The Wright Way

Episode break interview with seniors Mary Webster Burke, Will Jordan, and Clark Turner.

Original Air Date: 03/16/22

Dr. Pat Taylor began his career in education in 1972 as a history teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School and for the next 35 years served St. Paul’s as Dean of Students, Principal, and Assistant Head of School. After St. Paul's, Mr. Taylor served as Head of School at Houston Academy in Dothan and later joined Jackson Academy as the Headmaster from 2007 until his retirement in 2017. Pat sat down with Mr. Barber to discuss their friendship, the rivalry between the two Old Shell Road schools, and his current role as an independent school recruiter.

Episode break interview with seniors Rebekah Chappell, Will Howard, and Hollie Turner.

Original Air Date: 03/02/22

Episode break interview with seniors Annie Jeffery, Jaiden Rollins, and Walker Willcox.

Original Air Date: 02/16/22

Captain Chris Hulser is the commanding officer of the Coast Guard's Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama. He is a career aviator, having flown multiple Coast Guard aircraft, as well as abroad with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He is a recent graduate of the MIT Seminar XXI program, holds master's degrees from Havard University and the U.S. Marine Corps War College, and is a 1997 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Listen to Capt. Hulser and Mr. Barber discuss leadership, the U.S. Coast Guard's presence in Mobile, and his experience as a new UMS-Wright parent. Chris and his family joined the UMS-Wright family in 2020, and we are thrilled to have them as Bulldogs!

Episode break interview with seniors Kara Beth Greene, Barton Elliott, and seventh-grader Marina Hess.

Original Air Date: 02/02/22

Sandy Stimpson graduated from University Military School in 1970. In 1975, he graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and began a nearly 40-year career with his family's lumber manufacturing business. Sandy joined the UMS-Wright Board of Trustees in 1982, served as chairman from 1996-1998, and was named Alumnus of the Year in 1995. In 2013, Sandy left his family business to become the City of Mobile's 108th mayor. Throughout his terms, he has worked tirelessly to fulfill his mission to create "One Mobile" - a safer, more business and family-friendly city. Sandy now serves his UMS-Wright community as a proud grandfather to seven UMS-Wright grandchildren.

Our next podcast guest needs no introduction as she has been a fixture in the UMS-Wright community for quite some time. Meridy Lyle Jones graduated from Julius T. Wright in 1976. After graduating from the University of Alabama in 1980, "Miss Lyle" began her teaching career at Julius T. Wright. Throughout her time at JTW and UMS-Wright, Mrs. Jones has been the cheerleading sponsor, Middle School counselor, 5th grade teacher, 6th grade teacher and currently serves as the Director of Counseling, Upper School counselor, and the girls' tennis coach. Meridy has led the girl's tennis team to 14 total state championships. 

On this episode of The Wright Way, Meridy will talk about a unique learning opportunity for our students that she spearheaded called Project Engage. Mrs. Jones' vision of Project Engage was one of thinking outside the box, offering cross-curriculum experiences, and exploring opportunities beyond the classroom!

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Welcome everyone to our opening podcast. We have the opportunity in this episode to sit down with current board member and father of three children at UMS-Wright, Brad Israel. Brad serves as President & Founder of Warrior 360, a leadership & organizational development company focused on coaching and consulting with businesses and teams. He is a 2000 graduate of UMS-Wright, who went on to graduate from Hampden-Sydney college. During his time at Hampden-Sydney, his life’s direction changed after the events of 9/11. Listen to his incredible story during this inaugural episode of The Wright Way.

To contact Brad Israel about his company's services, visit www.warrior360.co.

January is right around the corner, and we cannot wait to share with you the inspiring stories that detail what makes UMS-Wright so special. Stay tuned and make sure you subscribe to The Wright Way so you do not miss an episode. Until then, here is a brief message from Mr. Barber.