Lauren Trimm
News Editor
Johnathan Best graduated from the W in 2016 with a degree in theater. He has been training in martial arts since he was 12 and has always wanted to own his own studio. That dream has finally become a reality. In this Alumni Spotlight, Best shares the story behind his dream and what he hopes to accomplish in the future.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for a martial arts studio?
Kathleen Gartman
Reporter
Janet Pickard has served with the MUW police department for almost eight years. In her current job as dispatcher, Pickard handles incoming calls to the police department and keeps track of which officers are where during her shift. In this spotlight, Pickard shares her journey to The W and her advice to the students here with her.
Nykia Burdine
Reporter
Kendra Keesee is a music therapy major with a focus in piano. She has come from Nashville, Tenn., to pursue her major at The W. In her turn in the spotlight, Keesee gave us a look into her piano history and explained why she is so far from home.
Q: How long have you played the piano?
Trisha Boone
Campus Reporter
Dr. Jim Borsig is the current president of Mississippi University for Women. He has been in office since November of 2011. As president, Borsig said he hopes to continue to enrich The W in academics, tradition and stability. Borsig is known for walking about the campus and consciously making himself available in whatever ways he can.
Q: You were named Commissioner of Higher Education for the Mississippi Institutes of Higher Learning, yet you returned here to continue serving as president. Why did you come back?
Monica Kizer
Reporter
Chris Jenkins is the official MUW photographer and video producer with more than 20 years of experience taking photos and producing videos. This month Jenkins will be sharing some of the many moments he has captured across The W campus in an exhibition titled, “Chris Jenkins: Views of The W.” Jenkins shared how he got his start at The W and his advice for future photographers.
Q: What is your role here at the W?
Chris Richardson
Reporter
At 72 years young, James O’Loughlin has developed quite the resume. After spending decades in the military, O’Loughlin began his studies at The W in 2010. He was awarded Bachelor of Arts degrees in 2011 and 2013, but he decided to continue his education and pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not in class, O’Loughlin can often be found in the school’s cafeteria or gym, and when he learned about The Spectator, he sent a request to be interviewed for our Student Spotlight series, so that he could share his story with students all across the campus.
Q: Where are you originally from?
Frederick L. Brown
Reporter
Kelly Idella Benford, a sophomore communication major and theatre minor, is from Greenville, Miss. Benford is a 2014 graduate of Greenville Weston High School. Benford is a very talented dancer and serves as the vice-president of the Audacity Dance Team on campus. Benford is also dealing with a rare skin disorder called "ichythyosis."
Ichthyosis is a family of genetic skin disorders characterized by dry, scaling skin that may be thickened or very thin. Ichthyosis affects people of all ages, races and gender, and there is currently no cure for the disorder. While a cure is being sought, researchers and physicians have been working to develop effective ways to help manage the disorder. For more information, visit www.firstskinfoundation.org.
