The Alumni Association of Mississippi University for Women announced its 2011-2012 Board of Directors, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the university with the first meeting of the unified alumni organization.
Abby Claypool (”06), Mitzi Chandler Green (”77), Tina Morgan (”88) and Lillian Harris Wade (”68), all of Columbus, and Elaine Logan Evans (”70) and Wanda Ray (”63), both of Steens, will serve on the board and participated in the first meeting of the MUWAA, as well as a two-day retreat at MUW”s Plymouth Bluff Conference Center.
Green said, “We are moving forward in the MUWAA to do all that we possibly can to support the university for a stronger than ever future.”
Morgan added, “My serving on the board of the MUW Alumni Association is a small contribution to a university that has served me in a big way. I am excited about the work that lies ahead!”
Wade expressed excitement to be part of the reunited association.
“I look forward to working together with all alums to lift the university to new levels of excellence and success,” she remarked.
The retreat
MUW Interim President Allegra Brigham said, “Wow! What an amazing weekend for Mississippi University for Women and the MUW Alumni Association. It was an incredible experience to witness, and participate in the early transformational steps of two entities becoming one, and to hear expressions of shared alumni vision as board members thoughtfully worked to align their plans in support of the university.”
At the retreat, alumni worked with Dr. Lee Patouillet of Patouillet Consulting in Atlanta, Ga., “to collectively write a new chapter in the history of the MUW Alumni Association and to help the board leadership build the kind of alumni association the W needs and deserves.”
Through strategic planning processes, Patouillet assisted the board in reviewing the association”s mission and setting values and vision, as well as in some goal-setting exercises.
Focus
Key goal topics discussed included developing positive opinion for the institution and higher education, recruiting the best and brightest students, cultivating and inspiring financial generosity; supporting the institution through promoting the annual fund, membership dues and a capital campaign.
“I want to congratulate the group on the unification,” said Patouillet. “It”s clear to me there is total consensus of the commitment of the alumni leadership to help generate a new level of engagement and support for MUW.”
MUWAA Co-presidents Emily Myers Garner and Andrea Godwin Overby echoed that sentiment.
“It is with great pride that I serve my beloved alma mater as co-president of our newly reunified Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association,” said Garner. “We are making history once again just as a group of strong, young women did in 1884 when they championed the first public college for women in America. Together with open minds and open hearts, we will emerge a stronger, more unified association committed to serve and support MUW.”
Overby said, “It was exciting to be part of this special weekend at MUW. I am confident that our unified Alumni Association Board will have a positive role in the W”s future.”
New board member Evans remarked, “This is a great opportunity for alumni to network and refocus on the future of the university.”
Purpose
The MUW Alumni Association is officially affiliated with the university and exists to support and promote the mission of MUW by establishing quality relationships between the university and its alumni.
The association serves the university and its alumni by providing opportunities for alumni engagement with each other and in its efforts to advance MUW.
Upcoming events planned by the board include a luncheon to welcome faculty back to campus at the beginning of the fall semester. The MUWAA also will be working toward revitalizing regional alumni groups nationwide.
For additional information about association and to become a member, visit muwaa.org, or contact the MUW Office of Alumni Relations at 662-329-7295.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.