Both Mississippi University for Women President Jim Borsig and Copiah-Lincoln Community College President Dr. Ronnie Nettles will be in attendance at a gathering for alumni in Natchez and the surrounding areas Thursday.

The event will be held at 5 p.m. in the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Nelson Room.

Other leaders from Co-Lin will be present at the gathering, including Vice President Teresa Busby and MUW alumna Susanna Johnson-Sharp, culinary instructor at Co-Lin.

Guests will be treated to food prepared by Johnson-Sharp, who graduated from The W in 2005 with a degree in culinary arts. She has worked in various culinary settings, including a sous chef in a casino, general manager in the fast food industry, as executive chef at a fine dining establishment, and is the owner of Aunt Suzie’s Catering.

There will be a performance by the MUW Chamber Singers, an auditioned mixed ensemble made up of music majors and non-music majors at The W.

They sing a variety of repertoire from Renaissance music to modern 21st century compositions. The MUW Chamber Singers have partnered with the office of development and alumni to sing at various alumni events around the Southeast.

“This has been a great opportunity for the students to share their love of music with W alums as well as create relationships with these same alumni,” said Dr. Phillip Stockton, director of choral activities and music education at The W.

Lyndsay Cumberland, director of Alumni Relations at The W, said she’s grateful to alumnae Carolyn Vance Smith ’60 and Linda Bailey ’69 for helping plan the fun evening in the Natchez area.

“We hope to see many area alumni,” Cumberland said. “We encourage them to bring a guest too, because they won’t want to miss these beautiful voices.”

Jenny Katool, MUWAA president, said music continues to be an integral part of life on The W campus.

“This is evident to the alumni who have attended the exceptional and awe inspiring performances of the MUW Chamber Singers,” Katool said. “Members of our Alumni Association have thoroughly enjoyed these events and are looking forward to their upcoming performances. This is a concert you do not want to miss.”

For the past 125 years the MUW Alumni Association has supported The W by awarding scholarships and faculty grants, referring students and by making financial contributions for the future of MUW.

We were delighted that the MUW Chamber Singers chose Natchez as one of their performing sites. This is a real treat for our local alumni.

For more information, call MUW’s Office of Development and Alumni at 662-329-7295 or email developmentandalumni@muw.edu.

 

Linda Smith Bailey is president of the Southwest Mississippi Alumni Association.