May 12, 2008—Because of the end-of-school and graduation events already planned for this weekend, MUS will not reschedule its Spring Formal. Severe weather on Saturday, May 10, forced the cancellation of the formal, and the safety of our students and their guests is always our primary concern. Students who bought tickets can get a refund in the Business Office.

The Student Council and the administration apologize for the inconvenience and frustration this has caused for our students and their families. We wish that we could have rescheduled the event, but the last-minute nature of the cancellation made it impossible to book an appropriate venue. If you have any questions, please call Mr. Cady at 260-1367.

May 12, 2008—The MUS lacrosse team captured its seventh state title over the weekend with a 12-6 win over McCallie in the championship game in Nashville. Franklin Martin, Barry Hillyer, and Kent Francis each scored three goals, and Martin was named the Offensive MVP. Scott McClintock was named the Defensive MVP. The win capped off a stellar season for the Owls, who were led by a talented and dedicated group of 11 seniors. The leadership of seniors Austin Alexander, Ben Arnold, Hudson Atkins, Sayle Atkinson, Kent Francis, Connell Hall, Kyle Lucas, Kirk Malmo, Scott McClintock, Patrick Stewart, and Luke Wynn kept the team motivated and focused throughout the season.

Several MUS students were recognized for their contributions to the team's success during the season. Sayle Atkinson, Johnny Carson, Barry Hillyer, Patrick Stewart, and Will Stokes were named to the All-State 1st Team. Connell Hall, Ben Khouri, and John Rutledge were named to the All-State 2nd Team. Barry Hillyer and Patrick Stewart were named All-Americans.

Congratulations to the coaches, players, and fans on a tremendous season!

May 1, 2008—Book buy back will take place on May 21 and 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Halperin-Gillespie Room. Students can only sell their books back at this time. MUS will pay cash for hardback books that will be used next school year.

April 22, 2008—MUS works to ensure that our student-athletes have the best—and the safest—facilities in the area, and our artificial turf field is no exception. If you saw the recent news reports questioning the amount of lead present in artificial turf fields, we want you to know that MUS’s Hull-Dobbs Field has turf from FieldTurf, which uses polyethelene fibers rather than the nylon fibers currently under investigation. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services rushed to test FieldTurf fields as soon as word of the potential issue broke and found "very low or undetectable levels of lead" in the fibers used by FieldTurf.

For more information concerning FieldTurf’s safety certification, please click here.

April 14, 2008—Over the weekend, the MUS Latin Club traveled to Clarksville, TN for the Tennessee Junior Classical League (TJCL) Latin Convention. The competition pitted MUS students against Latin scholars from across the state in areas such as academics, athletics, and fine arts. Forty-nine MUS students won ribbons over the course of the weekend, resulting in MUS bringing home the 1st place Academics trophy from the convention as well as the 1st place overall Sweepstakes Trophy. Their 955 point total was almost double the amount of points earned by the 2nd place finisher. Congratulations to the MUS Latin program on another fantastic performance on the state level.

March 18, 2008—The April 7 sophomore class meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hyde Chapel. It is a mandatory meeting for sophomores, and their parents are strongly encouraged to attend. This meeting will cover college application preparation and junior year class registration.

March 3, 2008—The Upper School Chess Team won the regional tournament on Saturday held at John P. Freeman Optional School. The team of Forrest Baty, Evan Mah, Nathan Vogt, and Parker Wilson beat chess players from four others schools to capture first place and advance to the state chess tournament in Cookeville, TN on March 31. The Lower School Chess Team will be joining them at the state tournament after coming in second in the Middle School division on Saturday. Team members are Pete Abston, Corey Clay, Ashish Nathani, Amit Shah, and Matt Ward. Both teams are coached by junior Evan Mah.

February 29, 2008—The MUS Mock Trial team bested teams from more than 20 local schools to capture the district championship of the 2008 Tennessee High School Mock Trial Competition. The team, consisting of Austin Beckford, Robert Duffley, Hunter Edens, John Fenton, Alexander Fones, Stephen Maroda, Wesley Shannon, Michael Stein, and Peter Travis, beat St. Mary’s Episcopal School in the final round of the contest. The judges named Michael Stein best attorney and Alexander Fones was Best Witness for Team U.

Designed to provide students with a realistic, firsthand perspective of the legal process, the Mock Trial Competition is a project of the Tennessee Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, and it has grown from two districts in 1980 to all major metropolitan areas and several rural areas within the state.

The MUS Mock Trial team will head to Nashville during spring break to compete against the top teams in the state for a chance to advance to the national competition.

February 28, 2008—

At its meeting in February, the Board of Trustees formally approved new leadership.  Bob Loeb ’73 is now chairman of our board and Steve Morrow ’71 vice-chairman.  Dick Fisher ’72 and Tom Hutton ’61 were reelected as treasurer and secretary.  Three new members – Joe Morrison ’78, Owen Tabor ’85, and Gary Wunderlich ’88 – were appointed to the board, ushering in a new generation of leadership at MUS. At the same time, the board thanked and recognized three trustees–Susan Faber, Jim Varner ’73, and Kent Wunderlich ’66 – who are retiring from the board after 52 years of collective service, trustees who love this school and have served unselfishly. They will become members of the Honorary Board.

Susan Faber

Susan Faber, the school’s first female trustee, joined the MUS board in 1998. In her decade on the board, Faber served on the Education Committee and was co-chair of the Doors to New Opportunities Special Gifts Committee. Perhaps her most significant contribution as a board member was being co-chair of the Strategic Plan 2004-05 (which also included her being co-chair of the Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee on Process). Academic Dean Rick Broer, who was co-chair of the strategic planning process with her, recounts, “Susan Faber was a terrific trustee to work with. It is easy to see that she loves MUS and always has tried to keep the school’s best interest uppermost in her mind. As co-chair of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, she was a great leader. She worked hard and kept the group organized and focused, yet she made the work interesting and fun. I think of her as a quiet but extremely effective trustee.”

Faber and her husband, Butch, were founding members of the Thorn Society and are currently members of the Thorn Society Headmaster’s Circle. They are the parents of sons, Michael ’96 and Robert ’98, and daughter, Carey. Faber is a graduate of East High School and Indiana University.

Jim Varner ’73

Jim Varner joined the MUS board in 1991 and was elected vice chair in 1997. Having been an avid basketball player in high school and college, much of his service revolved around MUS athletics and sports facilities. He chaired the board’s Athletic Committee for many years and was a member of the Multi-Sports Stadium Steering Committee. Varner also served as MUS football team physician from 1986-98. Of his contributions, Athletic Director Bobby Alston says, “His wisdom helped guide us through our early days in Division II when it was formed by TSSAA. During his tenure our athletic program has grown to include lacrosse, swimming, and trapshooting. Dr. Varner, as team doctor, board member, and chairman of the Athletic Committee, has left a lasting impression on all of us who love MUS.”

Additionally, he was a member of the Doors to New Opportunities Steering Committee, a member of Strategic Plan 2004-05 Programs Sub-Committee, and he is a member of the Crest & Cornerstone Society.

Upon the announcement of his retirement from the board, Varner said, “If you have an environment where teachers teach for 30 years, where coaches coach for that long, if your parents want to be involved, if alumni want to stay engaged….then you know you’ve been successful.”

Varner and his wife, Suzanne, were founding members of the Thorn Society, and he served as Thorn Society president from 1996-98. They are now members of the Lynn Society. He earned a B.A. from the University of Mississippi and an M.D. from the University of Tennessee. Varner is an orthopedic surgeon with the Office of Bone & Joint Surgery, P.C.

Kent Wunderlich ’66

Kent Wunderlich joined the MUS board in 1983 and served as board chairman from 1988-96. During his tenure as chair, the largest capital campaign in the school’s history to that point was conducted to construct the Sue H. Hyde Sports and Physical Education Center; Wunderlich shepherded the school through the retirement of Headmaster Gene Thorn and the school’s 1993 centennial celebrations; and he was instrumental in formulating the MUS mission statement and leading the search committee that appointed Ellis Haguewood as headmaster.

After stepping down as board chair, Wunderlich remained an involved member of the Board of Trustees. He served on the Doors to New Opportunities Steering Committee and was a co-chair of the Financial Plan Committee for that capital campaign. He and his wife, Susan, were founding members of the Lynn Society and remain members of that vitally important group. For his decades of contribution to the school, he was named the 2006-07 Alumnus of the Year.

“Kent Wunderlich’s contributions to MUS are immeasurable,” says Trow Gillespie '65, former board chair and current trustee. “Over his 26 years of service as a trustee, Kent has occupied virtually every leadership position on the board, including the chairmanship for nine years. His love of the school and passion to raise the bar of excellence have been matched only by his extraordinary generosity. Kent’s dedication, devotion, and commitment continue to inspire those of us who follow him, and we are also grateful to the entire Wunderlich family, whose name has become synonymous with leadership at MUS for three generations.”

Wunderlich received a B.S. from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from the University of Memphis. He is president and general counsel of Financial Federal Savings Bank. He and Susan have two sons, Gary ’88 and Philip ’90, and five grandchildren.

Joe Morrison ’78

Joe Morrison is a senior vice president at Morgan Asset Management. He is a class representative and has been a Phonathon volunteer for many years. During the Doors to New Opportunities Capital Campaign, he was a member of the Task Force 2001 Financial Plan Committee. He and his wife, Brandon, are Thorn Society Patrons.

Morrison serves on the boards of Presbyterian Day School, the Neighborhood Christian Center, the Boy Scouts of America Chickasaw Council, and the Session at Second Presbyterian Church. He earned both a B.S. and an M.B.A. at Vanderbilt University. He and Brandon have five children: Allie, Ruthie, Joe ’12, Jane, and Murray.

Owen Tabor ’85

Owen Tabor is a surgeon with Tabor Orthopedics, PC. He was a member of the school’s Alumni Executive Board from 2002-05, serving as its president for 2004-05. In that role, he was an ex officio member of the MUS Board of Trustees. He and his wife, Jeannie, are members of the Lynn Society, and he has been an active Phonathon volunteer. Tabor is a member of the Crest and Cornerstone Society and served as a member of the Doors to New Opportunities Major Gifts Committee. He has been the MUS football team doctor since 1999. He is also the founder of the MUS Alumni Softball League and is an active member of the league’s O-Fers team. For his dedication to MUS, Tabor was named the Volunteer of the Year for 2006-07.

Tabor serves on the board of the Church Health Center. He earned a B.A. and an M.D. from the University of Virginia. He and Jeannie have two sons, Sherman and Harrison, and a daughter, Virginia.

Gary Wunderlich ’88

Gary Wunderlich is CEO of Wunderlich Securities, Inc. A member of the Thorn Society, he has demonstrated longtime service to MUS. He was a class representative and was a member of the Alumni Executive Board from 1998-2003. He served as a Phonathon volunteer for several years. Wunderlich was a member of the Doors to New Opportunities Special Gifts Committee and a member of the Strategic Plan 2004-05 Admissions/Enrollment Sub-Committee.

Wunderlich is chairman of the ArtsMemphis Board of Trustees and is also on the Children’s Museum of Memphis Executive Committee and the Advisory Committee of the Memphis Botanic Foundation Board. He earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from the University of Memphis. He has a daughter, Madison, and a son, Gary ’14.

February 14, 2008—Ten MUS seniors have recently been named Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Austin Beckford, Conor Bolich, Roger Chu, David Curran, Scott Edwards, Robert Hoehn, Jack Montgomery, Will Pryor, Josh Vieira, and Malcolm Wood were among the 1.4 million students who took the PSAT. Their scores qualified them for finalist status, an honor awarded to only 15,000 of those who took the standardized test. As finalists, these students will compete for some 8,200 college scholarships.

February 14, 2008—The Civic Service Talent Show will be held on February 22 at 7:00 p.m. in Hyde Chapel. All proceeds from the event will go toward the work of MUS's Civic Service Organization.

February 7, 2008—In fencing news, senior Conor Bolich bested the CBHS champion fencer in a 5-touch bout at halftime during the MUS vs. CBHS varsity basketball game on Wednesday. The win resulted in MUS capturing the St. Michael's Cup, established five years as a joint acknowledgement and celebration of the unique competitive spirit between two historic Memphis boys’ schools. This is the first time that the MUS fencing team has won the competition.

Bolich gave up only one “single touch” in the bout, which he won by scoring 5 touches to 2. The winning touch was on the toe of the opponent. This is a particularly difficult and risky move and a tribute to Bolich’s nerve and skill, according to fencing coach Brad Kroeker.

Bolich, sophomore Ben Smith, and freshmen Chase Schoelkopf and Evan Sousoulas will be traveling to Charlotte, NC for the 2008 Junior Olympic (JO) Fencing competition February 15-18.

February 6, 2008—On national signing day, four MUS seniors announced their intentions to continue their football careers in college. Barrett Huggins, son of Katie and Wallace Huggins of Collierville, will line up next year at Rhodes College. DeAndre Jones, son or Lisa Jones of Memphis and Charlie Jones of Olive Branch, will wear the black and gold at Vanderbilt. Chris Taylor, son of Tabaitha and Dino Taylor of Memphis, will join the Governors at Austin Peay. Luke Wynn, son of Lynn and Henry Wynn of Cordova, will become a Paladin at Furman.

Huggins was a starting defensive tackle for the Owls and finished the year with 45 tackles, 10 of which were behind the line of scrimmage. He also had 4 sacks. He was winner of MUS’s Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award this year and also was an honorable mention All-Region performer. Huggins is a member Latin Honor Society and the Civic Service Organization. He was also named a National Merit Commended Student.

Jones was a three-year starter for the Owls and earned many awards and accolades, including being elected as Captain by his teammates. He assisted the MUS defensive team in tying a school record for shut-outs (six) by leading the team in tackles with 78, 22 of which were for loss of yardage. He also recorded eight sacks. Jones was a Mr. Football Finalist and team MVP this season. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. He also participated in the Bridge Builders program.

Taylor exploded the second half of the season and impressed the coaching staff at Austin Peay with his speed and toughness at defensive back. He won the Slobberknocker Award, which goes to the MUS player with the best hit of the season. He was also selected to play in the Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game. He recorded 41 tackles, one interception, and six pass break-ups this year. Taylor is a member of the Civic Service Organization’s Executive Committee.

Wynn will head to Furman and seek to win the starting long-snapping position. He had a great senior season as both a long snapper and a starting offensive tackle. He was awarded the "Outstanding Special Teams Award" for MUS because of an almost-flawless season snapping. Wynn is a member of the National Honor Society and the Latin Honor Society. He serves as Honor Council President.

January 25, 2008—Guaranteed investment. How many times has that promise flashed across your Inbox? Nevertheless, what if the return was as certain as Death itself? When Walker bolts into the wrong analyst's office, he finds his salvation in life insurance not psychotherapy. How hard can it be to help ease the pain of a dying man's last days? Harder than anyone could imagine when the terminally ill patient is as contentious, irritable, and vile as Cram. Add the love of a possibly good (but probably treacherous) woman, and a dash of assistance from an accommodating (but not really) nurse, and you have the perfect recipe for ruin. Love and Greed bow low to each other in a seductive dance of comedy and irony, perhaps there was simply Something In The Air.*

Senior Peter Travis makes his directorial debut with Something in the Air starring MUS students Hunter Edens, Alexander Fones, Adam Gordon, and William McGehee, St. Mary’s Episcopal School student Jenny Guyton, and White Station High School student Lilla Pivnick. Performance are on February 7, 8, and 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Hyde Chapel. Call 260-1300 for more information.

*play synopsis from www.theatermania.com

November 26, 2007—The Rogers Leadership Forum will take place on November 29 at 7:00 p.m. in Hyde Chapel. Patrick Kuhse will give a presentation entitled "From Prominence to Prison: Why Smart People Do Dumb Things." To read more about Kuhse's message, check out The Commercial Appeal's recent profile of him.

From Harvard to Stanford, from MetLife to Boeing, Kuhse is not only one of the most in-demand speakers in America today, but also one of the most popular speakers on college and school campuses across the country. Kuhse, a speaker, trainer, and consultant on business ethics, will share lessons learned in his journey from prominence as a successful stockbroker in San Diego to his involvement in a financial fraud scheme. He ultimately committed a felony and served four years in prison. He is uniquely qualified to share techniques on dealing with moral and ethical dilemmas. He teaches people to recognize key warning signs and the critical thinking errors that lead to all forms of unethical behavior and criminal activity.

You will not want to miss Kuhse's high-energy, passionate story as he provides engaging examples and concrete, practical strategies for keeping one's moral compass pointing true north.

To RSVP, click here and let us know how many people will be attending

November 15, 2007—Senior Blair Wright committed to play baseball for the University of Mississippi. The senior right-handed pitcher is the third Diamond Owl in three years to become a Rebel. Wright, a 5’11”, 195-pound pitcher, was a Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State selection in 2007 with an overall record of 7-3 in 72.33 innings pitched including 88 strikeouts and 1.75 ERA.

Wright’s performance received not only state but also local recognition with his selection to the D2 West Tennessee Regional All-Conference Team, D2 West Tennessee Regional All Tournament Team, Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association All-Region Team, and The Commercial Appeal All-Metro Team in the private school division. Wright also played for the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association’s Team Tennessee at the Junior Sunbelt Series in McAlester, Oklahoma, and for Dulins Dodgers, the 2007 B.E.S.T World Champions.

Following his commitment, Blair voiced his enthusiasm. “I’ve always wanted to play college baseball,” he said. “The opportunity to play at the school that I have grown up rooting for and that has a chance to go to the College World Series year in and year out is awesome.”
Coach Marc MacMillan ’92 understands what a special place Ole Miss is to Wright and his family. Blair’s father, Jeff Wright, graduated from Ole Miss in 1978, and supporting the Rebels has been a family affair.

“I am very excited for Blair and his family,” Coach MacMillan says. “For Blair to be able to play on the collegiate level at the school that means so much to him and his family is pretty extraordinary.
“He has worked hard for this and looks forward to being a Rebel. Ole Miss will provide Blair the opportunity to compete for championships on a yearly basis as well as to continue his excellence in the classroom, so I think it is a perfect fit.”

Watson George will be continuing his tennis career as a Furman University Purple Paladin upon graduating from MUS. George, who was a finalist for The Commercial Appeal Best of the Preps Tennis Player of the Year following the 20007 season, teamed up with junior Will Carter to capture the state doubles title last year.

“I’ve always wanted to play college tennis and felt that Furman was a good fit for me,” George says. “I like the combination of strong academics and a successful tennis program. The coaches are easy-going guys, but at the same time they get the most out of their players. I’ve gotten to know some guys on the team really well and am excited about joining them next fall.”

George’s coach is also optimistic about his collegiate tennis career. “I am excited for the opportunity that Watson has,” says Mr. Bill Taylor, varsity tennis coach. “He is a talented and hardworking athlete, and he will be playing under a great coach at Furman. On top of all this, he will be able to team up again with another great MUS player, Bo Ladyman ’05. They should have a solid team at Furman next year, but Watson will be hard to replace on the MUS team.”

George is a member of Cum Laude, Mu Alpha Theta, and the history and Spanish honor societies. He is a National Merit Commended Student and was awarded the Dartmouth Book Award during his junior year. In addition to his involvement at MUS, George has also served as a Regions Morgan Keegan Tennis Tournament ballboy throughout his high school career and has taught tennis in inner city youth.

October 31, 2007—There has been a lot of press coverage recently on MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus), the bacteria that is resistant to several commonly-used antibiotics. Most MRSA infections occur in hospitals and healthcare facilities. However, recently there has been a slight increase in MRSA infections in schools. We are aware of the threat of MRSA, and have been implementing preventive measures for years at MUS. Science instructor Dr. Michael Schwartz, a molecular biologist with expertise in virology and biochemistry, and certified athletic trainer David Ferebee have prepared this report on the threat of MRSA and what we are doing to reduce its risk at MUS.

MRSA Staph Infections: What the MUS Community Should Know

This type of infection is termed a community-associated (CA)-MRSA infection and occurs in otherwise healthy people who have not been hospitalized or had other medical procedures within a year.

Indications of Infections

MRSA infections are usually associated with the skin where cuts or abrasions have occurred. MRSA infections are characterized by

• Abscesses or boils
• Pus-filled lesions that are red, swollen, painful, or have the sensation of heat
• A wound with a longer that normal heal time or an unusual increase in size
• A wound with red streaks or abnormal coloration

Deep infections caused by CA-MRSA do occasionally occur even when skin involvement (boils and pustules) may not be present. These deep infections often take the form of bone and joint infections. Thus a student at MUS who has pain in an extremity (limping etc.) and also has fever, should be evaluated by a doctor for possible CA-MRSA infection. CA-MRSA Pneumonia does also occasionally occur, but it is difficult to distinguish this cause of pneumonia from other more common causes.

Transmission and Treatment

The bacteria that cause MRSA infections are usually transmitted by skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have been contaminated. Most MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated by drainage of the pus and treatment with or without antibiotic treatment.

Strategies for Reduction of MRSA Transmission in Common Areas

Good hygiene is the best way for individuals to reduce potential MRSA infection. Washing hands frequently with soap and warm water and the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is recommended. The covering of skin cuts/abrasions with a clean, dry bandage is absolutely necessary to prevent possible transmission to others. If a cut or abrasion occurs at school, no matter how minor, immediate attention should be sought from the principal or athletic trainer.

Strategies for Reduction of MRSA Transmission in Athletics Areas

We strongly suggest that athletes do not share towels, toiletries, clothing, or athletic equipment. Athletes are encouraged to shower immediately following exercise, athletic events, and practice. Athletes should take care not to store equipment that is wet, as this environment is highly conducive to bacterial growth.

The MUS Athletics Department takes care to carefully clean and sanitize all athletic equipment. This includes the use of the highly effective disinfectant Neutra-Dis in all laundry loads (towels and athletic apparel) and on wrestling mats, benches, training tables, lockers, and weight room equipment.

To read more, visit http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/

October 31, 2007—Every year the Alumni Association Executive Board recognizes MUS graduates who best embody the ideals of honor, service, and involvement through their participation in the life of the school. The honorees are acknowledged at a luncheon, held this year at the Racquet Club of Memphis. The alumni board awarded Trow Gillespie ’65 the Alumnus of the Year honor and named Kevin Parker ’84 and Paul Reaves ’84 the Volunteers of the Year.

Alumnus of the Year

The Alumnus of the Year award is given to an individual who exemplifies community leadership and personal integrity, representing the school’s guiding mission of developing well-rounded young men of strong moral character. This year’s honoree, Trow Gillespie, has demonstrated years of service to MUS, helping it grow and improve through his tremendous leadership, board involvement, participation in capital campaigns, and annual giving. Gillespie was elected to the MUS Board of Trustees in 1995 and was named Chairman of the Board in 2005. He served as chairman of the Doors to New Opportunities Capital Campaign steering committee, and he served on the steering committee for the Multi-Sports Complex and the Strategic Planning Committee. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were founding members of the Ross M. Lynn Society, and he served as president of the Lynn Society from 1996-98. Gillespie was named MUS Volunteer of the Year in 2003 for his endless support of the school, both financially and with his time.

In accepting his award, Gillespie cited the strong leadership of Ellis Haguewood, Jerry Peters, Colonel Ross Lynn, and Gene Thorn. He recognized MUS as the place that instilled in him a strong work ethic, honor, integrity, and good sportsmanship. As a student, alumnus, and MUS father, he said, MUS has always inspired him to serve and has made him understand the responsibility of giving back to others.

After graduating from MUS in 1965, Gillespie received a B.A. from Vanderbilt University. He started his career with First Tennessee Investment Management, Inc. From there he co-founded and was principal and vice president of Southeastern Asset Management, Inc. In 1985, Gillespie became co-founder, principal, and president of NewSouth Capital Management, Inc.

He has served on numerous boards in the Memphis community, including Tennessee Economic Development Commission, Memphis Cystic Fibrosis Chapter, Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Presbyterian Day School, and MIFA. He currently is on the boards of Trezevant Manor, ArtsMemphis, Little Keswick Foundation for Special Education, Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation, Vanderbilt National Commodore Club, and the Leadership Academy.

Gillespie and his wife, Elizabeth, have three sons, Paul ’01, Stuart ’04, and John.

Volunteer of the Year

In accepting the award, Parker admitted that he was really “getting recognized for having fun.” He cited the “players and parents who are easy to deal with, facilities that are topnotch, and exceptional staff support, especially from Matt Bakke” that have characterized his time as coach. He thanked Coach Jerry Peters for “allowing me to see the game I’ve loved since I was six years old from a new perspective as coach.”

Reaves laughingly conceded that he was “riding on the coattails of a winner” by accepting the award along with Kevin Parker. Reaves, too, thanked Bakke and recognized Coach Peters for his superior coaching and his sound leadership. He concluded his remarks by saying, “MUS is a great school, and I’m just privileged to be a part of it.”

Captain of the 1983 varsity basketball team, Kevin Parker graduated from MUS in 1984. He earned a B.S. in psychology from the University of Memphis, and currently he is a counselor at Lakeside Hospital. Parker married his high school sweetheart, Lauren, and they have three children, Luke, Matthew, and Courtney.

Reaves was on the MUS varsity squad in his sophomore and junior years, playing on the 1983 team that gave Coach Peters his 400th win. He graduated from MUS in 1984, and he earned a B.B.A. from the University of Tennessee and an M.B.A. from the University of Memphis. He has been a member of the Alumni Executive Board since 2005. Reaves is the vice president of finance for the Lutheran Church Extension Fund. He and his wife, Anne, have two children, Ben and Sara.

New Leadership Steps Up

Following the presentation of awards and remarks by the honorees, Johnny Pitts ’76, 2006-07 president of the Alumni Executive Board, turned the gavel over to this year’s president, Bobby Wade ’84. Pitts thanked the four alumni rotating off the board, Jody Brown ’61, Joel Fulmer ’67, Billy Orgel ’81, and Brian Sullivan ’82, for serving MUS. He also recognized the three new members of the Alumni Executive Board, John Barton ’95, William Tayloe ’92, and Scott Williams ’85.

October 29, 2007—On October 22, 10 MUS students traveled to Knoxville to compete in the University of Tennessee/Pro2Serve Math Contest. In the individual portion of the competition, three students advanced to the final round: Scott Edwards, Nelson Graham, and Andrew Chinn. Two three-man teams also competed in the math bowl portion of the contest. The team consisting of Scott Edwards, Nelson Graham, and Rahul Kumar brought home the first place trophy in the small school division and placed third overall.

Participants in the UT/Pro2Serve Math Contest included seniors Michael Cross, Asad Dilawari, Scott Edwards, John Fenton, and Nelson Graham; juniors Rahul Kumar, Tho Nguyen, and Robert Vestal; and sophomores Andrew Chinn and Josh Feler.

Two days later, the team traveled to Oxford for the University of Mississippi's math contest. Scott Edwards placed third in the individual competition, and the team of Edwards, Rahul Kumar, Ross Montague, and Joshua Vieira placed first in the team competition.

Participants in the Ole Miss math contest included seniors Scott Edwards, Nelson Graham, Connell Hall, Ross Montague, and Josh Vieira; juniors Michael Edwards and Rahul Kumar; and sophomore Josh Feler.

October 23, 2007—At the end of the 2006-07 school year, 140 MUS students took 267 Advanced Placement (AP) Exams in 18 different subjects. These exams are the culmination of vigorous AP classes in a variety of subjects, and doing well on these tests can often translate to college credit before a student even leaves high school. For the third year in a row, all students (11 in 2007, 17 in 2006, and 16 in 2005) who took the BC Calculus exam scored a 5, the highest score possible.
In addition, 65 students were named AP Scholars by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the 2007 Advanced Placement Examinations. Congratulations are in order for the dedicated and caring instructors and the highly motivated and hard-working students who continue this tradition of academic excellence. The award designations are as follows:

Three students qualified for the AP National Scholar Award by earning an average grade of at least 4 on all AP exams taken and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.

Stewart Gray ’07
Jeffrey Webb ’07
Jonathan Yeung ’07

Twenty-two students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Roger Chu ’08
Stephen Counce ’07
Hunter Edens ’08
Scott Edwards ’08
Ashton Fisher ’07
Ben Goldstein ’07
Stewart Gray ’07
Rob Hartmann ’08
Philip Heppel ’07
Andrew Jehl ’07
Noah Ketler ’07
Neely Mallory ’07
Chris McDonald ’07
David Morelli ’07
Ragan Pitner ’07
Erim Sarinoglu ’07
Samir Sheth ’08
Hobbie Turley ’07
Byron Tyler ’07
Dev Varma ’07
Jeffrey Webb ’07
JonathanYeung ’07

Twenty students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on four or
more of these exams.

West Askew ’07
Austin Beckford ’08
Conor Bolich ’08
Michael Cross ’08
David Curran ’08
Ryan Foley ’07
Alexander Fones ’08
Teddy Klug ’08
Drew Hammond ’07
Joshua Henke ’07
Robert Hoehn ’08
Mazen Istanbouli ’08
William Lang ’07
Will Mays ’08
William McGehee ’08
Jack Montgomery ’08
Ed Porter ’07
John Stokes ’07
Steven Thompson ’07
Ben Waller ’07

Twenty-one students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by earning grades of
three or higher on three or more AP Exams.

Richard Blount ’07
Alex Carter ’07
John Catmur ’07
Elliott Cole ’07
Asad Dilawari ’08
Jay Edwards ’07
Kent Francis ’08
Louis Ghawji ’07
Matt Haltom ’08
William Harris ’07
Neale Hicks ’07
Nathaniel Kastan ’08
Stephen Maroda ’08
Mark McLeod ’08
Naveed Mirza ’07
Ross Montague ’08
Ben Pelz ’08
Will Pryor ’08
Jay Snyder ’08
Michael Stein ’08
Kristof Tigyi ’07
Peter Travis ’08
Joshua Vieira ’08

October 17, 2007—We are happy to announce that school will resume for Second Semester a day later than was previously published. The first day of school after the holiday break has been changed to January 3, 2008.

October 9, 2007—A new shipment of MUS Vineyard Vines ties has arrived! Come by the bookstore and get your blue or yellow specially-designed tie. They will also be on sale at the October 26 home game against ECS.

October 3, 2007—The Lower School Grandfathers' Breakfast will take place this Friday in the Campus Center Dining Hall. All Lower School students and their grandfathers are invited to meet for food and fellowship at 7:30 a.m.

September 24 , 2007—In the fall issue of its publication TSSAA News, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) announced its Distinguished Service Award winners. Distinguished Service Awards are bestowed on four notable individuals – an administrator, an official, a coach, and a journalist – in Tennessee high school sports. MUS varsity basketball coach Jerry Peters was the honoree in the coaching category for fall 2007.

In 2007, Peters celebrated his first Division 2 State Basketball Championship and his 919th career win. Having served as the MUS Owls head basketball coach since 1964, he is the winningest high school basketball coach in Shelby County history and the third-winningest in Tennessee. His teams have won over 100 invitational, conference, district, regional, sub-state, and state championships. Under his leadership, MUS has claimed 7 regional championships, 16 district championships, and 26 20-win seasons. The Owls were sub-state champions in 1978, 1982, and 1985. They went undefeated in 1970 with a record of 22-0, and they posted 24 consecutive wins in 1973 and ended the season with a 27-2 record.

An instructor in history and social studies at MUS, Peters teaches Comparative Government, U.S. Government, and Recent U.S. History. In 2006, he was named to the A. Robert Boelte, Jr. Chair of Excellence in Teaching. In 2003, he received the Jean Barbee Hale Award for Outstanding Service for demonstrating loyalty, commitment, dedication, discretion, and consistency throughout his career at MUS. In 1997, he was awarded the MUS Distinguished Teaching Award. The Tennessee Association of Independent Schools honored Coach Peters with the Hubert Smothers Award in 2000 for “distinguished teaching and dedicated service to his school.”

Peters received his B.A. from Southwestern College (now Rhodes College) and worked for a short time as a reporter for The Commercial Appeal before beginning his career at MUS in 1960. Peters was inducted into the Rhodes College Haygood Hall of Fame in October 2006. He and his wife, Ruth, have four sons: Jeff ’79, Judd ’81, Jon ’84, and Jason ’88.

September 24 , 2007—One-third of the MUS Senior Class recently received recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Eleven seniors were named National Merit Semi-Finalists for the 2007-08 school year: Austin Beckford, Conor Bolich, Roger Chu, David Curran, Scott Edwards, Robert Hoehn, Jack Montgomery, Will Pryor, Samir Sheth, Josh Vieira, and Malcolm Wood. MUS had the highest number of National Merit Semi-Finalists of any Memphis-area independent school, the highest number of boys recognized of any Memphis-area school, and the second-highest number of Semi-Finalists of any Memphis-area school.

Of the more than 1.4 million entrants in the National Merit Scholarship Program each year, 16,000 are chosen Semi-Finalists. They compete for more than 8,200 scholarships from the National Merit organization.

Additionally, 20 MUS students were named Commended Students: Morgan Arant, Hudson Atkins, Christopher Bloodworth, Geoff Burlew, Michael Cross, Alexander Fones, Watson George, Nelson Graham, Matt Haltom, Rob Hartmann, Jack Heflin, Barrett Huggins, Will Mays, Bill McCann, Mark McLeod, Ross Montague, Ben Pelz, Michael Stein, Peter Travis, and Blair Wright.

Two seniors were named Semi-Finalists in the National Achievement Scholarship competition: Austin Beckford and Nick Nash. The National Achievement Scholarship Program, which is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, recognizes outstanding African-American high school students. Of the more than 130,000 students who enter the National Achievement Program each year, only 1,600 are named Semi-Finalists. They have an opportunity to advance in the competition for Achievement Scholarship awards.

September 17 , 2007—Founded in 1987, Parent to Parent is one of the most effective programs informing and helping parents though their children's middle and upper school years. This video series, sponsored by the MUS Parents' Association and held on Wednesdays beginning September 19, will inform you about current trends your children are or will be dealing with in their preteen and teenage years and will give you the opportunity to network with other parents.

Parent to Parent

Wednesdays, September 19-November 14

8:30 a.m. - Halperin-Gillespie Room

August 27, 2007—Memphis University School welcomes 12 new teachers to its faculty for the 2007-08 school year. These men and women join a distinguished faculty that averages 23 years of teaching experience. Their addition brings the total number of faculty members having master’s degrees to 47 and the total number with doctorate degrees to nine. Additionally, nine of the 73 MUS teachers are alumni of the school.

Sally Askew will teach two seventh-grade English classes in the Lower School. She will also provide tutoring and special help sessions for seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-grade students who need extra work and enrichment in English. Askew has a B.S. and an M.A. in English from the University of Memphis. She was an English instructor and academic advising coordinator at Northwest Mississippi Community College for 32 years, and she has been a private tutor since 1983, serving many MUS students during those years.

Katie Broer joins the college guidance staff as assistant college counselor. A St. Mary's Episcopal School graduate, she earned her bachelor's degree at Davidson College and her master's degree from Middlebury College. She taught French and English to middle- and high-school students at Marist School in Atlanta for two years before returning to Memphis. Katie will support the customer-service function of college guidance, helping to make information about admissions, scholarships, and financial aid even more tailored to each boy’s needs and interests. She will also assist with the educational function of college guidance, helping families and students at all grade levels understand the nature and importance of the process and what it takes to make a student desirable to a college-admissions office.

John Cady, MUS Class of 1969, returns to MUS as director of student life, taking on a number of advisory responsibilities that include Student Council and the Civic Service Organization. He will also coach football. Cady earned a B.A. in psychology from Rhodes College and an M.Ed. in counseling from the University of Memphis. He spent 14 years at MUS (1981-1996), and the senior class awarded him the prestigious John M. Nail Outstanding Teaching Award in 1995. He has worked at a number of schools in roles ranging from head football coach to high school principal, most recently serving as director of college guidance at Lausanne Collegiate School.

Kyle Finney will teach Physical Education and assist as a coach in the football program and other sports. He holds a B.S. in criminal justice from Delta State University and a master’s degree in safety education, also from Delta State. He has coached a number of sports including basketball, track, and football at Bayou Academy in Cleveland, Mississippi; Lee Academy in Clarksdale, Mississippi; and most recently Tipton Rosemark Academy, where he was both a head coach and a computer teacher.

Dr. Steve Gadbois joins the mathematics faculty, teaching Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors Accelerated Algebra II, and Honors Accelerated Advanced Topics in Mathematics. He is a graduate of St. John's University (MN) with a master's degree and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Dr. Gadbois taught for fourteen years at Rhodes College, before leaving to accept a position as the director of the Vollentine-Evergreen Community Association, a post he has held for the past seven years.

Tim Greer comes to MUS as an English instructor and director of the theater. He earned a B.A. in English from Union University and is in the process of getting a master’s degree in theatre education, also from Union. He has taught theater courses at a number of schools including Jackson Middle School, Fayette Ware High School, Cordova High School, and most recently Houston High School, where he was the director of theater for four years. An actor himself, Greer won a Memphis Theater Award in 1995 for "best actor" in The Hasty Heart at Theater Memphis. He has acted or directed or choreographed fight scenes in nearly fifty productions in college, high schools, and community theaters. He will be teaching ninth-grade English, British Literature, and Speech classes.

Elizabeth Hopper will teach seventh-grade Accelerated Algebra, eighth-grade Accelerated Algebra, and eighth-grade Accelerated Geometry. She has had 18 years of experience as a math teacher in Middle Tennessee and with the City of Memphis school system. She earned her first undergraduate degree at Auburn University, another bachelor's degree at Athens State University, and a master's degree at Tennessee State University. As a mathematics specialist with the Memphis City Schools, she gained extensive experience in developing math curriculum, and she presented professional development workshops for teachers across the system. Mrs. Hopper will also work with the MathCounts team.

Shauna Miller will teach eighth-grade Physical Science and Honors Biology classes. She is a graduate of Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, with a B.S. in biology cum laude from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is currently a candidate for the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Science (chemistry and biology concentration) at UT-Arlington. She has taught chemistry at Boswell High School in Fort Worth, and after moving to Memphis, taught science at Lausanne, where she was selected as Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2005.

Dr. Rocio Rodriguez del Rio, a new Spanish teacher, earned her bachelor's degree in French and her master's degree in comparative literature from the University of Puerto Rico. Her Ph.D. in Spanish language and literature is from Emory University. Since 2003, she has been teaching at Rhodes College, where she is highly regarded by her teaching colleagues. She will teach seventh-grade Spanish, Honors Accelerated Spanish II, and AP Spanish IV.

Ryan Sellers joins the Latin faculty teaching Honors Latin I, Honors Latin III, and AP Latin V. He holds a B.A. from Louisiana State University, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with a major in English and a minor in Latin, and an M.A.T. from the University of Memphis. Sellers taught all levels of Latin at Houston High School since 1996, and he was an adjunct instructor of classics at the University of Memphis from 2000-2003. Active in professional organizations, he has served as a reader for the Advanced Placement Latin Exam since 2005; he participated in a six-week summer institute in Baltimore and Rome, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH); and he served on the National Latin Exam Advisory Committee. His VRoma Project, an ongoing technology program for internet-based activities and web design, is funded by the NEH.

Analice Sowell joins the science faculty and will teach Honors Chemistry. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from Christian Brothers University, with minors in physics and mathematics. She also earned an M.A.T. with certification in chemistry from CBU. Having taught at both Southwest Tennessee Community College and Christian Brothers High School, she has been a chemist at Buckeye Technologies since 2005. She is active in professional organizations, serving as chair-elect of the local section of the American Chemical Society. She is a member of the National Committee on Community Activities of the ACS.

Alberta Sullivan comes to MUS from Grahamwood Elementary School, where she established herself as one of the very best mathematics teachers in this area for nearly two decades. "Mathematics Teacher of the Year" for Memphis City Schools in 2000, she will teach two seventh-grade Pre-Algebra classes. She also will provide tutoring and special help sessions for math students in grades 7-9.

May 29, 2007—The doubles team of junior Watson George and sophomore Will Carter won the Division II state doubles championship in tennis. The team came back from a set down to beat a pair of seniors from Baylor 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. The title is MUS's 12th state doubles championship overall, a state record.

May 29, 2007— The MUS track team brought home the runner-up trophy from the Division II state track meet thanks to standout performances from seniors Miles Bryant, Ken Haltom, Lee Moore, Clement Oigbokie, and Ian Thomas.

May 10, 2007—When seventh-grader Eli Goldstein finished taking the Tennessee Math Teachers Association (TMTA) Algebra I test in April, he felt more than confident. “When I walked out of the room, I pretty much knew I had a perfect score,” he said. 

So when his scores came back and he was just a few points shy of a perfect 200, he was surprised, but not discouraged. “I just knew there had to be a miscalculation,” he said, in true mathematician fashion.

He was right, just as he was on every single question of the TMTA Algebra I test. It is just the second time in teacher Betty Williams’ eighteen-year career that one of her students has made a perfect score. And even more impressive, Goldstein was taking a test normally taken by eighth-grade students.

“One of the advantages we have here at MUS is that precocious kids are taking accelerated classes with other students their own age,” said Clay Smythe, Lower School principal.

Goldstein added, “And those accelerated classes provide an outlet for students like me who are interested in advanced math. Actually, my favorite thing about the math program here is that it is challenging, but Mrs. Williams is always helping and encouraging us.”

Such students are numerous at Memphis University School. One-fourth of seventh- and eighth- grade students are involved in the various math competitions that the school participates in throughout the year, and that interest in mathematics translates into success throughout their career at MUS, and beyond. The most recent TMTA test is no exception.

In the Algebra I test, Goldstein finished first, seventh-grader Carson House placed third, ninth-grader Chase Harriman placed sixth, seventh-grader Mark Sorenson placed eleventh, and eighth-grader Ethan Landau finished eighteenth.

In the Geometry category, ninth-grader Josh Feler finished first, ninth-graders Andrew Chinn and Cliff Guyton tied for third, and eighth-grader Daniel Garrett placed sixth. In the Algebra II division, tenth-grader Michael Edwards finished sixth. In Statistics, eleventh-grader Samir Sheth finished fifth, and seniors Bill Bell and Neale Hicks placed ninth and eleventh respectively.

In the Precalculus category, junior Jack Montgomery finished fourth, junior Nelson Graham placed eighth, junior Josh Vieira finished ninth, and junior Ross Montague placed eleventh.

And in the Calculus and Advanced Topics division, junior Scott Edwards placed fifth, seniors Stephen Counce and Jonathan Yeung tied for sixth, junior Roger Chu and seniors Stewart Gray and Ragan Pitner tied for ninth, and Senior Andrew Jehl finished seventeenth.

With so many students representing MUS in math contests, they are often each other’s stiffest competition. “We encourage each other in everything we do,” said Goldstein. “But all of us still want to get first place.”

Hammond Headed to West Point

April 26, 2007—On Monday, April 23, 2007, Lt. Colonel Enrico Clausi of the United States Army presented senior Drew Hammond with his appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Drew, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold G. Hammond, was granted admittance to the military academy on the basis of his academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, physical aptitude, and medical qualification. Drew follows in the footsteps of MUS alumnus Cameron Ridgway, son of Ms. Caren L. Chares and Mr. Donald L. Ridgway, who is finishing up his first year at the school.

Drew is a member of the National Honor Society and the Latin Honor Society. He swam for the MUS swim team his junior and senior years, and has participated in cross country, soccer, and track. He is a member of MUS’s Red and Blue Society and the Latin Club, and his grades have earned him a place on the Dean’s List. He is also a peer tutor and an Eagle Scout.

Every year, some 10,000 high school seniors begin the complicated admissions process for entrance into the United States Military Academy at West Point. In addition to taking the standardized tests common to all prospective college freshmen, future cadets must qualify physically and be nominated by a member of Congress. In all, only 1,300 of those who open admissions files with West Point are admitted to the prestigious military academy. As a cadet, Drew will receive a four-year college education and will be a commissioned officer in the United States Army.

A Cappella Action at MUS

April 11, 2007—On March 23, nationally-renowned a cappella clinician Deke Sharon led a master class for the Memphis University School a cappella singing group, Beg To Differ. Jay Mednikow (MUS Class of 1982) invited Sharon to come to Memphis to help with the establishment of DeltaCappella, a new professional a cappella group currently seeking talented male singers. Mednikow arranged for him to work with the school’s award-winning ensemble while he is in Memphis.

Deke Sharon first sang a cappella in choirs at the age of five, and by age nine he was touring the U.S. as the youngest member ever admitted to the San Francisco Boys Chorus Concert Ensemble. By the age of 23, he had graduated cum laude with a B.A. from Tufts University and a B.M. from the New England Conservatory of Music, directed numerous a cappella ensembles, produced two award-winning a cappella albums, founded the Contemporary A Cappella Society, and arranged hundreds of songs for a cappella groups around the world.

Sharon serves as Chairman and President of the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America, runs the Ultimate A Cappella Arranging Service, co-produced the Best of College A Cappella CD series, has arranged and published a variety of songbooks, has co-written instructional booklets for a cappella groups, and has produced and co-produced a number of a cappella albums. He is also music director and performer with his own professional ensemble, The House Jacks.

Beg To Differ was founded at Memphis University School in 1991 by MUS music instructor John Hiltonsmith. In its 16-year history, the group has won numerous national awards, recorded three CDs, and been on three tours to Europe to sing before international audiences. On the group’s most recent trip to France in the summer of 2005, Beg To Differ sang in a number of venues including the Anjou Festival in Cholet and the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. The most recent highlights for the group have been performing for President George W. Bush at a private party in September and singing the national anthem at a Memphis Grizzlies game in January.

Members of Beg To Differ include Will Aldridge, Austin Alexander, Drew Alston, Preston Battle, Christopher Bloodworth, Blake Cowan, Franklin Doggrell, Hunter Edens, Alexander Fones, Ben Goldstein, Sam Goldstein, Nelson Graham, Matt Haltom, Nathaniel Kastan, Noah Ketler, Evan Mah, Will Nease, Brandon Parrish, Ed Porter, Ashton Riker, Max Rose, Jake Rudolph, Wesley Shannon, John Stokes, Will Stokes, Steven Thompson, Robert Threkeld, Peter Travis, Ben Waller, and Simon Wigfield.

"Fantastick" Picnic on Park

April 5, 2007—Picnic under the stars and enjoy a night of theater as Memphis University School’s MUSt C Productions presents The Fantasticks. The play will be staged in the school’s outdoor Thomas Amphitheater, and theatergoers are encouraged to bring refreshments, blankets, and lawn chairs.

The Fantasticks, directed by English and theater instructor Flip Eikner (MUS Class of ’77), is a classic coming-of-age story featuring meddling, matching-making fathers. The musical comedy follows these fathers as they attempt to surreptitiously arrange their children’s futures.

The play stars MUS students Preston Battle, Robert Duffley, Hunter Edens, Alexander Fones, Ed Porter, and Peter Travis; Hutchison student Mary Claire Smythe; and St. Mary’s Episcopal School student Erin Fisher.

Performances will be April 13, 14, and 15 at 7:30 in the Thomas Amphitheater or in Hyde Chapel if it rains. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students. Call 260-1300 for more information.

Lee Moore Named All-American

Statement from Coach Peters

Owls Make Football Commitments

February 7, 2007—Five MUS football players will be trading in their Owl jerseys for a different uniform next season. These seniors marked National Signing Day, February 7, 2007, by gathering in the Weiner Hospitality Room with their friends, families, and coaches to make commitments to play college football: Drew Alston will be going to Cornell University as a punter; Tyler Horn to the University of Miami as an offensive lineman; Chase Moore to Rhodes College as a running back; Zach Scott to San Diego State as a kicker; and John Stokes to Vanderbilt University as a linebacker.

The ceremony marked the end of their illustrious MUS football careers. As team members, this group of seniors amassed a 31-15 record for the football Owls over the last four years and went undefeated in three Bridges Kickoff Classic appearances. Their leadership guided the football team to back-to-back state championships for the first time in the history of the school. These athletes garnered numerous accolades for individual performances throughout their careers, but their shared legacy will be their commitment to the betterment of the team and pride in their accomplishments, teammates and coaches, and the school.

MUS Presents The Foreigner

January 23, 2007—Memphis University School senior Preston Battle will make his directorial debut with The Foreigner, a comedy of mistaken identity produced by the school’s MUST C Productions.

The Foreigner traces the adventures of a voluntarily mute British man at a rural Georgia bed and breakfast. His silence is mistaken for an inability to understand the English language, leading those around him to talk freely because they assume he cannot understand. Of course, he can, and their assumptions result in revealing far more about themselves, their true natures, and often nefarious plans than they intended.

Battle is the latest in a long line of MUS student directors. Every winter, theater directors Flip Eikner and Andy Saunders cede control of the Hyde Chapel stage to students to give them a better understanding of the ins and outs of play production. Battle , a regular fixture in MUS plays including last fall’s Dracula, Baby!, is also the president of MUS’s Student Council.

The Foreigner features MUS students Xander Batey, Miles Bryant, John Carr, Alexander Fones, Carl Krausnick, Ed Porter, Peter Travis and Simon Wigfield and St. Mary’s Episcopal School students Saba Dilawari, Kate Foster and Taylor Reagan.

Performances will be on February 1, 2 and 3 in the Hyde Chapel at MUS. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students. Call 260-1300 for more information.