Samuel Jethro was born in Columbus, Mississippi in 1917. Samuel would play baseball in the American Negro League and in 1944-1945 he held the record for most hits and most stolen bases. Recruited by the Dodgers in the National League Sammy would be named Rookie of the Year in 1950 and lead the league in stolen bases. 

Andrew Wood was born in Columbus, Mississippi in 1966 to David and Toni Wood. He would create the band Mother Love Bone and start a new movement of music centered in Seattle called Grunge. 

International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame Inductee and Seattle Pioneer of Western Swing Hall of Fame member Roy J. Ayers was born, raised, and learned to play steel guitar in Columbus, MS. 

Mary Ellen Weathersby Pope, Class of 1926, was the first student counselor at the W...and so much more. Her life's work was education. She died just shy of her 102 birthday. 

The Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation is broke. How will they keep the Tennessee Williams Birthplace and Welcome Center open? Why did Director Nancy Luke Carpenter reject an $81,000 grant from the Columbus Visitor's Bureau? The answer is obvious! The transparency requirements of course! How dare anyone expect Nancy Luke Carpenter to be transparent in her spending of public funds!? 

Dr. Marietta Eichelberger graduated from the Industrial Institute and College in 1912 and worked in the field of child and maternal nutrition for her entire career. She was the sister of famed biochemist Lillian Eichelberger Cannon. 

Dr. Lillian Eichelberger graduated from the Mississippi Industrial Institute and College for Women in 1914. She was instrumental in developing and testing synthetic quinine during World War II. 

Julie's first novel, Hurricane Baby about the life of Katrina survivors is available for purchase: 

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Neill James was a journalism major who graduated from the Industrial Institute and College (MUW) Class of 1918. She traveled the world, landing in Ajijic on the shores of Lake Chapala in Mexico and publishing her Petticoat Vagabond series.