An Interview with David Ivey
MUW's first male SGA President shares his W story

Compiled by Lynne Lott Schneider '91

"If the name changes for whatever reason, the diploma hanging on my office wall will always be inscribed Mississippi University for Women, and that I can assure you isn't going to change!"

— David Ivey, MUW Class of 1992

MUW alumnus David Ivey has an interesting perspective about MUW's identity as a primarily female co-ed university. His views and insights should be of particular interest at this time in the university's history, and so his interview is included in its entirety.

DAVID IVEY, MUW Class of 1992

Hometown: Columbus, Mississippi
Major at MUW: History
Activities at the W: Delta Sigma Omega, Student Government Association
Current hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Married? Engaged to be married to Christina Ann Fernandez of New Orleans, LA
Kids? Christina's son, Colby
Civic activities, hobbies, etc: Spending time with Christina and Colby, Drawing, Painting, Fishing & Hunting when I can...

What drew you to MUW?

Some folks don't know this, but I was awarded an art scholarship to the W, so I started off in Fine Arts. I realized after my first year or so that my easel and watercolors were more of a hobby and not my passion. Growing up, I had a natural bent for American history - particularly fascinated with World War II, so I changed my major to history. My brother, the engineer in the family graduated from Mississippi State and used to kid me about how much more money I'd make by that move.

I guess the choice in history stemmed from having old parents. They grew up during the Great Depression, and my Mom told old stories about that period, such as listening to Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats on the radio. I was always captivated by old war stories my parent's contemporaries would tell. Perhaps I'm somewhat of an anachronism - always sort of felt like I was born way later than my time.

I know I'm not the norm of why a guy would be drawn to MUW, but I really think The W's historic feel and architecture fit nicely with my spirit and love of history - and naturally drew me to the campus. Yeah, I'm still kind of a nerd.

What impact do you think the W had on your education and career success?

I have no doubt the education I received at the W was one of the best. Some of the greatest benefits to my career I received is how to think critically, how to write and how to communicate with people. Some folks might say, well, you are a lawyer. You need those skills to do your job. The truth is, no matter what field of study you choose, MUW gives you a core education that is needed to enter any vocation. If I had to go back and think about choosing a college again, I wouldn't change a thing.

You were the first male SGA President at MUW. Do you see that as a groundbreaking event for the W?

Really, this is not false modesty when I say I'm not sure how groundbreaking my election as SGA president was for the W. Perhaps my election gets a footnote in the history books - but thank goodness it didn't generate the attention Joe Hogan's admission into the nursing school did back in the 1980s. Obviously, all the students were very accepting of the idea. It was no doubt an overwhelming experience and great honor. I really enjoyed my work in Student Government.and if my being elected happened to make another guy's life on campus a little better, then I'll totally take credit for that!

What was it like for you while a student? How did students, alums, etc. react to you?

Well, I grew up in Columbus, which I think helped with the whole idea of my being the first male SGA president. A lot of the professors and many of the staunch W alums knew my family, including my two sisters Betty Ivey Whipple and Cassie Ivey Derden, who incidentally is a manager in MUW Admissions office. Her daughter, my niece, Ivey Ivy also works on campus in the Creative Learning Center, so I'm very proud that my family still has presence on campus.

I also had standing dates with the late Mary Ellen Pope (Class of 1926) and Helen Perry Hopkins (Class of 1927), who would keep me on the straight and narrow if they thought I was getting out of line.

Although I did have a few of what I affectionately called, "swinging purse moments of grief" from very hard core alums, the support of my classmates, the administration, faculty, staff and the alumnae association overall got me over the conspicuous part of my role mostly without incident.

What would you say to a student considering attending MUW? Anything particular you'd say if the student were male?

Selecting a college is such a personal life-changing event. Heck, I ought to know I did it three times! My family thought I'd never finish school. I know this may sound a bit cliché - but I think for anyone looking for a smaller college that fosters personal and academic growth, and actually does a good job at it, then MUW is the right choice regardless if you're a male or female.

Maybe you have heard about the current brouhaha about a name change... what do you think about the issue?

My position hasn't changed on that since my attendance. I totally believe in creating new traditions, but I also value the good in past traditions as much as possible. In my opinion, MUW's name is very much linked to the school's good traditions and history - so the name should stay the same. If the name changes for whatever reason, the diploma hanging on my office wall will always be inscribed Mississippi University for Women, and that I can assure you isn't going to change!

About your life now: What are you proudest of (so far)? What do you like to spend your time doing when you are not on the job?

If these were Dating Game questions, my fiancée Christina would probably say I'd say - practicing law, which has certainly been a lifelong goal. However, the proudest thing in my life right now is having Christina and her son Colby in my life - so when I'm not working I enjoy spending time with them.