MUS | Why Give

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 in Grades 7-12 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 in Grades 7-12. 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.

Happy Memorial Day!

MUS will be closed Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day.
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School is Out, Summer is Here!

Our regular academic year has concluded, and fourth-quarter grades will be available online Friday, June 2. MUS will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 29. Summer programs begin soon - see details HERE.
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Summer Math Packet Help Labs!

Summer Help Labs will be open selected Tuesdays (July 11, July 18, July 25, and August 1) from 9 a.m. – noon for students who need to ask questions about Summer Math Packets.
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ACT Math Prep Class: June 5, July 10

Owls in rising grades 9-12 should check out this new ACT Math Prep Class, offered in June and July. Practice makes perfect, so get ready for the upcoming ACT with Mathematics Department Co-Chair Phillip Stalls! You will take a practice exam each day and review areas that proved challenging. Gain experience and prepare for success!
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AP History Prep Class: June 19, 26

Rising sophomores and juniors should take advantage of the NEW AP History prep classes offered beginning June 19 or June 26! These one-week courses introduce the AP exam format and hone testing skills.
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IMPORTANT: New Opt-In for Emergency, Other Notifications

MUS weather closings, emergency notifications, and athletic team messages are sent to families via our texting system – and the system is changing our number June 2.

IMPORTANT: Text YES to the new number, 79041, to opt-in so you will begin getting MUS text notifications after the number change, and save 79041 in your contacts so it won’t be blocked.
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Summers Named to Hergenrader Chair

Headmaster Pete Sanders has named Dr. Kyle Summers as the Sally and Wil Hergenrader Chair of Excellence in Science. Summers has taught Biology and AP Biology since arriving at MUS in 2020 and serves as co-advisor for the school’s HOSA Club.
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Taylor Receives Jean Barbee Hale Award

Ask anyone in the Athletics Department who is the most valuable member of the team, and they are likely to name this staff member: Athletics Administrative Assistant Beth Taylor. When Headmaster Pete Sanders announced that Taylor was the 2023 recipient of the Jean Barbee Hale Award for Outstanding Service, employees assembled for the Faculty Luncheon rose for a standing ovation.
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Varsity, JV Baseball Tryouts

Varsity and JV baseball tryouts will be Wednesday-Thursday, May 31-June 1, 5-6:30 p.m., on D. Eugene Thorn Baseball Field.
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Class of 2023 Videos, Photos

Baccalaureate and Commencement were wonderful celebrations! You can download the videos HERE.

We have posted many Class of 2023 pictures in our Photo Gallery Look for Baccalaureate, Commencement, Graduation Awards, Headmaster Lunch/Grad Rehearsal, and Senior Picnic folders. You can download the photos free from there.
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Valedictorian Frederick Huang

Valedictorian Frederick Huang is an inquisitive scholar, an accomplished swimmer, a gifted musician, and a caring friend. His insatiable intellectual curiosity and tireless work ethic are hallmark traits. His focus on overall wellness – physical, mental, and social-emotional – including prioritizing sleep, sets an example for all.
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Order of the Owl, Latin Honors

Lower School students and families gathered in Dunavant Lecture Hall of Hull Lower School to celebrate the Order of the Owl and Latin Honor Society inductions May 12.
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Salutatorian Jeffrey Liu

Salutatorian Jeffrey Liu is a scholar distinguished by independent research, academic competition, and support of fellow students.
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2023 Commencement Awards

Faculty members presented awards to graduating seniors at the 2023 Commencement ceremony on May 15.
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60 Owls Earn Spanish Honors

Sixty Spanish students garnered national recognition for their performance on the 2023 National Spanish Examinations. Owls earned a total of 10 Gold, 14 Silver, and 13 Bronze Medals, along with 23 honorable mentions. Patrick Burke ’25 achieved a perfect score on the Spanish II examination.
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Springfield Society Inducts 10

Faculty and families celebrated 10 eighth-grade Springfield Society inductees during a banquet May 11. These scholars are in the top 10% of their class and demonstrate character consistent with the high standards of the school’s Honor Code and Community Creed.
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Owls Win Hunters Challenge

On behalf of Tennessee Wildlife Federation, Hunters for the Hungry Program Director Matt Simcox presented the MUS chapter of the program the regional championship trophy.
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Be a 2023-24 Peer Mentor!

The Counseling Department is accepting Upper School volunteers for next year’s Peer Mentoring program - become a Wingman! Help a newer, younger student learn about the U! You will get training before you are paired with an underclassman. This is a great leadership and service-hours opportunity, so contact Mrs. Candy Harris with questions or sign up today!
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Johnson Talks Mental Health

Kristopher Johnson ’23 spoke about his mental health journey during chapel May 10. A member of the MUS Mental Health Club, the outgoing senior wanted to encourage students who may be struggling with mental and emotional issues.
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Lower School Football Sign-Up

This is your invitation to join the 2023-24 Lower School football team. We will have separate teams for seventh and eighth grade players. Both will participate in a municipal and independent schools league. We are fortunate to have a very experienced group of alumni who coach our Lower School teams.
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Advancement Team:

List of 8 members.

Perry Dement

Advancement Dir.

Georgetown University
Rhodes College - BA

2004
Claire Farmer

Annual Fund Dir.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville - BS

1995
Ann Laughlin

Alumni & Parent Programs Dir.

University of Mississippi - BA

2008
Austin Hasenmueller

Annual Fund/Alumni Programs Asst. Dir.

Samford University - BA

2021
David Willson 99

Basketball Head Coach, Annual Fund Asst. Dir.

Hampden-Sydney College - BA
Southern Methodist University - Non-Graduate

2019
Jean Saunders

Advancement Services Manager

Harding University - BA
Harding School of Theology

1999
Steve Hickman 76

Alumni Engagement Officer

Johns Hopkins University - MS
Brenau University - MEd
George Mason University - JD
Loyola University - BS

2022
Kim Weiss

Campaign Coordinator

University of Georgia - BS

2023