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Ronnie Musgrove |
Mississippi governors Ray Mabus and Ronnie Musgrove returned to their alma mater this fall as instructors, where they offered students a real-world glimpse into government and politics.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet and talk with two great leaders of our state,” said Richard Forgette, professor and chair of political science. The governors also have brought in several outside speakers, including retired four-star general J.H. Binford Peay III and former ambassador to Syria Theodore Kattouf, and helped students gain professional contacts.
Mabus, who earned a bachelors degree in English from UM before earning master’s and law degrees from John Hopkins and Harvard universities, was governor from 1988 to 1992 and U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1994 to 1996. He first taught Middle East Politics in fall 2004.
“I wanted to be more involved with the university and its students,” he said. “No one was teaching a course on the Middle East, so here I am. I’m enjoying every minute.”
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Ray Mabus |
Musgrove, who received business and law degrees from UM, was governor from 2000 to 2004. He taught State and Local Politics for the first time in spring 2005.
Musgrove said he returned to his alma mater to teach because “education is a top priority.”
“These students will have a major impact on the communities where they live,” he said. “It excites me to have a small part in their leadership.”
Political science students agree with Forgette that the two governors are providing them with a unique opportunity.
“Governor Musgrove is one of the best sources of information on state politics,” said Ryan Brown, a junior from Brandon, who took Musgrove’s class in fall 2005. “I have a much better understanding of how politics in Mississippi work.”