Mississippi Stories: Dick Molpus

In this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with businessman, philanthropist and former politician Dick Molpus. Molpus, born and raised in Philadelphia, Mississippi, was the first person Governor William Winter hired for his staff. As one of the “Boys of Spring,” Molpus helped push through education reform which became a signature piece of legislation during the Winter administration. After working for Winter, Molpus successfully ran for Secretary of State and held the office from 1984 to 1996. Molpus unsuccessfully ran for governor in 1995 and after losing the election, pivoted by founding the successful Molpus Woodlands Group, LLC. It was during that time that he and his wife Sally found Parents for Public Schools, which now has chapters across the nation. Molpus has received numerous awards for his efforts to promote both eduction and racial equity. He also is a member of the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame and the University of Mississippi Hall of Fame. Ramsey and Molpus discuss his long career, what he hopes for his beloved Mississippi and even the time Jon Stewart had to apologize to him on air on The Daily Show. 

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Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today’s Editor-At-Large. He’s also host of a weekly statewide radio program and a television program on Mississippi Public Broadcasting and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award.