Mallory Donald presided over the meeting. Ryan Kelly provided the opening prayer. AD Hunt led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mallory led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Hattiesburg and via Zoom.
Mallory announced that the Zoom option for the weekly meeting is ending. Members are encouraged to attend the meetings in person.
Mark Killingsworth then introduced today’s guest speaker. Dr. Colin McKenzie is an educator, conductor, and music administrator. He is currently serving as Director of the School of Music and Conductor of the Symphonic Winds at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Dr. McKenzie notes that the School of Music now has 360 music major students. The music majors performed at 272 events during the 2021-2022 fiscal year. McKenzie says it is very important that their students learn about their major but also experience performances.
The school has 235 undergraduates and 125 graduate students. The school is led by 38 full-time instructors and 9 staff members. Approximately 20% of their students are first generation college students with a cumulative GPA of 3.164. Students come from 20 states and 14 different countries.
McKenzie says that music is the most universal language of humans. He says they teach their students to appreciate music and the arts. Music always elevates what we do. In short, he says they teach their students to be more human.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mallory thanked Dr. McKenzie for his information and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”