FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2007
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Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins

MUW announces Alumni Achievement Award recipients
 
COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women recognized four of its alumni for contributions to the university and their communities during Homecoming Convocation on Saturday.
   
This year’s Alumni Achievement Award recipients were Paul Hampton, Sally Brockway McReynolds and Mary Ann Sadka Petro. Dr. Martha Jo Mims received the Mary Ellen Weathersby Pope Award, which was created to honor the legacy of Pope.
   
Hampton has been a high school math and drama teacher in Columbus, Ga., for 24 years. He is math department co-chair and director of theater at Columbus High School, a liberal arts magnet school that is academically ranked the number one high school in the state of Georgia and is a National Blue Ribbon School.
   
He graduated from MUW in 1986 with a degree in mathematics with a concentration in education and theatre.
   
As a student, he served as a resident assistant, Student Ambassador and Troubadour Big Brother. He also was a trailblazer as the first male elected to the Hall of Fame, junior class vice president and Campus Favorite two years.
   
“The education I received at The W has colored the way I see the world. Not only did I learn the complexities of mathematics, the passion of education and the love of theatre at MUW, but I learned how to expect the most out of myself in whatever I attempt…I learned how to be a friend, a teacher and a man.”
   
He is married to Betty Vick Hampton and said on his nomination form, “Being selected for this award would be the second best thing The W did for me…The first was introducing me to the love of my life, Betty Vick Hampton, class of ’87.”
   
McReynolds has had a 30-year career as an educator and administrator working in a variety of settings. In 1971, she was awarded a master of education degree with an emphasis on special education by Memphis State University and later received the Masters Plus 30 from Middle Tennessee State University with an emphasis on administration and supervision.
   
She earned a degree in mathematics and secondary education from MUW in 1957.
   
While at MUW, McReynolds of the Gauntlet and Jesters social clubs, was very active in student government, the Theatre Guild, College Singers, synchronized swimming and other extracurricular activities during her MUW career. She served as class treasurer, was tapped for Torch, Lantern and Mortar Board and was named Best Supporting Actress in 1956 one-act plays.
   
McReynolds said, “I should be giving The W an award for laying the foundation and providing me with the tools to be an achiever.”
   
“Once a year I meet fifteen lifelong friends who live throughout the Southeast.  Although we chose different careers, live in different places, have different interests, worship in different churches and have different marital statuses, our strong bond of friendship which began at The W has been a key inspiration in my life.”
   
She and her husband Bill of 51 years have a family of four children, their spouses, 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
   
Following her graduation from The W, Petro was awarded a master of science degree in social work by the University of Tennessee and went on to found Mary Ann Petro and Associates, Inc.  Her firm provides services as a commercial and residential designer for individuals throughout the South and Northeast. She was named to Who’s Who in Interior Design in America for 2005-2006 and has had her work featured in Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles and Mississippi Magazine as well as on HGTV.
   
Petro graduated from MUW in 1968 with a degree in psychology and sociology.
    
She was a member of the Lockhearts and Maskers social clubs and active in a variety of honorary clubs and campus activities. She served as class treasurer, was tapped for Mortar Board and named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities her senior year.
   
“…The W allowed me to find myself, discover my gifts and formulate my dreams,” Petro said. “…MUW reinforced the invisible values of gratitude, perseverance, integrity, patience, enthusiasm and seeking the best in others and from myself.”
   
She is married to Dr. Anthony Petro, a general surgeon. They have two daughters, Michelle, a gastroenterologist, and Melanie, who is completing a facial plastics fellowship. Petro is also the proud grandmother of grandsons, Rhodes, age 3, and Grant, age 1 1⁄2.
   
Dr. Mims was a close friend of Pope, whose life has been and continues in many ways to be a tribute to the lessons she learned from her friend and mentor.
   
She received her doctorate from Florida State in 1986 and spent most of her distinguished career (32 years) as an administrator or teacher at MUW. During her tenure at MUW, she taught 37 different courses, adjusted to 17 different division heads; served on numerous committees, councils and task forces, sponsored eight student organizations and advised literally hundreds of students. In 1994, Dr. Mims was the MUW faculty member of the year. In 2006, she was awarded the MUW Medal of Excellence.
   
In addition to her service to MUW, Dr. Mims helped found the Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers Program in 1991 for the state, and in 1993 she initiated the Mississippi Institute for First Year Teachers.
   
She received her education specialist degree in secondary education from MUW in 1975 and her master’s in home economics in 1967. In 1964, she received her bachelor’s in home economics, summa cum laude.

Dr. Mims was active in many aspects of campus life and was a Dean’s List or President’s List scholar every semester. She was inducted into Lantern, Torch, Mortar Board and Hottentots and received many awards and honors including being selected Most Intellectual her senior year and being chosen for inclusion to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.
   
“MSCW laid the groundwork for an appreciation of the arts and a better understanding of my world and myself. It gave me not only a better understanding of who I was and am, but also what I could become and do. MSCW gave me a support system and a kinship network that grows ever stronger.”
    
She has been married to Howell G. Mims for 43 years. They have one son, Wes (MUW class of 1994), who is married to Linda Huckaby Mims (MUW class of 1985) and one grandson, Houston Ballard Mims who is 6 years old.