Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 13, 2004

Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 13, 2004

I'll ask it again:

Media,

Do you have any practical suggestions for those of us who want to help? Or have you simply given up? I ask this question sincerely -- not as an accusation. I simply find it hard to believe that the situation cannot be remedied, or at least improved. Do you have any suggestions?

Date: May 13, 2004

trent lott, william winter, gene taylor, mike moore.

Date: May 13, 2004

Grisham attended MSU undergrad, and Ole Miss law, lives mostly in Virginia, but has property in Oxford as well.

Are you asking for the most admired Mississipians, most admired Mississippi residents, or most admired USM grads?

A more useful list might include those in Mississippi who wield the most influence, be it political or economic, who aren't afraid to enter the USM fray.

Here in Austin, the Texas football Coach, Mack Brown, is a figure who generates almost as much controversy as Thames. He's a marginal coach who's made a career of beating up on weak teams. This generates great stats and an impressive won-loss record, but he's never won a championship of any kind in 30+ years of coaching, has an embarrassingly poor graduation rate, and has only managed to win one out of a dozen games against ranked opponents despite an unlimited budget, and a $2.1 million per year salary. But, he's a superb politician and major league ass-kisser with the wealthy alums, reportedly spending as much time schmoozing as he does coaching. Why do I bring this up? Because for the past several years, at the end of every football season, there have been movements to unseat him and bring in a "national quality" coach. All have failed. In January of this year, a local sports reporter asked a university official, who spoke off the record (the Athletic Director), what it was going to take to get rid of Brown. The surprisingly honest answer was, "When our rich alums decide it's time for him to go."

I rather suspect that you're facing a similar predicament in Hattiesburg, and it'll take the dissatiswfaction and intervention of the major players, whoever they are, to finally dislodge ST.

Date: May 13, 2004

Who we need is Jill Conner Brown, She could put on her Sweet Potato Queen outfit and majorly distract some old guys while y'all pull a coup d'etat.

Date: May 13, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Austin Eagle
" Are you asking for the most admired Mississipians, most admired Mississippi residents, or most admired USM grads?"

Thanks for a serious response to a serious question. I am asking for the names of anyone who is so well respected by Mississippians that, if that person made a public comment of concern or criticism about SFT, the people of Mississippi would at least begin to examine the issue seriously. Ideally the person should have some ties to Mississippi so s/he cannot be dismissed as an outsider. Ideally, too, the person should still be alive -- unlike William Faulkner.

Date: May 13, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"Who we need is Jill Conner Brown, She could put on her Sweet Potato Queen outfit and majorly distract some old guys while y'all pull a coup d'etat."

Hey, I bet Judge Cooley knows her!

Date: May 13, 2004

evelyn gandy, former leutenant gov. and usm grad

Date: May 13, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
" Ideally, too, the person should still be alive -- unlike William Faulkner. "

Maybe Noel Polk could channel him.

(Believe it or not, I am taking this thread seriously. I just can't think of anyone.)

Date: May 13, 2004

By the way, I did not mean my reference to a "serious" response as a criticism of LVN's reply, which actually made me laugh out loud and which she must have been typing as I was typing mine. I did mean the earlier citing of William Faulkner, Roy Klumb, et al. I guess I have a low tolerance for clever cynicism; I want to actually accomplish something.

Date: May 13, 2004

USM Sympathizer

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: RE: RE: RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 13, 2004

Media,

One of the most distressing things to me, as an "outside observer," is to see such an obviously intelligent person as yourself feel so demoralized. Perhaps my geographical distance from the situation makes me a bit naive about what can really be accomplished, but it truly pains me to see so many people hurting so much. I don't know why I have come to feel as passionately about your plight at USM, but I do -- partly because I feel as if I have come to know some of the posters on this board as friends. I truly hope you all -- and you, Media, in particular -- will not give up just yet.

Date: May 13, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
"Thanks for a serious response to a serious question.

I apologize for playing with your question. I think you have an excellent idea. Actually, I was hoping to draw out some info on the better known Republicans, such as Mrs. Fordice. Unfortunately, this state is very parochial, and the influential people in the north are sometimes unknown down here. I do think getting President Kyhat (sp) or some better knowns at the other schools to speak out would carry a lot of weight. Shelby has got to be an embarrassment to them as well. I sent a message to the only faculty member at State I had a contact for, regarding the tenure issue -- "y'all are next."

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: USM Sympathizer

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 13, 2004

Thanks, Delta Dawn! That is EXACTLY the kind of list I was hoping for; I can now get busy writing.

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS

Date: May 13, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 13, 2004

Just got inspired by another thread...

Will D. Campbell gets a lot of respect! In fact, I believe he lives in Mt. Juliet, TN (maybe truth4usm can confirm this?). I could find out how to contact him.

Date: May 13, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: gnomehater
"Just got inspired by another thread... Will D. Campbell gets a lot of respect! In fact, I believe he lives in Mt. Juliet, TN (maybe truth4usm can confirm this?). I could find out how to contact him."

I think you may be right on this one. I heard him speak at USM (in Gonzales Auditorium) a few years back...he was delightful.

But do you really think we will get these mostly "non-academics" to pay attention to what's happening here? I don't mean to be another 'downer,' but I just highly doubt that many of these people will respond. What about contacting some of the outside academics who have signed the petition and see if they would be willing to sign a letter or something? Just a suggestion...

Good luck in your endeavors, though, and keep us posted on the results!

Date: May 13, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
" What about contacting some of the outside academics who have signed the petition and see if they would be willing to sign a letter or something?"

Thanks, Truth! This is another good suggestion! Perhaps each of us could look over the petition and contact anyone on it we may know. If each of us did nothing else than ask each of those persons to urge another (say) five people to sign the petition, in no time at all we could have the list of signatures to over 1000.

My idea of contacting the celebrities was born of the hope (perhaps naive) that if just one of them said something to the press, or called the governor to ask "What the h*** is going on at USM?", or expressed concern to some Mover-and-Shaker in state government, we might get more impact than from further comments from fellow academics, whom the public at large and the The Powers that Be do not seem to take very seriously. If John Grisham said something to Haley Barbour, Haley might listen; if the President of the John Donne Society wrote something to Haley, Haley would probably simply say, "Been there, Donne that."

So far I have been able to find addresses for Shephard Smith, Oprah, and Chuck Scarborough and have written to all three. I will continue looking (as I have time) for addresses for the others. It is surprising how many celebrities do not make it easy for fans to contact them!

Date: May 14, 2004

Phil Bryant - State Auditor

From CBED Irony posting by TVScene:

Mississippi state auditor and member of the CBED Business Advisory Council, agrees with that assessment. "The absence of core values such as integrity and discipline gave us corporate failures including ENRON and WorldCom. It is critical for students to learn that the values of professionalism, excellence and integrity are not only desirable, but essential. Any business or organization not embracing these values will ultimately falter and collapse," Bryant said.

Date: May 14, 2004

Please review some of Rosalie's suggestions. Political leaders who carry some clout - Mike Moore, Evelyn Gandy, William Winter, Gene Taylor, Trent Lott. There may be others that need to hear from us about the current situation and can exert influence with the College Board, etc.

Date: May 14, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: dismayed
"Please review some of Rosalie's suggestions. Political leaders who carry some clout - Mike Moore, Evelyn Gandy, William Winter, Gene Taylor, Trent Lott. There may be others that need to hear from us about the current situation and can exert influence with the College Board, etc."

I have heard, of course, of Trent Lott and Mike Moore; can you help me with the other two? Who are they; any contact information? Thanks!

Date: May 14, 2004

There are two names no one has mentioned and it is an important one...

JIM PAYNE and LARRY PAYNE.

Jim and Larry gave USM its largest single financial gift. If Jim and / or Larry speaks out against SFT, it will attract a lot of press! Larry has retired and lives in the Hattiesburg area. Jim was just selected into the Miss Business Hall of Fame. He is well respected in the power circles of Mississippi. If Jim and Larry would publicly support the removal of Shelby it would dramatically alter the situation.

CONSTRUCTION:

One area to consider is construction...Lawrence Warren (Hattiesburg), Roy Anderson Construction (Gulf Coast), Yates Construction (Jackson)...there are a host of others. But Yates and Anderson are two of the state's top ten privately held companies and both are heavily populated with USM CET grads. Construction companies have extensive contacts in state politics and generally get what they want in the legislature.

If you can 'reach' some of these people and get them to support the idea that a viable USM will improve the CET program, you might get their attention.

POLITICS:

One thing to point out, although MSU wants the Gulf Coast for themselves. They also really want the CET program! MSU has Civil engineering and architecture, but CET grads make over $10,000 more per year when they graduate that these other two fields. Additionally, within 5 to 10 years, our CET grads will be the people hiring MSU's architects and civil engineers to WORK FOR THEM!

MSU has tried for the last 6 years to pry this program away from USM and get it to MSU. This would be a big plum for thier university.

Shelby will be losing this program very soon the way things are going right now.

Date: May 14, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
"I have heard, of course, of Trent Lott and Mike Moore; can you help me with the other two? Who are they; any contact information? Thanks!"

Evelyn Gandy was the first woman Lt. Gov. of MS (was it under William Winter? I can't remember, being such a small sprout at the time! ). She is widely respected across party lines, and I believe she's made speeches at USM before. Don't know how she would feel about coming out in support of faculty at USM. William Winter was a very pro-education gov. of MS in the 70s. Again, someone else could probably fill you in more on him.

Gene Taylor is the barely-Democratic (has he switched parties yet?) US. Rep. for southern MS.

Date: May 14, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS

Date: May 14, 2004

RE: RE: Who are the most widely respected people i

Date: May 14, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 14, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS

Date: May 14, 2004

RE: RE: Who are the most widely respected people i

Date: May 14, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 14, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Out of Towner
"I think you folks make a huge mistake to mix your political views in this. There are many individuals who see the tyranny of Thames who may not be comfortable with your implicit politics. Why take the risk of alienating them?"

Well, if there are any right-of-the-spectrum folks who "see the tyranny of Thames" and oppose it, why do we hear/see so little from them? Shouldn't they be the ones with the most influence on the powers-that-be? What impact have these "insiders" had? Sorry for the tone but I am beyond frustrated with the emphasis on being PC to everyone when no one - I mean no one - has gotten us any closer to our goal of getting rid of the dear leader.

Date: May 14, 2004

The USM grad who was an ESPN broadcaster (she's now with ABC) is Robin Roberts. She was the speaker at commencement at USM back in about '92.

Date: May 14, 2004

Angeline,

I'll answer your question. I'm a "right of spectrum" libertarian/conservative who sees the Thames tyranny (see my earlier rant in the Griffing letter to the HA thread). Any sentient person would see it. However, I'm neither an alum, nor a Hattiesburg or even a Mississippi resident. I have no clout with, nor do I know anyone on the IHL board. If I did, you may be assured that I'd be lobbying and arm twisting like a madman in support of the USM faculty positions. If the USM situation weren't so bleak, and emotions so raw, I'd have taken offense at some of the broadsides regularly fired at conservatives on this board, but it hardly seems worth arguing when there are much bigger things at stake. I will say that any attempt to summarily lump those of the conservative stripe with Thames, Klumb, and their ilk is both wrong headed, and a slight to all of us. Mean-spirited conduct, duplicity and deceit, and corruption are not peculiar to conservatism.

Thanks for listening,
Austin Eagle

Date: May 14, 2004

RE: RE: Who are the most widely respected people i

Date: May 15, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 15, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: bloghead
"What about Osceola McCarty? The fact that USM exploited the hell out of her does not diminish her grace and generosity."

B-head, you are right both about Osceola's grace and the shameless way that USM exploited her gift. But I think the original intent of the thread was to think of widely-respected people to contact to help out with the cause. Miss McCarty, alas, can't help us unless she can strike a deal on the other side.

Date: May 19, 2004

If you are truly asking this question with sincere intentions...I can give you a sincere and very true answer.

A wonderful Mississippian(and highly respected former employee at USM)I know is....Charlotte Tullos. She is the one USM needs as the savior. However, She is in the great state of Washington having phenominal success as the VP of Student Affairs/Enrollment Management at Central Washington University. Charlotte has also been a VP of Institutional Advancement at another university. She has also been (and still is) a faculty member at several colleges/universities along side of her administration duties. So, she knows the drill. I really don't think she has interest in coming back to USM because she is so happy where she is. She would probably be mad at me for even suggesting her name. However, the question was asked, and I feel I have a great answer to that question. I think the IHL or someone high up should contact her and beg her to come back and get this University back on track. This is the str8uptruth!!!

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Str8upTruth
"If you are truly asking this question with sincere intentions...I can give you a sincere and very true answer. A wonderful Mississippian(and highly respected former employee at USM)I know is....Charlotte Tullos. She is the one USM needs as the savior. However, She is in the great state of Washington having phenominal success as the VP of Student Affairs/Enrollment Management at Central Washington University. Charlotte has also been a VP of Institutional Advancement at another university. She has also been (and still is) a faculty member at several colleges/universities along side of her administration duties. So, she knows the drill. I really don't think she has interest in coming back to USM because she is so happy where she is. She would probably be mad at me for even suggesting her name. However, the question was asked, and I feel I have a great answer to that question. I think the IHL or someone high up should contact her and beg her to come back and get this University back on track. This is the str8uptruth!!!"

I hope you will at least urge her to write to the IHL. Thanks for this info!

Date: May 19, 2004

RE: RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS

Date: May 19, 2004

RE: RE: RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
"Media, One of the most distressing things to me, as an "outside observer," is to see such an obviously intelligent person as yourself feel so demoralized. Perhaps my geographical distance from the situation makes me a bit naive about what can really be accomplished, but it truly pains me to see so many people hurting so much. I don't know why I have come to feel as passionately about your plight at USM, but I do -- partly because I feel as if I have come to know some of the posters on this board as friends. I truly hope you all -- and you, Media, in particular -- will not give up just yet."
Thanks

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
"I hope you will at least urge her to write to the IHL. Thanks for this info!"

I have asked her to. She is really some kind of a leader. USM would be lucky to get her back. Thanks for writing me back. You seem to really care about this school. So do I. Dr. Tullos really has some great concerns as well. She really does care about USM.....after all, that is where she got her start.

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Str8upTruth
"I have asked her to. She is really some kind of a leader. USM would be lucky to get her back. Thanks for writing me back. You seem to really care about this school. So do I. Dr. Tullos really has some great concerns as well. She really does care about USM.....after all, that is where she got her start."

Refresh my tired, old memory...what position did Charlotte Tullos hold when she was at USM? I do remember her name.

Date: May 19, 2004

RE: RE: RE: Who are the most widely respected people i

Date: May 19, 2004

RE: Who are the most widely respected people in MS?

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"Refresh my tired, old memory...what position did Charlotte Tullos hold when she was at USM? I do remember her name."

Charlotte had several positions at USM. She was Director or Orientation/Retention and left USM as Director of Career planning/placement. She went str8 to another college as VP of Student Development. She left in 91. Charlotte was also a member of the Hattiesburg school board. You may remember her from that as well. She was a very active leader then and very much an active leader today.

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Str8uptruth
"Charlotte had several positions at USM. She was Director or Orientation/Retention and left USM as Director of Career planning/placement. She went str8 to another college as VP of Student Development. She left in 91. Charlotte was also a member of the Hattiesburg school board. You may remember her from that as well. She was a very active leader then and very much an active leader today."

It is not hard to find out about her. She was very liked at USM. I hate to admit this, but Shelby Thames even thinks a lot of her. I guess that does not mean a darn thing though. Maybe I should not have even mentioned that..haha

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Bubba Likes Catfish
"Originally posted by: Angeline"Well, if there are any right-of-the-spectrum folks who "see the tyranny of Thames" and oppose it, why do we hear/see so little from them? Angeline, please take this in the respectful manner with which it is written. I appreciate your sage postings. But why do you suggest that no right-of-the-spectrum folks are posting on this board? I think you might be surprised if the number of right-of-the-spectrum folks who are posting here. You might also be surprised if you were aware of the professional and scientific reputations those right-of-the-spectrum folks who are posting here command in their respective disciplines or in the non-academic workplace. Conversely, just because a person participates in this forum attends church, or prays, or otherwise invokes religion into his or her personal life, does not mean that the person subscribes to a conservative, right-of-the-spectrum philosophy. There have been times when I was stunned to read some unnecessary anti- religious, anti- diversity postings on this board. Not your postings, Angeline, but the postings of some others. At those times, I cringed and wished that the poster had more sensitive to culturally diverse audiences. This board's stated mission might be much more effective with a little more tolerance for diverse perspectives in areas (e.g., religion, prayer, church) which are totally unrelated to this board's mission. "

Hi folks. Wow, I thought that 4-day old thread was dead. What I meant about "right of spectrum" folks is that, until Chain today (and earlier, and Adam Sencenbaugh) there has been little to no public stance by obviously "right-wing" or "conservative" persons to oppose Thames. Posting to this board is ok but we all know that has a very limited effect on getting SFT out of office - a public effort (or a spirited behind the scenes push as Mr. Chain is apparently now engaged in) is the only thing that will increase the presssure on SFT and the IHL Board to a sufficiently high level to actually do something. I have made several public statements in print under my real name but though I do consider myself "conservative" in the sense that I oppose SFT's radical changes, I am politically far left (liberal doesn't begin to describe me, especially on economic issues) and people who know me know that to be so. Believe me, I do not think that one's view of SFT is based on "conservative" vs. "liberal" ideology but it has seemed like (and maybe I have been mis-reading things) the left-of center crowd is taking 95% of the heat in this battle. And, because that is also likely the public perception it marginalizes the anti-SFT position because such folks can be portrayed as "liberal, do-nothing," etc. etc. I just want my right-wing friends (and I do have many) to join me publicly. It is they who will have a greater impact than me in this state.

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: str8uptruth
"It is not hard to find out about her. She was very liked at USM. I hate to admit this, but Shelby Thames even thinks a lot of her. I guess that does not mean a darn thing though. Maybe I should not have even mentioned that..haha "

I believe she is still very liked at USM by many. I didn't mean to use past tense.

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Angeline
"Believe me, I do not think that one's view of SFT is based on "conservative" vs. "liberal" ideology but it has seemed like (and maybe I have been mis-reading things) the left-of center crowd is taking 95% of the heat in this battle. And, because that is also likely the public perception it marginalizes the anti-SFT position because such folks can be portrayed as "liberal, do-nothing," etc. etc. I just want my right-wing friends (and I do have many) to join me publicly. It is they who will have a greater impact than me in this state."

Thanks, Angeline! Two other folks who have been described on the board (I do not know them, so I cannot say how accurately) as "right of center" are Frank Glamser and Professor Scarborough. They have both taken very public stances -- at least until Professor Glamser was in effect censored by Shelby. I agree with you, though: I wish even more professors in business, the sciences, etc. would take public stances comparable to the ones being taken by people in the humanities and social sciences. I think that if some of the former kinds of solks began to speak out more publicly, SFT's support in the community would dry up even more quickly.

Date: May 19, 2004

solks = folks

Date: May 19, 2004

"A wonderful Mississippian(and highly respected former employee at USM)I know is....Charlotte Tullos. She is the one USM needs as the savior. However, She is in the great state of Washington having phenominal success as the VP of Student Affairs/Enrollment Management at Central Washington University. Charlotte has also been a VP of Institutional Advancement at another university. She has also been (and still is) a faculty member at several colleges/universities along side of her administration duties. So, she knows the drill. I really don't think she has interest in coming back to USM because she is so happy where she is."

Shortly after Shelby was first in power, Charlotte and her husband came back to Hattiesburg for a week. There were several parties to welcome her home and the 'buzz' around Hattiesburg was she was going to be named the new VP for Institutional Advancement at USM. It was supposed to be announced within the week. Then she and her husband went back to Central Washington and nothing else was ever mentioned about her coming to USM.

Over the following months, two other women were mentioned as being the new Director of the USM Foundation...but no announcements. Then out of the blue, Tim Ryan was announced as the new Director of the USM Foundation.

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Grey Knight
""A wonderful Mississippian(and highly respected former employee at USM)I know is....Charlotte Tullos. She is the one USM needs as the savior. However, She is in the great state of Washington having phenominal success as the VP of Student Affairs/Enrollment Management at Central Washington University. Charlotte has also been a VP of Institutional Advancement at another university. She has also been (and still is) a faculty member at several colleges/universities along side of her administration duties. So, she knows the drill. I really don't think she has interest in coming back to USM because she is so happy where she is." Shortly after Shelby was first in power, Charlotte and her husband came back to Hattiesburg for a week. There were several parties to welcome her home and the 'buzz' around Hattiesburg was she was going to be named the new VP for Institutional Advancement at USM. It was supposed to be announced within the week. Then she and her husband went back to Central Washington and nothing else was ever mentioned about her coming to USM. Over the following months, two other women were mentioned as being the new Director of the USM Foundation...but no announcements. Then out of the blue, Tim Ryan was announced as the new Director of the USM Foundation."

Grey, I can tell you with 100% certainty that your remake about Charlotte Tullos trying to come to USM to be VP for IA is WAY OFF. I assure you that is a rumor. Charlotte is very happy at CWU. In fact I cannot wait to tell her what I just read from you. She will not be happy, but rumors get started(esp. at USM). I was just trying to be honest with my opinion about someone who could be great for USM. I don't think Charlotte has any interest in coming back to USM. I just wish(for USM sake) she would. That is the Str8UpTruth

Date: May 19, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: str8uptruth
"Grey, I can tell you with 100% certainty that your remake about Charlotte Tullos trying to come to USM to be VP for IA is WAY OFF. I assure you that is a rumor. Charlotte is very happy at CWU. In fact I cannot wait to tell her what I just read from you. She will not be happy, but rumors get started(esp. at USM). I was just trying to be honest with my opinion about someone who could be great for USM. I don't think Charlotte has any interest in coming back to USM. I just wish(for USM sake) she would. That is the Str8UpTruth"

not remake, remark...oops my mistake