Our next Morning Joe College Chat is Monday, March 25, 8-9 a.m. in the Humphreys Hall Upper School Conference Room. Get advice and learn more about the selection process during this friendly, caffeine-fueled conversation with our college counselors. The session is limited to 25 parents, so register HERE. We look forward to seeing you there!

Spring sports are cranking up and those team pages are getting updated with information. Check out the Memphis Lacrosse Weekend Schedule HERE, stored on the lacrosse team page. Go, LAX Owls!

Lower School students will begin achievement testing during morning class periods in early April. The seventh grade will test during the week of April 1, and the eighth grade, April 8. Boys should be at school and on time; makeup testing must be done during study hall periods, which can be disruptive and cause students to fall behind in classwork. The only preparation needed for achievement testing is a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast.

Owls competed in the 2019 WordSmith Writing Olympics in late February with four earning honors in their grade-level competitions. Seventh grader Jerry Xiao earned a school trophy and an individual Silver Medal for taking Second Place in the 400-Word Main Event and Third Place in the 80-Word Dash for his grade level.

Keepsake versions of the quarter and semester Honor Rolls are stored on the Honor Roll Resource Board under your login. Check them out under Resources when you are logged in to the website. Go, Honor Roll Owls!

MUS offers a wide variety of academic, athletic, arts, and leadership opportunities for boys entering Grades 1-12. We also offer several co-ed academic camps. Explore and plan your summer fun now!

The man responsible for much of the architectural look of the MUS campus, Met Crump ’60, spoke in chapel February 22 about his life and work. The Crump Firm Architects, which he founded in 1970, is responsible for the design of the Sue H. Hyde Sports and Physical Education Center, Dunavant Upper School, Campus Center, Dunavant-Wellford Tennis Center, Field House, and Stokes Stadium.

John Hiltonsmith, music instructor from 1984 until his passing in 2014, was memorialized with speeches and music as his portrait was unveiled in the Dining Hall February 21. The painting is the 14th in the Alumni Executive Board’s Faculty Portrait Series. Family and friends shed a few tears listening to touching – and amusing – remembrances and to the a cappella choir he founded, Beg To Differ, led by Director of Music Matt Tutor ’91. Tutor described how his former teacher convinced him, fatefully, to stay with music in college, rather than changing his major.

Of the three Semifinalists recognized by the 2018-19 National Merit Scholarship Program, two seniors have advanced as National Merit Finalists: Ethan Hurst and Hudson Miller. Assistant Headmaster Barry Ray congratulated the Finalists during chapel assembly Tuesday, February 19.

Family and faculty celebrated 20 juniors and seniors during the school’s annual Cum Laude Society induction ceremony February 15, 2019. An organization modeled on Phi Beta Kappa, Cum Laude represents the highest academic honor students in a secondary school can achieve.

Sixteen students earned chairs in an All-West Tennessee band or orchestra and will perform at the All-West Tennessee Music Convention February 14-16 at the Cannon Center. Participating musicians are:

 

Lower School baseball tryouts are tentatively scheduled for February 13 at 5:30 p.m. on Thorn Field. Because Lower School basketball ends February 7, roundballers will be able to try out. If your son would like to play baseball this year, please contact baseball Head Coach John Jarnagin or Mrs. Beth Taylor no later than February 4.

Spring meal plans are available, and can be added throughout the entire month of January.

 

“But the meal plan is a semester plan, and the semester has already begun,” you say.

 

You are correct! Mr. David Neuses, director of Sodexo services in our Dining Hall, will credit your son’s U Card accordingly!

The printable 2019-20 academic calendar is now available on the resource boards for at-a-glance planning. As always, you'll find the most detail on the calendar tab available when you're logged in to the school website. This option gives you the opportunity to filter by topic. You'll find all events listed there.

College Counseling has prepared a letter, beneficial to all – but critical for juniors – answering questions about standardized testing. Preparing for ACT or SAT exams can be confusing, so check out this letter on the College Counseling Resource Board for help.

Headmaster Pete Sanders announced the appointment of Mr. Loyal Murphy ’86 as the principal of Memphis University School’s Lower School at a faculty meeting November 7. Murphy has been serving as interim principal since July 1.

“After a review of Mr. Murphy’s work over the last four months and feedback from various sources close to the Lower School, it has become evident that he is the right person for the job,” Sanders said. “Creative in his approach to challenges, he has embraced the role with unwavering commitment to the students and with enthusiastic support of the school’s mission.”

In Murphy’s 28-year career at MUS, he has served as a math teacher in both Upper and Lower Schools, soccer coach, Lower School advisor, and assistant principal of the Upper School in charge of discipline.

“He knows MUS deeply, from the perspectives of student, alumnus, teacher, administrator, and parent,” Sanders said. “In his professional development of recent years, he has studied operations at other schools and focused on best practices in the classroom and in administration.”

Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Rice University, and he began teaching at MUS in 1990. He and his wife, Lisa, have been married 25 years, and their son, Patrick ’16, is a junior at Notre Dame University.

The Tennessee Association of Independent Schools honored three MUS educators during the biennial awards dinner Sunday, November 4, at the Hilton Memphis. The Sawney Webb Award, honoring administrators who have made outstanding contributions to independent-school education, was presented to Headmaster Emeritus Ellis Haguewood and the Hubert Smothers Award, presented to teachers who have evidenced excellence and a deep commitment to the teaching profession, was given to Hyde Library Director Bonnie Barnes and Instructor in Latin Ryan Sellers.

 

Senior Ethan Hurst, a varsity swimmer, has been named a Wendy’s High School Heisman winner for MUS. Applicants must be athletes in one of the 47 school-sponsored sports recognized by the International Olympic Committee in the Summer and Winter Olympic Games or by the National Federation of State High School Associations. In addition, they must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or greater, and they also must be proven leaders and role models within their school and community.

Model U.N. advisor Mrs. Jenny Pratt is collecting participants for the upcoming Rhodes College Model United Nations Conference. No experience is necessary, and much fun is always had. Follow this link to be a part of our school delegation. Contact Mrs. Pratt with any questions. Sign-up deadline is December 1.

Last week Mrs. Michelle Crews and Mr. Dax Torrey officiated the first school spelling bee for the year. Approximately 20 students participated, and many competed valiantly, but the final three from this round were eighth grader Kevin Ma, first place; seventh grader Qasim Akbar, second place; and eighth grader Varun Krishnamurthi­­­. Ma took the day by spelling voltaic and munificent. The next round will take place November 14, so stay tuned for updates!

The MUS-CBHS football rivalry goes back to 1894, when the Owls beat the Brothers 20-0. Now the regular-season record is tied – 26-26-3. Both teams are hoping to break that tie this Friday, when they meet at Tom Nix Stadium at CBHS. A new trophy, The Rivalry Cup, will also be at stake. The trophy, engraved with the win-loss record, will be presented to the winning team at a school assembly after the game. It bears this inscription: “The Rivalry Cup was established to encourage service and leadership in honor of legendary hall of fame coaches Tom Nix and Jake Rudolph, all of the players, coaches, students, alumni, and fans of MUS and CBHS, and these two great institutions that have competed with dignity and respect since 1894.” Each year the host team will take donations at the game to contribute to a local charity, this year St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Pictured above, MUS seniors Lee Linkous and J.J. Johnson and CBHS juniors Will Fracchia and Jackson Herring show off the new Rivalry Cup.

Results from last year's Tennessee Mathematics Teachers Association contest have arrived, and seven Owls placed in the Top-10 List for the state: From the Class of 2018 Jackson Moody and Chang Yu; junior Arjun Puri; freshmen Forest Rudd, George Zhang, and Kerry Zhao; and eighth grader Lou Zhou.

Mrs. Elizabeth Pounders Howorth joins the faculty as interim instructor in French. During Mrs. Rebecca Keel’s maternity leave, Howorth will teach Honors Accelerated French I, Honors and Honors Accelerated French III, and AP French IV.

Mrs. Howorth received a bachelor’s degree in French language and literature from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Vanderbilt. She taught French at St. Mary’s from 1997-2002, she served as a Good Morning America consumer trends associate and a media marketing manager for Reuters News, and she was a senior global communications, marketing, and sales advisor for FedEx. Since 2012 she has owned and operated ep communications.

We host colleges and universities as they visit our campus and meet one-on-one with our students. Receptions are held in Morgan Foyer of Humphreys Hall after school. The next visits are:

 

Eckerd College
Illinois Wesleyan University
Saint Louis University
St. Lawrence University

The National Merit Scholarship Program has honored eight Owls with the designation of National Merit Commended Student. Seniors James Blatchford, Call Ford, Kyle Gan, Ben Gilliland, Ethan Lam, Ev Nichol, William Quinlen, and Brandan Roachell are among 34,000 U.S. students honored for their outstanding academic performance on the PSAT.

Seniors Eddie Feild, Ethan Hurst, and Hudson Miller have been named Semifinalists in the 64th National Merit Scholarship Program. They are among 16,000 U.S. students honored as Semifinalists for their outstanding academic promise, now competing for some 7,500 scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of those will win Merit Scholar titles and financial awards.

In celebrating the 125th anniversary of the founding of Memphis University School, we designate September 13 as Founders Day to commemorate the opening day of the original school in 1893 and to honor the two teachers whose vision brought it to life, James White Sheffey Rhea and Edwin Sidney Werts. 

 

Rhea, a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, and Werts, a graduate of the University of Virginia, were experienced young teachers who had become friends and colleagues as instructors at the Knoxville Classical School. Keen to open a prep school of their own, they were advised by an exceptional educational mentor, President of the University of Tennessee Dr. Charles W. Dabney, to consider Memphis as the location. 

 

An advertisement that appeared May 14, 1893, in the Memphis Appeal-Avalanche announced their school would open in September with the goal being “to prepare boys and young men for Yale, Harvard, Princeton, University of Virginia, and other colleges and universities.”

The Hyde Library has updated the Birthday Book Program, which allows you to celebrate your son’s special day by adding a book in his honor to the library collection. Here’s how it works: You may donate at any time, and we select a new book in a topic of interest to the honoree and add a bookplate inscribed with the names of the donor(s). The Development Office records the gift and issues a receipt for tax purposes. During your son’s birthday month, we send him a card indicating your gift and display the book in the library foyer, where it can be checked out. You may choose the amount of your gift (the average cost of a hardback book is about $30). For your convenience, we have streamlined this process on our library website. Feel free to share this link with friends or family members who might also like to give a birthday book.

The Upper School Writing Center is open Monday-Wednesday from 8:15 a.m. until classes end each day. The center provides support for all types of writing endeavors, so take advantage of this new resource. Upper School math and science labs are listed HERE. Both Upper School resources are located in the Counseling Center.

The schedule for the Lower School English and Math labs is posted in numerous locations throughout the Lower School and HERE.

“What stands the test of time?” To Diversified Trust CEO and MUS Board of Trustees Chair Sam Graham ’80, one answer to this question is easy: his MUS experience.

“A lot about me was formed in these hallways,” Graham said during a chapel presentation August 17.

The deadline for requesting course schedule changes for first semester is Monday, August 20, at 3:20 p.m. Change request forms are available in the Upper School Office.

College information night for sophomores and their parents is Tuesday, August 21, at 7 p.m. in Hyde Chapel. The College Counseling team is excited about sharing this time with students and their families, and we intend to use Tuesday as a launching point for several elements of the college process. This is a required event, and roll will be taken.

If you missed Book Sale this week, Schaeffer Bookstore will be open Monday, August 13, from noon - 2 p.m. for purchasing books, spirit wear, and supplies. After Monday, the bookstore will begin regular hours:

The days of “Where’s my sports pass?” are gone! They’ve gone digital and mobile! This year you can purchase individual game tickets or an all-sports season pass online, and your ticket/pass will be accessible on your mobile phone. Simply show your phone pass when you get to the gate, and the gate worker will activate your pass for entry. Click here to purchase a sports pass for $80 or individual game tickets at $7 each. The season sports pass provides admission to regular-season home games for all sports. Students are admitted to all regular-season home games with their U Card. TSSAA playoff games are not included.

Beginning August 1 Naviance, a resource used in College Counseling, will have a new interface for students and parents. The login credentials will remain the same, and the link has been updated on our website and the College Counseling Resource Board. Students and families will use the following address going forward: student.naviance.com/mus.

State Assembly Representative Martin Daniel ’75 visited the campus Monday, July 30. Pictured, from left, Assistant Headmaster Barry Ray, Daniel, Headmaster Pete Sanders, and Academic Dean Flip Eikner ’77.

The Jake Rudolph All-Sports Banquet was April 30 in the Dining Hall. Coaches awarded letters to varsity players and congratulated their teams for the season. In addition, the school presented the top four student-athlete awards. Congratulations to the following recipients:

You may view some of the photos here, and all shots from the event may be purchased here soon.

Students in the top 10 percent of the eighth-grade class earned the coveted title of Springfield Scholars May 10. The 2017-18 honorees are Simeon Betapudi, Collin Craft, Noah Emmert, Mark Hieatt, Dex Jack, Forest Rudd, Garner Uhlhorn, George Zhang, and Kerry Zhao. During an evening banquet with parents in attendance, teachers selected by each boy offered testimonials, describing their student’s outstanding attributes, plus a few amusing quirks. Springfield Scholars from the Class of 2018, Brad Kerkhof and Rick Reinhard, recalled their own induction as eighth graders and offered words of wisdom regarding Upper School opportunities and challenges ahead. Lower School Principal Clay Smythe ’85 presented each scholar with a commemorative tie, pin, and certificate.

Headmaster Pete Sanders has recognized Technical Director of Theater Robert Fudge as the 2018 Distinguished Teaching Award recipient.

 

The Distinguished Teaching Award is given annually to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. Considered one of the most knowledgeable theater technical directors in the city, Mr. Fudge joined the staff in 2010 and has established a standard of excellence that is manifested every year in the school’s elaborate and beautifully designed stage productions. Known for his quiet professionalism and willingness to go the extra mile, he has also overseen independent study projects, guided students in producing the past three TEDxMemphis events, and expertly managed school and special events held in Hyde Chapel.

Students are encouraged to use the free test preparation sites offered by MUS and the Tennessee Electronic Library. Go to http://musowls.libguides.com/onlinelearning for all the choices we offer. From 7:45 to 8:15 a.m. each morning of Underclassman Exams, the Hyde Library will serve breakfast food and drinks to students.

Auditions for the fall musical, 1776, will be held in Hyde Chapel May 8-10. Attendance is required at one of these opportunities: Tuesday or Thursday, 6-8 p.m., or Wednesday, 3-5 p.m. In this treatment of a Tony Award-winning classic, casting and approach will be Hamilton-esque. Girls from locals schools are strongly encouraged to audition. Students do not need to prepare songs for auditions, just be ready to sing and read scenes on stage. Don't miss your chance to gain independence! For more information email the director, Mr. Ted Fockler '10 at ted.fockler@musowls.org.

Headmaster Pete Sanders has announced that Barry Ray will assume a new role as assistant headmaster in the fall. Continuing as Upper School principal, Ray will work closely with Sanders on a variety of responsibilities, including school policy, planning, calendars, and day-to-day operations.

In chapel this week Instructor in French Becca Keel recognized students for high achievement on Le Grand Concours, the National French Exam. Four students placed in the top-10 rankings in the state: Leo Campbell, 5th place rank in French I; Will Woodmansee, 10th place in French II; and Ryan Gorman, 8th place, and Liam Kaltenborn, 9th place, in French IV.

 

Madame Keel also recognized these medalists and honorable mention recipients for their achievements:

Director of Admissions Peggy Williamson and Assistant Director of Admissions Buck Towner recently announced the 26 sophomores chosen to serve as ambassadors for the coming school year. As official school hosts, they will lead tours of campus for prospective families and help represent MUS at a number of additional events throughout the year.

 

“We had 42 students apply, so it’s very competitive,” Towner said. “These ambassadors were chosen through an extensive application and interview process and will serve during their junior and senior years.”

 

The new ambassadors are as follows:

Fourteen seniors received the following special honors recognizing their academic, artistic, extracurricular, and community service achievements during this school year:

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." – Ferris Bueller

The CSO is hosting a free movie night Friday, April 27, 7:30-9:45 p.m. in the Campus Center. The feature flick will be "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Per licensing rules, entrance is free; however, we will sell concessions and collect donations for Books From Birth. The event is open to everyone –  so show up, bring friends and family, enjoy a cult classic, and donate wildly.

At the annual Special Awards and Honor Societies Induction, eight students received special honors and collegiate book awards in recognition of scholastic achievement, leadership, and community service, and 172 students joined honor societies. Faculty, MUS alumni, and special guests presented the awards. Special honorees were as follows:

Current members of the National Honor Society tapped 32 junior and senior inductees in a schoolwide ceremony March 23 highlighting the organization’s emphasis on scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Four seniors spoke on these Honor Society characteristics.

 

During a chapel program on banned and frequently challenged books, Chair of the English Department Elizabeth Crosby listed some surprising titles that have fallen into that category at one time or another – Where the Wild Things Are, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Winnie the Pooh, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Odyssey, The Canterbury Tales, The Red Pony, and many other classics.

Are you making plans for 2018-19? Our Calendar At-a-Glance  will help. Always check the Parents Quick Links resource board for helpful documents and information. You will find resource boards under Resources when you log in to the website.

Instructor in English and Lacrosse Coach Chris Colbeck, sophomore Rob McFadden, and Headmaster Pete Sanders all spoke about gratitude and what they are thankful for in our annual Thanksgiving Chapel assembly. Our a cappella ensemble Beg To Differ performed The Star-Spangled Banner.

 

Mr. Colbeck shared his appreciation of music, MUS, and Memphis: “My profound thanks to all of you for welcoming me to Memphis – to a school with such a spirited English department, a proud lacrosse tradition, and above all else, a Hammond organ.”

 

There is a lot happening behind the login at musowls.org this year –news items posted by grade and by groups; practices, games, and other schedule notifications; teacher-page course content; campus-wide news, and much more. You control how you receive these communications – so turn on your notifications, or you’ll be missing essential information!

If a student is to get the most from his experience at MUS, he must attend class. Unexcused absences are major disciplinary offenses. A student may not participate in athletic practices, games, theater or music performances, or rehearsals if he has been absent during the course of the day. The principal determines any exception to this rule. Lower School adds an additional demerit penalty for any unexcused absence or tardiness. The policies are:

We encourage parents to sign the Safe Home Pledge. By signing this pledge, parents publicly promise that their sons’ parties and gatherings will be supervised, alcohol-free, drug-free, and tobacco-free, and that they will welcome inquiries from other parents about parties or gatherings. Your name will not appear until we update the list. Parents must sign the pledge every year for their names to appear.

There will be a lot happening behind the login on the MUS website this school year – school resource boards, grade postings (twice each quarter), news, announcements by grade, schedules, and the detailed school calendar. If you haven't logged in to check it out, we wanted to make sure you know the drill. If you have user name or password problems, click here for instructions.

Temple Brown '81 created a film celebrating Ellis Haguewood’s service as teacher since 1969 and headmaster since 1995. Mr. Haguewood retires from MUS in June. Watch it here.

Director of Admissions Peggy Williamson has announced the 2017-18 junior ambassadors: