Revamped Alumni Association nearing liftoff!
U of M joins Tennessee Homeland Security Consortium
Theatre and Dance department raises curtain on 2004-05 season
Upcoming alumni events - HOMECOMING, outstanding alumni awards dinners and organizational meetings

Revamped Alumni Association nearing liftoff!

We are ready to preview the new direction for the Alumni Association at an open forum on Monday, July 19. You can view the proposed bylaws, mission statement and structure online at http://www.memphis.edu/alumni and then join us at the FedEx Institute of Technology at 5 p.m. on the 19th for wine, cheese and discussion of the proposal. If you plan to attend the reception, please RSVP to 901/678-5314 or alumnievents@memphis.edu.

After the forum, Alumni Association members can vote on the plan by e-mailing alumnievents@memphis.edu from July 20 to August 1. Please include your name and mailing address in your e-mail. Comments are welcome, and all nonresponses will be considered affirmative votes.

Alumni Association Members - Mark your calendars for the August 21 Vision Forum, 8:30 a.m. at the FedEx Institute of Technology. In addition to Chapter and Club reports and a general Alumni Association business meeting led by the National Board, the forum will provide you the opportunity to learn more about the new direction of the association, vote on new business and catch up with old friends. Members are encouraged to attend the afternoon training session to learn the ins and outs of the new by-laws and structure. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more information or to RSVP, please contact the Alumni Office at 901/678-5314 or send an e-mail to alumnievents@memphis.edu.

Thank you for your True Blue participation!

In June, the University of Memphis along with Tennessee's other top research institutions formed the Tennessee Homeland Security Consortium, a partnership whose purpose will be to provide leadership, visionary solutions, training, education and technology for the homeland security challenges currently facing the nation.

President Shirley Raines signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the University as U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, Gov. Phil Bredesen and members of Tennessee's Congressional Delegation looked on.

Other institutions participating in the consortium include Oak Ridge National Laboratories, the University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Middle Tennessee State University, East Tennessee State University and Tennessee State University.

The Department of Theatre and Dance is offering a quartet of plays during its 2004-05 season, including the world premiere of a U of M professor's play. The department will also hold a graduate directors' showcase in December and dance concerts in DanceSpace.

• The Writer's Block
  Oct. 14-16 & 20-23, 2004
  A playwright facing a deadline has a serious case of writer's block when he has the brilliant idea of inviting a cadre of unsuspecting friends who have unresolved issues with each other to a dinner party to get his creative juices flowing. Will it work? Find out by attending the world premiere of this play by U of M professor Stephen Hancock.
• The Diviners
  Nov. 12-13 & 15-20, 2004
  Jim Leonard's tale centers on a small town dealing with a water (and faith) shortage during the Great Depression when an all-too-human preacher drifts into town and befriends a boy with the gift of divining water. Directed by Claire Syler.
• Iphigenia and Other Daughters
  Feb. 17-19 & 23-26, 2005
  Playwright Ellen McLaughlin explores roles of women in modern society through the mythical tales of Iphigenia, Electra and Chrysothemis. Directed by Robert McDonough.
• Metamorphoses
  Apr. 14-16 & 20-23, 2005
  The Memphis-area premiere of this Tony winner, Metamorphoses is performed in a shimmering pool of water that spans the stage and stretches across time. Based on Ovid, contemporary takes on stories such as Cupid and Psyche, Midas and Orpheus and Eurydice are woven together in this breathtaking play by Mary Zimmerman. Directed by Cookie Ewing, and co-produced with Rhodes College.

Visit http://www.memphis.edu/theatre for more information, including additions and any schedule changes.

The Greater Memphis chapter is having a Meet and Greet at the home of Janet Schwoerer ('91) on July 24, and organizational meetings are being held in August for Atlanta, Nashville and Little Rock clubs.

Band alumni will help host the annual band camp picnic on Aug. 26 at the Audubon Park Pavilion. The picnic will begin at noon and will be followed by a preview of this year's halftime performance. Please RSVP to Tonia Stinson ('00, '02) before Aug. 24 at alumni@tigerbandalumni.com.

The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law will hold its first "Celebration of the Law" Alumni Dinner on Friday, Aug. 20 at the Holiday Inn at the University of Memphis. Please join us as we hear a pre- and post- Brown v. Board of Education dialogue with Oliver Hill, a member of the legal team that successfully argued the case before the Supreme Court. We will also honor alumni and friends of the Law School. For more information or to purchase tickets please contact alumnievents@memphis.edu or 901/678-5314.

The Fogelman College of Business and Economics chapter will host the 12th Annual Alumni Day Luncheon on Sept. 22. R. Brad Martin ('76), chairman and CEO of Saks Inc., will be the featured speaker, and award recipients are T. Michael Glenn ('81), president and CEO of FedEx Services and Stevan Porter, president, the Americas, for InterContinental Hotels Group and executive director of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC. For details or to purchase tickets please contact alumnievents@memphis.edu or 901/678-5314.

The College of Arts and Sciences Alumni chapter will hold its annual awards dinner on Sept. 23 at the Racquet Club of Memphis. Distinguished Alumni of the Year winners are Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell Jr. ('74) and Youth Villages Administrator Pat Lawler ('77, '81). Professor emeritus Dr. Charles McNutt will receive the Outstanding Friend Award. For more information or to purchase tickets please contact alumnievents@memphis.edu or 901/678-5314.

For information on any of these events, please contact the Alumni Office at alumnievents@memphis.edu or 901/678-5314.