Board Member Spotlight: Neely Woods Hunter ('95)

The summer MFAeA board meeting will take place June 26th in Columbus (mark your calendars!). In preparation for that event, throughout the next few days, we will be introducing you to several of your elected board members.

Name: Neely Woods Hunter
Class Year: 1995
Major: English and Social Science

Neely Woods Hunter, MUW Class of 1995, is President-Elect of Mississippi's First Alumnae Association. At The W, she was a member of the Reveler Social Club, Masker Social Club, and Union Advisory Council. She was an Orientation Leader, SGA Associate Justice, and a member of Mortar Board, Hottentots, Leadership MUW. She worked in the Student Activities Office, was a MSMS Resident Assistant, Kincannon Head Resident, Peer Tutor, Desk Clerk, worked in the Counselors Office and as a Mag Pool Lifeguard, She was an Honors Program graduate.

Following graduation she spent four frenetic years working in Banking, Technical Editing, Administrative Assistance, and Accounting before going back to school in 1998 to become a Massage Therapist. She has owned a private MT practice since 2000.

Neely was a fairly involved alumnae during her first four years out of school. She lived just a few hours from Columbus and came back frequently for Homecoming, Rush, and other events. She was not actively involved with the Alumnae Association at that time, but had classmates who were. Once she moved further away and had children, she was unable to return as frequently, but stayed involved with The W by participating in the alumni listserve that was provided by the campus.

In 2007, she became involved in the MUW Alumnae Association when it was apparent that there was a problem between the historic association and the current administration, and she has been involved ever since. She served on the PR and Tech Committees for 2007-08, as Secretary for 2008-09, and was elected into the officer rotation and served as Vice President for 2009-2010. She is now President-Elect.

When asked about her goals for this year for MFAeA, Neely states, "I would like to see us continue to grow our membership base and increase our ability to communicate with those members. I would like us to continue to explore and find ways to involve alums in committees and work of the association without requiring frequent travel to Columbus. I would like the association to play an instrumental role in helping MUW raise the funds it needs to continue to be a vibrant and thriving liberal arts university."

Regarding Dr. Limbert's permanent replacement, Hunter says, "I think the ideal candidate must have experience and understanding of a small, full-service, liberal arts university. She or he must recognize the value of the institution's historical make-up--as a small university, as a liberal arts university, as a predominantly female university. I believe a true leader for MUW must recognize that to market MUW's strengths is to promote all that it is and has been while building on new opportunities in technology and the changing university demographics - he or she cannot simply want to change MUW to make it be something else."

When asked how the average alum could help Mississippi University for Women, Neely replies, "If you really have no time to offer, then of course monetary donations are the best way to help. Contributing to scholarships, clubs, programs, and faculty awards helps MUW offset budget cuts from the State and to continue to serve students. But donations of time can also be of great benefit. If you can travel, then I'd recommend joining a committee or the board. If travel isn't an option, then consider forming a alum chapter--we have three models and all are designed to help alums become involved with the association and the university. We've had local chapters send flowers to pageant participants as well as funerals. We've had local chapters sponsor their own scholarships. We've had e-chapters form to create research teams and do charity work. The options are endless, but every contribution reflects on our alma mater positively and increases the role the W continues to play in higher education."

Ten years from now Neely would like to see MUW's enrollment at 3,500 to 5,000 students. "I'd like to see the buildings renovated, the power plant modernized, all the dorms fully operational and filled. I'd like to see advancements in technology and improvements in the library and other resources available to students. I'd like to see the athletic program reinstated. I'd like to see a university that prides itself on being a small, liberal arts university, and that does not shy away from its historic women's mission but rather embraces it for the good of all its students--female and male," she says.