Photo(s) of the Week

W commencement is this weekend 
(May 8th)!

Class of 1976: Gerry Harlan Lundgren, Tori Strange Pumphrey, and Cathy Irby

Mississippi's First Alumnae Association congratulates all of the newest graduates of Mississippi University for Women who will carry the chain of magnolias on Shattuck Lawn and walk across the stage of Whitfield Hall on Saturday. Welcome to the Long Blue Line!

 Class of 2009: Jesters Rebecca Riley, Catlyn Johnson, Sheila Humphrey, Ashton Dillard, 

Chelsey Herron White, Jean Manning Goley, and Lindsey Shelnut

Graduation day at the W begins early in the morning with the Magnolia Chain ceremony, a tradition dating back to 1916 (although from 1894 through 1915, graduates actually carried a daisy chain!).

Class of 1973 at Mag Chain (photo courtesy of Donna Bridges, pictured)

Many a W girl (and the occasional W guy) has shuffled along with their classmates, hefting the chain and singing the "Mag Chain Song" over and over (and over) again until the ring of blossoms has been placed on the ground.

 Class of 1982: "Suities" Cheryl Jackson Cooper, Kathy Powell Scarborough,

Lisa Harpole Kropp, and Pam Mossack Doughty

As the Hall of Fame members are recognized, the school spirit awards are granted, and school songs are sung, every graduate is also mentally scoping out the best spot on the chain from which they can pluck one of those valuable magnolias.

 Class of 2009: Maskers Elizabeth Jackson, Haley Harris, Rachel Clair Franklin, 

Rachel McElhenney, Amanda Patterson, and Anne Franklin Lamar

And when the ceremony is over, and the black-robed seniors have stood arm-in-arm, singing "Friends" and waving goodbye to their classmates from across the circle, shrieks and laughter ring out as everyone dives for a lucky blossom.

 Class of 1970: Lenore Shields Griffin with her parents

But Mag Chain is only the beginning of the day, as students prepare to walk across the Whitfield stage and collect their long-awaited diplomas.

 

Class of 1967: Roommates Conchita Barnes Hansford and Diana Moore Daughtridge,

and roommates Katie Brown Strals and Nita Byrd Lumpkin 

The graduation ceremony marks the end of students' time at the W, but just the beginning of their walk with the distinguished Long Blue Line.

Class of 2007: Lauren Dodd, Brandie Ashe, and Heather Dunn Schmitt

Congratulations, class of 2010!

Just a reminder, grads: don't forget to activate your free first year of MFAeA membership!