Partners for the Arts Announces New Chair and Virtual Friend-raiser

Tue, 08/18/2020 - 02:06pm | By: Mike Lopinto

Partners for the Arts (PFTA), a community alliance between the Pine Belt community and the arts at The University of Southern Mississippi, recently announced Cory Ferraez as chair for 2020-21.

Six recent board member additions were also announced, including: Kelsey Barrett, community leader; Sarah Bass Williams, dance education at Oak Grove; Dennis Baum, real estate sales and service at The All-Star Team, Inc.; Dr. Robert Heath, community leader; Nancy Leader, community leader; and Anna Rush, founding partner at Rush Law Firm.

Ferraez is a lifetime participant and active supporter of the arts. He is currently a partner at Holmes McLelland and Ferraez, PLLC, focusing his practice on litigation and personal injury. Ferraez was recently selected in the American Association of Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40 in 2019 and is the former president for Hattiesburg Area Young Lawyers Association.

Ferraez was also selected as a member of the Area Development Partnership’s 2017 Leadership Pinebelt Class. He is a member of the Historic Hattiesburg Downtown Association, serves as a commissioner on the Hattiesburg Historic Conservation Commission, and is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

"I am truly humbled to lead such an important organization like Partners for the Arts. I hope to continue our momentum to ensure partners thrives for years to come,” said Ferraez. “Amidst trying times, the arts face more uncertainty than ever before. Even as our concert halls and venues may be dark, now is the time for our community to band together to support the arts at Southern Miss.”

Continued Ferraez: “That’s why your membership and participation matter more than at any other time during our history — a history dedicated to funding projects and shaping the next generation of art leaders. The arts community has always risen to meet challenges and this year with a focus on planned giving, leveling up your membership, or bringing a new member, we will become resilient.”

Ferraez notes the overwhelming community support extended last year when the PFTA gala was revived in commemoration of the USM Symphony Orchestra’s Centennial celebration.

“Unfortunately, we will not be able to host this fundraising event for our supporters to be together again this year. Instead, we will host a virtual event called “Maskerade” that will entertain and bring the community together through the arts, as we raise funds for our students," he added.

Ferraez received his bachelor's degree in business and entrepreneurship from The University of Alabama and his juris doctor degree from The University of Mississippi. Ferraez has served on PFTA for five years and appointed to the grant committee that has allocated $180,250 in monetary support to students through 121 faculty sponsored projects, since his commitment to serve on the board.

“I am deeply appreciative of our community leaders and their significant participation in the arts at Southern Miss, as they commit time and effort to serve on the PFTA board. I look forward to working with Mr. Ferraez during this unprecedented time to further enhance the success of our arts programs as well as the students and faculty who participate in the programs,” said Dr. Chris Winstead, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Serving on the Executive Committee are: Ron Hancock, Hearing Aid Specialist at Beltone, serving as immediate past chair; Sinclair Lundy, CPA, serving as executive secretary and treasurer; Leigh Ann Underwood, business development director at Southern Bone and Joint Specialists, P.A., serving as event chair; and Dr. Mike Lopinto, PR/Marketing and Event Coordinator in the USM School of Music, serving as creative director, and Kate Smith, community leader, recently appointed to serve as 1st Vice Chair.

Arts leaders who also serve on the Executive Committee are: Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Jay Dean, director of the School of Music; Stacy Reischman Fletcher, director of the School of Visual and Performing Arts; Dr. Matthew Casey, director of the School of Humanities; Dr. Adam Clay, director of the Center for Writers; Jacob Cotton, assistant professor of Art and Design in the School of Visual and Performing Arts, and Dr. Jonathan Pluskota, assistant professor of sound engineering in the School of Communication.

Other Governing Board members are: Dr. Angela Ball and Dr. Luis Iglesias, English professors; George Bassi, director of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art; Lisa Conn, community leader; Dr. Kimberley Davis, professor in the School of Music; Charles Dawe, operating principle at Keller Williams Realty; Jim Dukes, Jr., attorney at Dukes, Dukes and Hunter; David Gustafson, community leader; Amy Hinton, paralegal technology instructor, Jones County Junior College; Althea Jerome, retired music professor; Emily Keith, community leader; Carole Marshall, community leader; Michael McPhail, employee benefits producer, BXS Insurance; Millie Swan, chief marketing and medical staff services, and Russ Willis, assistant teaching professor in the School of Finance.

Created in 1997, Partners for the Arts supports the arts programs at Southern Miss including Art and Design, Dance and Theatre in the School of Visual and Performing Arts, the School of Music, the Creative Writing program in The School of Humanities, and the Media and Entertainment Arts program in the School of Communication.

Join online by visiting usm.edu/partners-arts. For details about the virtual event visit usm.edu/maskerade.