MUS Communications
Kent and Keith Ingram stand by their plaque for the dedication of the Ingram Dining Hall
In a ceremony brimming with gratitude and shared memory, the central dining space at MUS was officially dedicated as the Ingram Dining Hall, honoring the generosity of brothers Kent Ingram ’60 and Keith Ingram ’73.
The event, held within the very room that now bears their name, was much more than a renaming; it was a celebration of the lifelong bonds formed at MUS, and a chance for the brothers to commit to ensuring that those bonds continue for generations to come.
The gathering featured reflections from faculty, alumni, and students, all weaving a common thread about the room’s unique role as the heart of the campus.
For the Ingram brothers, the choice to direct their transformative gift to the Dining Hall was a natural one, rooted in their own student experiences.
Kent Ingram described it as the essential daily pause where the community comes together to relax and build relationships. Keith Ingram, with his characteristic touch of humor, noted that lunch was his “best subject when [he] was at MUS.”
He quickly turned serious to explain that the space was the undeniable center of activity outside the classroom. Used as a place for study halls, dances, and the formation of life, the Dining Hall is a central part of MUS life.
This sentiment was echoed by Hamilton Eggers (11), who drew a parallel to the “mead hall” in the epic poem Beowulf, a sanctuary where warriors found fellowship and refuge. “Like the mead hall,” Eggers stated, “the dining hall is a place where students can come together and seek refuge from the stresses of the classroom and feast on a good meal.”
The idea of the dining hall as an incubator for lifelong connection is at the core of the Ingram’s hopes for their gift.
Both brothers spoke passionately about the friends they made decades ago who remain central to their lives today. Keith shared a touching insight from his classmate Jim Varner ’73, that the deepest friendships are often with “those you grew up with, [those who knew your] mamas and daddies and [those who knew your] brothers and sisters.”
The Ingram philanthropy extends deeply into their West Memphis community and the state of Arkansas, but finds a special focus at MUS.
Keith explained that MUS has maintained a “lifelong passion” for them. This drive to give back, they credit to their family.
Kent Ingram recalled their father, Judge Bill Ingram, as a builder and a giver who instilled in them their duty to contribute, not just take. “We want future generations to have the same opportunity, hopefully, that we had,” Kent said.
When asked what they hope students will remember upon seeing the Ingram name decades from now, Keith reflected on the sacrifices of early visionaries who built MUS from the ground up. “We want to do our part like those original [founders]… to make sure that this carries on to the next generation,” he said.
Their advice for today’s students reflects engaged learning. Kent encourages students to “learn and watch” beyond the classroom, urging them to be inquisitive about their teachers’ lives and stories, as those personal relationships can be powerfully motivating. He fondly recalled his “prim-and-proper” English teacher, Mr. Hatchett. “[Mr. Hatchett] showing up at [his] baseball games,” was a moment that left a deep and lasting impression.
Individually, the Ingram brothers reflect the diversity of MUS through their respective educational journeys.
Kent’s route was unconventional, arriving after a year at Castle Heights Military Academy. “I didn’t have to put a uniform on and second, I didn’t have to carry an M1 rifle around,” he joked, but his appreciation for the atmosphere and his classmates at MUS was profound. The lessons in responsibility and teamwork he learned at MUS were the bedrock for building Razorback Concrete Co. from a six-truck operation into a nationally recognized company.
Keith’s MUS experience was filled with the social energy that forges leaders, as evidenced by nicknames like “Zone Buster” on the basketball court and “Mr. 442” for his love of cars. He sees a direct line from his time at MUS to his career in politics, which included serving as Mayor of West Memphis, Ark. and Senate Minority Leader in Arkansas. Keith’s public speaking class “gave [him] confidence to stand up in front of a group and talk,” he said, adding that the school’s emphasis on integrity and the Honor Council produces the kind of leaders that communities can trust.
In his closing remarks, Headmaster Pete Sanders unveiled the plaque that will permanently mark the Dining Hall and introduced the commended Ingram Brownies.
He honored the brothers as “friends, business partners and devoted alumni” and expressing confidence that within those walls, “generations of students will share joyful fellowship and develop lifelong friendships.”