I thought it is Thomas Pittman but I might be wrong . . . .

You are quite right -- would be embarrassing to get the wrong fella . . . or the right fella but wrong name .  .

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Originally posted by: Reporter
"He was considered for… Delta State University, Mississippi State University and Mississippi  University for Women.  He was offered the presidency at MUW and declined the offer, choosing to stay at USM instead.”"

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We might want to recall Shelby's penchant for overstatement:  "world class," enrollment fiasco, research dollars, number of faculty, etc.  What does "considered" mean?  What does "offered" mean.  Who knows what might have been said off-the-cuff so to speak in a private conversation with his buddy Carl N.?  I would take this report with a huge grain of salt. What it tells me is that SFT's relationship with one or two board members is long-standing and deep in the pocket.  It doesn't tell me that he would have any credibility in a real, honest-to-god presidential search at any other self-respecting institution of higher learning.   

Folks: doing a little research on Bob Pittman at the prompting of a friend leads to the following resolution from the state legislature --

 

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Bean

Senate Concurrent Resolution 569

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE WORK OF BOB W. PITTMAN. 

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Economic Council, the voice of business and the state Chamber of Commerce, is starting its 50th year of service to the citizens of the state; and

WHEREAS, Bob W. Pittman has for 32 years served as president of this statewide organization promoting business interests and advocating the principles of good government, including education, fair taxation and other factors that impact the state's economic and cultural advancement; and

WHEREAS, during those years, the Mississippi Economic Council has grown to become the state's largest business and professional association and has committed itself to helping Mississippi and its citizens achieve their economic potential; and

WHEREAS, Bob W. Pittman has also served his community by being a newspaper writer and editor, and recently became the founding publisher of The Lamar County Times, a weekly newspaper serving Lamar County; and

WHEREAS, he has published four books, and has served as a Trustee of Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, a Trustee for Mississippi Foundation of Independent Colleges, the Chairman of Deacons of First Baptist Church of Jackson, and a member of the Universities Center Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, he has served as Executive Administrator of the Greenwood-Leflore Industrial Board; and

WHEREAS, Bob W. Pittman distinguished himself as an athlete and first baseman of the Greenwood High School baseball team, Captain of the Mississippi College Choctaws' 1953 baseball team, and as a semi-pro baseball player in Grenada; and

WHEREAS, he is the husband of the former Joann Barrett of Greenwood, and they have two children and four grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Bob W. Pittman is retiring as President of the Mississippi Economic Council and has set a standard for business integrity, ethics and a belief in the free enterprise system that makes these United States the envy of the world:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Bob W. Pittman upon his retirement and wish him success in his endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Bob W. Pittman, and be made available to members of the Capital Press Corps.

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Originally posted by: Invictus
" Really, Magnolia, what might happen at "any other self-respecting institution of higher learning" is not germane to this particular azalea festival. This is Mississippi, for crying out loud! Qualifications, experience & job-specific knowledge have always taken a backseat to personal relationships, kickbacks, bribes & cronyism. There is a reason that Mississippi ranks dead-a$$ last in most serious metrics of quality of life & let's say it has a lot to do with the old boy system. You can see this operating at every level from your local alderman or county supervisor all the way to the governor's office. "

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http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/corruptreport.pdf

 

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Originally posted by: Reporter
THE INDEPENDENT: "Interesting excerpts: “The recommendation of Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr. Richard Crofts……suggested that the Board not extend Thames’s presidency…  

 “…Reports surfaced that four members of the Board were adamant that Thames be given a four-year extension.”   “… the four Board members who strongly supported Thames  four-year extension … Roy Klumb, …Scott Ross…Amy Whitten…Thomas Colbert….” 

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Assuming what we see here is accurate, it sure fits a pattern. The Commissioner who has no ties to Mississippi, no ax to grind, a life time of experience at higher education, and a Ph.D. from Duke, recommends that SFT not be extended.
 
Four board members are strong supporters of a contract extension. Scott Ross and Roy Klumb are both big MSU boosters who got involved in internal athletic matters there last year. Amy Whitten and Thomas Colbert are both Ole Miss grads, and she lives in Oxford.
 
The one who appears to have been the strongest opponent of SFT since day one has a USM degree and lives on the Coast.
 
Can there be any doubt that the SFT boosters are not USM boosters?
 
(An unanswered question: where is Robin Robinson in all of this?)
 
 
 

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Originally posted by: bemused yankee
"
http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/corruptreport.pdf
 "

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Surprise, surprise.

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Originally posted by: " . . . if the glove fits"
"Four board members are strong supporters of a contract extension. Scott Ross and Roy Klumb are both big MSU boosters who got involved in internal athletic matters there last year. Amy Whitten and Thomas Colbert are both Ole Miss grads, and she lives in Oxford.   The one who appears to have been the strongest opponent of SFT since day one has a USM degree and lives on the Coast.   Can there be any doubt that the SFT boosters are not USM boosters?"

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Hey you statistical types out there, make your usual assumptions (including an assumption that these figures are accurate), and do your majic. What is the probability that such an occurrence could occur by chance?

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Originally posted by: LVN
" Gomer, it's a PDF file. It won't open unless you have Adobe Acrobat installed."

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Thanks.