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Date 7-3-06
Contact Jim Coll 601.266.5722
WITH PHOTO
Hattiesburg—That Rosemary Aultman ’73 has
embraced a leadership role in the Southern Miss Alumni Association
should come as no surprise. Aultman, who took over as the association’s
new president on July 1, is not accustomed to stand by and let others
do the heavy lifting. First as a school board president and then
as mayor, Aultman has helped shape Clinton into a growing city with
a small-town feel.
In fact, twice the Mississippi Municipal League and the Clarion-Ledger
have recognized Clinton as one of Mississippi’s Most Livable Cities.
In addition to receiving five “Making Mississippi Move” Awards,
Clinton is also a Certified Retirement Community.
Today, the mayor is taking her leadership abilities to the Southern
Miss Alumni Association, and her vision for the organization shares
a similar tone with the aggressive agenda she set for Clinton when
she took over as mayor in 1993.
At the top of the list is the successful completion of the $3 million
fund-raising campaign to restore and expand the Ogletree House;
the work of the presidential transition team, headed by State Auditor
Phil Bryant and Rex Kelly, a past president of the association;
growth of the constituent society and alumni ambassador programs;
and continued cooperation among the association, the USM Foundation
and the Athletic Foundation for the benefit of the university.
“This is an exciting time to be involved in the Alumni Association,”
Aultman said. “We continue to work on our strategic overview, a
living document which keeps us focused on what it takes to grow
the Alumni Association as well as bring attention to the university.”
The constituent society initiative, which groups alumni based on
professional or special interests, is an example of the type of
innovative program that will contribute to the growth of the association,
she says. Currently, four constituent societies are operational
– accounting, economic development, law and minority.
“Southern Miss is leading the way, at least in our area, with
the constituent society initiative,” Aultman said. “The groups are
a wonderful way to bring together people who not only have a love
for Southern Miss, but share other common interests.”
Aultman’s previous service to the university includes terms on
the boards of directors for the Alumni Association and the USM Foundation.
She was selected to the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2002, and was a Mississippi
University for Women Alumni Achievement Award recipient in 2001.
Aultman and her husband, Les ’71, have two daughters and two granddaughters
and are contributors to the Ogletree House Campaign at the Platinum
Participating Gift Level. They are members of First Baptist Church
in Clinton.
In addition, Aultman has been named Clinton’s Outstanding Citizen,
received a Distinguished Service Award from the Clinton Chamber
of Commerce, a Community Leadership Award from Entergy and was selected
by the Clarion-Ledger as one of the 50 Women Who Inspire in Mississippi.
Aultman credits Southern Miss as an influential factor in her professional
success.
“Les and I have been members of the Alumni Association since graduate
school,” she said. “We’re grateful for the experiences we had at
Southern Miss and love the university. Serving as president of the
Alumni Association is a way I can give back.”
A new executive committee and seven new board members also took
office on July 1. The following alumni join Aultman on the executive
committee: Lou Ann Poynter of Hattiesburg, president-elect; Jim
Payne of Jackson, vice president; Danny Mitchell of Brandon, past
president and Bob Jefcoat, finance committee chair.
The following alumni join the board of directors: Cheryl Cranford
of Hattiesburg; Jason Dean of Jackson; Sean McGee of Hattiesburg;
Ira Middleberg of New Orleans; Melissa Scott of Waco, Texas; Martha
Thornton of Hattiesburg and Arnie Williams of Hattiesburg.
Each year at Homecoming, the association elects a president elect,
vice president, finance committee chair and seven directors. The
directors are elected for three-year terms that begin at the start
of the fiscal year following the Homecoming at which they were elected.
The International Board of Directors, composed of 31 alumni, is
the governing body for the Southern Miss Alumni Association.
Click to enlarge
Rosemary Aultman
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