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About

For more than 100 years, Memphis University School has provided Mid-South boys with unparalleled opportunities to develop intellectually, morally, socially, artistically, and physically, becoming leaders well-equipped to turn great ideas into action. Here, boys find a top-tier academic program, small classes with individual attention, a school community centered on an Honor Code, extracurricular activities with opportunities for leadership, and a sense of belonging within a fellowship of common purpose.

Admissions

Come learn for yourself why there is no better school in the Mid-South for boys. We are committed to academic excellence, and we know how to teach boys. Nearly 70 percent of our teachers have advanced degrees, and they average 22 years of experience. We maintain a student-teacher ratio of 7 to 1, and a typical class size of 15. Step-by-step, our students learn to take responsibility for their actions, serve the community, and develop leadership skills as they make lifelong friendships.

Academics

The extraordinarily accomplished and dedicated faculty is our driving force, and providing boys an unparalleled college-preparatory education is our guiding principle. Since the school’s founding in 1893, we have upheld a tradition of excellence, and we stay on the cutting edge by keeping an eye on the future. What we teach is shaped by the expectations that colleges have for students they admit, and by what we believe we should pass on from generation to generation.

Arts

Understanding and appreciating the works of man’s creative spirit are necessary for a complete education. We offer students myriad opportunities for hands-on, full-fledged participation in performing, visual, and recording arts. Boys here have the chance to sculpt, to paint, to act, to sing, and to perform, and the whole community benefits from the creativity that they express.

“It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance … and I know of no substitute whatever for the force and beauty of its process.” - Henry James, 1915

Athletics

Sports have always played a significant role in shaping the moral character of our students. Teamwork, self-sacrifice, courage, stamina, perseverance, hard work, self-control - these values are forged in the crucible of competition. While we are extremely proud of our numerous athletic achievements, we realize these endeavors are never an end in themselves, but a powerful means to an end: self-knowledge and self-improvement for our boys. Our athletic program lives by the highest code of sportsmanship. We play hard, we play by the rules, and we have fun. At MUS, we always play the games well.

Student Life

A tradition of excellence remains vigorous here due to the commitment of the entire community - especially students. We encourage our boys to strive for excellence because that allows them to find meaning in what they do, to play a role in something greater than themselves, and to discover a sense of competence and thus confidence in themselves and in their abilities. If our academics, or our sports, or our arts, or our service and leadership opportunities do not challenge or engage boys, then they lack the capacity to transform boys. The struggle for excellence makes our experiences real. And boys need something real.

Our Faculty

Our expert teachers and coaches are passionate about their fields and dedicated to their craft. Within a community rooted in honor and integrity, our faculty members know how to provide the support, structure, and challenge boys need to thrive. And they do thrive. Young men who join the MUS family receive a world-class education and join a lifelong network of successful alumni.

Our Board

Our distinguished and accomplished trustees bring expertise from wide-ranging fields to bear on their work for the school. They all share a common trait: a dedication to the MUS mission.

Click on the trustee names to see their roles in our community.

2023-24 Board of Trustees

List of 25 items.

James F. Burnett '83, Chairman

Managing Director
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Glenn A. Crosby II '77, Vice Chairman

Neurosurgeon
The Crosby Clinic
Frederick C. Schaeffer, Jr. '88, Secretary

Strategic Financial Partners
D. Stephen Morrow '71, Treasurer

Co-Founder, Principal
NewSouth Capital Management, Inc.
Brandon K. Arrindell '04

Portfolio Manager, Principal
Southeastern Asset Management, Inc.
James H. Barton, Jr. '85

Independent Advisor
R. Earl Blankenship

Chief Executive Officer
Mercury Investment Management
Andrew F. Cates '89

General Partner and CEO
RVC Outdoor Destinations
William B. Dunavant III '78

CEO and President
Dunavant Enterprises, Inc.
Robert M. Fockler '77

President
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
P. Trowbridge Gillespie, Jr. '65

President
NewSouth Capital Management, Inc.
J. Brett Grinder '91

Managing Principal
Grinder, Taber & Grinder, Inc.
Mark J. Halperin '67

Chief Operating Officer
Boyle Investment Company
Robert J. Hussey III '81

Managing Partner
C.W. Hussey land Company LLC
W. Thomas Hutton, Jr. '91

Senior Vice President
Boyle Investment Company
Margaret C. McLean
Jeffrey B. Meskin

Partner, Head of Private Banking
Brown Brothers Harriman
Richard C. Moore III '98

Vice President
Lehman-Roberts
Joseph M. Morrison '78

Principal
Sentry, LLC
William E. Orgel '81

President
Tower Ventures LLC
Jennifer R. Ransom

President
The Ransomed Group, Inc.
Wiley T. Robinson '75

CEO
Inpatient Physicians of the Mid-South
William V. Thompson III '95

President
NFC Investments, LLC
William B. Townsend '78

CEO
Townsend Development
Philip S. Wunderlich ’90

Managing Member
Wunderlich Capital Management, LLC

Angel Tree Volunteers Needed!

The Civic Service Organization is looking for Upper School volunteers to help sort, organize, and distribute presents at the Kroc Center Angel Tree warehouse. Volunteers can help either Saturday, December 9 or 16, and any day after school December 11-15.
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MUS in Europe - Now Full

We have planned an amazing MUS in Europe trip to France and Italy: European Gastronomics. The experience is open to current juniors and sophomores, and travel dates are May 28 to June 6, 2024.
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Parent Book Club Interest?

The Counseling Department is hosting a parent book club opportunity! Counselors and parents will discuss “Erasing the Finish Line” by author Ana Homayoun at regular meetings January - March 2024.

Using a powerful blend of theory, strategies, and storytelling from former and current students, Homayoun reveals new strategies for students to develop their own blueprint for success.
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Sports Events: Dec. 5-9

MUS competes in basketball, bowling, swimming, and wrestling December 5-9. See the following schedule as you make plans to get out and support the Owls!
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All-West Orchestra Honors

Congratulations to all Owl musicians who auditioned for the All-West Tennessee Orchestras. They performed difficult musical excerpts, scales, and were required to sightread in front of a judge who is a professional musician and/or teacher.
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Concerts Will Delight: Dec. 5, 7

Our winter concerts are the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season! The event Tuesday, December 5, will feature our Orchestra, Band, and Wind Ensembles. Come back Thursday, December 7, to hear Beg To Differ, Studio Band Red, Studio Band Blue, and Lower School music students.
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Bookstore Open House: Dec. 7

Join us for our annual Schaeffer Bookstore Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 7, 7:30 a.m. - noon. Stop by to shop for gift ideas and newly restocked items!
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Malone Manhood Breakfast

Lt. Col. David Malone ’75 showed he is a true coach at heart during Manhood Breakfast for Lower School boys on November 17.
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Spring Meal Plan

Spring meal plans are available to purchase now. Go to the Dining Hall Resource Board for pricing and instructions.
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Gatsby Auditions Begin: Nov. 30

Auditions for the spring play, “The Great Gatsby,” will be Thursday, November 30, 6-8 p.m., and Monday, December 4, 4-6 p.m. in Hyde Chapel. A student-produced adaptation of the American literary classic, the play will run April 12, 14-16.
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Owls Give Thanks in Chapel

Robert J. Hussey, Sr. Chair of Religion Clay Smythe ’85 led the annual Thanksgiving Chapel November 21, by reading from the “1928 Book of Common Prayer.” Max Williams ’24 then read Deuteronomy 8:7-18; Instructor in Religion Elliott Dent, Psalm 65; and Tucker Davis ’25, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15.
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Owls Earn Model UN Awards

Seven Owls earned awards at the 2023 YMCA Model UN Conference in Murfreesboro.
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Owls Succeed at Latin Festivus

About 200 Latin students from the Memphis area participated in the Latin Fall Festivus in Hull Lower School on Saturday, November 18. Among the attendees were 70 Upper School and Lower School Owls, 34 of whom received recognition for their work in a variety of categories. All six Certamen teams received awards. Additionally, Owls captured 13 of the 20 Academic Pentathlon awards. See a complete list of Owl honors HERE.
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Observing Veterans Day

MUS honors all veterans of the United States Armed Forces today and every day. Thank you for your service and sacrifice!
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Chapel Honors Veterans

Maj. Gen. F. Dexter Tutor – who served as special assistant to the director, Air National Guard in Arlington, Virginia, until 2008 – spoke in Hyde Chapel about the history and significance of Veterans Day and the brave men and women who have defended the freedoms we enjoy. He held the attention of the assembled students as he recounted – without notes – compelling stories of military heroism and sacrifice.
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Class of 2025 Parents Survey

We are interested in hearing from you! You can access your survey in SCOIR. The Parent Insights Survey can be found on the right side of the SCOIR dashboard.
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Military Panelists Enlighten Owls

Thanks to the members of our distinguished alumni panel who answered questions posed by History Instructor Jason Peters ’88 on life in the military. The presentation was generated through the MUS Alumni Veterans Committee, which serves as a resource for the school community to provide education, awareness, and inspiration regarding military service and veteran causes.
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Robotics Alliance is Runner-Up

Two Owl Robotics squads joined forces to finish second in the Hub City West Tennessee Invitational VEX Robotics Competition at the University of Memphis at Lambuth Saturday, November 4.
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Sports Passes Half Price!

Winter and spring sports are just ahead, so take advantage of the newly discounted sports passes in GoFan! Offering admission to all regular-season home games for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year, a pass costs $55 now.
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Take Advantage of Study Sessions: Dec. 6-19

We will host Exam Study Sessions on select days beginning Wednesday, December 6. The sessions will run from 6-8 p.m. in Hyde Library. No registration is required - just attend!
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Administrative Team:

List of 6 members.

Pete Sanders

Headmaster, History Instructor

(901) 260-1310

University of Virginia - MEd
Queen's University - MA
St. Lawrence University - BA

2017
Kevin Brown

Security Dir.

(901) 260-1311

LeMoyne-Owen College - BA

2019
Liz Copeland

Communications Dir.

(901) 260-1357

University of Memphis - BPS

2012
Joe Cummings

Admissions & Enrollment Management Dir., Lacrosse Head Coach

(901) 260-1423

University of Maryland - BA
Vanderbilt University - MEd

2022
McKee Humphreys 01

Assoc. Headmaster, Interim Principal Lower School

(901) 260-1391

Southern Methodist University

2022
Barry Ray

Asst. Headmaster, Principal Upper School, History Instructor

(901) 260-1323

University of Memphis - MEd
Sewanee: The University of the South - BA

1978

About

Admissions

Academics

Arts

Athletics

Student Life

Our People

2023-24 Board of Trustees

List of 25 items.

Angel Tree Volunteers Needed!

MUS in Europe - Now Full

Parent Book Club Interest?

Sports Events: Dec. 5-9

All-West Orchestra Honors

Concerts Will Delight: Dec. 5, 7

Bookstore Open House: Dec. 7

Malone Manhood Breakfast

Spring Meal Plan

Gatsby Auditions Begin: Nov. 30

Owls Give Thanks in Chapel

Owls Earn Model UN Awards

Owls Succeed at Latin Festivus

Observing Veterans Day

Chapel Honors Veterans

Class of 2025 Parents Survey

Military Panelists Enlighten Owls

Robotics Alliance is Runner-Up

Sports Passes Half Price!

Take Advantage of Study Sessions: Dec. 6-19

Administrative Team:

List of 6 members.

Pete Sanders

Kevin Brown

Liz Copeland

Joe Cummings

McKee Humphreys 01

Barry Ray

Memphis University School