On Memorial Day, I pause to honor our nation’s heroes, especially the women and men who have gone to war and never returned. These deeply courageous Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms and our country. We are grateful and inspired by their bravery, selflessness, and love of country.

As we mark this significant holiday with our families and loved ones, please take time to reflect on the importance and purpose of this annual day of remembrance. I hope you will take part in the National Moment of Remembrance, which encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. Emily and I are thankful for the freedoms we enjoy and understand that what we have is a direct result of their sacrifice.

The spirit of Memorial Day enables us to continue the important work of caring for the members of our Ole Miss Family who served and continue to champion the cause of freedom today. We are indebted to them for their willingness to risk their lives everyday they put on the cloth of this great nation. Because of the bravery of those important individuals who have given their lives for our country, we can welcome today’s service members home.

Have a safe and memorable Memorial Day and take time to reflect on the blessings we share in calling Ole Miss and the United States home.

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce

Chancellor

UM Crest, @The Flagship, May 2021, The Ole Miss Women's Golf team and the Chanellor pose with their championship trophies

CHANCELLOR’S 3 THINGS TO KNOW

A terrific month of May was capped off in spectacular fashion this week when the Ole Miss Women’s Golf team brought home the 2021 NCAA Championship! With a 4-1 victory over Oklahoma State in the finals, Ole Miss claims its first national championship since football’s 1962 title, and the golf team becomes the first Ole Miss women’s team to capture an NCAA championship in any sport. It was incredible to witness history in the making and celebrate with these amazing women and Coach Kory Henkes! As team member Kennedy Swann so eloquently stated, “It’s great because it is all about leaving our legacy.” Well said, Kennedy, and congratulations to the coaching staff and the entire team. You’ve represented us with poise and great sportsmanship, and you’ve made our entire university family proud!

May kicked off with two fantastic Commencement ceremonies. Added to that, we’ve had the energy and excitement of orientation sessions for our newest Ole Miss Rebels. We also unveiled a statue of Coolidge Ball, Ole Miss’s first black student-athlete, that serves as a testament to his legacy for our fans and our community. Earlier in May, I had a great conversation with Gary Darby on SuperTalk Mississippi 93.7 FM’s “Building our Future” segment about the university’s tremendous economic impact on the state and the region. And finally, I enjoyed updating the University of Mississippi Foundation Board of Directors during their annual spring meeting. Their tremendous work has helped grow our endowment to more than $775 million – the largest for any Mississippi public university!

Here are three things to know right now:

Celebrating Commencements: Early this month, we were honored to host two commencements to recognize the classes of 2020 and 2021. For 2021, we had more than 5,300 graduates and applicants to celebrate. In addition to the thousands of families and friends who attended in-person ceremonies on campus, we also drew more than 50,000 livestream viewers from 60 countries! For the Class of 2020, I was particularly moved by our Commencement speaker Patrick Willis, one of the most decorated players in Ole Miss football history, who shared, “Purpose powers the mind, vision drives the body and passion fuels the soul. On your way to greatness, there will be happy days and sad days, but remember all the things that you will go through will shape you and mold you for the aim you have in mind.”
All-Star Students: Our students continue to earn exceptional academic achievements. Consider the three students selected to receive National Science Foundation fellowships that recognize and support the research-based pursuit of master’s and doctoral degrees in STEM fields — or the seven students named recipients of the prestigious David L. Boren Scholarship from the National Security Exchange Program. And how about our first-place finish in the 8th SEC MBA Case Competition, a high-level experiential learning opportunity for SEC business schools to showcase students’ skills at solving real-world problems? Our students set the standard for excellence!
Enriching the Economy: Our strong ties with industry enable us to contribute to the state and the economy while providing our students with enriching opportunities that help them establish their professional paths. That’s why I’m excited to share that a continuing partnership with Viking Range means students in our Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management will use a new test kitchen to master their skills as they prepare for careers in the tourism, culinary and hospitality industries, all of which are a big part of Mississippi’s economy. We’re excited about this growing partnership and all of our industry engagement, which is growing thanks to our new Industry Engagement Council – a team of academic and administrative leaders who work to connect industry to students, thought leaders, ideas and innovation in pursuit of strategic partnerships that advance education, research, our workforce and the community.

I hope you enjoy a safe and memorable Memorial Day and take a moment to reflect on the importance and purpose of this annual day of remembrance as we honor the courageous Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms and our country.

Glenn F. Boyce

Chancellor

FLAGSHIP FACTS

$2.4M raised, Ole Miss Giving Day 2021, line drawing of money in an envelope
3rd in the nation, total 2021 Boren Scholarship Recipients (top-performing institution behind only University of Chicago and UT-Austin), line drawing of a diploma with a dollar sign representing a scholarship 34 track & field Rebels competing in 43 events at the 2021 NCAA East Region Preliminary Round Championships, largest delegation in program history, line drawing of an athlete poised in a starter's block

Summer Snapshot

There’s nothing quite like a Mississippi summer! When the lightning bugs come out and the humidity gets heavy, we find ourselves enjoying a more relaxed pace and the opportunity to explore our personal interests with greater enjoyment. If you’re looking for some activities, check out this special Summer Snapshot.

Developing Leaders: At the end of this month, our campus will again host the American Legion Boys State program, the foremost leadership program for rising high school seniors in Mississippi. Delegates learn about government, leadership and service and make lasting friendships. Another exciting ongoing program is Mississippi StarTalk, which provides high school students intensive instruction in Chinese.

Beauty Secrets: This May, the City of Oxford will host its 4th annual award-winning Landscaping Camp, which includes a tour with Jeff McManus, the university’s director of landscaping for more than 20 years whose talents are the leading force behind the university’s recognition as “Most Beautiful Campus” by numerous national publications.

Exploring New Passions: Our Office of Pre-College Programs offers a variety of summer enrichment programs for students in kindergarten through 12th grades that allow children to explore and have fun while gaining academic benefits. Rebel Quest camps offer weekly topics, like “Mad Scientist,” “Space is the Place” and “The Weird and Wonderful Wild.” Elementary school students can enjoy the great outdoors and learn about local flora and fauna at Ecology Day Camp, which takes place at the UM Field Station.

Widening Perspectives: The Internship Experience Program is sending 11 students to New York, Washington, Atlanta, and remote intern sites this summer to expand their experience in fields including business, marketing, journalism, hospitality management, and public policy. Study USA students are traveling to South Carolina, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona to earn university credit in public policy, journalism, engineering and gender studies classes led on-site by UM faculty.

Cultural Enrichment: The beautiful grounds of Rowan Oak and the Bailey Woods Trail are open daily from dawn until dusk, and the University of Mississippi Museum and Historic Houses will reopen to the public August 17. In the meantime, enjoy the opportunity to check out the Museum’s virtual exhibits, including this one about the late Oxford resident Theora Hamblett, one of the nation’s most celebrated Southern artists in the self-taught tradition.

Performing Arts: Since 1996, the Youth Music Theatre Workshop has provided performance opportunities for children in Oxford and surrounding areas in musical theatre, operetta, and original works. Julia Aubrey, Director of the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, and her husband, Dr. Robert Aubrey, bring 25 years of experience to directing the workshop. The past five years, the Ford Center has produced the workshop with the financial support of Nancye Starnes and the Madison Charitable Fund. The Youth Music Theatre Workshop is an exceptional opportunity for young people to learn from musical theatre professionals and perform in a first-class arts facility.

Summer Sunsets in the Grove: On June 6, we’re looking forward to the first installment of the Summer Sunset Series and live music at the Grove stage at 6 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, food and beverages.

Sporty Summer: Ole Miss Athletics offers a full slate of camps and clinics. From soccer to football to baseball, check out all the ways to keep kids active this summer. And there is a little something for the grown-ups too – check out the Ole Miss Ladies Football Forum in July.

Scholarly Celebration: In July, the university will virtually host its 47th Annual Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference. The conference is sponsored by the Department of English and the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and coordinated by the Office of Outreach and Continuing Education. This year, it will focus on three Mississippi greats: William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, and Richard Wright. Zoom lectures, presentation panels and screenings will be followed by virtual cocktail hours.