As the nation watches the presidential race, I cannot help but feel a sense of pride in the advances we are making as a culture of people despite being challenged by racism, glass ceilings, and small minds that limit our potential. As an alumni of Ole Miss, I am particularly aware of the courage and fortitude that one must possess to overcome these circumstances. That was one of the reasons I chose AKA. They have a legacy of firsts on that campus which have positively impacted and enriched the lives of many students. That said, I want to share with my sisters here, the phenomenal acheivement of one of our own and one who influenced me greatly. She is worthy to be celebrated!

Rose Jackson Flenorl will be installed as the first African-American president of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Alumni Association Oct. 4, 2008. The historical moment will take place at 10 a.m.  in the Gertrude C. Ford Ballroom in the Inn at Ole Miss.

Rose is manager of global community relations and philanthropy for FedEx, Memphis, Tenn., where she coordinates the community relations efforts for the company. Previously, she held positions at International Paper in Memphis, as manager of community relations and as managers of communications.

Flenorl was awarded the Memphis Black Business Directory's Simply the Best Award as premier civic supporter, Girl's Inc. She Knows Where She's Going Award, the Mertie Buckman Mentor Award from the Women's Foundation, and the United Way of the Mid-South's Heart of the United Way Volunteer Award. She also received an Outstanding Service Award from Associated Catholic Charities, Young Executive of the Year from Big Brothers and Sisters, the Alpha Kappa Sorority South Eastern Region Humanitarian Award, Empowerment Award for the Sisterhood Summit, and Education Alumna of the Year from The University of Mississippi. She is a recipient of the 2000 Memphis Woman Magazine's Fifty Women Who Make a Difference Award and the National Society of Fund-raising Executives' 1998 Crystal Award for Philanthropy, as well as honored at the 1998 Goodwill Homes International Friends Gala 1998 honoree.

A 1979 graduate of The University of Mississippi, Flenorl was the first African-American female named to the student Hall of Fame. She became a member of Ole Miss' Theta Psi chapter in the late 70s as an undergraduate. She remains active with Alpha Kappa Alpha as a member of the Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter in Memphis, TN. She is married to Richard Lee Flenorl and has one daughter, Lillie Clarissa. Lillie is a recent graduate of Ole Miss (2008) where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame and also became a member of the Theta Psi chapter.

Pictures below of Rose Jackson Flenorl

~Posted by Dr. N. V. House, Theta Psi '91, Upsilon Iota Omega