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 Millsaps
College is proud to announce a new educational program entitled The
Millsaps Nova Series. Beginning in September, Millsaps will host annual
addresses by individuals of international standing who have played transforming
roles in the fields of education, business, government, religion, science
and the arts. These pioneers have shed new light on issues of critical
importance to their professions, their communities, their nations or the
world and have set a standard of excellence that will be recognized for
years to come. The inaugural speaker for the series will be Former British
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Lady Thatcher will appear at Millsaps
College on Wednesday, September 20 at 7:00 p.m.
The Millsaps Nova
Series will showcase discussions of cultural, social, economic and political
changes affecting Mississippi, the nation, and the world. As it evolves,
The Millsaps Nova Series will include lectures and presentations by students,
faculty and community leaders that further reinforce the importance of
visionary leadership in the shaping of public policy and personal beliefs.
"The Nova Series
keynote speaker will be the catalyst for a wide variety of dynamic, interactive
College activities that speak to related issues and themes," says
Dr. Richard Smith, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the
College. "Naturally we're very pleased to have a speaker of Lady
Thatcher's calibre to inaugurate this educational effort." Thatcher's
visit will include a question and answer session with Millsaps students.
Smith noted, "The evening presentation will also afford those who
attend the opportunity to interact with a former head of state."
The event will be sponsored by both corporate and private individuals,
including Parkway Properties, Mr. Stuart C. Irby, Jr., Entergy, Blue Cross/Blue
Shield of Mississippi, BancorpSouth and Dr. Billy L. Walker, and BellSouth
and its affiliates, BellSouth Mobility and L.M. Berry Company.
Entergy Chief Executive
Carolyn Shanks has heard Thatcher speak before and was most impressed.
"She is a tremendous speaker from whom we can all learn. There's
definitely a need in Jackson for a program like The Millsaps Nova Series,
and we are proud to help Millsaps bring an internationally recognized
figure like Margaret Thatcher to Mississippi."
Parkway Properties
President and CEO Steve Rodgers echoed Shanks' endorsement, "Parkway
Properties is proud to be associated with a premier event like The Millsaps
Nova Series. When approached with the idea, we were immediately drawn
to the series as a way to help Millsaps and our community learn from great
individuals who have had a tremendous impact on their country and the
world. Lady Margaret Thatcher was a pioneer in many ways during her years
as Prime Minister and continues to serve as a role model for people from
all walks of life."
Thatcher was appointed
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister of Civil Service
in 1979. When Britain's Conservative Party subsequently won the General
Elections in 1983 and 1987, she became the first Prime Minister this century
to successfully contest three consecutive General Elections. After resigning
as Prime Minister in 1990, Thatcher was awarded the Order of Merit by
Her Majesty the Queen of England and was later elevated to the House of
Lords as Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven. From 1992-98, she served as the
Chancellor of the College of William and Mary in Virginia, and she is
presently the Chairman of the Board for the Institute of US Studies at
London University. In addition to these achievements, Thatcher is the
author of two volumes of memoirs, The Downing Street Years (1993)
and The Path to Power (1995).
Thatcher's address
will take place in the Millsaps Christian Center Auditorium at 7:00 p.m.
The College is also offering closed-circuit viewing of the event in several
venues on the Millsaps campus. Due to contractual limitations, this will
be the only broadcast of Thatcher's presentation. To secure free tickets
to the broadcast, call 601-974-1033.
Definition of
Nova: When a star suddenly appears where previously none was observed,
astronomers call it a nova, which is Latin for "new." But
a nova is not
actually a new star; it is a star whose brightness has increased thousands-fold
through an explosion of energy. A nova sustains this level of light
for some time, illuminating the heavens where once our eyes perceived
darkness only.
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