News & Events

UM-Tupelo graduates earn spots in competitive professional programs.

Juggling the demands of a full-time job, children's soccer practices, family commitments, and attending several college courses a week is a normal routine for the average University of Mississippi- Tupelo campus student. Over 100 of these determined students will see their hard work pay off as they graduate with bachelor's degrees from UM this spring. Some of these graduates will soon begin their first year as educators in local area schools, others will earn roles as business executives, accountants, and paralegals in offices throughout Northeast Mississippi, while many more will start in positions that allow them to serve the community as social workers and law enforcement officers. Then there are also UM-Tupelo graduates whose hard work in their undergraduate courses prepared them to earn spots as master's level students in competitive graduate school programs this fall.

"We are proud to see many of our students from the 2006 and 2007 graduating classes who are going on to pursue professional degrees," UM-Tupelo Dean Jim Pate said. "We know that these students have been well prepared by our faculty and degree programs here at The University of Mississippi, and it is our hope that once they have earned their next degree they will return to the area to play a vital role in our community."

Shallanda Clay, a 33-year-old mother-of-two from Aberdeen, just recently found out she was accepted in The University of Mississippi School of Law's 2007 entering class. For Clay, the road to higher education has spanned over a decade, but throughout this time her eyes have been set on the legal profession. She began her college career at Itawamba Community College in the early 90's where she earned an associate's degree in accountancy. She transferred to The University of Mississippi- Tupelo campus in the fall of 2001.

"I have always been interested in law, but it wasn't until I started taking classes at UM-Tupelo in human resource ( H.R.) management that I found my niche," Clay said. "I had no idea how much I would enjoy the H.R. courses, but as I learned how business and law go hand-in-hand in this field, I realized that this was the area for me."

Clay is currently working as an assistant vice president of central loan operations with BancorpSouth regional office in Tupelo. She plans to continue working part-time for BancorpSouth while she attends law school.

"I know that by continuing on to law school I will be better equipping myself to do the job I want to do," said Clay. "I hope my future will be with BancorpSouth, they have invested so much in me and my education. My goal is to one day supervise the bankruptcy department with help from my law degree."

Clay's husband, Darrell Clay and their two children Darrell and Jasmine will be supporting her career goals by making the move to Oxford.

"I am so thankful that my family supports me and is willing to sacrifice so that I can work toward this degree," Clay said.

UM-Tupelo Senior liberal arts major Richard Boehms of Tupelo and Senior paralegal studies major Sarah Cline of Amory will both be joining Clay as first year students in The UM School of Law this fall.

"I am looking forward to being able to support myself one day soon," said Boehms. "I know that there will be three years of hard work ahead of me, but the benefits will definitely out weight the hard times."

Boehms, the 21 year-old son of Lori Anger and Henry Boehms of Tupelo, started off his college work as a wildlife management major at ICC in Fulton.

"I love to hunt," said Boehms. "Anyone who knows me will tell you that. So, my plan is to practice family and real estate law and hunt as much as possible."

Serving as a staff assistant and now a paralegal with a Tupelo law firm, Sarah Cline was immersed in the everyday practices of the legal profession.

"I enjoyed my work researching and helping others in the office," Cline said. "I was definitely steered toward this career through my job and my paralegal classes. I guess being a big 'Law and Order' fan helped out as well."

After her high school graduation, Cline, the daughter of R.D. and Hilda Cline of Amory, moved to Southaven to work and attend Northwest Community College. Cline's father was diagnosed with cancer, and she soon moved home to assist her family. She attended Northeast Community College and then transferred into the paralegal studies program at UM-Tupelo.

"I feel very lucky to have this opportunity to better myself," Cline said. "I think if you have the drive to study and work hard in school, you should do it, and not let that go to waste."

Annie Rhoades, the daughter of Gilbert Rhoades and Pat Rhoades of Corinth , will graduate from UM-Tupelo with a business administration management and marketing degree in May. She was accepted into The University of Mississippi Master's of Business Administration (MBA) program for the summer of 2007 and was awarded a graduate assistantship position to help fund her study in the 11-month program.

"I am excited about this experience and what I will be able to gain from it," 23-year-old Rhoades said. "I hope I will be able to work my way up to a CEO position with a Fortune 500 company one day.." ."

After attending the UM main campus as a freshman, Rhoades transferred to the UM-Tupelo campus to complete her degree and be closer to her family.

"My professors were a huge inspiration and help as I began considering graduate school," Rhoades said. "They wrote letters of recommendation and shared advice on preparing for the entrance exams and interviews. I am very grateful for their support and guidance."