FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 25, 2006

Contact: Marle’ M. L. Murphy

(662) 329-7119

 

MUW honors Virginia Shanteau Newton with 2006 Woman of the Year Award

 

            COLUMBUS, Miss, - Mississippi University for Women will present the 2006 Woman of the Year Award to Virginia Shanteau Newton, a 1979 cum laude graduate of MUW.

Newton will receive her award at MUW’s annual Leadership Forum on Thursday, April 27, at 3:30 p.m. in Thad and Rose Cochran Hall.

After graduating from MUW with a degree in political science, Newton continued her education and earned a master’s degree in public relations from the University of Southern Mississippi. 

            A native of Ocean Springs, Newton currently serves as president of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. She also serves on the Board of Commissioners of Mississippi State Port Authority and was named “Business Woman of the Year” by Coast Business Journal.

MUW President Claudia A. Limbert said, “Honoring Virginia Shanteau Newton allows MUW the opportunity to recognize a woman who--through her work and dedicated service--has advanced the status of women in Mississippi and who has aided MUW. Serving as the IHL Board's president, Ms. Newton is making a significant positive impact for higher education.”

            As a former Congressional aid, Newton has background experience as a corporate director of public affairs and marketing and executive director of a foundation. 

            Newton has been and still is involved in several influential organizations. She is a graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast, a member of the Gulfport Rotary Club, a former board member of the Mississippi Easter Seal Society, Walter Anderson Museum of Art and Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce.

            She achieved international success when she was selected by the American Council of Young Political Leaders to participate in an international delegation to South Africa.

            Newton and her family are members of Trinity United Methodist Church.

            MUW Woman of the Year recipients are selected based on their personal record of achievement and commitment to the life-changing benefits provided by a higher education. They are permanently honored with an engraved marker in the Puckett Plaza on the MUW campus. 

Last year’s recipient, Eloise Hale Scott, a 1953 alumna and former member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, will be the keynote speaker. 

            Dr. Bridget Pieschel, Southern Women’s Institute director, said, "The Southern Women's Institute is excited to sponsor an event which Dr. Limbert inaugurated in 2004 with the naming of Ricki Rayner Garrett, MUW class of 1973, as the first MUW Woman of the Year. Ms. Garrett, Ms. Scott and Ms. Newton have made a significant and positive difference in the lives of people all over the state of Mississippi.”

            The event is free and open to the public.