Dear students, faculty, and staff,
Our beautiful campus is in bloom, our seniors are eagerly anticipating Commencement, and in just a few days we will host what is sure to be one of the most exciting weekends on our campus in recent memory.
Anchoring this weekend is the university’s inaugural Mississippi Day on Saturday, April 9, a family-friendly open house to celebrate our state and the university’s contributions to its culture, education, well-being, and economy. In addition to this exciting new event, the university will host an SEC baseball series against Alabama, Junior Preview Day for prospective students, a concert in the Grove, academic honors celebrations, and a special story time with the one and only Dolly Parton. The energy and enthusiasm of our campus is in full swing!
As the flagship university of the Hospitality State in America’s best college town, I know you’ll join me in welcoming our community and visitors to this vibrant weekend on campus. To make sure that everyone enjoys their visit, you’ll find helpful information below about campus operations during these events.
Thursday, April 7
Phi Kappa Phi Induction Ceremony
3-4 p.m. at the Ford Center
Suggested parking: Ford Center lot*
*Commuters see information below
Taylor Medal Dinner and Photos
4:30-7:00 p.m. at The Inn at Ole Miss
Suggested parking: Ford Center lot*
Shuttles will be available to and from the Inn.
Honors and Awards Convocation
7:30-8:30 p.m. at the Ford Center
Suggested parking: Ford Center lot*
Park-N-Ride shuttles will run to and from the Jackson Avenue Center parking lot and campus from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 7.
Friday, April 8
Track & Field Joe Walker Invitational
All day at the Ole Miss Track
Suggested parking: Pavilion Garage, nearby surface lots or the South Lot by Hwy 6 and Old Taylor Road
Women’s Tennis vs. Missouri 3 p.m. at the Palmer Salloum Tennis Center
Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony
3-4 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom
Suggested parking: Ford Center lot*
Shuttles will take guests from the Ford Center lot to the Student Union from 2-3 p.m., and return to the Ford Center lot at 4 p.m.
Who’s Who and Hall of Fame Ceremony
5-6 p.m. at the Ford Center
Suggested parking: Ford Center lot*
Baseball vs. Alabama
6:30 p.m. at Swayze Field
Suggested parking: Attendees without a baseball parking pass should park in the South Lot by Hwy 6 and Old Taylor Road. Shuttles will run to and from the South Lot and Swayze Field.
Hall of Fame Dinner
6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom
Suggested parking: Ford Center lot*
Shuttles will take guests from the Ford Center lot to the Student Union from 6-6:30 p.m., then return to the Ford Center lot at 8:30 p.m.
Park-N-Ride shuttles will run to and from the Jackson Avenue Center parking lot and campus from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday, April 8.
* Commuters: Consider these alternatives to the Ford Center Commuter lot: Jeanette Philips (next to track and field), Tad Smith South (rear side of Tad Smith), Upper Kincannon (West side of the Residential Garage), JAC Park-N-Ride and South Lot (Old Taylor Rd. and Hwy 6) with increased OUT bus Gold route frequency. See this map for alternate commuter parking locations.
Saturday, April 9
Junior Preview Day
8 a.m.
Suggested parking: Pavilion Garage
Mississippi Day
10 a.m.-2 p.m. in The Circle
Family-friendly activities and games from more than 70 departments across campus, food trucks, live music and inflatables.
Suggested parking: Tad Smith Coliseum lot and nearby surface lots
Baseball vs. Alabama
2 p.m. at Swayze Field
Suggested parking: Attendees without a baseball parking pass should park in the South Lot by Hwy 6 and Old Taylor Road. Shuttles will run to and from the South Lot and Swayze Field.
Soccer vs. Southern Miss 2 p.m. at the Soccer Stadium
Dolly Parton Storytime (ticketed event)
2:30-4 p.m. at the Ford Center
Suggested parking: Ford Center lot
Concert in the Grove: Riley Green
6 p.m. in the Grove
Suggested parking: Tad Smith Coliseum parking lot and unreserved lots, with ADA parking at Paris Yates Chapel. Shuttles will run between Tad Smith Coliseum and the Kennon Observatory. The Circle and the Grove will be closed to vehicle access.
Track & Field Joe Walker Invitational
All day at the Ole Miss Track
Suggested parking: Pavilion Garage, nearby surface lots or the South Lot by Hwy 6 and Old Taylor Road
It’s a fantastic slate of activities, so I hope you’ll join us for an amazing weekend in Oxford as we celebrate our students, faculty, and staff and the university’s contributions to the great state of Mississippi.
Hotty Toddy and Happy Spring!
Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor