Moungers recognized by Fondren renaissance for contributions to city and state
Honorees at this year’s Symphony at Sunset were chosen not just because of their contributions to the arts in Fondren, but also for their work to enhance arts across Mississippi.
And it doesn’t hurt that the two likely saved Jackson, the state and the nation from being embarrassed in the waning years of the Cold War.
On Thursday, the Fondren Renaissance Foundation (FRF) will recognize Jan and Billy Mounger, a couple who has gone “above and beyond” in serving not only their community, but the state, said FRF Executive Director Jim Wilkirson.
“Both of them have been very involved in the symphony, the opera and other areas of the arts, especially in helping (maintain) the IBC,” he said.
Wilkirson said it’s only fitting to honor the couple at the event considered Fondren’s gift to the community, considering contributions from the two are the reason the event remains free to the public.
“They’ve always been stalwart supporters of Symphony at Sunset,” he said. “They have always assisted in sponsoring that, so all people could experience some form of the symphony in all its greatness.”
The program is now in its 18th year and draws on average around 2,000 spectators.
The Moungers’ support of the arts goes far deeper than contributing to the symphony.
The two also played a major role in starting and later saving the International Ballet Competition (IBC).
The Olympics-style ballet competition is held in Jackson every four years and brings in competitors from across the globe to compete.
In 1979, the competition’s first year in Jackson, Jan Mounger agreed to serve as host family for one of the judges.
Billy, a West Point graduate liked ballet early on and was a fan of the movie The Red Shoes. However, it was Jan who agreed to host the judge. Jan, a graduate of Sophie Newcomb College, and he got married in 1956. Except for his military service, Mounger has lived in Fondren most of his life, even attending Fondren Presbyterian Church when it was on North State Street. Today, a Region’s Bank branch is located there, he said.
In 1982, Billy and Jan played an even greater role in the IBC, helping convince Russian intelligence officials to allow their athletes to compete in the 1986 competition.
“They (the Russian KGB) sent three people up to check us out in 1982 and we made a good enough impression on them that they decided to convince (their government) to send dancers,” Billy said.
However, just weeks before the 1986 competition, Billy received a call from then Mayor Dale Danks, who told him the IBC had run out of money and was about to go under.
“He said it’s lost because they don’t have any money, and that if I didn’t step up and help raise the money it’s gone,” Billy recalled.
In a matter of weeks, the successful oil man helped raise $350,000, and the competition went forward.
“The Russians came, and they sent their three best young dancers … One won the first grand prix award, and another won senior gold,” Billy said.
The Cold War was still going on at the time and cancelling the competition after the Russians had agreed to come would have been a major embarrassment for the city and the state.
“Had we not raised the money it would have been horrible,” Billy said.
After that, Billy became fundraising chair for the event, and later became board chair. For her part, Jan went on to help organize the competition as well as work with the IBC’s women’s group.
IBC Executive Director Mona Nicholas said Billy has since retired as chair (He is now chairman emeritus.) but he and his wife’s contributions to the ballet will live on.
Recently, the IBC began the Jan and William M. Mounger USA IBC Cultural Exchange Fund. Proceeds to the fund will eventually be used to sponsor international jury members at future competitions.
“Billy Jr. gave us the seed money to start it, and we’re hoping to add to it,” she said.
About $50,000 is needed to bring in judges for the two-week competition.
Ballet aside, the couple also played a major role in bringing in major exhibitions including the “Palaces of St. Petersburg,” “The Splendors of Versailles,” “The Majesty of Spain” and “The Glory of Baroque Dresden.” All four events were attended by more than 1.3 million people and for all, Billy was honorary chairman.
Fondren resident Robert Hauberg, a former Symphony at Sunset honoree along with wife Claudia, credits the Moungers’ success in part to Jan’s “warm smile” and Billy’s “firm handshake.”
“I have great confidence in him. Whatever he says he’ll follow through on and it’s a done deal,” he said.
The couples get along, even though they’re on opposite sides of the political spectrum.
Hauberg, a Democrat, remembers when Mounger, a longtime leader of the Mississippi Republican Party, questioned him when he showed up at a fund-raiser for former Sen. Thad Cochran.
“Billy’s at the door greeting people and said ‘Hauberg, what are you doing here? You’re a Democrat.’ I told him I always vote for the man and besides, I wrote (him) a large check,’ Hauberg said. “He said, ‘Come on in.’”
Symphony at Sunset is Thursday, September 20, at 7 p.m., on the lawn of the Cedars. The event is open and free to the public.
