Dr. Roy Alfred Berry, Lucy Webb Millsaps, and Dr. Michael Hanna Mitias were presented Emeritus Pro- fessor awards at the 1999 Commencement ceremony.

Berry began teaching chemistry at Millsaps in 1962. Since that time, his soft-spoken nature and ready sense of humor have endeared him to countless students. Whether they majored in chemistry or not, his students fondly remember him as a favorite source of sage advice and encouragement.

Berry’s exceptional talents and love of teaching were rec- ognized by the College in 1976 when he was given the Distinguished Professor Award. For years he served as member and Chair of the Pre-Health Advising Committee. He also served as Chair of the Chemistry Department from 1971-1996 and Chair of the Science Division from 1983-1986. Under his leadership the Chemistry Department received accreditation by the American Chemical Society, the first Millsaps department to be accredited by a national organization.

For the past 30 years, Lucy Webb Millsaps has inspired Millsaps art students with her love of art and her technical expertise. As a painter, she is known for her fine attention to detail. Her work has been recognized by the Watercolor Society and the Mississippi Museum of Art, and she regularly exhibited her work in the Lewis Art Gallery, including last year’s series inspired by the landscape of Ireland.

Millsaps works on a small canvas, but achieves a highly original and engaging technique within that canvas. This artistry and attention to detail also extends to the classroom, where she has dedicated her career to working closely with students.

Michael Mitias has taught philosophy at Millsaps since 1967. A dynamic and engaging lecturer, he has profoundly affected generations of students. His goal, to encourage students to awaken the mind and live an examined life, is truly the ideal of a liberal arts education.

In addition to his stellar teaching, Mitias has remained an active scholar, devoting much of his career to exploring the fields of aesthetics and Universalism. He has also taken on numerous responsibilities at the College, including leading the Philosophy Department for many years. His dedication to both students and scholarship earned him the College’s Distinguished Professor Award in 1972.

Millsaps Magazine  |  Millsaps | Last Edited August 31, 1999