Laughlin Receives Hale Award
Headmaster Pete Sanders presented Director of Alumni and Parent Programs Ann Laughlin with the Jean Barbee Hale Award for Outstanding Service at the Faculty Luncheon May 15.
“On any given day,” Sanders said, “this staff member may be organizing event logistics, designing and ordering bookstore merchandise, coordinating parent volunteers, decorating tables, arranging flowers, creating charcuterie boards, directing caterers, writing speeches, bagging party favors, marketing secondhand blazers, planning Homecoming events or dedication ceremonies or portrait unveilings or retirement parties. Through it all, she is communicating with parents and alumni to keep them engaged.”
Laughlin earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Ole Miss with a major in marketing and a minor in journalism. She arrived at MUS in 2008, bringing experience in marketing, event planning, and office management, and she served as assistant director of Alumni and Parent Programs for three years before becoming director.
Assistant Head for Advancement Perry Dement had this so say about the woman behind the curtain for MUS events: “Ann exemplifies the characteristics that embody the Jean Barbee Hale Award: outstanding loyalty, responsibility, dedication, and commitment to excellence in service to the school. She guides our alumni and parent programs with a sense of style and tradition fitting to the school and makes everyone feel welcome and at home. Ann knows how to plan an event and throw a superb party! She is an integral part of the Development Office team and the MUS family.”
She is married to Ned Laughlin ’94, and they are the parents Edwin ’25, Harris ’29, and Nealy (St. Mary’s Class of 2031).
“Ann, your excellence extends to everything you do for MUS,” Sanders said. “I am pleased to present you with the 2026 Jean Barbee Hale Award for Outstanding Service. This is well deserved.”
The Jean Barbee Hale Award was established in 1998 by Ben Hale to honor his wife, Jean Hale, for her 24 years of service and dedication to Memphis University School. The Hales sent three sons to MUS, Scott, Class of 1978; Dennis, Class of 1980; and Steve Class of 1984.
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Laughlin earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Ole Miss with a major in marketing and a minor in journalism. She arrived at MUS in 2008, bringing experience in marketing, event planning, and office management, and she served as assistant director of Alumni and Parent Programs for three years before becoming director.
Assistant Head for Advancement Perry Dement had this so say about the woman behind the curtain for MUS events: “Ann exemplifies the characteristics that embody the Jean Barbee Hale Award: outstanding loyalty, responsibility, dedication, and commitment to excellence in service to the school. She guides our alumni and parent programs with a sense of style and tradition fitting to the school and makes everyone feel welcome and at home. Ann knows how to plan an event and throw a superb party! She is an integral part of the Development Office team and the MUS family.”
She is married to Ned Laughlin ’94, and they are the parents Edwin ’25, Harris ’29, and Nealy (St. Mary’s Class of 2031).
“Ann, your excellence extends to everything you do for MUS,” Sanders said. “I am pleased to present you with the 2026 Jean Barbee Hale Award for Outstanding Service. This is well deserved.”
The Jean Barbee Hale Award was established in 1998 by Ben Hale to honor his wife, Jean Hale, for her 24 years of service and dedication to Memphis University School. The Hales sent three sons to MUS, Scott, Class of 1978; Dennis, Class of 1980; and Steve Class of 1984.
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Memphis University School is a college-preparatory, independent, day school for boys in Grades 6-12.
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