Giving Day 2023 Sets University Record

Alumni, friends step up with $6.83 million in support

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

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

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 …

Willie Morris Awards Awarded in Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry

Destiny Birdsong, Beverly Lowry and Adam Haver to read at 2023 Oxford Conference for the Book

OXFORD, Miss. – The Willie Morris Awards for Southern Writing will celebrate some of the year’s best in contemporary literature in a session concluding the 2023 Oxford Conference for the Book. The awards program celebrates the legacy of Willie Morris, award-winning author and former writer-in-residence at the University of Mississippi, and, by extension, spreads appreciationRead the story …

Authors, Musicians, Artists Gather for Oxford Conference for the Book

Annual event set for March 29-31; all session free to the public

OXFORD, Miss. – Among literature enthusiasts, it’s no secret that Oxford has long been a magnet for writers. On March 29-31, their numbers will multiply as more than 30 of the nation’s leading and emerging authors, poets, scholars and artists gather for the annual Oxford Conference for the Book. Across the University of Mississippi campusRead the story …

First Black UM Admissions Counselor Brings History to Light

Q&A with Dottie 'Quaye' Chapman Reed

OXFORD, Miss. – Dottie “Quaye” Chapman Reed (BA 74) was the first Black admissions counselor at the University of Mississippi, serving from from 1974 to 1977. Her extensive collection of papers will be on display at the UM Libraries’ Department of Archives and Special Collections through early March as part of the university’s commemoration ofRead the story …

Using Oral Histories as an ‘Avenue to Difficult Truth-telling’

Sarah Rodriguez blends love for food and meaningful conversation at Southern Foodways Alliance

OXFORD, Miss. – Sarah Rodriguez engages with people through her work as an oral historian, honing skills such as honesty and empathy building. She also enjoys connecting with them over a meal, which is not surprising, given her job with the Southern Foodways Alliance. “I like to meet people for drinks and a meal andRead the story …

University Supports Community Partnership Projects

Projects range from youth nutrition programs to sustainable farmers market activities

OXFORD, Miss. –The University of Mississippi has awarded funding to six projects aimed at increasing collaboration between the institution and the Lafayette County and Oxford communities. The Community Engaged Partnership Development Fund grants are awarded by the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement and support the UM Empower Now strategic plan. “Providing these grants allowsRead the story …

U.S. Poet Laureate Slated as UM Baine Lecturer

Ada Limón will discuss 'What Poetry Can Do' in Fulton Chapel

OXFORD, Miss. – U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón is set to deliver this year’s Baine Lecture at the University of Mississippi. Limón will discuss “What Poetry Can Do” beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 7) in Fulton Chapel. Free and open to the public, the event is co-sponsored by the Department of English and theRead the story …

Spring SouthTalks Continue ‘Race in the Classroom’ Theme

Series begins Jan. 25 with Michael Fagans discussing how images help us see world more broadly

OXFORD, Miss. – The programming focus at the Center for the Study of Southern Culture for the 2022-23 academic year is “Race in the Classroom,” and the spring SouthTalks lectures follow that theme. Historically, classrooms have functioned as both intensely local spaces and as broader political stages on which debates about equality, identity and accessRead the story …