THE DAILY
MISSISSIPPIAN
Friday, March 31, 2017
Volume 105, No. 115
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F M I S S I S S I P P I S E R V I N G O L E M I S S A N D OX F O R D S I N C E 1 9 1 1
WHAT’S INSIDE...
Visit theDMonline.com
Mississippi’s hidden gem of Pascagoula
Isom Center director: Voice for women, LGBTQ
Bulldogs come back to upset Rebels in seventh
SEE OPINION PAGE 2
SEE LIFESTYLES PAGE 4
SEE SPORTS PAGE 8
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Honors College celebrates 20 years, renovations Police say two shot at Oxford Pawn Shop CLARA TURNAGE
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PHOTOS BY: ARIEL COBBERT
LEFT: Chancellor Vitter introduces James Barksdale at the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College Building Dedication on Thursday. RIGHT: James Barksdale speaks at the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College Building Dedication. The renovation project was funded by Barksdale, a former Netscape executive and husband of Sally McDonnell.
LYNDY BERRYHILL
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On its 20th anniversary, attendees gathered to support the newly christened Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College after a year of renovations. More than 100 people were in attendance, some
standing while others sat crossed-legged on the floor as Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter welcomed the Barksdale family and other community figures, including former mayor Pat Patterson, Honors College Dean Douglass Sullivan-Gonzalez, as well as others. “This building looks absolutely fantastic,” Vitter said.
“I think everyone in our entire university community can feel truly proud.” Founded in 1997, the Honors College enlarged the common areas and created more study spaces with computer space and classrooms. It added 15,000 square feet to the existing structure. Vitter said since the first class of students, the class
size grew from fewer than 400 to the current size of more than 1,400 students. The average ACT average has risen to 31, up from 29.7 in 2002. “This Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College is an incredible asset to our university,” Vitter said. “It
SLADE RAND
Attorney General Brent Ferguson. They will be handing over the reins to ASB President-elect Dion Kevin, Vice President Elam Miller, Secretary Dylan Wood, Judicial Chair Will Nowell, Attorney General Dillon Pitts and Treasurer Jennie Jesuit. “The new executive group is looking to hear from students more. They want more student engagement and students’ input,” current President Austin Powell said. “Just so students know which resources are available.” In his last week serving the student body, Powell reflected
SEE HONORS COLLEGE PAGE 3
Two men were shot in front of Oxford Pawn Thursday, according to Maj. Sheridan Maiden of the Oxford Police Department. According to Oxford Police Department Twitter, a person of interest, Ricky Mabry, turned himself in late Thursday night. The two men with gunshot wounds were flown to the Regional One Health in Memphis, Tennessee, according to a press release issued by the department Thursday night. The release said the victims are in stable condition at this time. According to the release, the police department received a 911 call around 7 p.m. reporting shots fired. A Ford Explorer belonging to one of the victims was being towed away, and witnesses had left the scene by 8:15. A worker at Chuy’s Place, which is next door to Oxford Pawn, said she didn’t see anything but heard the shots after 6 p.m. No more information was available at the time this was published. Oxford police request that anyone with information call (662) 232-2400.
Law school hosts race, Student Senate sworn in today sustainability forum thedmnews@gmail.com
See theDMonline.com for coverage from the law school’s third annual conference.
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Friday marks the 2015-2016 Associated Student Body Executive Board’s final day in office, as well as 100 years of ASB on campus. A new executive group of student leaders will be inaugurated Friday afternoon after leading campaigns focused on bringing more students into the ASB process. The 2016-2017 cabinet will step down, including Powell, Vice President Michael Howell, Secretary Austin Spindler, Judicial Chair Hurston Reed, Treasurer Jennie Jesuit and
on the mark the job has left on him and the university. Powell remembered his own presidency as a humbling, challenging and educational experience. “I saw my inauguration day as my oyster. You know, they say the world is your oyster,” Powell said. “It’s been hard; it’s been challenging, but it’s all been good.” He said the job was different than he expected, but in what he feels was a positive way. By handling necessary conflicts, Powell said he got to know what truly interests the campus and students. “One hundred years shows
SEE INAUGURATION PAGE 3