Annual Report | 2006-2007
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The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association Annual Report | 2006-2007 Tradition | Pride | Loyalty | Excellence Annual Report | 2006-2007 The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association Message From the PRESIDENT ALUMNI: Looking to the Centennial During the period of the 2006-2007 fiscal year and the five months since, I 2010…20,000…12,000 – the numbers has been a valuable member of the executive Southern Miss have given a great deal of thought to the Alumni Association’s motto, “Tradition. are adding up for the Southern Miss Alumni committee as president-elect. Undoubtedly, the Alumni Association Pride. Loyalty. Excellence.” As University and Alumni Association events have Association. Founded in 1910, Southern Miss Alumni Association will continue to reap the 2007-2008 Board of Directors & Executive Committee occurred and accomplishments have been reached, I am consistently reminded will mark its 100-year anniversary in 2010. In benefits of her outstanding service during her of how proud I am to be a Southern Miss alumna. In 2006-2007, we welcomed time for centennial celebrations, the Southern year as president.” President a new University president, Dr. Martha Saunders. The University reopened the Miss Alumni Association aims to claim 20,000 Joining Poynter on the executive commit- Did You Lou Ann Poynter, Hattiesburg, Mississippi Gulf Park campus in Long Beach and the IHL Board announced the Cross Creek members. After proposed renovations and expan- tee are: Jim Payne of Ridgeland, president-elect; KNOW? President-Elect site as the location of an additional campus on the Gulf Coast. The accomplish- sion of Ogletree House, the 95-year-old building Curt Hébert of Mandeville, La., vice president; Jim Payne, Jackson, Mississippi ments of our students and faculty in the classroom, our athletes and coaches on the playing fields, and will encompass more than 12,000 square feet. Rosemary Aultman of Clinton, past president, The Legacy Scholars Vice President our performers in the theaters have added to a legacy of success at Southern Miss. While there are always Alumni Association Executive Director Bob and Morgan McCarty of Hattiesburg, finance com- Program awarded six $1,000 scholar- Curt Hébert, Mandeville, Louisiana challenges to be faced, the volunteer leadership and staff of the Southern Miss Alumni Association have Pierce says the sum of those numbers equals mittee chair. New members to the board ships to children and grandchildren Past President continued to work in the best interests of our alumni and our University as a whole. an organization that will be bigger, of directors include: Reed Allison, of Southern Miss alumni in 2007. The Rosemary Aultman, Clinton, Mississippi We have accomplished much over the past 17 months, and we have even more planned for the two and a stronger and better able to serve John Atherton and Dave program is funded primarily through Secretary / Treasurer half years that will lead us to the Centennial Anniversary of the University in 2010. While I cannot cover all The University of Southern Estorge, all of Gulfport; Mike Bob Pierce, Hattiesburg, Mississippi of these initiatives here, I would like to highlight a few, for there is much for which we should be proud. Mississippi. Chancellor of Laurel; Max money raised at the Shell Finish Line/ Board of Directors “Our board of direc- Draughn of Madison, Southern Miss Alumni Homecoming Angela Hilbun Cognevich, Hattiesburg, Mississippi • The Campaign for the Restoration and Expansion of the Ogletree House has made significant progress this tors has set an ambitious and Ché Helfrich and Golf Tournament. Marcus Kincaid, Louisville, Mississippi past year. In 2006 at Homecoming, we announced that we had surpassed 60 percent of our $3 million path to success for our Andy Mercier, both of Mary Alice Kirby, Marietta, Georgia Ricky Mathews, Biloxi, Mississippi goal with $1.8 million committed to this important project. I am proud to share with you that we are organization, and our Hattiesburg. Mike Ratliff, Hattiesburg, Mississippi now well past the $2.9 million mark. In addition, you can expect the construction phase of the project dedicated volunteers Along with the Lamar Reynolds, Hattiesburg, Mississippi to begin early in 2008. We are all excited to see this new and improved facility become a reality. and staff are aggres- returning members Dale Shearer, Ridgeland, Mississippi • One of the Alumni Association’s most significant initiatives last year was the work of the Presidential sively working toward of the board, these Cheryl Cranford, Hattiesburg, Mississippi Transition Team. This group, appointed by Danny Mitchell in May 2006 and co-chaired by Phil Bryant and the goals the board has outlined,” Pierce said. volunteers will lead the Association in serving Jason Dean, Madison, Mississippi Ira Middleberg, New Orleans, Louisiana Rex Kelly, took a lead role in assisting the state College Board in its search process for our new University “While we will certainly focus on a few key items, the University and boosting the membership Sean McGee, Hattiesburg, Mississippi president. The efforts of the Presidential Transition Team contributed to the open communication around we’ll also continue to diligently pursue improve- roll. In 2007, University president Dr. Martha D. Below: The inductees to the Southern Miss Alumni Melissa Medley, Jackson, Mississippi the process and helped paint a clear picture of what the University constituents wanted in its new president. ment in our operations across the board.” Saunders and entertainer Jimmy Buffet became Hall of Fame in 2007 included Dr. James Hutto, Bill Martha Thornton, Hattiesburg, Mississippi Phalen, Sam Clinton, Lynn McLelland, Jon Mark I had the honor of serving on the Campus Search Advisory Committee for the official search process, and The key items, Pierce says, include the two of the Association’s newest Life Members, a weathers, Tom Potter and Clarence weatherspoon. Arnie Williams, Hattiesburg, Mississippi I am sure you will join me in agreeing that we found a great president in Dr. Martha Saunders. Ogletree House construction project; the kick- group that now numbers more than 4,000 alumni. The Alumni Hall of Fame was established to recognize Reed Allison, Gulfport, Mississippi those whose contributions and time and financial John Atherton, Gulfport, Mississippi • The Alumni Association worked with Marketing and Public Relations Director Margie Jepson and Dr. off of a comprehensive, three-year membership With more than 16,500 members from all 50 means have helped move Southern Miss forward. The Mike Chancellor, Laurel, Mississippi Shelby Thames to hire Jennifer Payne as the University’s Centennial Celebration Coordinator. Jennifer has campaign titled “20,000 in 2010;” the expansion states and numerous foreign countries, Southern induction ceremony annually takes place during the University’s Homecoming festivities. The initial class Max Draughn, Madison, Mississippi been working at the University since late June and the Centennial Committee, appointed by Dr. Saunders, and refinement of affinity partnership offerings; Miss Alumni Association is well on its way to of the Hall of Fame, which now includes 214 members, Dave Estorge, Gulfport, Mississippi has begun its work. The committee is co-chaired by Dr. Alvin Williams of the College of Business and the continued development of the Southern Miss surpassing the number 20,000 by 2010. was inducted in 1987. Ché Helfrich, Hattiesburg, Mississippi by former Alumni Association President Rex Kelly. Dr. Aubrey Lucas is serving as the Honorary Chair. 100, a statewide network of successful alumni Andy Mercier, Hattiesburg, Mississippi • With membership of approximately 16,600 alumni in 2006-2007 we have a participation percentage who serve as advocates for the University; and a Ex-Officio Board Members (by virtue of office) of approximately 19 percent which places us on par with other national universities. We now have leadership role in the planning and execution of President of the University more than 4,000 Life Members, and the Association is in sound financial shape. the Centennial Celebration of 2010. Martha D. Saunders, Hattiesburg, Mississippi • In the new year, you can look forward to the initiation of the 20,000 in 2010 membership campaign In 2007-2008, an executive committee led by President of The University of whereby we will attempt to grow our membership of 16,600 to more than 20,000 by the time the president Lou Ann Poynter of Hattiesburg is guid- Southern Mississippi Foundation University celebrates its Centennial on March 30, 2010. This will be the first-ever multi-year mem- ing the Association’s efforts to meet its goals. Jim Thompson, Milton, Florida bership campaign in the Association’s history. “The Southern Miss Alumni Association has been Interim Executive Director of The University fortunate to have been led by a group of outstanding of Southern Mississippi Foundation As you can see, the Association is growing and making an impact on our beloved Alma Mater. Let me volunteers who are not only willing to serve but are Emile Dieth, Hattiesburg, Mississippi remind you that we can continue this progress only with your continued support and involvement. infinitely qualified to provide the vision for a strategic President of the Athletic Foundation path of action for the organization,” Pierce said. Mike Landrum, Hattiesburg, Mississippi Southern Miss to the Top! “Among those tremendous volunteers, Lou CEO of the Athletic