Posts

Jenny Turner Koltnow
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Jenny Turner Koltnow’s S.O. What! Success Story

I enjoy reflecting on other people’s journeys (what I know of it) almost as much as I enjoy thinking about my own. When I was a student at the University of Memphis, I met this young advisor for one of the organizations that I had joined.…
Marvin White
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Leading the Support Group for the #1 Recruiting Class in the Country

You never know when relationships, big or small, will come full circle. As an undergraduate at the University of Memphis, I met Marvin White. We were both part of the Greek community, and his now wife was my soror.  Although we didn’t…
Shad Berry’s S.O. What! Success Story
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Shad Berry’s S.O. What! Success Story

When I decided that I wanted to go to Frosh Camp before starting college at the University of Memphis, I had no idea how that decision would impact my entire life. One of the incredible people I met and got to call my brother because we were…
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From Abuse to Advocate. Olliette Murry-Drobot’s S.O. What! Success Story

Have you ever met someone and immediately felt like you’ve known them for years? When I started on this journey of sharing my story over a decade ago, a friend suggested that I meet Olliette Murry-Drobot. We met for lunch, and we both probably…
Dr. Barbara Prescott
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Dr. Barbara Prescott’s S.O. What! Success Story

Have you ever been introduced to someone who you’ve admired from afar, and it was not what you expected? I watched Dr. Barbara Prescott and admired her work. She looked like a nice person, but I had no idea just how kind, considerate, and…
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Big things come in small packages: Vanessa Peterson’s S.O. What! Success Story

It seems like it was yesterday when Vanessa (Gray at the time) walked onto the University of Memphis campus with the new class of Emerging Leaders. I was a sophomore, but this girl of small stature had a huge presence. 20 plus years and that…
Alton Cryer
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Why You Should Never Give Up on Our Young Men, Alton Cryer’s S.O. What! Success Story

When I started my speaking journey, I was invited to share my “Against All Odds” story for the Fogelman College of Business and Economics at the University of Memphis. One of the students in the audience was Alton Cryer whom I had met once…
Tiffany Bellafant Steward
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An Unexpected Journey in Higher Education, Tiffany Bellafant Steward’s S.O. What! Success Story

Last week I shared how as a high school junior, a few of my friends and I skipped school and hung out with AKA’s on the campus of the University of Memphis. One of those women was Tiffany Bellafant Steward who experienced what I felt was…
Almetria Turner
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When Transforming Your Body Transforms Your Life, Almetria Turner’s S.O. What! Success Story

Can you imagine someone weighing nearly 300 pounds becoming one of your health and fitness role models? As a high school junior, a few of my friends and I skipped a couple of days of school (Shush, don’t tell anyone). We spent those days…