FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2005

Jutman to be honored during MUW’s Homecoming

By Jill D. O’Bryant

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- Frances Jutman of Columbus will be honored by Mississippi University for Women’s Lowndes County Alumni Chapter with a Celebration of Service Award during the university’s Homecoming weekend set for April 14-17.

Jutman, a 1948 graduate, will be honored during the annual fish fry at Plymouth Bluff Center on Thursday, April 14, at 5 p.m. This is the opening event for Homecoming.

Since she retired as National Bank of Commerce’s vice president and director of marketing and business development in 1992, she has worked part-time in community relations. She received a citation for 50 years in banking from the Mississippi Banking Association in 2004.

“It was a wonderful roller coaster of a life,” Jutman said. “I have been blessed with wonderful friends and exciting opportunities. Who could ask for more?

“Well, the Celebration of Service recognition is the icing on the cake. I appreciate being chosen this year and feel that I am in very good company, considering the past recipients.”

Past recipients of this award are Dr. Barbara Garrett, Judge Lenore Prather, Dr. Mary Ellen Pope and Eugenia Summer, all of Columbus.

Jutman is involved with many MUW activities, including serving as treasurer of the Lowndes County Alumni Chapter for the past 12 years. She also serves as treasurer of the Town and Tower Club, an organization that fosters relations between the community and the university.

An original member of the Steering Committee for Business Week at MUW, she served as a business advisor to participants for 10 years. She also was a member of the Advisory Board for MUW’s Business Department.

She has been active in numerous community and professional organizations, including previously serving as president of the Pilot Club of Columbus, first female president of the Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, past campaign chair and first female president of the United Way of Lowndes County and past chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board.

In addition, has been a member of the CAFB Community Council, the Boy Scouts of America Executive Committee, the East Central Mississippi National Association of Bank Women, Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM), American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and Possum Town Toastmasters.

Her honors include receiving the Practitioner of the Year award from PRAM, Woman of the Year award from ABWA, the Women Helping Women award from the Soroptimist Club and the Book of Golden Deeds Award from the Exchange Club.

For more information about this and other Homecoming events, please contact MUW’s Office of Alumni Relations at (662) 329-7295.