By Steve Short
Milan Mirror-Exchange / MHSAA
Former Milan educator Rex Tatum was saluted at the 2003 Alumni Day reunion and praised for his dedication and positive influence as a teacher, coach and alumni advocate.
Mr. Tatum was the 2003 honoree of the Milan High School Alumni Association (MHSAA) during Alumni Day festivities held at the high school June 21.
An estimated 475 former graduates attended the event, reuniting with friends and classmates.
During an awards ceremony, Milan school director Jim Towater, a student under Tatum in the early 1960s, commended his former teacher. “As a teacher and coach (Tatum) was personable and dedicated,” said Towater. “He connected to students and related to us. He didn’t care if you played football, didn’t play football, were in the band or if you didn’t do anything. He greeted everyone with a smile. He was a good role model for us, and he had a positive influence on us.”
Tatum later joked to the audience that he “carried Jimmy Towater longer than his mother did.”
Alumni president Lisa Springer presented Tatum a plaque for his devotion to the alumni organization. Tatum previously served as president of the group and chaired a building committee that established an office in a classroom at the high school. He annually presents salutes to special classes that are a highlight of the reunion event.
Accepting the accolades, Tatum drew several laughs from the audience, noting that his Class of 1953 was a “lively bunch” who staged a party on Friday night of the reunion weekend at the Senior Citizens Center and “stayed until nearly dark.” He also noted that the Class of 93 was a “good looking, young bunch of people, but time will take care of that.”
Recalling his first alumni meeting years ago, Mr. Tatum remembered thinking there was “no way you could live fifty years after graduating from high school.” His Class of 1953 celebrated their 50th anniversary this year.
Tatum said stalwart alumni leader Lurla B. Keith drafted him to help with the organization. “She was a cornerstone of the alumni association,” Tatum said about Keith, adding, “But she missed her calling as a Marine drill sergeant.”