Welcome

• Our Unstoppable Grads: The Grove hummed with excitement and joy as we celebrated the more than 5,000 graduates and candidates of the Class of 2023. It’s worth noting that these amazing students persevered as COVID-19 disrupted the world and their expectations for the college experience. Despite tough circumstances, they came back, persisted, and achieved their dreams. The Class of 2023 included 26 staff members who continued their education while working for the university. Earning a degree while balancing work, personal obligations, and outside activities presents unique challenges, and I commend our newest Red and Blue graduates! Their dedication to excellence is evident every day.

• Purpose Will Find You: Alumna Stephanie Hickman (JD 91) delivered an outstanding Commencement address to our newest graduates. Her inspiring words encouraged the audience members to embrace flexibility, tackle challenges, and ground themselves through service to others. During her address, she said, “Life will surprise you. You can’t know how your story will unfold, and that’s a beautiful thing” and told the graduates “I stand here as an example that purpose will find you.” She pursued a law career before taking ownership of her family’s construction company, and her story is a testament to the incredible feats one can accomplish with drive and confidence. You can watch a recording of the live stream here.

• 175 Years Forward: This fall, the University of Mississippi will celebrate 175 years of
  delivering education, research, health care, and service to the people and the state of Mississippi. In honor of the anniversary, we invite you to share your stories, experiences, and reflections. Planning is underway, and we’ll share more details soon!

April at Ole Miss is fast and fun — a sprint to the finish before we close out another fantastic academic year. Convocation will be Saturday, May 13, and we’re eager to welcome alumna Stephanie Hickman, president and CEO of Trice Construction Co., as this year’s Commencement speaker. Stephanie, a 1991 graduate of the UM School of Law, has had an outstanding career as a labor attorney, utility executive, and lobbyist. Under her leadership, Trice Construction has transformed from a small residential construction company to an award-winning utility infrastructure contractor. Our graduates will learn a lot from her story and the legacy she has built with her life. We look forward to her address, and we’re excited to welcome Stephanie home to Ole Miss. Here are three things to know right now:

• Brilliant Students
  I’m thrilled to share that junior Madeleine Dotson of Mobile was named a Truman Scholar. The distinguished national program awards merit scholarships to students who pursue careers in government or public service. And, for the second year in a row, we have three new Goldwater Scholars in a single year. Congrats to Christian Boudreaux of Oxford, Noah Garrett of Madison, and Alyssa Stoner of Gulfport. The Goldwater Scholarship supports sophomores and juniors who show promise of becoming the nation’s next generation of research leaders in science, engineering and mathematics. We also welcomed an impressive group of 10 seniors into our 2022-23 Hall of Fame: Preston Antes, Jilkiah Bryant, Andy Flores, Kelly Li, Preston McWilliams, Rabria Moore, Sepp Cecil, Logan Thomas, Margaret Walker, and Morgan Whited.
  

• Top Teachers
  We honored two of our most dedicated teachers at the annual Honors Convocation. Jason Ritchie, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, received the 2023 Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award for his brilliant and caring presence in the classroom. We also presented the inaugural St. Amand Outstanding Teaching Award to Lou Burney, lecturer in accountancy instruction, who brings joy and enthusiasm to every class.

• All Roads Traveled
  I traveled to Itawamba and Northwest community colleges earlier this month to meet with students. After serving in leadership roles for more than a decade at a Mississippi community college, I’m proud of how the University of Mississippi creates solid pathways and support services for transfer students. Their success is why we’ve been named each year to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Roll, and it contributes to why our transfer graduation rates are above 70%. And, during our recent Evening of First Generation Excellence, we recognized a group whom I deeply admire, our first-generation college students. First-gen students arrive on campus facing many unknowns, and their path to graduation requires a high degree of grit, persistence, and drive.
  

Don’t miss the special section at the end about our robust research enterprise — it’s incredible how our university applies our research to educational advancements, real-world applications, and economic growth. Until next month, take care!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the communities impacted by the tornadoes. The widespread devastation destroyed many homes and businesses, and we are incredibly saddened by the tremendous loss of lives. We have contacted students from the affected areas to offer support and resources. For those wishing to support the recovery efforts, please visit Volunteer Mississippi for how you can volunteer and for needed disaster supplies and drop off locations.

As we look back at the last month, our campus community has much to be grateful for including the outstanding performance by Ole Miss Women’s Basketball in toppling top-seeded Stanford and reaching the Sweet 16 round the NCAA Tournament. We also honored the 20th anniversary of the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts, the 25th anniversary of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, and the 25th anniversary of the Croft Institute for International Studies. Check out the special section at the end of this newsletter for great information about Croft’s interdisciplinary, academically rigorous program. Here are three things to know right now:

• Mark Your Calendars: April 15 will be an exciting day on campus as we host the second annual Mississippi Day, Junior Preview Day, and the Ole Miss Grove Bowl. Mississippi Day is a family-friendly festival featuring dozens of interactive games and activities. Join us to experience the creativity and ideas of our faculty, staff, and students as they put their ingenuity on display with demonstrations that showcase our impact on the state in education, the arts, service, and more. You’ll enjoy great food, live music, and fun for the whole family. Hope to see you there!
• Spring Break Recap: Beth Spencer, Mississippi Humanities Council’s Teacher of the Year, led a group of students to the United Kingdom for a distinctive program focused on British fantasy fiction and creative writing. Students experienced the magic of Scotland, including a stay at Alnwick Castle, an iconic filming location featured in several Harry Potter movies. In public policy leadership, students traveled to Tel Aviv, the Golan Heights, Jerusalem, and the Dead Sea, delving into ancient history and participating in discussions and lectures on the country’s role in the Middle East region. After exploring other cultures, broadening their horizons, and creating lifelong memories, our students returned to campus enriched with new perspectives and a deeper understanding of the world.
• Make an Impact: Giving Day 2023 states our aspirations clearly with the theme “The Time is Now.” The annual online event, set for April 4-5, unites our community in support of the people, places, and programs that make the University of Mississippi such an incredible institution. We’re better together, and together, we can make a powerful, positive impact. No matter the size, your gift will make a difference. Your gift can go further when you participate in a challenge or match. Want to do more? Amplify Giving Day by signing up to be an influencer! Mark your calendar and show your love for Ole Miss!

Until next month, take care!