Articles

The Ole Miss Alumni Association has unveiled its inaugural 40 Under 40 class. This program celebrates the personal, professional and philanthropic achievements of successful University of Mississippi graduates under the age of 40. 

Recipients will be recognized with a ceremony on March 25 as part of Young Alumni Weekend, which includes a crawfish boil at Swayze Field when the Ole Miss baseball Rebels take on Tennessee. 

The 2022 group of young alumni includes an NBC News producer, a U.S. Space Force commander, a specialist for talent relations and awards at Netflix, and a director of the National Security Council. 

“We are thrilled to unveil this first year’s class of 40 Under 40 and welcome them back to campus to honor their accomplishments,” said Kirk Purdom (BA 93), Ole Miss Alumni Association CEO. “These outstanding individuals exemplify leadership in their industries and communities, and I’m happy we were able to launch this program of recognition.” 

Nominations for 40 Under 40 were open from October to December, and more than 500 nominations were received for this year’s class. 

Honorees must be active members of the Alumni Association, have made a significant impact on their industry or field, have civic or professional achievements, aspire to uphold the core values of the UM Creed, have earned an undergraduate degree from the university and demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with the university and the OMAA. 

“The Class of 2022 truly represents the young alumni from Ole Miss with careers in television, government affairs, philanthropy and even the outdoors,” said Sunny Brown (BSFCS 09, MA 11), assistant director of alumni affairs who organized the awards. “It will be so special to award them in March and allow our current students to network with all that our group has to offer.” 

• SOURCE: Ole Miss Alumni Association