COLUMBUS, Miss. – The MUW Alumni Association has announced its latest slate of officers. The six new board members and president-elect were sworn in during Homecoming.
The MUWAA Board of Directors is comprised of 15 total members — five members in each of three “classes,” who will serve three-year terms. The newest class of board members, elected to serve from 2018-2021, are: Dawn Kershaw Gibbons of Flora; Patty Outlaw of Nashville, Tenn.; Antwann Richardson of Columbus; Rebecca Rogers of Memphis, Tenn.; and Pat Stutsy-Waldrep of Oxford. The sixth board member sworn in this year was Nita Byrd Lumpkin of Standardsville, Va., confirmed via special election to fill a vacancy in the 2017-2020 board class.
President-elect Kristi Hipp Mosely of Madison will serve for the 2018-2019 term. This is a two-year term where Mosley will serve alongside current acting president Katy Canion Pacelli this year, and then transition to president for the 2019-20 term. “Thrilled does not even scratch the surface,” said Pacelli when asked about the opportunity to work with Mosley and the MUWAA Board this year. “Kristi is enthusiastically committed to The W, and her energy is contagious. After three years of leading the Long Blue Line Silent Auction to record-breaking numbers of scholarship donations, I cannot wait to see what her leadership style will add to the group. We are excited for all the board will accomplish this year.”
The new board represents MUW fields of study ranging from art to accounting and music to microbiology, and the group represents graduation years from 1967 to as recently as 2008.
Dawn Gibbons graduated from The W in 1997 with a bachelor of science in accounting. After graduation, she worked for the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor (OSA), auditing state agencies in Mississippi, and then briefly served as senior securities analyst with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office. In late 2002, she chose to leave her senior auditing position to stay home with her six children. Since that time, she has been a full-time homeschool teacher while still running a successful tax accounting business out of her home. Gibbons’ oldest daughter Julie is a rising senior at The W with plans to graduate in 2019.
While at The W, Gibbons was involved in several organizations and activities including being a member of the Reveler Social Club, Hottentots and Mortar Board. In addition to several other roles, she also served as the vice president of the Accounting Honorary and was the business manager for the Spectator.
She has previously served the MUWAA as a member of the Finance Committee and a member of the MUWAA Jackson Metro Chapter. She was instrumental in reviving the Reveler Alumnae Association (RAA) and currently serves as president of the RAA Board. “I cherish this opportunity to tell prospective students what a jewel my university is,” Gibbons said of her new role. “I also plan to encourage recent graduates to stay involved as alumni. I owe so much to The W and want to see it continue to shine!”
Nita Lumpkin came to The W from Berea, Ky., and loved it from day one. She graduated in 1967 with a bachelor of science in library science and a certificate in music. She went on to obtain a master of science in library science in 1970 from Florida State University, and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction in 2006 from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Immediately after college, she was the acting librarian at Baptist International Theological Seminary, Ruschlikon, Switzerland, followed by graduate school at Florida State. She then served as acting acquisitions librarian at Texas Christian University. She ended her career, retiring as a technical information specialist from the National Ground Intelligence Center, Charlottesville, Va.
While a student, Lumpkin was involved in the Baptist Student Union, the Jester Honorary Social Club and Hottentots. She valued the connections made during her time on campus and was proud to be chosen as one of the senior class cheerleaders. Her older daughter, Heather Patel, is a 1995 graduate of The W and her younger daughter, Hilary Hawkins, is a 1998 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.
Lumpkin now provides hospitality and spiritual care-giving to guests through a personal retreat space she has created, and she smilingly labels herself a high-handicap golfer. When asked why she was interested in serving The W and MUWAA as a board member, she stated, “My love and support of The W was rekindled in the last few years under Dr. Borsig’s leadership as university president; and I again am very proud of my university. I have always greatly appreciated the Alumni Association, and I hope to help in our mission of encouraging greater alumni support and recruitment of prospective students.”
Patty Outlaw also graduated in 1967 with a bachelor of fine arts in commercial art. While attending The W, she was a member of the D’Belle Social Club, Art Club, appeared in the 1967 campus production of “Alice in Wonderland” and even had two paintings selected to tour the college circuit.
For most of her 50 years in Nashville, she has worked in both community and public relations, starting with the Girl Scouts and continuing to the local CBS affiliate (WTVF), ABC affiliate (WNGE at the time), to public relations director for several nonprofits. Outlaw was public relations director in Nashville’s early cellular days with a company and system that is now Verizon. Before leaving corporate work, she was with AT&T in public relations covering Kentucky and Tennessee. Outlaw can tell of working with all sorts of legends in both music and television throughout her career, including Oprah Winfrey. Outlaw has been a long-time member of the Public Relations Society of America and was an adjunct faculty member in mass communications at Middle TN State University Murfreesboro, Tenn. Along the way, she started her own pet sitting business which she still runs today.
“I really love The W and always have,” said Outlaw when asked about her motivation to serve on the MUWAA. “I would hope that I could help to make The W a university with a firm foot in the future. I have served as president of the Middle TN Alumni Chapter twice and am currently secretary of the chapter. I feel that The W is as relevant in today’s higher education world more so than ever! I learned to be self-sufficient and to work hard at The W. I gained much needed confidence in who I was. Despite graduating in a time when women were told that they would not be hired because they were a woman, I never listened to that. I felt The W wind at my back and pressed on to find a job where my education was valued.”
Antwann Richardson graduated in 2008 with a bachelor of science in communications and business. He went on to receive a second degree from the Ole Miss School of Banking in 2016. After graduation, he served as the Regions Bank vice president, and in 2016 Richardson became the president of J5 Solutions, a business solution firm that specializes in the areas of construction management, development and security. J5 Solutions supports businesses and governmental institutions located across Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina and Texas. Richardson oversees day-to-day operations and the financial well-being of the entire organization.
Richardson enjoys serving at Vibrant Church where he is a musician and on the technical team. He also enjoys coaching a local youth football team. Richardson has previously served the MUWAA as a member of the Finance Committee, and for 2018-19 he will now chair the committee as the newly elected treasurer for the board. He has also served on the board of the Father’s Child Ministry and served as the vice president of the Columbus Christian Academy Sports Booster.
Richardson credits The W with his personal and philanthropic successes, “MUW played a crucial role in providing me the tools that I needed to become a successful business man and leader in my community. I think MUW is a major asset for the City of Columbus and the surrounding areas. I am thrilled about this opportunity to serve and continue the tradition of excellence within the Long Blue Line.”
Rebecca Rogers is a proud member of the MUW Class of 2000 and followed the footsteps of both her mother and aunt when she chose The W. Rogers studied as a member of the MUW Honors College and earned her bachelor of science in microbiology. During her time at The W, Rogers was a member of the Highlander Social Club, the BlackList Honorary Social Club, Hottentots, Mortar Board and served on The Meh Lady Yearbook. She was elected to be Class of 2000 secretary/treasurer and served on the Interclub Council as well.
Rogers went on to obtain both a bachelor of science in medical laboratory science and a master of science in clinical laboratory science with an emphasis in management from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tenn. After 14 years working in clinical hospital laboratories, she is currently serving as Core Lab supervisor in the Department of Pathology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Outside of the laboratory, Rogers is a very active member of American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) and its affiliate organizations (ASCLS-TN at the Tennessee level and MSCLS in the Memphis area). She is well versed in legislative issues affecting the laboratory profession and has traveled to Nashville to testify against efforts to decrease educational requirements for laboratory testing personnel in Tennessee. Annually, Rogers travels to Washington, D.C. to lobby for funding and educational programs in the fight to reduce the nation-wide shortage of medical laboratory professionals.
She has presented and been invited to educational sessions on topics ranging from social media to activism at state, regional and national laboratory conferences in Los Angeles, Honolulu, Omaha, Houston and cities across both Tennessee and Mississippi.
Rogers has previously served the MUWAA as a member of the Membership Recruitment Committee chairing last fall’s successful “Back to Blue” MUWAA Membership Campaign and will serve on the Public Relations Committee this year. She also volunteers her service to the Mid-South Chapter of the MUWAA, the BlackList Alumnae Association, the Highlander Alumnae Association, the ASCLS Nominations Committee, the ASCLS Leadership Academy Committee and is currently co-chairing the newly formed Social Organization Alumni Council. The SOAC is designed to bring together alumni from all The W’s Greek and Non-Greek social organizations to foster stronger student-alumni networking relationships. When asked what she valued most about her time at The W, Rogers replied, “There is no question attending The W provided me with the opportunity to afford a high-quality education that I feel is unmatched across the Mid-South. But I also think The W taught me to be a joiner even if that took me out of my comfort zone and then more importantly, it taught me to focus on what matters most to you by doing whatever you can to give back. I am thrilled to serve on the MUWAA board with so many other excellent alumni, and I am excited to see where Katy and Kristi will lead us this year.”
Patricia (Pat) Stutsy-Waldrep graduated from The W in 1989 with a bachelor of science in physical education with a recreation/business minor, and she returned to The W for her bachelor of science in paralegal obtained in 2006. During her time as a student, Stutsy-Waldrep was a member of the D’Belle Social Club and enjoyed intramural sports. She was a member of the MUW tennis team, Hottentots, the Wesley Foundation and the Paralegal Club.
Immediately after graduation, she worked for the MUW Police, and she now supports The W through the D’Belle Alumni Association, fundraising and regular participation in university events such as Homecoming and recruitment. She also enjoys mentoring current students whenever the opportunity arises. Stutsy-Waldrep currently serves as general manager at America’s CarMart in Oxford. During her tenure with the company, she has taken the Tupelo store to the Top 10 and will soon be growing the company by opening a store in Batesville.
As a new director, she has also been elected by the board to serve as secretary for the MUWAA for the 2018-19 year. She is proud to step into this role, “I have always enjoyed The W campus, the atmosphere, the friendliness of the staff, faculty and students. My love for The W makes this opportunity a challenge that I am excited to accept.” In her free time, Stutsy-Waldrep enjoys bike riding and following The W’s Owl Athletics and Ole Miss football. She is married to Mandi Stutsy, a fellow graduate of The W.
Kristi Mosley, MUWAA president-elect, graduated in 1999 with a bachelor of science in business administration, emphasis in marketing. While at The W, Mosley was a member of the Lockheart Social Club, BlackList Honorary Social Club, Modeling Squad, New Horizons II and Mortar Board. She served as Interclub vice president, Student Alumni Ambassador, Student Orientation Leader and served on the Student Government Association.
Mosley has been employed since 2008 as a professional sales specialist in neuroscience for Shire Pharmaceuticals where she has had extensive success launching medications and providing education, resources and information to help patients manage life-altering conditions. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her performance – achieving the top honor for Sales performance – top 5% sales; President’s Club Award Recipient three times; and Sales Person of the quarter over 10 times. Prior to her career at Shire, she was employed as an account executive with WYOY/WUSJ/WWJK (New South Radio) where she was ranked as the #1 sales representative out of 52 for a major broadcasting company from 2005 – 2008 and was awarded the Salesperson of the Month over a period of 37 months during the years of 2003 – 2008.
Since graduation, Mosley has served her alma mater in many capacities. She is an active member of the Jackson Metro Chapter of the MUWAA. She has just completed a three-year term on the MUWAA Board of Directors where she served as the special events chair, hosting the Long Blue Line Silent Auction for all three years. Her body of work with the auction, in collaboration with the other members of the MUWAA Board of Directors, collectively raised more than $49,000 and achieved the endowment funding of The Legacy Scholarship Award and now is assisting in the funding of faculty awards; faculty grants; and of The W Activities Fund. Mosley also served four years on the BlackList Social Club Board of Directors as vice president.
She has special interest and takes great pride in serving organizations that provide guidance, leadership and resources for women and children. She holds membership in the Junior League of Jackson, where she held numerous leadership roles and was involved in all fund development areas within the organization; the Friends of the Hospital for Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children; GROW, a professional organization that focuses on cultivating and developing strong female leaders within the pharmaceutical industry; and serves as a Mission Partner for Crossroads Women’s Ministry and the Center for Pregnancy Choices. Mosley has been married to her husband, Brett since 2008 and they have two children, Parks (8) and Mary Liza (3). She currently serves on the PTO for her son’s school, Mannsdale Upper Elementary and enjoys singing in the choir and serving on the Praise Team at Highland Colony Baptist Church.
On being selected as president-elect, Mosley said, “I am humbled to be serving as president-elect of the MUWAA and will work jointly with our President Katy Pacelli, to support the efforts and initiatives of the university and its alumni. The W, its faculty, students, administration and its alumni are truly awesome! This university has produced an immensely talented, diverse and successful group of women and men who continuously impress upon me all the reasons I chose to attend and graduate from Mississippi University for Women. The W holds a very special place in my heart as it served as a foundation for me to grow and cultivate my own beliefs and values, while also affording me a very rich education. It is for all these reasons, I am extremely passionate about ensuring other potential students are afforded similar opportunities at The W. To that end, it is my goal to invigorate the alumni base and continue to cultivate a culture of good stewardship for our university through alumni support.”
MUWAA President Katy Pacelli graduated in 2000 with a bachelor of science in business administration, emphasis in marketing. She also received a master of arts in higher education administration from Southeast Missouri State University. During her time as a student, Pacelli was involved with the D’Belle Social Club, Jester Honorary Social Club, Hottentots and served as Student Alumni Ambassador and Interclub president.
A 2015 graduate of Leadership Mississippi, Pacelli has been the executive director of the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. since 2012, overseeing the day to day operations of the foundation, including a scholarship program of 80-plus students and a teacher grant program for three parishes in Louisiana. Prior, she worked as the associate director of admissions for Millsaps College and as an admissions counselor at MUW.
After completing a very successful year as president-elect, Pacelli is excited for the coming year. Last year she was instrumental in the creation and execution of the inaugural BLUE Event (Building Leadership Understanding & Education) held on The W campus in January. BLUE brought students and alumni together for an exciting day full of networking and development, and Pacelli is hopeful the next BLUE Event will be an even greater success. “I look forward to working with the Board and MUW leaders to move the mission of the Association forward. We will continue to work on growing our active membership, connecting with current students and supporting our faculty. In the process, I hope to connect with as many members of the Long Blue Line as I can during my time as resident.”
MUWAA Board members are elected by the active membership, required to be an active member for the past two years, and serve a three-year term.
The MUWAA exists to support and promote the mission of Mississippi University for Women, including providing scholarship awards to incoming and current students, while also offering alumni engagement opportunities. Active membership is open to any person who has been officially enrolled for at least 12 semester hours and has donated to the MUW Foundation. For more information, visit www.longblueline.muw.edu.