OXFORD, Miss. – As native Mississippians, Ron Feder and his late wife, Becky, grew up steeped in the folkways of the American South. But it took an extended stay in the Philippines to help them truly appreciate the extraordinary – and decidedly unique – culture of their homeland. Ever since, the R&B Feder Foundation hasRead the story …
Gift Reflects a Love of the South
Feders recommit support for Oxford Conference for the Book with $100K pledge
September 9, 2023 by
Historian Focuses on Lives of Black Americans During Reconstruction
Kidada Williams gives annual Gilder-Jordan Lecture
September 7, 2023 by
OXFORD, Miss. – Many Americans learn in school that Reconstruction failed, but few can accurately identify who failed to do what and why. In the annual Gilder-Jordan Lecture in Southern Cultural History, historian and author Kidada E. Williams answers those questions in “The Devil Was Turned Loose: African Americans in the War Against Reconstruction.” In the Sept.Read the story …
SouthTalks Focus on Creativity in the South
Lectures begin Sept. 6 with discussion of changing minds
August 27, 2023 by
OXFORD, Miss. – Creativity in the South is the programming theme for the 2023-24 academic year at the University of Mississippi‘s Center for the Study of Southern Culture. The fall SouthTalks series begins by recognizing that the U.S. South is a region of profound contrast. “Extreme poverty exists uneasily alongside extreme wealth,” said Katie McKee,Read the story …
Lodge Bolsters Mission of Southern Foodways Alliance
Cast iron cookware manufacturer invests in studies of region's food and culture
August 19, 2023 by
OXFORD, Miss. – The Lodge Manufacturing Co., a fifth-generation, family-owned cast iron cookware company in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, is strengthening the mission of the Southern Foodways Alliance with an unrestricted gift of $150,000. Based at the University of Mississippi‘s Center for the Study of Southern Culture, the SFA works to document, study and explore theRead the story …
National Park Service Names UM Instructor to Humanities Fellowship
Research to focus on African American experience in Vicksburg after Civil War
June 14, 2023 by
OXFORD, Miss. – For the next two years, University of Mississippi history instructor Beth Kruse will live and work in Vicksburg, delving into the untold story of Black Americans in the tumultuous Civil War South. The National Park Service Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellowship has named 15 postdoctoral fellows – Kruse among them – to helpRead the story …
Making History: Ted Ownby to Retire After 35 Years
Historian plans to write new book exploring Mississippians who did fascinating things
June 5, 2023 by
OXFORD, Miss. – After 35 years as a member of the University of Mississippi faculty, including 11 years as director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, history and Southern studies professor Ted Ownby is preparing to retire at the end of June. During his time as a scholar, researcher and director atRead the story …
Summer Sunset Series to Highlight Art, Music and Alumni
Annual free concert series to include Mississippi musicians, Southern studies alumni showcase
May 28, 2023 by
OXFORD, Miss. – Each Sunday in June, members of the Lafayette-Oxford-University family can gather on the Grove for a night of music and culture as the annual Summer Sunset Series returns to the University of Mississippi. The free concert series will kick off at 6 p.m. June 4, and each Sunday includes blues, Southern rockRead the story …
Giving Day 2023 Sets University Record
Alumni, friends step up with $6.83 million in support
April 8, 2023 by
OXFORD, Miss – When the last online donation came in Wednesday (April 5) for Giving Day 2023, the University of Mississippi‘s donors had united to set an unprecedented fundraising record. This year, Ole Miss students, parents, alumni, friends, faculty and staff members came together to contribute 2,399 gifts totaling more than $6.83 million – theRead the story …
Alumnus Feeds Passion for Discovery as TV Documentary Producer
Ben Cannon puts his Southern studies degree to use in unexpected ways
March 23, 2023 by
OXFORD, Miss. – Ben Cannon has always enjoyed exploring new places, which is quite helpful for his job as a field producer for the Discovery Channel. Cannon earned a bachelor’s degree in Southern studies from the University of Mississippi in 2003. Although his circuitous route has led him from ski towns in Germany to lodgesRead the story …
Southern Documentary Project Director Earns Two Fellowships
Melanie Ho plans to use award to network with other emerging storytellers and hone skills
March 10, 2023 by
OXFORD, Miss. – Melanie Ho, producer-director at the Southern Documentary Project and an adjunct assistant professor in the University of Mississippi‘s Center for the Study of Southern Culture, has enjoyed many accolades the past few months. First, NeXtDoc, a national group of emerging young documentary filmmakers, named her one of its fellows. And more recently,Read the story …