D e g r e e s o f V e l o c i t y

For Millsaps graduates, real-world success is the rule – not the exception. They are

leaders because they are thinkers, fueled by passion and propelled by wisdom.

Our national-caliber faculty gives students the personal attention and freedom to

define their own paths. And the Millsaps approach to education embraces the whole

student: academically, socially, civically, and philosophically. That’s the reason

Millsaps graduates are accepted to medical, law, business, and graduate schools at

a rate well above the national average – or immediately begin meaningful careers.

Upon graduation, Millsaps students are equipped with the experience and insight to

open any door, and the perspective to build one if need be.

The alumni featured here typify the unique and genuine passion all Millsaps

students seem to share. They are ordinary graduates doing extraordinary things

in boardrooms, courtrooms, laboratories, and communities around the globe – real

people making real differences.

e V e r y M i l l s a p s D i p l o M a

t e l l s i t s o w n s u c c e s s s t o r y .

Justice James E. Graves, Jr. ... page 7

Kaley Payne Nash... page 10

Jessica Samson... page 13

Chrissie Faust... page 6

Maggie Morgan-Smith... page 10

Lane Williamson Staines ... page 8

Jeff Good... page 9

Theon Johnson... page 6

Aprile Gilmore... page 3

Casey Parks... page 13

Vassil Zanev... page 11

Dr. Vonda Reeves-Darby ... page 3

Will Flatt ... page 5

Lee Mitchell ... page 11

H o n i n g p a s s i o n i n t o p r o f e s s i o n .

I arrived at Millsaps College saying that I was “pre-med.” At the time, I had

absolutely no idea what that meant or the amount of work it would entail –

but I found out quickly. As early as your freshman year, there are pre-med

meetings to teach you not only about the required courses and MCAT, but

also what you can do to demonstrate that you have what it takes to become

a physician. Extracurricular activities are an important part of a medical

school application, and Millsaps provides you with the opportunity to

shadow physicians, volunteer in community service projects, participate in

scientific research, and gain leadership skills in numerous organizations.

Millsaps even has a pre-medical committee to assist you in the medical

school application process.

Dr. VonDa reeVes-Darby

aprile gilMore

The ability to go to college in an open and diverse

environment was amazing to me. In 1975, at the age of

16, I was impassioned with my newfound freedom, and

Millsaps fostered an ability to make good decisions well

beyond my age.

At that time, Millsaps was really encouraging pre-med

minorities. I’d received athletic scholarships from

other colleges, but Millsaps was my first academic

scholarship. I’ll never forget my mother saying that you

can’t make a living as a woman playing basketball.

The pre-med mentoring program surrounded me with

people who wouldn’t let me stray too far from the fold.

But the Millsaps attitude of self-accountability allowed

me to test my boundaries. That experience taught me

a very important lesson that I have followed throughout

my life – boundaries are not obstructions, but are

challenges to be addressed – and flattened when

necessary.

As a physician, my medical focus is on motility

disorders and HIV-related conditions. I’m board-certified

in internal medicine and gastroenterology. And in 2002,

it was my great honor to receive the Jim Livesay Service

Award – one of Millsaps’ highest recognitions.

Millsaps helped put me on the path to a rewarding

career and life. So when the opportunity came to give my

experience back to Millsaps, I was thrilled. I proudly serve

as one of Millsaps’ medical mentors – offering students

clinical experience and insights into the field of

medicine. The mentoring program is the perfect chance

to interact with today’s Millsaps students and a simple

way to give back to something I love.

Chemistry 2007 – medical studentUniversity of Mississippi School of Medicine

Aprile Gilmore with Millsaps mentor, Dr. Vonda Reeves-Darby

Chemistry 1978 – Gastroenterologist

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“Millsaps helped put me on the path to a rewarding career and life.”– Dr. Vonda reeves-Darby

Although my focus was medicine, Millsaps has a way of pushing you in

different directions so that you get a fuller, more well-rounded college

experience. I was also interested in education, so I participated in a Ford

Teaching Fellowship Program where I saw first-hand what it was like to

teach Chemistry I and II. The core curriculum also exposed me to social

sciences, history, religion, art, foreign language, and other areas. I even

took piano lessons for one semester. When I left Millsaps College headed

for medical school, I was confident that I had made an informed decision

for my future because I had been exposed to so many other areas in my

undergraduate education.

The courses at Millsaps challenge you to think in new and different ways.

Even the courses that are more “fact based,” like math and sciences,

require in-depth thinking, reasoning, analysis, and logic. These skills are

absolutely essential for success in medical school and as a practicing

physician.

Just as important as the diversity of courses, you’ll come across a variety

of people, from all over the world, with a broad range of political, religious,

and personal views. And because of Millsaps’ size, you end up interacting

with students and professors more closely. As I started to get to know

the other students at Millsaps, I began to appreciate people for their

differences. It’s odd, but in a way I think you need a school as small as

Millsaps to fully understand how big the world really is.

aprile gilMore

4

Millsaps is directly responsible for opening the door

to my career. But more importantly, my experiences

there inspired me to expand my own definitions of

success and fulfillment so that I could pursue that

career as far as I have.

It was my senior year, and I had just returned from

a summer economics studies program in Prague.

Like any good college student, I was waiting tables.

But then I got elected to a student body office. The

student body meetings were at night, so I needed a

daytime job. My economics professor, Dr. Pat Taylor,

had heard that Parkway was hiring interns.

As it turned out, the gentleman who interviewed

me at Parkway had graduated from Millsaps the

year before. The internship began that fall, and I

remember taking work home over Christmas break

because I actually enjoyed it. It was meaningful,

real work to benefit the company. Except for a

three-week break after graduation, I’ve been with

Parkway ever since.

I think two very important factors contributed to

what turned out to be my big break. First, Millsaps

is part of a community where these kinds of

opportunities exist. Secondly, Dr. Taylor and I were

able to get to know each other well enough that this

topic just came up during a casual conversation.

In addition to the close relationships between

faculty and students, Millsaps students also really

get to know each other. I was able to associate

with students who held meaningful and ambitious

personal goals in all areas of life. These students

know how to have a good time. You don’t have to

trade in your social life for success. And I think

that’s an important part of the college experience –

to enjoy it.

will flattBusiness Administration 1997 – Chief Operating Officer & Executive V.P., Parkway Properties

At Millsaps, you don’t have to trade in your social life for success.”

5

“

– will flatt

Without a doubt, what makes Millsaps unique is the people. Other

small liberal arts schools may compare to Millsaps academically,

but the administrators, professors, and students at Millsaps seem

to take a much greater interest in each other. For example, it’s

not uncommon for a student to see a prospective family getting a

tour around the campus and then go join them for lunch. Millsaps

students are passionate about what they do, and administrators

and professors go out of their way to nurture that enthusiasm.

At Millsaps, I received the guidance I needed to get into graduate

school upon finishing college. My professors knew me well enough

to write meaningful recommendation letters, and now I’m on track

for a doctorate in neuroscience.

In addition, the student body presented more opportunities to

take part in research projects, which was something that graduate

schools looked highly upon. Through the Ford Teaching Fellowship

program, which pairs students interested in teaching at the

college level with faculty mentors, I worked directly with one of my

professors, Dr. Kurt Thaw, on a research project, which I eventually

presented at two conferences. Having access to amazing learning

experiences like these is a hallmark of Millsaps. It’s something you

simply won’t find at every school.

cHrissie faustPsychology 2008 – Neuroscience Ph.D. Student,

Tulane University

Attending a school like Millsaps presents benefits that you

won’t find anywhere else. There’s a close bond between

the students and professors, and you have access to more

opportunities for growth. For me, that meant a greater

level of involvement. I was able to win several awards and

honors, including becoming Millsaps’ first African-American

Student Body Association president.

In the path I’ve chosen, education means more than job

training. It means finding the right perspective on life.

Millsaps teaches that knowledge and learning cannot be

divorced from responsible living. It’s not enough to simply

know facts; you need to be able to find the truth, and to

live truthfully.

Millsaps is a unique community because its values reaffirm

the idea that as we learn more about the world around us,

we learn more about ourselves as human beings, and the

more fully equipped we are to understand how we are to live

in the world.

Millsaps helped me heed and define my calling – to encourage

others to grow within their faith. Today, I am proud to be

pursuing my graduate studies at Wesley, one of the most

respected and selective theological seminaries in the United

States. My time at Millsaps helped me get here, helping me

get on the right path not just for my career, but for my life.

tHeon joHnsonReligous Studies 2006

Graduate Program of Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington D.C.

6

Since graduating from Millsaps in 1975, a lot has

happened. A lot has changed. My own personal journey has

taken me into the world of law, teaching, and ultimately to

the Mississippi Supreme Court.

I came from a rural all-black high school to an integrated

metropolitan college. I was used to doing really well –

being valedictorian, having the highest ACT score, and

so forth. At Millsaps, I was suddenly surrounded by tons

of people who were the same way. It was a much more

challenging and competitive environment than I was used

to – yet also incredibly supportive.

Intimidations aside, it was an extremely positive

experience. The quality of the faculty is exceptional. There

were small, intimate classes where the professors knew

your name and encouraged one-on-one interaction. It

pushes you to to work hard, to study deeply, and to prepare

well. The thing that Millsaps really impressed on me is that

a liberal arts education is important not only in preparing

for a career, but in preparing for a meaningful life.

Millsaps set the trajectory both my life and career would

follow. After earning my law degree from Syracuse, I

returned to Mississippi. I knew I could be of service here,

and this is where I was needed. I served as a special

assistant attorney general and a circuit court judge before

being appointed to the Mississippi Supreme Court in 2001.

I was the only African-American on the court, and after my

appointment, I won re-election to the same position.

Throughout my law career, I have also remained committed

to teaching, motivating, and inspiring our youth. In

addition to working with children and teenagers in Jackson,

I teach trial advocacy to Harvard third-year law students.

And it was a distinct honor to be asked to teach Law and

Society as an undergraduate class at Millsaps last year.

Looking back, I can’t think of any place that would have

prepared me any better for my future. To me, Millsaps is

more than a great school; it’s part of my life. I met my wife

here, and my son is also a graduate. As I took the podium

as keynote speaker of a recent commencement ceremony,

I realized my life and education had come full circle – and

Millsaps will always be at the center.

Lane Williamson Staines with Mississippi Supreme Court Justice James Graves

7

Millsaps set the trajectory both my life and career would follow.”

“

– justice james e. graves jr.

justice jaMes e. graVes, jr.Sociology 1975 – Mississippi Supreme Court Justice

When I came to Millsaps, I thought I would eventually work in

hospital administration, so I majored in business administration.

Things changed as I studied further and realized how much I

would love to work in a law-related field. I decided to pick up

an English major, too, to prepare me for law school. Now, I have

the opportunity to combine both those interests and work in

healthcare law, among other areas. Millsaps reminded me that

you don’t always have to choose and that you don’t have to put

unnecessary limitations on your dreams.

My education at Millsaps, particularly with the heavy emphasis

on writing, gave me a solid foundation for law school. So I was

never overwhelmed by anything handed my way. As I began

interviewing for clerkships after my first and second years of law

school, I often found myself meeting other Millsaps alumni in

the legal field. Those types of connections are priceless.

Millsaps instilled in me Gandhi’s famous words, “You must

be the change you want to see in the world.” Millsaps taught

me the importance of stepping up to be a leader and not just

passing through life.

lane williaMson staines

8

Business Administration/English 2005 – Lawyer, Brunini Grantham Grower & Hewes

When you ask what role Millsaps has played in

my career, you have to look at if from a subtle

perspective. I received a degree in business

administration and left completely prepared for a

promising career with a Fortune 100 technology

company. But seven years later, I teamed up with a

business partner and we opened a restaurant. And

then another. And another.

Business has been great, and I’m doing what I

love. My Millsaps education helped me get here

not by teaching me how to cook, but by teaching

me to think critically and strategically. These two

skills enabled me to literally make something

out of nothing – turning an idea into a start-up

business. The rigors of my liberal arts education,

coupled with the case-study methodology of

dissect, analyze, and report, outfitted me with the

life skills needed to be successful at an aggressive

entrepreneurial undertaking.

There’s another benefit to Millsaps that also stayed

with me. At a small school, there is a level of

interaction and involvement among students and

professors that I don’t think you get in a larger

environment. You know everyone, and you have an

opportunity to participate in a lot of things. That

trait is still very much a part of my life, whether

I’m getting involved in my favorite charities,

working with restaurant trade associations, or

supporting causes like the ballet, crime prevention,

and tourism. The energetic, participatory

atmosphere I found at Millsaps has enabled me to

become a more giving and substantial member of

the community.

So, you may not learn the secrets of making a

perfect Asiago sauce at Millsaps. But then again,

maybe you’ll find all the ingredients there to get

where you want to go.

jeff gooDBusiness Administration 1986 – Entrepreneur and Restaurateur

9

The classroom experience at Millsaps is certainly unique, and I

have come to appreciate it more and more since beginning my

graduate studies. When I compare my undergraduate experience

with that of students from other institutions, I realize how well I

was prepared for graduate school and the workforce. Rather than

sitting through hours of lecture, we held informed conversations

about the material, facilitated by our professors. We were

encouraged to ask questions, debate theories, and have an opinion.

The anthropology faculty were incredibly supportive of me and of

everyone that comes through the department. They build upon

what goes on in the classroom, and encourage their students to

get hands-on experience. In addition to receiving an excellent

educational experience at Millsaps, I was also able to apply what

we learned in the classroom to the field by spending several

summers performing research with Millsaps’ archaeological field

program in Yucatán, Mexico. That cemented my desire to pursue

archaeology as a career, and my Ph.D. dissertation actually focuses

on ethnoarchaeological work in the Yucatán. This early hands-on

experience in the field continues to play a vital role in my career.

From the very beginning, I received excellent mentoring from

professors at Millsaps, and they helped me negotiate the job

market upon graduation in 2007. At their suggestion, I spent a

year working for Brockington and Associates, a cultural resource

management firm based in Atlanta.

When I decided to continue my graduate studies, I had my choice

of lucrative fellowships from top-notch institutions. Millsaps gave

me a great foundation for moving forward – and the confidence to

go after the career and life I really want.

My life is just like a lot of others. I recently adopted two

kittens named Juno and Tamalayne. I have a promising

career. I’m married to a young attorney, and I’m getting

ready to plant a small garden in my backyard. It’s the typical

American dream. Only it’s in Afghanistan.

It’s been an interesting path for me. I was born in Kenya,

where my parents worked as missionaries. From there we

went to Mississippi. At the time, my boyfriend was attending

Millsaps, so I decided to take a closer look. But what really

sealed the deal was a talk with one of my political science

professors, Dr. Iren Omo-Bare – who, like me, had come here

from Africa.

In addition to his expert tutelage in politics and development,

he also proved to be a formidable mentor – perhaps one

of the most influential people in my life. He gave me the

courage to apply for graduate school, and the confidence to

study abroad for two years. After Millsaps, I attended the

London School of Economics and the School of Oriental and

African Studies.

With my studies came a hunger to see other parts of the

world – and a comfort that made me feel at home wherever I

was. This year, I’m in Afghanistan, helping to support private-

sector development by helping international agencies and

companies more effectively link with local suppliers. I love

the place I live; it’s a severe oldness mingled with an extreme

newness. I look forward to the path ahead. I often wonder

where it will take my husband and me, and I sense that it

will eventually lead back to Africa, where it all started. Even

though I’ve scarcely started, it feels as if I’ve accumulated so

many wonderful memories and experiences – from Kenya to

London to Kabul, and, of course, Millsaps. Thanks for always

making time for me, Dr. Omo-Bare!

Maggie Morgan-sMitH

kaley payne nasH

Sociology/Anthropology 2007 – Archaeology Ph.D. Student,UNC Chapel Hill

Economics 2005 – Field Operations Manager, Jalalabad, Afghanistan

10

lee MitcHell

Vassil zaneV

My undergraduate and MBA degrees from Millsaps

did a great job of preparing me for the things that my

career would require of me. My professors not only

provided an excellent academic foundation for my

banking career, but also offered personal guidance

on where I should be headed. They facilitated my

internship with Trustmark National Bank, which

resulted in a job after graduation and a career.

But beyond that valuable training, there are aspects

of a Millsaps education that you won’t find in many

other schools. Due to the small student population, I

had more opportunities for leadership positions than

the typical student at a large university. Millsaps

has strong athletic programs and an excellent Greek

system, both of which led me to leadership positions.

I was captain of the varsity soccer team, vice

president of my fraternity, and vice president of the

inter-fraternity council.

The small number of students in each class ensured

each individual’s participation and better absorption

of subject matter. In a sense, the smaller size means

bigger opportunities. As a result, I think you leave

college prepared for life, no matter what career you

are pursuing.

More importantly, the knowledge that you can

participate in many different things stays with you.

It enriches your life. And maybe that’s what

education is all about.

Business Administration 2004; MACC 2009 Senior Treasury Analyst, Trustmark National Bank

Vassil Zanev with Lee Mitchell

Business Administration 1994; MBA 1998 – Vice President, Trustmark National Bank

In a sense, the smaller size means bigger opportunities.”

After graduating from Millsaps in 2004, I quickly landed a

position with a large investment firm, where I rose to the level

of senior treasury analyst. As my career progresses, I’m also

working on my Master’s of Accountancy at the Millsaps Else

School of Management.

The thing that strikes me most about Millsaps is that they still

believe in education in the classical, holistic sense of the word.

11

“

– lee Mitchell

Vassil zaneV Yes, they equip you with the skills you need for a successful

career, but they also place a high priority on critical-thinking

skills and nurturing complete, well-rounded graduates.

For example, their writing program is completely independent of

the English department. It spans all departments, from English

to biology to accounting. Why? Because when you think about

it, writing is an extremely valuable workplace skill, and it also

requires clear thinking, organization, and the ability to support

a persuasive argument. At Millsaps, students develop the skills

necessary to analyze and understand complex information, and

to express themselves clearly and concisely. That’s something

that can benefit you no matter what your field of study may be.

My classroom experience taught me to always be open to new

ideas and to challenge long-standing assumptions. Those things

are more than theoretical exercises; they are skills that are with

me every day, whether I’m attending new classes or analyzing a

billion-dollar investment portfolio.

Millsaps teaches you to vigorously pursue ideas and insights. In

the workplace, you can see a practical, bottom-line value to this.

But beyond that, there is an intrinsic, highly meaningful value

impossible to assess.

12

13

Casey Parks with Nicholas Kristof in Africa

Millsaps started me out not just on a successful career, but a

wonderful life. In 2006, I won the trip of a lifetime through

an essay contest held by the New York Times, which allowed

me to accompany Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Nicholas

Kristof on a two-week reporting trip through central Africa.

During the trip, I kept a blog for the New York Times and

a video blog for MTV. I also had work accepted by national

publications like Glamour, Christian Science Monitor, and

Marie Claire.

My time at Millsaps was extremely influential in honing

and refining my skills and perspectives as a journalist. My

journalism professor was particularly helpful in teaching

what types of stories are appropriate, as well as how to edit

efficiently. Before graduation, I completed an honors project

on feature journalism.

Today, I’m working at the Pacific Northwest’s biggest and

oldest newspaper. I feel like I’ve covered a lot of territory in a

small amount of time. Big opportunities. Small school. That

pretty much sums up Millsaps.

If I had to single out one thing that makes Millsaps different, I’d

sum it up this way: It’s not just about getting a diploma. It’s about

getting an education, and being in surroundings that foster not

only learning, but friendship, discipline, and direction as well.

When I arrived at Millsaps, I knew that I wanted to be either an

environmental lawyer or a teacher. I was torn between the two

options and believed that doing a Ford Teaching Fellowship, which

pairs students interested in teaching at the college level with

faculty mentors, would help me decide.

At one of the Ford Teaching Fellow lunches, Dr. Bill Storey

said something that stayed with me. “There are two kinds of

educators,” he said. “Those that teach so they can learn about the

subject they love and share their passion with others. And then

there are those who are called to teaching and are happy teaching

anything to anyone.” I thought about it seriously, and knew that

teaching was my calling. Formally and informally, I’ve taught

many different disciplines ranging from Spanish to botany, and I’ve

worked with ages four to 21. I learned something new from every

teaching experience, and I have never had a teaching experience

that I did not enjoy. It’s what I’m here to do.

Millsaps taught me a lot about teaching – not just the

fundamentals of biology, but also intangible things like patience,

attentiveness, and being there for others. Today, I’m an

Environmental Educator. Next fall, I’m off to graduate school. The

road ahead may take me in any one of a hundred directions. But

wherever it leads, I’ll never forget where it all started.

jessica saMson

casey parks

Biology 2008 – Environmental Educator, Jekyll Island, Georgia

English 2005 – Reporter, The Oregonian

A Millsaps education is an investment in your future. It is more than a diploma

or a line on a resumé; it serves you for a lifetime.

You wouldn’t be reading this if we didn’t believe that you, like those featured

in this piece, possess the unique ability to make a real difference to our

campus community and the world. If you have any questions at all, contact

us at 800.352.1050 or admissions@millsaps.edu.

To take the next step in building your own extraordinary life, please accept our

offer of admission and scholarships by submitting your enrollment deposit by the

National Candidates Reply Deadline of May 1st.

For additional information on the enrollment process or submitting your

enrollment deposit online, visit www.millsaps.edu/admiss.

D e f i n e s u c c e s s .

casey parks

1701 North State Street • Jackson, MS 39210-0001 • 800.352.1050 • millsaps.edu