Winter-Reed Partnership Award The third Winter-Reed Award was presented to the “Boys of Spring” and former member of the House of Representatives and Education Chair Robert Clark during a ceremony on April 26, 2011 at the Jackson Convention Center.
A photo of the "Boys of Spring" taken in the Governor's Mansion in December 1982 after passage of the Education Reform Act. From left: Andy Mullins, Dick Molpus, David Crews, Bill Gartin, John Henegan, Gov. William Winter and Ray Mabus.
Gov. Winter and the "Boys of Spring" recently gathered and recreated their 1982 photo.
“Boys of Spring” is a nickname coined in the 1980s for a group of young staffers who, along with Gov. William Winter, Jack Reed Sr. and Rep. Robert Clark, took a stand for improved public education in Mississippi. The “Boys of Spring” to be honored on April 26 are Andy Mullins, Dick Molpus, John Henegan and David Crews. Though they were members of the original group, former Gov. Ray Mabus’ current role as Secretary of the Navy prevents his participation in the award program, and Bill Gartin cannot participate due to a conflict. When Mississippi was the only state in the nation that did not offer public kindergarten, this is the team that engineered the now historical Education Reform Act of 1982, also known as "The Christmas Miracle of 1982." It is still considered the most significant educational legislation enacted in Mississippi since the establishment of the public school system. Today, these individuals continue in various ways to promote and enhance Mississippi. Proceeds from the event will be used to enhance the program services of MAPE, including scholarships for member school districts to send representatives to training events.
BankPlus Barksdale Reading Institute Butler Snow CREATE Foundation, Inc. Delta State University Drs. George Schimmel and Ann Myers Entergy Boys of Spring Volunteers (Danny Cupit Law Firm) Freedom Forum HOPE Enterprise Corporation and Mississippi Economic Policy Center Mississippi Economic Council Mississippi Professional Educators Molpus Woodlands Group Parents for Public Schools - Jackson Phil Hardin Foundation Stennis Institute of Government
Friend of Education Sponsors B&B Concrete Company, Inc. Brunini Law Firm Nancy and Roy Campbell Chevron Bryce Griffis Mississippi Association of Educators Parents for Public Schools - National PREPS, Inc. Resanant Bank Rowan Taylor
In-Kind Sponsors Mississippi Department of Education Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Jack Reed Sr. and Gov. William Winter in 1981.
A Special Honor for Mississippians Devoted to Improving Public Education
The Winter-Reed Partnership Award was launched by MAPE in 2007 to honor the unique bipartisan partnership forged by former Gov. William Winter and Tupelo businessman Jack Reed Sr. to advance public education in Mississippi. Since the inaugural presentation, the Winter-Reed Award has been presented annually to recognize Mississippians who have helped improve and promote public education in the state.
William F. Winter
Grenada native William Forest Winter was governor of Mississippi from 1980 to 1984 and was responsible for the passage of the Education Reform Act of 1982, considered the most significant educational legislation enacted in Mississippi since the establishment of the public school system. He has also served in the Mississippi House of Representatives and as State Tax Collector, State Treasurer and Lieutenant Governor. Mr. Winter chaired the Southern Regional Education Board in 1982 and was appointed to President Clinton's Advisory Board on Race in 1997. The William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation at The University of Mississippi is named in his honor, and he is a past recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award from the National Education Association. At the time of the Winter-Reed Award presentation in March 2007, Mr. Winter practiced law for the firm of Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A.
Jack Reed Sr.
Jack Reed Sr. of Tupelo was one of the first business leaders in Mississippi to actively promote state-supported public education and the need to keep public schools open. In 1980, Gov. William Winter appointed Mr. Reed chairman of the Special Committee on Public Education, and following the passage of the Education Reform Act of 1982, he became the first chairman of the State Board of Education. In 1989, President Bush named him chairman of the National Advisory Council on Education Research and Improvement. Mr. Reed and his family have established a legacy of leadership in civic involvement and community improvement. On its 100th anniversary in 2005, Reed's Department Store was recognized by the State Legislature for serving as "the cornerstone of economic growth and the bedrock of generational success in Tupelo and surrounding areas."
2009 Winter-Reed Award Recipient: Dr. Cathy Grace
Dr. Cathy Grace's experiences growing up in rural eastern Arkansas fueled her calling to become a school teacher -- a calling that eventually led to her to Mississippi, where the results of her groundbreaking work in early childhood education continue to resonate. When Mississippi became the last state in the country to require school districts to offer kindergarten in 1985, Dr. Grace led the kindergarten implementation as early childhood coordinator for the state Department of Education. She went on to become founding director of the Early Childhood Institute at Mississippi State University, where she has led a variety of successful initiatives that have improved both the quality and quantity of early childhood education programs, especially in rural, underserved communities. Dr. Grace's leadership, compassion and deep understanding of the complex issues in her field have been indispensable resources for Mississippi and the nation. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Dr. Grace spearheaded a major effort to rebuild and equip damaged and destroyed early childhood programs in storm-ravaged areas of Mississippi. In 2006, she was appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour to serve on the Mississippi Early Childhood Advisory Council. At the time of the Winter-Reed Award presentation in September 2009, Dr. Grace was on sabbatical from MSU to serve as director of Early Childhood Development Policy for the Children's Defense Fund in Washington, D.C.
2008 Winter-Reed Award Recipient: Sen. Grey Ferris (1946-2008)
Vicksburg native Grey Flowers Ferris worked as an attorney, farmer and cattleman before taking an active interest in public service, particularly in issues related to education. His local involvement began in 1986 when he was elected to the first board of the Vicksburg Warren School District. He served for six years on the board, working successfully to unite the two school systems. In 1992, Grey was elected to the Mississippi Senate and went on to serve two terms. As chairman of the Senate Education Committee, he committed himself to reforming education in rural and underfunded areas of Mississippi. Grey and Sen. Hob Bryan of Amory were lead authors of the Adequate Education Act -- legislation that changed the funding formula for public education and channeled additional resources and funding into the state's poorest areas. Through his service and leadership, Grey sent a clear message that all of Mississippi's children deserve a quality education, and that our state can only be as successful as our public schools. Grey will always be remembered as a devoted family man, a trusted friend, a respected leader, and one of Mississippi's most impassioned and influential advocates for improved public education.
