February 2006
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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS ON PARK The Magazine of Memphis University School • February 2006 From the Editor The post-Depression version of Memphis University School opened its doors in September 1955, 50 years ago this past fall, and the school is still opening its doors to unlim- ited opportunities for boys today. The school’s address is the same as 50 years ago, the principles of truth and honor are MEMPHIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL the same, even some of the names are the same – Wellford, Founded 1893 Crump, Snowden, Hyde, Morgan. But some things have to MISSION STATEMENT change – new buildings, advanced technology, a much-ex- Memphis University School is a panded curriculum, and a state-of-the-art music studio. Read college-preparatory school dedicated to Dr. John Harkins’ historical perspective of the opening of academic excellence and the development of well-rounded young men of strong the new MUS accompanied by Alex Wellford’s ’60 reflections as a student then. moral character, consistent with the Speaking of the new music studio, you won’t want to miss the cover story on school’s Christian tradition. MUS’s latest addition to its fine arts curriculum – the Bloodworth Studio, unparalleled in any school in this region, and a music production course to go along with it. John HEADMASTER Ellis L. Haguewood Grilli ’89 built the studio, Fran and Rusty Bloodworth ’63 generously funded it, and music instructor John Hiltonsmith designed a curriculum. This is truly a gigantic step BOARD OF TRUSTEES forward in arts offerings at MUS. P. Trowbridge Gillespie, Jr. ’65, Chairman You will also want to read about alumni who are globe-trotting for more than just Musette S. Morgan, Vice Chairman Richard L. Fisher ’72, Treasurer a few entries in their travel journals. Mark Frazier ’81 just returned from China where W. Thomas Hutton ’61, Secretary he was researching pension reforms as the beneficiary of a Fulbright Grant. And Frank Ben C. Adams ’74 Langston ’02 writes of his time in Cape Town, South Africa, studying unemployment R. Louis Adams ’70 in South Africa as well as climbing Kilimanjaro in his spare time. Russell E. Bloodworth, Jr. ’63 Fifty years and counting – counting accomplishments, improvements, journeys; Susan B. Faber Samuel N. Graham II ’80 counting the things that change and the things that stay the same. As the editor of Mark J. Halperin ’67 MUS Today, I am so fortunate that we will always have a story to tell. Harry H. Hill III ’66 Joseph R. Hyde III ’61 Debbie B. Lazarov E. Carl Krausnick, Jr. ’79 Director of Communications Robert E. Loeb ’73 Phone: (901) 260-1416 Andrew R. McCarroll ’86 Richard C. Moore, Jr. ’63 E-mail: [email protected] D. Stephen Morrow ’71 C. Barham Ray ’64 Wiley T. Robinson ’75 Michael D. Rose Charles F. Smith, Jr. ’66 S. Alexander Thompson III James C. Varner ’73 Alexander W. Wellford, Jr. ’60 Kent Wunderlich ’66 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD John W. Stokes III ’79, President John R. Pitts ’76, President-Elect Scott E. Anderson ’92 Jonathan A. Ballinger ’87 David C. Bradford, Jr. ’95 Joel W. Brown ’61 Craig A. Christenbury ’83 Marshall A. Clark ’77 Andrew K. Crosby ’89 17 John H. Dobbs, Jr. ’85 Paul F. T. Edwards ’79 Joel A. Fulmer ’67 Cecil A. Godman III ’78 Charles D. Hamlett ’92 Louis C. Jehl, Jr. ’80 John H. Keesee ’69 Lee R. Marshall ’75 G. Kirby May ’94 John R. Malmo, Jr. ’85 Loyal W. Murphy IV ’86 William E. Orgel ’81 Robert B. Preston ’78 M. Paul Reaves ’84 R. Scott Rose ’84 Gideon L. Scoggin ’95 Gwin C. Scott, Jr. ’83 Brian S. Sullivan ’83 Kelly Truitt ’81 14 Robert B. Wade ’84 Matthew T. Wilson ’92 Philip S. Wunderlich ’90 IRECTOR OF LUMNI 18 D A AND PARENT PROGRAMS Claire K. Farmer MUSTODAY c o n t e n t s f e a t u r e s Innovative Studio Music Program Enhances Academic Repertoire 3 A Mays-ing Sound 8 Revealing China 22 Africa: Divided, But Still Hopeful 24 Biopaving the Way 28 A Passion for Cycling /Winning the MGA 30 ON THE COVER Fran, Christopher, Russell and Rusty Bloodworth in the new Bloodworth Studio. Story starts on page 3. Photography by Jack d e p a r t m e n t s Kenner. Also, MUS celebrates its 50th Anniversary at the school’s From the Archives present site. Reminisce as you read 10 “From the Archives” (page 10) and “Remember When” (page 14). Remember When 14 EDITOR Debbie B. Lazarov State Winners 18 ALUMNI NEWS EDITOR Claire K. Farmer Covers 32 STAFF WRITERS Memorials Julia Chesney, Katie Cian, 33 Caitlin Goodrich Alumni News CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 36 Doug Carpenter, Mark Frazier, Mimi Gibson, Ellis Haguewood, Viewpoint 49 John Harkins, Cathi Jones, Frank Langston, Adam Lazarov, Mike Rose, Gaye Swan, Dax Torrey, Alex Wellford GRAPHIC DESIGNER Denise Hunt 30 PHOTOGRAPHY Jimmy Darr, Larry Inman, Jack Kenner, MUS Archives, and various MUS constituents 42 PROOFREADING Jean Saunders 47 FEBRUARY 2006 “Get wisdom, discipline, Headmaster’s Message and understanding” by Ellis Haguewood Proverbs 23:23b Teaching is much more than dis- When asked about their experiences with pensing information. It’s about helping MUS teachers, members of the Class of boys to grow in wisdom. The famous 2005 gave the following responses, which passage in Ecclesiastes suggests that are typical of the statements that all the “There is a time for everything, and a seniors wrote: season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time “I really appreciate all that they have taught me, not only what they have taught me to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear academically but what they have taught me in terms of being a better person.” down and a time to build, a time to weep “Our teachers are top notch. They really teach their material well and teach the students and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and lifelong lessons. They are patient and kind, selfless and devoted. They genuinely care about MUS a time to dance, … a time to be silent and and the students at MUS. They have done more for me than I could have ever hoped.” a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate….” (3:1-8) To possess wisdom is “I enjoy the teachers at MUS as people and as my professors. Their office doors are always to know when it’s time for each of those open, and each has offered help in a time of need. They have always pushed me to make a higher very different activities. grade than I thought I could make, and they have always pushed me to be a better person.” In our mission to develop young “They have always been cordial and talkative with me, and they have each taught me differ- men of strong moral character, our ent lessons. I enjoy being around them. They are great teachers and even better people. All of them teachers are helping develop a sense genuinely love what they do and love the students they teach. They have greatly influenced me. of discernment within the hearts and They pushed me to succeed.” minds of our boys so that they will know when to weep and when to laugh, “The teachers are their own people. They all have their own style of teaching, and they all what to love and what to hate, when to care about their students. I have had no teachers with whom I have not found a way to connect speak and when to listen. As the Harry during my years at MUS. They are one of a kind.” Emerson Fosdick hymn suggests, we dare not allow our boys to be “rich in things and poor in soul.” Teachers teach Connections, relationships, and teachers hold master’s degrees; 9 have discernment and wisdom with their own wisdom offered by example – our teach- doctorates. lives – in the classroom, on the playing ers offer daily experiences that build While in Los Angeles recently for fields, on the stage, and in the halls – and over time the virtues we want in the an alumni reception, a graduate from they use words when necessary. In the men we want our boys to become. They the ’80s expressed it very well when he language of Paul, the best teachers will provide the wisdom that comes directly said to me, “I truly believe that except “warn those who are idle, encourage from their own extensive experience of for my parents’ influence, whatever the timid, help the weak, and be patient working with boys – an average of 21 good qualities I may possess today, with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14) years of teaching experience, 14 of that whatever commitment to a task, what- Whenever someone asks me what at MUS. They share the understand- ever perseverance and honor and work makes MUS a great school, I always ing that comes directly from their own ethic I may demonstrate, I owe to the begin my answer with “our faculty.” extensive study of history, literature, experiences I had at MUS, sitting at the It’s the same answer that our boys give. mathematics, science, and languages: 48 feet of the finest faculty I can imagine.” MUS faculty at 2005 graduation MUS TODAY INNOVATIVE STUDIO MUSIC PROGRAM ENHANCES ACADEMIC REPERTOIRE Music instructor and Acting Chair of the Fine Arts Department John Hiltonsmith knew something was missing from the school’s music curriculum.