Accomplished Alumni

UM Alumnus Is Louisianian of the Year

JANUARY 11, 2022 Artist Vitus Shell (MFA studio art 08) is on the cover of Louisiana Life Magazine’s January/February issue as Louisianian of the Year. The mixed-media collage painter from Monroe, a visiting assistant professor at Louisiana Tech University, was selected for being a stand out in his profession ...

Holocaust Museum and University Bring Local Teacher Development

October 22, 2021 by Heather Lenard via Oxford School District News  A collaboration between the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the University of Mississippi Department of History, and the University of Mississippi Library brought a unique professional development opportunity to middle and high school teachers in the region entitled "Americans ...

Pegues to Lead UM Student Affairs

Experienced, respected leader appointed as permanent vice chancellor August 31, 2021 by Emily Howorth After nearly two years of leadership and service in an interim role, Charlotte Fant Pegues has been named the University of Mississippi‘s vice chancellor for student affairs. The board of trustees of the Mississippi Institutions of ...

Successful Campaign Establishes Cole Scholarship

Over 260 Donors Help Surpass Goal NOVEMBER 1, 2019 BY ANGELA ATKINS The Donald Cole Catalyst for Change Scholarship Endowment exceeded its goal by almost $10,000 through an online University of Mississippi fundraising campaign attracting gifts of all sizes. The Ignite Ole Miss campaign, spearheaded by Ethel Young-Scurlock, director of ...

Physics Alumnus Wins International Award for Gravitational Wave Thesis

Hector Okada da Silva will receive the GWIC-Braccini Thesis Prize in Italy JUNE 25, 2019 BY EDWIN SMITH A University of Mississippi physics alumnus has been selected to receive an international honor for his doctoral dissertation on gravitational wave research. Hector Okada da Silva, of Belém, Brazil, will be presented ...

Reaping the University’s Richest Rewards

Journey to Commencement: Ryan Upshaw earns doctorate while recruiting and mentoring undergraduate students   APRIL 25, 2019 BY EDWIN SMITH Over the past 12 years, Ryan Upshaw has experienced several memorable moments at the University of Mississippi. The assistant dean of engineering has earned both his bachelor’s (BA psychology '06) ...

Following Precedent

Journey to Commencement: Twins Katherine and Michael Farese become eighth and ninth family graduates of UM School of Law MAY 10, 2019 BY CHRISTINA STEUBE Twin siblings Katherine and Michael Farese have always been close, so it was no surprise that they wanted to continue their education together.Since both siblings ...

Medical School Dream No Longer Haunts Ground-Breaking Student

APRIL 8, 2019 BY GARY PETTUS On the day Christina Wallace said goodbye to her friends at the Choctaw Health Center, they brought out a cake glazed with stethoscope- and lab coat-frosting. They gave her a real stethoscope and a writing pen, both decorated with Native American hand-beaded designs. “They ...

Cochran Portrait Unveiled at University

Artist Jason Bouldin sought to capture former senator's graciousness APRIL 9, 2019 BY EMILY HOWORTH A portrait of former U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, the nation’s 10th-longest serving senator and a University of Mississippi alumnus, was installed Monday (April 8) in the university’s Thad Cochran Research Center. The portrait commemorates Cochran’s ...

Mrs. Leah Thomson

Leah Thomson comes from a family where service was a priority. The daughter of Mitzie Lindsey and Dr. Kenneth Lindsey of Fulton, Mississippi, her mother was an inspiring special education teacher for 36 years. Leah earned her BA in English from the University of Mississippi in 1984 and went on ...

Dr. Alan W. Partin

Dr. Alan W. Partin grew up playing football, basketball, and ran track at Grenada (MS) High School, and was valedictorian of the 1979 graduating class. At the University of Mississippi, he was an offensive lineman on the football team from 1979-82, earning two varsity letters. He achieved Academic All-SEC honors ...

Dr. Clarke Holmes

Dr. Frank Clarke Holmes, IV is a board-certified sports medicine physician at Impact Sports Medicine & Orthopedics in Nashville. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, he obtained his undergraduate degree in biological science from the University of Mississippi in 1994, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, the university’s highest ...

Dr. Wayne Alexander

Dr. R. Wayne Alexander, a native of Memphis, graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1962 with a degree in chemistry and received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Emory University in 1967 and 1968. During those years, he also attended the Saturday Morning Clinical Cardiology Conference given by ...

Alumni Profile: Oscar Pope

OCTOBER 9, 2018 BY BETHANY FITTS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Oscar Pope (BA art '10) has always wanted to create meaningful content that both defines culture and connects people. “I don’t know where [that passion] comes from,” he said. “But I know I have a responsibility to create ...

Jon Parrish Peede Sworn In as Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities

MAY 3, 2018 Jon Parrish Peede (MA Southern Studies '93) was sworn in today as the 11th chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) at a ceremony at the White House. “It is a distinct honor to be nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the US ...

Dr. Jesse Lamar White, Jr.

Dr. Jesse Lamar White, Jr., a native of Jackson, Mississippi, was the only child of Marguerite and Jesse L. White. He entered the University of Mississippi as a freshman in 1962, a year of turmoil. He graduated summa cum laude in 1966 with a BA in history and political science. ...

UM Graduate Lands Dream Summer Internship with MSNBC

Kailyn Mae Mahoney started as intern for 'Morning Joe' in New York in June JULY 13, 2018 BY CHRISTINA STEUBE Kailyn Mae Mahoney, who is set to graduate officially from the University of Mississippi in August, is spending her summer behind the bright production lights on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” talk show. ...

2018 Evers Research Scholar Chosen

JUNE 1, 2018 Telisha Dionne Bailey (PhD history '15), a post-doctoral teaching fellow at the University of Virginia, has been named the 2018 Medgar and Myrlie Evers Research Scholar. Bailey’s research examines the complex and often overlooked history of the imprisonment of African American women in Mississippi between 1890 and ...

Arianne Hartono Aces Academics and Athletics

After winning the NCAA singles tennis championship, the UM graduate is going pro JUNE 29, 2018 BY BENITA WHITEHORN University of Mississippi student-athlete Arianne Hartono has faced such challenges as recuperating from a broken wrist her freshman year and missing as many as three out of five days of classes ...

University Honors Thad Cochran with Mississippi Humanitarian Award

Former senator known as 'The Quiet Persuader' helped shape state as well as his alma mater MAY 14, 2018 BY MICHAEL NEWSOM During its 165th Commencement on Saturday, the University of Mississippi honored former U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran with its Mississippi Humanitarian Award, which is presented only rarely to exceptional figures who ...

Go Forth and Prosper: Croft Alumni Take on the World

Six graduates reflect on their experience MAY 8, 2018 BY SHEA STEWART On a Saturday afternoon in May 2001, the first five graduates of the Croft Institute for International Studies at the University of Mississippi received their diplomas. The group included the program’s very first graduate, Lauren Michelle Gent, a Gulfport native who had ...

Award Recipients to be Recognized During Black Alumni Reunion Gala

Alumni Association to present slate of honors at sold-out event FEBRUARY 24, 2018 BY MDIGGS The Ole Miss Alumni Association is recognizing 13 distinguished alumni as part the University of Mississippi’s 2018 Black Alumni Reunion. The awards include the Dr. Jeanette Jennings “Trailblazer” Award, The Rev. Wayne Johnson Community and ...

Croft Alumni Panel

Last autumn, the Croft Institute for International Studies welcomed back three former students to interact with current students. Jessica Bryant (2007), Anthony Yuen (2008), and Erin Callahan (2010) spoke about their careers and shared insights about realizing their professional goals. They all earned similar graduate degrees, but now use ...

Alumni Host HGTV Hit

When Erin and Ben Napier aren’t restoring historic homes on HGTV’s hit series Home Town, the couple keeps busy operating a shop that sells heirloom wares and durable goods made in the USA. On the program, the couple helps new residents find and renovate homes in Laurel while showing ...

VIDEO: Governor’s Freedom Award

William F. Winter, alumnus (BA history and political science ’43, JD law ’49) and editor of the Mississippi Law Journal; army infantry officer; former representative, treasurer, lieutenant governor, and governor of Mississippi; and lifelong champion of all Mississippians, received the prestigious Freedom Award from the National Civil Rights Museum ...

Warnick Named Asst. VP for Student Success

JUNE 2, 2017  |  Courtesy of Arkansas Tech University  Dr. Jason Warnick, associate professor of psychology and a member of the Arkansas Tech University faculty since 2006, has been selected to serve in the role of assistant vice president for student success at ATU effective July 1, 2017. “Dr. Warnick possesses ...

Doctoral Alumna Uses Math for Public Good

In 2014, Carla Cotwright-Williams (PhD mathematics '06) worked as the technical lead on a million-dollar federal contract to assess data quality in a Department of Homeland Security data system, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. At present, she serves as the Hardy-Apfel IT Fellow for the Social Security Administration. She ...

Former Governor’s Honorarium Sparks Crowdfunding Campaign

Donations will be matched to reach $20,000 goal to support UM Winter Institute OCTOBER 19, 2016 BY STAFF REPORT In connection with the annual Freedom Award ceremonies, the University of Mississippi is launching #WinterLegacy, a $20,000 crowdfunding campaign to cement the legacy of former Gov. William F. Winter (BA history and political science '43 ...

Alumni Association Honors Distinguished Alumni at Homecoming

Group lauded at reception and on the field during Memphis game October 4, 2016  |  BY JIM URBANEK The University of Mississippi Alumni Association awarded seven distinguished alumni with its highest annual honors as part of Homecoming activities. Inductees into the Alumni Hall of Fame for 2016 are: David E. Brevard (BA ...

UM Graduate Wins Elizabeth George Foundation Fellowship

Rachel Smith plans to use time to complete book of stories about interconnected characters JUNE 16, 2016 | BY MICHAEL NEWSOM Rachel Smith, a 2012 graduate of the University of Mississippi Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program, has received an Elizabeth George Foundation fellowship, which will allow her ...

UM Graduate Nina Cole Garguilo Wins Grammy Award

Performs as part of acclaimed choral ensemble APRIL 18, 2016 | BY MACKENZIE QUICK Nina Cole Garguilo, a 2011 University of Mississippi graduate with a bachelor of music, has added “Grammy winner” to her list of accomplishments. A member of the Phoenix Chorale of Arizona, Garguilo shared in the group’s 2015 ...

MPB ARTS HOUR INTERVIEW: Alumna Sarah Story, Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Sarah Story (BFA art '11), deputy director of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans, talked about her life growing up in Mississippi and how that influences her work at the museum on the Mississippi Arts Commission Arts Hour on Mississippi Public Broadcasting.  

Humanitarians at Heart: Dr. Bob and Mary Ellen Warner

Warners designate gifts for undergraduate and medical scholarships and Alumni Association  December 11, 2015 Dr. Bob and Mary Ellen Warner always manage to find a way to serve others — even on vacation. “Herb, Dixie, Mary Ellen and I had a little routine,” Bob Warner said, referring to Herb Dewees, former Ole ...

Sen. Thad Cochran Receives Geographic Visionary Award

Honor presented Oct. 15 at annual MGA luncheon in Jackson OCTOBER 13, 2015 | By WILLIAM M. HAMILTON U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (BA ‪psychology‬ '55) received the Mississippi Geographic Alliance Geographic Visionary Award at an Oct. 15 luncheon in Jackson. The Geographic Visionary Award was created to honor a Mississippi business ...

Alumna Armintie Price Herrington

June 2, 2015 | By Ole Miss Sports Ole Miss Women's Basketball takes a look at their Ole Miss All-American former player and a current member of the WNBA's Washington Mystics Armintie Price Herrington (BA liberal studies '07). Click here to watch video interview. Most fans remember her as a scrappy ...

Alumni Association to Honor Distinguished Graduates

Group to be lauded at Friday reception and on the field at Saturday's Homecoming game OCTOBER 6, 2015 | By STAFF REPORT The University of Mississippi Alumni Association is awarding its highest annual honors to seven distinguished alumni as part of Homecoming 2015 activities. Inductees into the Alumni Hall of ...

SouthDocs VIDEO: Lee McCarty, So Wonderfully Connected

August 19, 2015 The Center for the Study of Southern Culture's Southern Documentary Project presents Ole Miss Alumni Association Hall of Fame inductee Lee McCarty (‪art, chemistry‬, physics) talking McCarty Pottery and the creative life. Lee McCarty is the cofounder of McCarty Pottery. Born in 1923, McCarty grew up in Merigold, and ...

Dr. Alan Partin To Be Inducted in UM Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Dr. Alan Partin, (BA ‪chemistry‬ '83) of Baltimore, Maryland, an inductee into the 2015 Ole Miss Alumni Association Hall of Fame! A professor of urology, oncology and pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Partin's areas of clinical expertise include prognosis prediction and surgical treatment ...

Mary Ann Connell To Be Inducted in UM Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Mary Ann Strong Connell (BA English and history '59) of Oxford, an inductee into the 2015 Ole Miss Alumni Association Hall of Fame! She practices law with Mayo Mallette, PLLC. She served as university attorney for the University of Mississippi from 1982 to 2003 and as school board attorney ...

Alumnus Achieves Success on Capitol Hill

An education from the University of Mississippi can lead to success anywhere, and UM graduate Stephen Worley is a perfect example. Worley is deputy communications director for the Senate Appropriations Committee, a committee chaired by another UM alumnus, U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, in Washington, D.C. The Jackson native works daily to provide ...

UM Honors First Doctoral Recipient in English

Kenneth Holditch presents lecture at annual Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference JULY 20, 2015 | BY NATHAN WEBER The University of Mississippi honored its first doctoral recipient in English, Kenneth Holditch, during his presentation at the 2015 Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference. Holditch, a professor emeritus of English at the University of New ...

VIDEO: Emmy Winning Documentary

Film examines political life and achievements of former Governor William Winter JUNE 3, 2015  |  By STAFF REPORT https://vimeo.com/99571527 A University of Mississippi film that chronicles former Gov. William Winter’s role as a leader in education reform, economic development and racial reconciliation has won an Emmy for best historical documentary by ...

Alumnus Is First Mississippian to Land German Chancellor Fellowship

Deeneaus Polk plans to use yearlong opportunity to study workforce and vocational educational systems JUNE 2, 2015  |  By CHRISTINA STEUBE Deeneaus Polk, a 2011 University of Mississippi graduate, has been selected for an exclusive German Chancellor Fellowship that will take him to Germany for a year of study and ...

Alumni Profile: Susan Carter Hall

An excerpt of Annie Rhoades' profile for the Ole Miss Alumni Association:  While painting is a hobby for many, few are able to parlay their passion into a successful career as an artist. But for alumna Susan Carter Hall (BA art history '00), artist and oil painter, that’s how it all panned ...

Moon Landing Scientist Speaks to Students

Josephine Howard offers problem-solving advice APRIL 29, 2015 | BY DENNIS IRWIN A veteran scientist who helped the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) achieve one of the crowning achievements of the 20th century visited the University of Mississippi recently to challenge students to face life’s problems by first checking ...

VIDEO: Opera Theatre’s Hamlet World Premiere

https://vimeo.com/124869752 Adaptation is latest work by acclaimed UM alumna Nancy Van de Vate APRIL 16, 2015 | BY CHRISTINA STEUBE The University of Mississippi Opera Theatre Ensemble presented the world premiere of “Hamlet: Prince of Denmark” April 18, 2015 at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. The opera, composed ...

The Clarion Ledger: Elise Winter: A Lifetime of Giving

April 11, 2015 | Excerpts from Billy Watkins' story in The Clarion-Ledger "...doing for others is what Elise Winter (BA history and political science), the wife of former Gov. William Winter, is all about. On Monday, she will receive the 2015 Governor's Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) Lifetime Achievement Award at a ...

Alumnus Manages Pop Star’s Career

Meet Bradford Cobb (BA English ’96), partner with Direct Management Group and manager for one of the biggest names in music, Katy Perry. Cobb is quick to credit one professor in particular who served a key role in both his education and career path. “Dr. Colby Kullman had a ...

W. Ralph Eubanks Donates His Papers to UM Library

BY MICHAEL NEWSOM W. Ralph Eubanks (B.A. '78), a publisher, editor and author, among other titles, recently donated his papers to the University of Mississippi’s Archives and Special Collections at the J.D. Williams Library. The UM graduate has authored two books, Ever Is a Long Time: A Journey into Mississippi’s ...