I”ve written many letters in the past few years decrying the problems at MUW and shaking my rhetorical fist at those who were in my opinion responsible.
I”ve been on hiatus though for the past year, waiting for and hoping for the healing to begin. Now that it has…now that there is one unified alumni association at The W, I want to be one of the first to thank all those who were directly involved in achieving this goal, chief among those being Interim President Allegra Brigham along with Lillian Wade, President of Mississippi”s First Alumnae Association and Mitzi Green, President of Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association.
The issue at the W has often been misconstrued in media coverage. The problems at The W were not the result of conflicts between warring factions of alums.
The existence of two associations was the result of the former president using the positional power of her office to kick one association off campus and create a new one. The conflict began when the former president felt threatened by a few individual members of the original and historic alumnae association and took retributive action against the entire association. I raise this issue not to dwell in the past, but to set the record straight in the interest of accurate and objective journalism.
I unequivocally support President”s Brigham”s efforts to focus on the future of The W. Her leadership has not only resulted in the reunification of alums, but in beginning to raise The W to newer heights of excellence. She was the right person for the right job at the right time, and it is regrettable that IHL policy will not permit her to continue with a more permanent full status appointment.
With the recent IHL announcement that the search for a new President has begun, it is more incumbent than ever on all members of the Long Blue Line to face in the same direction and support fund-raising and recruiting efforts and work to restore the reputation of The W to its past position as the Jewel of Mississippi.
Jimmie Meese Moomaw
Avondale Estates, GA
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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