OXFORD, Miss. – Herbert E. Dewees Jr., 65,
executive director of Alumni Affairs at the
University of Mississippi from 1990 to 2004, lost
his battle with cancer early Friday (Jan. 25). He
died at Sanctuary Hospice in Tupelo.
Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Monday at
First Presbyterian Church in Oxford, with a
reception immediately following in the Butler
Auditorium of the Triplett Alumni Center. Coleman
Funeral Home is handing the arrangements.
Dewees joined UM’s Alumni Affairs staff at the
Medical Center in 1976, then moved to the Oxford
campus a year-and-a-half later to work with various
alumni chapters on alumni activities and
fundraising. During his early tenure, chapters were
developed for each school and college, as were
“order” programs to provide them with financial
support.
While Dewees was executive director, the
association renovated its alumni center, celebrated
its 150th anniversary and broadcast its first
alumni meeting nationally live via satellite from
the Oxford campus. Though the association’s
accomplishments were many under his leadership, the
one of which he was most proud was its
inclusiveness.
“Herb Dewees devoted most of his adult life to the
university and our Alumni Association,” said
Chancellor Robert Khayat. “He and his wife Dixie
are loved and respected by the people of Ole Miss.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Dixie and the
Dewees family.”
Many in the association say it was Dewees’ vision
and leadership that transformed the Alumni House
into the Triplett Alumni Center. Completed in 1997,
the $4 million renovation was paid for by
contributions from Ole Miss alumni and friends.
In recognition of his commitment to providing
scholarships to Ole Miss students, the Alumni
Association’s board voted in 2007 to name its
scholarship fund the Herbert E. Dewees Jr. Alumni
Association Lineal Descendant Scholarship
Endowment.
Dewees, a Paul Harris Fellow in the Oxford Rotary
Club, participated in fund-raising campaigns for
his church, First Presbyterian, and Oxford Medical
Ministries.
A month before retiring in 2004, he received the
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for exhibiting the
character, humanitarian and spiritual qualities
evident in the life of Sullivan, a Southerner who
became a prominent 19th century lawyer, businessman
and philanthropist.
Upon receiving the award, Dewees said, “I have been
blessed to work for a great university and with
wonderful people who share a love for and
commitment to Ole Miss. Serving our university and
our alumni and friends has been most rewarding.”
Warner Alford, who succeeded Dewees as executive
director of Alumni Affairs, said that his presence
at UM is reflected in its academic programs,
facilities and support programs.
“It’s difficult to express the appreciation,
respect and affection we have for him,” Alford
said. “In his quiet, dignified way, he made a
lasting impact on Ole Miss, and we are better for
having enjoyed his leadership and friendship.”
A Meridian native, Dewees received undergraduate
(1965) and law (1968) degrees from UM.
He is survived by his wife, Dixie, and two sons:
Michael Dewees and wife Mary Alice of Big Sky, Mt.,
and Brad Dewees and wife Audrey of Oxford.
Memorials may be made to The Dewees Family Scholarship in
Law Endowment, UM Foundation, P.O. Box 249, University, MS
38677 or to the First Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund,
924 Van Buren Ave., Oxford, MS 38655.