Patsy McDaniel

By Jimmie Moomaw

On a cold November 20, 1941, Patricia Hope Lockhart was born in Stallworth Clinic on College Street. Little did anyone know at that time that she would spend most of her adult life four blocks from where she was born at Mississippi State College for Women, four years as a student and the remaining 44 years as an employee.

Patsy attended Steens School through the 7th grade and finished high school at New Hope High in Lowndes County in 1959 as Salutatorian of her class. In the fall of 1959, she entered MSCW as a freshman, living on second floor of Columbus Hall overlooking College Street. Many friends and colleagues were made during her freshman year. Her sophomore year, she lived on second floor of Fant Dormitory, surrounded by most of her friends from the preceding year.

The summer after Patsy’s sophomore year, she attended summer school at Mississippi State University, taking 12 semester hours. About this time, Patsy met the man of her dreams, Frank McDaniel of Millport, AL, who had just returned from service in the U. S. Army. Patsy decided to live with her parents in Steens during her junior year. She and Frank were married in September of 1961. A year later in September 1962, they celebrated the birth of their first child, a son, Ronald Dean McDaniel. After graduation in May 1963 with a major in Business Education, Patsy joined her college roommate and childhood friend, Wanda Ray (who had started at MSCW in February 1963) as employees of the Dean of Faculty, Dr. Stephen A. Brasfield. Because of Dr. Brasfield’s kindness, compassion, and wonderful leadership, this first full-time employment was a rewarding one, which was to expand to other positions on the campus.

Five years later, Patsy assumed a position as Librarian in Fant Memorial Library on the MSCW campus. While working at the library, she attended classes at night and on the weekends at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa to earn her Master of Arts degree in Library Science. During this time, Patsy not only celebrated the receipt of her Masters degree; but she also celebrated the birth of her daughter, Holly Patricia McDaniel, in December.

Around 1988, under the leadership of Dr. Harvey Craft, interim President, Patsy was asked to assume the duties of Alumnae Director on an interim basis. This interim position became permanent, and Patsy remained as Director for 18 years. During this period, she made numerous alumni friends, traveled and met families of alums, and helped recruit and raise funds for the university. Although now retired from the position, Patsy continues to hear from many alums and stays active in her support of the university.

During Patsy’s tenure at MUW, she served under 8 presidents: Dr. Charles P. Hogarth, Dr. James Strobel, Dr. Clyda Rent, Dr. Claudia Limbert; and interim presidents, Dr. Harvey Craft, Dr. Delene Lee, Dr. Vagn Hansen, and Judge Lenore Prather.

Patsy now enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her son (Ronnie) and daughter-in-law (Lisa, a W graduate), live in Columbus, and have two daughters, Sarah Elizabeth (16) and Victoria Caroline (13) – potential W girls. Her daughter (Holly, a W alum) and son-in-law (Jeff), who live in Birmingham, have two sons, Connor Gentry Church (9) and Carson Daniel Church (5).

Patsy would like to thank all of the alumni who contributed to a scholarship in her honor. This scholarship has already been instrumental in helping several students in the pursuit of their college education at MUW. She also is grateful for those responsible for her lovely retirement reception in April 2007 and for their unfailing support.

Jimmie Moomaw, Class of 1958, a retired Professor of Communication, is a Communication Consultant and writer living in Atlanta.