Students storm the field following a 23-17 victory over the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.
Looking back, 2014 brought many memorable moments at the University of Mississippi. A few were not so pleasant, but the majority of them were definitely causes for celebration. As we approach the new year, here are the Top 9 Most Anticipated UM Events of 2015:
- Completion of Construction Projects. Hopefully, we’ll finally have the long-awaited five-story parking garage near Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence. We also would like to see completion of the new residential halls on the west and north sides of campus and the renovation of Coulter Hall. There are others, but these would suffice for one year.
- More Notable Celebrity Appearances. In the past, we’ve had certain actors/actresses, singers, authors and politicians show up unexpectedly for tailgating in the Grove and for more formal appearances in various campus venues. Now that Ole Miss is becoming known as “the place to be found at” on social media, it’s almost certain that we’ll be seeing even more of the famous (and infamous?) “beautiful people” around.
- Making Some New Lists. We’ve made so many “best of” lists in the likes of the Chronicle of Higher Education, Forbes, Business Week, Fortune, etc. It’s time for UM to climb up in the rankings we’ve already established and to get mentioned on the ones we’ve not yet made. Assisted by the hard work our talented faculty, staff and students, it shouldn’t be too hard to achieve.
- Setting New Enrollment Records. Been there, done that. But in the words of the old Staple Singers’ hit song, “Let’s Do It Again!” After all, we can never get too much of a good thing, can we?
- Surpassing Previous Fundraising Campaigns. By now you may have heard of the UM 2020 Initiative. No? Well, it’s the most aggressive effort ever to strengthen the university’s endowments and assets. Despite what some would have us to believe, there’s money to be made. We’re a great American public university; let’s keep it that way by financially supporting Ole Miss like never before.
- All the Star Athletes Recruited. We’ve already drawn some of the nation’s best student athletes to play in various sports for the university, but we can always use a few more. Hopefully, Ross Bjork and his coaching staffs can help Ole Miss sign several top prospects during the coming year. Hotty Toddy!!
- Continued Groundbreaking Research Projects. By now it’s no secret that UM leads the way in research. Faculty is constantly being awarded grants and contracts for the study and development of solutions to real-world problems. It would be nice if 2015 turned out to be the year that kept us at the forefront of those “eureka!” moments that benefit the masses.
- Multiple Recognitions of Student Academic Achievement. What if 2015 is the year that UM students were recipients of every notable award there is? Goldwater. Rhodes. Truman. Fulbright. Udall. Gates. Imagine what it would mean for the university’s reputation and rankings if such indeed occurs. It could happen!!
- Retirements, Promotions and Graduations. Admittedly, probably not as newsworthy, but for those who’ve worked long and hard for years for them and their families, important nonetheless. This happens every year, but it’s always greatly anticipated.
Now, it’s your turn. What memorable occasion/event do you most anticipate happening at UM in 2015? Tweet your responses to @OleMissRebels and let’s see how things work out. Who knows? You may be right!