Sunday, September 1, 2024

Bill Crawford: Frank Neville Takes on Millsaps Challenge

Write about Millsaps he said. But the fascinating story about Millsaps College right now is him, the new president.

Frank Neville had athletic offers from major colleges, but none would let him play multiple sports. He chose Carleton College, a small liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, where he could play three sports – football, baseball, and basketball. However, his basketball career as a five-foot-ten center never got off the ground. Instead he found himself on the track team … as a hammer thrower his senior year. “I only broke the cage once,” he said of his new sport. Through hard work he got good enough to qualify for his conference championship “and did not come in last.”

This story depicts a young man of purpose and determination. These attributes remained evident in his higher education career, as the scope and complexity of his responsibilities burgeoned.

After 15 years traveling the world in the Foreign Service, Neville in 2004 chose a more settled career. He joined the staff at Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management, then a 1,500 student private school in Glendale, Arizona. Ángel Cabrera arrived as president that same year. It didn’t take Dr. Cabrera long to discover Neville’s talent, promoting him to chief of staff. Cabrera’s career took off; he became president of George Mason University in 2012 and Georgia Tech in 2019. With each promotion, he brought Neville along as his chief of staff.

From small college functionary to major research university executive, Neville’s career afforded him an extraordinary breadth of experience. At Georgia Tech, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives was added to his title and responsibilities as Chief of Staff.

Millsaps trustees saw unique potential in Neville despite his lack of a Ph.D. He earned an MBA at the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, the successor to his earlier employer.

“Frank Neville distinguished himself throughout the selection process with a combination of experience, skills, and innovative thinking,” said Board Chair John Lindsey.

Two months on the job and he has already honed the college’s focus on enrollment growth with specific recruitment targets and activities that enhance retention. And he already envisions Millsaps playing a key role in the revitalization of midtown Jackson, the area between Fondren and Fortification Street. He draws on his Georgia Tech experience in development of Tech Square that revitalized the area around the university’s campus in midtown Atlanta.

At his earlier stops, Neville said it was his job to develop highly competent executive teams, but he will not have to at Millsaps. “I am very pleased that I have inherited a very good team,” he said.

Neville impressed a large group of alumni last month, coming across as a well-spoken, in-charge, knowledgeable, and committed leader. In a one-on-one interview, he came across as intelligent, likeable, sincere, and fully committed to upbuilding Millsaps.

“Fix your gaze on what lies before you” – Proverbs 4:25.

Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW! Jackson and a United Methodist liberal arts college are saved….

Anonymous said...

Millsaps will not emerge from its death loop. It rotted from within.

Anonymous said...

This guy has his work cut out for him. I wish him well. He does have the benefit of a strong endowment. Money helps. Go Majors.

Anonymous said...

Youre aware, right, that Liberal Arts is not about liberals in a political sense.

Wow said...

I wish him well. What is he going to do with the 4 dead Magnolia Trees on campus?

Anonymous said...

They were cut down last week.

Anonymous said...

They still have dead trees that you can see from North State Street.

At least they hired Lecht

Why is the write up above better than the one by Millsaps?


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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