Whitfield Taylor and Buffy Rinehart Walters, both of Greensboro, finished the academic year at Marion Military Institute with accolades. Walters received the Honored Alumni Faculty Member of the Year and was honored during MMI’s annual Alumni Weekend in April. Walters graduated high school at MMI in 1993 and began her career there as an art instructor in 2005. She was introduced by colleagues and students and praised for her teaching excellence and efforts on behalf of MMI. Buffy was named Faculty Member of the Year in 2021 by her peers, has led several student trips abroad in Europe and continues to develop her own body of work as a practicing artist. On the same night, her son, Whitfield Taylor, was honored as recipient of the prestigious Alumni Leadership Award. Taylor was chosen for this award out of six finalists after a formal interview process. Both Walters and Taylor gave speeches crediting Marion Military Institute with their foundations and continued successes.
Whit graduated Summa Cum Laude from MMI on May 11 with an associate degree. During his time at MMI, he served as Commander of the elite Swamp Fox organization, leading cadets of the highest character that exemplify Army values, Ranger work ethics, and the pursuit of excellence, all while learning small unit tactic techniques and procedures such as air assaults, rappelling and weapons and equipment familiarization. He also served as Delta Company Commander during his sophomore year.
Whit was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and won various awards and commendations including President’s List (All A’s), Commandant’s List, History Award (highest academic average in history), Literature Award (highest academic average in Literature) and was named to the 2024 All- Alabama Academic Team.
Whit was also named as “Best All-Around Cadet” for excellence in academic endeavors, extracurricular activities, and leadership responsibilities. Whit was a founding member of the MMI Duck Unlimited Chapter, where he and fellow charter members organized a banquet held at MMI which raised over $10,000. He received a Dudley Scholarship to attend Auburn University this fall, where he will complete his pursuit of a business degree. Whit will be a part of the ROTC program at Auburn with plans to graduate as an Army Infantry officer.
Whitfield is a 2022 graduate of Southern Academy and is a member of the Greensboro Methodist Church. He is also the son of Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Taylor of Greensboro. He is the grandson of Rebecca Rinehart of Marion and the late Samuel “Sammy” Rinehart, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Taylor, all of Marion.
Buffy Rinehart Walters is the daughter of Rebecca Rinehart and the late Samuel “Sammy” Rinehart, both of Marion. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rinehart, both of Marion. She resides in Greensboro with her children, Sam Henry and Monroe Walters.
