Letters from the Chancellor

Dear students,

Can you believe it? We’ve completed the last day of classes and reached the end of another exciting, incredible, fun-filled year at Ole Miss. Let me be the first to say, “Well done!” Because of you, we’ve seen outstanding accomplishments, enjoyed a lively campus life, and continued to make an impact on those around us. I applaud your drive and your zeal to grow and learn.

So, what’s next?

Exams

• Tackle exams head on: Know your exam schedule, and prioritize how you use your time over the next few days. Do not ‘wing it’ on your final exams — challenge yourself and finish strong!
• Still have questions? Contact your professor, a classmate or consult your syllabus for more information.
• Take a break, get some fresh air, recharge. We live in an amazing community — take a moment to enjoy our beautiful campus and Oxford with your favorite people.
• If you find yourself overextended or overwhelmed, our team of dedicated, caring professionals at the University Counseling Center is here to support you.

Commencement

The pinnacle of our year is almost here: Commencement celebrations are May 10–14. Congrats to our 5,000-plus outstanding graduates! We’re excited to welcome your families and friends to our campus and the best college town in America. And, we can’t wait to cheer on all your successes as you take the world by storm. Reaching major milestones is an important time to reflect, and now is a great opportunity to thank the faculty and staff who invested in your path to a bright future.

For our graduates, I want to share these words of wisdom from Ole Miss alumnus and award-winning writer and journalist Jesse J. Holland (BA 94):

“Right now, you think you love Ole Miss. You think you love the Grove and the Walk of Champions. You don’t know yet how you’ll yearn to be back home, to the place where you became an adult, to the place where you spent some of the happiest times of your life. That’s when you’ll realize that your body may have left Ole Miss, but your heart never will.”

Summer

First and foremost, safe travels to wherever your destination(s) might be this summer. To our returning students, take time to tackle something new, go on a grand adventure, or gain invaluable experiences. We’ll be here to welcome you back next fall for another sensational year at Ole Miss. And, we’ll be ready to support and encourage you in everything you do.

As always, Hotty Toddy!

 

Dear faculty and staff,

Dedicated. Successful. Caring. Talented. Generous. Passionate. Accomplished. Supportive.

These are just a few of the words that describe the faculty and staff at the University of Mississippi, and some of the countless reasons why our faculty and staff make this a great university.

Today is National Employee Appreciation Day, and we’d like to share our deep gratitude for how you infuse these qualities into our campus community and work culture every single day. We’re so thankful for your commitment to making our university a great place to live, work and learn. Our faculty and staff are vital to fulfilling our life-changing mission that serves our students, our communities, our state, and our future.

Your unwavering service to our students is inspiring and sets our standard for excellence. And, we recognize that your meaningful contributions go beyond what a job description outlines. You are mentors, advisors, and role models whose spirit of support and care defines this community. The extraordinary thought and attention you give to our important work is noticed and appreciated, and we remain committed to supporting you in all aspects of your work, endeavors and goals.

Thank you for all that you do, and for all you contribute to achieving our shared goals and building upon our legacy of excellence. We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside you! 

Sincerely,
Senior Leadership Group

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

Noel Wilkin
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Keith Carter
Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics

Josh Gladden
Vice Chancellor for Research and Sponsored Programs

Steven Holley
Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance

Shawnboda Mead
Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Community Engagement

Charlotte Parks
Vice Chancellor for Development

Charlotte Fant Pegues
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Eduardo Prieto
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management

Kirk Purdom
CEO, Ole Miss Alumni Association

Perry Sansing
Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Governmental Affairs

Wendell Weakley
President/CEO, UM Foundation

David Whitcomb
Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Jim Zook
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

 

Greetings students, faculty, and staff,

We have much to be thankful for during this Thanksgiving season, a time for reflection and gratitude. I’m incredibly grateful to all who contribute to our university and its successes. I’m also thankful for the many ways our shared commitment to excellence advances Mississippi and beyond.Read More

One of our most honored traditions as citizens of this great country is how we dedicate time to remember and honor those who selflessly served for our freedom and in defense of our nation. On this Veteran’s Day, I hope you will pause to reflect on the tremendous sacrifices made by courageous women and men. We owe these fellow Americans and their families our gratitude for their service to our country and the ways in which they protected our freedoms and risked their lives around the world to keep us safe, all without fanfare.

On our campus, we’re honored to have hundreds of veterans among our students, faculty, and staff. Please let these valued members of our university community know how much we respect and appreciate them, and how we recognize that their service allows us to enjoy a world of greater security, freedom, and liberty. On behalf of the entire Ole Miss family, I’m deeply humbled to thank all of our nation’s veterans and active duty service members for their service, leadership, and bravery.

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor