Tassels Turning: Ole Miss Alumni Advise New Graduates
Eight distinguished Rebels offer guidance for Class of 2025
OXFORD, Miss. – As the Class of 2025 celebrates commencement on Saturday (May 10), the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ of Mississippi's vibrant alumni network stands ready to welcome its newest members. These graduates join a community of Ole Miss alumni who lead purposefully and make meaningful contributions to their communities, Mississippi and beyond.
From innovative business leaders to celebrated sports figures and visionary artists, the eight accomplished alumni featured below exemplify the strength of the Ole Miss network and demonstrate how a ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ of Mississippi education lays the foundation for an extraordinary legacy.
Read on for the insights these exceptional eight are sharing with the Class of 2025:
Wesley Walls (BS 91) is one of the most acclaimed players in Ole Miss football history. His 15-year NFL career included a Super Bowl championship with the 49ers and time with the Saints, Panthers and Packers. At Ole Miss, he earned Academic All-America honors, was named a three-time Academic All-SEC pick, was inducted into the UM Athletics Hall of Fame and was recognized as an NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
A real estate developer, Walls recently established the for student-athletes pursuing engineering degrees.
"Congratulations on your graduation from Ole Miss! This marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and perseverance. Your Ole Miss education and experiences have prepared you well for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
"There will be disappointments and setbacks, but these moments are not the end of your story, but rather opportunities for growth and learning. Embrace them, learn from them and continue to chase your dreams. Lastly, don't forget to celebrate your successes and accomplishments with the people you love. God Bless."
Whitley Simmons (BBA 12) is a seasoned sports professional with more than 15 years of experience. She discovered her passion for sports during an internship with the Ole Miss sports marketing department.
An event supervisor at ESPN, she manages events such as "The Armed Forces Classic," "Bahamas Bowl" and "The Clearwater Invitational." Before ESPN, she helped oversee activation logistics for a Tokyo Olympic sponsor during the Games. She is a member of the Ole Miss 40 Under 40 Class of 2025.
"Embrace the famous saying, 'Find a job you love, and you'll never work a day in your life.' As you pursue your passions, remain patient when it seems opportunities aren't coming fast enough, have faith when you feel like giving up and don't be afraid to take risks and venture beyond your comfort zone.
"You're a Rebel, own it! Hotty Toddy!"
Jonathan Jones (BA 03) is CEO of Jones Capital, which encompasses a portfolio of 11 directly controlled companies across the industrial, infrastructure and software sectors and employs more than 1,600 people worldwide. Jones has been named one of Mississippi Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40, a national finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and listed among Mississippi's Top 50 Most Influential leaders.
Jonathan Jones, a 2003 alumnus, is CEO of Jones Capital. He recently gave a significant gift to support the construction of Jones Hall, the new home for the Patterson School of Accountancy. Submitted photo
His generous gift to the university will support the construction of , where Jones studied as an undergraduate.
"Success isn't just about having a degree; it's about earning your way up through experience, confidence and humility. Graduates, don't wait to 'grow up.' See yourself as a professional from day one. Stay curious, keep learning and take the initiative.
"Confidence and humility go hand in hand – own your strengths but always seek growth. Embrace responsibility early and opportunities will follow."
Kaira Simmons competes in the long jump for the Ole Miss Rebels at the 2019 Joe Walker Invite in Oxford. Photo by Petre Thomas/Ole Miss athletics
Kaira Simmons (BS 18, MS 20) previously served as deputy sheriff and public information officer in Orange County, Florida, where she received a Guardian Award for lifesaving efforts. Simmons serves with a federal agency, continuing her passion for service.
While at Ole Miss, she was recognized as an outstanding graduate student in the Department of Legal Studies, a 2019 First-Team Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar and a 2019 Second-Team All-American in the 4x100-meter relay.
"For some, this moment is filled with excitement and joy; for others, it may bring a sense of pressure to have everything figured out. In the midst of these emotions, take a moment – just breathe. From your first day on campus to where you stand now, every step of your journey has had purpose, leading you to this very moment.
"When doubt creeps in, remember the path that brought you here – the challenges you overcame, the lessons you learned and the relationships you built along the way. You are more than ready for what lies ahead – and will always be an Ole Miss Rebel!"
Jeff Hubbard (BBA 80, JD 83) is an attorney at Hubbard Mitchell Williams & Strain and president of the Ole Miss Alumni Association. At Ole Miss, Hubbard was Mr. Ole Miss, an Orrin H. Swayze Finance Scholar, a James O. Eastland Law Scholar and president pro tempore of the ASB Senate.
He is the past president of the Ole Miss alumni board of directors and the past president of Century Club Charities' Sanderson Farms PGA Championship.
"Congratulations! I am pleased to pass on the best three pieces of advice I have ever received:
- When someone suggests an item to accomplish, be the person who says, 'I've already done it.'
- Do not be afraid to make a mistake.
- Good enough is simply not good enough. Always do your best."
Charlie Buckley (BFA 04) is an artist whose paintings appear in public and private collections around the country. A Taylor medalist at Ole Miss, Buckley earned an M.F.A. at Miami ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ and taught collegiate drawing and painting before pursuing full-time studio work.
Buckley received an Early Impact Award from the UM and is a two-time recipient of the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters' Award for Visual Arts.
"In your post-college era, you have the opportunity to experiment boldly with life. While finding your way, you will unknowingly stumble into lifelong loves and learn the hard way that some dreams are meant to be left for others. You need to succeed and fail to find the pieces that bring meaning to your life.
"Because it's easier to be brave in youth, take chances, make moves, start a business and build your family and community centered on kindness and respect. In your later life, you will appreciate the youthful courage you utilized to make fearless choices."
Emily Monsour (B.Accy. 13) is a senior finance manager for Walmart's Health and Wellness division in Bentonville, Arkansas. Before joining Walmart, she held roles with the Chicago Cubs, R.R. Donnelley and HORNE LLP. A licensed CPA, she earned an MBA from Vanderbilt and is a member of the Ole Miss 40 Under 40 Class of 2025.
At the university, she was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, Who's Who, and was an Ole Miss Women's Council Scholar. Besides leading the Ole Miss Young Alumni Council Scholarship Committee, she serves on the alumni board and is a member of the Rose Society.
"Don't be afraid to move to a new place and show the world all an Ole Miss grad has to offer. It might feel a little daunting at first, but on the other side are new friends, experiences and perspectives that will shape you in ways you never imagined.
"The best part? You're not starting from scratch – you've got the Ole Miss alumni network as a springboard to launch you forward.
"And remember: you can – and should – always come back to the place we all call home. Bring everything you've learned and be ready to pay it forward to the next generation of Rebels!"
Second Lt. Alfondus Alexander (left) and 2nd Lt. Michael D. Nguyen, plot points on a map during a route reconnaissance with the Mississippi Army National Guard during a 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team rotation in 2017 at the National Training Center. Photo by Pfc. Jarvis Mace/102d Public Affairs Detachment
Alfondus Alexander (BBA 15) is a production manager at Ardagh Metal Packaging and a brigade plans officer for the Mississippi Army National Guard. While receiving his degree in banking and finance, he participated in the university's ROTC program and received his commission in 2015. In 2018, he was deployed to Kuwait and Syria.
His awards and decorations include a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and a Meritorious Service Medal for service in Operation Spartan Shield. Recently honored by the city of Winona for his service with an official proclamation, he is also a member of the Ole Miss 40 Under 40 Class of 2025.
"Leadership is a privilege, not a right. There is not a question that the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ of Mississippi has set you up to be the future leaders in the world. Do not take it for granted, because there will be many individuals who will depend on your leadership.
"Congratulations, this is only the beginning."
Top: Ole Miss tight end Wesley Walls makes a play against Mississippi State ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ in the 1988 Egg Bowl in Jackson, a 33-6 Rebel victory. Walls went on to a 15-year NFL career that included a Super Bowl championship before becoming a real estate developer. He established the Wesley and Christy Walls Endowed Scholarship for UM student-athletes pursuing engineering degrees. Photo courtesy Ole Miss athletics