The board of the Mississippi University for Women Alumnae Association met Saturday June 23 in Columbus to plan activities for the next year.

Dear W Friends,

It is a pleasure to extend greetings to you. As president of the MUW Alumnae Association, I am very proud to help unveil this new website and to have the opportunity to share with you our plans and hopes for MUW and for our organization this year.

We continue to face challenges brought about by the disaffiliation of our 118-year-old association but, along with the challenges, we have discovered an even greater enthusiasm and commitment to support our university. We have seen once again that out of adversity comes creativity. Our alums have accepted responsibility for services and projects once handled by our alumni office and have done so in new and innovative ways. Cindy Pond and her creative staff at Taylor and Pond Corporate Communications have brought our message to life with the development of this new website. The generous donation of her time, talents and staff allows us to communicate with you as never before.

Please note the many alums who have contributed news, articles, reports and technical support to this magnificent new website. I know you will join me in thanking all who played a role in making this a reality.

Your Alumnae Association’s Board of Directors, an enthusiastic and diverse group, met at Plymouth Bluff near Columbus, MS in June and developed a plan of action for our organization. Since then each committee has worked diligently to get their plans underway. I hope you will take the time to read each report and news item included on this new website so that you will have a clear understanding of the circumstances that brought us to this point today as the first university alumnae association in the nation to be disaffiliated by its university.  I hope also that as you read each committee’s report that you will look for ways you can contribute to their efforts.

Please let us know if you did not receive the MUWAA Update in the mail. This piece was mailed recently using the most current database we have but we anticipate some omissions. We would like to get a copy to you if you did not receive one. This Update includes information about the pending ruling from Judge Dorothy Colum and additional information about the disaffiliation. We have been blessed to have outstanding counsel through this litigation process. Our own Julie Hussey has represented us with the backing of the DLA Piper Law Firm, the largest in the world, on a pro bono basis. We are grateful to Julie and the DLA Piper Law Firm. Please join me also in thanking Jonathan Compretta of the Mike Moore Law Firm for the guidance he has given during the litigation process.

Your involvement in the MUW Alumnae Association is more important than ever. We encourage your continued support of your favorite MUW Foundation fund and ask that you also consider a separate contribution to the MUW Alumnae Association so that we will be able to continue the projects which have historically been supported by our organization.

Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. I am here to serve you and look forward to hearing from you.

Susan Puckett,
President
MUW Alumnae Association