Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Education (Colleges & Universities)
Featured Stories
Jazz and Tacos: SFSU event provides students with musical nourishment
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 29 -- California State University San Francisco State University posted the following news:
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Jazz and Tacos: SFSU event provides students with musical nourishment
*
Monthly concert shows students what it takes to perform at a nightclub
Once a month midday, San Francisco State University's Studio One becomes a nightclub called Jazz and Tacos. Here, our students get a feel for performing in front of an intimate audience in the type of music venues found all over the world. And, yes, free tacos are provided to all attendees.
Keeping jazz music's time-honored ... Show Full Article SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 29 -- California State University San Francisco State University posted the following news: * * * Jazz and Tacos: SFSU event provides students with musical nourishment * Monthly concert shows students what it takes to perform at a nightclub Once a month midday, San Francisco State University's Studio One becomes a nightclub called Jazz and Tacos. Here, our students get a feel for performing in front of an intimate audience in the type of music venues found all over the world. And, yes, free tacos are provided to all attendees. Keeping jazz music's time-honoredtradition of improvisation, students receive the setlist only 90 minutes before showtime, including those in the "Music 388: Jazz Combos" class. Some get a surprise call on the spot to hop on stage.
Students say that the Jazz and Tacos event empowers them to live their dreams: the possibility of playing to standing ovations or working full time as a musician or music teacher.
"This was my first jam session ever," said vocalist Anthony Joerel Garcia, a Music Education major who discovered a passion for jazz at Westmoor High School in Daly City and Skyline College in San Bruno. "It was so scary. But once we got into the groove and could feel the music, it was wonderful."
Sarah Star, a Music major in Vocal Performance, says singing at Jazz and Tacos is thrilling and amazing.
"Events like this show us what we need to make it to the next level," said Star, a new transfer student from Laney College in Oakland. "It immediately brings us into the professional world. Instead of being in a classroom, we are facing something in real life."
Led by Assistant Professor of Music Kev Choice, the series brings acclaimed guest artists to perform alongside the students. On Oct. 6, special guest Martin Luther McCoy sat in on vocals and acoustic guitar while students rotated in and out of the ensemble. Choice played the drums for most of the show -- a change from his usual seat at the piano.
"We vibrate. We listen. We learn to play together," said Choice, a ubiquitous musician seen everywhere from the Oakland Symphony to National Public Radio's "Tiny Desk" while also serving as president of the Recording Academy's San Francisco chapter.
Garcia and Star were impressed with how McCoy communicated with all of the musicians on the stage without saying a word.
"It's very impactful from a singer's standpoint," Star said, "observing his phrasing and how he is dealing with people in the audience and collaborating with everybody. He made eye contact with all of us."
The SFSU students impressed McCoy with their talent. "The students are awesome," he said. "I'm sitting up checking out people whose ears are already well outside of the box. I heard some people playing music that was way outside. And at a young age that's pretty encouraging."
Jazz music and SFSU have a long, storied history. Numerous jazz elders are SFSU alumni, starting in the 1950s with Cal Tjader and Vince Guaraldi and through the 1970s with the likes of George Duke and Wesla Whitfield. Millennial graduates such as Gabrielle Cavassa and Grammy winner Nate Mercereau have continued the tradition, with both having released acclaimed recordings for the landmark Blue Note Records label.
Jazz and Tacos is part of the LCA Live performing arts and lecture series in SFSU's College of Liberal & Creative Arts. Its events also provide students with experience in lighting, sound, marketing and more. The concerts are held the first Tuesday of the month during the school year. The next show is Nov. 3 at 12:30 p.m.
"It reminds me of my original goal: having fun playing music. I get to be with my classmates just having fun," said Michael Acuna, a Bachelor of Music student studying electric guitar. "There are good vibes from start to end."
Learn more about SFSU's School of Music.
Kayla Amarillas contributed to this report.
***
Original text here: https://news.sfsu.edu/news/jazz-and-tacos-sfsu-event-provides-students-musical-nourishment (TNSmrp)
* * *
Jazz and Tacos: SFSU event provides students with musical nourishment
*
Monthly concert shows students what it takes to perform at a nightclub
Once a month midday, San Francisco State University's Studio One becomes a nightclub called Jazz and Tacos. Here, our students get a feel for performing in front of an intimate audience in the type of music venues found all over the world. And, yes, free tacos are provided to all attendees.
Keeping jazz music's time-honored ... Show Full Article SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 29 -- California State University San Francisco State University posted the following news: * * * Jazz and Tacos: SFSU event provides students with musical nourishment * Monthly concert shows students what it takes to perform at a nightclub Once a month midday, San Francisco State University's Studio One becomes a nightclub called Jazz and Tacos. Here, our students get a feel for performing in front of an intimate audience in the type of music venues found all over the world. And, yes, free tacos are provided to all attendees. Keeping jazz music's time-honoredtradition of improvisation, students receive the setlist only 90 minutes before showtime, including those in the "Music 388: Jazz Combos" class. Some get a surprise call on the spot to hop on stage.
Students say that the Jazz and Tacos event empowers them to live their dreams: the possibility of playing to standing ovations or working full time as a musician or music teacher.
"This was my first jam session ever," said vocalist Anthony Joerel Garcia, a Music Education major who discovered a passion for jazz at Westmoor High School in Daly City and Skyline College in San Bruno. "It was so scary. But once we got into the groove and could feel the music, it was wonderful."
Sarah Star, a Music major in Vocal Performance, says singing at Jazz and Tacos is thrilling and amazing.
"Events like this show us what we need to make it to the next level," said Star, a new transfer student from Laney College in Oakland. "It immediately brings us into the professional world. Instead of being in a classroom, we are facing something in real life."
Led by Assistant Professor of Music Kev Choice, the series brings acclaimed guest artists to perform alongside the students. On Oct. 6, special guest Martin Luther McCoy sat in on vocals and acoustic guitar while students rotated in and out of the ensemble. Choice played the drums for most of the show -- a change from his usual seat at the piano.
"We vibrate. We listen. We learn to play together," said Choice, a ubiquitous musician seen everywhere from the Oakland Symphony to National Public Radio's "Tiny Desk" while also serving as president of the Recording Academy's San Francisco chapter.
Garcia and Star were impressed with how McCoy communicated with all of the musicians on the stage without saying a word.
"It's very impactful from a singer's standpoint," Star said, "observing his phrasing and how he is dealing with people in the audience and collaborating with everybody. He made eye contact with all of us."
The SFSU students impressed McCoy with their talent. "The students are awesome," he said. "I'm sitting up checking out people whose ears are already well outside of the box. I heard some people playing music that was way outside. And at a young age that's pretty encouraging."
Jazz music and SFSU have a long, storied history. Numerous jazz elders are SFSU alumni, starting in the 1950s with Cal Tjader and Vince Guaraldi and through the 1970s with the likes of George Duke and Wesla Whitfield. Millennial graduates such as Gabrielle Cavassa and Grammy winner Nate Mercereau have continued the tradition, with both having released acclaimed recordings for the landmark Blue Note Records label.
Jazz and Tacos is part of the LCA Live performing arts and lecture series in SFSU's College of Liberal & Creative Arts. Its events also provide students with experience in lighting, sound, marketing and more. The concerts are held the first Tuesday of the month during the school year. The next show is Nov. 3 at 12:30 p.m.
"It reminds me of my original goal: having fun playing music. I get to be with my classmates just having fun," said Michael Acuna, a Bachelor of Music student studying electric guitar. "There are good vibes from start to end."
Learn more about SFSU's School of Music.
Kayla Amarillas contributed to this report.
***
Original text here: https://news.sfsu.edu/news/jazz-and-tacos-sfsu-event-provides-students-musical-nourishment (TNSmrp)
The Annual Res HALLoween Set for Oct. 31
MARSHALL, Minnesota, Oct. 24 -- Southwest Minnesota State University posted the following news:
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The Annual Res HALLoween Set for Oct. 31
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The Southwest Minnesota State University Residence Hall Association (RHA) will host ResHALLoween on Saturday, October 31, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in various residence halls on campus.
ResHALLoween allows children from the community to trick-or-treat through the residence halls of SMSU. All ages are welcome, with the program geared primarily for children in grades PreK-6. There will be a wide variety of themed houses, lots of candy, and fun for ... Show Full Article MARSHALL, Minnesota, Oct. 24 -- Southwest Minnesota State University posted the following news: * * * The Annual Res HALLoween Set for Oct. 31 * The Southwest Minnesota State University Residence Hall Association (RHA) will host ResHALLoween on Saturday, October 31, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in various residence halls on campus. ResHALLoween allows children from the community to trick-or-treat through the residence halls of SMSU. All ages are welcome, with the program geared primarily for children in grades PreK-6. There will be a wide variety of themed houses, lots of candy, and fun forall!
Event Details:
* All children must be accompanied by an adult.
* Children are asked to wear their Halloween costumes and provide their own bag or container for candy.
* Admission for the event is one non-perishable food item or $1 per child.
* Donations will be split between the Kitchen Table Food Shelf and the SMSU food pantry, Mustang Market.
Parking Information:
* Non-ticketed parking will be available around campus, and on the south side of Birch St.
* Please do not park in the Foundation Apartment lot or other reserved parking spots.
Check-In:
* Check-in for the event will be in Commons Central, where children receive an event wristband.
* Signs will direct visitors to Commons Central.
For any questions, please contact RHA@SMSU.edu.
***
Original text here: https://www.smsu.edu/today/articles/2026/01-23-2026_reshalloween-oct31.html
* * *
The Annual Res HALLoween Set for Oct. 31
*
The Southwest Minnesota State University Residence Hall Association (RHA) will host ResHALLoween on Saturday, October 31, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in various residence halls on campus.
ResHALLoween allows children from the community to trick-or-treat through the residence halls of SMSU. All ages are welcome, with the program geared primarily for children in grades PreK-6. There will be a wide variety of themed houses, lots of candy, and fun for ... Show Full Article MARSHALL, Minnesota, Oct. 24 -- Southwest Minnesota State University posted the following news: * * * The Annual Res HALLoween Set for Oct. 31 * The Southwest Minnesota State University Residence Hall Association (RHA) will host ResHALLoween on Saturday, October 31, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in various residence halls on campus. ResHALLoween allows children from the community to trick-or-treat through the residence halls of SMSU. All ages are welcome, with the program geared primarily for children in grades PreK-6. There will be a wide variety of themed houses, lots of candy, and fun forall!
Event Details:
* All children must be accompanied by an adult.
* Children are asked to wear their Halloween costumes and provide their own bag or container for candy.
* Admission for the event is one non-perishable food item or $1 per child.
* Donations will be split between the Kitchen Table Food Shelf and the SMSU food pantry, Mustang Market.
Parking Information:
* Non-ticketed parking will be available around campus, and on the south side of Birch St.
* Please do not park in the Foundation Apartment lot or other reserved parking spots.
Check-In:
* Check-in for the event will be in Commons Central, where children receive an event wristband.
* Signs will direct visitors to Commons Central.
For any questions, please contact RHA@SMSU.edu.
***
Original text here: https://www.smsu.edu/today/articles/2026/01-23-2026_reshalloween-oct31.html
Researchers Develop First High-Resolution Map of Groundwater Across Brazil
PRINCETON, New Jersey, Oct. 24 -- The High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University posted the following news:
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Researchers Develop First High-Resolution Map of Groundwater Across Brazil
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Princeton researchers used machine learning to construct a map of groundwater levels across the entire 3.29-million-square-mile (8.5 million km2) expanse of Brazil, from its rainforests to its alternately dry and rainy savanna. It is the first national-scale high resolution overview of groundwater depth and could help scientists study the effects of both farmland irrigation and climate ... Show Full Article PRINCETON, New Jersey, Oct. 24 -- The High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University posted the following news: * * * Researchers Develop First High-Resolution Map of Groundwater Across Brazil * Princeton researchers used machine learning to construct a map of groundwater levels across the entire 3.29-million-square-mile (8.5 million km2) expanse of Brazil, from its rainforests to its alternately dry and rainy savanna. It is the first national-scale high resolution overview of groundwater depth and could help scientists study the effects of both farmland irrigation and climatechange.
The map, detailed in a paper published today in Environmental Research Letters, provides a clear overview of the depth of groundwater in Brazil, which has the largest supply of renewable freshwater resources in the world. Groundwater helps sustain 90% of Brazil's rivers and supplies more than half its municipalities. It supports Brazil's growing agriculture industry with irrigated areas expected to grow by more than 70% by 2040. But monitoring is limited - Brazil is slightly larger than the continental U.S., but is home to fewer than one-fifth as many well observations.
First author Maria Fleury ('22, *26), a graduate student in Civil and Environmental Engineering, spent a year assembling data from those wells along with statistics on factors that can affect groundwater such as elevation, slope, proximity to streams, rainfall, temperature, soil composition and hydraulic conductivity, which refers to how easily water moves through soil, rock and other underground materials. She then spent an additional year completing the project, including training, testing and understanding the model using explainable AI techniques.
For Fleury, a native of Rio de Janeiro, doing research on her home country was meaningful enough to make her want to come back to Princeton for her graduate work with Reed Maxwell, her mentor and one of the authors of the study. Maxwell is the William and Edna Macaleer Professor of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton and a professor of civil and environmental engineering and the High Meadows Environmental Institute.
"In my research journey, it's been really important to me to study something that I care about. Staying connected to Brazil has been a key part of that," she said.
The model created a digital map with a resolution of 90 meters, meaning that it divides the map of Brazil into approximately two-acre grids and estimates the groundwater depth for each grid. The end product is made up of more than one billion separate grids.
Researchers used modeling experiments to show that the location of a well can matter more than the number of wells. The map was able to encompass Brazil's widely different climates, from the rainforests with their rich diversity of plants and animals, to the savanna of the Cerrado region, which has both a long dry season and a wet season.
The model found that half of Brazil has groundwater within 39 feet (12 m) of the surface, but estimated depths vary widely with the deepest groundwater estimated at 1,380 feet (420 m). The map uses techniques pioneered by Maxwell's research group. He and other researchers used similar techniques in a January 2026 study of the groundwater of the United States that produced a detailed map. Yueling Ma, a former postdoctoral researcher who worked with Maxwell, was the lead author of the U.S. study and co-author of the Brazil paper.
"Most of the equatorial and subtropical world has very few groundwater measurements, so a technique like this gives us a real path to understanding water availability in places we couldn't before."
Fleury said she plans to continue studying groundwater in Brazil and would like to expand her research. "Understanding the hidden system of groundwater is critical, especially in a changing climate," Fleury said. "As we see more extended dry periods, humans are increasingly relying on groundwater. Having information about how much groundwater there is, and how it is being impacted, is essential if we are to manage it."
The research was funded by the National Science Foundation's Convergence Accelerator Program.
***
Original text here: https://environment.princeton.edu/news/researchers-develop-first-high-resolution-map-of-groundwater-across-brazil/
* * *
Researchers Develop First High-Resolution Map of Groundwater Across Brazil
*
Princeton researchers used machine learning to construct a map of groundwater levels across the entire 3.29-million-square-mile (8.5 million km2) expanse of Brazil, from its rainforests to its alternately dry and rainy savanna. It is the first national-scale high resolution overview of groundwater depth and could help scientists study the effects of both farmland irrigation and climate ... Show Full Article PRINCETON, New Jersey, Oct. 24 -- The High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University posted the following news: * * * Researchers Develop First High-Resolution Map of Groundwater Across Brazil * Princeton researchers used machine learning to construct a map of groundwater levels across the entire 3.29-million-square-mile (8.5 million km2) expanse of Brazil, from its rainforests to its alternately dry and rainy savanna. It is the first national-scale high resolution overview of groundwater depth and could help scientists study the effects of both farmland irrigation and climatechange.
The map, detailed in a paper published today in Environmental Research Letters, provides a clear overview of the depth of groundwater in Brazil, which has the largest supply of renewable freshwater resources in the world. Groundwater helps sustain 90% of Brazil's rivers and supplies more than half its municipalities. It supports Brazil's growing agriculture industry with irrigated areas expected to grow by more than 70% by 2040. But monitoring is limited - Brazil is slightly larger than the continental U.S., but is home to fewer than one-fifth as many well observations.
First author Maria Fleury ('22, *26), a graduate student in Civil and Environmental Engineering, spent a year assembling data from those wells along with statistics on factors that can affect groundwater such as elevation, slope, proximity to streams, rainfall, temperature, soil composition and hydraulic conductivity, which refers to how easily water moves through soil, rock and other underground materials. She then spent an additional year completing the project, including training, testing and understanding the model using explainable AI techniques.
For Fleury, a native of Rio de Janeiro, doing research on her home country was meaningful enough to make her want to come back to Princeton for her graduate work with Reed Maxwell, her mentor and one of the authors of the study. Maxwell is the William and Edna Macaleer Professor of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton and a professor of civil and environmental engineering and the High Meadows Environmental Institute.
"In my research journey, it's been really important to me to study something that I care about. Staying connected to Brazil has been a key part of that," she said.
The model created a digital map with a resolution of 90 meters, meaning that it divides the map of Brazil into approximately two-acre grids and estimates the groundwater depth for each grid. The end product is made up of more than one billion separate grids.
Researchers used modeling experiments to show that the location of a well can matter more than the number of wells. The map was able to encompass Brazil's widely different climates, from the rainforests with their rich diversity of plants and animals, to the savanna of the Cerrado region, which has both a long dry season and a wet season.
The model found that half of Brazil has groundwater within 39 feet (12 m) of the surface, but estimated depths vary widely with the deepest groundwater estimated at 1,380 feet (420 m). The map uses techniques pioneered by Maxwell's research group. He and other researchers used similar techniques in a January 2026 study of the groundwater of the United States that produced a detailed map. Yueling Ma, a former postdoctoral researcher who worked with Maxwell, was the lead author of the U.S. study and co-author of the Brazil paper.
"Most of the equatorial and subtropical world has very few groundwater measurements, so a technique like this gives us a real path to understanding water availability in places we couldn't before."
Fleury said she plans to continue studying groundwater in Brazil and would like to expand her research. "Understanding the hidden system of groundwater is critical, especially in a changing climate," Fleury said. "As we see more extended dry periods, humans are increasingly relying on groundwater. Having information about how much groundwater there is, and how it is being impacted, is essential if we are to manage it."
The research was funded by the National Science Foundation's Convergence Accelerator Program.
***
Original text here: https://environment.princeton.edu/news/researchers-develop-first-high-resolution-map-of-groundwater-across-brazil/
Orchestra to present "Rachmaninov Reverie" on Nov. 1
MARSHALL, Minnesota, Oct. 24 -- Southwest Minnesota State University posted the following news:
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Orchestra to present "Rachmaninov Reverie" on Nov. 1
*
The Southwest Minnesota Orchestra (SMO), with Music Director Dr. Daniel Rieppel, will present Rachmaninoff Reverie: Vocalise, Symphonic Dances & Piano Concerto No. 3 featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Denis Evstuhin on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. in the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts at the Marshall High School located across Highway 19 from Southwest Minnesota State University.
The concert celebrates the music of ... Show Full Article MARSHALL, Minnesota, Oct. 24 -- Southwest Minnesota State University posted the following news: * * * Orchestra to present "Rachmaninov Reverie" on Nov. 1 * The Southwest Minnesota Orchestra (SMO), with Music Director Dr. Daniel Rieppel, will present Rachmaninoff Reverie: Vocalise, Symphonic Dances & Piano Concerto No. 3 featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Denis Evstuhin on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. in the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts at the Marshall High School located across Highway 19 from Southwest Minnesota State University. The concert celebrates the music ofRussian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943), whose lush melodies, emotional depth, and virtuosic writing have made him one of the most beloved composers of the Romantic era. The program features three of his most celebrated works, spanning the breadth of his career.
Concertgoers will hear Vocalise, one of Rachmaninoff's most recognizable melodies; Symphonic Dances, his final major composition and a colorful orchestral masterpiece; and the legendary Piano Concerto No. 3, renowned for its technical brilliance and expressive power. Widely considered one of the greatest challenges in the piano repertoire, the concerto combines dazzling virtuosity with soaring lyricism and has captivated audiences for more than a century.
Russian-born pianist Denis Evstuhin is internationally recognized for his expressive artistry, rich tone, and outstanding virtuosity. He has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Sioux City Symphony, and Fairbanks Symphony, and has performed in renowned venues throughout Russia, Europe, and the United States.
A prizewinner in numerous international piano competitions, Evstuhin holds advanced degrees from the St. Petersburg Conservatory and the University of Minnesota. In addition to his performing career, he is the founder and music curator of the acclaimed classical music series at The Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis.
"This program showcases Rachmaninoff at his most lyrical, dramatic, and exhilarating," said the orchestra's music director, Dr. Daniel Rieppel. "We're thrilled to welcome Denis Evstuhin for a performance of one of the most beloved and challenging piano concertos ever written."
Founded in 1978, the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra serves communities throughout the region by bringing high-quality orchestral performances to southwestern Minnesota. Comprised of professional musicians, educators, students, and dedicated community members, the orchestra enriches the cultural life of the region while providing performance and educational opportunities for audiences of all ages.
Join us as the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra presents Rachmaninoff Reverie on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts, SMSU, 400 Tiger Drive, Marshall. Cost of admission is $15 for adults, $5 students, and $30 family.
***
Original text here: https://www.smsu.edu/today/articles/2026/10-24-2026_smo-rachmaninov-concert.html
* * *
Orchestra to present "Rachmaninov Reverie" on Nov. 1
*
The Southwest Minnesota Orchestra (SMO), with Music Director Dr. Daniel Rieppel, will present Rachmaninoff Reverie: Vocalise, Symphonic Dances & Piano Concerto No. 3 featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Denis Evstuhin on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. in the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts at the Marshall High School located across Highway 19 from Southwest Minnesota State University.
The concert celebrates the music of ... Show Full Article MARSHALL, Minnesota, Oct. 24 -- Southwest Minnesota State University posted the following news: * * * Orchestra to present "Rachmaninov Reverie" on Nov. 1 * The Southwest Minnesota Orchestra (SMO), with Music Director Dr. Daniel Rieppel, will present Rachmaninoff Reverie: Vocalise, Symphonic Dances & Piano Concerto No. 3 featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Denis Evstuhin on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. in the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts at the Marshall High School located across Highway 19 from Southwest Minnesota State University. The concert celebrates the music ofRussian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943), whose lush melodies, emotional depth, and virtuosic writing have made him one of the most beloved composers of the Romantic era. The program features three of his most celebrated works, spanning the breadth of his career.
Concertgoers will hear Vocalise, one of Rachmaninoff's most recognizable melodies; Symphonic Dances, his final major composition and a colorful orchestral masterpiece; and the legendary Piano Concerto No. 3, renowned for its technical brilliance and expressive power. Widely considered one of the greatest challenges in the piano repertoire, the concerto combines dazzling virtuosity with soaring lyricism and has captivated audiences for more than a century.
Russian-born pianist Denis Evstuhin is internationally recognized for his expressive artistry, rich tone, and outstanding virtuosity. He has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Sioux City Symphony, and Fairbanks Symphony, and has performed in renowned venues throughout Russia, Europe, and the United States.
A prizewinner in numerous international piano competitions, Evstuhin holds advanced degrees from the St. Petersburg Conservatory and the University of Minnesota. In addition to his performing career, he is the founder and music curator of the acclaimed classical music series at The Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis.
"This program showcases Rachmaninoff at his most lyrical, dramatic, and exhilarating," said the orchestra's music director, Dr. Daniel Rieppel. "We're thrilled to welcome Denis Evstuhin for a performance of one of the most beloved and challenging piano concertos ever written."
Founded in 1978, the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra serves communities throughout the region by bringing high-quality orchestral performances to southwestern Minnesota. Comprised of professional musicians, educators, students, and dedicated community members, the orchestra enriches the cultural life of the region while providing performance and educational opportunities for audiences of all ages.
Join us as the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra presents Rachmaninoff Reverie on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts, SMSU, 400 Tiger Drive, Marshall. Cost of admission is $15 for adults, $5 students, and $30 family.
***
Original text here: https://www.smsu.edu/today/articles/2026/10-24-2026_smo-rachmaninov-concert.html
Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, legacy
MARYVILLE, Tennessee, Oct. 24 -- Maryville College posted the following news:
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Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, legacy
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Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, achievement and the voices the bring Scots home
Key Takeaways
* Maryville College celebrated its 207th Founder's Day with a focus on generosity, achievements, and the enduring community spirit.
* The evening featured performances, recognitions, and a speech by President Dr. Bryan Coker reflecting on the College's history and future.
* Alumni donations were acknowledged, including ... Show Full Article MARYVILLE, Tennessee, Oct. 24 -- Maryville College posted the following news: * * * Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, legacy * Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, achievement and the voices the bring Scots home Key Takeaways * Maryville College celebrated its 207th Founder's Day with a focus on generosity, achievements, and the enduring community spirit. * The evening featured performances, recognitions, and a speech by President Dr. Bryan Coker reflecting on the College's history and future. * Alumni donations were acknowledged, includinga significant $1 million gift that established the Parks Cowan Initiative for the Liberal Arts.
* The Homecoming Choir Concert marked the retirement of long-time conductor Stacey Wilner, celebrating her impact on the choir and fostering community through music.
* Future initiatives include the Mike Curb Center for Appalachian Music to enhance educational and cultural connections to the region.
Oct. 23, 2026
For 207 years, the story of Maryville College has been written by generations of students, academics, supporters and steadfast alumni whose affection for their alma mater endures long after they leave College Hill.
On Friday evening, that shared devotion took center stage during a trio of Homecoming celebrations that honored the College's remarkable history, celebrated its growing momentum and offered a poignant reminder that some of its most enduring legacies are measured not in dollars or decades, but in the lives touched along the way.
The annual President's Welcome Reception, Founder's Day Showcase and - new for 2026 - a separate Homecoming Choir Concert brought alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends together at the Clayton Center for the Arts for an evening that balanced reflection with recognition, philanthropy with performance, and the familiar comforts of coming home to College Hill with an undeniable sense of anticipation for what lies ahead.
For Maryville College President Dr. Bryan Coker, the occasion offered an opportunity to reflect on the institution's journey from a modest seminary established by the Rev. Isaac Anderson in 1819 to a thriving liberal arts college whose ambitions continue to grow, even as many small, independent institutions face an increasingly uncertain higher education landscape.
"Founder's Day offers a natural opportunity to reflect on our history, from our very humble beginnings to our perseverance through wars, recessions, social upheavals and other conflicts," Coker told the assembled Founder's Day audience in an address from the stage of the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre. "More importantly, it's a time to celebrate the years of growth and vitality, when Maryville College achieved far more than the most ardent optimists among us could have even imagined.
"In its 207 years, Maryville College presidents have led in times of austerity and prosperity - and when you leave here at the end of this Homecoming Weekend, I hope you feel, as I do, that Maryville College is not only defying the challenging trajectory for many small, liberal arts colleges these days, but positioning ourselves for even brighter days ahead."
In his remarks, Coker honored alumni celebrating milestone reunions, including the Classes of 1966, 1976 and 1986, marking 60, 50 and 40 years, respectively, since their graduation from Maryville College.
Generosity across generations
The evening began with the President's Welcome Reception, where nearly 100 individuals and organizations were recognized for qualifying for membership in the Isaac Anderson Society during the 2025-26 fiscal year or advancing to a higher level of lifetime giving.
The society recognizes donors whose cumulative contributions to Maryville College total at least $10,000, with successive giving tiers honoring increasingly significant commitments to the institution's mission and future.
Christy McDonald-Slavick, co-interim vice president for institutional advancement and interim executive director of the Clayton Center, welcomed attendees and emphasized the essential role philanthropy plays in sustaining the College's academic programs, supporting its students and preserving the distinctive educational experience that generations of Scots have come to cherish.
"I don't think I have to tell this crowd that Maryville College is a very, very special place," she said. "On a weekend like this, 'magical' may even be the appropriate descriptor. A beautiful, historic campus makes it so. Lifelong friends make it so. Invested faculty and staff, transformational experiences, and a mind-broadening education make it so. And philanthropy makes it so."
The evening's highest recognition went to Drs. John and Margaret "Peggy" Cowan, whose $1 million gift established the Parks Cowan Initiative for the Liberal Arts and qualified the couple for the Founder's Circle, the Isaac Anderson Society's most prestigious level of recognition, reserved for those whose lifetime giving reaches $1 million or more.
Their investment supports faculty scholarship, sabbaticals and curricular innovation while also providing permanent funding for an award honoring academic excellence in the College's liberal arts core curriculum. Already, Dr. Phillip Sherman, professor of religion, and Dr. Karen Beale, professor of psychology, are benefiting from opportunities made possible by the initiative.
For Peggy Cowan, a Maryville College professor emerita and member of the Board of Directors, the gift reflects a conviction that the strength of a liberal arts education rests in its ability to prepare students not merely for careers, but for lives of intellectual curiosity, independent thought and meaningful engagement with the world.
"We were really pleased with the first recipients of both the sabbatical and the summer fellowship. Phillip Sherman and Karen Beale are superb faculty members, and for them to be the ones who were awarded those opportunities, I was really, really pleased," Cowan said. "I look forward to hearing more about what they've done, and I'm excited to see what the next round (of faculty funding) looks like."
The reception also celebrated the impact donors have had on Maryville College Athletics, a program whose own history reached a milestone this year with the 150th anniversary of Scots baseball, the College's oldest sport.
Dr. Andrew Wu, director of Athletics and co-interim vice president for institutional advancement, turned the spotlight on several recent investments, including a new scoreboard at Scotland Yard made possible through contributions from former MC baseball coach Pat Murphy (now manager of the Milwaukee Brewers), local company Anderson Lumber, and alumni Landon Coleman '99 and Judge Fred Morrison '61.
Wu also recognized improvements to the women's soccer locker room in Cooper Athletic Center, funded through support from couple Chelse Neiri Stevens '09 and Scott Stevens '08, along with alumnae Jenny Jett Erwin '68 and Crissy Wieck '00.
Among the most substantial investments is a $1.5 million pledge from the family of the late Joseph R. Zappa, a longtime supporter of the College, to renovate the football practice field and create the Joe Zappa Football Complex. Described as the largest gift in the history of Maryville College Athletics, the commitment will provide a vastly improved practice facility for future generations of Scots football players.
Zappa's daughter, Kelly Zappa Thompson, was recognized during the reception for her family's generosity and its decision to honor his life and legacy through the gift, announced on Thursday and designed to strengthen the student-athlete experience.
"I've gotten some texts from people far and wide that I didn't know read about Maryville College, because many of them don't even live here," she said. "It's been remarkable. I've gotten lots of great accolades so far about what a great opportunity it is for Maryville College and for the Scots family. I think it's going to be a really good thing for all parties involved."
Wu also highlighted the newly established Swordbearer Society and the ongoing Scots Wha Hae fundraising campaign, both of which provide additional opportunities for alumni and supporters to invest in Maryville College Athletics.
A future built on a storied past
The celebration continued in the Nutt Theatre, where the Founder's Day Showcase combined musical and theatrical performances with alumni honors and an address by Coker that traced the College's recent accomplishments and its aspirations for the years ahead.
Introduced by emcee the Rev. Paul Earheart-Brown '15, Maryville College associate chaplain and director of the MAST program, Coker reflected on the generations of leaders, educators and benefactors who have helped the institution endure wars, economic upheavals and profound societal changes, all while remaining committed to its founding mission.
Among the initiatives he highlighted was the Parks Cowan gift, which complements another major investment in teaching and learning: the Sondra and Dorsey Ellis Center for Faculty and Student Excellence, established through the generosity of alumnus and former Board of Directors chair Dr. Dorsey "Dan" Ellis Jr. '60, whose gift equally honors his late wife, Sondra Wagner Ellis '60.
Together, the initiatives underscore a renewed emphasis on faculty development, student achievement and the close relationships between teachers and learners that have long distinguished the Maryville College experience.
"The work in that center is underway, and with the addition of the Parks Cowan Initiative for the Liberal Arts, I am especially excited about our ability to really invest in the educational experience of our students," Coker said.
Coker also celebrated the first cohort of students enrolled in the Myrtle Coker Wilkinson '53 Honors Program, established through a $1 million gift from Jerry Wilkinson and his family in memory of his mother, a longtime Blount County educator who first attended Maryville College in 1932 and worked for years while raising a family before finally earning her degree. Designed to attract academically accomplished students who also demonstrate a commitment to servant leadership, the program welcomed its inaugural class this fall.
Those students joined a growing campus community, Coker noted: Fall 2026 enrollment reached 1,191, an increase of 4.1% over the previous year, while the College also reported increases in retention and graduation rates of 3.7% and 7.3%, respectively, above those of the 2025-26 academic year. Such progress, he emphasized, is especially remarkable at a time when smaller liberal arts institutions across the country continue to confront demographic, economic and enrollment challenges.
"Progress begets progress, and success in one area leads to success in other areas - all of it resulting in momentum," Coker said after the showcase had concluded. "Our progress, success and momentum are being noticed by prospective students and their families, as well as by generous donors and philanthropic foundations. I am grateful for all those who are choosing Maryville College. Without a doubt, these are exciting days for us."
And, he added, the College's plans extend beyond enrollment and academic programming as several significant investments promise to deepen Maryville College's connections to the culture and communities of Southern Appalachia. Among them is the Mike Curb Center for Appalachian Music, made possible by a $3 million gift from the Mike Curb Foundation and announced earlier this week, with a planned completion in time for the 2027-28 academic year. The center will include a recording studio in the Clayton Center, a professorship in Appalachian music and a permanent endowment supporting its work.
By connecting music education with fields such as history and sociology, the center will preserve and celebrate the region's rich musical heritage while expanding opportunities for students across academic disciplines.
"As we position the College to be more 'of and for the region,' this center will help us preserve and celebrate the rich musical heritage of Southern Appalachia, and we couldn't be more thankful to the Mike Curb Foundation for supporting our efforts here in East Tennessee," Coker said. "Our Curb Center will be linked to the Tracy and Bill Frist Center for Appalachian Wellness, when that center becomes a reality after the Alexander Institute for Conservation Leadership and the Sciences ultimately opens.
"Construction documents for the Institute were completed a few weeks ago, and gifts and pledges are being made for this multi-million-dollar project that will be truly transformational for Maryville College and our region."
Planned as a center for education, research and community partnership, the Institute will bring together academic rigor, conservation leadership and a deeper appreciation and exploration of the natural world, with facilities and programs designed to serve both Maryville College students and East Tennessee as a whole. A mock-up model outside Pearsons Hall, constructed in part to demonstrate how sustainably sourced wood will weather, offered Homecoming visitors an opportunity to envision the future facility, Coker noted.
In terms of historic milestones, Coker also called attention to another campus celebration during Homecoming Weekend: that of Crawford House, which turns 150 this year. Built for the family of Gideon Stebbins White Crawford 1871, the historic building is home to the Mountain Challenge program, and its perseverance through the decades stands as a reminder of the generations whose leadership, service and stewardship helped shape Maryville College overall.
Crawford returned to teach mathematics, served on the College's Board of Directors and helped establish the Maryville College Alumni Association, becoming its first president and preserving much of the institution's early history, Coker noted ... becoming one of many alumni who took to heart Anderson's exhortation to "do good on the largest possible scale."
Doing good on the largest possible scale
Two of those alumni were honored during the showcase on Friday evening as part of the Founder's Day ceremonies. Every year, the presentation of the College's annual Alumni Awards recognizes graduates whose achievements and service have brought distinction to their alma mater.
Dr. William "Denney" Zimmerman '09 received the Kin Takahashi Award for Young Alumni, which honors a graduate within 20 years of commencement whose life reflects the extraordinary dedication of Kin Takahashi 1895 to the advancement of his college, community and society.
Dr. Michael Roberts '85 received the Maryville College Alumni Citation, the College's oldest alumni award, first presented in 1961, which recognizes exceptional leadership, initiative or service in an alumnus's community, profession or other endeavors.
Both recipients were honored with video tributes before accepting their awards from Coker and addressing the audience.
"I'm incredibly honored to receive the award, especially because I've seen some of the previous winners in the past and the accomplishments of those who have received this award before me," Zimmerman said. "When I think about my time at Maryville College and how much this place shaped my life, I just had no idea what it was preparing me for after my four years here. The College gave me the foundation to really pursue a career in medicine, because it taught me how to think critically, how to work hard, how to adapt, and how to, perhaps most importantly, treat people."
"I want to, first of all, thank Maryville College for the special place that it is," Roberts added. "It has a very important place in my heart, and it is responsible in no small part for everything that I've been able to accomplish to date. More important than just the College itself is the community that it built. This is a special place, not only because of its location here in East Tennessee and near the Smoky Mountains, which are near and dear to my heart, but it attracts the student body and community and alumni who are dedicated to education, and that is as true today or more true today than it was when I was here in the '80s."
The College's 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipient, Dr. John Nichols '65, was honored earlier in the semester during the August Convocation ceremony.
The sounds of Scottish spirit
Intertwined with the evening's announcements and presentations were performances by students and alumni representing the Maryville College Division of Fine Arts, who offered an artistic celebration of the talent and traditions that continue to unite the campus community.
The Off Kilter Reunion Ensemble performed the traditional Scottish ballad "Loch Lomond," with siblings and fellow MC staff members Jordan McCullough '18, chief of staff to Coker, and Alex McCullough '19, director of community standards and support and associate director of residence life, bringing their bond to life as brothers whose separation lies at the heart of one interpretation of the song's enduring legend.
Kathryn Bornhoeft '28 presented a monologue from the Maryville College Theatre Department's recent production of "Detroit," directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Andy Vaught, while the Tartanband and Pom Squad energized the audience with a performance of "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," a classic by the Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys.
The Maryville College Concert Choir, whose history dates to 1917, performed "Danny Boy" and Michael John Trotta's dramatic "Dies Irae," before alumni singers joined current students for the traditional singing of the College's Alma Mater.
For those gathered in the Nutt Theatre, however, the evening's music was far from finished.
Following an intermission, the stage filled once more with familiar faces and voices for a special Homecoming Choir Concert - a beloved annual tradition that carried particular significance this year as longtime MC Director of Choral Activities Stacey Wilner prepares to conclude a remarkable tenure at the College.
A lifetime of music, a legacy of love
After 27 years directing the College's choral program and 44 years in education, Wilner will retire at the conclusion of the 2026-27 academic year, making Friday's performance her final Homecoming Choir Concert as director.
More than 60 choir alumni returned to sing alongside current students, approximately twice the usual number, offering a stirring testament to the relationships Wilner has cultivated and the enduring sense of belonging that has brought generations of singers back to College Hill.
Some were recent graduates, while others returned to a choral tradition that has connected Scots across decades, all united by the familiar experience of taking their places among fellow singers and finding, once again, the harmony they first discovered as students.
"The rehearsal I had yesterday was so emotional," Dr. Marvin Beard '67 said on Friday afternoon, during a Homecoming Choir rehearsal. "It was definitely the most wonderful rehearsal and musical experience I've ever had in my life - and I'm a graduate of Harry Harter! But I'm telling you, this was better. It was just unbelievable."
Harter directed the MC Concert Choir from 1947 to 1982, and his tenure was considered the high-water mark of the College's choral program ... until Wilner's arrival, at least. Shortly after Wilner came to Maryville College in 1999, she met with Harter and bonded over the idea of "esprit de corps," she recalled recently ... and the similarities between her style of conducting and Harter's make her final year an emotionally difficult one, Art '72 and Gail Bradley Hafner '60 said during the President's Welcome Reception.
"I'm not sure how she holds it together," said Art, who, like his wife and other alums, wept openly during this weekend's rehearsal process. "Just watching her up there and hearing her coach everyone through a song, it's like she's carried that passion from the very beginning of her career here to the very end, and it's admirable."
During the various rehearsals on Thursday and Friday, alumni were invited to leave Wilner messages on notepads near the front of the Nutt Theatre stage. Art penned one, and at the top, he wrote a single word: joy.
"I said, 'This is what you bring to everyone you're directing,'" he said.
Beard and the Hafners joined in with the rest of the choir for a concert that featured performances by the Lassies, Lads and Off Kilter ensembles, along with the combined Homecoming Choir and an Off Kilter reunion ensemble, whose selections reflected both the College's musical heritage and the bittersweet emotions surrounding Wilner's approaching retirement.
The program included traditional favorites such as "The Skye Boat Song" and "The Parting Glass," as well as choral works including "Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal," Anton Bruckner's "Locus Iste," Daniel Gawthrop's "Sing Me to Heaven" and Moses Hogan's "Ride On, King Jesus."
The Off Kilter ensembles also revisited "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," a signature selection dating to the group's beginnings in 2002, while the program included a special surprise sendoff from alumni in recognition of Wilner's years of service. Katie Wagner Philips '03, who now serves as choir director at L&N STEM Academy in Knoxville, took over the podium to present Wilner with a bouquet of flowers and a speech that left the retiring choir director in tears and nearly speechless.
"For many of us here on this stage tonight, as well as many countless others who could not be here this evening, Stacey Wilner's choral program has been our primary connection to our alma mater," Philips said. "This is a testament to the profound impact she has made on all of our lives over the past 28-plus years. As choir alumni, some of our most cherished college memories were made singing together.
"And just as importantly, many of the lessons that we carried with us long after graduation are lessons that we learned from Stacey. We could never fully repay her for all she has given us or express just how much she means to us. But tonight, we hope a small token of our gratitude is a reminder of the lasting impact she has had on all of us, and how deeply she is appreciated."
Beyond the memories and music, the concert also looked toward the next generation of singers, as Wilner encouraged supporters to contribute to the "Adopt-a-Singing Scot" initiative, which helps students prepare for an upcoming Concert Choir trip to Scotland in May 2027.
It was a fitting reminder that the choral program she's nurtured for almost three decades will continue to evolve, even as her own time at the podium draws to a close.
"I think Maryville College choir students are alike from generation to generation and class to class: They care and they work hard," said Wilner, who added that she hopes to return in some capacity to lend her support to the Music Department, perhaps as an adjunct instructor. "And I think between the students and the alums, they're such great support. They support each other, and because of that, it will all just continue like clockwork once I step down."
As the evening drew to its conclusion, Wilner invited additional choir alumni to join the singers onstage for the traditional Lutkin Benediction, bringing together voices from different eras of Maryville College history in one final expression of shared gratitude. Her farewell offered a sentiment that extended well beyond the choral program, capturing the spirit of an evening devoted to honoring the past, celebrating the present and entrusting the future to those who will follow.
"It is not easy to say farewell," she told the audience. "This choral program has never been merely a job or an assignment. It has been a calling, a source of joy, a place of growth, and a community that has given me far more than I could ever have given in return.
"Choir alumni - you are living evidence that the music never really ends when the final concert is over. You have carried a part of this choir with you into your families, your careers, your churches, your communities and your lives. You may no longer stand in the same rows or sing from the same music folders, but you will always remain part of this family.
"As I prepare to step down, I do so with a deep understanding that no one person owns a tradition," she added. "We are all caretakers of it for a season. We receive it from those who came before us, nurture it while we are here, and pass it on to those who will follow."
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Original text here: https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/news/2026/maryville-college-founders-day-2026-celebrates-generosity-legacy/
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Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, legacy
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Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, achievement and the voices the bring Scots home
Key Takeaways
* Maryville College celebrated its 207th Founder's Day with a focus on generosity, achievements, and the enduring community spirit.
* The evening featured performances, recognitions, and a speech by President Dr. Bryan Coker reflecting on the College's history and future.
* Alumni donations were acknowledged, including ... Show Full Article MARYVILLE, Tennessee, Oct. 24 -- Maryville College posted the following news: * * * Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, legacy * Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, achievement and the voices the bring Scots home Key Takeaways * Maryville College celebrated its 207th Founder's Day with a focus on generosity, achievements, and the enduring community spirit. * The evening featured performances, recognitions, and a speech by President Dr. Bryan Coker reflecting on the College's history and future. * Alumni donations were acknowledged, includinga significant $1 million gift that established the Parks Cowan Initiative for the Liberal Arts.
* The Homecoming Choir Concert marked the retirement of long-time conductor Stacey Wilner, celebrating her impact on the choir and fostering community through music.
* Future initiatives include the Mike Curb Center for Appalachian Music to enhance educational and cultural connections to the region.
Oct. 23, 2026
For 207 years, the story of Maryville College has been written by generations of students, academics, supporters and steadfast alumni whose affection for their alma mater endures long after they leave College Hill.
On Friday evening, that shared devotion took center stage during a trio of Homecoming celebrations that honored the College's remarkable history, celebrated its growing momentum and offered a poignant reminder that some of its most enduring legacies are measured not in dollars or decades, but in the lives touched along the way.
The annual President's Welcome Reception, Founder's Day Showcase and - new for 2026 - a separate Homecoming Choir Concert brought alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends together at the Clayton Center for the Arts for an evening that balanced reflection with recognition, philanthropy with performance, and the familiar comforts of coming home to College Hill with an undeniable sense of anticipation for what lies ahead.
For Maryville College President Dr. Bryan Coker, the occasion offered an opportunity to reflect on the institution's journey from a modest seminary established by the Rev. Isaac Anderson in 1819 to a thriving liberal arts college whose ambitions continue to grow, even as many small, independent institutions face an increasingly uncertain higher education landscape.
"Founder's Day offers a natural opportunity to reflect on our history, from our very humble beginnings to our perseverance through wars, recessions, social upheavals and other conflicts," Coker told the assembled Founder's Day audience in an address from the stage of the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre. "More importantly, it's a time to celebrate the years of growth and vitality, when Maryville College achieved far more than the most ardent optimists among us could have even imagined.
"In its 207 years, Maryville College presidents have led in times of austerity and prosperity - and when you leave here at the end of this Homecoming Weekend, I hope you feel, as I do, that Maryville College is not only defying the challenging trajectory for many small, liberal arts colleges these days, but positioning ourselves for even brighter days ahead."
In his remarks, Coker honored alumni celebrating milestone reunions, including the Classes of 1966, 1976 and 1986, marking 60, 50 and 40 years, respectively, since their graduation from Maryville College.
Generosity across generations
The evening began with the President's Welcome Reception, where nearly 100 individuals and organizations were recognized for qualifying for membership in the Isaac Anderson Society during the 2025-26 fiscal year or advancing to a higher level of lifetime giving.
The society recognizes donors whose cumulative contributions to Maryville College total at least $10,000, with successive giving tiers honoring increasingly significant commitments to the institution's mission and future.
Christy McDonald-Slavick, co-interim vice president for institutional advancement and interim executive director of the Clayton Center, welcomed attendees and emphasized the essential role philanthropy plays in sustaining the College's academic programs, supporting its students and preserving the distinctive educational experience that generations of Scots have come to cherish.
"I don't think I have to tell this crowd that Maryville College is a very, very special place," she said. "On a weekend like this, 'magical' may even be the appropriate descriptor. A beautiful, historic campus makes it so. Lifelong friends make it so. Invested faculty and staff, transformational experiences, and a mind-broadening education make it so. And philanthropy makes it so."
The evening's highest recognition went to Drs. John and Margaret "Peggy" Cowan, whose $1 million gift established the Parks Cowan Initiative for the Liberal Arts and qualified the couple for the Founder's Circle, the Isaac Anderson Society's most prestigious level of recognition, reserved for those whose lifetime giving reaches $1 million or more.
Their investment supports faculty scholarship, sabbaticals and curricular innovation while also providing permanent funding for an award honoring academic excellence in the College's liberal arts core curriculum. Already, Dr. Phillip Sherman, professor of religion, and Dr. Karen Beale, professor of psychology, are benefiting from opportunities made possible by the initiative.
For Peggy Cowan, a Maryville College professor emerita and member of the Board of Directors, the gift reflects a conviction that the strength of a liberal arts education rests in its ability to prepare students not merely for careers, but for lives of intellectual curiosity, independent thought and meaningful engagement with the world.
"We were really pleased with the first recipients of both the sabbatical and the summer fellowship. Phillip Sherman and Karen Beale are superb faculty members, and for them to be the ones who were awarded those opportunities, I was really, really pleased," Cowan said. "I look forward to hearing more about what they've done, and I'm excited to see what the next round (of faculty funding) looks like."
The reception also celebrated the impact donors have had on Maryville College Athletics, a program whose own history reached a milestone this year with the 150th anniversary of Scots baseball, the College's oldest sport.
Dr. Andrew Wu, director of Athletics and co-interim vice president for institutional advancement, turned the spotlight on several recent investments, including a new scoreboard at Scotland Yard made possible through contributions from former MC baseball coach Pat Murphy (now manager of the Milwaukee Brewers), local company Anderson Lumber, and alumni Landon Coleman '99 and Judge Fred Morrison '61.
Wu also recognized improvements to the women's soccer locker room in Cooper Athletic Center, funded through support from couple Chelse Neiri Stevens '09 and Scott Stevens '08, along with alumnae Jenny Jett Erwin '68 and Crissy Wieck '00.
Among the most substantial investments is a $1.5 million pledge from the family of the late Joseph R. Zappa, a longtime supporter of the College, to renovate the football practice field and create the Joe Zappa Football Complex. Described as the largest gift in the history of Maryville College Athletics, the commitment will provide a vastly improved practice facility for future generations of Scots football players.
Zappa's daughter, Kelly Zappa Thompson, was recognized during the reception for her family's generosity and its decision to honor his life and legacy through the gift, announced on Thursday and designed to strengthen the student-athlete experience.
"I've gotten some texts from people far and wide that I didn't know read about Maryville College, because many of them don't even live here," she said. "It's been remarkable. I've gotten lots of great accolades so far about what a great opportunity it is for Maryville College and for the Scots family. I think it's going to be a really good thing for all parties involved."
Wu also highlighted the newly established Swordbearer Society and the ongoing Scots Wha Hae fundraising campaign, both of which provide additional opportunities for alumni and supporters to invest in Maryville College Athletics.
A future built on a storied past
The celebration continued in the Nutt Theatre, where the Founder's Day Showcase combined musical and theatrical performances with alumni honors and an address by Coker that traced the College's recent accomplishments and its aspirations for the years ahead.
Introduced by emcee the Rev. Paul Earheart-Brown '15, Maryville College associate chaplain and director of the MAST program, Coker reflected on the generations of leaders, educators and benefactors who have helped the institution endure wars, economic upheavals and profound societal changes, all while remaining committed to its founding mission.
Among the initiatives he highlighted was the Parks Cowan gift, which complements another major investment in teaching and learning: the Sondra and Dorsey Ellis Center for Faculty and Student Excellence, established through the generosity of alumnus and former Board of Directors chair Dr. Dorsey "Dan" Ellis Jr. '60, whose gift equally honors his late wife, Sondra Wagner Ellis '60.
Together, the initiatives underscore a renewed emphasis on faculty development, student achievement and the close relationships between teachers and learners that have long distinguished the Maryville College experience.
"The work in that center is underway, and with the addition of the Parks Cowan Initiative for the Liberal Arts, I am especially excited about our ability to really invest in the educational experience of our students," Coker said.
Coker also celebrated the first cohort of students enrolled in the Myrtle Coker Wilkinson '53 Honors Program, established through a $1 million gift from Jerry Wilkinson and his family in memory of his mother, a longtime Blount County educator who first attended Maryville College in 1932 and worked for years while raising a family before finally earning her degree. Designed to attract academically accomplished students who also demonstrate a commitment to servant leadership, the program welcomed its inaugural class this fall.
Those students joined a growing campus community, Coker noted: Fall 2026 enrollment reached 1,191, an increase of 4.1% over the previous year, while the College also reported increases in retention and graduation rates of 3.7% and 7.3%, respectively, above those of the 2025-26 academic year. Such progress, he emphasized, is especially remarkable at a time when smaller liberal arts institutions across the country continue to confront demographic, economic and enrollment challenges.
"Progress begets progress, and success in one area leads to success in other areas - all of it resulting in momentum," Coker said after the showcase had concluded. "Our progress, success and momentum are being noticed by prospective students and their families, as well as by generous donors and philanthropic foundations. I am grateful for all those who are choosing Maryville College. Without a doubt, these are exciting days for us."
And, he added, the College's plans extend beyond enrollment and academic programming as several significant investments promise to deepen Maryville College's connections to the culture and communities of Southern Appalachia. Among them is the Mike Curb Center for Appalachian Music, made possible by a $3 million gift from the Mike Curb Foundation and announced earlier this week, with a planned completion in time for the 2027-28 academic year. The center will include a recording studio in the Clayton Center, a professorship in Appalachian music and a permanent endowment supporting its work.
By connecting music education with fields such as history and sociology, the center will preserve and celebrate the region's rich musical heritage while expanding opportunities for students across academic disciplines.
"As we position the College to be more 'of and for the region,' this center will help us preserve and celebrate the rich musical heritage of Southern Appalachia, and we couldn't be more thankful to the Mike Curb Foundation for supporting our efforts here in East Tennessee," Coker said. "Our Curb Center will be linked to the Tracy and Bill Frist Center for Appalachian Wellness, when that center becomes a reality after the Alexander Institute for Conservation Leadership and the Sciences ultimately opens.
"Construction documents for the Institute were completed a few weeks ago, and gifts and pledges are being made for this multi-million-dollar project that will be truly transformational for Maryville College and our region."
Planned as a center for education, research and community partnership, the Institute will bring together academic rigor, conservation leadership and a deeper appreciation and exploration of the natural world, with facilities and programs designed to serve both Maryville College students and East Tennessee as a whole. A mock-up model outside Pearsons Hall, constructed in part to demonstrate how sustainably sourced wood will weather, offered Homecoming visitors an opportunity to envision the future facility, Coker noted.
In terms of historic milestones, Coker also called attention to another campus celebration during Homecoming Weekend: that of Crawford House, which turns 150 this year. Built for the family of Gideon Stebbins White Crawford 1871, the historic building is home to the Mountain Challenge program, and its perseverance through the decades stands as a reminder of the generations whose leadership, service and stewardship helped shape Maryville College overall.
Crawford returned to teach mathematics, served on the College's Board of Directors and helped establish the Maryville College Alumni Association, becoming its first president and preserving much of the institution's early history, Coker noted ... becoming one of many alumni who took to heart Anderson's exhortation to "do good on the largest possible scale."
Doing good on the largest possible scale
Two of those alumni were honored during the showcase on Friday evening as part of the Founder's Day ceremonies. Every year, the presentation of the College's annual Alumni Awards recognizes graduates whose achievements and service have brought distinction to their alma mater.
Dr. William "Denney" Zimmerman '09 received the Kin Takahashi Award for Young Alumni, which honors a graduate within 20 years of commencement whose life reflects the extraordinary dedication of Kin Takahashi 1895 to the advancement of his college, community and society.
Dr. Michael Roberts '85 received the Maryville College Alumni Citation, the College's oldest alumni award, first presented in 1961, which recognizes exceptional leadership, initiative or service in an alumnus's community, profession or other endeavors.
Both recipients were honored with video tributes before accepting their awards from Coker and addressing the audience.
"I'm incredibly honored to receive the award, especially because I've seen some of the previous winners in the past and the accomplishments of those who have received this award before me," Zimmerman said. "When I think about my time at Maryville College and how much this place shaped my life, I just had no idea what it was preparing me for after my four years here. The College gave me the foundation to really pursue a career in medicine, because it taught me how to think critically, how to work hard, how to adapt, and how to, perhaps most importantly, treat people."
"I want to, first of all, thank Maryville College for the special place that it is," Roberts added. "It has a very important place in my heart, and it is responsible in no small part for everything that I've been able to accomplish to date. More important than just the College itself is the community that it built. This is a special place, not only because of its location here in East Tennessee and near the Smoky Mountains, which are near and dear to my heart, but it attracts the student body and community and alumni who are dedicated to education, and that is as true today or more true today than it was when I was here in the '80s."
The College's 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipient, Dr. John Nichols '65, was honored earlier in the semester during the August Convocation ceremony.
The sounds of Scottish spirit
Intertwined with the evening's announcements and presentations were performances by students and alumni representing the Maryville College Division of Fine Arts, who offered an artistic celebration of the talent and traditions that continue to unite the campus community.
The Off Kilter Reunion Ensemble performed the traditional Scottish ballad "Loch Lomond," with siblings and fellow MC staff members Jordan McCullough '18, chief of staff to Coker, and Alex McCullough '19, director of community standards and support and associate director of residence life, bringing their bond to life as brothers whose separation lies at the heart of one interpretation of the song's enduring legend.
Kathryn Bornhoeft '28 presented a monologue from the Maryville College Theatre Department's recent production of "Detroit," directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Andy Vaught, while the Tartanband and Pom Squad energized the audience with a performance of "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," a classic by the Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys.
The Maryville College Concert Choir, whose history dates to 1917, performed "Danny Boy" and Michael John Trotta's dramatic "Dies Irae," before alumni singers joined current students for the traditional singing of the College's Alma Mater.
For those gathered in the Nutt Theatre, however, the evening's music was far from finished.
Following an intermission, the stage filled once more with familiar faces and voices for a special Homecoming Choir Concert - a beloved annual tradition that carried particular significance this year as longtime MC Director of Choral Activities Stacey Wilner prepares to conclude a remarkable tenure at the College.
A lifetime of music, a legacy of love
After 27 years directing the College's choral program and 44 years in education, Wilner will retire at the conclusion of the 2026-27 academic year, making Friday's performance her final Homecoming Choir Concert as director.
More than 60 choir alumni returned to sing alongside current students, approximately twice the usual number, offering a stirring testament to the relationships Wilner has cultivated and the enduring sense of belonging that has brought generations of singers back to College Hill.
Some were recent graduates, while others returned to a choral tradition that has connected Scots across decades, all united by the familiar experience of taking their places among fellow singers and finding, once again, the harmony they first discovered as students.
"The rehearsal I had yesterday was so emotional," Dr. Marvin Beard '67 said on Friday afternoon, during a Homecoming Choir rehearsal. "It was definitely the most wonderful rehearsal and musical experience I've ever had in my life - and I'm a graduate of Harry Harter! But I'm telling you, this was better. It was just unbelievable."
Harter directed the MC Concert Choir from 1947 to 1982, and his tenure was considered the high-water mark of the College's choral program ... until Wilner's arrival, at least. Shortly after Wilner came to Maryville College in 1999, she met with Harter and bonded over the idea of "esprit de corps," she recalled recently ... and the similarities between her style of conducting and Harter's make her final year an emotionally difficult one, Art '72 and Gail Bradley Hafner '60 said during the President's Welcome Reception.
"I'm not sure how she holds it together," said Art, who, like his wife and other alums, wept openly during this weekend's rehearsal process. "Just watching her up there and hearing her coach everyone through a song, it's like she's carried that passion from the very beginning of her career here to the very end, and it's admirable."
During the various rehearsals on Thursday and Friday, alumni were invited to leave Wilner messages on notepads near the front of the Nutt Theatre stage. Art penned one, and at the top, he wrote a single word: joy.
"I said, 'This is what you bring to everyone you're directing,'" he said.
Beard and the Hafners joined in with the rest of the choir for a concert that featured performances by the Lassies, Lads and Off Kilter ensembles, along with the combined Homecoming Choir and an Off Kilter reunion ensemble, whose selections reflected both the College's musical heritage and the bittersweet emotions surrounding Wilner's approaching retirement.
The program included traditional favorites such as "The Skye Boat Song" and "The Parting Glass," as well as choral works including "Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal," Anton Bruckner's "Locus Iste," Daniel Gawthrop's "Sing Me to Heaven" and Moses Hogan's "Ride On, King Jesus."
The Off Kilter ensembles also revisited "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," a signature selection dating to the group's beginnings in 2002, while the program included a special surprise sendoff from alumni in recognition of Wilner's years of service. Katie Wagner Philips '03, who now serves as choir director at L&N STEM Academy in Knoxville, took over the podium to present Wilner with a bouquet of flowers and a speech that left the retiring choir director in tears and nearly speechless.
"For many of us here on this stage tonight, as well as many countless others who could not be here this evening, Stacey Wilner's choral program has been our primary connection to our alma mater," Philips said. "This is a testament to the profound impact she has made on all of our lives over the past 28-plus years. As choir alumni, some of our most cherished college memories were made singing together.
"And just as importantly, many of the lessons that we carried with us long after graduation are lessons that we learned from Stacey. We could never fully repay her for all she has given us or express just how much she means to us. But tonight, we hope a small token of our gratitude is a reminder of the lasting impact she has had on all of us, and how deeply she is appreciated."
Beyond the memories and music, the concert also looked toward the next generation of singers, as Wilner encouraged supporters to contribute to the "Adopt-a-Singing Scot" initiative, which helps students prepare for an upcoming Concert Choir trip to Scotland in May 2027.
It was a fitting reminder that the choral program she's nurtured for almost three decades will continue to evolve, even as her own time at the podium draws to a close.
"I think Maryville College choir students are alike from generation to generation and class to class: They care and they work hard," said Wilner, who added that she hopes to return in some capacity to lend her support to the Music Department, perhaps as an adjunct instructor. "And I think between the students and the alums, they're such great support. They support each other, and because of that, it will all just continue like clockwork once I step down."
As the evening drew to its conclusion, Wilner invited additional choir alumni to join the singers onstage for the traditional Lutkin Benediction, bringing together voices from different eras of Maryville College history in one final expression of shared gratitude. Her farewell offered a sentiment that extended well beyond the choral program, capturing the spirit of an evening devoted to honoring the past, celebrating the present and entrusting the future to those who will follow.
"It is not easy to say farewell," she told the audience. "This choral program has never been merely a job or an assignment. It has been a calling, a source of joy, a place of growth, and a community that has given me far more than I could ever have given in return.
"Choir alumni - you are living evidence that the music never really ends when the final concert is over. You have carried a part of this choir with you into your families, your careers, your churches, your communities and your lives. You may no longer stand in the same rows or sing from the same music folders, but you will always remain part of this family.
"As I prepare to step down, I do so with a deep understanding that no one person owns a tradition," she added. "We are all caretakers of it for a season. We receive it from those who came before us, nurture it while we are here, and pass it on to those who will follow."
***
Original text here: https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/news/2026/maryville-college-founders-day-2026-celebrates-generosity-legacy/
HMEI to Open Environmental Exhibition by Artist Maya Lin
PRINCETON, New Jersey, Oct. 24 -- The High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University posted the following news:
* * *
HMEI to Open Environmental Exhibition by Artist Maya Lin
*
This month, High Meadows Environmental Institute will open the inaugural exhibition in our new Environmental Gallery in Briger Hall with an installation of artist Maya Lin's What Is Missing?
Lin's memorial to the planet uses immersive, science-based artworks to raise awareness about the present sixth mass extinction, emphasizing that, through conservation and habitat restoration, we can both reduce carbon ... Show Full Article PRINCETON, New Jersey, Oct. 24 -- The High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University posted the following news: * * * HMEI to Open Environmental Exhibition by Artist Maya Lin * This month, High Meadows Environmental Institute will open the inaugural exhibition in our new Environmental Gallery in Briger Hall with an installation of artist Maya Lin's What Is Missing? Lin's memorial to the planet uses immersive, science-based artworks to raise awareness about the present sixth mass extinction, emphasizing that, through conservation and habitat restoration, we can both reduce carbonemissions and protect biodiversity. The exhibition examines abundance, loss, extinction, recovery and how resilient the natural world can be - if we choose to protect it.
Lin interprets nature through science and culture, creating works that have had a profound impact on how we relate to the natural world. From her first work, the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, she has gone on to a highly acclaimed career in art and architecture, while remaining committed to 'memory works' that focus on critical issues of our time. Lin calls What Is Missing? the fifth and final of her memorials, one that examines biodiversity loss and climate change, but also hope and action.
"Nature is incredibly resilient," says Lin, "and it will come back if we give it a chance."
Co-sponsored by the Princeton Humanities Initiative, the exhibition What Is Missing? What If? will consist of three parts: life-sized video of endangered species in the Briger Hall atrium; posters, recently installed at the United Nations, that pose thought-provoking questions; and an interactive display and learning lab that will evolve over the year in collaboration with faculty, researchers, students and community members. The exhibition will engage people across campus and beyond through research, coursework, internships, and public outreach.
HMEI will launch the exhibition on Tuesday, September 22 with an opening event and artist talk. The program will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Briger Hall Auditorium with Lin on stage and in conversation with David Wilcove, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, public affairs and HMEI, moderated by Rachael DeLue, professor of art history and Director of the Princeton Humanities Initiative - followed by an exhibition opening and reception. This event will be free and open to the public; we invite guests to register here.
What Is Missing? What If? is presented in partnership with the Princeton Humanities Initiative, with additional support from partners across campus, including the School of Architecture, the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Department of Geosciences.
***
Original text here: https://environment.princeton.edu/news/hmei-to-open-environmental-exhibition-by-artist-maya-lin/
* * *
HMEI to Open Environmental Exhibition by Artist Maya Lin
*
This month, High Meadows Environmental Institute will open the inaugural exhibition in our new Environmental Gallery in Briger Hall with an installation of artist Maya Lin's What Is Missing?
Lin's memorial to the planet uses immersive, science-based artworks to raise awareness about the present sixth mass extinction, emphasizing that, through conservation and habitat restoration, we can both reduce carbon ... Show Full Article PRINCETON, New Jersey, Oct. 24 -- The High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University posted the following news: * * * HMEI to Open Environmental Exhibition by Artist Maya Lin * This month, High Meadows Environmental Institute will open the inaugural exhibition in our new Environmental Gallery in Briger Hall with an installation of artist Maya Lin's What Is Missing? Lin's memorial to the planet uses immersive, science-based artworks to raise awareness about the present sixth mass extinction, emphasizing that, through conservation and habitat restoration, we can both reduce carbonemissions and protect biodiversity. The exhibition examines abundance, loss, extinction, recovery and how resilient the natural world can be - if we choose to protect it.
Lin interprets nature through science and culture, creating works that have had a profound impact on how we relate to the natural world. From her first work, the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, she has gone on to a highly acclaimed career in art and architecture, while remaining committed to 'memory works' that focus on critical issues of our time. Lin calls What Is Missing? the fifth and final of her memorials, one that examines biodiversity loss and climate change, but also hope and action.
"Nature is incredibly resilient," says Lin, "and it will come back if we give it a chance."
Co-sponsored by the Princeton Humanities Initiative, the exhibition What Is Missing? What If? will consist of three parts: life-sized video of endangered species in the Briger Hall atrium; posters, recently installed at the United Nations, that pose thought-provoking questions; and an interactive display and learning lab that will evolve over the year in collaboration with faculty, researchers, students and community members. The exhibition will engage people across campus and beyond through research, coursework, internships, and public outreach.
HMEI will launch the exhibition on Tuesday, September 22 with an opening event and artist talk. The program will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Briger Hall Auditorium with Lin on stage and in conversation with David Wilcove, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, public affairs and HMEI, moderated by Rachael DeLue, professor of art history and Director of the Princeton Humanities Initiative - followed by an exhibition opening and reception. This event will be free and open to the public; we invite guests to register here.
What Is Missing? What If? is presented in partnership with the Princeton Humanities Initiative, with additional support from partners across campus, including the School of Architecture, the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Department of Geosciences.
***
Original text here: https://environment.princeton.edu/news/hmei-to-open-environmental-exhibition-by-artist-maya-lin/
Endowment Honors a Life of Stories, Adventure and Giving
OXFORD, Mississippi, Oct. 24 -- The University of Mississippi posted the following news:
* * *
Endowment Honors a Life of Stories, Adventure and Giving
*
Tupelo author Joe Edd Morris creates scholarship for future writers
OXFORD, Miss. - A lifetime of adventures has taught Mississippi writer Joe Edd Morris that a good story can begin almost anywhere: on a front porch, aboard a Mississippi River barge, in a Scottish pulpit, above the Arctic Circle or in a chance conversation with a fellow storyteller.
For decades, the University of Mississippi alumnus and New Albany native has collected such ... Show Full Article OXFORD, Mississippi, Oct. 24 -- The University of Mississippi posted the following news: * * * Endowment Honors a Life of Stories, Adventure and Giving * Tupelo author Joe Edd Morris creates scholarship for future writers OXFORD, Miss. - A lifetime of adventures has taught Mississippi writer Joe Edd Morris that a good story can begin almost anywhere: on a front porch, aboard a Mississippi River barge, in a Scottish pulpit, above the Arctic Circle or in a chance conversation with a fellow storyteller. For decades, the University of Mississippi alumnus and New Albany native has collected suchmoments, transforming them into fiction, essays and books. With a $50,000 gift to the university's College of Liberal Arts, he hopes to help the next generation of writers do the same.
The author, career psychologist and longtime United Methodist minister established a scholarship endowment supporting graduate-level creative writing students. The gift reflects both his lifelong love of storytelling and his desire to invest in emerging writers.
"I want to leave a legacy," said Morris, who lives in Tupelo. "But I also want to promote writing and writers. I had help getting where I am today, and I want to be helpful to these students just as others were helpful to me."
Lee Cohen, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, expressed gratitude for Morris' gift.
"Joe Edd has lived a remarkable life rooted in curiosity, service and storytelling," Cohen said. "His generosity will create opportunities for talented graduate writers for years to come."
Morris grew up surrounded by stories.
"I'm not just a writer; I'm a Mississippi writer," he said. "Mississippi writers are storytellers. And that comes from sitting on porches with family, hearing tales passed down through generations."
His path to becoming a writer, however, was anything but conventional.
Morris began his college career at Ole Miss but transferred to Delta State University and then to Millsaps College, where he graduated with a degree in philosophy and English. He later returned to Ole Miss to earn his doctorate in 1977.
In between, he pursued theological studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and, for a year, pastored a Methodist congregation in the historic coastal town of Dunbar. There, he preached from a pulpit connected to the legacy of Scottish reformer John Knox with the ruins of an ancient castle nearby and the North Sea crashing against the rocks outside.
"I get chills thinking about it," Morris recalled. "The ambiance was incredible."
During breaks from his studies, he hitchhiked across Europe and traveled extensively through the Holy Land - experiences that later informed his historical and biblical fiction.
At one point, Morris accepted a position as a civilian chaplain stationed above the Arctic Circle. The remote posting provided solitude and time to write.
"That's where my serious writing began," he said. "There was not much to do, and I began working on a novel."
While developing a later novel, Morris retraced the route of Confederate expatriates through Mexico, driving from Monterrey to Mexico City and stopping in towns connected to their history. For another project, he arranged passage aboard a Mississippi River barge, spending two and a half days listening to river captains tell stories that later found their way into his fiction.
"The land opened up to me," he said of his travels. "There was a different scene at every turn of the road."
Morris has written more than 15 books. His work ranges from Southern literary fiction to biblical historical novels, and he credits curiosity with driving much of that work.
"I tell writing students the three L's: listen, look and log," he said. "As soon as I hear something that has the kernel of a story, I write it down."
Along the way, he benefited from encouragement from friend Evans Harrington and from prominent Mississippi writers, including the late Larry Brown. Brown's advice became Morris' personal mantra: "Never give up" - good advice for student writers, too.
The Joe Edd Morris Creative Writing Graduate Student Stipend Endowment is open to receiving gifts from individuals and organizations. To contribute, send a check with the fund noted in the memo line to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655, or give online here.
Top: On one of his many adventures, Tupelo author Joe Edd Morris visits the Taj Mahal during a trip to India. Morris has given $50,000 to establish a creative writing scholarship at Ole Miss. Submitted photo
By
Bill Dabney
Campus
Office, Department or Center
Published
October 24, 2026
***
Original text here: https://olemiss.edu/news/2026/10/endowment-honors-a-life-of-stories-adventure-and-giving/index.html
* * *
Endowment Honors a Life of Stories, Adventure and Giving
*
Tupelo author Joe Edd Morris creates scholarship for future writers
OXFORD, Miss. - A lifetime of adventures has taught Mississippi writer Joe Edd Morris that a good story can begin almost anywhere: on a front porch, aboard a Mississippi River barge, in a Scottish pulpit, above the Arctic Circle or in a chance conversation with a fellow storyteller.
For decades, the University of Mississippi alumnus and New Albany native has collected such ... Show Full Article OXFORD, Mississippi, Oct. 24 -- The University of Mississippi posted the following news: * * * Endowment Honors a Life of Stories, Adventure and Giving * Tupelo author Joe Edd Morris creates scholarship for future writers OXFORD, Miss. - A lifetime of adventures has taught Mississippi writer Joe Edd Morris that a good story can begin almost anywhere: on a front porch, aboard a Mississippi River barge, in a Scottish pulpit, above the Arctic Circle or in a chance conversation with a fellow storyteller. For decades, the University of Mississippi alumnus and New Albany native has collected suchmoments, transforming them into fiction, essays and books. With a $50,000 gift to the university's College of Liberal Arts, he hopes to help the next generation of writers do the same.
The author, career psychologist and longtime United Methodist minister established a scholarship endowment supporting graduate-level creative writing students. The gift reflects both his lifelong love of storytelling and his desire to invest in emerging writers.
"I want to leave a legacy," said Morris, who lives in Tupelo. "But I also want to promote writing and writers. I had help getting where I am today, and I want to be helpful to these students just as others were helpful to me."
Lee Cohen, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, expressed gratitude for Morris' gift.
"Joe Edd has lived a remarkable life rooted in curiosity, service and storytelling," Cohen said. "His generosity will create opportunities for talented graduate writers for years to come."
Morris grew up surrounded by stories.
"I'm not just a writer; I'm a Mississippi writer," he said. "Mississippi writers are storytellers. And that comes from sitting on porches with family, hearing tales passed down through generations."
His path to becoming a writer, however, was anything but conventional.
Morris began his college career at Ole Miss but transferred to Delta State University and then to Millsaps College, where he graduated with a degree in philosophy and English. He later returned to Ole Miss to earn his doctorate in 1977.
In between, he pursued theological studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and, for a year, pastored a Methodist congregation in the historic coastal town of Dunbar. There, he preached from a pulpit connected to the legacy of Scottish reformer John Knox with the ruins of an ancient castle nearby and the North Sea crashing against the rocks outside.
"I get chills thinking about it," Morris recalled. "The ambiance was incredible."
During breaks from his studies, he hitchhiked across Europe and traveled extensively through the Holy Land - experiences that later informed his historical and biblical fiction.
At one point, Morris accepted a position as a civilian chaplain stationed above the Arctic Circle. The remote posting provided solitude and time to write.
"That's where my serious writing began," he said. "There was not much to do, and I began working on a novel."
While developing a later novel, Morris retraced the route of Confederate expatriates through Mexico, driving from Monterrey to Mexico City and stopping in towns connected to their history. For another project, he arranged passage aboard a Mississippi River barge, spending two and a half days listening to river captains tell stories that later found their way into his fiction.
"The land opened up to me," he said of his travels. "There was a different scene at every turn of the road."
Morris has written more than 15 books. His work ranges from Southern literary fiction to biblical historical novels, and he credits curiosity with driving much of that work.
"I tell writing students the three L's: listen, look and log," he said. "As soon as I hear something that has the kernel of a story, I write it down."
Along the way, he benefited from encouragement from friend Evans Harrington and from prominent Mississippi writers, including the late Larry Brown. Brown's advice became Morris' personal mantra: "Never give up" - good advice for student writers, too.
The Joe Edd Morris Creative Writing Graduate Student Stipend Endowment is open to receiving gifts from individuals and organizations. To contribute, send a check with the fund noted in the memo line to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655, or give online here.
Top: On one of his many adventures, Tupelo author Joe Edd Morris visits the Taj Mahal during a trip to India. Morris has given $50,000 to establish a creative writing scholarship at Ole Miss. Submitted photo
By
Bill Dabney
Campus
Office, Department or Center
Published
October 24, 2026
***
Original text here: https://olemiss.edu/news/2026/10/endowment-honors-a-life-of-stories-adventure-and-giving/index.html