Leading by Example Billy Orgel Works for Greater Good
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SUMMER 2019 l THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF MEMPHIS UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SCHOOL THE ALUMNI MUS TODAY LEADING BY EXAMPLE BILLY ORGEL WORKS FOR GREATER GOOD 1 2 l MUS TODAY SUMMER 2019 The courtyard of the Tennessee Brewery has been transformed since Billy Orgel ’81 walked through it at a pop-up event five years ago. The then-abandoned building – graffiti-covered and slated for demolition – was the locale in 2014 for Tennessee Brewery Untapped, an initiative by a group that included two other Owls, communications professional Doug Carpenter ’82 and entrepreneur Michael Tauer ’95, who saw the potential in the building and hoped to spark interest in its revival. They did. Orgel bought the Brewery and turned it into modern urban residences. The expansive river views, spacious floor plans, and a wide- open, renovated courtyard are now delighting a new generation of Downtown dwellers. 1 MUS TODAY THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF MEMPHIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL l SUMMER 2019 FEATURED THIS ISSUE 12 5 23 5 Billy Orgel enhances community with historic redevelopments 11 Considering 125 Years: Robert Gordon reflects on changes at MUS 12 Rounding the Bases: Coach John Jarnagin’s journey 17 Lower School offers steady ground during adolescence 23 96 in the 125th: Class of 2019 celebrates commencement (Pictured – Lukas Jakstas, Warren Turner, and Ev Nichol) 2 l MUS TODAY SUMMER 2019 musowls.org/media IN EVERY ISSUE ON THE COVER HEADMASTER Peter D. Sanders 30 Student Lauds With a keen appreciation for the value in the city’s most historic BOARD OF TRUSTEES 32 Faculty News buildings, Billy Orgel ’81 is steadily Samuel N. Graham II ’80, Chairman 46 Class News & Milestones transforming the landscape Glenn A. Crosby II ’77, Vice Chairman of Downtown Memphis. His James F. Burnett ’83, Secretary D. Stephen Morrow ’71, Treasurer 48 We Saw You most recent renovation is the James H. Barton, Jr. ’85 68 Gifts in Memory and Honor Tennessee Brewery, but he has R. Earl Blankenship also helped redevelop buildings Suki S. Carson off Main Street and south of Andrew F. Cates ’89 Downtown and is turning his attention to Uptown and the Edward J. Dobbs ’89 Snuff District. As impressive as his development legacy William B. Dunavant III ’78 looks to become, he is equally invested in family, faith, and Robert M. Fockler ’77 P. Trowbridge Gillespie, Jr. ’65 community. Photo by Alan Howell J. Brett Grinder ’91 Mark J. Halperin ’67 Robert J. Hussey III ’81 Director of Advancement Managing Editor Jeffrey B. Meskin Perry Dement Marci Woodmansee Johnny B. Moore, Jr. [email protected] [email protected] Richard C. Moore III ’98 Joseph M. Morrison ’78 Director of Alumni and Inside MUS Managing Editor William E. Orgel ’81 Parent Programs Rebecca Greer Wiley T. Robinson ’75 Ann Laughlin Chris R. Sanders Frederick C. Schaeffer, Jr. ’88 [email protected] Creative Director William V. Thompson III ’95 LeeAnn Christopherson Philip S. Wunderlich ’90 Editor Liz Copeland ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD [email protected] Jason J. Fair ’89, President Andrew A. McArtor, Sr. ’86, President-Elect Christopher P. Beard ’84 Contributors Jeffrey Block ’94 Horace L. Carter ’89 Daniel Black ’18, Communications Department Intern and rising sophomore, Derek M. Clenin ’03 Mississippi State University John T. Crews, Jr. ’84 Grant Burke, Acting Arts Department Chair Donald D. Drinkard, Jr. ’98 J. Elliot Embry ’04 Alan Howell, freelance photographer based in Memphis Emmel B. Golden ’97 Karen Pulfer Focht, freelance photographer based in Memphis J. Wesley Grace ’86 Robert Gordon ’79, Emmy- and Grammy-winning author and filmmaker based in Memphis J. Walker Hays IV ’84 W. Brigham Klyce ’66 Kathy Daniel Patterson, freelance photographer based in Memphis W. Neely Mallory IV ’07 Jane Schneider, freelance writer based in Memphis M. Garrott McClintock, Jr. ’06 William M. McDonald, Jr. ’97 Gregory P. McGowan ’86 Kelly L. McGuire ’70 J. Worth Morgan ’05 Michael N. Murphy, Jr. ’03 Robert B. Preston ’78 Founded 1893 M. Shannon Rhodes ’90 Matthew J. Saenger ’98 MISSION STATEMENT Gideon L. Scoggin ’95 Memphis University School is a college-preparatory school dedicated to academic excellence, cultivation of Edward L. Simpson ’85 service and leadership, and the development of well-rounded young men of strong moral character, consistent Joseph L. Steffner, Jr. ’09 with the school’s Christian tradition. George J. Sousoulas ’78 Charles W. Summers III ’94 © 2019 Memphis University School. All rights reserved. The name, seal, and logos of Memphis University School, as well as MUS Today, Alexander W. Wellford III ’89 Inside MUS, The MUSe, The Owl’s Hoot, The Owl, and Beg To Differ, are registered marks of Memphis University School and use in any Reid W. Wesson ’06 manner is prohibited unless prior written approval is obtained from Memphis University School. Brandon L. Westbrook ’92 Andrew D. Wright ’86 3 FROM THE HEADMASTER The Gift That Keeps Giving “To whom much is given, much is expected.” This with each passing week, month, and now two years, I have familiar adage drawn from Luke 12:48 and 1 Corinthians encountered so many people who live up to this ideal, so 4:2 was on my mind as I prepared the Baccalaureate many who embody our mission statement’s “cultivation of address to the Class of 2019. Over the course of my 34-year service and leadership.” career in independent schools, I have heard those same Billy Orgel ’81, the subject of this issue’s cover story, passages, often delivered by a guest speaker as a reminder is a case in point. Billy has made his mark in both business to students about the importance of giving back. It seems and philanthropy. He has served on many nonprofit to me – as I have witnessed how our students, alumni, and boards, including the Shelby County Board of Education faculty give of themselves in a big way – that this commu- and our own Board of Trustees. His projects renovating nity has taken the lesson to heart. historic buildings in Downtown Memphis are examples The inspiration for the Baccalaureate address came of his keen business sense, but they also contribute to during a trip to Square Books in Oxford, MS – which has the public good by creating new job opportunities while become one of my favorite weekend spots. As a professor’s adding to the exciting renaissance of the urban center. His son having grown up in college towns, I find Oxford to be devotion of time and resources speaks volumes about his a pleasant escape. Last June I went to hear historian Jon commitment to others and to a better Memphis. Meacham speak about his 2018 book, The Soul of America: I have seen his kind of commitment-in-the-making The Battle for Our Better Angels, but he covered a range of among our students, played out in the classrooms and topics, including service and seeking the best in ourselves, hallways, on the stages and athletic fields. I also have wit- in our society, and in our country. nessed students volunteering and raising funds for worthy causes through our Civic Service Organization – tutoring elementary students, delivering food, collecting coats. In From everyone who has been given much, much February 117 boys, teachers, and family members turned will be demanded; and from the one who has been our Dining Hall into a meal-packing factory, preparing entrusted with much, much more will be asked. 21,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger. Lower School boys – Luke 12:48 (NIV) undertook a similar project alongside Hutchison girls in May, packing 5,000 meals. Now it is required that those who have been given a And so, the legacy of generosity continues. MUS trust must prove faithful. – 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) graduates do well, achieve, and contribute to the common good. As I have encountered philanthropic endeavors in Then last December I heard Meacham mention the this city, I invariably learn that MUS alumni have a hand in “much is given” maxim in his eulogy for President George supporting them. And, as I have discovered in out-of-town H.W. Bush during the televised funeral. The tribute visits, they are doing the same in their communities across motivated me to read Meacham’s biography of the 41st the country. president. In an early chapter describing Bush’s family As I see it, Owls to whom much is given – especially life, the author cites those scriptures, describing their an outstanding liberal arts education that emphasizes relevance to the late president’s personal ethos. Frequently character and service – give back much more. referenced in the Bush household, the passages encapsu- late a defining characteristic of that family. They were in a position of privilege, but with that advantage, they were taught, came an obligation to give back. No matter what PETER D. SANDERS your politics, there is no denying the family has lived up to HEADMASTER that precept in practice. [email protected] As I have come to know the MUS community more 4 l MUS TODAY SUMMER 2019 Photos by Alan Howell Leading by Example: Billy Orgel BY JANE SCHNEIDER 5 you follow the news of out to see this diamond in the rough. The with The Memphis Flyer. “Architecture Downtown Memphis hope was that someone would recognize was art [when the brewery was built], so redevelopment, then the building’s potential. Orgel was you’re trying to preserve a piece of art.” you’ve likely noticed that among the attendees. When it comes to preservation, William E. “Billy” “I was out walking with some friends the devil is in the details. And Orgel is Orgel ’81 is often when we came to the beer garden, and I all about details.