7, 2015
Alison Grace Turbeville (15) of Jackson, Sept. 12, 2015
Ty Alvis Cobb Jr. (PhD 97) of Ackerman, Sept. 14, 2015
Joseph Jaxon Fields (15) of Baltimore, Md., Oct. 21, 2015
Michael Earl Robinson (JD 97) of Jackson, Oct. 2, 2015 Valerie Starks Sykes (BPA 96, MEd 99, SpecEd 06) of Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 14, 2015
Faculty and Friends
Robert Bynum Albritton II of Oxford, Sept. 9, 2015 Lionel Buford of Abbeville, Sept. 15, 2015
2000s
Mary Cuff Burghen of Germantown, Tenn., Nov. 28, 2015
Patricia Hibbler Fowler (BAEd 06) of Senatobia, Sept. 9, 2015 Pamela Eugenia Hamilton (BA 02) of Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 10, 2015 Kevin Lee Plott (MBA 03) of Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 6, 2015 Susanne Little Steward (BA 08, BA 08) of New Albany, Sept. 18, 2015
Parker Bartley Cannon of Pearl, Nov. 14, 2015 Raymond Joseph Cronin of Oxford, Dec. 1, 2015 Colleen O’Mara Dalton of Oxford, Dec. 20, 2015 Carolee Dink Davis of Madison, Jan. 6, 2016
Ole Miss Alumni Association
Rebel Network
234-8648
Meet alumni in your area Catch up with old friends Share photos Network with alumni around the world
Alumni Owned And OperAted
http://rebelnetwork. olemissalumni.com w i n te r 2 016
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ALUMNI News William C. Day of Oxford, Oct. 5, 2015
Katie Wallace Overstreet of Oxford, Nov. 21, 2015
Lee Craig Dearman of Oxford, Nov. 7, 2015
Bob Owen of Oxford, Nov. 17, 2015
Jack Paul Edwards III of Moss Point, Oct. 14, 2015
Henry B. Pace of Oxford, Oct. 4, 2015
Elsie Varner Franklin of Oxford, Sept. 28, 2015
Jimmy Dale Parker of Bryant, Ark., Jan. 4, 2016
Mike Garnett of West Point, Oct. 18, 2015
Marjorie Wallace Peddle of Oxford, Nov. 7, 2015
Thomas Guinne Goode of West Point, Oct. 8, 2015
Buford W. Posey of Purvis, Oct. 26, 2015
Sarah Hardin Gough of Tupelo, Nov. 10, 2015
James Lee Reeves of Madison, Oct. 26, 2015
Jerry Gowen Sr. of Hernando, Jan. 9, 2016
Joe Martin Richardson of Tallahassee, Fla., Dec. 15, 2015
Bruce Howard Gresham Sr. of Tupelo, Dec. 5, 2015
Shelby Smith of Brookhaven, Dec. 20, 2015
John L. Hannon of Jackson, Nov. 3, 2015
Kenneth Alva Stead Jr. of Oxford, Nov. 20, 2015
William Edward Harper of Fulton, Dec. 27, 2015
Sidney S. Tate of LaGrange, Ga., Oct. 16, 2015
B.W. Hill of West Point, Oct. 10, 2015
Juanita Terrell of Oxford, Sept. 17, 2015
Richard Rock Holder of Brandon, Sept. 22, 2015
Mary Windham Tutor of Meridian, Nov. 20, 2015
Columbus Burwell Hopper of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., Oct. 4, 2015
Margaret Mercier Wooley of Jackson, Dec. 28, 2015
Emma Pauline Hughes of Anniston, Ala., Dec. 12, 2015
Sharon Butler Wyatt of Jackson, Nov. 5, 2015
Leslie Stephens Jones of Brandon, Sept. 11, 2015 Sam G. Kendricks of Oxford, Sept. 27, 2015 Allen D. Kirk of Red Bud, Ill., Dec. 17, 2015 Albert Levert Lamar of New Orleans, La., Oct. 18, 2015 Marjorie Kelly Lomax of Waynesboro, Nov. 1, 2015 Cynthia Bess Lucas of Oxford, Nov. 29, 2015 David Benson McCorkle of Rome, Ga., Dec. 19, 2015 William Douglas McQueen of Oxford, Sept. 8, 2015
Due to space limitations, class notes are only published in the Alumni Review from active, dues-paying members of the Ole Miss Alumni Association. To submit a class note, send it to records@ olemiss.edu or Alumni Records Dept., Ole Miss Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848. Class notes also may be submitted through the Association’s website at www.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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•3 BR/3.5 Bath OR 2 BR/2.5 Bath w/Study •Victorian Home built in 1868 •Historic Downtown Masterpiece •Walking distance to the Square •4697 SqFt Completely Restored •Luxury Living
$499,000
$1,910,000
Large screened-in porches overlooking Pat Lamar Park. Designer finishes, brick mantles, ceiling beams and real pine floors. All on one level!
Mid $300k’s Contact Mark Cleary
713-303-8924
103 The Van Buren
Ice House #201
• Viking Appliances • 2 BR/2 Bath •1 BR Plus Studio on the Square • On the Square • Bamboo Floors • Exterior balcony • Private gated parking garage/pet area
$465,000
$379,000
A charming Old-English style development located in the heart of the medical community and just minutes from Oxford’s downtown square ! Starting in the mid-$300,000’s Features include: Wet Bar Private Courtyards Gas Range
10’ Ceilings Garages available
Complimentary interior design service to help customize finishes on new builds.
504 Fazio Dr. Ext.
•Custom home in the country club •Walk to the club house •4 bedrooms/office/bonus room •Three-car garage
662.234.5621•1923 University Ave Oxford, MS 38655•Each office independently owned and operated. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.
$625,000