The Wright Way

Colonel Frank Wendling '82 is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer and Naval Aviator with a distinguished 29-year career. Commissioned in 1989, he became a CH-53E helicopter pilot in 1992 and served in multiple operational, instructional, and command roles, including deployments with the 26th MEU, combat service during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and command of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463. He held senior planning and joint leadership positions across the Pacific and Korea, commanded the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group worldwide, and later served in senior education and training oversight roles. A graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, and Naval War College, he earned multiple master’s degrees and accumulated over 3,675 flight hours. Highly decorated for his service, he retired in 2018, transitioned into private-sector leadership, and now works as a keynote speaker.

Check out this week's episode of The Wright Way podcast as Dr. Barber hosts a catch-up session with three members of the Class of 2026: Lane Nichols, Brantley Erwin & Peyton Holderer. Visit your favorite podcast platform, search for "The Wright Way," and click "Subscribe" so you don't miss any upcoming episodes! Have someone you would like to hear on the podcast, or want to be a guest yourself?

Drop a line in the comments or email [email protected].#clearpathforpotential #theWRIGHTwaypodcast

Get ready for the next episode of The Wright Way podcast, where Dr. Barber sits down with standout alumnus Trey Bonham. A talented athlete and former collegiate basketball player, Trey shares insights from his journey on and off the court, reflecting on his time at UMS-Wright and the lessons that carried him through the world of college athletics. No matter how busy his training schedule is, Trey always makes time to come on campus and mentor our basketball players. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with one of our own!

Visit your favorite podcast platform, search "The Wright Way," and click subscribe so you don't miss out on any upcoming episodes!

Have someone you would like to hear on the podcast, or want to be a guest yourself? Drop a line in the comments or email [email protected].

#wrightwaypodcast #clearpathforpotential

On this episode of The Wright Way podcast, Dr. Barber sits down with two leading psychiatrists in the Mobile Bay area, Dr. Sandra Parker (future grandparent) and Dr. Sean Sinclair '05. Dr. Parker is the Department Chair of Psychiatry at the University of South Alabama and is the Chief Medical Officer at AltaPointe Health. Dr. Sinclair is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of South Alabama and is employed with AltaPointe Health as an adolescent psychiatrist. 

UMS-Wright proudly welcomes Sam Williams as its new head football coach, bringing a track record of excellence in both coaching and leadership.

A 2009 graduate of Northwest Rankin High School in Mississippi, Williams was a standout multi-sport athlete, competing in football, soccer, and track. He continued his football career at Mississippi State University as a wide receiver while earning a degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2013. He later pursued a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary at MSU, reinforcing his commitment to education and mentorship.

Williams began his coaching career at Northwest Rankin, where he coached football, soccer, and track. In 2017, he led the school's soccer team to a 6A State Championship before taking his first head football coaching role at Pelahatchie High School (2A). Over three seasons, he won two district championships and made a significant impact on the academic success of the athletic department.

In 2020, Williams took the helm at Ridgeland High School (5A), guiding the program to the North State Championship for just the second time in school history. His success led him to Brandon High School (7A), where he spent four years as head football coach and athletic director. Under his leadership, Brandon secured four district championships and three South State titles, firmly establishing the program as a powerhouse.

With an overall coaching record of 82-24, Williams has won an impressive 77% of his games, capturing seven district championships and three South State titles in just 10 seasons. Remarkably, his teams lost only one district game in the past eight years.

Beyond the field, Williams is a devoted husband and father. He married his wife, Rachel, in 2012, and together they have three children: Caroline (8), Catherine (7), and Luke (5).

Scott Wilson has served as a leader in independent school education for 40 years!
He previously served as President and Headmaster of Baylor School in Tennessee from 2009 to 2021. Prior to his appointment at Baylor, Scott enjoyed successful tenures as Head of School at both Brookstone School and Valwood School, both in Georgia. Scott also served Hammond School in South Carolina as a teacher, coach, admission director, and Upper School Head.
A leader in state and regional organizations, Scott has served as a Director for the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA), the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools (TAIS), and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).
Scott earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia and his master’s degree at the University of South Carolina. In 2006, Scott was a Klingenstein Fellow at Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York.ReplyForward

On this episode of The Wright Way Podcast, Dr. Barber sits down with Head Volleyball Coach Wing Brett and the five seniors from the 2024 5A Volleyball State Champion team.

Have someone you would like to hear on the podcast or want to be a guest yourself? Drop a line in the comments or email [email protected].

On this episode of The Wright Way podcast, Dr. Barber catches up with Coach Koziol and two members of the 2023-2024 7A State Championship Girls' Golf Team, Frances Brown and Maria Penaranda.

On this episode of The Wright Way, Dr. Barber catches up with two members of the Class of 2025, Denton Elliott and Hilton Nguyen!

Visit your favorite podcast platform, search "The Wright Way," and click subscribe so you don't miss out on any upcoming episodes! Have someone you would like to hear on the podcast or want to be a guest yourself? Drop a line in the comments or email [email protected].

Dr. Bob McGinley is a distinguished orthopedic surgeon who has made significant contributions both in his medical career and to the UMS-Wright community. A graduate of Princeton University with a bachelor’s degree in biology, Dr. McGinley went on to earn his medical degree from Emory Medical School in Atlanta, Georgia. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s renowned Campbell Clinic. Board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. McGinley specializes in general orthopedics with a particular focus on joint replacement surgery. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys playing golf and tennis and cherishes time with his grandchildren. Dr. McGinley has been a longtime supporter of the Christian Medical Ministry of South Alabama.

Dr. McGinley has played a key role in the UMS-Wright community, serving as an Honorary Trustee from 1985 to 2000 and as Board Chairman from 1988 to 1990. He is also a past parent and current grandparent at UMS-Wright, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to our school and its mission.

Fun fact: he was also a member of Princeton's Crew Team!