Graduates: Stay Focused, Remember Ole Miss and Find Happiness Within

With the knowledge, skills and passion they've cultivated as Ole Miss Rebels, they're poised to leave a mark on the world.

Guiding them forward are accomplished alumni who've walked this path before. 

Read on for inspiring words of wisdom from the notable alumni who are sharing their advice to the class of 2024: Ali Weisz, multitime world cup medalist in riflery; Hunter Evans, chef and restaurateur; Natashia Gregoire, communications and marketing executive; Robert Pickenpaugh, potter and small business owner; Glen Ballard, Grammy award-winning songwriter; Daniel Roberts, public affairs executive; and Karen Moore, president of the Ole Miss Alumni Association.

Ali Weisz (BS 17) is a multiple ISSF World Cup medalist in rifle. While on the women's rifle team at Ole Miss, she earned an individual bid to the NCAA Championships for all four years, taking bronze in air rifle her junior year.

In 2020, Weisz qualified to represent the U.S. in the summer Olympics, and after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she joined the U.S. Army with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. As a student at Ole Miss, she studied nutrition and dietetics.

"You don't have to be the best in your field today, tomorrow or 10 years from now. What is most important is you constantly strive to improve, even if it's just 1% at a time. Control what you can control, be your own best advocate and don't let fear of failure hold you back from chasing your dreams.

"Remember how fortunate we are to have experienced Ole Miss and called a place like Oxford home. Hotty Toddy and Go Rebs!"

Hunter Evans (BS 12) began his culinary career studying hospitality management at Ole Miss and cooking in one of Oxford chef John Currence's restaurants. Evans trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and gained experience in internationally acclaimed kitchens before returning to Jackson to open his own restaurant, Elvie's, in the historic Belhaven district.

Evans was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef of the South Award in 2023 and is a finalist for the 2024 award, which will be announced in June.

"Don't be afraid to move somewhere new after college. Even if it is just for a year, chase that dream in another city and get a chance to work with different people and cultures.

"Learning in the classroom is valuable. Take that and continue to learn how other people approach and work within your field."

Natashia Gregoire (BBA 99) is a communications and marketing executive who has provided strategic communications leadership for some of the world's most recognized brands. Gregoire oversees internal communications for all of Amazon's operations businesses in the Americas.

A native of the Caribbean island of Dominica, Gregoire was the first Black woman and first international student to serve as editor of the university's newspaper, the Daily Mississippian. She is an inductee in the UM Hall of Fame.

"Congratulations, Class of 2024 on graduating to the status of alumni. While this moment is an exciting one, it can also be a time of great anxiety as you leave the security of our beloved Ole Miss. Take comfort in knowing that with your Ole Miss degree, you're stepping out on the strongest foundation – just look at the impressive group of alumni to which you now belong.

"Lean on this built-in network now, as you start this new leg of your journey and in the future. You'll be surprised to find many open doors, listening ears and comforting shoulders. My Ole Miss network still shows up for me in so many ways and now, I take great joy in paying it forward. When the time comes, I know you will, too. After all, we are Ole Miss! 

Robert Pickenpaugh (MFA 73) is a potter and the owner of Pickenpaugh Pottery & Gallery in Madison, a store beloved for its colorful hand-built creations. He has operated his store for 50 years, making it the oldest originally-owned business in Madison.

At Ole Miss, Pickenpaugh earned a master's degree in pottery.

 "John Lennon's mother told him the key to life was happiness. When he was asked as a child, 'What do you want to be in life?' he answered, 'Happy.' They said he had misunderstood the question. He responded that they had misunderstood life.

"Happiness is not outside of us. It's inside each and every one of us. It's left up to us to find that happiness and to pursue what makes us happy. Don't be so concerned about the outside world. Be more concerned about the love that is inside of you."

Glen Ballard (BA 75) is a multiple Grammy award-winning songwriter who has worked with an eclectic roster of acclaimed artists over his career, including such acts as Van Halen, Aretha Franklin, Aerosmith, Dave Matthews Band and No Doubt. Among his achievements, Ballard served as co-writer and producer for Alanis Morrisette's "Jagged Little Pill" album, which has been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

In 2023, Ballad received a Medal for the Arts from the UM Institute for the Arts and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

"Congratulations on all your hard work to earn your degree! You join an illustrious group that includes Bradford Cobb and Olivia Manning, among many others. Now, your services are very much needed in the universe of digital media.

"You're prepared to communicate powerfully, strategically and with that special Ole Miss personality and grace. You are off to a great start!"

Daniel Roberts (BA 14) serves as public affairs lead for strategic response communications at Meta. His previous positions include roles at the White House, Lyft, General Motors and other leading companies. His industry recognitions include Business Insider's 'Top PR Pros in Tech' and PRWeek's "40 under 40."

Roberts was one of the youngest UM alumni to establish an Ole Miss First Scholarship, which supports students who demonstrate outstanding scholastic achievement and leadership.

"I remind myself every day of something Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg once said: 'You're never as good as they say when you're up, or as bad as they say when you're down.' This is a great reminder to ignore the unhelpful comments that you'll hear throughout your career and personal life.

"Just stay focused on your ultimate goal and tune out the distractions."

Karen Moore (BS 82) studied fashion merchandising as an undergraduate at Ole Miss and began her career at a small dress shop in Nashville, Tennessee. She later worked as a marketing assistant for Beatrice Grocery products and is president of the nonprofit Project Redesign.

Moore is the 2023-24 president of the Ole Miss Alumni Association.

"Henry David Thoreau once said, 'Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.' Your future career has much to teach you about confidence, honesty, ethics and using your talents.

"It is a journey. Embrace it, learn and grow and become you want to be!"