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Former NASA Rocket Scientist Set for Special Science Café

Posted on: October 27th, 2015 by erabadie

UM alumna Josephine Howard to discuss math and science careers Oct. 27

OCTOBER 26, 2015 BY EDWIN SMITH

Jo Howard | Photo by Dennis Irwin

A veteran scientist who helped NASA achieve one of the crowning achievements of the 20th century will discuss highlights of her career Tuesday (Oct. 27) in a special University of Mississippi Science Café.

Josephine “Jo” Howard, a UM graduate and former rocket scientist, will discuss “Reflections on the Apollo Space Program and Mathematics and Science Careers” for the second Science Café meeting of the month.

Co-sponsored by UM’s Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Mathematics, the session begins at 6 p.m. at Lusa Bakery Bistro and Bar, 1120 North Lamar Blvd. Admission is free.

“Jo Howard worked for Boeing on programming the trajectories that put a man on the moon in 1969,” said James Reid, interim chair and professor of mathematics. “She has had a long and varied career in programming space simulators, data management in the oil and gas industries, and real estate development.”

Howard’s 30-minute presentation will include insights about education and life that she gained throughout her eclectic career.
“Howard reminds me a lot of our students because she is very industrious,” Reid said. “This is one of the most exciting speakers our undergraduates will have an opportunity to hear.”

She worked on design trajectory for the Apollo lunar missions, programmed data management programs for oil and gas companies, wrote control language for data management systems, and organized and implemented successful political campaigns for 18 years.

A resident of Sugar Land, Texas, Howard also has taught junior high and high school, operated her own real estate company and helped found Living Water International, an organization that helps provide clean water in 26 countries. She assisted with typhoon relief in countries affected by a 2013 typhoon.

She graduated from UM in 1964 with her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and minors in psychology, French and education. She earned her master’s in combined science of mathematics and biology from Ole Miss in 1967.

For more information about Oxford Science Café programs, go to https://phy.olemiss.edu/oxfordsciencecafe. For more information about the Department of Physics and Astronomy, visit https://olemiss.edu/depts/physics_and_astronomy or call 662-915-5311. For more information about the Department of Mathematics, visit http://math.olemiss.edu or call 662-915-7071.

Moon Landing Scientist Speaks to Students

Posted on: April 29th, 2015 by erabadie

Josephine Howard offers problem-solving advice

APRIL 29, 2015 | BY DENNIS IRWIN

Jo Howard | Photo by Dennis Irwin

A veteran scientist who helped the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) achieve one of the crowning achievements of the 20th century visited the University of Mississippi recently to challenge students to face life’s problems by first checking their assumptions.

UM alumna Josephine Howard (BA mathematics ’64, MA mathematics and biology ’67), who helped put Apollo 11 on the moon in 1969, discussed relating mathematical studies to life applications during a lighthearted gathering April 21 in Hume Hall.

Howard recalled sitting behind James Meredith in one of her classes, then talked about one of her first jobs, which involved developing programs to guide a spaceship through the Earth and moon’s orbits for the first lunar landing. She also talked about some of her current projects, which include writing a novel.

Overall, her main goal was to inspire. She encouraged students to understand that problems, just as in mathematics, will always be present, but they should look past their assumptions when solving them. She challenged students to revisit their assumptions and evaluate choices from other angles.

“Whatever you do in life, whatever you think, your choices are based on your assumptions,” Howard said. “On all your choices, go back and check your assumptions; if your assumptions are wrong, you may discover you are way off base.”

Howard’s visit offered students a different perspective on subjects related to mathematics and suggested that students should branch out of their subjects and learn as much as possible for the value that knowledge will have in their long-term careers.

The lecture provided an incredible opportunity for students to speak with a veteran scientist, said James Reid, professor and interim chair of mathematics.

“Howard reminds me a lot of our students because she is very industrious,” Reid said. “This is one of the most exciting speakers our undergraduates will have an opportunity to hear.”

Howard has worn many hats throughout her career. She worked on design trajectory for the Apollo lunar missions, programmed data management programs for oil and gas companies, wrote control language for data management systems, and organized and implemented successful political campaigns for 18 years.

Howard has taught junior high and high school, operated her own real estate company in Sugar Land, Texas, and helped found Living Water International, an organization that helps provide clean water in 26 countries. She assisted with typhoon relief in countries affected by a 2013 typhoon.

THE DM: First Department Dedicated to Alumnus

Posted on: April 28th, 2015 by erabadie

April 28, 2015 | by Lana Ferguson
Courtesy of The Daily Mississippian

Chancellor Dan Jones and Martha Dowd Dalrymple, daughter of Arch Dalrymple III, unveils dedication plaque. | DM Photo by Logan Kirkland

The history department became the Arch Dalrymple III Department of History, the first on campus to be named after an individual, with a $5 million endowment in honor of a 1947 alumnus during a ceremony in front of the Lyceum yesterday.

Chancellor Dan Jones opened the ceremony by speaking of Arch Dalrymple III.

“Today we celebrate a distinguished alumnus who epitomized two phrases we hold in high regards: ‘lifelong learner’ and ‘servant leader,’” Jones said. “Arch Dalrymple was a very successful businessman and farmer. He invested an enormous amount of time and resources in his hometown and in the state of Mississippi.”

Dalrymple’s daughter, Martha Dowd Dalrymple, gave a $5 million gift to the history department five years after his death.

“One of his final wishes before his death in 2010 was an endowment for the Ole Miss history department,” Martha Dowd Dalrymple said. “Today, with the naming of the department in his honor, I have fulfilled his wish.”

Provost Morris Stocks introduced members in the audience that had close ties to Dalrymple. Many of Dalrymple’s family, close friends and others were in attendance.

Professor of History Emeritus David Sansing knew Dalrymple for about 50 years, and they became close friends during that time. He spoke highly of Dalrymple and recognized many of his accomplishments, including his endeavors as a businessman, farmer, public education activist and more.

“Arch Dalrymple III is, in the best and truest sense of the word, a southern gentleman,” Sansing said. “His roots ran deep, he was a member of the Society of Cincinnati and he loved history, but he was not bound by the past. He was a man of his time and a man ahead of his time.”

Sansing credits Dalrymple for helping save previous professor of history James Silver’s job. Silver would later publish a book entitled “Mississippi: The Closed Society.”

“Back in those days, in the 60s, there was a lot of anger in Mississippi and he was able to soothe some of that,” Sansing said. “I think by saving Silver’s job he enabled James Silver to live long enough to write that book, and Dalrymple in the process helped to change the course of history in Mississippi.”

Sansing said he believes Dalrymple’s influence was significant both in his local community and the state of Mississippi as a whole. “I think Mr. Dalrymple would be so pleased that his memorial is not in bricks and stones but are students and faculty, are research and teaching and learning, because Mr. Dalrymple knew it is what takes place inside these hallow halls that makes the difference.

Many spoke of Dalrymple’s great passion and love for history as well as the importance he believed it played in every student’s education.

“The study of history is crucial to liberal education,” said Rich Forgette, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “A great liberal arts university requires a great history department. The Arch Dalrymple III Endowment will have a lasting impact on liberal education at our university.”

Department chair and professor Joseph Ward spoke of his gratitude for Martha’s gift.

“The name of Arch Dalrymple III will be linked forever to the study of history at the University of Mississippi, and your benefaction will have a profoundly positive influence on the lives of students, faculty, researchers and staff far into the future,” Ward said.

Forgette emphasized the opportunities that the endowment will give the department and university.

“The Dalrymple endowment will transform an already strong history department and significantly increase opportunities for our students,” Forgette said. “We are thrilled by the prospects and feel very honored to have great alumnus like Arch Dalrymple.”

History Department Named for Arch Dalrymple III

Posted on: April 28th, 2015 by erabadie

$5 million gift pays tribute to the late leader and businessman

April 27, 2015 | By TINA HAHN

Photo by Robert Jordan/UM Communications

The Arch Dalrymple III Department of History plaque dedication ceremony. The dedication marks the first time that a UM department has been named in honor of an alumnus. | Photo by Robert Jordan/UM Communications

The late Arch Dalrymple III would likely have become a history professor, except that his father’s untimely death kept the young University of Mississippi (UM) graduate at home to run the family’s businesses and take care of his mother and younger sisters.

Dalrymple first came to the university in the early 1940s, left to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II and then returned to earn an undergraduate degree in history in 1947. While he was in the service, he earned college credit from Amherst College and Cornell University.

As the Amory, Miss., native developed into a highly successful businessman and widely respected civic leader, Dalrymple found avenues to pursue his love of history and contribute to his state’s historic preservation efforts, including 32 years as a trustee of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH). He also served as president of the Mississippi Historical Society in 1976-77.

Today, UM leaders announced the first named department on the Oxford campus: the Arch Dalrymple III Department of History. Martha Dowd Dalrymple, his daughter and business partner, joined the announcement to reveal her $5 million gift to undergird teaching, research and service efforts of the Arch Dalrymple III Department of History.

“Daddy was passionate about history. One of his final wishes before his death in 2010 was that an endowment be created at the University of Mississippi Department of History. He always felt our lives are shaped by the lessons we learn from history,” said Martha Dalrymple. “Daddy was a part of the ‘greatest generation’ that instilled in him the value of a strong work ethic and the importance of giving back to his country, state and community. Our family has had a long history with the University of Mississippi, and I am pleased to give back to honor his name.”

UM Chancellor Dan Jones and Martha Dalrymple unveiled a large bronze plaque to be installed in Bishop Hall, home to the history department.

“This is truly a great day in the life of the University of Mississippi,” the chancellor said. “We are extremely proud for our Department of History to bear the name of such a brilliant man, a dedicated scholar and influential leader. When students, faculty, visitors and others see the Arch Dalrymple name, we want them to be inspired by his deep commitment to history and historic preservation and by his tremendous commitment to service. Our state is stronger because of Arch Dalrymple, and now his alma mater is stronger because of this gift made in his memory.”

Previously, in 1986, Arch and his wife, Adine Lampton Wallace Dalrymple, had funded the Dalrymple Lecture Series in Mathematics at UM to bring distinguished speakers in mathematics to campus. “To Daddy, history and math were the two most important areas of study needed to strengthen our great nation. One of his favorite quotes was that of Winston Churchill – ‘The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see,’” Martha Dalrymple said.

Holmes Adams of Jackson, Miss., Arch Dalrymple’s attorney and friend for more than 25 years, spoke to the fitting nature of his name being permanently linked with the university and the study of history.

“It is appropriate to name the Department of History for Arch Dalrymple because he was a true amateur historian in the classic sense of the word ‘amateur,’ that is, one who engages in a study, sport or activity for pleasure, not for financial benefit or professional reasons. If my memory is correct, the word ‘amateur’ derives from the Latin verb ‘amo,’ or ‘I love.’ Arch loved the study of history – of his home community, his state, his country and the world.”

That love and dedication can be seen through his work with MDAH, the comprehensive historical agency that collects, preserves and provides access to the archival resources of the state; administers museums and historic sites; and oversees statewide programs for historic preservation, government records management and publications, said Elbert Hilliard, MDAH director emeritus, who worked with Arch Dalrymple for three decades.

“Arch Dalrymple was a man of great courage and integrity. He stood with the MDAH staff and provided invaluable support for the department’s administration and implementation of the State Antiquities Act that was enacted by the Mississippi legislature to help preserve our state’s historic sites and buildings for future generations,” Hilliard said. “Mr. Dalrymple had a great love of history and was a MDAH trustee whom you could count on to stay abreast of issues related to the department’s mission.”

Joseph Ward, chair of history, expressed appreciation for the naming of the department and the infusion of new resources, which will be held in a permanent endowment.

“Martha Dalrymple’s decision to honor her father in this way will be a lasting benefit to the Department of History’s faculty and students. It will enhance research and teaching in every area of historical scholarship we offer. The confidence that Ms. Dalrymple has shown in our faculty and students through her incredible generosity will provide great encouragement to our work both now and far into the future.”

The endowment at the state’s flagship university now stands at approximately $600 million, and endowed gifts, such as Dalrymple’s, provide the margin of excellence in academics. “This magnificent gift provides a permanent tribute to the extraordinary life of Arch Dalrymple,” said Deborah Vaughn, senior executive director of development and chief development officer. “In addition, this significant investment will have a far-reaching impact on the lives of our history students and faculty, as they pursue meaningful study and research.”

Arch Dalrymple III and the Model T Ford he drove as a student.

Former Mississippi Gov. William Winter was a college classmate and longtime friend with the honoree. “This is a highly important and timely recognition of one of Ole Miss’ most distinguished alumni. Arch was a dedicated and highly informed historian, who developed much of his interest in history as a result of his study under the great history professors who were a part of the Ole Miss faculty when we were there together in the 1940s. The importance of the study and knowledge of history was passionately felt by Arch, and he did much to advance that cause in our state.”

Dalrymple’s business interests included farming, timber, cattle, commercial and residential real estate, and oil and gas. He was a passionate sportsman and conservationist, tireless advocate for public education, and a generous philanthropist. He created the Dalrymple Family Foundation to benefit the arts, culture, education, humanities and conservation in Northeast Mississippi. Martha Dalrymple serves as president of the foundation. Her husband is James L. Cummins, the executive director of Wildlife Mississippi.

Arch Dalrymple served on the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Officer Selection Board and on the Mississippi Economic Council and as the first chairman of the Amory City Planning Commission. He was a longtime trustee of the Amory School District, serving as president from 1968 to 1972, as well as a design advisor for construction of the Amory Middle and Elementary schools. He initiated the founding of the Mississippi Schools Board Association and was a member of the Mississippi Governor’s School Finance Study Group.

He served for many years as a director on the Trustmark National Bank board. He was also a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, an organization founded in 1783 consisting of direct descendants of the officer corps of Gen. George Washington’s Continental Army. At his alma mater, he provided guidance on the School of Engineering Advisory Board, as well as the Ole Miss Alumni Association Board.

Widely read in history, government, economics and foreign affairs, Dalrymple was admired as an amusing and knowledgeable storyteller.

He wrote six volumes of family history for his three daughters – Martha Dalrymple of Amory, Mary Cameron of Oxford and Jane Dalrymple-Hollo of Boulder, Co. – three grandchildren and his extended family. Mary Cameron, her husband, Alan, and their daughter Adine, all graduated from Ole Miss.

In one of the volumes Arch Dalrymple wrote about family trees: “Assembling charts and dates is really pretty dull stuff. More interesting and instructive is learning just who the people were – how they fit into the time stream of history and the fabric of the society in which they lived – in short, to put a name, an individual in historical context. Only then does the ‘tree’ come to life.”

Arch Dalrymple’s sisters, the late Jane Whitehead of Memphis, Tenn., and Martha Guffey of Dallas, Texas, are both Ole Miss alumna. Guffey said she believes under different family circumstances her brother would have become a history professor, making the naming of the history department very meaningful.

“Arch would have been very pleased,” she said of the announcement. “He had a good experience at Ole Miss, and history professor Jim Silver was a favorite of his, as well as others.”

A connoisseur of architecture and landscape design, Dalrymple also traveled extensively in Europe with his beloved wife, “Deanie,” and was particularly fond of visiting Scotland, where he cultivated many friendships. The Dalrymples were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Amory.

Alumnus Honored by Navy for Science and Technology Achievements

Posted on: November 20th, 2014 by erabadie

UM graduate Kerry Commander, (center), is presented with the National Defense Industrial Association Bronze Medal for achievements in Science and Technology. | Photo courtesy U.S. Navy.

NOVEMBER 19, 2014 | BY UM COMMUNICATIONS STAFF REPORT

A University of Mississippi graduate has earned the National Defense Industrial Association Bronze Medal for Achievements in Science and Technology.

Kerry Commander (BS physics and mathematics ’80, PhD physics ’85), a Clarksdale native who also earned a master’s degree in applied mathematics from the University of Arizona, was recently presented the award by Navy Rear Adm. Michael Jabley in Groton, Connecticut.

Commander, a research scientist and administrator in the Panama City division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, was selected for the award because of his “numerous technical achievements that have laid the foundation for several fleet programs.”

“My most significant technical accomplishment to date is leading the first successful demonstration of a synthetic aperture sonar on a fully autonomous underwater vehicle in CJTFEX04-2 by our science and technology team,” Commander said in a Navy news release. “This was a major milestone in the transition of this early S&T program to advanced development programs and the beginning of a new era in MCM (mine countermeasures).”

He has more than 29 years of distinguished service with the Navy, which began when he became a research physicist at the Naval Coastal Systems Center in Panama City, Florida. His early research led to important discoveries in nonlinear bubble dynamics, multi-phase flow and inverse scattering acoustics and had a direct application to a surface ship torpedo defense program.

But he says the award recognizes the teamwork, rather than an individual effort.

“The reward is really a group recognition award for our science and technology team that worked for years to develop advanced technology that could perform some parts of the MCM mission from an autonomous underwater vehicle, removing people and marine animals from a very dangerous job,” Commander said. “The team consisted of experts in sonar systems, signal and image processing, unmanned systems and autonomy, and of course, all the support personnel from the test and evaluation side of the lab.”

A Navy news release details his professional accomplishments.

(Commander) serves as Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division Science and Technology Department Head. Today, he is a senior leader for technical research and development initiatives of 180 scientists and engineers performing science and technology work in support of mine/undersea warfare and expeditionary warfare. Additionally, he serves as NSWC PCD’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) where he is known for demonstrating outstanding leadership in developing and implementing latest S&T trends to evolving naval requirement.

“This prestigious undersea warfare award is a tribute to Dr. Commander’s leadership and technical excellence,” said NSWC PCD Technical Director Ed Stewart, a member of the Senior Executive Service Corps. “Currently, as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at NSWC PCD and head of the Science and Technology Department, his contributions to the undersea community are many and profound.”

At NSWC PCD, Commander is personally involved with and responsible for the execution of science, technology, unmanned systems, strategic systems, and threat analysis programs supporting Navy and Marine Corps research, development, test and evaluation, homeland defense, and force protection. This also includes championing and obtaining funding for associated programs, developing sponsor relationships, and driving the technology transition and Fleet support processes.
He has published and presented his research in numerous papers and conferences, and is recognized internationally as a Subject Matter Expert in Acoustics. He was the U.S. Navy representative on the Technical Committee for the Institute of Acoustics’ International Conference on Synthetic Aperture Sonar and Synthetic Aperture Radar, held in 2010 in Lerici, Italy and again in 2014.

His professional standing within the technical community has been recognized through his election to the grade of Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). Dr. Commander currently serves on the ASA’s Technical Committee on Physical Acoustics and is a technical reviewer for the ASA’s Journal. He also continues to serve as a reviewer for the classified Journal of Underwater Acoustics and the IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering.

New Scholarship Pays Tribute to Bill Trusty

Posted on: February 21st, 2014 by erabadie

Champions establish fund to help mathematics majors

By Tina Hahn, February 21, 2014

Glenn Hopkins, dean of the UM College of Liberal Arts, from left, visits with Sara and Elvis Champion, donors from Water Valley, Miss., and Denson Hollis, senior development officer for liberal arts. The Champions have funded a scholarship endowment in mathematics to pay tribute to her father, the late Bill Trusty.

William T. “Bill” Trusty of Water Valley, Miss., was a well-known, respected leader who managed three businesses and served the community he loved through the local school board and an array of other business and civic organizations. His vibrant legacy now will be expanded through a new scholarship fund in his name at the University of Mississippi.

Sara and Elvis Champion, also of Water Valley, have established the William T. Trusty Mathematics Scholarship Endowment to pay tribute to her father’s life through a $50,000 gift. Trusty earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1933 from UM, and Sara Trusty Champion earned an undergraduate degree in education and a master’s degree in mathematics.

“Daddy was very business oriented. From the time he was big enough to stand on a crate and see over the counter, he was involved in the family businesses. He really enjoyed business and interacting with customers; he had a very outgoing personality,” Champion said.

“Daddy also loved Ole Miss and wanted to give back through scholarships. He had made inquiries into the process of starting a scholarship. My husband and I are pleased we can provide this gift for something we know was important to him. We chose to direct the support for math majors because we know there is always a need for strong math teachers,” said Champion, who taught math and gifted education on the junior high and high school level for 28 years in Oxford, Water Valley, Oakland and Sardis.

Iwo Labuda, chair of UM’s Department of Mathematics expressed appreciation to the Champions and explained the impact of scholarships.

“In these times when education is so costly, scholarships take on special value. Mathematical education is crucial and yet remains underrated. We are very pleased that the family of Bill Trusty in their generosity made it possible for more students to pursue their dreams,” Labuda said.

Before Trusty evolved into the longtime successful manager of several businesses – the International Harvester Company dealership in Water Valley for more than 45 years, Trusty Hardware for 25 years and Hotel Trusty for 10 years – he was an UM student.

“He had a fine time at Ole Miss,” Sara Champion said, smiling. “Daddy completed his degree in three and a half years, which means he worked hard. However, he also played hard, enjoying school dances and his membership in the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He roomed next to Dr. (T.A.) Bickerstaff, who became an Ole Miss mathematics professor.”

Elvis Champion first met his future father-in-law through the Trusty family businesses. “He was the best friend I ever had,” he said, reflecting on their relationship. “My family would buy equipment from Mr. Trusty so I knew him before I met Sara. A mutual friend introduced Sara and me, and we dated three years before I asked him for her hand in marriage. It was always clear to everyone how much Mr. Trusty loved Ole Miss. He kept up with the Rebel football team and attended games as long as he could.”

College of Liberal Arts Dean Glenn Hopkins praised the Champions for seeing that Trusty’s longtime relationship with the university is recognized in perpetuity through an endowment.

“We deeply appreciate Sara and Elvis Champion completing Mr. Trusty’s dream of supporting scholarships by creating this endowment in his name. We are inspired that Mr. Trusty valued the University of Mississippi to the extent that he wanted to help future generations of students pursue their college degrees here. It’s obvious that the Champions also believe in the power of education, and we thank them for their generosity and for their thoughtful decision to support mathematics majors.”

Trusty lived a long life, passing away in 2011 at the age of 99; his wife, Rachel Burham Trusty, died in 1999. At the time of his death, Trusty was the oldest member of First Baptist Church of Water Valley and had been a Mason for 75 years. The business professional committed his time to serve two terms on the local school board and was a member of the Bank of Water Valley Board of Directors for 40 years and the vice president for 25 of those years. Trusty provided leadership as the president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and the Baptist Men’s Bible Class of 110 Members, as well as the treasurer of the Yalobusha Country Club.

Also driving the Champion’s decision to provide private support for scholarships are their own special associations with Ole Miss. In between some of her teaching engagements, Sara worked as a computer programmer with student records and admissions. Elvis, a pilot with the University-Oxford Airport, was involved with the ROTC flight training program and flew UM chancellors and coaches to official duties around the state and region.

The Trusty Scholarship is designated for Mississippi students, and recipients will be chosen by the UM Department of Mathematics Scholarship Selection Committee. Those granted the academic award have to maintain a minimum 3.0 grade-point average to continue receiving the assistance.

Individuals and organizations can make gifts to the William T. Trusty Mathematics Scholarship Endowment by mailing a check with the fund noted in the memo line to the University of Mississippi Foundation, P.O. Box 249, University, Miss. 38677; visiting www.umfoundation.com/makeagift; or contacting Denson Hollis, senior development officer for the College of Liberal Arts, at 662-915-5092 or dhollis@olemiss.edu.