Jay Lawrence (BA '94, MBA '98) grew up a U of M supporter, going to Tiger tailgates with his father, John Lawrence, Jr. (BS '70), who is a past president of the Alumni Association National Executive Board of Directors and currently serves as an advisor to the executive director, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, John Lawrence, Sr. (LAW '38) and his uncle, Keith Lawrence (BBA '70). His family’s encouragement led him to pursue a degree in Geography and then his MBA.  Jay’s sister Collin Johnson has recently joined the University of Memphis family by pursuing an Executive MSN.

Jay has given back to the U of M in numerous ways since graduation. He was the Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Committee President upon graduation and currently assists the College of Arts & Sciences with special projects. He has pledged to give back financially to various programs that he feels deserve some assistance now.

Jay recently moved back to Memphis, after living in Jackson, MS, and is a private consultant for economic and community development projects around town. He resides in Midtown with his wife, Melody McAnally.