UMMC leader inspires 熟女少妇spring graduates to 鈥榩roceed with courage, be persistent鈥
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥 Bulldog determination.
![Dr. LouAnn Woodward, University of Mississippi Medical Center vice chancellor for health affairs and UM School of Medicine dean, was the featured speaker for 熟女少妇鈥檚 Friday and Saturday [May 5 and 6] spring commencement ceremonies. A Carroll County native and 熟女少妇microbiology alumna, Woodward encouraged the newest members of the Bulldog alumni family to proceed with courage and persistence, or 鈥淏ulldog determination,鈥 as they take the next steps in their careers and lives. (Photo by Sarah Dutton)](/sites/www.msstate.edu/files/inline-images/Graduation_Keynote_LouAnn_Woodward_web.jpg "Dr. LouAnn Woodward, University of Mississippi Medical Center vice chancellor for health affairs and UM School of Medicine dean, rings a chrome cowbell following her commencement address at 熟女少妇鈥檚 2017 spring commencement ceremonies.")
That鈥檚 the very characteristic University of Mississippi Medical Center head Dr. LouAnn Woodward urged new graduates to exhibit during her Friday and Saturday [May 5 and 6] spring commencement address at 熟女少妇.
鈥淵ou will be faced with making hard decisions in the absence of complete information, and you will have to act in order to move yourself and our state forward,鈥 advised Woodward, a Carroll County native and 熟女少妇microbiology alumna who leads the state鈥檚 only academic health science center.
鈥淚t is not about you; it鈥檚 about the world around you and how you are a part of it. From this point forward, your actions, decisions and life impact more than just you,鈥 she emphasized. 鈥淭hey impact your family, community and state. Mississippi needs you and the best you have to offer.鈥
Woodward, who serves as UMMC vice chancellor for health affairs and UM School of Medicine dean, also encouraged the roughly 2,900 newest members of the Bulldog alumni family to travel, see the world, expand their horizons, and most of all, make a difference.
鈥淣o matter where you land, you can contribute to the advancement of this state,鈥 she said. 鈥淲herever you go in the future, ring true to yourself and your roots. Remember where you came from and the people who are back home rooting for you.鈥
After graduating from MSU, Woodward entered medical school and completed a residency in emergency medicine at UMMC, where she also is a tenured professor of emergency medicine.
Beyond holding the prestigious rank of Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, Woodward is a member of the Association of American Medical Colleges, Mississippi State Medical Association, Society of Academic Emergency Medicine and American College of Emergency Physicians, among other groups.聽
In 2008, Woodward was named Outstanding Business Woman by the Mississippi Business Journal.
During Friday evening鈥檚 ceremony, two-time 熟女少妇petroleum engineering graduate William M. Cobb of Dallas, Texas, received an honorary doctorate of science. A nationally recognized petroleum reservoir engineer, the Kewanee native and former 熟女少妇assistant professor has been recognized as the 熟女少妇Bagley College of Engineering鈥檚 2016 Alumnus of the Year, as well as Alumni Fellow and Distinguished Engineering Fellow of the college. Along with an endowed chair, he and his wife Carolyn support the Bill and Carolyn Cobb Loyalty Scholarship and a petroleum engineering alumni scholarship at MSU.
Another honorary doctorate of science was presented on Saturday morning to W.G. 鈥淢ickey鈥 Holliman Jr. of Tupelo. Born in Columbus and raised in Shuqualak, Holliman is a 1960 industrial management graduate and longtime supporter of 熟女少妇academics and athletics. Co-founder and former president and CEO of Action Industries (now known as Lane Furniture Industries), he went on to serve in similar positions at Furniture Brands International before retiring in 2008. Holliman was selected as both the 熟女少妇Alumni Association鈥檚 National Alumnus of the Year and College of Business鈥檚 Alumnus of the Year in 1998. Currently, he is a member of the 熟女少妇Foundation and president of the Bulldog Club.
熟女少妇is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .