Emily Myers Garner ‘95
Deborah Stockman Hodges ‘90
Wanda G. Ray ’63 & ‘75
Shirley Rutherford Spain ‘64
Erin Gioia ‘07
Anne Franklin Lamar ‘09

Emily Myers Gardner '95

Vice President Nominee

A third generation legacy, Emily Myers Garner was the eighth woman in her family to attend Mississippi University for Women. Graduating in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in journalism and public relations, Garner was an active member of Reveler Social Club, BlackList Honorary Social Club and Hottentots Leadership Honorary. She served on the staff of The Spectator, the Meh Lady and as a Class Cheerleader, Class Favorite and Orientation Leader. A member of the MUW Hall of Fame, Garner was selected as the 1995 Most Outstanding Student in Journalism & Public Relations.

With over 14 years of experience in communications, Garner's resume has included stints as the Communications Director for the First Lady of the State of Mississippi, the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for River Oaks Hospital and Woman's Hospital, the Director of Marketing and Communications for the American Red Cross of Central Mississippi and the Director of Professional Development for the Mississippi Pharmacists Association. A member of the Junior League of Jackson, Garner is also affiliated with the American Cancer Society, His Heart Ministries and is a former board member of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Rankin County, the Center for Violence Prevention, the Flowood YMCA and Leadership Rankin.

Garner has served in a variety of volunteer positions to include the 2007 Event Chair of Metro Jackson's “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” and the steering committees of the American Heart Association's “Go Red for Women” and the March of Dimes “WalkAmerica.” Named by Mississippi Business Journal as a member of the Top 40 Under 40 in 2001 and 50 Leading Businesswomen in 2000, Garner is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Rankin and also received recognition as one of the Metro Business Chronicle's Top 40 Under 45 in 2007. Her corporate work in healthcare was granted a national Telly™ award along with recognition from the Jackson Advertising Federation and the Mississippi Hospital Association's Society for Healthcare Marketing & Public Relations. Currently a freelance consultant, Garner started her business, SOIRÉE ~ Event Planning & Public Relations, to spend time with her newborn daughter.

An active alumna of MUW, Garner has served as President of the Metro Jackson Alumnae Chapter, Secretary of the Mississippi University for Women National Alumnae Association under President Bev Jones, Young Alum Committee Chair and Southern Grace Publicity Chair. She was named 2006 Young Alum of the Year.

Garner resides in Metro Jackson with her husband Mack, daughter Lily Frances, and two Yorkshire Terriers Sophie and Sporty.

Deborah Stockman Hodges '90

Treasurer Nominee

I grew up in Mobile, Alabama. I attended the W on a Centennial Scholarship and graduated in May 1990 with a degree in accounting. I have worked in public accounting for most of my career, but for a few years acted as controller for a major Christian media company and a building contractor. I am now a partner in the Mobile office of Prichard, Dewberry & Hodges, PC, a public accounting firm. My husband and I also own a sausage manufacturing and wholesale food distribution company.

I am currently president of the Women’s Business Center of Southern Alabama, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower women and men to start and grow their own business. I am also treasurer of Mississippi’s First Alumnae Association, serve on the board of directors of the Mississippi Nurses’ Foundation, as well as volunteer with the Alpine Hills Swim Club and the Alpine Sharks Swim Team.

I have been married to my husband Jim since the week I graduated from the W. We have three children, Cole, who is fourteen, Clay, who is eleven, and Caelin, who is eight and wants to be a W girl. We live in George County, Mississippi, between Mobile and Lucedale on a small farm with a barnyard full of animals.

Wanda G. Ray ’63 & ‘75

Secretary Nominee

In 1963, I received the B. S. in Business Education from MUW and accepted a position in the Academic Affairs Office at MUW in February since there were no teaching jobs in business at the time. Little did I know that the job would be so addictive that I would remain in that same office for over 40 years! While working, I took classes at night and on the weekends and earned the Master of Science in Teaching degree in 1975. In the early 1980's I began taking art classes and received a B.S. in Art in 1989. I also attended night classes at Mississippi State University, earning nine hours toward the doctorate.

While at MUW as a student, I was a member of Phi Beta Lambda, Pi Omega Pi, and the Christian Students group.

In 2004, I retired from MUW as Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, having served under four presidents, four acting presidents, and 12 vice presidents. While at MUW I was honored to receive the Outstanding Staff award and the Faculty Senate award. I was privileged to serve on the Staff Council and a number of other councils and committees while at MUW.

Both of my parents are deceased. My "children" include three very entertaining cats and two equally entertaining dogs. I am an active member of the Steens church of Christ and continue to teach children's classes. Hobbies include painting, jewelry making, flower gardening,and reading.

Shirley Rutherford Spain '64

Director Nominee

Originally from Booneville, Mississippi, Shirley Rutherford Spain attended Northeast Junior College before transferring and receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics Education from Mississippi University for Women in 1964. At the W, she was a member of the Home Economics Club and Phi Upsilon Omicron among other activities.

While living in Columbus, MS, she began her career with the Social Security Administration as a temporary clerk during the pre-Medicare days. During subsequent transfers and promotions, she was selected to help open a new office in Jasper, AL where she still lives. In 1987, she commuted to Birmingham Southern College for a Master’s in Public and Private Management. Over the years, she held various management positions with increasing responsibility. Prior to retirement, Ms Spain was the Area Administrative Assistant for Alabama. In that capacity, she received numerous honors including one of the highest awards given by that agency, that of Commissioner’s Citation for exemplary performance. She retired from the Social Security Administration after more than 38 years.

Ms Spain has served as a member of the RSVP Advisory Council since the early 1970s. She served in various Council offices including Chairperson for multiple terms before becoming a member of their parent agency, Positive Maturity Board of Directors. Her service to that Board included several offices and a term as Chairperson. She continues to be active in this endeavor.

Currently, Ms Spain serves as the Informal Chair for the Birmingham Chapter of MFAeA. Prior to this, she was President of the Birmingham Chapter and a member of the MUW Alumni Board of Directors representing that area.

On the personal side, Ms. Spain was a single parent for many years with two children and later three grandchildren. Her daughter Sherry Few Key is a 1990 graduate of MUW. In 2000, she married Charles Spain of Cordova. Between them, they have five children and twelve grandchildren. They enjoy traveling in their camper or spending time at their place on Smith Lake.

Erin Gioia '07

Director Nominee

Erin Gioia graduated from Hoover High School in Hoover, AL, a suburb of Birmingham, in 2003 and that fall became a fourth generation W girl (great grandmother, Ella Watson McMillin – 1889; grandmother, Barbara McMillin Webb – 1957; mother, Amanda Webb Barker – 1987). While at the W, she was the founding treasurer of the Bukwyrms book club, treasurer of Phi Beta Lambda, president of the TVA Investment Club, and member of Student Alumni Ambassadors, Wesley Foundation, IMA, SWI Club, Mortar Board, Delta Mu Delta (business honorary), and Phi Kappa Phi. She also served on the College of Business Dean Student Selection Committee; was an intern in Institutional Research; and was awarded the College of Business Spirit Award.

After graduating from MUW in 2007 with a degree in Business Administration – MIS and Accounting, she returned home to Hoover and found a job working as a bank associate for a large regional bank. Currently, she lives in Vestavia Hills with her sister.

Since 2003, she has served on the food committee for the Copiah County Heart Affair, an annual banquet and auction to raise money and awareness for heart research in Mississippi. She has been a member of the Birmingham chapter of the MFAeA since she was a student and is a member of the Stitchers and GDI e-chapters. She is on the Technology/Information Management committee and serves as the Facebook Tech for the MFAeA Facebook fan page. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, needlecrafts, genealogy research, and spending time with family and friends.

Anne Franklin Lamar ‘09

Director Nominee

Anne Franklin Lamar was President of The W graduating class of 2009. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Women’s Studies and graduated Summa Cum Laude with University Honors. Anne Franklin is currently pursuing a Masters degree in English Literature at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where she serves as a graduate teaching assistant. While at the W, her activities included the Lockheart and Maskers Social Clubs, Sigma Tau Delta, Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, Encore, Chorale, Madrigals and MUW theater productions. In addition, she was an intern for the Center for Women’s Research and Public Policy. Anne Franklin also received the Elise Moore English Award all four years at The W and the Outstanding Student in English award her senior year. She is a native of Greenville, MS and still calls it home.