When the sun is right, the magnolia tree stands in theshade of a once dilapidated building, badly in need of repair.

 

    The building eventually got the attention it needed. It’s LamptonAuditorium, now part of the Mississippi School of the Arts campusin Brookhaven.

    As for the magnolia tree, a “D.D. Blanchard” Southern Magnolia,it’s a new addition to the campus, dedicated to the memory ofPatricia “Pat” Fordice, the former first lady and wife of KirkFordice, Mississippi governor from 1992 to 2000.

    MSA leaders, longtime school supporters and students gatheredFriday afternoon to remember Pat Fordice’s role in bringing theschool to Brookhaven. Fordice passed away in 2007.

    “She saw what a gem this place could be and we are blessed as acommunity to have this school here,” said MSA Executive DirectorSuzanne Hirsch at the dedication.

    Bill Sones, chairman of the MSA Foundation’s board, remembered avisit Fordice made to Brookhaven about 15 years ago. During thatvisit, she saw the dilapidated campus of the former WhitworthCollege and commented that it would be a good site for an artsschool in Mississippi.

    “She said, ‘This is an incredible place. The arts school needs tobe here,'” Sones said.

    Fordice’s comment came after years of attempts by some Brookhavenresidents to renovate the old Whitworth campus and bring somethingto the site.

    Sones initially did not have much confidence the idea of an artsschool would go anywhere.

    “I had been integrally involved in two other major efforts to getsomething on the campus,” Sones said. “I was skeptical atfirst.”

    Fordice’s vision of an arts school in Mississippi began before hervisit to Brookhaven.

    Dr. Jim Barnett, a former state representative who introduced HouseBill 706, which established MSA in Brookhaven, said Fordicebroached the idea of an arts school on a visit to Vicksburg. Theidea didn’t gain traction there, though.

    After the comment during her Brookhaven visit, though, Barnett,Sones and John Roberts, then a city alderman, visited the AlabamaSchool of Fine Arts in Birmingham. They were encouraged by whatthey saw and moved forward with the idea back in Brookhaven.

    When Sones sees the now active campus in town, he is still proud ofit after the many years of failed attempts to resurrect thecampus.

    “It’s amazing, almost an idle comment by a concerned citizensparked the ideas,” Sones said of Fordice’s influence on theschool’s genesis.

    Barnett also highlighted Fordice’s role, even as he and cityleaders became involved.

    “It was a group effort from Brookhaven, but it was Pat Fordice’sdetermination and vision,” he said.

    The magnolia tree was dedicated by the Mississippi Urban ForestCouncil, whose executive director Donna Yowell was friends withFordice. Yowell recalled that beautification of the state was amajor goal of Fordice’s.

    “We planted flowers and trees throughout the state,” Yowellsaid.

    City alderman Shirley Estes initially proposed the idea of a treememorializing Fordice, and selected the species of tree thatYowell’s organization donated.

    Yowell was thankful for the opportunity.

    “I have been wanting to do something since she passed away,” Yowellsaid. “She was a big supporter of the environment inMississippi.”

    The choice of a magnolia tree is appropriate to honor Fordice,according to remarks at the dedication ceremony.

    “A state representative called her a true steel magnolia, who wouldnot back down when others would,” Hirsch said.