OXFORD – A son’s love for his mother and his affection for the University of Mississippi and the iconic Grove were on display Tuesday at the grand opening of Grove Plaza.
This new campus landmark is the first major signage identifying Grove, the 10-acre park that thousands of people enjoy each year.
Donors Sunny and Mac Haik, of Houston, Texas, were venerated in a rite dedicated by Grove Plaza to their mother, the late Frances Haik Jordan, of Meridian and Decatur. Signage includes landscaping and a plaque that reads: “Reminiscent of Frances Haik. Enjoyed Ole Miss and the Grove.
During the ceremony, Chancellor Glenn Boyce thanked the Haiks for their donation of $1. 5 million, part of which was used to build the memorial.
“Behind the gift we are celebrating is a son’s immeasurable love for his mother,” Boyce said. “We are revered for celebrating the reminiscence of Frances Haik Jordan, whose determination to be Ole Miss is the inspiration for this entire Grove Plaza. “
The chancellor noted that although Jordan had not attended college, he had followed Ole Miss and greatly admired the good looks of the campus.
“The Grove is the most beloved and beautiful place on the University of Mississippi campus,” Boyce said. “On a campus full of beautiful places, it means something. The gift of Grove Plaza will make it even better. “
Mac Haik, an alumnus and former standout football player, explained how his mother, a successful self-made businesswoman, started dating Ole Miss.
“She didn’t know anything about football, and she probably didn’t know anything,” he said. “He attended all my best games from school and Ole Miss. I enjoyed the atmosphere and getting to know the players and their families. The players called her the mother of the team. “
During her photo shoot at the M-Club Hall of Fame in Grove, Haik recalled her mother telling her, “You know, honey, this is the biggest laugh I’ve ever had in my entire life. Very gently, to the maximum, as if I were dreaming. . . She said, “Maybe one day we can do anything for Ole Miss.
“Congratulations, Mother, it is your day and you will not be forgotten. Thank you, Ole Miss. “
Jordan served for 20 years as vice president and head of business development at Peoples Bank of Mississippi. He worked for 18 years as a Roth branch manager.
She is active in her church and network and was voted “Citizen of the Year” through Decatur in 2009. He died in September 2012.
Haik graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1968 and finished his studies for a Master’s Degree in Marketing. He has been inducted into the Ole Miss M-Club Hall of Fame and the Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame.
His professional career began in 1970, when he was the first pick of the Houston Oilers. Shortly after injuries led to his retirement from football, he founded Mac Haik Enterprises.
MHE has grown from a two-person start-up to an organization with 11 affiliated corporations that employs approximately 3,250 associates, generates more than $3 billion in revenue annually, and owns land, advertising buildings, retail space, medical facilities, restaurants, hotels, and 1,200 billboards.
MHE also includes Mac Haik Automotive Group, the largest independent automotive organization in Texas and the 15th largest independent organization in the country. Five of the 19 dealerships are in Jackson.
For the young lady, the Haiks have educated sports and educational programs. Haik’s interest in business creation encouraged some of his other commitments: a major donation to the School of Business Administration’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The donation also created two scholarships: the Sunny Sue Haik and Francis Haik Jordan Entrepreneurship Awards, honoring Haik’s wife and mother, respectively, and reaping benefits for qualified first- and second-year business students.
The full PDF edition is being prepared, please wait. . .
An error occurred while generating the full PDF edit. Check back later.
The full PDF edition is available for viewing.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Account processing issue: The email address may already exist
Our most sensible headlines every morning, seven days a week, as well as every weekday afternoon.
The latest breaking news, as well as our most sensible news each week.
Get our most productive sports news of the week every Sunday morning.
Our football, basketball, and baseball game policy, as well as the latest updates and our reads.
Our football, basketball, and baseball game policy, as well as the latest updates and our most sensible reads.
Friday nights feature football highlights from top schools, groups from all zones, and the latest updates from our Northeast Mississippi Prep Sports Team.
Subscribers can access our e-editions every morning at the click of a button.
Subscribe to Itawamba Times? Sign up to view our weekly e-editions every Wednesday with just one click.
Do you subscribe to the Monroe Journal? Sign up to view our weekly e-editions every Wednesday with just one click.
Subscribed to the New Albany Gazette? Sign up to view our weekly e-editions every Wednesday with just one click.
Subscribed to Pontotoc Progress? Sign up to view our weekly e-editions every Wednesday with just one click.
Are you subscribed to Southern Sentinel? Sign up to view our weekly e-editions every Wednesday with just one click.
Invalid password or account exists
An email with commands on how to reset your password was sent to the email address indexed in your account.
No promotion found.