Spring-Summer 2005 Millsaps Magazine

S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 0 5

Power Play Attorney Archie Lamb

lights up the night at Twenty Field

The Real Real WorldFaith & Work students get

streetwise in Jackson

Business LunchElse Dean Ken Harmon

and restaurateur Jeff Goodtake inventory

From the President As I ponder the past school year, a recurring sentiment comes to mind: bringing the outside inside. Much progress is being made at Millsaps to dismantle barriers by reaching out to our community and beyond.

The United Methodist Church gained a gem this year in North Carolina native Bishop Hope Ward. Millsaps College began with the investment of Methodists, and we look forward to continuing to have a wonderful relationship with the Church. Our partnership continues to be benefi cial, especially in the recruitment of United Methodist students and strengthening our ties to the community.

Our new dean of the Else School of Management, Dr. Ken Harmon, recently had a sit-down with successful restaurateur and alumnus Jeff Good, owner of Bravo! and the Broad Street Baking Company, to discuss the Millsaps business program and the changing landscape of business culture worldwide. The school has just undergone a branding journey to consider our best tack for the future. Now is the time to target potential recruitment areas such as accounting and health care to create awareness of our topnotch M.B.A. program.

The Millsaps Players guest directors program gives students a bird’s-eye view of theatre. They are able to hone acting skills by working with world-class directors and experience a range of directorial styles and perspectives. The Players adapt to the challenges they may someday face beyond the stage of the Christian Center.

One of the most popular classes in the Faith & Work Initiative continues to be The Meaning of Work, which teaches how to balance practicality with passion. Again, our students learn to move outside their comfort zones and get a true look at the real world. A class project called “Getting Real in Jackson” brings the students face-to-face with the hardships that many people undergo.

Thanks to Archie Lamb, B.B.A. 1977, we can literally light up the night at Twenty Field. His strong devotion to Millsaps led him to make a generous donation that resulted in the illumination of our baseball fi eld. This feature will help draw more fans and attract the best scholar athletes.

I know the upcoming school year will be marked by even more progress. Our intelligent, involved student body, combined with our outstanding faculty and staff, will ensure that Millsaps can expect a groundswell of support and even more opportunities to bring the outside inside.

Warmly,

f e a t u r e s

Street Smarts Faith & Work students pound the pavement.

d e p a r t m e n t s

On Campus2 In the Spotlight13 Fine Arts

Faculty & Staff15 In the Spotlight18 Campus Community21 Reading Room

Meet Millsaps22 Delta Kids/Jewel Johnson

Athletics42 Mike DuBose43 Ned Welles

Major Notes44 In the Spotlight46 Classnotes51 In Memoriam

Parting Word56 Johnny,We Hardly KnewYe

InThis Issue

On the CoverThe Millsaps Majors under the new lights at Twenty Field. p h oto by k e l l e y m at t h e w s

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24

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MILLSAPS MAGAZINEs p r i n g - s u m m e r 2 0 0 5

Executive EditorPatti Wade

DesignKelley Matthews

Candace Jones, 2007, intern

Contributing EditorsJohn Webb

c om m u n i c at i on s w r i t e rJesse Yancy

a s s o c i at e d i r e c tor o f m e d i a r e l at i on sBrian Emory

s p ort s i n f or m at i on d i r e c tor

Major Notes EditorTanya Newkirk

a s s o c i at e d i r e c tor o f a l u m n i r e l at i on s

Editorial AssistantsPatrick Barb, 2005Becca Day, 2005Anna Ellis, 2006

Clint Kimberling, 2005Chris Spear, 2007

Contributing PhotographersGreg Campbell

Becca DayChris Goodwin

Parr JekoKelley Matthews

John WebbJesse Yancy

Administrative Offi cers Dr. Frances Lucas

p r e s i d e n tDr. Richard A. Smith

s e n i or v i c e p r e s i d e n t a n d d e a n o f t h e c ol l e g e

Louise Burney, M.Acc. 1996v i c e p r e s i d e n t f or f i na n c e

Dr. R. Brit Katzv i c e p r e s i d e n t f or s t u d e n t l i f e

a n d d e a n o f s t u d e n t sDr. Charles R. Lewisv i c e p r e s i d e n t

f or i n s t i t u t i ona l a dva n c e m e n tTodd Rose

v i c e p r e s i d e n t f or c a m pu s s e rv i c e s

m i l l s a p s m ag a z i n e i s pu b l i s h e d by m i l l s a p s c ol l e g e,

1 7 0 1 nort h s tat e s t r e e t, jac k s on, m s 3 9 2 1 0 - 0 0 0 1 ,

f or d i s t r i bu t i on to a l u m n i , pa r e n t s o f s t u d e n t s,

a n d f r i e n d s o f t h e c ol l e g e. p l e a s e s e n d a l u m n i u p dat e s

a n d a d d r e s s c or r e c t i on sto m i l l s a p s m ag a z i n e,

c a r e o f t h e a b ov e a d d r e s s. you c a n r e ac h u s at 6 0 1 - 9 7 4 - 1 0 3 3 ,

by f a x at 6 0 1 - 9 7 4 - 1 4 5 6 , or by e m a i l at c om m u n i c at i on s @m i l l s a p s. e du.

v i s i t w w w. m i l l s a p s. e du f or t h e on l i n e m ag a z i n e.

p e r i od i c a l p o s tag e pa i d at jac k s on, m s.

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Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest...For the Millsaps Players, a rotating director’s chair.

The Light in the Outfi eldAlumnus Archie Lamb’s brilliant contribution to Twenty Field.

Right on the MoneyElse Dean Ken Harmon and restaurateur Jeff Gooddiscuss the evolving role of business in education.

2 m i l l s a p s m a g a z i n e

TheReverendHopeWard,aNorthCaro-linanativewhohasbeenactivethroughoutherlifeintheMethodistchurch,isthefirstwomantobeappointedresidentbishopoftheMississippiAreaoftheUnitedMethodistChurch.Likewise,Dr.FrancesLucas,alsoalifelongMethodist,isthefirstwomantoholdthepostofpresidentatMillsapsCollege.

ThispastMarch,WardandLucastooktimeoutfromtheirbusyschedulestodiscussMillsaps,theUnitedMethodistChurch,andthoseissuesinbetween.Seatedinacomfort-ablecornerofhistoricGallowayMemorialUnitedMethodistChurchindowntownJackson,theygrappledwithafundamentalissueformanywithintheCollegeandtheChurch—therelationshipbetweenthetwo.

“Letmeremindyou,”Wardsaid,“thatourfounder,JohnWesley,gothisstartasacampusminister.Themind,heart,andspiritofallUnitedMethodistsareconnected,andwewanttonurturethatrelationship.”

LucascalledtheUnitedMethodistChurchthe“mother”ofMillsapsCollege.“WegotourstartwiththeinvestmentofMethodists,”shesaid.“AndthegreatthingabouttheUnitedMethodistChurchisthatwewelcomedifferentviewpoints.Thatisgoodforacollege.”

ButamidthisoptimismareconcernsaboutthetensionsbetweenMillsapsCollegeandtheChurch.Issuessuchasevolutionanddesegregationdividedthetwoinstitutionsinthepast,andforyearstherehasbeenaper-ceptionofdiscord.

Wardcalledthisamisconception.“Hav-ingbeeninMississippiforsixmonths,Ihaveexperiencedverylittle,ifany,tension,andIexpressgreatprideinMillsaps,”shesaid.SomeopinionsexpressedatMillsapsmightbe“unsettlingforsomeofus,”but“thatisnotuniquetoMillsapsandrunsacrossthespectrumtoallofouruniversities,”shesaid.

Lucassaidthatinherfive-yearpresidencyshehadenjoyed“awonderfulrelationshipbetweentheCollegeandtheChurch,one

basedonmutualsupport,pride,andhand-holdingthroughfinancialdifficultiesintheearly2000s.

“ThetensionsthathavearisenhavenotbeenbetweentheChurchandtheCollege,butratheramongindividualswhohappentobeintheConference.Theydisagreewithsomeofourmethodologyorpointsofviewoncampus.”

Wardobservedthattherewasa1994hymnbyThomasTroegercalled“PraisetheSourceofFaithandLearning.”“Ilovethehymn,”shesaid,“becauseitcaptureswhoGodisintheworldandhowourconfidenceisinourGodandnotinwhatweknowatthispoint.Themorewecanencouragecoura-geousliving,thelesswewillfearsomethingthatmightbediscomforting.”

Meanwhile,thesetwoleadershavedevelopedagreatvisionforthegrowthoftherelationshipbetweentheCollegeandChurch—onethatispositiveandbeneficialforallthoseinvolved.“Ihavehadfiveyearstothinkaboutthis,”Lucassaid,“andIthinktherearewonderfulopportunitiesandpart-nershipsthatencouragemorestudentstothinkaboutministry—forinstance,theFaith&WorkInitiativeandtheCenterforMinistry.IbelievethatMillsapsCollegeisawonderfulbaseformanyinitiatives.Additionally,IthinkthatthechurchcanhelpusbyrecruitingmanymoreUnitedMethodiststudents.Myhopeisthatwecanmorefullypersuadelocalcongregationstosendusstudentsandschol-arshipstogowiththem.”

WarddiscussedtheconvergenceofMeth-odisteventsoncampus.“Justthismorning,wecamefromameetingregardingevents,

i n t h e s p o t l i g h t

OnCampusForTwoLeaders,OnePowerfulVision

“I think that women—

through their life experience—bring an openness, and I think that women

bring comfort because they have

experienced so much.”

Dr. Lucas and Bishop Ward before the 2005 baccalaureate service at Galloway UMC in Jackson.

Bishop Ward and President Lucas at Galloway discussing the roles of the Church and the College.

s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 3

GarvinearnedhermasterofdivinitydegreefromCandlerSchoolofTheologyatEmoryUniversity,completedayear’shospitalchaplaincyatBaptistHealthSystemsinJackson,andservedforfouryearsasdirectorofprogramsandeducationatCrossgatesUnitedMethodistChurchinBrandon.“Shegainedinvaluablecampusministryexperiencebyworkingwithtwoofournation’sfinestchaplains:DonFortenberryatMillsapsandSusanHenry-CroweatEmory,”saidFrancesLucas,presidentoftheCollege.

“Shebringstothepositionofchaplainadeepcommitmenttospiritualexplorationandworship,ecumenicalandinterfaithdialogue,andtheongoingtaskofconnectingMillsapstothewidercommunityinmodesofrespect,service,andmutualtransformation.”

“ThechaplainplaysacrucialroleinthelifeoftheCollege,ministeringtoadiversegroupofstudents,faculty,andstaffandhelpingusconnecttothewiderworldinmodesofcompassionandjustice,”saidDr.DarbyRay,directoroftheMillsapsFaith&WorkInitiativeandamemberoftheDepartmentofReligiousStudies.“IfeelconfidentthatLisahastheexperience,sensibilities,commitment,anddeepspiritualgroundingtofillthatrolewithgraceandcourage.”

Garvin’sappointmentistheculminationofacompetitivenationalsearchoverseenbyadiversecommitteeofstudents,faculty,staff,andalumni.

—Jesse Yancy

GarvinIsNamedCollegeChaplain

TheReverendElisabethAnne(Lisa)GarvinhasbeennamedchaplainofMillsapsCollege.GarvinhasbeenadeaconintheUnitedMethodistChurchandservedintheMississippi

Conferencewithresponsibilitiesforyouthcamps,highereducation,andcampusministry.SheisfillingtheopeningcreatedwiththeretirementthisyearofDr.DonFortenberry.

“LisaGarvinbringsintelligence,creativity,compassion,andvisiontothestrongprogramofreligiouslifeatMillsaps,”saidHopeWard,residentbishopoftheMississippiAreaoftheUnitedMethodistChurch.“Lisa’sleadershipwillgifttheentireMillsapscommunityinremarkablewaysintheyearstocome.”

Garvin,B.A.1993,isaHattiesburgnative.WhileastudentatMillsaps,shewasaEuropeanstudiesmajor,secondvicepresidentoftheStudentBodyAssociation,anathlete,anactivememberoftheCampusMinistryTeam,andpresidentofhersorority.

Professions of FaithThe Reverend Rebecca Youngblood, B.A. 1973, an elder in the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, became executive director of the Center for Ministry at Millsaps College in February. She succeeded the Reverend Andy Johnson, the center’s founding director. The Center for Ministry is a shared work of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church and Millsaps. Johnson is now the pastor of Asbury UMC in Petal. The Reverend Sherry Johnson, an ordained deacon in the Mississippi Conference, joined the staff in July as associate director, with responsibility for implementing the Pastoral Excellence Project funded by the Lilly Endowment. Johnson comes to the Center for Ministry from Bethlehem Center in Jackson, where she has served as executive director for nine years.

andIinquiredastowheretheywouldbe,”shesaid.“Andoverandoveragain,Millsapswasthelocationofchoice.TheCenterforMinistryisgettingevenmorecreativeinhelpingclergyandlayfolkstogrowintheirfaithandthatisallatMillsaps.Iamfindingoutthatthereisarealhungerformoreper-sonalgrowthandleadershipskillsamongourclergyandlaity.”

Bothwomenhavetakenoverhistori-callymaleroles.Lucas,cautioningthatshewasgoingtostereotype,saidshebelievedthat“womenaresocializedtobecollabora-tive—aslittlegirlswewouldplayingroupsandcollaborate,butlittleboysgetinteamsandcompete.So,fromourearlysocializa-tionon,wearemoreaccustomedtocreatingconversationsandpartnershipstonegotiatewithpeople.

“Thatistrulytheleadershipthatiscalledfortodaytosolveanyprobleminanycorpo-ration,college,orchurch.Wehavetolistenandcollaborateandnotcompete.”

Wardcalledtomindtheimageofbring-ingtolifewhatwantstobeborn.“Ithinkthatwomen—throughtheirlifeexperience—bringanopenness,andIthinkthatwomenbringcomfortbecausetheyhaveexperiencedsomuch,”shesaid.

Millsapsconjuresimagesofactivismduringthe1960s,desegregation,andpro-tests,andWardsaidshehopedthat“MillsapscontinuestobeMillsaps.Itwascreatedwithauniquemissionandauniqueheritage.AndsoIwouldloveforustobeveryconfidentinMillsaps.”

Wardsaidshehadbeendiscussingase-riesofseminarscalled“JourneytotheLight.”“Weweretouringgreathistoriclocationsofthecivilrightsmovement,”shesaid.“WestoppedatTougalooCollegeanditwasgreattohearofthepartnershipbetweenMillsapsandTougaloo.AsIsatthere,intheirwonder-fulchapel,IgavesilentthanksforMillsapsandthatheritage.”—John Sawyer

A political science major, John Sawyer, B.A. 2005, will enter the Jesuit Novitiate in August.


commentthattheFrenchhadnowriterslikeFaulknerandHemingwayinthe1920sand’30sandthattheyactivelysoughtAmericanfictionafterWorldWarII.

“EudoraWelty:LanguageandPolitics”wasMmePitavy’stopic.ShebelievesthatWelty’sstanceismoreAmericanthanSouthern,moreconcernedwiththeuniversalthantheanecdotal.Inparticular,shesawastrongallusiontothehorrorsofMcCarthyisminThe Ponder Heart.ShealsosawaraucousmockeryoffrontierevilsinThe Robber Bridegroom.

ThereceptionsafterbothlecturesincludedtheMillsapscommunity,otherlocalandnationalauthors,French-speakingAlliancemembers,andmanyfromthe

MorePerspectivesOnOurSouthernLiteraryHeritageTheMillsapsCollegecampusisfamiliarterritorytoaward-winningauthors.EudoraWeltytaughtatMillsapsandservedontheBoardofTrustees,andJamesWhiteheadandMillerWilliamswereontheMillsapsfaculty.TurnerCassity,JohnStone,JoeEddMorris,LewisNordan,andEllenGilchristwerestudentsattheCollege.AmongthedistinguishedSouthernwritersandcriticswhohavebeenvisitingprofessorsandspeakersatMillsapsareWalkerPercy,EllenDouglas,CleanthBrooks,ReynoldsPrice,ClydeEdgerton,SusanKetchin,LarryBrown,andBethHenley.

Thistraditionwascontinuedduringthespringsemester,whenMillsapsCollegewelcomedauthorsEdwardP.JonesandElizabethSpencertocampus,aswellastwoFrenchscholars,onespecializinginWilliamFaulknerandtheotherinWelty.Joneswasoncampustoreadaselectionfromhislatestnovel,The Known World,whichwonthePulitzerPrizeforfiction.AlthoughJonesisanativeandresidentofWashington,D.C.,heiswidelyconsideredbycriticstobeaSouthernwriter.Jones’spresenceoncampuswassovaluedthathewasmadethesubjectoftheinterviewportionofthecampusliterarymagazine,theStylus.

ElizabethSpencercametocampustoreadfromhercollectionofoldandnewshortstories,The Southern Woman.SpencerisanativeofCarrollton,Mississippi,andhasspentasignificantamountoftimeintheJacksonarea.Mostrecently,SpencerisenjoyingsuccessfromthemusicaladaptationofhernovellaThe Light in the Piazza.Theshow,whichhasbeenplayingatLincolnCenter,wonsixTonyAwardsinJune.

Duringtheirvisits,bothauthorsspenttimeindiscussionswithDr.SuzanneMarrs’sContemporarySouthernWritersclass.Thestudentsspenttheirsemesterreadingseveral20thcenturySouthernworks,includingThe Known WorldandThe Southern Woman.

Marrs,whosebookEudora Welty: A BiographywillbepublishedinAugust,saidshefeltthathavingtheauthorsinclasswasagreatlearningexperienceforherstudents.“Ittremendouslyincreasedourunderstandingoftheirwork,ofthewaysexperiencesparkedtheirimaginations,oftheworkinvolvedinwritingandrevising,oftheextenttowhichanauthorconsciouslycontrolshismaterial,”shesaid.

DanièlePitavy-SouquesandFrançoisPitavy,FrenchspecialistsonSouthernwriters,cametocampusinApril.TheAllianceFrançaiseofJackson,withMillsapssupport,madeJacksonpartoftheirnationallecturetour.ItwasMmePitavywhodeliveredtheaddresswhenWeltywashonoredwiththeFrenchLegionofHonorattheOldCapitolin1996.

M.andMmePitavy,wholiveinBurgundy,France,wrotetheirdoctoraldissertationsonFaulknerandWelty,respectively.MmePitavyknewEudoraWeltypersonallyandin1992organizedinDijonthefirstinternationalsymposiumonherwork.

M.Pitavy’stopicwas“TheMakingofaFrenchFaulkner.”HesaidFrenchtranslationshadderegionalizedFaulknerandmadehimauniversalclassicthere.M.Pitavy’sexplanationoftranslationpracticesprovokedlivelydiscussion,asdidhis

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François Pitavy and Danièle Pitavy-Souques of Burgundy, France, lecturing on Faulkner and Welty.

Pondering the Heart Of Welty’s Stories

Dr. Suzanne Marrs, professor of English, discussed several Eudora Welty short stories at a series of Writer’s Choice seminars in June at the William F. Winter Archives and History Building. Each session focused on a favorite story of one of Welty’s fellow writers. Marrs’s book Eudora Welty: A Biography will be published in August. Marrs has written “a book that debunks the myths and quotes enough of the writing to make you hunger for the novels and stories,” according to Dorothy Allison in a review for Publishers Weekly. “Marrs takes pains to refute the image of Eudora as a perfect ‘Southern Lady,’ a ‘nearly petrified woman holding to the mores of the Southern past’—myths strengthened and reinforced by Ann Waldron’s 1998 biography and the lengthy New Yorker article by Claudia Roth Pierpont. . . . Here we have the necessary counterpoint: not Eudora the pitiful old maid nor Eudora the homely, the victim of her domineering mother, but the real deal: Eudora the writer who loved fiercely but never married . . .” —John Webb

s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 5

NIH funding with total awards of $34.8million. Mississippi received one sixth thefunding its population would predicate.

“The group at Southern Miss wasawarded one of these fi rstgrants toestablish the genomics network,” McGuireexplained. “Through that, they were ableto involve a number of students and set upresearch centers across the state.We’re nowin the second phase of that, called the IdeaNetwork of Molecular Biology ResearchExcellence.”

“Millsaps College has created a nucleusof biomedical research-active teacher-scholars and students who are publishingand presenting the same quality ofundergraduate research that is producedat some of the nation’s top comprehensiveuniversities,” said Dr.Timothy Ward,interim associate dean of sciences atMillsaps College. “This grant establishesMillsaps College as a major player inbiomedical research within Mississippi,and a leader among undergraduate collegesnationally.”

The second phase of the molecularbiology project involves including anumber of smaller institutions andenhancing the research capabilities at thosesmaller institutions, while continuing tobuild this infrastructure within Mississippi.This will allow students and researchers towork together.

“An important mission of theMississippi Functional Genomics Networkis to provide students and their mentorswith the resources they need to besuccessful, including the highly technicaland expensive instrumentation that is now

Jackson area. “So many strong opinionsexpressed, even in different languages,made for two unforgettable evenings,”said Gail Buzhardt, a scholar in Frenchand director of the language lab. “Itwas an incredible three days. People likeEllen Douglas, Austin Wilson, and PeggyPrenshaw brought their perspectives tobear on the lectures, and it was moving tosee evidence of the strong friendship thathad existed between the Pitavys and MissWelty.”

—Clint Kimberling, with Gail Buzhardt

A Share in $17.5MFor Gene ResearchMillsaps College has been selected as oneof seven partner institutions in a $17.5million grant to the University of SouthernMississippi to continue funding theMississippi Functional Genomics Network.

Genomics is the study of genes andtheir function.To help train and retainbiomedical researchers in the state, thegenomics project has established fi veresearch facilities, providing the cutting-edge instruments needed for scientistsand students.The facilities also serve theproject’s regional partner institutions,which, besides Millsaps, are AlcornState University, Delta State University,Mississippi Valley State University,Mississippi College, Mississippi Universityfor Women, and Tougaloo College.

“The Mississippi Functional GenomicsNetwork was basically begun about fouryears ago, and it was the result of a three-year grant program through the NationalInstitutes of Health,” said Dr. Sarah LeaMcGuire of the Millsaps College biologydepartment. “The program was called theBioinformatics Research InfrastructureNetwork.The target group for thesegrants was states that were traditionallyunderfunded by the National Institutes ofHealth.”

In 2002, Mississippi ranked 42nd in


o n c a m p u s

an essential component of the modernbiomedical research enterprise,” said Dr.George Santangelo, genomics networkdirector and professor of biologicalsciences at Southern Miss.

“The concept of the MississippiFunctional Genomics Network is trulyvisionary,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong, chairof the biology department. “It createsa network of research laboratories andspecialized equipment that is available togenomics researchers throughout the state.Our students have the opportunity to worknot just with their own research supervisor,but also with others around the state.”

The grant has provided the Collegewith a new faculty member, Dr. BernadetteConnors, formerly of Gettysburg College,a specialist in yeast genetics who will bejoining the faculty in August.The grantis also providing signifi cantequipmentfunding, almost $200,000 in the fi rstyear,which will go toward updating the labs. Itis also providing funds for technicians aswell as student salaries.

McGuire explained that the groupinvolved in the molecular biology projectis researching yeast, the organism usedto make bread. “As it turns out, the cell-division processes are conserved fromyeast to man, which means that they’re thesame processes and very similar genes andproteins,” McGuire said. “What we studyin yeast can be transferred to what goeson in humans.The information obtainedfrom studying yeast has been transferredto higher organisms, including man, and ithas done a lot to help us understand howcancer cells go wrong so that we can designdrugs that knock them out.

“Because we understand the proteinsand processes involved, drug companiesare using that information to develop drugsthat target specifi cmolecules which affectcell growth.” — J. Y.

With guidance from Dr. Sarah Lea McGuire, as well as other faculty, students gain research experience.


ZineandHeard:DispatchesfromCentralAmericaMegHyneman,B.A.2005,wasnotthetypeofstudenttotakethebeatenpath.Foronething,Hynemandesignedherownmajor.Andfollowingher2003semesterabroadinCentralAmerica,Hynemannotonlyrecordedherexperiencesinajournalbutalsochosetoself-publishherwritingsinamediumcommonlyreferredtoasa“zine.”Hyneman’sTestimonies from Central Americaisacollectionofpersonalizedstoriesthatsheplacedintoabriefhistoricalandpoliticalcontext.

Zinesareundergroundpublications,usuallyphotocopiedanddistributedbythewriterwithouttheexpectationofaprofit.Hynemansaidsheenjoyedtheformatofazine,whichisatoncepersonalandpolitical.Sheexplainedthatzinesare“easy

toputtogether,self-publish,anddistributetoawidegroupofpeople.”

DuringhertimeinGuatemala,ElSalvador,andNicaragua,HynemanrealizedthatshewantedtoraiseawarenessandfostercompassionforthecitizensoftheseCentralAmericancountries.Hyneman’smainmotivationforpublishingherzinewasaself-described“overwhelmingneed”tosharethestoriessheheard.“Itookdetailednotesoneverybody’stestimoniesbecausetheyseemedsoimportant,butIdidn’trealizeuntilneartheendofthesemesterthatazinewouldbethebestwaytosharethesestories,”shesaid.

DuringhersemesterinCentralAmerica,HynemanwasenrolledintheSustainableDevelopmentandSocialChangeprogramofferedthroughAugsburgCollege’sCenterforGlobalEducation.Hynemandescribesthecurriculumasexperientiallearning,meaningthateducators“wantedustolearnfromourexperienceswiththecountriesandthepeopleinthem,notsimplyfromoneteacherinaclassroom.”

Hynemanembracedthespiritoftheprogrambyinterviewingcoffeeworkers,massacresurvivors,revolutionaries,ex-guerrillafighters,andpoliticalleaders.ThisassortmentoftestimoniesandinterviewsgivesHyneman’szineagenuineappealtoreadersandcommunicatestheimportanceofherjourney.

Hynemandidn’twriteherzineexclusivelyforMillsapsstudents.Rather,shesaid,herintendedreadershipwas“mostlypeoplewhowerealreadyinterestedinsomekindof‘socialjustice’issuesbutdidn’treallyknowmuchaboutCentralAmerica.”

Sinceherzinehasbeencompleted,Hynemanhasdistributedabout100copiestoMillsapsstudentsinadditiontothe200copiesdistributedintheJacksoncommunity.

ForacopyofTestimonies from Central America,[email protected].—C. K.


o n c a m p u s

The Scoop on Casey While most Millsaps seniors were spending their last months in college celebrating and job hunting, Casey Parks had already found her nine to five. Parks, a 2005 graduate and winner of the Frank and Rachel Anne Laney Award, has spent the last year as assistant editor of the Jackson Free Press.

Her job is a laundry list of responsibilities. She assigns many of the stories and coordinates photographs or art to go with them. And, as a type of mentor, Parks workshops stories with new writers and coordinates projects and other learning experiences for the interns. On press night, Parks stays late to help with final edits after writing articles and helping with layout.

The English major also had classes, homework, an honors project, and was editor of the Purple & White. Her typical day lasted from about 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., excluding homework or days before either of her two papers went to print. On those nights (typically Mondays and Tuesdays), Parks left the office around 1:30 a.m. These would seem like impossible time demands for any other student, but she thrived on her hectic schedule. “I find that the busier I am, the more I get done,” she said. “But I had to be extremely scheduled to fit it all in.”

Parks plans to continue working at the Free Press until October, when she is scheduled to move to France to teach English. “I’d like to get involved with a student paper over there—it’s kind of hard to just let it go cold turkey,” she said.

Eventually, Parks would like to pursue a master’s degree in journalism, but she has changed her mind regarding the type of journalism she would like to pursue. “I like the idea of the Free Press,” she said. “It is a social justice paper but still retains its journalistic integrity. I used to want to do daily newspapers, but I’ve learned so much here.”

Parks goes on to cite Millsaps and Dr. Paula Garrett as influential in honing and refining her journalistic skills. Garrett’s journalism class was particularly helpful in teaching her what types of stories are appropriate, as well as how to edit efficiently. Garrett was also Parks’s adviser for her honors project on feature journalism and encouraged her to look at different types of articles and alternative papers. Parks’s four years of experience on the Purple & White, particularly her two years as managing editor and this year as editor in chief, have taught her how to successfully manage a paper. “Both experiences, the Jackson Free Press and attending Millsaps, have really prepared me for a future in journalism,” she said. —Becca Day

s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 7

anddiscussionswereestablishedprimarilybygrassrootsorganizations,”hesaid.“Ibelievethattheseworkshopswereveryhelpfulbecausetheyprovidedgroundsuponwhichpeoplecouldpeacefullygathertodiscusssomeofthelargeissuesthatplaguetheindividual,political,andgovernmentalsystemsoftheworld.”

TheministriesgroupincludedchurchyouthfromtheUnitedStates,Cambodia,Indonesia,Angola,Mozambique,PuertoRico,Mexico,Bolivia,Paraguay,andChile,anda20-memberyouthdelegationfromtheMethodistChurchinBrazil.

“ItwasthroughspendingtimewithmembersfromtheBrazilian,world,and

U.S.MethodistdelegationsatthiseventthatIwasabletogainagreaterinsightaboutwhatitmeanstobeanactivepartofagenuineglobalchurch,”saidJohnson.“Forafewmomentsintime,IwasprivilegedtoviewasnapshotofwhatGodiscallingpeopletodo.”

Johnsonsaidtheexperiencehadtransformed

hisperspectiveontheworld.“Itiseasytoremaininthecomfortsofmysurroundingsandreflectuponthepeopleandeventsoftheworld,buttostandface-to-facewithsomeonewhohasexperiencesthataresomewhatdifferentfrommyownisanotherthingentirely.” —J. W.

FindingMeaning,PurposeinBrazilJuniorTheonJohnsonIIIofSharon,Mississippi,traveledtoBrazilinJanuarytomeetwithagroupof60youngadultstoexploretheircommonreligiousheritageandapplyittosocialissuesinthelargerworld.Inaddition,hetookpartinananti-globalizationrallythatdrewmorethan230,000youngpeoplefromallovertheworld.

OntheagendainPortoAlegrewasatwo-daymissionseminaronWesleyanidentity,sponsoredbytheUnitedMethodistBoardofGlobalMinistries;aone-dayecumenicalyouthdayorganizedbytheCouncilofChurchesinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean,theWorldStudentChristianFederation,andtheWorldCouncilofChurches;andasix-dayintercontinentalyouthcamprelatedtothe2005WorldSocialForum,agrassrootsorganizationseekingcreativealternativestoglobaleconomicsdrivenbytheInternationalMonetaryFundandtheWorldBank.

“Eventhoughwehaveexperiencedtimesofwar,disease,andpovertythroughouthistory,thevoicesof230,000-plusindividualsstoodaslivingwitnessesthatprogresscanbemade,”Johnsonsaid.“Atleastforasmallamountoftime,peoplewerewillingtoputasidetheirdifferencesinsearchforcommonality.Peoplewerewillingtorenouncehatredinfavorofunconditionallove.Peoplewerewillingtorepudiatewarinfavorofacknowledgingthepowerthatliesinpeace.”

Johnson,whoismajoringinphilosophyandreligiousstudies,saidthatissuesrangingfromeconomicstohumanrightsandreligiontoindustrydominatedtheSocialForumcamp.“Theselectures


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Theon Johnson of Millsaps and Kim Wutherich of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church at the 2005 World Social Forum in Brazil.

A Millsaps Tree Grows In New ZealandMillsaps College’s spirit of environmental and cultural activism reached a new quarter of the globe this past fall when Lauren Theobald, B.S. 2004, along with classmates Kate Bruce, B.A. 2004, and Megan Parks, B.A. 2004, went gadding about Down Under.

To show her appreciation to Millsaps College, especially the biology department, for helping her understand “what a good education really is” and how to push herself “by continually inviting new challenges,” Theobald had a kauri tree (Agathis australis) planted in one of the regenerating forests on the Coromandel Peninsula of the North Island of New Zealand.

The kauri tree is second in height only to giant sequoias, but the kauri contains more timber. Theobald said that efforts to restore their numbers are important to natives of the country due to the tree’s cultural and economic significance. The newly planted tree is marked with a silver tag that reads “Millsaps College MS, USA.”

“I hope that someday another graduate of Millsaps will have the chance to travel to New Zealand and track down the tree to view the progress it has made,” Theobald said. —J. Y.


TakingtheTrailLessTraveledTheAppalachianTrailrunsfromMainetoGeorgia,some2,160milesthrough14states,attractingcampersandhikersfromallovertheworld.Thisspring,agroupofhikersfromMillsapstookajauntalongashortsectionofthetrail,whilelastsummerandfalloneintrepidalumnusundertooktobecomea“2,000-miler,”anachievementduplicatedbyonlyabout3,000peopleinthelastcentury.

ThegrouptripwasorganizedbysophomoreBahenPrivettthroughtheMillsapsCollegeOutdoorAdventureClub.TheOutdoorAdventureClubisagroupofstudentswhoplanoutingsaroundthecountry,providingmemberswithalimitedamountofequipmentandsuppliesforthejourney.

Privett,alongwithjuniorDrewHarmon,freshmanWillBenton,freshmanClayKirkpatrick,juniorAndrewHarris,andBenRoss,B.S.2005,hiked45milesbetweenErwin,Tennessee,andElkPark,NorthCarolina,duringspringbreak.

Theareaisknownasoneofthemostbeautifulsectionsofthetrail.“Wewentoverseveralbaldmountainsthathadabsolutelybreathtakingviews,”Privettsaid.“Wetraveledwitheverythingweneededonourbacks.Wecookedouteverynightandpurifiedourdrinkingwateroutofstreamswewouldpass.Theweathercouldn’thavebeenbetter.Highswereinthe50severydayandweneversawadropofrain.Ittookusfivedaystocoverthe45miles.”

“Ienjoyedthewholewintercampingexperience,”Rosssaid.“Downhere,wedon’tgetalotofwinterweather,sotheicehikingwasprettyintense.”

Robert(Burt)Thuston,B.B.A.2004,tookonthefarmoreambitiousendeavorofhikingtheentiretrailfrom

MainetoGeorgia,inonecontinuoussoutherlyjourney.“Southbounders”representabout10percentoftotalreported2,000-milers,andontheaverageonly19percentofthosewhoundertakethejourneycompleteit.

“Overthecourseof150days,Icameacrosssomeofthemostgenerouspeopleimagined,andIalsocameacrosspeopleIdidnotcaretoomuchfor,”Thustonwroteinhisjournal.“OnthetrailIexperiencedmybestnights’sleepever,andalsomyworstnights’sleepever—itwasabsolutelymiserable,cold,andwet.

“Butregardless,Igotupthenextmorningandpressedonbecausethat’swhatIdid:Ihiked,”Thustonsaid.“ThereweretimesonthetrailwhenIactuallythoughtitwouldbeniceifIweretoconvenientlyrollmyanklesoIcouldhaveanexcusetogohome,buttherewerealsotimeswhenIwouldwalkdownthetrailexaltedbythefactthatIwasdoingitandhadnoworriesotherthansurvival,noobligationstoanswerphonecalls,dohomework,orpaybills.AtthesetimesIwasthrilledatthesimplicityofmylifeandjoyfulaboutthemeaningfulpeopleandexperiencesIhadcomeacross.

“Thesecondmostrewardingpartofthetrailwaspersonalaccomplishmentonadailybasis.EachdayIwouldgetstrongerandstronger,andpushmyselfharderandharder.IpushedmyselftophysicallimitsIneverthoughtIcouldreach.

“Andthird,Iwasabletosaytomyself,‘Isetouttodoit,andIdidit.’It’srewardingtotakeonanendeavorthatlargeandfinishit.”— J. Y.

MillsapsinIraq:OneSoldier’sStoryOnthemorningofSeptember11,2001,juniorWayneWestreportedtotheMilitaryEntranceProcessingStationinJacksontosignhissix-yearcommitmenttotheMississippiNationalGuard.“IwasdrivingfromMonroewhenourcountrywasattacked,”Westrecalled.“BythetimeIarrived,theentiremilitarycomplexwasonhighalert.Therecruiterwouldn’tevensignmeup.Infact,hehadalreadycalledmymothertosayhewassendingmehometoletthingssettledownandtogiveustimetodecidewhethertoproceedwiththeenlistment.IturnedaroundanddrovebacktoMonroe.

“Acoupleofweekslater,IwasonaplanetoFortLeonardWood,Missouri,forbasictrainingduringwhatwouldhavebeenmyfirstsemesteratMillsaps.”

WestreturnedtoJacksonintimetospendtheholidayswithhisfamily,justbeforehefinallystartedclassesasabusinessmajorinthespringof2002.Asaweekendwarrior,hetraveledeithertoCarthageorHattiesburgonceamonthtotrainwithAlphaCompanyofthe150thCombatEngineers.Duringhislastsemesterbeforedeployment,Westworkedwithlocalrecruitingofficials,visitingareahighschoolstopromotethebenefitsofservingwiththeMississippiArmyNationalGuard.

“OncetheUnitedStatesstartedsendingtroopstoIraq,ourunitknewitwasprettymuchjustamatteroftimebeforewewouldbecalledup,”hesaid.“Thatcallcameearlylastsummer.WereportedtoCampShelbyonAugust29foradditionaltrainingbeforeweweresenttoFortIrwin,California,foradvanceddeserttraining.Fortunately,wehadafewdayswithourfamiliesduringtheholidaysbeforewedeployedtoIraqonJanuary12.

“Beforewearrivedinthecountry,Ireallydidn’thaveanopiniononewayoranotheraboutthewar.IwasgoingwhetherIlikeditornot,sotherewasnouseincomplainingorformingnegativeopinions


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Andrew Harris, left, and Will Benton on Jane Bald in the Roan Highlands of North Carolina, part of the Appalachian Trail.

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thatwouldonlymaketheyear-longdeploymentfeellikeadecade.”

Thefirsttwoweeks,however,provedtobearudeawakeningforthetroopsfromMississippi.Twosoldiersfromthe155thBrigadeCombatTeamwerekilledinaction.

“ThefirstmemorialserviceheldonbasewasalmostmorethanIcouldbear,”Westsaid.“Lookingatthesoldier’shelmethungoverhisweapon,proppedupinhisshoes,toremeup.Listeningtothechaplainandthecommandertalkaboutwhatagoodfatherandbravesoldierhehadbeenmademethink,‘Whatifthatwereme?’”

AfterfourmonthsinIraq,SergeantWestsayshehasnewperspectives.“I’veactuallyseenfirsthandwhatwearedoingforthesepeople.AlthoughIdon’tgetasmuchtimearoundthelocalsasothersdo,eachtimeI’vetraveledoutsidethewire,weusuallysee10peoplesmilingandwavingforeverymean-lookingface.”

SoldiersfromMississippihavebeenbusy.“Weareconstantlyfindingterroristsanddetainingthem,catchingmortarmenandpeoplesettingoutimprovisedexplosivedevicesorroadsidebombs,”hesaid.“Wearefindingweaponscachesandanti-aircraftlaunchers.Inshort,wearemakingthisplacealotsafer.Thepeoplehereknowit,andtheyappreciateit.”

WestsayslivingconditionsforAlphaCompanyaresparseatbest.

“WeliveintheghettoofBaghdad,about30milessouthwestofthecity,”he

Sergeant Wayne West, right, and a friend at Camp Shelby.

BroomsaidshehadfoundherWashingtonSemestertobeenlighteningandchallengingonbothanacademicandapersonallevel.“Youlearnalotaboutyourselfwhenyouremoveyourselffromacomfortzoneandmoveintoatotallydifferentatmospherewithwhichyouhaveverylittlefamiliarity,”shesaid.

StudentsparticipatingintheWashingtonSemesterapplyforinternshipsatthoseplacesthatpiquetheirinterest.TheinternshipsareasvariedasthecurriculumandincludepositionsattheWhiteHouse,theU.S.SenateandHouseofRepresentativesoffices,theWashington,D.C.,PoliceDepartment,RepublicanandDemocraticNationalCommittees,andvariousspecial-interestgroups.

Bucknerchosetocompletehisinternshipinbroadcastjournalism.Twodaysoftheweek,BucknerworkedasaninternatCoxBroadcasting,aWashingtonbureaufor12affiliatestationsaroundthecountry.“ThissemesterhasbeenanincrediblelearningtoolandnotonlyputsmeonestepaheadinallofmypoliticalscienceclassesatMillsaps,butithasalsobeenveryvaluableinthesensethatithasgivenmeexperienceworkinginarealjobsetting,”Bucknersaid.

SimpsonspenthertimeintheofficeofU.S.SenatorBlancheLincoln,DemocratofArkansas.“NotonlyamIlearningwhatgoesonbehindthescenesoftheSenate,butIamalsolearninghowtocommunicatewithconstituents,howagoodofficeisrun,andhowtogetissuesontheagenda,”shesaid.“TheworkthatIhavedonehereispricelessandwillhopefullyhelpmeinthefuturewhenIenterthepoliticalsphere.”

BroominternedattheofficeofSenatorTrentLott,RepublicanofMississippi.BroomseesherWashingtonSemesterasanopportunityforprofessionaladvancement.“IfeellikeI’veputmyselfwayaheadofthegamebymakingconnectionsthatwillhelpmegetwhereI’mtryingtogoaftergraduation,”Broomsaid.—C.K.

said.“Notahappyplacebycomparison,butwehavemadeithome.Wehavecometoaplacewithminimumassetssuchashortageofwater,whichmeansnoshowersattimes,onlytwomealsaday,Iraqisummerandwinter,dustfordays,nogym,nophones,andaverysmallInternetcafé.Despiteallthis—withthecamaraderieofthesoldiers,thesupportfromhome,andjustsheerdetermination—wehavemadethesurroundingcommunitysafer.Wehavealsomadeitknownthatweareheretohelpandthatwearepeaceful,butpowerful.”

FormoreonWest’sactivities,includingcontactinformation,gotowww.waynesworld2005.blogspot.com.

—Rebecca McCormick,an independent feature writer

based in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is also Wayne West’s mother.

FromtheBowlTotheNationalMallRatherthanfocusingonregularclasslectures,sophomoresAmandaSimpson,KeelieBroom,andBenBucknerattendedspeechesgivenbysuchpowerfulfiguresasCBSNewsjournalistBobSchiefferandpublisherSteveForbes.InsteadofwalkingbetweenSullivanHarrellandtheAcademicComplex,thesestudentsspenttheirtimecommutingbetweenclassesonCapitolHillandattheWhiteHouse,aswellastheSupremeCourtandtheSmithsonianInstitution.

ThethreewereparticipatingintheWashingtonSemesterProgram,offeredthroughAmericanUniversity.Itallowsstudentstoapplytheprinciplestheyhavelearnedintextbookstotherealworldwhilegainingcreditforafullsemester.Eachsemesterapproximately400studentsrepresentingmorethan150collegesanduniversitiesaroundthenationparticipateinoneof12programsthatrangefromAmericanpoliticstojournalismtolawenforcement.


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MarksFamilyEndowsHaughtonScholarshipIn1942,HelenMurphyandhertwinsister,Evelyn,didn’tthinkacollegeeducationwasintheirfuture.Theirfather,whohadagrocerystoreatRawlsSprings,justnorthofHattiesburg,couldn’taffordthetuition.Itwasassumedthattheywouldstayathomeandwork.

Intheirteenageyears,theMurphysistersmovedwiththeirfamilytothecityofHattiesburg.Helenrecallstheoneperson

whochangedthecourseofherlife.TheReverendL.D.HaughtonwastheministeratCourtStreetMethodistChurch,andhebaptizedthesisterswhentheywere14yearsold.

“Weweregreatlyinfluencedbyhissermonsandhisgenuineinterestinus,”shesaid.“Hewasakind,gentle,sensitivemanwhopreachedthewordofGodandsoughtoutwaystoliveasChristwouldwantustolive.”

HaughtondidnotattendMillsaps,butheknewtheMurphysistershadgraduatednearthetopoftheirhighschoolclassandthattheywouldsucceedthere.SoheencouragedthemtopursueaMillsapseducation.

“Heurgedustosaveourmoneyandgoontocollege,”Helensaid.Fewscholarshipswereavailableintheearly1940s,butaftereightmonthsofworktheyhadenoughmoney,with$100fromtheMethodistWomenatCourtStreetanda$100scholarshipfromMillsaps,toenroll.

AftertheyarrivedatMillsaps,thesistersfoundthattheyhadjobsintheNavycafeteria,whichwassetupfortheNavyV-12programheldattheCollegefrom1943to1945.“I’msureReverendHaughtonhadbeenintouchwithPresidentMarionSmithorsomeonetolineupthosejobs,”Helensaid.TheyworkedinthecafeteriaaslongastheNavyprogramlasted,andthenHelenfoundworkwiththetelephonecompanydowntownandpaidMillsapseverymonth.“Wewentthroughcollegeonfaithandhardwork,”shesaid.

TheMurphysisters(HelenMurphyMarksandEvelynMurphyMcIntyre)taughtelementaryschoolforacombinationof63years.ButfortheinfluenceofaMethodistministerwhoencouragedthemtorealizetheirpotential,hundredsofchildrenwouldhavemissedtheircaringinfluence.

TheReverendWarrenPittmanwroteofHaughton,inthe1979ConferenceJournal:“Thoughhisearthlylifeisover,hisministrycontinuesthroughthelivesofthosewhomhetouchedandtheChurchthatwasstrengthenedthroughhisdedicatedservice.”

AndHaughtonwillcontinuetoberememberedatMillsaps.InJuly2003,Helen,B.A.1947,andherhusband,SuttonMarks,B.S.1948,createdTheReverendL.D.HaughtonEndowedMemorialScholarshipFund.Preferenceforthescholarshipwillbegiventoastudentwhoisinabsoluteneedoffinancialaidinordertoobtainacollegeeducation.

“ReverendHaughtonwasacrucialturningpointinmylife,”Helensaid.“IneverceasetothankGodforhisinterestinmysisterandme.Withthisscholarshipmoney,theCollegewillbeabletogivesomestudentsthechancethatwasgiventous.WearebothveryappreciativeofoureducationatMillsaps.”—Kay Barksdale

LeeScholarshipGoesTo2003Alumna JenniferSmithofJacksonhasbeenawardedtheAllisonCogginLeeScholarshipforthe2005–06academicyear.

SmithisagraduateofSt.Andrew’sEpiscopalSchoolandreceivedherbachelorofbusinessadministrationfromMillsapsCollegein2003.Asanundergraduatestudent,SmithwasaPresident’sScholarandwasinductedintoBetaGammaSigma,thebusinesshonorarysociety.SmithiscurrentlyemployedbyNejamPropertiesinJackson,wheresheisaleasingmanager.

Pepper RallyJennifer Paradise, B.S. 2005, left, and Meghan Pigott, B.A. 2005, represented the E.A.R.T.H. team with the only vegetarian entry in the Chili Bowl in March. Featuring record attendance and the most teams entered in the event’s five-year history, the fund-raiser was sponsored by the Mississippi Delta chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. The cook-off, benefiting the Lifeshare Foundation, raised about $6,000 for Jackson’s less fortunate families. “We are investing our time and energy in this project because we believe in it,” said co-chair Matt Marston, B.A. 2005. “We are having a good time, and we are inviting everyone to share in the

excitement.” —B. D.


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Jennifer Smith, with Dr. Bill Brister, left, graduate admissions director, and James Coggin, the father of Allison Coggin Lee.

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professioneveryoneshouldconsider,butinthecontextthatweallareaffectedbypoliticaldecisionsthatsomeonemakeseveryday,anditmeansweshouldtakepartintheprocess.”

HonorarydegreesalsowenttoKathrynLoebWienerandHowardMcMillanJr.WienerreceivedthedoctorofpublicservicedegreeforherworkonbehalfofsuchculturalinstitutionsastheMississippiMuseumofArt,MississippiansforPublicBroadcasting,andtheMuseumoftheSouthernJewishExperience.

TheElseSchoolofManagement’sexecutiveinresidence,HowardMcMillanJr.,whohasservedasthepresidentofDepositGuarantyNationalBankandadirectoroftheFederalReserveBankinAtlanta,washonoredwithadoctoroflawsdegree.

TheFounders’Medal,whichisawardedtothegraduatingseniorwiththehighestgradepointaveragefortheentireCollegecourseofstudyandhasreceivedagradeof“Excellent”onthecomprehensive

introductoryremarks.“Forthepastfivedecadeshehashadanunparalleledinfluenceonseriousmusicandthinkingaboutmusic.”

WhileBabbitt’simpactisfeltinmusic,itisinpoliticsthatSenatorThadCochran,keynotespeaker,wieldshisownconsiderableauthority.ThesonofaprincipalandteacherintheschoolsofPontotoc,Mississippi,andanaccomplishedscholarwhohasworkedtirelesslyonbehalfofeducation,theMississippiRepublicanreceivedthehonorarydegreeofdoctoroflaws.

Cochran,nowchairmanofthepowerfulSenateAppropriationsCommittee,challengedtheClassof2005tostayinvolvedinthepoliticalprocess.“Iheardonceofarecentcollegegraduatewhowascontemplatingwhattodowithhisorherlifeaftercollegeandafriendsuggestedpoliticsasanoption,”hesaid.“Theresponsewas,‘Iamcertainlynotgoingtohaveanythingtodowithpolitics.’Whereuponanotherfriendwhowaslisteninginontheconversationsaid,‘Well,politicsiscertainlygoingtohavealottodowithyou.’

“Thatissomethingtothinkabout,maybenotinthesensethatitshouldbea


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SheisbeginningtheM.B.A.programthissummer.

The$10,000scholarshipisthelargestawardedtoaMillsapsM.B.A.student.ItwasestablishedinmemoryofAllisonCogginLee,anElseSchoolgraduate.Therecipientmustexemplifyexceptionalaptitudeforgraduatebusinessstudy,exhibitinvolvementinCollegeandcommunityactivities,anddemonstratebusinessprofessionalismandhighlydevelopedcommunicationabilities.

Babbitt,CochranHeadline2005CommencementItwasaroadtripfromPrincetonUniversitythatbroughtMiltonBabbitt,oneofthemostreveredandinfluentialfiguresin20thcenturymusic,backtohischildhoodhomeofJacksontoreceiveanhonorarydoctorofartsdegreeattheCommencementceremonyinMay.“Babbitt’smusicisdiscussedinvirtuallyeverymusichistorytextbookinusetoday,”saidDr.FrancesLucas,presidentoftheCollege,inher

From left, honorees Thad Cochran, Milton Babbitt, Howard McMillan Jr., and Katherine Wiener at Commencement.

Student Body Association President Paige Henderson leading the Class of 2005 into the Bowl at Commencement.


“Sheisnotaflashyleader,butI’llbetshewilllivealifeofdignity,vision,purpose,andcompassion.”

Dr.EliseLawtonSmith,professorofarthistory,wastherecipientofthe2005MillsapsCollegeDistinguishedProfessorAward,whichrecognizes

facultymemberswhoinspirestudentsandwhosewriting,research,andartisticaccomplishmentsareofthehighestquality.Theawardcarriesacashprizeof$5,000.Dr.DavidDavis,associatedeanofArtsandLetters,saidthatSmith’s“lifeasateacher,scholar,mentor,andfriendremindusallofwhatitmeanstobeanactiveandpositiveforceinsociety.”

ThebaccalaureatespeakerwastheReverendHopeWard,bishopoftheMississippiAreaoftheUnitedMethodistChurchandvice-chairoftheMillsapsBoardofTrustees.(Seestory,page2.)— J. W.

examinations,wenttoRyanDay.DayplannedtomovetoSt.LouistobecomearesearchtechnicianatWashingtonUniversitySchoolofMedicineandtoapplytoM.D./Ph.D.programsoverthecourseoftheyear.

TheFrankandRachelAnneLaneyAward,whichrecognizesthegraduatingseniorwhohaswrittenthefinestessayreflectingonthevalueofaMillsapsliberalartseducation—requiredreadingforincomingfreshmen—wenttoCaseyParks,whonotonlyservedaseditorinchiefofthePurple & Whitebutalsoisassistanteditoroftheaward-winningalternativeweeklytheJackson Free Press.(Seerelatedstory,page6.)TheawardwasestablishedinhonorofFrankandRachelAnneLaneyasatributetotheircommitmenttoexcellenceinhighereducation.Parks’swinningpaperwasentitled“YourSilenceWillNotProtectYou,”andsheisapassionateadvocateoffreespeech.InOctober,shewillbegoingtoNantes,France,toteachEnglishtomiddleschoolclasses.

TheDonFortenberryAward,whichrecognizestheseniorconsideredtohaveperformedthemostnotable,meritorious,diligent,anddevotedservicetotheCollegewithnoexpectationofrecognition,wasbestoweduponPaigeHenderson.Hendersonclaimedthesenioryeartrifectaofstudentbodypresident,HomecomingQueen,andMostDistinguishedWoman,andsheservedasCampusMinistryTeamco-chair,chairoftheSeniorYearExperience,andTeamCaptainforUp’TilDawn.TheawardisnamedforDonFortenberry,theretiringchaplain.“MysenseisthatPaigeisaquietandsteadycontributortothecommongood,justlikeDonFortenberry,”saidDr.DarbyRay,directoroftheFaith&WorkInitiative.


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Beta Gamma Sigma

The Beta Gamma Sigma business honorary society at Millsaps College inducted 13 students into the chapter in April. Pictured are, back (from left), Dr. Bill Brister, president, Beta Gamma Sigma; Scott Ehrgott, 2004 M.B.A. member; Dr. Kevin Pauli, secretary, Beta Gamma Sigma; center, James A. Coggin, president and chief administrative officer, Saks Incorporated; Rob McKnight, 2005 M.B.A. inductee; Rich Knox, 2005 M.B.A. inductee; Dr. Ken Harmon, dean of the Else School of Management; front, Jennifer Smith, 2002 member; Kelly Miller, 2004 member; Lane Williamson, 2005 inductee; Megan Holcomb, 2005 inductee; Amberley Etheridge, 2005 inductee, and Anjali Pahwa, 2005 inductee. Not pictured are inductees David Metxner, Brent Guitreau, Chunfang Zhu, Jason Eastlack, Dana Van Deman, Vimala Gutti, and Terry Glenn Tullos.

Phi Beta Kappa

This year’s Phi Beta Kappa inductees are standing (from left), Daniel Monroe Taylor, Doc McAlister Billingsley, Robert John Sawyer II, Matthew Hunter Marston, Trevor Clanton Theilen, Ryan Brent Day, James Benjamin Brock; seated, Kelly Ann Maddox, Natacha Marie Touchette, Arlene Rose Chiemprabha, Jennifer Dee Baynham, Adryon Mai-Lee Wong, Carly Neda Dessauer, Jamie Lynn Holcomb, Michelle Cormier, Sarah Esma Gardner-Cox, Nora Thoa Oliver, Lindsey Anne Topp, Tina Huettenrauch, Christina Leigh Giurintano, Angela Denise Ward, Stacey Elizabeth Douglas, and Alexa Rae Golliher. Not pictured are Margaret Ferrell Hyneman, Angela Bordelon Pell.

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narrative—thesamemusicactuallyplayedandsungbythosewomeninmates.Stevensprovidedallthemusic,playingthepiano,eventakingupthedrumswhenhercharacterwasforcedtoexpandherrepertoireorfaceextermination.Stevens’svoicewasequallyaspowerfulaninstrument,lendingnuancetohercharacterandrangingfromasoaringoperaticariatoraggedlywhispered,hushedtonesashercharacterreachedthebrinkofdeath.

ThoughStevens’sbackgroundisprimarilymusical,heractingistrulytobecommended.WithanimpeccableFrenchaccent,flawlessmannerisms,andincredibleintensity,Stevens’sportrayalofasurvivorhauntedbyherownmemorieswasbelievableandmesmerizing.Eachmomentwasthoughtfullyrendered.Movingdeftlyfromdefensivetopleading,beingonthevergeofbreakdowntogatheringaquietinnerstrength,theemotionsregisteredinStevens’scharacterwereclearinherface,herposture,andhervoice.

Stevens,herselfadaughterofHolocaustsurvivors,gaveasensationalperformance.Thoughthestarktruthsabout

suchtragedyaredifficulttoencounter,amessageofhopeinthefaceofterrorandsurvivalagainstalloddsshonethroughthepiece.An Evening with Madame FwilllonglingerinthemindsofallwhosatintheauditoriumandwitnessedDr.ClaudiaStevens’sopus.

—Beth Kander, an actor, playwright, and theatre critic.

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OnCampus

SingingtoSurviveAmidtheHolocaustMillsapsstudentsandtheJacksoncommunitycametogetherinFebruaryforAn Evening with Madame F,awrenchingone-womanshowaboutthechoice-lesschoicesfacedbyvictimsoftheHolocaust.TheproductionwassponsoredbytheMillsapsFaith&WorkInitiative,theMillsapsJewishCultureOrganization,theChaplain’sOffice,andtheMillsapsArts&LectureSeries,aswellasBethIsraelCongregationandtheGoldring/WoldenbergInstituteofSouthernJewishLife.

CreatedandperformedbyDr.ClaudiaStevens,thepiecewasoriginallycommissionedbytheRichmond,Virginia,JewishFederation.An Evening with Madame Fhasbeenperformedinmorethan100communities,featuredonradiobroadcasts,andproducedfortelevisionbyPBS.Thepiece,atonceprovocative,insightful,andheartbreaking,rivetedtheaudienceatMillsapsjustasithasrivetedthenation.

An Evening with Madame FtellsthestoryofanelderlyHolocaustsurvivor,

agiftedmusicianwhosurvivedtheatrocitiesoftheconcentrationcampbybeingselectedtoperformina“concentrationcampmusicensemble”forNaziofficers.Theissueofprovidingmusicfortheirbrutaloppressorsastheirfriendsandfamilyweremurdered,ratherthangoingtotheir

owndeaths,isthedrivingmoraldilemmaofthepiece:Was“prostitutingtheirart”acrime,ordidtheseartistssimplydowhattheyneededtodotosurvive?Noeasyanswerswereprovided,forcingtheaudiencetowrestlewiththehorrorsofthatreality.

Therewaslittlebackgroundorcontextprovidedwithintheperformance.ThepiececlearlyassumedsomeknowledgeabouttheHolocaustonthepartoftheaudience.However,evenobserverswithoutpriorknowledgeoftheNazihorrorswouldbetouchedbythepainandpowerofthenarrative.

Musicwaswoventhroughthe

Cocooning

Nicole Marie Walter, B.A. 2005, of San Diego beneath one of her sculptures for her senior art exhibit. Tentatively entitled Cocoon, the sculpture is made of newspapers and other discarded materials to reflect the artist’s interest in recycling. She also said she wanted to make sculptural forms reminiscent of cocoons, pods, nests, and other natural forms. —J. Y.

Dr. Claudia Stevens depicting moral dilemmas of the Holocaust in An Evening with Madame F.

REVIEW


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“It was a pleasure working with Ben on the Op. 109 Sonata,” Heard said. “Because of their musical depth, the last three of Beethoven’s sonatas are not usually studied until graduate school or later. But when a student like Ben comes along who has such a special affinity for Beethoven’s works, it makes it very difficult to say no.”

The recital program, by all accounts, presented a formidable challenge. “Playing the Beethoven sonata was a great accomplishment for me because I spent a year working on it, and it’s the most rigorous piece I’ve played so far,” Tomlinson said.

“The Beethoven sonata is rarely performed,” Sweat said. “Not only is it technically demanding, but it was written in the last part of his life and is considered almost transcendental. Ben’s musical understanding is such that he sounds as if he has really lived.”

“Not yet,” Tomlinson said, grinning. —J.W.

Piano BenchmarkMusic major Ben Tomlinson (seated at piano) performed Beethoven’s Sonata in E major, Op. 109, and Chopin’s Ballade in F major, Op. 38, at his junior piano recital in May in the recital hall of the Ford Academic Complex. “It was certainly one of the finest junior recitals we’ve ever had,” said Dr. Jonathan Sweat, emeritus professor of music.

It is thanks to Sweat that Tomlinson, recipient of a Sweat scholarship, has had the opportunity to study music here, and the two have had a long and enduring friendship. “He taught me at music camp when I was very young, and he has always been generous with his encouragement and advice,” Tomlinson said. “I share with many people who know him a tremendous respect for him as a person.”

“You know, Ben and I are the only two native Corinthians on campus,” Sweat said, proudly.

Tomlinson said it was his piano teacher, Dr. Rachel Heard, who helped him most in the months leading up to his performance. “I’m very appreciative to have had the opportunity to work with such a high-caliber musician and teacher,” Tomlinson said. “I’m looking forward to preparing for my senior recital and graduate auditions with Dr. Heard, who has been as much a friend and supporter as a professor to me.”

Arts&LectureSeries‘BestTicketinTown’TheMillsapsCollegeArts&LectureSeries,thelongest-runningculturaleventsvenueinthecityofJackson,continuesitsoutstandingtraditionofentertainmentandenrichmentwithastellarlineupforthe2005–06season.

Thisyear’sserieskicksofftheseasononSeptember29withitstraditionalsalutetoSouthernwriters,featuringMarkChildressandInmanMajors.Childress,anativeofAlabama,completedhighschoolinClinton.HisnovelsincludeA World Made of Fire,V for Victor,Tender,andCrazy in Alabama.PoetandnovelistInmanMajorshasbeenpublishedinliteraryjournalsincludingAntioch Review,theConnecticut Review,andtheLaurel Review.Heistheauthoroftwonovels:Swimming in Skyand

Wonderdog.HeteachescreativewritingatHollinsUniversity.

AtadateinNovemberyettobeannounced,theartofforensicsciencewillcomeunderinvestigationwhenDr.LouisCataldie,coronerforBatonRougeparishforover10years,comestocampus.Cataldie,theauthorofCoroner’s Journal: Stalking Death in Louisiana,workedonsuchhighprofilecasesastheMalvo/Muhammad“BeltwaySniper”shootingsandtheDerrickToddLeeserialmurders.

AlsoonthefallscheduleisaprogramonSouthernsongwritersfeaturingWillKimbrough,KateCampbell,andCareyHudson,B.S.1985.Kimbroughalmostsingle-handedlycraftedthehugelypopularsouthernindependentpopmovement.Campbell’suniquevisionhasearnedhermorecomparisonstoauthorsthantofellowmusicians.Entertainment Weeklyreferredtoherasa“musicalEudoraWelty.”Hudsonledtwoinfluentialroots-rock

bands(BlueMountainandtheHilltops)beforestrikingoutonhisownbrilliantcareerasamusicianandsongwriter.

OtherprogramsontheArts&LecturebillincludeanappearancebyinternationallyknowngardendesignerPhillipWatsononJanuary17,andLaurieSmith,ofTheLearningChannel’sTrading SpacesandaMadisonnative,willappearFebruary9.WriterandtheologianReviAslan,authorofNo god but God,anexaminationofIslam,isalsoslatedtoappearFebruary22,andtheseasonwrapsuponMarch7withthespectacularEastEuropeanfolkdancetroupeFRULA.

“Wehopetotopthesupersuccessesoflastyear,”saidLuranBuchanan,executivedirectoroftheArts&LectureSeries.“Weareexpandingtosevenprogramsandplanningsomethingforeveryone:writing,music,currentevents,thecreativearts,andfamilyentertainment.Thisisthebestticketintown.”—J. Y.

s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 15


&FacultyStaff

“So much of early African-American

Methodist history in the state was handed

down by oral tradition. Not much exists in written form, which

makes Reverend Taylor’s collection of Journals all

the more significant.”

HisJournalcollectionisfromtheconferenceofblackchurchesinthesouthernhalfofthestate,andthewritingsdatefromthe1880sto1972.TheyincludetheminutesoftheMississippiAnnualConferenceoftheMethodistChurch,formerCentralJurisdiction,andtheMississippiAnnualConferenceoftheMethodistEpiscopalChurch(North).ThisdonationfulfillsapromisemadebyTaylorwhentheMethodistarchiveswereestablished23yearsagobytheCollegeandtheChurch.

TaylorandhisgifttotheJ.B.CainArchiveshaveenrichedtheMillsaps-WilsonLibrary.“Twenty-threeofthe61journalsReverendTaylordonatedtothearchivesareoriginalmaterial,newinformationthatfillsinthegapsinourrecords,”saidDebraMcIntosh,Collegearchivist.“SomuchofearlyAfrican-AmericanMethodisthistoryinthestatewashandeddownbyoraltradition.Notmuchexistsinwrittenform,whichmakesReverendTaylor’scollectionofJournalsallthemoresignificant.”

Dr.ThomasinaBlissardleftabequesttothelibraryinhonorofBethanySwearingen,whoservedasthelibrarydirectorfrom1951to1963.Blissardworkedtherefrom1953to1955asanassistantlibrarian.“WeappreciateDr.Blissard’sgenerousgifttotheMillsapsLibrary,”saidDudleyMarble,oftheMillsapsCollegeadvancementoffice.“SheknewMissSwearingenwasavitalpartofMillsapsasheadlibrarian,andthegiftwillassisttheMillsaps-WilsonLibraryinsomanyways.”

InApril,Dr.JamesCavett,B.A.1941,presentedtotheCollegearchivesanAmericanflagthatwasflownovertheUSSArizonamemorialinPearlHarboronDec.7,2004,tohonorthememoryofMillsapsclassmatePembleField,whowasonthebattleshipatthetimeofthebombingonDec.7,1941.AccordingtoU.S.Navyrecords,EnsignField,stationedinthelowerhandlingroominturretIII,wasamongthelastsailorstoleavetheshipaliveafterconfirmingeveryoneintheturrethadgottenoutandbattlingthefiresondeck.

ANewChapterForWilsonLibraryThisyear,theMillsaps-WilsonLibraryhasseenafloodofgifts,aswellashonorsandawardsforitsstaff,helpingtoexpandthelibrary’salreadyconsiderableresourcesandexhibitions.

Theadditionsincludenewmaterialson19th-centuryAfrican-AmericanMississippiMethodism,aswellasastainedglasswindowtobedonatedbytheClassof2005inhonoroftheReverendDonFortenberry,whothisyearretiredfromactiveserviceafter30yearsasMillsapschaplain.Thelibraryisalsoreceivinggiftsfromoneofitsown,Dr.ThomasinaBlissard,whopassedawayinSeptember2004.

ThecollectiononearlyMississippiMethodismcomesthankstoReverendWendellTaylor,longtimeministerofCentralMethodistChurchinJacksonandformersuperintendentoftheHattiesburgDistrict.InMarch,the90-year-oldministerpresentedhiscollectionoftheAnnual Conference JournaltotheJ.B.CainArchivesofMississippiMethodism,aspecialcollectionintheMillsaps-WilsonLibrary.

Taking part in the presentation of the Taylor Collection were, from left, Debra McIntosh, College archivist; Mabel Pittman Middleton, church historian; Richard A. Smith, senior vice president and dean of the College; Tom Henderson, College librarian; the Reverend Wendell Taylor, and his wife, Geneva.


Theflag,adarkcherryfoldedflagcase,andaframedcertificateofpresentationweregiventotheCollegearchivesbyCavettandhisson,Dr.ClintonCavett,1970,ofRoanoke,Virginia.ClintonCavettrecentlyvisitedtheUSSArizonaMemorialatPearlHarborandarrangedfortheflagacquisition.

Giftsforthelibraryareevenprojectedtocontinueintothefuture,asinthecaseofthestained-glasswindowdonatedbythisyear’sseniorclassinhonorofFortenberry.StudentsraisedfundsforthewindowaspartoftheSeniorYearExperience,andthewindowwillmostlikelybeinstalledinlatesummer.

ThelibrarystaffitselfwastherecipientoftheHarrilynSallisQualityServiceAwardthisDecember.TheSallisAwardsarepresentedannuallytotheindividualemployeeandthedepartmentthatbestexemplifyexcellenceinservicetothecommunity.TheseawardsarenamedforHarrilynG.Sallis,retireddeanofadulteducationatMillsaps,whofoundedthestaffcouncil.TheSallisAwardrecipientsarenominatedbytheircolleagues,thosewhoareinthebestpositiontoseethequalityoftheirwork.

Inaddition,theMississippiLibraryAssociationScholarshipCommitteehasawardedthe2005PeggyMayScholarship

tocirculationsupervisorRyanRoy.Criteriaforthescholarshipincludeacademicexcellence,leadershipcapabilities,andanevidenceofcommitmenttoacareerinthefieldoflibraryandinformationscienceinMississippi.

“ThescholarshipisnamedforPeggyJaneMay,whodevotedhertimeandenergytotheadvancementoflibrariesinthestateofMississippi,andwasestablishedafterherdeathtosupporthercommitmenttorecruitingtalentedindividualstotheprofession,”saidJuneSchmidt,associatedeanfortechnicalservicesfortheMitchellMemorialLibraryatMississippiStateUniversityandchairofthescholarshipcommittee.“RyanRoywashighlyrecommendedbyhiscolleaguesattheMillsaps-WilsonLibraryasintelligent,dedicated,patient,andpossessingtremendouspotentialasatrulyexcellentlibrarian.”

Royisworkingonhismaster’sdegreeinlibrarysciencefromtheUniversityofSouthernMississippi,andthescholarshipmoneywillgotowardhistuitionforthefallsemester.Heexpectstocompletethedegreeinthefallof2007.

“I’mthrilledtobetherecipientofthe2005PeggyMayScholarship,”hesaid.“It’sanhonortoberecognizedbytheMississippiLibraryAssociation,andIlook

forwardtoupholdingaqualityofserviceworthyofthisaward.WorkingintheMillsaps-WilsonLibraryhasbeenextremelyrewarding.Allthestaffherehavebeengreatmentors,andIcanonlyhopethatmycareerinlibrarian-shipcontinuestobeaspleasantasithasbeenthusfar.”—Chris Spear, J.Y.

BowleyBringsDeadSeaScrollsExhibittoLife

Dr.JamesE.Bowley,associateprofessorofreligiousstudies,servedastheconsultantfortheDeadSeaScrollsexhibitattheGulfCoastExploreuminMobile,Alabama,fromFebruary2004toApril2005.Bowleyassistedthemuseumdirectorsindesigningthepresentation’slayout,content,andaudioguides.

Healsoledtours,spoketochurch,synagogue,andcommunitygroups,wasinterviewedbynumerousnewspapers,andwasoneof10oftheworld’sleadingScrollsscholarswholecturedattheexhibit.Hespokeon“TheMysteriousCopperScrolls”toanaudienceof500inApril.

BowleyearnedhisPh.D.in1992fromHebrewUnionCollege-JewishInstituteofReligion,wherehefirststudiedtheDeadSeaScrollswithseniorscholarBenZionWacholder.InadditiontowritingmanyarticlesabouttheScrolls,BowleyisaneditorfortheofficialDead Sea Scroll Concordance,amultivolumeandmultiyearprojectpublishedbyE.J.Brill,aleadingEuropeanacademicpublisher.

SincecomingtoMillsapsin2002,BowleyhastaughtcoursesrelatedtomanyaspectsoftheBible,ancientJudaism,andChristianityandhasledstudentstoIsraelforarchaeologicaldigging.

Nextyear,PrenticeHallwillreleasehisIntroduction to the Hebrew Bible: A Guided Tour of Israel’s Sacred Library.ItwillincorporatemorematerialfromthediscoveryoftheDeadSeaScrollsthananyothertextbooktodate.Bowleywrotethisintroductionoverthecourseofseveralyears,specificallyforundergraduates,andit

Dr. James E. Bowley and Lindsey Topp, B.A. 2005, in summer 2004 at Qumran Cave 11, where Dead Sea Scrolls were found.


f a c u l t y & s t a f f

The framed certificate of presentation for the American flag from the USS Arizona Memorial (shown here in its cherry case) was given to the College archives by Dr. James Cavett and his son, Dr. Clinton Cavett.

s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 17

has been “tested” by Millsaps classes.“My Millsaps students, and especially

my assistant Matthew Marston [B.A. 2005],have given me excellent feedback as I seekto make my work accessible, appealing, andof the highest intellectual quality,” Bowleysaid. “They have improved the book greatlyand in so doing will have helped studentsall over the country in the coming yearslearn more about the ancient culture andliterature of Israel and the Bible.”

For more information, visithome.millsaps.edu/bowleje/ andwww.millsaps.edu/religion/index.shtml.

Wade Is ChosenTo Lead the Offi ce Of Communications

Patti Wade hasbeen nameddirector ofcommunicationsand marketing.

Wade bringsmore than20 years ofexperience as apublic relations

professional to the communications offi ce.Prior to coming to Millsaps, she had leddepartments of marketing and publicrelations in two health-care institutions,taught college public speaking andjournalism, and operated a small businessfor communication consulting. At bothhealth-care institutions, she developed thecommunications departments into well-staffed, organized, and effective resources.She has worked with advertising agenciesto develop communications campaignsthat succeeded in raising top-of-mindawareness and in increasing market share.

Wade, who joined the College inSeptember 2001 as special assistant to thepresident and later that year was askedto serve as Commencement director, has

addressed classes at the Else School ofManagement and presented a paper at aregional business conference on campus.

“Patti is a highly organized pro-fessional who brings to the Millsapscommunications offi cea dynamicbackground in corporate communityrelations, and she knows how to articulatethe evolving needs of this College with skilland grace,” said President Frances Lucas.

She holds a master’s degree in publicrelations and a bachelor’s degree injournalism from the School of MassCommunication and Journalism at TheUniversity of Southern Mississippi. Shehas completed additional graduate coursework at USM and the Else School ofManagement.

Wade is certifi edby the AmericanHospital Association Society of HospitalMarketing and Public Relations and is acurrent member of the Public RelationsAssociation of Mississippi and CrossgatesUnited Methodist Church.

Just Outstanding

Dora Robertson, faculty secretary for the Division of Arts and Letters and the Division of Sciences, has won the Harrilyn Sallis Quality Service Award in the individual excellence category. The Sallis Award, named in honor of Dr. Harrylyn Sallis, dean emerita of adult learning and a strong proponent of the Millsaps College quality service initiative, goes to Millsaps College staff members and departments in recognition of outstanding service within and outside the College community. The award for excellence by a department went to the staff of the Millsaps-Wilson Library (see related story, page 15).



Each year, the Millsaps Annual Fund provides fi nancial resources that directly affect the quality of teaching and student life at Millsaps. Through scholarships, academic programs, and faculty or

library support, your Annual Fund gift is the keystone that helps the College build on its excellence.

As Millsaps shapes its learning environment, cultivates its students and constructs new areas of study, your gift offers the support the College needs

to remain one of the nation’s fi nest liberal arts colleges.

Give to the Millsaps Annual Fund today to ensure our success for generations to come.

Millsaps Annual Fund 1701 North State Street • Jackson, MS 39210 - 0001

601-974 -1037 • www. millsaps.edu


c a m p u s c o m m u n i t y

&FacultyStaffInFebruary,Paula Garrett(English),writingprogramdirector,andGriffin,alongwithtwopeerwritingtutors—sophomorebiologymajorBeckyLasoskiandjuniorEnglishmajorAnnaEllis—presentedapaneldiscussionon“MakingtheConnection:TheWritingProgram’sRoleinFosteringCriticalThinkingasaLiberalArtsAbility”attheSoutheasternWritingCenterAssociationconferenceinCharleston,S.C.ThispaneldiscussedvariouslevelsofinteractionbetweentheWritingCenterandCollege-wideeffortstoteachcriticalthinkingskills.

Patrick Hopkins (philosophy)wrotetwoentriesforthenewsecondeditionof

the10-volumeEncyclopedia of Philosophy,publishedbytheGale/Thomsongroup.Oneison

“Heterosexism”andtheotherison“NaturalLaw.”HealsoguesteditedtheOctoberissueofCalliope,aneducationalchildren’s

magazineonhistory.Thatincludedthearticle“IsAnyoneWiserThanSocrates?”andaplay,basedonPlato’sdialogue“Phaedo,”Why the Philosopher Is Happy to Die: A Play.HealsohadanarticleacceptedforpublicationintheJournal of Evolution and Technologyentitled“TranscendingtheAnimal:HowTranshumanismandReligionAreandAreNotAlike,”toappearinlate2005.LastJune,hewasaguestonMississippipublictelevision’sStatewide Livepublicaffairstalkshowonstem-cellresearch.InOctober,hewasaguestontheChicago-basedradiotalkshowOdyssey: A Daily Talk Show of Ideas,hostedby

ArtsandLettersEric Griffin(English)presentedapaperatCambridgeUniversityinajointmeetingoftheRenaissanceSocietyofAmericaandtheSocietyforRenaissanceStudies,U.K.Griffinalsopublishedanessay,“TheSpecterofSpainintheColonialWritingofCaptainJohnSmith,”inEnvisioning an English Empire: Jamestown and the Making of the North Atlantic World(Philadelphia:UniversityofPennsylvaniaPress,2005)andareviewarticleonThomasKydinMedieval and Renaissance Drama in England(winter-spring2005).

Kathi Griffin(WritingCenter)andfourpeertutors—historymajorWesFrench,EnglishmajorMichaelPickard,andsociologymajorMeganParks,all2004graduates,andclassicsmajorMikeParks,B.A.2005—wroteanarticle,“BecomingMindfuloftheAbsentProfessor:Teacher/TutorRelationshipsataSmallCollege,”whichhasbeenacceptedforthefall2005editionoftheInternational Writing Center Association Newsletter,PurdueUniversity.Inaddition,GriffinwasinvitedtotheSouthwestMississippiWritingConferenceatAlcornStateUniversitytodiscussthetypes,purpose,andassessmentofwritingportfolios.

GretchenHelfrichanddistributedbyPublicRadioInternational.Hediscussedwomenandtechnology.

Suzanne Marrs(English)willhaveherbookEudora Welty: A Biography,publishedinAugustbyHarcourt.DuringAugust,shediscussedthebookatLemuriainJackson,theMargaretMitchellHouseinAtlanta,andPassChristianBooksontheMississippiGulfCoast.(Seerelatedstory,page4.)

Thispastspring,Sandra Murchison(art)hadasoloexhibitionofherworkattheUpperIowaUniversityArtGallery.ShealsoassistedwithaprintmakingdemonstrationattheSouthernGraphicsCouncilConferenceinWashington,D.C.,inMarch.AneditionofMurchison’sprintshasbeenincludedinanexchangeportfolioofprofessionalprintmakers.ThisportfoliowillbeexhibitedatTheCenterforBookArtsinNewYorkCity,FordhamUniversity,LongIslandUniversity,AndersonArtsCenterinKenosha,Wis.,LouisianaStateUniversity,andourownLewisArtGalleryatMillsapsinthespringof2006.MurchisonalsohadaprintacceptedintotheLaurenRogersMuseumofArtinLaurelforajuriedexhibitionofMississippiartprofessors.OneothercombinationprintofherswasacceptedintoahighlycompetitivenationalexhibitionattheArkansasArtsCenter.

Darby Ray(religiousstudies)contributedtoanewtheologytextbook,Constructive Theology: A Contemporary Approach to Classical Themes,publishedbyFortressPressin2005.Thisbookwasthecollaborativeeffortof40majorNorthAmericantheologians.Sheservedascontributingeditorofthechapteronsinandevil.InMarch,RaydeliveredtheArringtonLectureattheUniversityoftheSouth’sSchoolofTheology.Thelecturewasentitled“Incarnation,Ingenuity,andImagination”andbasedonRay’sbookinprogress,Christic

s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 19

Imagination: An Ethic of Incarnation and Ingenuity.

Hollis Robbins(English)presentedapaperentitled“TowardaTheoryofPostalNarrative”atthe2005InternationalConferenceoftheSocietyfortheStudyofNarrativeLiteratureinLouisville,Ky.,inApril.InNovember,shecontributedachaptertotheforthcomingvolumeMenstruation: A Cultural History(Palgrave2005),entitled

“AMenstrualLessonforGirls:MariaEdgeworth’s‘ThePurpleJar.’”Also,RobbinsandPaulaGarrett(English)haverecentlycontractedwithOxfordUniversityPresstoeditavolumeoftheselectedworksofWilliamWellsBrown.

W. Charles Sallis,emeritusprofessor(history),hasrecentlybeennamedamemberoftheFiveStarSocietyofOmicronDeltaKappa.Thisisin

“recognitionandappreciationoflongandsignificantservice”toODK.Healsowasthe2005recipientoftheMississippiHistoricalSociety’sDunbarRowlandAwardforlifetimecontributionstothestudyandinterpretationofMississippihistory.Dr.SallistaughtatMillsapsfrom1968untilhisretirementin2000.

Holly Sypniewski(classicalstudies)presentedtwopapersatprofessionalconferencesinthepastyearincludingoneonPlato’sSymposiumandthemusicalHedwig and the Angry Inch,whichsheiscurrentlydevelopingintoanarticletobepublishedinajournalvolumedevotedtothemusicalanditsliteraryinfluences.Additionally,shehasbeenawardedafellowshipbytheNationalEndowmentfortheHumanitiestoattendasummerseminarforsixweeksinRome,whereshewillstudyRomanreligioninitsculturalcontext.

ScienceKamilla Bahbahani(education)co-presentedtwopapersattheannualmeetingoftheAmericanEducationalResearchAssociationinMontrealinApril.SheparticipatedinaroundtablediscussionwithLindaBol,OldDominionUniversity,andDouglasHacker,UniversityofUtah,on“CanCalibrationAccuracyBeImproved?”andpresentedapaperon“Inclusion:AnUnanticipatedOutcomeofSchoolImprovement”withLynnDoyle,OldDominionUniversity.

George Bey III(anthropologyandsociology)co-authoredapaperandchairedasessionattheannualmeetingoftheAmericanAnthropologicalAssociationinDecember.InMarch,hepresentedtwoco-authoredpapersandchairedasessionattheSecondCongressofMayaStudiesinMérida,Yucatán,andanotherattheannualmeetingoftheSocietyforAppliedAnthropologyinApril.HealsogaveaninvitedlectureinAprilattheUniversityofKentuckyonhisworkatKiuic.DuringthatvisithepresentedatalkattheUniversityofKentuckyMuseumofArtrelatedtothetravelingexhibithecuratedshowcasingthePre-ColumbianartoftheMississippiMuseumofArt.

InApril,Michael Galaty(sociology-anthropology)attendedaninternationalconferenceinZagreb,Croatia,“BetweentheAegeanandBalticSeas:PrehistoryAcrossBorders,”atwhichhepresentedthepaper“ThereArePrehistoricCitiesUpThere:TheBronzeandIronAgesinNorthernAlbania.”

ApaperbyJamie Harris(geology),“ObservationofShear-WaveSplittinginQuaternarySediments:AnIndicatorofIn-SituStressConditions?,”presentedattherecent2005SymposiumontheApplicationofGeophysicstoEngineeringandEnvironmentalProblems(SAGEEP

2005)inAtlanta,wasselectedasoneofthetopSAGEEP2005BestPresentations.Thepaperwasselectedfrommorethan100oralpresentations.AsaSAGEEP2005BestPaperauthor,HarrishasbeeninvitedtopresenthispaperattheEuropeanAssociationofGeoscientistsandEngineersNearSurfaceGeoscienceDivisionconference,NearSurface2005.TheconferencewillbeheldSept.4–7,2005,inPalermo,Italy.

Debora Mann(biology)presentedaseminaron“EnvironmentalContaminantsandBreastfeeding”attheeighthannualBreastfeeding:TheGoldStandardconferenceinJacksoninApril.Co-sponsoredbytheMississippiDepartmentofHealthWICProgramandLaLecheLeagueofAlabama,Mississippi,andLouisiana,theconferenceprovidescontinuingeducationcreditsfornurses,dieticians,lactationconsultants,andotherhealthprofessionals.

ElseSchoolofManagementDiane Baker(management)willbepresentingapaper,“InSearchofaLiberalBusinessEducation,”atthe2005AnnualMeetingoftheAcademyofManagementinHonoluluinAugust.




“AssessingEconomicDamagesinPersonalInjuryandWrongfulDeathLitigation:TheStateofMississippi,”anarticlebyCarl Brooking(economics),Blakely FoxFender(economics),andHarvey Fiser(businesslaw)isforthcomingintheJournal of Forensic Economics.

Ken Harmon(dean)publishedthearticle“AModelforInvestigatingTeleworkinAccounting”intheInternational Journal of Accounting Information Systems.

Walter Neely(finance)co-wroteapaperentitled“TheRoleofGrowthinLong-TermInvestmentReturns,”withJohnBroussard,M.B.A.2005,andDaveMichayluk,aUniversityofRhodeIslandprofessor.ItwaspublishedbytheCIBERResearchInstituteandfocusesonboththeoreticalandappliedresearchinallareasofbusinessandeconomics.Thepaperaddressesappliedresearchonlong-termreturnstostockinvestors.Neelyalsopresentedapaperentitled

“TeachingSecurityAnalysis:EquityValuationUsingValueLineandMSNStockScreener”attheOrlandoannualconferenceoftheFinancialEducationAssociation.Theassociationfocusesonteachingandeducationalresearch.ThepaperseekstoexplaintheapproachusedinmanagingtheGeneralLouisWilsonFund.

ApaperbyPenelope Prenshaw (marketing)andKimberly Burke(accounting)entitled“TheImpactofInvolvementonSatisfactionforNewNontraditionalServiceOfferings”hasbeenacceptedforpublicationintheJournal of Services Marketing.

TheSouthern Economic Journalpublishedthearticle“UnravelingtheProductivityofAcademicEconomists:TheOpportunityCostsofTeachingandService,”bySusan Washburn Taylor(economics),Blakely Fox Fender,andKimberly Gladden Burke(accounting).

Theirarticle,“ExplainingGenderDifferentialsinScholarlyProductivity:TheCaseofAcademicEconomists,”istobepublishedintheJournal of College Teaching and Learning.

StaffBrit Katz(studentaffairs)hasbeeninvitedtoserveonthefacultyfortheNewProfessionals’Institute,aswellastheMid-ManagersInstitute.Bothorganizationsareco-sponsoredbytheNationalAssociationofStudentPersonnelAdministratorsandtheSouthernAssociationofCollegeStudentAffairs.Asoneoffivefacultyinresidenceforbothinstitutes,Katzwilleducateandtrainyoungprofessionalswhoarecareer-trackinginhighereducationadministrationandstudent-personnelservices.TheNewProfessionals’InstitutewilltakeplaceatTrinityUniversityofSanAntonio.TheMid-Managers’InstitutewillbeheldatNorthCarolinaStateUniversity.BothwerescheduledforJune2005.

KatzhasbeencontractedtoperformconsultingworkfortheUniversityofNorthCarolina-PembrokeDivisionofStudentAffairs.Hewillcarryoutthestrategicplanningandteam-buildingretreatforthe30professionalsinthedivision.Katzhasbeennamedthechairperson-designatefortheAssociatedCollegesoftheSouth’sseniorstudentaffairsofficers.BeginninginNovember2005,hewillchairthetwice-yearlygatheringsofthe



vicepresidentsanddeansofstudentaffairsforthe16institutionsintheACS,includingDavidson,Rollins,UniversityofRichmond,Sewanee,Rhodes,Southwestern,andBirmingham-Southern.

Georgianna Martin(studentaffairs)presentedattheAmericanCollegePersonnelAssociationAnnualCon-ferenceinNashvilleinAprilwithDr.CarneyStrangeofBowlingGreenStateUniversity.Thepresentation,entitled

“RespondingtoSpiritualQuestions:IsStudentAffairsReadyandWilling?”discussedassessmentofspiritualityamongcollegestudentsandraisedsignificantissuesaboutthereadinessofstudentaffairsadministratorstointegratethespiritualdimensionsofthestudentexperience.

Molly Signs(library)systemslibrarian,andAllison Mays (library),acquisitionslibrarian,arechairpersonandsecretary,respectively,oftheMississippiSirsiUsersGroupthisyear.Sirsiisthelibrary’sonlinecatalog,acquisitions,andcirculationsystem.

Jesse Yancy(communications),associatedirectorofmediarelations,wonsecondplaceinthefeaturefoodcolumnistcategoryatthe2005AlternativeNewsweeklyAwards.Thisisthe10thyearoftheannualawards,whichrecognizethebestworkinthe123newsweekliesthatbelongtotheAssociationofAlternativeNewsweeklies.Yancy,whoplacedsecondoutoffivefinalists,isafrequentcontributortothelocalalternativenewsweeklytheJackson Free Press.

s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 21 s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 21

What Millsaps faculty and staff are reading, including their own reviews and comments:

Dr. Kristen Brown, professor of philosophy,has been reading McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, whichshe said she loves “because of its maincharacter, a resourceful and caring middle-aged woman who opens a detectiveagency in her home country, Botswana.”Her favorite book this year, however,was Expecting Adam, a memoir that shesays reads like a novel and is funny, too.The author, Martha Beck, is a womanseeking her third degree from Harvardwho decides, to the perplexity of the

“intelligence-before-all” Harvardites aroundher, not to abort her Down syndrome baby.

“It’s a fun and heartwarming read thatbroaches a confl ictbetween ‘intelligence’and caring.”

Frances Coker, professor of sociology, hasbeen reading Freedom Is a Constant Struggle,by Kenneth (Andy) Andrews, a Millsapsand Harvard graduate, now professorof sociology at the University of NorthCarolina. “This book is a critical accountof the history and legacy of the Mississippicivil rights movement.”

Dr. Michael Galaty, professor ofanthropology, recently fi nishedreading BillBryson’s A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, whichchronicles the author’s attempt, alongwith a friend, to through-walk (start tofi nish,Georgia to Maine) the AppalachianTrail. “The punch line is that they are bothmiddle-aged, overweight, and entirely outof shape, and his friend is a recoveringalcoholic. It is absolutely hilarious, andenlightening, too.”

Dr. Eric Griffi n, associate professor ofEnglish, said he found Philip Roth’s latest

novel, The Plot Against America, to be areal page-turner. “Roth’s ‘what-if’ visionof a 1940s America turning its back onits European allies while pandering tothe Third Reich is truly chilling. Somehave suggested that Roth’s allegory isheavy-handed in the parallels it drawswith our contemporary political climate. Iunderstand where these readers are comingfrom but don’t fi ndthis quality of the bookobjectionable.We’re living in an era inwhich subtlety gets drowned out. So, go,Roth, show us what we might have been,and just might be becoming.”

Dr. Ken Harmon, dean of the Else Schoolof Management, has been reading twobooks: The Art of War, by Sun Tzu, “aclassic reference that can be applied tostrategic planning,” and Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, by NatalieGoldberg, who “combines whimsicalanecdotes, Zen principles, and goodpractical advice on being a better writer.”

Allison Mays, acquisitions/serials librarian,has been reading Ten Big Ones, by JanetEvanovich. “The adventures of bountyhunter Stephanie Plum continue witha cast of zany characters, including herGrandmother Mazur, her sometimesboyfriend Joe Morelli, and Ranger, Man ofMystery. In this book, a gang has a contractout on Stephanie and as she tries to avoidbeing terminated, she can’t seem to helpburning up yet another car.”

Jim Parks, College librarian emeritus, isreading Tony Hillerman’s Skeleton Man,the latest in the series of mysteries byHillerman set in the Four Corners areaof the West. “These novels have a uniquefl avorof contemporary life and ancientlore of Native Americans mixed intocrime-solving by Navajo detective JoeLeaphorn and Sergeant Jim Chee. Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, by Thich NhatHanh, is a promising start on my efforts

to understand the ‘core teachings ofBuddhism’ as promised on the cover. In1995, I was a participant in a MillsapsLeadership Seminar, taught by then-DeanRobert King, on ‘Contemplation and Action.’This remarkable seminar dealt with manyaspects of contemplation, the world of Zen,and mindfulness in a way that has stayedwith me since; thus my search for a goodbook on basic Buddhism.”

Dr. Darby Ray, professor of religion anddirector of the Faith & Work Initiative, hasfi nishedLinden Hills, by Gloria Naylor, “agripping fi ctionalexploration into thepressures and demons of black upper-middle-class existence: part mystery novel,part gothic, with sharp doses of class, race,and gender analysis. Naylor uses Dante’sInferno as a model for commenting on theprice of success in contemporary consumerculture.”

Dr. Steven Smith, professor of religion andphilosophy, has been reading Patrick Allitt’sI’m the Teacher, You’re the Student, whichhe calls “an Emory professor’s beautifullywritten day-to-day account of teachinghis U.S. History 1877–2000 course onerecent spring semester, with wide-rangingrefl ectionson higher education andcontemporary American culture. Allitt’sexperiences are similar to ours here atMillsaps but with interesting differences,too.” Smith has also been reading DavidKherdian’s Monkey: A Journey to the West.

“The classic 16th-century spiritual quest‘novel,’ a rich stew of Chinese religionand culture, is hugely entertaining inKherdian’s retelling. It’s funny as all get-outand allegorically provocative at the sametime (that rascal Monkey stands of coursefor the human mind). I’m glad this isback in print so I can use it in my Core 3(Premodern World) class this spring.”

r e a d i n g r o o m

&FacultyStaff


MeetMillsaps

Dr. Kamilla Bahbahani’s Early Literacy I and Field Research in Reading class has put principles of elementary education into circulation—to the tune of 6,300 readers every week—with the ClarksdalePressRegister’sDelta Kids page, which is aimed at fostering literacy among children in the Mississippi Delta. The page is distributed in Coahoma, Bolivar, Tallahatchie, Quitman, and Tunica counties, and other newspapers have expressed interest in creating a similar page.

The Delta Kids page reaches into approximately 50 school settings, including GED classes, according to Flo Larson, Newspapers in Education coordinator for the PressRegister. NIE circulates the paper to about 3,700 children every Tuesday, in addition to the daily paper’s regular readership, Larson said.

Last summer, Larson spoke with Dr. Connie Schimmel, chair of the education department at Millsaps College, and together they conceived of a project that would deploy Millsaps students to help create exercises for the paper’s existing education page, which has incorporated standards for the Mississippi Curriculum Test into games and activities.

From there, Bahbahani, assistant professor of education, asked her students to develop integrated sets of activities that would link subject areas and allow students to learn and use new knowledge in multiple ways.

These educational activities are popular with readers of all ages, encouraging development of language and math abilities, Bahbahani said. “For example, Millsaps students might select a related set of vocabulary for a week’s worth of activities,” Bahbahani said. “They would use these words in multiple ways, figuring out their meanings, using the words in context, and finding antonyms or synonyms.”

The page has a readership that extends beyond the schools, Larson said, with readers from all walks of life constantly writing in requesting

answers to what are often challenging and sophisticated brain teasers. “In one case, a local doctor sent word for me to put the answers in the paper!” Larson said.

And educators seem pleased with the results. “We were able to use it for supplementary activities for second, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, both for large and small groups and individual work,” said Susan Berryhill, principal of St. George’s Episcopal Day School. “The information that the kids received was good, and it was personalized. I also think the activities were varied enough to keep the children interested and stimulated.”

“It is an extremely effective program because it’s tied into the educational curriculum that is taught daily by teachers in our district,” said Sadie Dorsey, assistant

superintendent and federal programs director for Clarksdale Municipal School District. “When Millsaps students intervened, personalities were revealed and structure and content improved.”

The Millsaps students, who had bylines in the paper as contributing editors, worked to create multidisciplinary activities, linking math problems with language arts concepts, and exploring science through new vocabulary, Bahbahani said. Jokes were used to help students work on skills of prediction, understand cause and effect, recognize order in language, learn about parts of speech, and find ways that words can be used.

The students critiqued one another’s work in small groups, received feedback from the professor, and then revised their projects before publication.

Jewel Johnson, a junior from Houston, Mississippi, took part in the Delta Kids project and reports her experiences here.— J. W.

DE LTA K I D STUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2005 THE CLARKSDALE PRESS REGISTER 3B

“TheMillsapsstudents,whohadbylinesinthepaperascontributing

editors,workedtocreatemultidisciplinary

activities,linkingmathproblemswith

languageartsconcepts,andexploringscience

throughnewvocabulary.”

s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 23 s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 s p r i n g –s p r i n g –s p r i n g –

The classlistenedattentively asDr. KamillaBahbahani

enthusiastically explainedthat we would all becreating individual activitypages to submit forpublication into a smallMississippi newspaper.Although some studentshad experience submittingactivities for the newspaperfrom other classes, I wasone of the few studentswho had not.

With the help ofeducation departmentprofessors, students designactivities in areas such asmath, reading comprehension, languagearts, social studies, and science according tothe Mississippi Department of Education’sstandards and curriculum.Teachers inthe Clarksdale area use the page as aneducational resource in the classroom.

My initial thought of the assignmentwas one of excitement. I would not onlyhave the opportunity to tutor students inreading, but also to develop exercises thatwould enrich their classroom experience.As I began searching for samples of varioussubject activities, I realized that it is notan easy task to create new and originallearning activities. Normally, I am a bit ofa procrastinator, but I was so excited aboutthe assignment that I started working on itimmediately.

After a couple days of reviewing sampleactivities and previous Delta Kids pages,I felt ready to begin my own. Beginningwith the language arts section, I decided todesign a homophone activity. My directionsasked students to match the homophones(e.g., plane and plain), and in the followingactivity to complete sentences usingthe words they matched in the previousactivity.

These fi rstexercises were not diffi cultto design, but I had trouble thinking of

other fun language arts activities, so Idecided to skip to the math section. Afterwriting several word problems, creating anumber pattern exercise, and designing aseries of multiplication problems that wererequired to solve a riddle, I was fi nished.

The most diffi cultsection for me wasgeography. I had no idea what to includein this section. Since the assignment wasnot due for another week, I could afford totake a few days to brainstorm, and that isexactly what I did.When I began workingon my Delta Kids assignment again, Ihad decided to create an activity usingMississippi counties. As a child, I lovedword scrambles, so I chose 10 counties,and scrambled their names. In the nextexercise, I asked the students to match thecounties from the word scramble with thecounty seats I had listed.

This geography section gave me an ideafor a fi nallanguage arts activity. ChoctawCounty was one of the counties I used inthe word scramble. I searched the websiteof the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indiansand found information to use in a readingcomprehension exercise. The exerciseincluded a paragraph about the historyof the Choctaws and comprehensionquestions for students to answer.

When I submittedmy completed Delta Kidsassignment, I knew I haddone my best, but I wasnot altogether confi dentinmy work. So I decided totake copies of my activitiesto third grade students Itutor in reading as a fi eldtest for the exercises.

The students enjoyedworking the activities, andI fi nallyfelt a bit of prideand confi dencein what Ihad created.To my surprise,a few weeks later, myvery fi rstsubmission waschosen for publication onthe Delta Kids page. Theseactivities were the result ofhard work that Delta Kids

page readers do not see.While creating activities was a fun

learning experience, it took a great deal ofwork. And that work was worth the rewardof knowing that children would benefi t.

By Jewel Johnson

“I would notonly have theopportunity totutor studentsin reading, butalso to developexercises thatwould enrichtheir classroomexperience.”


s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 25

Ithink Dr. Ray tried to give every group a difficult challenge. (For instance,

my profile included a severe asthma problem; some profiles dealt with

children or a lack of transportation.) But these are realistic challenges

that people face.” —Freshman Danielle Cook

considereda“livingwage.”“Imeantsomeonemuchyoungerthanmyself(Ehrenreichwas

60atthetime),somehungryneophytejournalistwithtimeonherhands.”Buthereditor“gotthiscrazy-lookinghalfsmileonhisfaceandendedlifeasIknewit,forlongstretchesatleast,withthesingle

word‘you.’”SoEhrenreich,whohasadoctorate

inbiologyfromRockefellerUniversity,undertook the taskofabandoningherrelativelysecure,sedate,upper-middle-classlifeandcastingherselfadriftamongthe crowded flotsam and jetsam ofAmerica’s jobmarket.Likemillionsof

otherpeopledoeveryday,shelookedforajobandaplacetolive,worked,andtriedtomakeendsmeet.

Theresult,Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America,describesanexerciseinfutility.EhrenreichfoundworkasawaitressinFlorida,asacleaningwomaninMaine,andasaWal-Martasso-ciateinMinnesota.Noneofthese(withthepossibleexceptionofthemaidjobinMaine)turnedintoacareeropportunity;theworkwasdemeaninganddemoralizing,thehourswerebrutal,andthetests—bothwrittenandphysical—weredehumanizing.

Forobviousreasons,Ray’sstudentscouldnottakeasimilartacksincethatwouldhaveobligatedthemto(amongotherthings)dropoutofschool.SoRaydevisedaningeniousmethodoftakingherstudentstothestreetsbydividingthemintoteamsandassigning

ThroughtheCollege’sFaith&WorkInitiative,studentshave theopportunity tomakeconnectionsbetweenacademic learning andpersonal,professional, andspiritualgrowth.

TheMeaningof Work course, a subset of theinitiative, isan investigation intoworkitself:whoworksandwhodoesn’t,whatmakesworkworkasopposedto leisure,whenpeoplework,wherepeoplework,andwhypeoplework,allquestionsthatprovidea richmixture for intellectualexploration.

Thecourseexplores issuesofvalue,purpose,function,organization,andjusticeinrelationtothemean-ingofworkfromseveralperspectives,includingphilosophy,theol-ogy,sociology,psychology,andmanagement.Rayusesavarietyoftextstostimulatequestionsandprovokediscussion.

Buttheheartofthecourseisaprojectdesignedtobringstu-dentsface-to-facewithreality:“GettingRealinJackson.”

The working text for the course was written by essayistand cultural critic Barbara Ehrenreich. When she pitched toherpublishertheideaofdoingabookonhowanyonelivesonunskilled wages, Ehrenreich proposed that“someone ought togetout there and try it for themselves,”proposinganexerciseingood,old-fashionedjournalismthatsetsouttodiscoverjusthow to survive by working jobs that pay only half of what is

Let’s face it: Millsaps students are highly motivated, able-bodied, good-looking young people.In other words, people with a future. But what if they never finished college? What if their only motivation was subsistence? What if they couldn’t afford health care? What if they weren’t even good-looking? They would still have to work. And work is what Dr. Darby Ray’s class is all about; at Millsaps, the mind hits the streets.

Overall, I believe that The Meaning of Work is the best class that I have taken this

semester. I think that it should be made into one of the core requirements.”

—Freshman Anansa Bailey‘‘

ByJesseYancy

26 m i l l s a p s m a g a z i n e 26 m i l l s a p s m a g a z i n e s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 27

eachoneapersonalscenariofromwhichtheywouldworkthroughthechallengesofmakingaliving.

Onesuchscenariowasthatofa25-year-oldAfrican-Americanmale,“Andy,”justbackfromthewarinIraq,wherehehadservedfor22monthsinaU.S.Marinesinfantrydivision.Hisgrandmother,whohadraisedhimfromababy,haddevelopedlate-stageheartdis-ease,andhehadcomehometoJacksontocareforher.Hisgrand-motherliveswithheragingsister,hersister’stwogrowndaughters,andtheirthreechildreninasmallhome.Hisgrandmothersleepsonthecouch,andhesleepsonthelivingroomfloor;sheneedsoxygenandhelpwithhermealsandsanitarynecessitiesbecausehermove-mentsarerestricted.

Andyhas$1,400andhisgrandfather’soldDodgepickup,whichisnotrunningsowell.Hedroppedoutofhighschooldur-ingthe10thgrade,tookthetraintoChicago,andlivedthereonthestreetsforsixyearsbeforegettinghislifetogether.HeworkedasajanitorinalargeChicagochurchforsixmonthswhilehepreparedtojointheMarines.Hehadhopedtostayintheservicelongenoughtolearnatrade,butwhenhisgrandmother’shealthdeteriorated,hisauntcalledhimtocomehometocareforher.

FreshmenAnansaBailey,JohnKellogg,andTerrelSugarandju-niorAndreaDeweywereassignedtoAndy’scase.

Accordingtotheirteamevaluation,“SinceAndyhadenlistedintheMarines,wefirstsoughttofindhimanopportunityaffiliatedwiththearmedforces.”

TheteamcontactedalocalmarineenlistingofficeandreadtheirdescriptionofAndyoverthetelephone.TherecruiterconcludedthatsinceAndydidnotfinishhisterminthemilitary,hemusthavebeengivensomesortofhardshipdischarge,whichdisqualifieshimnotonlyforajobwiththearmedservices,butalsoforbenefits.

During these initial stagesof theproject, the studentswereintroducedtooneof themostfundamental texts imaginable: theclassifiedads.AndRay’sstudents,likemillionsofotherAmericans,foundtheclassifiedadsagatewaytodisillusionment.

“Studentsfindouthowuselesstheclassifiedsarewhentheytrytorespondtothem,”Raysaid.“Theydiscoverthatmostof theseadsaretheresimplybecauseit’scheaperandmoreconvenientforemployerstokeeptheminprintratherthantoresubmitthemagainandagainandagainforthesameoldhigh-turnoverjobs.Phonecallsarerarelyreturned,andinterviewsareneverscheduled.”

At first, we were proud of our tacos and spaghetti dinners every other night, only water

to drink, and half a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. We thought we had learned how to

budget. Then, we compared that to how we grew up, how we live in college, and how

we planned to live after graduation and began to see how blessed and naïve we really

are. We weren’t just getting real for our project; we were getting a real

understanding of how things are.” —Becca Day, B.A. 2005

‘

26 m i l l s a p s m a g a z i n e s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 27

statement,“ThoughAndyisonlymakingminimumwage,evenwiththeoccasionalbonus,hedoeshavesomeroomforupwardmobility.Beingoneoftwoautoglasstechniciansatthecarwash,Andycouldgetapromotionifhechoosestostaywiththe joblongenough.Wealsolookedintocontinuingeducationopportunities;sinceourdescriptionprovidedthatAndyhopedtostayintheMarineslongenoughtoearna trade,weinvestigated local tradeschools.”Thegroupdeterminedthat theirsubjecthadresolvedtocontinuehiseducation;alocalcommunitycollegemightbeafeasibleoption.

WhatwouldbecomeofAndyisperhapsanyone’sguess.Butonethingisforcertain:ThesestudentspartedRay’sclasswithanewappreciationforthechasmbetweenrelativewealthandpovertyinthisnation.

AsgroupmemberAndreaDewey summedup theproject,“Findingajobformyselfisonething,butchangingmeandchal-lengingmeisanotherthingaltogether.”

Discovering that theworld is largely indifferent to theirat-temptstogainemploymentandhousingisoftenthefirststepinastudent’sroadtowardbecomingmoreawareofhowclosetotheedgemanyAmericanslive.Unemploymentstatisticstakeonanewmeaning.Formany,it’safirstlookatthebarebulbthatilluminatesaharshreality.

Yet throughtheclassifieds,Andyfounda job listedata localcarwashasanautoglasstechnician,whichbeganwithsixdaysoftraining.Andy’sin-serviceweekpaid$6anhour,theevaluationsaid,“andaftertraining,hisrateofpaywas$5.15anhour,withanextradollarpereverysixcarsthatheserviced.Andywastoworkfivedaysaweekforeighthoursaday.Onhissixthday,hereceivedtimeandahalfforeighthours,atarateof$7.73anhour.”

ThegroupalsoexploredthepossibilityoftakingonanotherjobforAndy,anexterminator’s,butconcludedthat,forthetimebeingatleast,thejobatthecarwashwouldhavetowork.TheyfoundasmallhouseforAndyandhisgrandmotherinBelhaven,pricedthebareessentialsoffurnishingsfromtheSalvationArmy,andarrangedhypotheticalhealthcareforhisgrandmother.

Thestudentsdidn’tneglecthisfuture.Accordingtothegroup

Ialways thought that if you really tried to make it in America, you would—that all it took

was hard work, dedication, and desire. The project blew this notion out of the water. Even

if you are gung-ho about finding a job (or three) and getting cheap housing and finding

those low-cost groceries, it is downright hard and sometimes impossible to truly make it. I

think the class and the project forced me to take a more realistic approach to life.”

—Danielle Cook

‘

28 m i l l s a p s m a g a z i n e s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 29

On a busy morning at Bravo!—one of Jackson’s more successful restaurants—the kitchen is preparing for the lunch crowd. With a sweeping, rhythmic motion, a cook uses a long-handled peel to slide plump loaves of bread into the wood-burning brick oven. The pungent aroma of yeast and smoldering embers mingles with the smell of coffee, olive oil, and garlic to evoke a heady ambience of abundance. There is a quiet swirl of activity as the staff prepares the dining room.

It is against this backdrop of plenty, amid the banquettes of the sun-splashed dining room, that Dr. Ken Harmon, dean of the Else School of Management, and Jeff Good, B.B.A. 1986 and owner of Bravo! and the Broad Street Baking Co., are discussing the future of the business program at Millsaps.

This conversation comes at a time when the Else School is seeking to position its strategically driven branding message, one designed to further distinguish the Millsaps M.B.A. program, which—judged by most any standard, from value to academic ex-cellence—trumps any other M.B.A. available in the state. But there are obstacles. Applications to business schools are down. Many students want a faster, cheaper, and easier M.B.A. to add to their résumés. The Millsaps business program has had limited visibility, and Jackson colleges must still overcome nagging preju-dices about Mississippi to attract students from afar.

Making Jackson attractive has long been a priority for Good, a force behind many community-based initiatives to improve the city’s image. Part of that effort has been his contributions to the Jack-son restaurant scene. Indeed, that Good, the product of a Millsaps business education, would conceive of an award-winning establish-ment like Bravo! makes perfect sense. After all, Bravo! draws its inspiration from the Mediterranean, cradle of the Renaissance, to serve a fusion style of cuisine that he says “brings together elements of different ethnic cooking styles and ingredients that harmonize with one another such that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Similarly, the Else School has looked to the Renaissance as a model for its own fusion menu—which creates from both business

“You have to develop the

sponge and give students a thirst

for knowledge, for absorbing.”


—Ken Harmon

MoneyRight

Else Dean Ken Harmon and restaurateur Jeff Gooddiscuss the evolving role of business in education

on the

28 m i l l s a p s m a g a z i n e s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 29

“Practically, what I learned at

Millsaps was how to think

creatively and think specifically.”

and liberal arts disciplines a curriculum that, too, is greater than the sum of its parts.

Good, as a successful entrepreneur, and Harmon, as a lead-ing educator, are two of the best business minds in town. And it is with an eye toward creative problem-solving that they are dis-cussing, over Good’s special 50-50 blend of dark and mild roast coffee, the strengths of the Millsaps business program, its future, and the changing landscape of the business culture worldwide. —J. W.

HARMON: So, Jeff, what was your business experience at Millsaps?

GOOD:Igraduatedin’86withaB.B.A.Ihadtwomentors:RayPhelps,associateprofessorofmarketing,andWalterNeely,professoroffinance.Iwasfocusingonmarketingandstatisticalresearch.Rayhadgivenmetheopportunitytodoadirectedstudy.Ididtwo,oneforahospitalandoneforafuneralhome,whereIinterviewedtheprincipals,foundoutwhattheirissueswerethattheywantedtouncover,createdasurvey,anddidthesurvey.ItwasafascinatingexperiencethattookeverythingthatI’dlearnedtothatpointandputitintoapracticalsense.

That was your senior year?

Yes,butitturnedouttobealifetimeofexperience.Mytwomentors,thosetwogentlemen,helpedmoldmyabilitytotakethebookstuffandtomakesomeformoftangibleoutputcomefromthat,andthosetwoprojectsweretheapexofmyMillsapscareerbecausetheyconstitutedeverydiscipline,fromHeritagetolearninghowtowrite.

What I have found is that we think more about the whole person, the liberal arts, the writing, the communication, the bigger picture of business. Even though we’re teaching skills like everybody else, we’re doing something different. Some of that is a manifestation of small classes. You sit in a room with 10-15 people in a seminar-style setting and it’s a whole different experience from sitting in a room with 220 people. That distinguishes Millsaps from any other experi-ence I’ve had.

Tellmeaboutthecurriculumcurrentlyinplace.TheycometoMillsapsasfreshmen,theyfeeltheiroats,theymayormaynotknowwhethertheyhaveaninclinationtogotobusinessschool.Howdoesthebusinessschoolcarveoutitstargetbase?

Oftentimes it’s just by exposure. We’re a small campus, and we are starting on a strategic initiative with the divisions of Arts & Letters and Sciences to say, “Here are ways to incorporate business into any degree at Millsaps.” We feel that business is a strategic leverage point. If you look at national liberal arts institutions with Phi Beta Kappa and AACSB-accredited business schools, there are only a few like us in the country.

—Jeff Good

s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 29


Iwouldthinkinrecruitingthatwouldbeabigthing.Youcansaytostudentsthatyoucannotonlyhaveyourcakebuteatit,too.

Bingo. The strong selling point is that they could go into pre-med, art, or music, and they can get a business minor if they want to. We’re also structuring ways for them to think about an M.B.A. from the start. They could begin as a history major and add one year and come out with an M.B.A. We have a fifth-year program, and they can take the foundation courses that lead to the M.B.A. as their electives.

AmIwrongtothinkthatthefolkswhoareprelawareexcellentcandidatesforyourprogram?

Not at all. Some schools have a combination M.B.A. and J.D. program, where they can just add this one-year M.B.A. It’s a great combination. We’ve already been having conversations with the medical community. They say one of the biggest gaps in many of the doctors’ education is business. They’re running small businesses. They need to know about budgets, forecast-ing, human resources, and legal issues.

Iwastalkingtoaphysicianwhosaiddoctorsthemselvesoftenhavenoideahowtointerfacewithemployees.Itwasaneye-openerformebecausethatismydailylife.Partofaligninganorganizationiskeepingpeopleonthetrack.Howdoesonemotivateandenergizeanddirectpeople?Itseemslikethatcouldbepartofabusinesscurriculum.

I was having a conversation with one of our management pro-fessors, Dr. Diane Baker, a few months ago. She is an expert in human resources, and she wants us to develop that area because it is such an emerging field. We’ve always dealt with personnel and management issues, but at fairly lofty levels. She wants to bring more of that kind of expertise into the classroom. I was talking to a vice president at Coca-Cola about labor issues and how much different they are today from even 10 years ago.

There’snosensethat“I’mgoingtoworkforthiscompanyallmylife.”Andasaresult,wehaveascenariowherehigh-level,white-collaremployeesmayusethecompanytotheirbenefit.Asanem-ployerthatisarealchallengebecauseyou’vegottomitigatetheriskofturnover.

There’s a lot of talk in business management today about “in-centivising”—a new word. We’re tying to develop measures that get at the heart of people’s payoff from the company, what those measures mean, and how do those things come back around to providing incentives.

Moreandmorestudiesaresayingtherearemoreheart-basedrea-sonsforstayingwithacompany.Mybestemployees,thosethatmoveintomanagement,thatgetit,thathave“drunktheKool-Aid,”understandwhatwe’redoing.Theemployeeseesvalueandseesthatwe’redoingtherightthingandtheywanttobepartofateamthatisdoingtherightthing.Peoplecravestructureandgenu-inealtruism.


Research shows money does not buy happiness, beyond a basic threshold of a sustenance level. How do we incorporate that into education and management issues? We have the Faith & Work Initiative. We talk about calling. The people I’ve watched become successful, whether attorneys or songwriters, did it because they loved it, and they happened to make good money at it later on. Students come into our business classes and we maintain that liberal arts focus, and a lot of that is about the person, their place in the world and ethical behavior, which is acting from within rather than on external factors.

AndnowIunderstandtheschoolis,throughbranding,makinganewpushtospreadthewordaboutthespecialkindofenlighten-mentyoucanexperiencethroughtheMillsapsM.B.A.program.

Exactly. When I came in, it seemed like we had this great thing here, and somebody mentioned that it was one of the world’s best-kept secrets. I don’t want it to be a secret. So we hired the Ramey Agency, and they took us through a branding journey. Who are we? What do we do? What do we not do? We keep talking about the elevator conversation. Do you have long enough to explain who we are and what we are? I don’t think we need to be ashamed to say that if you come to us you get something different. We need to advertise it.

Yes,youdogetsomethingdifferent.Ihadanextraordinaryexperi-ence.IwasaskedtotalktoaFaith&Workgroup.Therewereprob-ably15kidsintheroom,allwell-dressedandverysmart,mostlyfreshmenandsophomores.Whentheywentaroundtheroomin-troducingthemselves,everystudentknewwhattheyweregoingtodo.Manyhadthesedualdegrees,sociologyandbusiness,religiousstudiesandbusiness,philosophyandbusiness.Itblewmymind.Inmyday,thepeoplethatwenttotheChristianCenterandthepeoplethatwenttoMurrahHallwouldnevercrosspaths.

If you look at what Faith & Work does and what we do, it’s dis-covering a sense of place in the world. It helps all business stu-dents to discover what types of intrinsic things motivate them. When you look at the scandals that have happened, it appears that the corporate culture was about money and only money.

Millsapshasahistoryandaplaceinthecivilrightsfight,andyoucantransfersomeofthetermsofthecivilrightsstruggle—“Neverbesilent”—tobusinessscandals,corporateculturesgonewrong.Acompanyisadominationsystem.Thebottomlineisyousignontoworkforsomeonewhohasdominionoveryou.Theproblemis,it’sliketheJohnGrishamnovelThe Firm,whathappenswhenyouwakeupandfindthatyou’redoingevilstuff?Iwouldthinkdevelopingthatvoicefromwithincanbecomeapowerfulimpactonthemarketatlargeifyouhavealotofstrong,centeredfolksinthemarketplacehelpingsteerpolicyandhavingthegutstospeakupwhenthingsarewrong.

If you go back to the Industrial Revolution days and talk about the old theory of management, which is truly kind of the enslavement where I’m giving you money therefore I can do whatever, that creates a horrible corporate environment. We’ve progressed and evolved over time.

Butifyouthinkofwhatishappeningatamacrolevel,issuesfac-ingtheU.S.government,whenyoustarttalkingaboutprivatizingSocialSecurity,aboutasocietalsafetynetthatcontinuestoerode,wearemoreandmoreofaprivatizedstate.ArewesteppingbackintotheIndustrialAge,wherepeopleareunitstoperformwork?CanyouengagetheheartandsouloftheguywhoisworkingonthesewerlineinJackson?

In the long run, yes. But you have to look at the individual and say, first of all, “Is this something you enjoy doing? Do you like being outside? Do you like working with these people?” And if they say yes, you say, “How can I help that to be a good envi-ronment for you?” Then in the long run you have people who feel more motivated. They’re happy to be there. They don’t feel enslaved.

IgraduatedfromMillsapsandwenttoworkwhereIwasimmedi-atelyputintoatop-down,don’t-tell-us-what-you-thinkenviron-ment.Ilostmysoul.OnereasonIgotintobusinessformyselfwasIwantedtobethemasterofmyownworldandnotbeenslavedtosomeoneelse.Iwouldneverhavebeenabletodoitifitwasn’tforsomeofthepracticalskillsIlearnedatMillsaps.Wehadtoraisethe


moneythroughtheopenmarketplace.Practically,whatIlearnedatMillsapswashowtothinkcreativelyandthinkspecifically.IwasontheEmorybusinessteam.Weweregivenasimulatedbusiness

problemeveryweekandyouhadtogotoEmorytopresent.Thatdoeshoneone’spracticalskills.Millsapsfacultyhelpedmedevelopthem.Andnowyouhavein-valuablepeoplelikeHowardMcMillanoncampus.

Howard, our executive in residence, is very connect-ed throughout the state

and the country. I walk into Howard’s office for a lot of things. I walk in for him be a sounding board, to say, “Here’s a manage-ment or leadership issue I’m wrestling with; talk to me about that.” Howard and I meet with executives from the region, and we just sit down and talk about what’s happening. What is the environment like? What do you need? Is there any way we can play a role in that?

Youlearnfromthemandthenareabletotellthemwhat’shappen-ingatMillsaps.

There are a number of opportunities for us to say, “We are a premier institution. We have things to offer Jackson, the state, and even the southeast region. It’s not always degree-related. We might bring you to campus for a couple of weeks in the summer and put you in dorms and give you an intense experi-ence and something you can walk away from saying, ‘Wow!’ ”

Extraordinary.Somethingpeoplecancommittobecausetheycanmakeplanstobreakawayforafewweekstotrulydosomething.

And we are trying to construct a certificate program for people in the health professions, where they could have a health-management certificate or some other kind of manage-ment-related certificate. We’re also talking to the accounting community. The accounting faculty and I are going to firms and saying, “What are your needs? I’m sure there some ways we can meet those needs and provide that type of education right here. You don’t have to send your people somewhere else.”

THERE AREEASIER WAYS TOGET AN MBA.THERE ARE ALSO EASIER JOBS THAN CEO.

In business, vision is more vital than memory. So we don’t just open books in our MBA classes. We open minds.

FOR MORE INFOMATION CALL 601-974-1253 OR GO TO MILLSAPS.EDU.


We’re going through our accreditation review, which used to happen every 10 years, but now it’s every five years. That’s an immediate challenge. And we’re trying to think strategically about raising capital for the Else School.

Capitalcampaignorsustainedgiving?

Both. Howard McMillan is helping as far as leadership. The big-gest challenge is that you have to be very careful to remain fo-cused around your core competency, around who you are, and say you’re going to do certain things and do them very well.

Ilookforwardtoseeingwhathappenswiththebrandingcam-paign.

It’s very creative, interesting stuff. People change careers on an average of seven times in their lives. It would be myopic for a business school to come to someone and say, “I’m going to hand you this set of basic tactical skills and send you out the door and you’re going to be successful.” No one can predict where they’re going to be in 20 years. You have to develop the sponge and give students a thirst for knowledge, for absorbing. As our ads on public radio say, “we don’t just open books, we open minds.”

Isn’tthereapushformuchstrongerauditing,anddoesn’tthatpresentachallengeforthecurrentC.P.A.groupsoftheworld?

The No. 1 area for recruit-ing right now for business is accounting. The 2002 Sarba-nese-Oxley Act dramatically increases the transparency and oversight requirements of corporate governance. People are out there strug-gling with this, and we have folks in-house who are ex-perts. We could provide a day or a weekend for a Sarba-nese-Oxley certificate.

Fromabrandingstandpointthat’sagreatideabecauseitsayswhatitis.

We can also connect to the larger community through service. Our M.B.A. students last year raised enough money to provide people and money to build a Habitat house. It was a big management project for them to pull together. They solic-ited the funds. And they provided the personnel and they con-nected to the family.

OnceastudenthassaidheorsheisgoingintotheM.B.A.pro-gram,whattypeofmentoringexists?WhatdifferentiatesaMillsapsbusinessschoolstudentinhowthey’rehandledandcoached,ver-susthe220-studentclassrooms?

A lot of mentoring happens because you have a small envi-ronment, and service projects like that Habitat house create bonds that pull together students and faculty. So does interna-tional study. We take people to London, Munich, Florence. They come into the class for three or so hours every morning, and then they go on a field trip. They might go to Lloyd’s of London. Or BMW. I’ve had students say this is a life-changing event. It provides a cohesive element to the program and to the in-dividuals. In Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán, students and faculty can explore different levels of economies—an agrarian economy, a developing economy, and an advanced economy, all within a three-hour drive.Whatisyourbiggestchallengenow?YoustartedlastJuly.You’vegottenafeelforthings.



playhasonlyoneplot,butitcontainsmanypotentialstories,”saysMichaelBloom,authorofthetheatricalhandbookThinking Like a Director.“Oneofthemostimportantfunctionsadirec-torfulfills isdetermining,withtheactorsanddesigners,whichstorytotellandhowtotellitcoherently.”

Justasaplaymaycontainmanypotentialstories, theMillsapsPlayersare tappingmanypotentialdirectors to fulfill that functionofdeterminingwhichtaletotell—andhowtotellit in the thought-provoking,compelling,andentertaining traditionofMillsaps theatre.FromDeniseHalbach,presidentof theprestigiousSoutheasternTheatreConference, toKosKostmayer,whosescriptOn the Moneywasawarded1983–84’sBestPlayoftheYearbytheLosAngelesDramaCriticsCircle,theseartistshavedramaticallyshiftedthedynamicsofthetheatredepart-ment,bringingworld-classperspectivestothedirector’schairattheChristianCenter.

Andthankstotheguestdirectors’diversestylesandtechniques,studentshereareexperiencingthekindofchallengestheymightfacefromBroadwaytoHollywood,wheretheactormustadapttoaspectrumofvisionsandtechniques.“Thatbecomesastrengthhere,”saidBrentLefavor,associateprofessorofperformingarts.“Itmakesuscompetitivewithuniversitiesthathavemuchlargerfacul-ties,becausestudentscangetthatsametypeofexperienceworkingwithdifferentdirectorsthatnormallyyoucouldn’thaveatasmallerliberalartscollege.”

“Directing,likeacting,isallaboutchoices,”saidJamesAnder-son,B.A.1969,whodirectedThe Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)inthefall.“Ithinkit’sgreatthattheguestdirectingpro-gramallowsthestudentstoexperiencetherangeofchoicesmadebydifferentdirectorsand,withintheparametersofeachdirector’sstyle,tomaketheirownchoicesasactorsortechnicalartists.”

“Oncethestudentsleaveandstepontonewstages,theywillhavetofacenewdirectorsallthetime,”saidPeterZapletal, theEmmy-winningpuppeteerwhostagedHansel & GretelduringthePlayers’2003–04season.“Theguest-directingprogrampreparesthemwellforthefuture.”

Theprogramalsoaddsbreadthandscopetothestudents’training.“Studentsgetabroaderrangeofexperience in the typesof roles thattheyplaybecausetheyareseenandperceivedbydifferentdirectorsashavingdifferentcapabili-ties,”Lefavorsaid.“It’s important forstudentstohave experienceworkingunder assorteddirectorial styles.Eachofushasbeen trained

differentlyandbringscertainstrengthsandwaysofworkingtotherehearsalprocess.Ifactorsaregoingtoworkprofessionally,they’regoingtobeworkingundera lotofdirectorsforwhomtheywillhavetolearntoadapttheirtechnique.”

SamSparks,B.A.2003,hasseenthisprogramworkasbothastudentandadirector.“Thebeneficialessenceoftheguestdirectorprogramisvariety,”hesaid.“Boththestudentsandtheaudienceareexposed todifferent styles,differentmethods,anddifferentbackgrounds.”

SarahWilkinson,B.A.2005,saidshewasgratefulfortheop-portunity tobedirectedbyDeniseHalbach in thecomedyLend Me a Tenor.“Itwasfabulous,”shesaid.“Anextremelygiftedandexperiencedindividualwhocanbringabrand-newandinnovativeperspectivetoaproductionisinvaluable.Notonlydidwehaveablastgettingtoknowsomeonedifferent,butwealsoformednewrelationshipsthatremainedafterthelastshow.”

Indeed, theprogramhelpsenlargeeachstudent’suniverseofprofessionalassociates.“Eachguestdirectorbringshisorherownnetworkofbusinesscontactsintothefold,whichbeingacollabora-tiveart isessential tosurvival inthis industry,”Sparkssaid.“Thestudentsreallyhavetolearntoadapttonewpeople,whichwillhelptheminabusinesswheredirectors,designers,andactorsoftenfly

Be Our Guest ...For the Millsaps Players, a Rotating Director’s Chair

ByJohnWebb

Be Our Guest,

‘A


intoworkononeparticularshowandthenmoveontoanotherproject.”

Plus, students in a close-knit campuscommunity benefit from outside view-points.“Millsaps leadership isverymuchawareofthis—towit,all theprogramsin-cludingthosethatofferthestudentstostepoutintothe‘realworld,’”Zapletalsaid.

Furthermore,visitingdirectorsleveltheplayingfield,helpingsubvert thecliquish-ness that canemergewhenonedirectorworksrepeatedlywithfavoredstudentswhileotherswait in thewingsforpartsthatnevercome.“Directorshavecertainvisionsforthewaytheywantashowtolook,anddirectorshavetheirfavorites,actorstheybondwithandcommunicatewith,”Lefavorsaid.“Onedirectorcandetermineaspecificcastingpoolforalongtimewith-outvaryingitalot.Outsidedirectorsmayseequalitiesandpoten-tialsincertainstudentsthatanotherdirectormightnotsee.”

Likewise,Halbachsaidtheprocessbringsprofessionalismtothestudents’experiences.“Asaguestdirector,IcastaproductionfromwhatIseeintheaudition,notwhatI’veseenastudent-actordoinclassesandotherproductions,”saidHalbach.“Itremovespersonal-ityfromthechoicesandputsthestudentsonamoreprofessionallevel.”

Ironically, perhaps,whathasbecomeapar-ticular strength of theperformingartsdepart-mentemergedfromloss.For 45 years, the lateLanceGosswasareveredbutlonedirectorialvoiceatMillsaps.Itwasareignonly twice interrupted:Lefavorsteppedintodi-rectduringthe1986sea-son,whenGoss twisteda kneeduring thepro-ductionofHenrikIbsen’sGhosts,andagainin1995,whenGoss’shealthbeganfailingduringaproductionofWho’s Happy Now?“IwastakingonLance’steachingloadaswellasmyown,andIknewIcouldn’tbuildsetsanddirecttheplaysthatsemester,”Lefavorsaid.

Sothedepartment transcendedMillsaps’ownfourthwallbylookingtothebroadercommunity,andin1995AnneSullivan,whohadtaughttheatreatMississippiCollege,becameboththePlayers’firstguestdirectorandfirstwomandirectorwiththatseason’spro-ductionofJake’s Women.

AsGosseasedtowardretirementin1996,theCollegebroughtintheatreprofessorMorganGadd,andLefavorcontinuedtodirect.“AtthattimeItalkedtoDr.TimCoker,chairoftheDepartmentofPerformingArts,andproposedthisideaofgivingstudentsabroaderexperience,”Lefavorsaid.

RichardA. Smith, now senior vicepresidentanddeanoftheCollege,endorsedthe idea,Lefavor said,opting toalternatebetweenhiringguestdirectorsandscenicdesigners everyyear.“Thatway,becausewewere a small department,wewouldeachhavesomerelief,”Lefavorsaid.“Itwasdecidedthatthedeanwouldpayoutofhisfundsforoneoftheseguestpositionseachyear,andthat’sbeentruesince1996.”

WhenGadddepartedin2002,hewasnotreplaced.Thus,whathasemergedisasysteminwhicheachsea-sonfeaturesthreetofourdirectors:Lefavor,aguestdirectorfundedbythedean,andoneortwoguestdirectorsunderwrittenbythePlayers.Thisseason,for instance,AndersondirectedThe Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged),SullivandirectedThe Night Thoreau Spent in Jail,HalbachdirectedLend Me a Tenor,andLefavordirectedNunsense.

Thearrangementnotonlyenhancesstudents’theatricaleduca-tion,butitalsocreatesadialoguewithinJackson’stheatrecommu-nity.“Thebeautyoftruelearningisthatitneverends,”Andersonsaid.“I’vegainedmanyinsightsfromthestudentsthemselvesand,inseparatevenues,frommanyofmyfellowguestdirectors.”

Sullivan calls herown oppor tuni ty todirect the Players therole of a lifetime.“Intheearly ’70s, IwasanundergraduatestudentatMississippiCollegeandwasseriously interestedintheatre,”shesaid.“Itdidn’ttakelongtolearnthat the place for col-lege theatreat the timewas our c ros s - townrival,Millsaps. Ibeganattending plays in the

ChristianCentertocheckoutthecompetitionandfellinlovewiththecollaborativeartitselfandtheopportunitytotellastorywithuniversalsignificance.Aboveall,IfellinlovewiththedirectionofLanceGoss.”

Sullivan’sartisticjourneytookherbacktoMississippiCollegein1986,whereshewasaninstructoranddirectorforeightyears,butallthattime,shesays,shecontinuedtolearnfromandbeinspiredbytheMillsapsPlayers.Shealsoforgeda lifelongfriendshipwithLefavorascolleaguesinthegraduateprogramattheUniversityofSouthernMississippi.“Brentisoneofthoserareindividualswhocandoany jobconnectedwith theatricalproductions,”Sullivansaid.“Hehasmyutmostrespectintheareasofdirection,setdesignandconstruction,all technicalaspectsof thetheatre—hemaybeoneof thebest lightingdesigners inthefieldtoday—andacting.

“If actors are going to work professionally, they’re going to be

working under a lot of directors for whom they

will have to learn to adapt their technique.”


HavingdirectedhimasC.S.LewisinShadowlands(2000)atGallo-wayUnitedMethodistChurchandthenseeinghiminFiddler on the Roof (2003),Iaminaweofhisonstagepresenceandskill.”

Sullivansaidshewas“humbledandamazed”whenshewasinvitedtoguestdirect in1995.“IrememberwalkingoutonthestageintheChristianCenterbeforeourfirstrehearsal,”shesaid.“IknewIwasstandingonholyground.Thestudentswerebrightandenthusiastic,andBrentwaseverythingonewoulddreamofasaproducer—seeingtoitthateverydetailwasdone,anddonewell.”

“Ireallydidokayuntil Iwalked inandsawLance’srockingchairsittinginonecornerofourarenastagebeforeoneoftheper-formances.WhenIsawit,IknewMr.GosswascomingandIwasextremelyintimidated.Iwasinhishouse—onhisstage.IknewthatnotonlywasIthefirstguestdirectoratMillsaps,butIwasalsothefirstfemaledirector.TherearenowordstotellyouhowinsecureIfeltwhenthecurtainwentupthatnight.Aftertheplay,however,Mr.Gosscomplimentedtheshow,thestudents,andevenmydirection.Nothingcouldhavebeenmoresatisfying.”

In1997,SullivanreturnedtoMillsapstodirectA Man for All Seasons, a tribute toGoss.Sullivan’smost recentproduction, inNovember2004,wasThe Night Thoreau Spent in Jail.“Withonlytwocotsonstage—inanarenasetting,wewereabletosharewiththeaudienceanaccountofthecivildisobedienceofHenryDavidThoreauandhisunconventionalfriendshipwithRalphWaldoEm-erson,”Sullivansaid.“Thisplayspoketoissueswefacetodayanditspokeinasolidacademicsetting.”

ThetheatreprogramatMillsapsisfacingissues,too.Withthedepartmentdownbyonefull-timefacultymember,Lefavorsaidthatadjunctfacultyhadbeenbroughtintohelphandlethecourseload—for instance,PatrickBenton,artisticdirectorof Jackson’sNewStageTheatre, teaches thefundamentalscourse“FromPagetoStage.”ButLefavorpointedoutthat thoseinstructorswerenotinvolvedinactualproductions.

Halbachagreesthattheguestdirectorsprogramcouldbeaug-mentedbymorefull-timeteachers.“Thestudent-actorsareintelli-gent,hardworking,andtalented,”shesaid.“IwouldjustliketoseethetheatreprogramatMillsapsexpandsothattheactorshavemorevarietyofclassroomtraining.Thereareclasses that thestudentsneedbeforetheygooutintotheprofessionalworld,andtheyneedthementoringandnetworkingthatmoreon-site,full-timetheatreprofessorscouldprovide.”

Nevertheless,bybringingnewlevelsofprofessionalismtotheChristianCenter,theguestdirectorsprogramisputtingexcellencein thespotlight,astandardbornofrelentlessly freshvoicesanddemands.“Myexperiencesasastudentandthenasaguestdirectorwerenoteasy,”Sparkssaid.“Asartists,students,aswellasdirectors,areconstantlybeingchallenged,whichisgood.Ifproducingashowiseasy, thensomethinghasn’tbeenfullythoughtoutornothingisbeinglearned.Eitherway,theMillsapsaudiencedoesn’tacceptmediocrity.Weknowthatasdirectors,andwhiletosomethismaybeintimidating,italsoservesasapressurecookerinwhichgrandthingsareborn.”

Veteran Player Wins OBIE For Off-Broadway Triumph

Playwright Lisa D’Amour, B.A. 1990, recently accepted a Village Voice Off-

Broadway Theater Award (OBIE) for her dramatic production Nita and Zita.

D’Amour wrote and directed Nita and Zita (pictured below), a play about

Hungarian sisters who came to this country in 1922 and became burlesque

performers. The OBIE Award recognizes the collaborative, grassroots effort

that fueled the production. Nita and Zita played to packed houses and rave

reviews in New Orleans, Minneapolis, and New York in January of this year.

D’Amour is a veteran of the Millsaps Players and is quick to credit the

success of Nita and Zita to the well-rounded theatre education she received

at Millsaps under the tutelage of Lance Goss and Brent Lefavor. “I often refer

back to my Millsaps training as being absolutely integral to the artist I am

today,” she said. “I had to act, direct, design lights, build sets, and make pro-

duction calendars. My theatre career has really been a do-it-yourself effort.”

D’Amour has used this extensive knowledge to create several site-specific

performances in nontraditional locations such as parking garages, bridges, and

vacant boutiques.

After graduating from Millsaps, D’Amour received a master of fine arts

from the University of Texas–Austin. Although D’Amour speaks well of the

Austin campus, she also sings the praises of Millsaps. “I feel blessed to have

gone to a college with small class sizes and accessible teachers who made me

write, write, and write.”

D’Amour lives in Brooklyn but spends a lot of time in Minneapolis and

New Orleans. She looks forward to beginning her residency at Infernal

Bridegroom Productions in Houston, Texas. D’Amour’s next project will in-

clude taking road trips to various Texas ghost towns and then writing a play

about her experience. Despite her status as a globetrotter, D’Amour main-

tains affection for Mississippi. “I have such fond memories of Jackson,” she said.

“It is one of several reasons that I hope to move back to the South sometime

in the future.” —C. K.


s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 39

By Nancy Seepe and Brian Emory

Alumnus Archie Lamb’s brilliant contribution to Twenty Field


It w a s a Feb r u a r ygame between theMississippi CollegeChoc t aws and theMillsaps Majors. After

a few introductory remarksat a news conference, ArchieL a m b — t h e p r o m i n e n tBirmingham attorney andMillsaps alumnus—excusedhimself for a few practicepitches.

The onlookers—press, other alumni, and school offi cials—du-tifully followed him to Twenty Field, and Lamb threw out the fi rstpitch. A perfect strike that popped the catcher’s mitt. He thenwalked over to the dugout and fl ippedthe breaker switch, and asthe brilliant white lights fl oodedthe fi eldthere was an explosion ofapplause among the 800-plus fans in attendance.

For this was the fi rstgame at Twenty Field ever to be playedunder lights. And not just any lights. The new lights on the MillsapsMajors fi eldsurpass Division III standards, and are equal to those ofthe Atlanta Braves Double-A affi liate,the Mississippi Braves, locatedin nearby Pearl, Mississippi.

This moment in history was made possible by a Millsaps alum-nus who played baseball as a student, and still loves the game. Lamb,B.B.A. 1977, wanted the Majors to have the opportunity to playnight baseball, drawing more fans to the game. His generous gift ofnearly a quarter million dollars provided eight 30,000-pound con-crete poles, holding enough lights to illuminate the highest point inJackson, and made several aesthetic additions to Twenty Field.

“What a wonderful day for Millsaps College!” President Fran-ces Lucas said to the crowd sandwiched in the skybox overlookingHarper Davis Field at the news conference. “Because of alumnilike Archie Lamb, Millsaps can attract the very best scholar athletes,offering them an excellent education and the chance to play on aworld-class baseball fi eld.”

Lamb’s own remarks mirrored his devotion to Millsaps: “I loveMillsaps College desperately. I feel so lucky and privileged to be ina position to do something as a token of my appreciation for myexperience at Millsaps. The truth is, the tools that I take with metoday and the success I’ve achieved, tools that were given to me bymy experience at Millsaps—the diversity of learning, students fromdifferent walks of life—equipped me each and every day to dealwith 176 some odd lawyers that I deal with on a day-to-day basis

on a case. I can compete withanybody on any scale in anyendeavor, and that confi denceis something you take withyou from Millsaps, and itnever leaves you.”

Lamb, a driving forcein nat ional c lass-ac t ionlitigation concerning majorhealth-care and business is-sues, is a sought-after speaker

on legal issues facing health-care professionals. He has appearedbefore the American Medical Association as well as numerous stateand local medical associations, bar groups and legal and medicaleducational seminars. A frequent contributor to business and legalpublications in the area of health-care law, Lamb has appeared onCNN and National Public Radio, along with many regional and localtelevision and radio programs.

“We’re just beginning, Dr. Lucas and I,” continued Lamb. “I’mgrateful for the opportunity to be here in the beginning of the greatexpansion of our athletic facilities. I appreciate and love Millsapsmore than ever.”

Twenty Field, named for 20 alumni who each gave $20,000toward the fi eld,has undergone some needed changes. Along withthe installation of the lights, a warning track now surrounds thegrounds, and right fi eldsports a new 24-foot-high fence. A similarfence was installed in left fi eldand covered with a dark windscreento help shield the sun from the fi rstbaseman’s eyes during late af-ternoon games.

Millsaps starting pitcher John Fox threw the fi rstoffi cialpitchto Mississippi College second baseman J.T. Hardcastle, a strike rightdown the middle. The Majors took the lead early, due in part to ahomerun by junior Garner Wetzel that cleared the high right fi eldfence. Strong pitching, timely hitting, and cohesive teamwork so-lidifi edthe Majors’ lead over the Choctaws.

The seventh-inning stretch entertainment was provided byHead Coach Jim Page’s sons, who enthusiastically sang “Take MeOut to the Ballgame.” Two more runs in the late innings only im-proved the Majors’ lead, and the game ended in a 7-2 win for thePurple and White.

“The improvements to the baseball fi eldare great, not only forthe players but the fans as well,” said Patrick Barb, B.A. 2005, ofMemphis. “This past year, the area behind right fi eldwas the perfectlocation for students and young alumni to socialize, eat crawfi sh,

s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 41

ed Jurney’s appreciation of Lamb. “We play baseball here at Millsapsfor no other reason than love of the game,” declared Page. “AndArchie Lamb loves the game as much as we do. We are so fortunate

to have a friend like Archie. Because ofhis love for the game and for MillsapsCollege, our players are under the lightsfor the very fi rsttime.”

Page thanked others in the room, in-cluding Con Maloney, another alumnuswhose generous gift provided an indoorhitting and pitching facility adjacent toTwenty Field. The players then awardedMaloney with a team jacket.

Maloney, clearly moved by the trib-ute, said, “I see baseball played all acrossthe country, but nowhere do I see base-ball played the way it is at Millsaps, forthe sheer love of baseball.”

heckle the other teams’ outfi elders,and, of course, cheer on theMajors. It’s certainly the best sports-watching experience that theSCAC has to offer.”

Following the game, players, parentsand friends of Majors Baseball gatheredin the Robert and Dee Leggett SpecialEvents Center for a celebratory dinner.Athletic Director Ron Jurney chronicledthe events leading up to the historicgame, citing the generous gift fromLamb, and detailing the efforts of thebaseball staff and the Millsaps groundsand maintenance departments.

“None of this would have happened,nor would the events during the dayhave gone as well, without the help anddedication of many people on our cam-pus,” Jurney said. “And because I playedMillsaps sports withArchie Lamb, I knowhow much this day means to him.”

Jurney then turned the programover to an emotional Page, who second-

Because of Archie Lamb’s “love for the gameand for Millsaps College, our players areunder the lights for the very fi rsttime.”

s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 41

Archie Lamb, right, wore No.12 during his days on the Millsaps Majors baseball team. Sophomore Joe Blades is the current No.12. The photo was taken by Blades’s grandmother, Parr Jeko.


AthleticsFromCrimsonTideToPurplePrideMikeDuBose,headfootballcoachoftheUniversityofAlabamafrom1996to2000,hasbecomethenewestmemberoftheMillsapsCollegefootballcoachingstaff.

DuBoseassumestheroleofdefensivecoordinatorafterservingasheadcoachatLuverneHighSchoolinLuverne,Alabama,nearMontgomery,asmall2AschoolthatDuBoseledtoastatechampionshipin2003.

“We’redelightedtohaveacoachofMikeDuBose’scaliberatMillsapsCollege,”saidRonJurney,directorofathletics.“Hewillbeawelcomeadditiontoourgreatgroupofassistantcoaches.”

DuBosewasanassistantfortheCrimsonTidefrom1983to1986andthenagainfrom1990to1996,whenhewasnamedheadcoachoftheCrimsonTide.

PickedasSoutheasternConferenceCoachoftheYearin1999,DuBoseledtheTidetoanSECChampionshipandaBowlChampionshipSeriesOrangeBowlappearancein2000.

DuBosesaidhefeltMillsapswastherightchoiceattherighttime.“We’vetalkedaboutitandprayedaboutit,”DuBosesaid.“Mywife,Polly,andIlookedatpossiblystayingatLuverneinapart-timerole.Wetriedtomakesomesenseoutofit,anditdidn’twork.Itwasn’tallaboutgettingbackintocollegecoaching.IhadsometalkswithhighschoolsinFlorida.Thetimingdidn’tworkout.”

ThenDuBosegotaphonecallfromafriendofMillsapsHeadCoachDavidSaunders.“HeaskedifIwouldbeinterested,”DuBosesaid.“Fromthatpointon,webegantotalkandgotthedetailsworkedout.”

“Ateveryhiringopportunity,wehavebeenfortunatetoattractgreatcoachesandassembleoneofthebestfootballstaffsinthecountry,”Saunderssaid.

“ThehiringofMikeDuBosecontinuesthattrendofhiringgreatcoaches.Revered

byhispeersasoneofthebestdefensivecoachesinthenation,Mike’sexperience,expertise,andhistoryofwinningatachampionshiplevelmakehimanexcitingadditiontotheMillsapsCollegefootballstaff.Duringthisprocess,wediscussedourprogramputtingamarkonDivisionIIIfootballbycompetingforandwinningchampionships.Mikeunderstandsthatlanguage,thatmindset,andwantedtobeapartofit.Iampleasedtohavehimasamemberofourstaff.”

In13yearsofcoachingattheUniversityofAlabama,DuBoseservedasdefensivelinecoach,defensivecoordinator,andheadcoach.

AnativeofOpp,Alabama,DubosewasastandoutathleteforOppHighSchool,earningfourvarsityletters.WhileplayingfortheTidefrom1972to1974,DuBose,adefensivelineman,ledhisteamstothreeSECChampionships,threebowlgames,andwithteammateSylvesterCroom,nowtheheadfootballcoachatMississippiStateUniversity,anationalchampionshipin1973.

DuBoseremainedatAlabamawhenRayPerkinsarrivedasheadcoachandhefollowedPerkinstotheNFL’sTampaBayBuccaneersin1987andcoachedthedefensivelineforthreeseasonsbeforereturningtoAlabamain1990undernewheadcoachGeneStallings.

DuBose’sdefensewasrankedeighthorbetteragainsttherunatotaloffourtimes,includingthenation’sbestrushingdefenseinthe1992nationalchampionshipseason.TheTideallowedjust55.0yardspergameonthegroundtoleadthenation.DuBosehassuppliedtheNFLwithfivefirst-roundselections,fivefirst-teamAll-Americans,and10All-SECteamselections.—B. E.

“Reveredbyhispeersasoneof

thebestdefensivecoachesinthenation,

Mike’sexperience,expertise,and

historyofwinningatachampionshiplevelmakehiman

excitingadditiontotheMillsapsCollege

footballstaff.”

42 m i l l s a p s m a g a z i n e s p r i n g – s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 43

FriendsandFamilyCopewithSuddenLossofNedWellesNedWelleswaslovinglycalled“Grandpa”byhisformersoccerteammates,currentplayers,andcolleagues.AndjudgingfromhismemorialserviceoncampusandthelargenumberwhotraveledtoPonchatoula,Louisiana,tohisfuneral,theylovedhimliketheylovetheirowngrandparents.“Grandpa”justfithispersonality.

Welles,themen’ssoccergraduateassistantcoach,waskilledinanautomobileaccidentinPonchatoulainDecember.Thecampusmemorialservice,attendedbymanyoftheMillsapsfamily,aswellascurrentsoccerplayersandfriendsoftheprogram,washeldinJanuary.TheWellesfamily,alongwithMillsapsMen’sSoccerCoachLeeJohnsonandseveralofNed’sfriends,spreadhisashesinPonchatoulaandonthegrasssoccerfield,onthenorthendofcampus,whereheplayedeverygameduringhiscareerasaMillsapsMajor.

“Hewasateacher,director,andleaderofyoungpeople,andhehadrealpotentialthatwasstartingtoblossom,”saidhisfather,John(Sparky)Welles,atthecampusmemorial.“Hehadapassionforsports,especiallysoccer.”

Hisleadershiproleontheteam,especiallyduringhissenioryear,earnedhimthenickname“TheNed.”Forthosewithproblemsorneedingtotalk,hewasalwaysthere.

“Hewasalwayssomeonewecouldlookupto,”saidjuniorFranklinChildress,ateammate.“Hewasneverafraidtoleadbyexample,whichbecamemostevidentwhenhetookontheroleofgraduateassistantthispastseason.Hispersonalitydemandedrespect,andhisleadershipskillsandpassiononthefieldearnedhimthat.”

“Healsofirmlybelievedinbeingfairtopeople,”saidLeeJohnson,currentheadcoachofthemen’ssoccerprogram.“Opponentsrespectedhimbecauseofhow

fairlyheplayedthegame.Welleswouldalsolettherefereesknowiftheywerenotbeingfair.”

Heneverhesitatedtopullouttherulebookduringagameandexplainwhyhethoughtthereferee’scallwasincorrect.“Iwillneverforgetthedaythatheconvincedarefereetochangeapenaltykicktoanindirectkickinourbox,”saidJohnson.

Wellesjustknewhewasright.Hewasalsoontherighttracktoabrightfuture.AmemberofKappaAlphafraternity,WelleswassettoreceiveanM.B.A.fromtheCollegeinMay.

Anintenselymotivatedplayerandstudent,Welleswasrememberedforhisabilitytorelaxandenjoythecompanyoffriendsandfamily.“WeallsawNedworkandplayhard,buttherewasamuchsofterside,”saidSparkyWelles.“Helovedhisparents,sister,girlfriend,andgrandmotheralmosttoextremes.”

This,accordingtoallaccounts,wasatraithisparentspasseddowntohim.SparkyandCathyWelles“lovedNedanditshowsinhowinvolvedtheywereineverythinghetookpartinatMillsaps,”saidChildress.They“hardlyevermissedagame,theywouldtakeusouttoeataftergames,evenhangoutinthefraternityhousewithus.IhopetheyunderstandthateventhoughNedhasleftusforawhile,westillneedtheminourlives,evenmorenowthanever.”

“HavingNedasafriendreallyinfluencedmylife,”saidJohnson.“IfyouwereafriendofNed’s,youwerealsoasonordaughtertoSparkyandCathy.”

Theplayersonthe2005fallseason’steamhavedecidedtoplayinthememoryoftheirfriend,coach,andmotivator.TheyhopetoplaythegameasNedWellesplayed,with“realdesireandloveforwhatyouaredoing,”hisfathersaid.“Itcannotbemasked—itwasgenuine,andheenjoyedeverymoment.”

“IwillmisstheopportunitytohavethatlifelongfriendshipwithNed,”saidJohnson.“ButIknowheisinabetterplace.Wewillallmisshim,butwewillneverforgethim.”

AmemorialfundhasbeenestablishedinWelles’sname.Forfurtherinformation,[email protected].—B. E.

WetzelIsDraftedByMLB’sRockiesMillsapsCollegejuniorshortstopGarnerWetzelwastakeninthe10throundofMajorLeagueBaseball’sJuneAmateurDraftbytheColoradoRockies.

Theslugging6-foot-2215-poundshortstopfromGulfportwasthefifthnativeMississippiantakeninthedraft.SomeexpertspredictWetzelcouldeventuallymakethemovetothirdbase.WetzelisthefourthplayerdraftedfromaMillsapsCollegeballclubcoachedbyJimPage.

TheMajorswontheirseventhSouthernCollegiateAthleticConferencechampionshipunderPagein2005.

PagewasnamedSCACCoachoftheYearforaconferencerecordsixthtime.WetzelwasnamedSCACPlayeroftheYearafterleadingtheconferenceinnearlyeveryoffensivecategory.—B. E.

“Hewasateacher,director,andleaderofyoungpeople,andhehadrealpotentialthatwasstartingtoblossom.”



MajorNotesCollegeHonorsAlumnusoftheYear,LivesayWinnersMillsapsCollegehonoredDr.HiramPolkasthe2005AlumnusoftheYearin

recognitionofhisoutstandingcontributionstoandleadershipinhisprofessionasasurgeonandanacademic.

Inhisacceptancespeech,Polksaid:“Highereducationisundermorepressurenowthanithaseverbeeninmylifetime.Itisunderpressureforfundingeverywhere.But

speciallittleprivatecollegeslikeMillsaps,whicharebastionsofexcellence,willgoonnomatterwhat.Ithinkweshouldleaveheretonightknowingthatwhatwehavehereisspecialandpreciousandisworthpreservingforthefuture.”

AnativeofJackson,PolkwaseducatedinitspublicschoolsystemandgraduatedfromMillsapsin1956.PolkattendedHarvardMedicalSchoolandcompletedhisinternshipandresidencyatBarnesHospital/WashingtonUniversityinSt.Louis.HisinitialfacultyappointmentwasattheUniversityofMiamiinFloridaasanassistantprofessorofsurgerywithinterestininfection,burns,cancer,andpediatricsurgery.

PolkassumedthechairofsurgeryattheUniversityofLouisvillein1971andhasservedinthispositionsincethattime.PolkisthecurrentpresidentoftheAmericanSurgicalAssociationandistherecipientofthedistinguishedHonoraryFellowship

oftheRoyalCollegeofSurgeonsinEdinburgh.

TheCollegealsobestowedtheprestigiousLivesayAwarduponfourdistinguishedindividuals,Dr.JohnWofford,ColonelKennethandMrs.RosemaryMcRae,andMarkHerbert.AlongwithPolk,theywerehonoredatthe2005CollegeAwardsandRecognitionDinner,heldinMarchintheLeggettCenter.

Woffordgraduatedcumlaudein1950andattendedThomasJeffersonUniversityMedicalCollegeinPhiladelphia,whereheearnedamedicaldegreein1954.HecompletedbothhisinternshipandresidencyinMemphis,andafterservingasseniormedicalresidentattheUniversityMedicalCenterinJackson,heworkedastheMillsapsCollegephysicianfrom1958to1962.HehasbeenaffiliatedwithseveralmedicalfacilitiesinMississippi,namelyUMC,wherehewasamemberoftheattendingmedicalstaffuntilhisretirementin1991andservedasclinicalassociateprofessoruntil2004.In1974,hewasnamedDoctoroftheYearbytheMississippiAssociationofMedicalAssistants.

KenandRosemaryMcRaehaveshowngreatcommitmenttotheMillsapscommunityforthepastseveralyearsthroughtheirtirelessservicetotheParentsCouncil.Thecouple,wholiveinBirmingham,haveservedonthecouncilsincespring2002andledtheorganizationasco-presidentsin2002–03.ParentsCouncilDirectorKayBarksdalecommendedtheMcRaesfortheirloyalservicetotheCollege,sayingKenandRosemarywerealwaysoncampusadayearlytohandledetailsandpreparationsforcouncilevents.“Wehavesomanyloyalparents,andtheMcRaeshavereallysetthestandardforservicetoMillsaps,”Barksdalesaid.“Theyhavebeeninvolvedintheirson’sactivitiesoncampus—fromChamberSingerstochilicook-offs—andhaveworkedwithourstudentlifestaffinadditiontotheirmanyresponsibilitiesontheParentsCouncil.”

HerberthaspracticedlawinJacksonfor26yearsandiscurrentlyapartnerinthefirmofWatkinsLudlamWinter&Stennis,wherehespecializesinconstructionlitigation.In1984,hewasnamedOutstandingYoungLawyerbytheMississippiStateBarAssociation;hehasalsoreceivedtheassociation’sAwardofMerit.HerberthasservedontheMississippiBarFoundation’sboardoftrusteesandasthatorganization’spresidentin1995.HewasnamedthefirstpresidentofthenewlyformedMillsapsCollegeAlumniAssociationinthefallof2003.—J.Y.

AMarriageMadeInMillsapsHeaven

Shewasstudentbodypresidentandacomputerbuffbytrade.HewasanathleteandthevoiceoftheMillsapsMajors.Neverwasthereacouplewithmoreschoolpride.Aftergraduation,shelefttoengineersoftwareinSiliconValleyandhewentofftostudylawintheGrove.Lifeanddistanceseparatedthemforafewyears.Butnow,thesetwocollegesweetheartshavefoundeachotheragain,promisingtostaytogetherforeverintrueMillsapsfashion.

AprilSlayden,B.S.2001,andJeffMitchell,B.A.2001,areplanningtheir

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NewYear’sEvewedding,butitisMitchell’sproposalthatissouniquetotheircollegiateheritage.MitchellsurprisedSlaydenwithaspontaneoustriptoMillsapsonNovember24,2004,whenhebroughthertothelegendaryM-Bench.Thestoneseatisfabledforitsabilitytoassuremarriageandeternallovewithakiss.SeatedunderarequisitefullmoonatamakeshifttableadornedwithChampagne,chocolate,andpicturesfromtheirMillsapsyears,MitchellaskedSlaydentomarryhim.

SlaydennowlivesnearSanFranciscoandhasworkedforHewlett-PackardasasoftwareengineerandresearchersincecompletinggraduateschoolinRochester,NewYork.However,it’snotallbitsandbytesforthebridetobe.

ShehashelpeddesignaninnovativemusicdeviceknownastheDJammerforHPLabs.HPandMTVhaveaglobalalliance,andSlayden,alongwithprofessionalDJGavinO’Connor,demonstratedtheDJammeratanHPeventthatcoincidedwiththeMTVMusicAwards.ThedemonstrationwassuchasuccessthattheywerebothinvitedtodemonstratetheDJammeragainatpopmogulP.Diddy’safter-showparty.

SincecompletingtheM.B.A.programatMillsapsin2003whilealsoservingasthecollege’ssportsinformationdirector,MitchellhasbeenpursuingalawdegreeattheUniversityofMississippi.Nowinhisthirdyear,healsoactsasamedia-relationsassistantintheOleMissathleticdepartment,aswellasusing

thatfamiliarvoicetoannounceRebelbaseball,basketball,volleyball,andfootballgames.FollowinghisgraduationfromlawschoolinDecemberandtheirMadisonnuptials,MitchellplanstojoinSlaydeninCaliforniatocontinuehiscareerinsportsmanagement. —B. D.

CampusLeaderAsLeadingManHollywoodhasawayofpreparingitsresidentstobecatapultedfromthestageandscreenintotheworldofpolitics;recentgovernorsandaformercommander-in-chiefcometomind.However,ithasworkedtheotherwayaroundforPaulGagliano,B.A.2002,andMillsapsseemsdestinedtohaveaformerpresidentbecomeafamiliarfaceinentertainment.

Gaglianoservedasstudentbodypresidentforthe2001–02termatMillsapsandwasknownforhisenergeticspeechesandnotablepresence.“Ihavealwaysfeltcomfortableinthepubliceye,whetherinanelectedpositionorasacharacteronfilmorinfrontofanaudience,”saidGagliano,anativeofBirmingham.

Evenwhilecarryingouttheextensivedutiesofheadingthestudentgovernment,hestarredincountlesstheatricalproductions,evendirectingafew.

GaglianosaidhewasinspiredandmotivatedbyhisdirectorsatMillsaps,includingBrentLefavor,associateprofessor,

Location, Location, Location . . .

John Johnston, B.B.A. 1989, worked as a location manager for several films (Pulp Fiction, Volcano, The Rising Place, and others) before being given the pilot script of the Fox drama series 24 four years ago. Now as the Emmy Award-winning thriller enters its fifth season, Johnston is still finding sites that form the backdrop for suspense sequences. Johnston and his crew scour downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley for houses, streets, alleys and other urban fixtures. After finding a site and getting approval from the producers, Johnston makes contact with the owners and works with 24’s legal and risk management departments to ensure that the site is available when the film crew is ready to shoot. “A lot of times, it comes down to simply being able to bargain with people,” Johnston said. Johnston and his location partner won Location Professional of the Year/Television honors at the 2004 On Location Awards this past October. — J.Y.


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andMorganGadd,aformertheatreprofessor.

TheygavehimtheskillsandassurancetomaketheleaptoLa-LaLandfollowinggraduation,ashemovedouttoBurbanktopursuehisdreams.Workingasabartenderandwaiterbyday,Gaglianohasusedhistimetoperfecthiscraft.“Rightnow,mylifeislikethatofanyactorgettingstarted,”hesaid.“Igotoauditions.Igotoworkshops.Itakeclasses.Igotonetworkingevents.Ibookajobhereandthere.Ianticipatethenextgig.Theprocessrepeats.”

Itseemstheprocessisworking,asGagliano’srésuméhasbecomeincreasinglyimpressive,themostnotableadditionbeinghisrecentworkontheHistoryChannelseriesBreaking Vegas,starringastheleadintheepisode“CardCountKing.”GaglianowillalsobeappearinginanadvertisementforDietPepsithatwillruninseveralnewspapersandmagazines,includingEntertainment Weekly,US,andPeople.—B. D.


1953Dr. Neil R. Covington,B.S.1953,ofRockHill,S.C.,wasrecognizedataNovember2004receptionbytheDepartmentofSocialWorkatWinthropUniversityinRockHillforhisdedicatedservicetotheuniversityandhiscontributionstotheSouthCarolinacommu-nity.Infall2004thedepartmentcreatedtheCovingtonScholarshipAwardtomemorializehiscontributionsonanannualbasisbyrecognizingstudentswhobestexemplifyCovington’sspiritofteachingandinterestinthepromotionofgerontologythroughoutthecurriculumandcommunity.HehasbeenaprofessorintheDepartmentofSocialWorkformorethan35years.

1957C. (Lee) Nicholson,B.A.1957,ofModesto,Calif.,publishedtwopoemsintheDecember

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2004issueofStanislaus Connections,anewsletterpublishedbytheModestoPeace/LifeCenter.AretiredEnglishinstructor,Nich-olsoninspiredyoungpoetsduringthreedecadesofteachingatModestoJuniorCollege.Hecontinuestowriteandpublishandisaregularcontributortothenewsletter.

1961Dr. Gayle Graham Yates,B.A.1961,ofMinneapolisistheauthorofLife and Death in a Small Southern Town: Memories of Shubuta, Mississippi,publishedbytheLouisianaStateUniversityPressinMarch2004.Itisaculturalhistorywritteninmemoirstyle.YateshadaMississippibooktourinMay2004,withreadingsandsigningsattheWaynesboroPublicLibrary,SquareBooksinOxford,andLemuriaBookstoreinJackson.SheisaprofessoremeritaofAmericanstudiesattheUniversityofMinnesotainMinneapolis.

1962Nancy G. (Grisham) Anderson,B.A.1962,ofMontgomery,Ala.,isdirectoroftheActionsBuildCommunityprogramatAuburnUniversityMontgomery.Theprogram,whichuseshighschoolandcollegevolun-teerstoteachreadingandwritingattwopublichousingcomplexes,wasoneofthe10charitableorganizationstoreceivea$10,000MakeaDifferenceDayAwardbythePaulNewmanFoundationinOctober2003.AndersonisanassociateprofessorofEnglishatAuburn.

1963Sarah M. (McInnis) Allen,B.A.1963,ofBartlett,Tenn.,isdirectorofguidanceatWestMemphisHighSchoolinWestMemphis,Ark.Herhusband,David L. Allen,1964,isretiredfromhispositionasbusinessmanagerofTheatreMemphis.Heservesontheboardsof

theAmericanAssociationofCommunityTheatreandtheSoutheasternTheatreConference.HeservesastheRegionalCommunityTheatreFestivalchairfortheannualSETCconvention.AsanofficialfestivalrepresentativefortheAACT,heoverseesstatefestivalsheldthroughoutthecountry.

1964Mary Dell (Fleming) Palazzolo,B.A.1964,ofJekyllIsland,Ga.,taughtconversationalEnglishinthePugliaregionofItalyinOctober2004withthenonprofitorganiza-tionGlobalVolunteers.BasedinSt.Paul,Minn.,theorganizationhasprovidedserviceopportunitiesaroundtheworldfor20years.

1965 Reunion ClassErnest J. (Joe) Roberts,B.A.1965,ofJacksonpresentedapaperentitled“HowBaker-MillerPinkReducesAggression”attheIXWorkshopAggressionattheUniversityofBerne,Switzerland,duringthegroup’sannualmeetinginNovember2004.Theterm

“Baker-MillerPink”referstothebubblegum-pinkcolordevelopedforuseincorrectionalfacilitiestodeteraggressivebehavior.Roberts,whoholdsamasterofcounselingpsychologydegree,hasapracticeatLakelandCounselingAssociatesinJackson.

1968Alec C. Valentine,B.A.1968,ofClintonservedasateachingassistantinEnglishatPeople’sFriendshipUniversityinSochi,Russia,infall2004aspartofanexchangeprogramwithHindsCommunityCollege.Hiswife,KayKingValentine,servedasateachingassistantinFrench.AlecteachesEnglishattheHindscampusinRaymond.

Send It In: Millsaps Magazine would like you to know that its Major Notes policy has changed. The magazine is now printing only information sent in specifically for Major Notes. In the past, material was

gleaned from newspaper clippings and other sources. The change was made to protect the privacy of alumni and to simplify the editing process. We would like to encourage all alumni to send in their news,

whether big or small, personal or professional, to Tanya Newkirk, Major Notes Editor, Office of Alumni Relations, Millsaps College, 1701 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39210-0001. Or fax : 601-974-1088.

Phone: 601-974-1038 or 1-86-MILLSAPS (1-866 -455-7277), the alumni relations toll-free number. Email: [email protected]. Please include your name, address, phone numbers, email address, graduation

year and degree, and any news you want to share. Appropriate items include births, weddings, advanced degrees, awards, job promotions, etc. Photographs are also welcome. If you are aware of alumni who

are not receiving the magazine, please send us their names and addresses.

Beta Sigma OmicronAlumni members of Beta Sigma Omicron sorority gathered on campus Saturday, June 25, to celebrate their days at Millsaps. After lunch and a tour of the campus, members of the group, which was at Millsaps from the mid ‘50s until 1964, saw old composites, yearbooks, and snapshots. Pauline Dickson Akers of Clinton and Judy Michael of Madison coordinated this first reunion. Plans are in the works for another reunion in 2007 and possibly every two years afterward.

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1970Barry K. Plunkett,B.A.1970,ofJacksonwaspromotedtocorporatevicepresidentofSt.DominicHealthServicesinJanuary2005.HejoinedSt.Dominic

Hospitalin1985asdirectorofcorporatecommunications.Hewaspromotedtovicepresidentofcorporatecommunicationsin1987andagaintoseniorvicepresidentin2000.Inhisnewrolewiththecorporateoffice,PlunkettwillbemorecloselyinvolvedinthevariousentitiesofSt.DominicHealthServicesandwillrepresenttheorganizationinitsmanycivicendeavors.

1971Linda S. (Dorsey) Norman,B.S.1971,ofMerced,Calif.,worksasaprogrammeranalystIIIattheUniversityofCalifornia,Merced.

1975 Reunion Class

1978Steven G. Dean,B.B.A.1978,ofMemphisservesasdivisioncontrollerforBuckeyeTechnologiesinMemphis.

Theresa P. (Prescott) McKibben,B.A.1978,ofBirminghamwascertifiedbytheNationalBoardforProfessionalTeachingStandardsinNovember2004.ShehastaughtmusicforgradesK-5atEdgewoodElementarySchoolinHomewood,Ala.,for14years.Herhusband,John R. (Rob) McKibben,M.B.A.

1984,waspromotedinSeptember2004toseniormemberofthetechnicalstaffwithBellSouthScienceandTechnology.

1980 Reunion Class

Ann Roscopf Allen,B.A.1980,ofSalisbury,Md.,publishedherfirstbook,A Serpent Cherished,inJuly2004.Basedonthetruestoryofan1891Memphismurder,thishistoricallegalthrillerhasbeenselectedasafinalistinForeWord Magazine’sBookoftheYearContest.Allenisafull-timemotherandwritercurrentlyworkingonhersecondnovel.

Randy J. Johnson,B.S.1980,ofVidalia,La.,wasawardedtheKiwanisInternationalOutstandingLeadershipplaqueinOctober2004.HeservedaspresidentoftheKiwanisCluboftheNatchezTraceforcalendaryear2003–04andhasservedontheorganization’sboardofdirectorssince1998.JohnsonisaseniorgeoscientistwithCallonPetroleuminNatchez.

1981Dr. Joel C. Reynolds,1981,ofSanAntonio,Texas,returnedinMay2004fromanine-monthdeploymenttoIraq,whereheservedasafieldsurgeonwiththeFirstInfantryDivisionoutofFortRiley,Kan.HeservesaschiefofthenephrologydepartmentatBrookeArmyMedicalCenterinSanAntonio.Hiswife,Ionia (Oney) Plunk Reynolds,B.A.1983,isafull-timemotherfortheirtwosons,ChaseandTaylor.

1983Dr. Sandra (Sandy) L. Frazier,B.S.1983,ofPelham,Ala.,isservingasamissionarydoctorinCostaRicathroughAguaVivaMinistries.ShehasleftherpositionasanassistantprofessorinthepsychiatrydepartmentattheUniversityofAlabamaatBirmingham,whereshestartedtheuniversity’saddiction-recoveryprogramin1994.FrazierislivingoutofachurchinCostaRica,backpackingintothejunglewithmedicalsuppliestotreatpeopleinremotevillages.

Peter E. Langworthy,B.S.1983,ofWilliamsburg,Va.,isthedirectoroftheAutomaticIdentificationTechnologyCenterforNorthropGrummaninWilliamsburg.Thecompanyprovidesinformationtechnologyservicesandhigh-techitemsfortheDepartmentofDefense.TheAITCenterfocusesonintegratingautomaticidentificationtechnology,includingradiofrequencyidentification,barcodes,handheldterminals,andsmartcards.

1984William (Bill) T. Hetrick,B.A.1984,ofClintonreceivedhise-ProdesignationfromtheNationalAssociationofRealtorsinOctober2004.Thee-Procourseincludes

Internet-learningapplicationstoenhanceRealtors’technologicalskillsandcertifiesrealestateagentsandbrokersasInternetprofes-sionals.ThecourseisdesignedtohelpRealtorsstayattheleadingedgeoftechnol-ogyandidentify,evaluate,andimplementnewInternetbusinessmodels.Hetrickisoneofonly53MississippiRealtorstoachievethedesignation.Heandhiswife,Marilyn,afellowRealtorandBill’sbusinesspartner,joinedRE/MAXAlliance,arealestatebrokerageservingtheJacksonmetropolitanarea,inNovember2004.

1985 Reunion Class

1987Melissa L. (Cumbest) Groff,B.B.A.1987,ofAustin,Texas,isvicepresidentofhumanresourcesforSigmaTel.

Timothy M. (Mike) Patterson,B.A.1987,ofJacksonisaparalegalforStevens&WardPAinJackson.

David E. Sallis,B.A.1987,ofBaySt.Louisreceivedamaster’sdegreeincomputersciencefromtheUniversityofSouthernMississippionMay15,2004.

Millsaps at Mardi GrasFrom left, Cassidy Baker, a sophomore from Baton Rouge; Anne Verret Fulcher, B.A. 1991, of Cleveland, Miss., and Ivana Ventic, a freshman from Mobile. Fulcher met the current students during Mardi Gras 2005 in New Orleans, her hometown. The Millsaps T-shirt caught her attention and led to the meeting.

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1988Mark S. Shryock,M.B.A.1988,ofDowning-town,Pa.,isawealthmanagerwithMallardAdvisorsLLCinNewark,Del.MallardAdvisorsisafinancialadvisoryfirmprovidingcomprehensivefinancialplanningandwealthmanagementforindividuals.

1989Warren T. Burns, Jr.,B.B.A.1989,andJenniferBurnsofAtlantaaretheparentsofHarrisonChant,bornFeb.10,2005.Hehasonebrother,Dylan.WarrenisatechnologyarchitectforCoca-Cola.

1990Rebecca Baker Alley,B.A.1990,ofNashvilleisanaccountexecutiveforWUXPUPN-30,Nashville’sUPNaffiliatestation.

Carole Estes Murphey,B.A.1990,andSmithMurpheyVofBatesvillearetheparentsoftwinboys,ArcherSmithandWebbSmith,bornFeb.25,2004.Theyhaveonesister,Car-ole.CaroleMurpheyisastaffattorneywiththeMississippiJudicialCollegeattheUniversityofMississippi.Herhusbandisanassistantdistrictattorneyforthe17thCircuitCourtDistrict.

1992Amie Peele Carter,B.A.1992,ofZionsville,Ind.,wasnamedapartnerwiththelawfirmofBaker&DanielsinJanuary2005.Shepracticesontheintellectualpropertyteamatthefirm’sdowntownIndianapolisoffice.

Douglas D. Mitchell,B.A.1992,ofPrattville,Ala.,isaspecialinvestigatorfortheUnitedStatesInvestigationServices,basedinAnnandale,Pa.

Milton M. (Trey) Ourso,B.A.1992;William (Bill) D. Russell III,B.A.1992,andEmeritiProfessorsofPoliticalScienceJohn Quincy AdamsandHoward BavenderheldapoliticalsciencereunioninWashington,D.C.,inMarch.OursoandRussell,whowereboth

politicalsciencemajorsatMillsaps,haveremainedinthefield—andremainedclosefriends.Ourso,whowaspresidentoftheCampusDemocratswhileatMillsaps,ownsapoliticalconsultingfirminBatonRougeandisworkingwiththeDemocraticNationalCommitteeinthestateofLouisiana.RussellheadedtheMillsapsCollegeRepublicansandnowworksinthedepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentundertheBushadministration.

David K. Pharr,B.A.1992,ofJacksonwasnamedapartnerintheJacksonofficeofBradleyArantRose&WhiteLLPinFebruary.Amemberofthelawfirm’sLitigation

PracticeGroup,Pharrfocusesonproductliability,complexbusinessandcommerciallitigation,directinsuranceandinsurancecoveragelitigation,andemploymentlitigation.Hehasalsoworkedonsignificantcasesinvolvingenvironmentalandpremisesliability,andpersonalinjury.Thelawfirmemploysmorethan200attorneysandhasofficesinBirmingham,Huntsville,andMontgomery,Ala.,Charlotte,N.C.,Washing-ton,D.C.,andJackson.

Natalie Burwell Ray,B.B.A.1992,ofJacksonhasherowndesignstudio,NatalieRayDesigns,inJackson.Shespecializesindesign

work,originalpaintings,decorativepainting,andmurals.InFebruary,shedesignedtworoomsfortheSt.Andrew’sDesignerShowhouseintheBridgewatersubdivisioninRidgeland.

1993Layla (Graham) Essary,B.A.1993,ofHattiesburgwasnamedcommunicationsdirectorfortheAreaDevelopmentPartner-shipinDecember2004.TheorganizationprovidesChamberofCommerceandeconomicdevelopmentservicestothegreaterHattiesburgareaofForrestandLamarcounties.

Jonathan Hancock,B.S.1993,ofMemphishasbeennamedamemberofthelawfirmGlanklerBrownPLLC.Heconcen-trateshispracticeintheareaoflitigationwithan

emphasisonemployment,commercial,andcivilrightslitigation.Hancockservedascontributingeditorin1998,1999,and2000fortheBureauofNationalAffairs’Employment Discrimination Lawandislistedinthe11theditionofWho’s Who in American Law.HeisamemberoftheAmerican,Tennessee,andMemphisbarassociations.

J. (Alan) Lange,B.A.1993,M.B.A.1996,ofJacksonwasnamedoneofMississippi’s“Top40under40”bytheMississippi Business JournalinJanuary.Thatsamemonth,hejoinedClearLeverageasitsmanagingdirector.Thecompanyservesthenation’s200largestlawfirmsforpartner-levelplacementaswellasstrategicbusinessdevelopment,staffplacement,andtraining.

Mary Laurens (Montgomery) Seely,B.A.1993,andBryanSeelyofNashvillearetheparentsofElizaGrayson,bornMay31,2004.Shehasonebrother,Zimmerman(Zim).MaryLaurensistheconsultantforalternativeassessmentwiththeTennesseeDepartmentofEducation’sDivisionofSpecialEducation.

You’ve Got (Millsaps) Mail!The Millsaps College alumni eNewsletter, with information on alumni happenings, College events, and more, is a great way to stay up-to-date with College news.

Found at www.millsaps.edu/enewsletter/, the newsletter has updates on the Millsaps Arts & Lecture Series, the Bell Concert Series, other performing arts events, Homecoming, the Southern Circuit Film Series, exhibitions at the Lewis Art Gallery, community enrichment, and other links.

This publication is in addition to mymillsaps.com, the alumni online community and a source for email addresses, the alumni directory, a calendar of events, and other member services.

For more information on the newsletter and other Millsaps alumni happenings, call toll free, 1-866-455-7277 (1-86-Millsaps), or contact Trenee Palmer, administrative assistant for alumni relations at 601-974-1038.

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1994Dr. Hazel Gomez McCaughan,B.S.1994,andDannyMcCaughanofFranklin,Tenn.,aretheparentsofAshleyMarie,bornAug.10,2004.Shehasonebrother,Seth,andonesister,Abigail.Hazel,adentist,iscurrentlyafull-timemother.DannyisapediatriciancompletingafellowshipinneonatologyatVanderbiltUniversity.

Dr. Jennifer C. Waguespack-Labiche,B.S.1994,andDr.WilliamB.(Brad)RothofJeanerette,La.,aretheparentsofSarahCatherine,bornOct.5,2004.Shehasonesister,Caroline.InOctober2003,Waguespack-LabicheenteredintoprivatepracticeasadermatologistinNewIberia,La.

1995 Reunion ClassMichelle Dean Easterling,B.A.1995,andThomasG.EasterlingIIIofWestPointaretheparentsofHarlanJackson(Jack),bornSept.24,2004.Hehasonebrother,Grayson.MichelleisanattorneywithEdwards,Storey,Marshall,&HelvestonLLPinWestPoint.ThomasteachesEnglishattheMississippiSchoolforMathandScienceinColumbus.

1996Geney B. (Sanders) Galey,B.A.1996,andColbyGaleyofGreenwoodaretheparentsofTateWilliam,bornSept.24,2004.Hehasonesister,Callie.

Heather L. Gilliam,B.A.1996,andWilliamFrederickYoungIVofMarietta,Ga.,weremarriedonOct.23,2004,inAsheville,N.C.

J. (Brian) Gomillion,B.S.1996,ofWalnutGrovewasselectedtoserveontheboardofgovernorsforthePublicEducationForumofMississippiinNovember2004.InDecember,hecompletedtheTennesseeValleyPublicPowerAssociation’sfive-yearCertifiedPowerExecutiveProgram.Theprofessionalcertifi-cationprogramisspecificallydesignedtoprovidemanagersofpublicpowerdistri-butionsystemswithabetterunderstanding

oftheirdutiesandrolesintheutilityindustry.GomillionisthedirectorofspecialprojectsandcommunicationsfortheCentralElectricPowerAssociationinCarthage.

Gavin C. Smith,B.A.1996,ofFortWorth,Texas,isthetradecompliancemanagerforRadioShackinFortWorth.

1997Halley A. Austin,B.A.1997,ofNaperville,Ill.,isthemanagerofLTL(“LessThanaTruckLoad”)procurementforMenloWorldwideLogisticsinNaperville.

Kenneth C. Ball,B.S.1997,andMary Boothe Ball,B.A.1997,ofJacksonaretheparentsofStephensHilton,bornAug.3,2004.Hehasonebrother,Samuel.Maryisafull-timemother.KennethiscompletingaresidencyininternalmedicineandpediatricsattheUniversityofMississippiMedicalCenter.

Eddie L. Pope,M.B.A.1997,ofMageeisthedirectorofmanagementinformationservicesforPioneerHealthServicesinMagee.

William B. (Ben) Skipper,B.A.1997,andJennifer Jones Skipper,B.A.1999,ofRidgelandannouncethebirthoftheirson,William(Will)Robert,onDec.2,2004.

1998Dr. Joshua F. Phillips,B.S.1998,ofBrandonwillserveaschiefresidentintheDepartmentofPediatricsattheUniversityofMississippiMedicalCenterforacademicyear2006–07.

April Harris Roberson,B.S.1998,andRichardRobersonofJacksonannouncethebirthoftheirdaughter,AnneBarret,onMay26,2004.Aprilisafull-timemotherandRichard,whoservesasspecialassistanttotheAttorneyGeneral’sOffice,isseniorlegalcounseltotheDivisionofMedicaid.

Christina (Christy) M. Robertson,B.B.A.1998,ofMemphiswaspromotedtomanageratErnst&YoungLLPonOct.1,2004.

1999Dr. Jonathan P. Breazeale,M.B.A.1999,ofTheWoodlands,Texas,receivedaPh.D.infinancefromTexasA&MUniversityinMay2004.Hisdissertationwasentitled“Acquir-ingFirmLong-TermPerformanceandGovernanceCharacteristics.”BreazealeisvicepresidentandassetmanagerforParkwayPropertiesinHouston.

Ashley D. Doughty,B.S.1999,andCharles F. Swearingen,B.S.1999,ofBrandonweremarriedJuly31,2004,inDarrow,La.TheweddingpartyincludedJason Adams,B.B.A.1998,Charlie Malouf,B.A.1998,Gordon Richardson,B.A.1998,Brooks Brown,B.S.1999,M.B.A.2001,Misty A. Leon,B.A.1999,andAshley A. Martin,B.A.1999.DoughtyreceivedanmasterofsciencedegreefromtheUniversityofSouthernMississippiinDecember2002inchilddevelopmentanddevelopmentaldisabilities.SheworksasapsychometristandresearchassistantintheneuropsychologydepartmentatMethodistRehabilitationCenterinJackson.SwearingenearnedcertificationinemergencymedicaltechnologyfromtheUniversityofMississippiMedicalCenterSchoolofHealthRelatedProfessionsinDecember2002.HeisemployedasaflightparamedicwithAirCareattheUniversityofMississippiMedicalCenterandasaclinicalinstructorattheSchoolofHealthRelatedProfessions.

Shannon W. (Husband) McLaughlin,B.A.1999,ofGulfportisanadvertisingcoordinatorfortheBeauRivageResortandCasinoinBiloxi.

Junko Fukuma,B.A.1999,M.B.A.2002,andOscarAllenBarnesJr.,ofTampa,Fla.,weremarriedMay1,2004,

atMillsapsintheChristianCenter’sFitzhughChapel.SheservesashumanresourcesgeneralistforTheChildren’s

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agraduateassistant,teachingcoursessuchasIntroductiontoLogicandIntroductiontoPhilosophy.

2002Ryan P. Paul,B.B.A.2002,ofTheWoodlands,Texas,isaconstructionmanagerforJeffPaulCustomHomesinTheWoodlands.Heisinchargeofbuilding,managing,andoverseeingthecompletionofmultimillion-dollarhomes.ThisJunewillmarkhisthirdyearwiththecompany.

Melissa (Missy) Skertich,B.S.2002,andRobert Bradford Sutherlin Jr.,B.A.2003,ofNewOrleansweremarriedonNov.6,2004,inNewOrleans.

2003Rose M. Hurder,B.A.2003,ofCleveland,Miss.,iscoordinatoroftheLighthouseArtsandHeritageAfter-SchoolPrograminCleveland.Theprogram,whichmeetsfourdaysaweekandisbasedatD.M.SmithMiddleSchool,emphasizestherichcultureoftheMississippiDeltawhilealsoprovidingacademicsupportforthestudents.ActivitieshaveincludedreadingtheplayA Raisin in the Sun,writingbluessongs,andtravelingtotheMississippiRiverMuseuminTunica.Studentsalsoproduceda“photoroadshow,”forwhichtheygatheredhistoricphotosoftheDeltaandstudentsinterviewedthephotographerstogatherthepictures’oralhistories.Thisprojectwasmadepossiblethrougha$10,000grantfromThe History Channel.HurderhasbeenworkingwiththeprogramaspartofheryearofservicewithAmericorpsVISTA,whichendsinJuly.

William W. Selman,B.S.2003,ofHattiesburgispursuingamaster’sdegreeintheBiologicalSciencesDepartmentatTheUniversityofSouthernMississippi.Hiscurrentfocusisherpetologyandhisongoingresearchisentitled“SteroidHormoneLevelsandReproductionofYellowBlotchedSawbackTurtles(Graptemys flavimaculata)andthe

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HomeCommUnityInc.inTampa.HeisadesignconsultantforTheNorwalkFurni-tureIdea,alsoinTampa.

2000Matthew A. Miller,B.A.2000,and

Ayako Asada,B.A.2003,ofRidgelandweremarriedOct.9,

2004,inNatchez.AnadditionalweddingreceptionwasheldinTokyo,Japan,onDec.26,2004.HeisaclaimsinvestigatorforTheBarnettGroupinMadison.SheisatranslatorandinterpreterwithNissanMotorCo.inCanton.

2001Kelli Crossland,B.B.A.2001,andMichaelAgnichofRedwoodCity,Calif.,weremarriedOct.11,2003,in

Dallas.AllofherattendantswereMillsapsalumnae:Leigh Brasuell,B.A.2000;Erica A. (Adkins) Sweeney,B.A.2000; Jenni Brown,B.A.2001;April Slayden,B.S.2001;andCaroline Stauffer,B.A.2001.Lauryn Bratton,2003,wasinvolvedintheweddingaswell.ThecouplelivesjustsouthofSanFranciscoinSiliconValley,whereCrosslandworksasapersonalassistanttoafamily.Sheshops,runserrands,managesthehouseholdstaff,andtravelsfrequentlywiththem.Sheisalsopursuingamaster’sdegreeinelementaryeducation.

Charles D. (Daniel) Redmond,B.A.2001,ofHattiesburgispursuingamaster’sdegreeintheDepartmentofPhilosophyandReligionatTheUniversityofSouthernMississippi.Heis

CongenericRingedSawbackTurtle(Graptemys oculifera).”

2004Lei Han,M.Acc.2004,andNianHuangofArlington,Texas,weremarriedApril23,2004,

inLasVegas.HanispursuingaPh.D.inaccountingattheUniversityofTexasatArlington.

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MajorNotesHarvey Dwight Adcock,B.A.1973,ofKoscuiskodiedJan.18,2005.AtMillsaps,hewasamemberofAlphaPsiOmega,theMillsapsPlayers,andtheMillsapsSingers.HealsoservedasassistanteditoroftheBobashela.

Jimmie Assaf,1936,ofJacksondiedMarch15,2005.WhileatMillsaps,heplayedfootballandbaseball.

Dr. Thomasina Blissard,1962,ofJacksondiedSept.3,2004.WhileatMillsaps,shewasamemberofAlphaEpsilonDelta.Inthe1980s,shearrangedfortheartistKarlWolfetopainttheportraitofEudoraWeltythatnowhangsintheMillsaps-WilsonLibrary.

Clarine Rush Bradford,B.A.1943,ofBullard,Texas,diedOct.11,2004.AtMillsaps,shewasamemberofBetaSigmaOmicronsorority,SigmaLambda,KappaDeltaEpsilon,theStudentExecutiveBoard,andthePanhellenicCouncil.SheservedaspresidentoftheMajoretteClubandtheWomen’sCouncil.In1943,shereceivedthePanhellenicAwardforOutstandingGirlCitizen.ShewasalsonamedtoWho’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

Merritt S. (Steve) Bumpas,1959,ofCovington,La.,diedJan.29,2005.WhileatMillsaps,hewasamemberofKappaSigmafraternity.William Dean Buntin,1948,ofGeorgetown,Texas,diedFeb.2,2005.HeattendedMillsapsaspartoftheNavyV-12officertrainingprogram.

Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd J. (Blue) Caillavet,1935,ofBiloxidiedFeb.8,2005.

James A. (J. A.) Callahan,B.S.1956,ofJacksondiedJan.2,2005.

Dr. James B. (Benny) Conerly,B.S.1952,ofCollinsdiedSept.10,2004.AtMillsaps,hewasamemberofKappaAlphafraternityandThetaNuSigma.

Madge (Dinah) Brown Daniel,1941,ofColumbusdiedNov.14,2004.WhileatMillsaps,shewasamemberofKappaDeltasorority.

Nancye White Dean,1938,ofColfax,La.,diedMarch7,2005.

Eleanor Barksdale Douglass,1963,ofBirminghamdiedDec.5,2004.AtMillsaps,shewasamemberofKappaDeltasorority,theYWCA,theMillsapsSingers,andtheMadrigals.ShewasaconsistentsupporteroftheMillsapsPrincipals’Institute.

Dr. Paul E. Edwards,B.S.1953,ofBrandondiedApril4,2005.WhileatMillsaps,hewasamemberofKappaSigmafraternityandplayedvarsityfootball.

Nancy Plummer Faxon,B.S.1936,ofChestnutHill,Mass.,diedFeb.1,2005.AtMillsaps,shewasamemberofAlphaEpsilonDelta,EtaSigma,theStudentExecutiveBoard,theRamblersClub,theBeethovenClub,andtheMillsapsSingers.SheservedaspresidentofKappaDeltasororityandchairoftheMillsapsRadioProgram.

Thomas C. Felt,M.B.A.1986,ofVicksburgdiedOct.14,2004.

Sidney F. Graves Jr.,B.A.1968,ofHattiesburgdiedJan.8,2005.WhileatMillsaps,hewasamemberofKitKat,GammaGamma,theSocialScienceForum,andparticipatedinintramuralsports.HeservedasvicepresidentandscholarshipchairforPiKappaAlphafraternity,businessmanagerforStylusliterarymagazine,andcopyeditorfortheBobashela.In1968,hewasawardedtheClarkEssayMedalforthebestoriginalpaperinanEnglishcourse.

Bernice Flowers Hederman,1936,ofJacksondiedDec.6,2004.ShewasafoundingmemberoftheMillsapschapterofChiOmegasorority.AlongstandingfinancialsupporteroftheCollege,shewasa

scholarshiprepresentativeandamemberofthePresidentsSociety.

Blanche Christine Field Holland,B.A.1931,ofGrenadadiedMarch4,2005.

Brigadier General Preston L. Jackson,B.A.1949,ofMadisondiedNov.9,2004.AtMillsaps,hewasamemberofLambdaChiAlphafraternityandparticipatedinathletics.

James C. Jenkins Jr.,1942,ofJacksondiedApril4,2005.WhileatMillsaps,hewasamemberofKappaSigmafraternity.

Maurice M. Jones,1934,ofMiamidiedMarch14,2005.AtMillsaps,hewasamemberofThetaKappaNufraternity.

Judge Thomas J. Kliebert,1945,ofPaulina,La.,diedMay28,2002.HeattendedMillsapsaspartoftheNavyV-12officertrainingprogram.

Charlene Fallin Wright Knox,1939,ofJacksondiedJan.5,2005.WhileatMillsaps,shewasamemberofKappaDeltasorority.

Brigadier General John Tipton (Tip) Lewis,B.S.1959,ofRaymonddiedMarch9,2005.

Zelta Wiles Locke,1958,ofClintondiedApril10,2005.

Dr. Charles F. Lowe,B.S.1957,ofMcCombdiedDec.20,2004.AtMillsaps,hewasamemberofKappaSigmafraternity,ThetaNuSigma,AlphaEpsilonDelta,thePurple & Whitestaff,andtheBobashelastaff.HealsoservedontheMillsapsAlumniAssociationBoardofDirectorsinthe1970s.

Dr. Curtis B. Magee,B.S.1947,ofJacksondiedDec.5,2004.WhileatMillsaps,hewasamemberofKappaSigmafraternity.HeattendedMillsapsaspartoftheNavyV-12officertrainingprogram.

The Office of Alumni RelationswouldliketoextenditssincerestapologyforlistingElizabeth(Lib)LamptonPowellasdeceasedintheWinter2004–05Millsaps Magazine.Weregrettheerrorandanyhardshiporinconveniencethismayhavecaused.


Martha (Puff) Powell McGahey,B.A.1941,ofLelanddiedOct.25,2004.AtMillsaps,shewasamemberofChiOmegasorority,theYWCA,andtheWoman’sAssociation.

David M. McMullan,B.A.1960,ofRidgelanddiedNov.4,2004.WhileatMillsaps,hewasamemberofKappaAlphafraternity.

Brenda Denson Melohn,M.B.A.1988,ofBrandondiedOct.17,2004.

Don M. Mizell,1945,ofJacksondiedOct.5,2004.AtMillsaps,hewasamemberofPiKappaAlphafraternity.

Donald Lewis Moak,1961,ofRaymonddiedOct.25,2004.

Gertrude Triplett Morgan,1944,ofKosciuskodiedSept.28,2004.WhileatMillsaps,shewasamemberofPhiMusorority.

Dr. Royce L. B. Morris,B.A.1961,ofAbingdon,Va.,diedMarch29,2005.WhileatMillsaps,hewasamemberofEtaSigmaPhi.

Frances Gray Muncie,B.A.1948,ofRaymonddiedOct.3,2004.AtMillsaps,shewasamemberofBetaSigmaOmicron,KappaDeltaEpsilon,andtheYWCA.

Dr. Richard (Dick) W. Naef,B.S.1949,ofJacksondiedJan.20,2005.WhileatMillsaps,hewasamemberofAlphaEpsilonDeltaandOmicronDeltaKappa.HealsoservedasbusinessmanagerfortheMillsapsSingers.

William Miller Nelson Jr.,B.A.1950,ofColumbusdiedNov.29,2004.HecontributedtotheBethGriffinJonesSponsoredAdultScholarshipFund,establishedatMillsapsinthe1990s.

Dr. Dennis Ray Roberts,B.S.1947,ofJacksondiedFeb.8,2005.

shewasamemberoftheMillsapsSingersandtheYWCA.SheservedaspresidentofBetaSigmaOmicronsorority.

Geraldine McCormack Whitaker,1946,ofSpringfield,Ill.,diedJan.15,2005.WhileatMillsaps,shewasamemberofBetaSigmaOmicronsorority.

Emaline F. Bullard Wilkinson,1993,ofVicksburgdiedApril5,2005.

Fred Harris Williams Jr.,B.A.1956,ofClintondiedApril5,2005.AtMillsaps,hewasamemberofPiKappaAlphafraternityandplayedvarsityfootball.

Dr. Walter E. (Ellis) Williamson,B.A.1943,ofTarboro,N.C.,diedDec.13,2004.WhileatMillsaps,hewasamemberofOmicronDeltaKappa,theStudentExecutiveBoard,andtheYMCA.HeservedaspresidentoftheChristianCouncilandtheMinisterialLeague.HewasalsonamedtoWho’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

Joseph E. Wroten,B.S.1945,ofAberdeendiedMarch17,2005.AtMillsaps,hewasamemberoftheYMCA,theMillsapsSingers,theMillsapsPlayers,andthePurple & Whitestaff.HeservedaspresidentofKappaSigmafraternity.HeattendedMillsapsaspartoftheNavyV-12officertrainingprogram.

Louise Havard Youngblood,B.A.1949,ofHernandodiedApril9,2005.WhileatMillsaps,shewasamemberoftheVikings.

Susan Wheeless Roberts,B.A.1959,ofPortGibsondiedOct.16,2004.AtMillsaps,shewasamemberofthePurple & Whitestaff,theMajorFactsstaff,andthePanhellenicCouncil.SheservedassecretaryforChiOmegasororityandfortheMajoretteClub.Shewasselectedasa“Favorite”andasMissMillsapsin1959.

Major Thomas G. Roberts,B.A.1949,ofBaySpringsdiedApril7,2005.WhileatMillsaps,hewasamemberofKappaSigmafraternityandtheMillsapsPlayers.

Dorothy Norwood Root,B.A.1950,ofJacksondiedApril5,2005.

Dr. Dennis E. Salley,B.S.1954,ofMeridiandiedDec.15,2004.WhileatMillsaps,hewasamemberofPiKappaAlphafraternityandtheBobashela staff.

Dr. Robert G. Shoemaker,B.A.1963,ofConway,Ark.,diedOct.8,2004.AtMillsaps,hewasamemberofOmicronDeltaKappa,SchillerGesellschaft,EtaSigma,theMillsapsPlayers,andtheMillsapsSingers.

Clarence R. Smith,1945,ofClevelanddiedOct.17,2004.HeattendedMillsapsaspartoftheNavyV-12officertrainingprogram.

Mary Helen Utesch Smith,1964,ofAtlantadiedFeb.22,2005.WhileatMillsaps,shewasamemberofKappaDeltasororityandEtaSigmaPhi.

Margaret Murphy Swayze,1939,ofBentondiedFeb.13,2005.WhileatMillsaps,shewasamemberofKappaDeltasorority,ChiDelta,andtheWoman’sPanhellenicCouncil.Sheservedassecretary-treasurerforthesophomoreclass.

Laura Rodgers Tucker,1942,ofBrandondiedDec.20,2004.

Rosa L. McKeithen Webb,B.S.1930,ofColumbusdiedSept.21,2004.AtMillsaps,

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“Quote goes here”.

Richard(Dick)DearFoxworth

Esteemed Attorney, Former Trustee, Dedicated Fund Raiser

RichardDearFoxworth,aformertrusteeand1956graduateofMillsaps,diedonJanuary18athishomeinColumbia,Mississippi.Hewas69.

FoxworthwasborninthecommunityofFoxworthinMarionCounty,Mississippi,onJuly30,1935.HegraduatedfromColumbiaHighSchool,wherefriendsrememberedhimasnotonlya“verystudiousyoungman”butalsoa“verylikableperson.”Amonghismanyactivities,hewasabasketballplayerandamemberofthedebateteam.

In1956,FoxworthearnedabachelorofsciencedegreeingeologyfromMillsaps.Hewentontoearnamaster’sdegreeingeologyfromtheUniversityofMissouriandajurisdoctoratefromtheUniversityofMississippi.AtMillsaps,hewasamemberofPiKappaAlphafraternity.

ThoughheworkedasageologistforTexacofrom1958to1962,Foxworthwasintheprivatepracticeoflawfor40years,specializinginprobate,estateandbusinessplanning,andoilandgas.Hewas“extremelyprincipled,”afriendoncesaid,andconsideredthepracticeoflawtobea“trueprofession.”HeservedaspresidentoftheMississippiBarAssociationfrom1996to1997.Atthetimeofhisdeath,hewasmanagingpartnerofFoxworth,Shepard&BerryPA.

HewasmarriedtotheformerMarilynDickson,B.A.1965.AmemberofFirstUnitedMethodistChurchinColumbia,heservedinmanyleadershiproles,includingchairofthetrusteesandateacherinthemen’sBibleclassformanyyears.

FoxworthremainedenthusiasticaboutMillsapsCollege,servingontheestateplanningcommitteeand,asamemberoftheBoardofTrusteesfrom1986to1990,workingonthebusinessaffairscommittee.HeservedontheboardofTheAsburyFoundationofHattiesburgandwasinstrumentalinsecuringfortheCollegea$1milliongiftforscholarships.

“DickFoxworthwasaprinceofaman,”PresidentFrancesLucassaid.“Ihaveenjoyedhischarmandwisdomonvariousoccasions.WhenwegatheredtosalutehimattheannouncementofthescholarshipgivenbyTheAsburyFoundationandonebyhisfamily,InotedthatheappearedtoberelatedtowellovertwodozenMillsapsgraduates.Ihopetorecruitmanymoreofhisfamilymembers,andmaybesomewillwinhisscholarship.”

InadditiontoservingasaMillsapstrustee,FoxworthalsoservedontheboardsoftheMethodistHospitalofHattiesburg,CitizensBankofColumbia,andWesleyHealthSystemsofHattiesburg.

TwoscholarshipshavebeenestablishedinFoxworth’smemory.TheRichardD.andMarilynD.FoxworthEndowedScholarshipwascreatedthroughabequestfromFoxworth’sownestateplans,andtheRichardD.FoxworthMemorialScholarshipwasestablishedfromagenerousgiftfromTheAsburyFoundationofHattiesburg.BothscholarshipswillensurethatgenerationsofstudentsbenefitfromDickFoxworth’sloveforMillsaps. —K. B., N. S.

He was “extremely principled” and considered the practice of law to be a “true profession.”

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“She was one of the most devoted trustees

who ever served.”

MarshaMcCartyWells

Valued Trustee, Committed Alumna, Civic Leader

MarshaMcCartyWells,50,whograduatedsummacumlaudein1976,diedonApril22ofcomplicationsfromheartdisease.ShehadbeenanactiveanddedicatedalumnaandamemberoftheMillsapsBoardofTrusteessince1991.

“WeremainstunnedandindeepgriefthatMarshaisgonefromthisearth,”saidPresidentFrancesLucas.“Shewasoneofthemostdevotedtrusteeswhoeverserved.Infact,weteasedherinourfullboardmeetingaboutbeingoneofthefewtrusteestoreadeverysinglewordofthethickboardbookwesendoutforeverymeeting.Herboardbookwasalwaysmarkedupwithinkfrombeginningtoend.NoonewasmorethoroughwithafinancialsheetthanMarsha.”

HerdevotiontotheCollegebeganduringherstudentdays,whenshemajoredineducationandwasinvolvedinnumerouscampusactivities,includingKappaDeltasorority,KappaDeltaEpsilon,theeducationhonorary,andtheyearbook,the Bobashela,whichsheeditedin1975.ShewasalsoamemberoftheacademichonoraryEtaSigmaandleadershiphonorariesSigmaLambdaandOmicronDeltaKappa.SheearnedanM.B.A.fromEmoryUniversityin1978.

FollowinghergraduationfromEmory,shereturnedtoJackson,wheresheservedastreasurerofthefamilybusiness,McCartyFarms,priortothecompany’ssalein1995.AtthetimeofherdeathshewastreasurerofMcCartyEnterprisesLLCandvicepresidentoftheH.F.McCartyJr.FamilyFoundation.

HerswasaMillsapsfamily.ThelateHymanF.(Mac)McCartyandMaryAnnMcCartyofMageewerelongtimesupportersasUnitedMethodistsandparentsofthreedaughterswhoattendedMillsaps.HerfatherservedasatrusteeoftheCollege,andtheMillsapsTowerisagiftoftheMcCartyfamily.ShewasmarriedtoTerryWellsofNatchez,a1976graduateofMillsaps.Theyhavetwodaughters,AshleyandLeslie.

WellshasservedMillsapsasamemberofthepresidentialsearchcommittee,theinvestmentoversightcommitteeoftheboard,andvicechairmanoftheadvisorycommitteetotheElseSchoolofManagement.ShewasamemberoftheAlumniCouncil’sexecutivecommitteeandwastreasurerofthehousecorporationforKappaDeltasorority.

ShewasanactivecitizenoftheJacksoncommunity,servingonnumerousboardsandassociations.HerlovefortheartsdrewhertoleadershippositionswiththeMississippiSymphonyandtheMississippiMuseumofArt.ShewasalsoasupporterofSt.Andrew’sEpiscopalSchool,theJacksonZoo,theWilsonResearchFoundation,theMississippiMethodistRehabilitationCenter,andWillowoodDevelopmentalCenter.Shereceivedprestigiousawardsforherbusinessaccomplishmentsandhervolunteerservice.

HerenergyandenthusiasmforMillsapsandherinterestinyoungpeopleisevidentinalettershereceivedin2002fromalumnaMichelleClingan,whowrote:“Thankyouforcaringenoughtoaskawaitresswhatsheplannedtodowithherlife,andthankyouforconvincingmethatIcouldaffordMillsaps.Itwasduringthespringsemesterof1999whenIwaitedonyouandyourhusband,andyoutookthetimetochatwithmeaboutschoolandlatertosetupaninterviewformeatMillsaps.Now,Iamafirst-yearlawstudent...ThankyouforcaringenoughtobelievethatIcouldgotoMillsapsandhavesuccessatatimeinmylifewhenIdidn’tbelieveinmyself.”

Millsapshaslostavaluedtrustee,acommittedalumna,atreasuredfriend.—K. B.

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GeneralLouisWilson

Combat Hero, Chief of Staff, Life Trustee

GeneralLouisWilson,85,formercommandantoftheU.S.MarineCorpsandalifetrusteeofMillsapsCollege,diedonJune21athishomeinBirmingham.

Wilson,B.S.1941,wasborninBrandononFebruary11,1920,toLouisandBerthaBuchananWilson.WhileattheCollege,hecompetedinfootballandtrack.WilsonwascommissionedaMarineofficerupongraduation.AsaplatoonandlatercompanycommanderintheNinthMarineRegiment,ThirdMarineDivision,hetookpartincombatoperationsinthePacific,includingtheinvasionofGuamin1944.ItwasonGuamthatCaptainWilsontookpartinatwo-daycompanyactionforwhichhewasawardedtheCongressionalMedalofHonor.

Accordingtothecitation,Wilson,orderedtotakethatportionofthehillwithinhiszoneofaction,“initiatedhisattackinmidafternoon,pusheduptherugged,openterrainagainstterrificmachine-gunandriflefirefor300yards,andsuccessfullycapturedtheobjective.Promptlyassumingcommandofotherdisorganizedunitsandmotorizedequipment,inadditiontohisowncompanyandonereinforcingplatoon,heorganizedhisnightdefensesinthefaceofcontinuoushostilefireand,althoughwoundedthreetimesduringthefive-hourperiod,completedhisdispositionofmenandgunsbeforeretiringtothecompanycommandpostformedicalattention.”Helaterrescuedawoundedcomradeandheldthelineinfiercehand-to-handcombat.

Returningstatesidetorecoverfromwoundssustainedinthataction,hewasassignedtotheMarineBarracksinWashington,D.C.LaterthatyearhemarriedhisMillsapssweetheart,JaneClark,ofPearson,Mississippi.

Duringhistenureascommandant,WilsonlaidafirmfoundationofhighstandardsanddemandingtrainingthatensuredthattheCorpsmaintainedamodern,mobile,combinedarmsforce.GeneralMichaelHagee,currentcommandant,said:“GeneralWilsonwasaheadofhistime.Ascommandant,hestressedmodernization,readiness,expeditionarycapabilities,andintegratedfirepower,areasthatwestillconcentrateontoday.”

Followinghisretirementin1979,Wilsonsatonanumberofcorporateboards.HeandhiswifelivedinJacksonatthetimeandlatermovedtoSanMarino,California.TheWilsonseventuallyreturnedtotheSouth,settlinginBirminghamtobeneartheironlychild,JanetWilsonTaylor,anattorneyandmotheroftwo.

WilsonwasmadeatrusteeofMillsapsCollegein1978andalifetrusteein1990.Wilson’smilitarydecorationsincludedtheCongressionalMedalofHonor,theDistinguishedServiceMedal,theLegionofMeritwithCombat“V”andtwoGoldStars,andthePurpleHeartMedalwithtwoGoldStars.HiscivilianhonorsincludedtheIronMikeAwardfromtheMarineCorpsLeague,DistinguishedAchievementAwardfromPiKappaAlphaFraternity(1946),andOutstandingMississippianAward(1974).HewasinductedintoOmicronDeltaKappafromMillsapsCollege(1976)andwasalsoelectedintotheMillsapsCollegeSportsHallofFame(1980).

WilsonisburiedatArlingtonNationalCemetery.—J. Y.

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Captain Wilson took part in a two-day company action in Guam for which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

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Johnny,We Hardly KnewYeMother Millsaps never asks too much of her children when theyleave. Maybe a visit every now and then or a few dewy-eyedmentions of her name. Really, she wants what any mother wants—for her children to go out into the world and make her proud. OurMother Millsaps gets her fair share of reasons to brag, her childrenleaving to become everything from bishops to Hollywood big shots.We all recall what she meant to us, how she looked and felt whenwe would tread upon her campus. Whether we stayed under hertall oaks for years or left after a few short months, the smell offresh-cut grass, the sound of enlightened conversation, wafts usback to the days we spent with our Mother Millsaps.

Kit Carson was here when her oaks were a little bit smaller andthe Bell Tower didn’t exist. In its place was his dorm, Founders Hall.He’d walk the dorm’s fl oorsperforming magic tricks; for 50 cents,he could make your coins disappear forever. His quiet demeanorand playful entertainment were welcomed by his friends on thehall, his fellow V-12 members.The Navy V-12 program wasdesigned to give offi cercandidates preliminary training duringWorld War II.

On Friday and Saturday nights, they would meet on the roof ofthe old Heidelberg Hotel to hear Kit play the drums with theMillsaps Swing Band. Underneath the warm, Southern night skies,folks were able to forget their troubles for a while and just listen toKit Carson play.

The V-12ers stayed around for only the last six months of theyear, just long enough to feel the real heat of a Mississippi summer.In January of 1944, they said goodbye to Mother Millsaps and wenttheir separate ways. Some left for their naval assignments to bepilots; some, like Kit, went on to the sea. Kit made it through thewar, even after his boat, the Pennsylvania, was torpedoed.Somewhere along the line, Kit docked in Hollywood and changedhis name to Johnny. He went on to host The Tonight Show andbecome one of the most famous television personalities of ourtime.

Guess all that fame kept Johnny Carson pretty busy, for he nevercould fi ndthe time to come back to visit Millsaps. But that’s justfi newith her—because Kit Carson made her plenty proud.Youcould almost feel her tall oak branches sink a little when he passedaway this January. Mother Millsaps knew that Kit held a little pieceof this sweet, Southern lady in his heart, just like every one of uswho leaves this place. —B. D.

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JACKSON • MS • 39210-0001

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Join us for Homecoming 2005! Make plans now to return to Millsaps for Homecoming 2005, the weekend of November 4–6. This is a wonder-ful time to rekindle old friendships, to visit with former classmates, faculty, and staff—and if you haven’t been back in a while—to see how the campus has changed since your days here! In addition to special activities for reunion classes (1955, 65, 75, 80, 85, and 95), there will be fun events for all alumni and the entire family.

Here are some of the happenings:

Fri., Nov. 4—Welcome Reception for all reunion classes

Sat., Nov. 5—5K Run/Walk —Alumni Association annual meeting —Sports Hall of Fame brunch —Faculty Showcase/Readings —Family fun and all-campus picnic in the Bowl

(storytelling, face-painting, moonbounce, old- fashioned popcorn for the kids) —Football game vs. archrival Rhodes College

—Special events for reunion classes —Young Alum Party

Sun., Nov. 6—Sunday brunch in the Caf’ —Memorial service for alumni and friends —Men’s and women’s soccer games vs.

Oglethorpe

Check www.millsaps.edu for schedule updates and addi-tional details. For more information or to serve on a general alumni Homecoming planning committee, contact the Offi ce of Alumni Relations.

Millsaps Alumni Relations1701 North State StreetJackson, MS 39210 -0001601-974 -1038 • 1-86-MILLSAPS (toll-free) • [email protected]

Documents

Spring-Summer 2005 Millsaps Magazine