NEMS Daily Journal: Markley Finds Passion in Higher Education

TUPELO – Derek Markley’s first visit to Tupelo did not come at the most opportune time.

The new executive director of the University of Mississippi’s Tupelo and Booneville campuses had his job interview with the school scheduled for late April. Two days before he arrived, Tupelo was struck by an EF3 tornado that carved a 31-mile path of destruction.

It was the first time the Auburn, Indiana, native had seen any area that had been freshly hit by a twister. It didn’t dissuade him from the job.

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