The Daily Mississippian October 26, 2023

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Daily

MISSISSIPPIAN theDMonline.com

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Bleacher bandits: pledging allegiance to actives

“First come, first serve” is the student section seating policy, but the first students at Ole Miss Football games are not getting the first choice of seats.

Fraternities are to blame.

Volume 112, No. 10

Students hold protest for Palestinians HAL FOX

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CLAY HALE

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Ole Miss game days are supposed to be a time for community and football, but that experience has been soiled for some students by Greek life fraternity pledges attempting to remove them from their seats in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Anna Gansereit, a junior exercise science major, says she and her friends were asked to move from their seats by a fraternity pledge at one of the first games of the football season.

“We were trying to sit towards the upper middle section, and we found what we thought were empty seats,” Gansereit said. “Then a pledge came up to us and was like, ‘You have to leave. This is saved for actives only. You guys can’t be here.’”

ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN The all-female trio thought the pledges were not serious, but they were urged to move again. Pledges attempt to reserve seats in the student section of Vaught-Hemingway “We were like, ‘There’s plenty of room

SEE BANDITS PAGE 12

Stadium on Oct. 7.

“Everybody here is numb. The oppression has been ongoing for 75 years, and everybody is numb to it. Palestinians will be killed for the rest of our lives, and that’s something that people are okay with,” Khalil Abualya, a senior pharmacy major, said. “We’re here to change that today, God willing.”

Approximately 50 students of all races and creeds assembled in the Grove on Wednesday, Oct. 25 to peacefully protest the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. The event was organized by the Muslim Student Association, but Abualya, president of the MSA, made clear that the protest was not religious in nature.

“This is not a religious issue, it’s not a political issue, it’s a humanitarian issue. There are over 2,000 kids that have been killed (in Gaza) in less than two weeks,” Abualya said. “Are the two million people living

SEE PROTEST PAGE 4

HOMECOMING COURT

BASEBALL

The University of Mississippi’s homecoming court winners detail their Ole Miss experiences ahead of the homecoming game on Saturday.

Following a rare subpar season for the then-defending national champions, the Rebels are gearing up for their matchup with Memphis to round out the fall.

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Rebels invite Vandy to Oxford for Ole Miss homecoming The Rebels look to build on an impressive road win against Auburn this weekend as they take on Vanderbilt. With just three home games left, Ole Miss will need to take advantage of every opportunity.

IAN SPARKS

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Before discussing the actual game itself, it is worth noting that this is Ole Miss’ homecoming game, meaning that many UM students who worked so hard to secure their respective elections will be recognized at halftime of the game on Saturday.

Homecoming King Brady Wood and Queen Anna Ware Brown will be recognized alongside Mr. Ole Miss Daneel Konnar and Miss Ole Miss Samantha Sepe.

Since their loss to Alabama earlier this season, the Rebels have pieced together wins in many ways. Against LSU, the offense carried the team to a defining win. Against Arkansas, the defense played a massive part in taking down the Hogs.

MARIA RAMIREZ / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN In the win against Auburn, it was a little bit of both. Now, Mr. Ole Miss, Daneel Konnar, and Miss Ole Miss, Sam Ole Miss hopes to play another Sepe full game of production against

HALEY CHILES / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Homecoming king, Brady Wood, and queen, Anna Ware Brown.

Vanderbilt on Saturday.

Auburn’s offensive struggles aside, the Rebel defense showed significant improvement. The Tigers had just 153 net rushing yards with 53 of those yards coming on one run.

The ability on the defensive side of the ball as well as the schemes introduced by coordinator Pete Golding have made the Rebel defense a tough out.

Offensively, Ole Miss has only gotten better since the Alabama game. Running backs Quinshon Judkins and Ulysses Bentley IV have hit their stride. Quarterback Jaxson Dart has continued to impress and make game-winning plays.

Even with the bye week rust, the Rebels looked solid against Auburn and the 28-21 score did not reflect the triumphant mood of the Rebel squad.

Vanderbilt opened the season 2-0. Since then, they have lost six straight games leading

SEE HOMECOMING PAGE 11

PAGE 2 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023

‘Help’s on the way’: Presley outlines plans for students, Mississippians HAL FOX

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Democratic candidate for governor Brandon Presley campaigned in all of Mississippi’s 82 counties to drum up support for his challenge to incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves. Election day is Nov. 7.

“It’s been wonderful going all around and visiting all the different regions of Mississippi — we’re one big family,” Presley said in a phone interview with The Daily Mississippian.

Presley, public service commissioner for the Northern District of Mississippi and former mayor of Nettleton, Miss., believes he has a plan to revitalize Mississippi and bring economic prosperity to the state.

A recent poll has put Presley trailing Reeves by one percentage point, with 10% of polled individuals still undecided — no small feat for a Democrat in a deeply red state.

Sarah Beth Bexley, a sophomore classics major and the public relations coordinator for the University of Mississippi College Democrats, thinks that students should show up to vote for Presley.

“Our voices can bridge the divides and bring about the change we want to see in our local community and beyond. It is para-

mount that people our age show up next month to vote and move against the status quo that is caging Mississippi,” Bexley said. “I think our votes as students have the power to shape the future of this state. By supporting Brandon Presley for governor, we are not just choosing a leader; we are choosing a path of balance, compromise and progress.”

Brain drain from students graduating from Mississippi colleges and going to other states has become endemic. Many students leave because they cannot find a good job. Presley has a plan for these students.

“Hold on, help’s on the way,” Presley said. “We’re going to be looking at different strategies of the new economy and how we can create 21st-century jobs that will pay well and hopefully keep our young people here.”

Presley sees these jobs as necessary factors in solutions to policy problems.

“The old saying is that you used to have blue collar jobs and white collar jobs, and now there are no collar jobs because people are able to work from home and work remotely, and we need to have a strategy to make sure that we’re increasing those types of jobs,” Presley said.

“With Medicaid expansion, we create 15,000 healthcare jobs.

Those are good career jobs.”

‘Lobbyists have unlimited access while the average person is shut out of the process. ’ - Brandon Presley Democratic candidate for governor A core campaign issue for the Presley campaign has been the expansion of Medicaid. This is especially important, as Mississippi is already critically lacking in healthcare infrastructure.

“We have a total lack of leadership in the governor’s office,” Presley said. “He has been against expanding Medicaid although 34 hospitals in the state are on the verge of shutting down, and five have ended in-patient care.”

Presley thinks the root problem behind many of Mississippi’s economic issues can be traced back to corruption in government.

“Lobbyists run the show, and right now lobbyists have unlimited access while the average person is shut out of the process, and that’s why we have to pass ethics reform, to give a balanced playing where the average citizen

in Mississippi has the same power as a lobbyist,” Presley said.

Reeves himself is embroiled in an ongoing corruption scandal regarding the alleged misappropriation of state welfare funds that involved the University of Southern Mississippi and Brett Favre, former quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. The Mississippi Department of Human Services has filed a civil lawsuit against Favre and others as part of its effort to recover allegedly misspent welfare funds.

“He (Reeves) should remove himself from any participation in this investigation because he is ethically compromised,” Presley said. “Brett Favre’s deposition was kicked out till after the election — they were going to do his deposition in October and ask for it to be secret. This is arrogance run amok, and Tate

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Reeves is at the center of it.”

The Daily Mississippi-b an contacted Reeves’ mediaa personnel multiple times butS was unable to set up an in-H terview with the governor.t Presley also spoke aboutR several other issues import-g ant to Mississippians, including the state’s new med-P ical marijuana program.c “Unfortunately, the medi-t cal program that the people ofo Mississippi voted on is not thef medical marijuana programp that we have. That was becauseG of political insiders and lobby-b ists,” Presley said. “From whata I hear from those in the indus-R try, (there) is a lack of state per-R sonnel to process the cards, so$ there’s a huge backlog right nowt related to those prescription cards and medical ID cards.”d Mississippi Today report-t ed early this year that the health department was hav-i ing difficulty managing then new program. It is uncleara • Former Special whether that remains theAgen case.p University of Mississippi • Practiced at his privat students worried about betraysame place, ing theirthe allegiance to Olebeing Miss need not worry: Although Pres• Taughtfrom the Mississipp ley graduated Mississippi Procedure courses State University, those loyal ea to Ole Miss are close to his heart. for 29 consecutive yea “My wife is a huge Ole Miss •fan, so we’reofathe house A member Cha divided,” Presley said.

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023 | PAGE 3

New City Hall Pocket Park vandalized

ASHLYNN PAYNE

thedmnews@gmail.com

” The City Hall Pocket Park -between Oxford City Hall aand Square Books Jr. is the tSquare’s newest addition.

-However, less than a week af.ter being dedicated by Mayor tRobyn Tannehill, the park’s -globe fountain was vandalized.

- A Facebook post by Oxford -Police Department showed se.curity footage from Oct. 24 of -two women rolling the sphere foff of the fountain’s base. The efountain was placed in the mpark to honor the life of Gerald eGafford, an influential mem-ber of the Oxford community tand former president of the -Rotary Club of Oxford. The -Rotary Club made the original o$5,000 donation for the founwtain to be added at the park. n Tannehill expressed her ”disappointment upon seeing -the broken fountain and video. e “It was really disappoint-ing. We are so proud of our enew City Hall Pocket Park rand the beautiful space it .provides our residents and i s i o . eVIOLET JIRA ethedmnews@gmail.com .

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, a Republican candidate for president, will make a pit stop on the campaign trail to participate in a discussion at the University of Mississippi.

The event, originally scheduled for a date in 2022, has been rescheduled multiple times. The discussion is finally slated to take place on Friday, Oct. 27, at the Sandy and John Black Pavillion.

Scott will be hosted by the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom, a university center whose mission is to foster the academic exploration of the principles of American freedom. Scott will be welcomed by UM Chancellor Glenn Boyce and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss. The event, which will take a Q&A/ discussion format, will be moderated by Steven Skultelty.

visitors,” Tannehill said. “It made me sick that it was treated with such disrespect.”

This disrespect will not go without consequences.

OPD’s post also elaborated on how the damages exceed $5,000, constituting a felony charge of vandalism, which can be punishable by fine or jail time under Mississippi’s malicious mischief laws. Tannehill also elaborated on the extent of the damages and the city’s plans to deal with them.

“It will have to be replaced as the sphere is cracked all the way through. We ordered another fountain this morning and are developing a plan to secure it to prevent further vandalism,” she said.

Many members of the community have commented on OPD’s Facebook post, debating whether the act was a harmless prank or an ignorant act of vandalism. Tannehill made a clear stance on the matter.

“It is sad to me that people look at this event as if it was a ‘harmless prank’ or something the city should have ex-

JENSEN WARE / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

The aftermath of the Pocket Park vandalism. A crack has appeared on the fountain. pected. I guess I just expect more from our students that call our community home,” Tannehill said. “Vandalism is never a harmless prank.

Reckless behavior always has will release the names of consequences. This was a those responsible and offithoughtless act that disregards cial charges against them. the value of our community.

In the coming days, OPD

Presidential candidate Tim Scott to visit UM Friday Skultety, professor of philosophy and chair of the department of philosophy at UM, is director of the Declaration of Independence Center.

In moderating the event, he hopes to bring about meaningful discussion concerning America and American freedom with the United States senator.

“I think the big message that will come out of the event is that freedom is something worth thinking about,” Skultety said. “I think that we forget to ponder what a deep and important subject it is, so I’d like to remind people why freedom deserves to be studied and openly celebrated.”

Scott has been in the Senate since 2013. On May 22, he announced his intention to compete for the Republican presidential nomination, joining a list of other Republican presidential hopefuls that includes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, for-

mer New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

Scott is South Carolina’s first Black senator, and was the first Black U.S. senator from the South to have been elected since the 19th century. As a presidential candidate, Scott has emphasized faith in America and the importance of American values.

“Joe Biden and the radical left are attacking every rung of the ladder that helped me climb. And that is why I am announcing today that I am running for president of the United States of America,” Scott said as he launched his presidential bid in May. “They’re attacking our American values, our schools, our economy, our security. But not on my watch. I cannot stand by while this is done to America. She has done too much for me.”

The discussion is not intended to be political — instead, the event will focus on

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN EDITORIAL staff VIOLET JIRA editor-in-chief

CLAY HALE arts and culture editor

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PHOTO COURTESY: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Sen. Tim Scott questions Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell during the Senate Banking Committee hearing on March 3, 2022.

democracy, faith in Amer- ing Hope, Creating Unity.”

The event will begin ica and themes from the senator’s book, “America, a at 3:30 p.m. and is free Redemption Story: Choos- and open to the public.

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PAGE 4 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023

PROTEST

continued from page 1

in Gaza all Hamas militants?

Were the 2,000 children killed in Gaza Hamas militants?”

Abualya spent much of his life in Palestine, and some of his family members are counted in the 5,000 death toll in Gaza and the West Bank due to the recent Israeli bombing campaign in retaliation to a Hamas offensive on Oct. 7, in which over a thousand Israeli civilians were killed. The University of Mississippi Hillel held a candlelight vigil for victims of the attack on Oct. 13.

“I have lost family already in Palestine, I’ve lost family in the West Bank and I’ve had family members that have been taken to prison in the West Bank with administrative detention, they are not taken to court,” Abualya said. “I am an American citizen, and I have the right to say what I need to say, I have the right to tell members of my government, ‘You guys are supporting something that I do not stand for.’

It is our duty to use that right for the better. Even if I wasn’t Palestinian, I would stand for Gaza, because I am a human.”

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called for a “complete siege” on Gaza and claimed that the Israeli Defense Forces were

fighting against “human animals.” Israel also utilizes chemical weapons like white phosphorus against Palestinians, which is illegal under international law.

“We (Palestinians) can’t live peacefully because we are viewed as subhuman by Israel,” Abualya said. “As a Muslim, I condemn the killing of all innocent people, but I also condemn the (IDF) killing of women and children, I condemn the use of chemical weapons on civilian populated areas, I condemn bombing one of the most densely populated places on the planet.”

Adam Soltani, a junior studying biochemistry, is vice president of the MSA. “In America, it’s really hard to mobilize support for Palestinians. We are only asking that the blockade imposed by Israel in Gaza be lifted,” Soltani said. “It’s been a real grassroots effort from the Muslim Student Association on campus and a bunch of people who are concerned about the state of the region. You see people (protesting) that are not even Arab or Muslim – you don’t have to be of any specific denomination, you just have to be human.”

Soltani condemned the IDF’s collective punishment campaign against Palestinians.

“The collective punishment that’s banned under international law, the complete blockade that has created one of the

biggest humanitarian crises that we have seen in the region – the same way we condemn Hamas, we condemn what the IDF and Israeli government are doing to people that have nothing to do with the conflict,” Soltani said.

“The issue is innocent civilian deaths. You can’t ever compare human loss and death, but in the span of two weeks almost 6,000 people have been killed, the vast majority of whom have nothing to do with the conflict.”

Soltani spoke about how the Israeli blockade of essential resources to Palestinians such as electricity, food and drinking water hits the young and elderly the hardest.

“Hospitals are being shut down because of a lack of electricity, so more deaths are on the way,” Soltani said. “A lot of the people being targeted are elderly people and children, who are the most susceptible to energy losses, water losses and food losses.”

Kennady Hertz is a graduate student studying integrated marketing communications, and she came out to the protest after studying the plight of Gazans in her public policy leadership courses.

“I studied this issue in my class last year, peace and conflict studies with the public policy major, and I’ve been following it and learning more every day. A lot of influential people like celebrities

and politicians have not been truthful about what is going on, and there is a lot of disinformation on the internet,” Hertz said.

“I feel like a good way to create positive change is to go in person and show out for these people (Palestinians) that need help.”

Shrishti Srivastava, a sophomore psychology major, went to the protest because she feels like an ethnic cleansing is unfolding before her eyes.

“I think what’s currently happening in Palestine is a travesty. It’s so disheartening to witness an ethnic cleansing, and we are just letting it happen,” Shrishti Srivastava, a sophomore psychology major, said.

Iman Gohar is a retired UM assistant professor of civil engineering who immigrated from Egypt.

“My background is Egyptian, but I’m a US citizen. This is my home, Oxford is my home. We try to make our voices reach even though we are not there (Gaza), but we are trying to tell them (Palestinians) that we are behind them, that we support each other,” Gohar said.

Gohar came out to protest the loss of human life and killing perpetrated by both the IDF and Hamas.

“I came out to support the human beings in Gaza and in Israel, what is happening on both sides is not acceptable by any

means. That is what we encourage people to understand, we are not terrorists, we do not want to kill anybody, we want to live in peace together,” Gohar said.

“The loss of human life is unbelievable, it is something that you can’t bear, you can’t just witness it, you can’t be a part of it, you have to be part of the solution.”

Associate Dean of Students Brent Marsh facilitated the event along with seven uniformed officers from the University Police Department.

“Freedom of expression is fundamental to the university’s mission to create, evaluate, share and apply knowledge in a free, open and inclusive environment.

As a university, we support the rights of our students to express their views and assemble in a respectful and peaceful manner,” Marsh said. “The organizers worked with UM officials in advance allowing the university to foster a safe event through which the group could achieve its goals.”

For Abualya, the time for protests ends when his family members are safe and free.

“I open my phone every day and see pictures of Palestinian babies crying for their dead mothers, I’m sick of it. I’m sick of opening my phone and trying to call my family members, and nobody answers,” Abualya said. “Free Palestine.”

Oxford Police Department engages the community through OPD Haunted House

BRYNN BATES

thedmnews@gmail.com

Pumpkin carving, scary movies and trick-or-treating are all Halloween staples; however, one cannot have Halloween without a haunted house. As parking lots filled up and lines wrapped around the building, the Oxford Police Department welcomed the community to a night of horrors and fun at their annual haunted house fundraiser on Oct. 21 and 22.

This year marked the 17th OPD Haunted House.

“The OPD Haunted House has been an annual event for

more than a decade,” Chief of Police Jeff McCutchen said.

The haunted house took place from 6-10 p.m. at the OPD Criminal Investigation Department building. Tickets were $5 at the door. The event brought in about $9,000, and just under 2,000 people attended during the two-day event.

Proceeds from ticket sales are divided among local charities chosen by OPD each year.

Beneficiaries this year are the Oxford Pregnancy Center, Interfaith Compassion Ministries and Night to Shine.

Night to Shine, an organization sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation,

hosts an annual prom celebration for people with special needs ages 14 and older.

Shannon Richardson, chairperson for Night to Shine Oxford, expressed gratitude for OPD’s time and donation.

“The Night to Shine Committee was thrilled to learn that some of the proceeds from the OPD Haunted House would go to support Night to Shine,” Richardson said.

“This evening is so important to members in our community that live with a disability; it’s an evening that they feel celebrated, honored and loved.”

The organization plans to use the donation to pur-

PROUD PARTNER with OLE MISS DINING

chase crowns, tiaras, boutonnieres and other goodies for the prom on Feb. 9.

The haunted house was open to all ages from young children to college kids and grandparents. Connor Cox, a sophomore biology major at UM, enjoyed seeing OPD provide for the community in a different capacity.

“It was nice to see the people who help take care of our town showing they also care about all the kids and families by working and providing fun experiences for them,” Cox said.

Helen Rousseau, an Oxford native and sophomore elementary education major

at UM, said the night provided a much-needed distraction from school work.

“Since being in college, I love going with my friends and having an eventful night where we can get our minds off school for a few minutes,” Rousseau said.

McCutchen described his appreciation for the event as a way for OPD to connect with the community. “(The OPD Haunted House) is an opportunity to do something unique and out of the box and creates a way for us to give back to the community,” he said.

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A spooky tunes playlist fit for Halloween festivities PALEIF RASPBERRY

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

“Land Of A Million Drums” by The Urban Underground Society

There is no better way to get intThere is no better way to get into the Halloween mood than “It features Outkast, Killer Mike by listening to a soundtrack and Sleepy Brown, and it was refilled with spooky tunes. leased in 2002 for the live action “Scooby-Doo” movie,” Johnson Alongside my own recommen- said. “It’s highly underrated but dations, featured University of Mis- has a fun bouncy beat that is persissippi Rebel Radio DJs provide fect for a Halloween party. Also, some ghostly songs that are sure everyone loves Andrè 3000.” to leave listeners feeling haunted.

“Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Kicking things off with some Yeah Yeahs bona fide Halloween classics, this playlist needs no explanation.

This is another skele-fun classic that Johnson describes as a “Disturbia” - Rihanna “queer Halloween staple.”

“Spellbound” - Siouxsie and the Banshees “Cabinet Man” by Lemon “Time Warp” - The cast of Demon “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Made by veteran YouTuber “Somebody’s Watching Neil Cicierega, this song tells the Me” - Rockwell story of a man who turns himself “My Girlfriend Is a Witch” into a creature that is part-human, - October Country part-arcade machine inspired by the urban legend Polybius, a ficAmari Johnson, aka DJ titious video game that suppos-Marz, provides a spooky slate edly produced intense addictive -of songs. Johnson hosts the ra- behaviors in players in the 1980s.

“How Y’all Doin?” .dio show “Calling All the Monsters” -which airs every Friday at 9 a.m. y t a . s t . d e k .

- China Anne McClain Whether or not you have watched the Disney Channel classic “A.N.T. Farm,” you have most likely heard this song at least once. With strong vocals delivered by 13-yearold McClain, it has remained an iconic seasonal bop since the 2010s.

“Friends on the Other Side” - Keith David Another Disney pick for the list is sung by the villain Dr. Facilier in “The Princess and the Frog.”

Next up are submissions from Hannah Rose Richards, one-half of “Song Chains,” with her radio moniker being DJ Mixxy Elliot. “Song Chains’’ airs every Wednesday at 12 p.m.

“Play Dead” - Bjork “This song is all about ‘playing dead’ to avoid confronting conflict and instead wallowing in the hurt it causes. It denies the use of optimism and hopefulness, insisting that the pain is something (Bjork) must endure,” Richards said.

“I think it’s spooky because she talks about being dead a lot and

the themes are dark and dreary.” hosts “Never A Phase,” which airs every Monday at 2 p.m.

“Spectre” - Radiohead “Halloween” - Phoebe “This is a song about being a Bridgers ‘ghost’ of a person, with your soul and emotions so powerful that they “This song is obviously the epitseem separated from your physi- ome of Halloween, hence the name. cal body,” Richards said. “The in- (Phoebe’s) vocals for this track are strumental is also very haunting.” haunting yet soothing at the same time. My favorite lyric is ‘Baby, it’s “Tag You’re It” - Melanie Halloween / And we can be anyMartinez thing / Oh, come on, man / We can be anything.’ The song is deeper From her critically acclaimed than the surface-level idea of de“Cry Baby” album, “Tag You’re It” scribing the holiday, as it captures tells the story of a little girl getting the melancholic feeling of hiding kidnapped by a big-bad-wolf-like behind a costume,” Nguyen said. character. Using child-like metaphors and sugar-coated produc“Them Bones (2022 Retion, Martinez delivers a narrative mastered)” - Alice In Chains about a predator and their victim that is downright disturbing.

“This Alice In Chains song is extremely catchy. Whether you’re “Bottom of the River” listening to it in the car or on your Delta Rae way to class, it’ll have you wanting to break out into playing the This track is soulful and blue- air guitar,” Nguyen said. “The grass-influenced presenting riffs are astounding, and the song themes of death and the occult, rem- surrounds the idea of mortality iniscent of the Salem Witch Trials. and piles of bones, which to me fits the spooky season perfectly.”

Lastly on the featured line- of hexes, demons, guts and gore. up are submissions from Mailynn Nguyen, or DJ Mai. She

PAGE 6 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023

Historic St. Peter’s Pumpkin Patch sparks fall spirit ELLIS FARESE

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

The vibrant pumpkin patch set against the backdrop of the historic St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is more than just a place to pick out the perfect pumpkin; for more than 30 years, the event has ushered in the fall season in Oxford.

Each year, pumpkins travel from New Mexico and are set out on the lawn of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church by volunteers.

Beyond being a seasonal spectacle, St. Peter’s Pumpkin Patch serves a higher purpose. The money generated from pumpkin sales supports the church’s children and youth ministries, providing resources for programs and activities according to Kara Howland, director of parish life at St. Peter’s.

The charm of St. Peter’s Pumpkin Patch reaches well beyond its core mission of

fundraising. Over the years, it has woven itself into Oxford’s local culture, becoming an annual highlight that resonates with residents and visitors alike. In addition to providing pumpkins for purchase, it offers a chance for neighbors, friends and families to come together.

“The Pumpkin Patch is a community-wide tradition.

Many families visit annually for picture taking in the patch.

It provides a fun outing for the community,” Howland said.

The patch is not just a place to pick pumpkins; it is a space where local imagination and talent are fostered into something lasting and memorable. The historic church serves as a backdrop for pumpkin-themed art, attracting painters and sketch artists from around the area.

“Artists also enjoy visiting the patch for painting and drawing the beautiful lawn filled with

pumpkins against the background,” Howland said.

Pumpkin pricing at St. Peter’s Pumpkin Patch is determined by size and type.

This flexible pricing structure ensures that visitors can find the perfect pumpkin that fits their needs and budget.

Visible from North 9th Street and Jackson Avenue East, St. Peter’s Pumpkin Patch becomes a magnet for Oxford residents and visitors alike. The pumpkin patch’s unique ability to unite diverse members of the community underscores its role as a hub for Oxford’s vibrant social scene.

“I love the friendly environment it creates. People of all ages join together in community to make it successful,” Howland said. “We meet new people from all over the world CAROLINE MCCUTCHEN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN while sitting in the Pumpkin The pumpkin patch covering the side of St. Peters Episcopal Church on Patch. Learning about others Tuesday, Oct. 17. and seeing the joy it brings this community is a great blessing.

What are UM students going as for Halloween?

JULIA ROSS

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

Halloween is just around the corner, and students at the University of Mississippi are more than ready to go out and show off their best Halloween costumes.

Sarah Bishop, a senior studying criminal justice and psychology, said she and her friend group will be dressing up as individual characters instead of one collective unit. Bishop herself will be going out as the cartoon character Strawberry Shortcake.

“I’m going as Strawberry Shortcake. My hair is red and I was like, ‘That’s

perfect,’” Bishop said.

Some students will be accompanying their friends in a group costume effort, including junior integrated marketing communications major Marissa Cooper.

“I am gonna be a ‘Top Gun’ girl with a dress on. One of my friends and I are dressing up together,” Cooper said.

Sophomore business major Rush Bland is doing a duo costume alongside his girlfriend, integrated marketing communications student Hailey Beard.

“We are dressing up as Ricky Bobby and his wife from the movie ‘Talladega Nights,’ mostly because we love the movie so much, and

it’s one of the first movies we watched together. It also helps that we look a little like the characters,” Bland said.

Freshman business student Lexi Cox is not solid on a costume just yet – it all depends on what she decides in the coming days.

“I’m either going to be Tinkerbell or Cupid. As a group, we’re either going to be the fairies or we’re going to be something individual,” Cox said.

Not all students want, or have the time, to dress up for Halloween. Hannah Greaves, a freshman studying psychology, will not be dressing up this year.

“Just school work, there’s too much work,” Greaves said.

GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023 | PAGE 7

Day of the Dead brings Latino heritage to life

ALIZA WARNER

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

Día de los Muertos — Day of the Dead — is a holiday widely observed in Mexico to celebrate and honor the memory of those who have passed.

Traditionally, though not exclusively, Day of the Dead is a time for many to celebrate deceased loved ones. Beautifully decorated altars, familiy gatherings, delicious meals and many more traditions fuel the festivities on Nov. 1 and 2.

The holiday is a time for connection rather than mourning. For Jack Facio, a sophomore majoring in Arabic and international studies, Day of the Dead allows her to see how such connection comes to be.

“I’ve been able to see how other people in my culture kind of accept their beloved ones being gone and (this is) a way for them to connect with them spiritually,” Facio said.

Similarly, Barbara Minakata, a law student at UM, also views this time as an opportunity for reconnection.

“This is the time of the year when entire families get together to build an altar, share your favorite memories of your lost loved one and remember them by getting to cook and eat all of their favorite foods,” Minakata said. “It is a very special time to

PHOTO COURTESY: BARBARA MINAKATA

Barbara Minakata celebrating Day of the Dead with her family. remember them, to honor their lives and feel them close again.”

Even though Day of the Dead is a well-known celebration, there are still some misconceptions about the holiday.

Because the holiday falls right after Halloween and honors people who are dead, it can be

seen as frightening and mournful, but it is quite the opposite.

“It’s not sad. It’s not scary.

And I feel like when people think about it, because it’s so close to Halloween, people correlate, or Americans correlate (it), to what they know (as) Halloween – scary, spooky, but it’s

really none of that,” Facio said.

Minakata echoed Facio’s sentiments, clarifying that the holiday centers around remembrance and time with family.

“I think a lot of people have a misconception and think that it is a Halloween-like celebration, but that is not what

it is at all,” Minakata said.

“Day of the Dead is a day that brings families closer to remember someone we lost, to celebrate them and offer them all of their favorite things. It is believed that on that day, your loved one’s soul travels back to earth to be with us.”

Pumpkin carving contest haunts Walton-Young House for fourth year

CLAIRE REYNOLDS

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

What started as a friendly competition to keep Halloween festivities active during the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into a community-wide tradition planned by the University of Mississippi Museum.

Named after UM alumnus and novelist Stark Young, the Stark Raving Pumpkin Carving Contest takes place at the Walton-Young Historic House on campus. The idea was created by UM Museum Curator and Collections Manager Melanie Antonelli.

As far as judging goes, the winning pumpkin’s fate lies in the hands of the people of Oxford.

“They (the pumpkins) will be up all through Halloween weekend, and people will be able to visit the lawn, visit the porch and cast their votes for the pumpkins. We’ll have paper ballots on the porch,” Museum Membership, Events and Communications Coordinator Andrea Drummond said.

Carved pumpkins were entered in the contest through Wednesday of this week.

The pumpkins will be available for public viewing at the Walton-Young Histor-

PHOTO COURTESY: ANDREA DRUMMOND

Carved pumpkins placed in front of the Stark-Young House by contestants during the third annual Raving Pumpkin Carving Competition in 2022.

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ic House beginning Thurs- ford things,” Drummond said. day, Oct. 26, until the morn- “This year, we’re hoping to have PASS like that again, where ing of Wednesday, Nov. 1. something 4 a mix of things and On Halloween morning,3.792 you canxget the winners of the contest gift cards from local businesswill be announced on the UM es or items that were donated.”

Museum’s social media chanThe contest comprises four nels, Instagram, Facebook categories: scariest, most creand X, formerly known as ative, funniest and best in show.

Twitter. Aside from gaining Last year’s best in show the pride of carving one of the winner, Drummond Lewis, best pumpkins in Oxford, the centered his creation around winners also receive prizes. a plastic skeleton climbing “Previous years, the win- out of a pumpkin. The funniners have gotten a Square est pumpkin award went to Books gift card. Last year, we Dylan Bridge, who featured had an intern go around the one pumpkin wearing a witch Square and gather donations hat and blue pom-pom for hair from local businesses to create eating another pumpkin with a gift baskets of assorted Ox- pipe cleaner frown and hands.

“Not last year, but the year before, someone did a gourd that was long and skinny and they turned it into Frankenstein’s monster. They painted it green and had the neck bolts, and there was another one – I believe it was a spider – last year that was really fun. Someone painted it black and covered it in googly eyes with the eight legs protruding from it. People get really creative,” Drummond said.

For questions regarding the Stark Raving Pumpkin Carving Contest, contact UM Museum Educator Kassidy Franz at klfranz@go.olemiss.edu.

PAGE 8 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023

Homecoming King CLAY HALE

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

Homecoming King Brady Wood’s campaign banner reads “I believe” in huge lettering. The senior integrated marketing communication major says that having faith in himself has pushed him all through his college experience at the University of Mississippi.

“I knew I wanted to do something related to my experience on this campus, and I feel like a big part of my experience on this campus was the belief that it put in myself; so I really wanted to accentuate that,” Wood said. “(The campaign) was really focused on belief in yourself and belief in each other and belief in the overall community that we’ve created here.”

Though it was rooted in community, Wood revealed that the campaign journey was not what he expected.

“It was a lot of ups and downs – it was a lot different than I expected. But overall, I got to meet so many of the best people that I never thought I would be able to meet,” Wood said. “I just had a blast being able to kind of spread my message and my goal through it. I was able to be myself the whole time.”

When the campaign was over, Wood found himself surrounded by friends new and old just off the steps of the Lyceum. In a moment of tension

so tight it could be cut with a knife, Wood was announced as this year’s Ole Miss Homecoming King. For Wood, this was a beautiful moment where his and many others’ work paid off.

“I immediately burst into tears,” Wood said. “It felt like months and months of preparation and thinking about it and just imagining all these things happening were finally coming together on that night.”

It turns out that those “months and months” of planning were actually summing up to years. This is something Wood has been preparing a long time for. The run itself was ignited by lighthearted banter between Wood and his friend, Kayce Hunter.

“It actually kind of started my sophomore year. Me and my friend were just joking about it one day, and we were like, ‘Wait, what if we actually did it.’” Wood said. “She ended up being my campaign manager.”

Wood has found home in many organizations on the UM campus. He is president of the Baptist Student Union, a Grove Retreat counselor, UM ambassador, executive member of the UM School of Journalism and New Media Ambassadors, section leader for the Pride of the South Marching Band and a Talbert Fellow.

Wood also spent last summer as a UM orientation leader. “(Being an orientation lead-

er) not only formed my future career path, but also made me have an extreme love for this university – more than I even had before,” Wood said.

Wood grew up in Fulton, Miss., which is a town of just 4,542 residents. His shift from growing up to college could certainly be described as life-changing.

“I grew up in a very small town, which I would say is definitely formative of who I am,” Wood said. “I was used to a very close-knit community where everybody kind of knew everything about everybody. So coming here was a little bit of a culture shock.”

Wood says an average day in his life is full of meetings and time commitments, but he says that every one of them is worth it. In his off time, he enjoys making playlists and playing instruments, which include his signature Pride of the South baritone, a little guitar, a little keyboard and the trombone.

As for what is next, Wood says it is graduate school. He has just started working on applications.

Wood says that above all, he is thankful for the opportunity he has had to get to know people and build connections. He thanks the university for providing him an outlet.

“I wanted to give back at least a little bit of what this campus has given to me, beHomecoming king, Brady Wood. cause this campus has given so much to me,” Wood said.

z t a s H m s

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h u A o p a n HALEY CHILES / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Homecoming Queen VIOLET JIRA

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“It’s just so easy for me talk about Ole Miss.”

Anna Ware Brown, the University of Mississippi’s 2023 homecoming queen, never imagined herself running for the position, much less winning the crown.

But with an extroverted and bubbly personality and a passion for all things Ole Miss, you get the sense in speaking to her that perhaps this was meant to be.

Brown’s father is a pastor, so she moved around a lot in the earliest years of her life. Her family eventually landed in Vicksburg, Miss., a small city on the Mississippi River and the place she calls home. Brown has two older brothers who she described as her best friends. She attended St. Aloysius High School, which is part of Vicksburg Catholic Schools.

“I honestly think I had the best childhood,” she said.

Brown is a fourth-generation Ole Miss student. Her great-grandparents had to leave the university in 1942 because of World War II. As a legacy, she has always been surrounded by all things Ole Miss.

Her brother, Ben Brown, was a redshirt freshman for the Ole Miss Football team in 2017. The following year, he started in every game, and she was there to cheer him on in Oxford and on the road.

“I started coming to all the football games. We were road Rebs from when I was a sophomore in high school. I got to see to

HALEY CHILES / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Homecoming queen, Anna Ware Brown.

a lot of other SEC schools because we were traveling to all of these different schools to watch him play, and every single time I was just like, ‘This doesn’t even compare. This doesn’t even hold a candle to Ole Miss,’” she said.

Ole Miss is the only university to which Brown applied for admission. She never took an official tour — she didn’t need to.

“There was never really a question for me of where I wanted to go to school. I always knew where I wanted to go. I always knew that Ole Miss was the dream school,” she said.

A student in the School of Journalism and New Media, Brown chose to study integrated marketing communications because she felt the major matched her personality and skill sets. She is also an ambassador for the school. In the journalism school and in the IMC program, Brown describes finding herself grateful for the large community that she had never had, coming from a small high school.

“I’ve had such a great experience with it and I love it so much.

I’ve made a lot of friends through that program — I couldn’t say enough good things,” she said.

Brady Wood, 2023 homecoming king, is also an IMC major. The two didn’t know each other prior to winning their respective titles, but Brown has relished the chance to make a new friend out of the election.

“It was such a sweet surprise gaining such a sweet friend out of this,” she said.

In addition to being an ambassador for the journalism school, Brown is also involved with the Big Event, Student Alumni Council and Chi Omega sorority.

Ware never saw herself running for homecoming queen, but her sorority encouraged her to go out for the position.

“I was extremely humbled. I couldn’t imagine a bigger honor than getting to represent the university,” she said. “When my sorority presented the idea to me and asked me if I would do it, it caught me off guard that people saw me in that light, because I really wasn’t expecting it.

But I’m really glad that I did it. It was such a positive experience.”

As the class of 2024 moves closer to graduation, Brown shares the sentiment of many that she does not want to leave.

“I’m just surrounded by such an amazing community of the best people that I have ever met.

And I’m really sad about leaving them in May,” she said. “But I’m really looking forward to the future and what’s to come.”

Brown plans to return to Oxford at any and every opportunity.

As for where life will lead her after graduation, she is unsure — but she knows what she’s looking for.

“I’m not completely positive yet of exactly what I’ll be doing, but I know I want an adventure. I want something exciting,” she said. “I’m not exactly sure what the Lord has in store for me yet, but I know it’s going to be an adventure and I’m really excited to see what’s to come.”

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023 | PAGE 9

CAROLINE MCCUTCHEN thedmfeatures@gmail.com

As a first-generation U.S. citizen, Daneel Konnar strives to establish roots in unfamiliar places and encourages others to do the same, just as his parents, Rama and Heather Konnar, did when they immigrated from Malaysia to Mississippi more than three decades ago.

“I think about my parents’ journey and how that has influenced my journey growing up here in America, especially seeing them work so hard and hearing their stories of working so hard to bring their lives up,” Konnar said. “I think that has influenced how I took every step of my life, especially in college. I knew that their hard work cannot just go to waste, because I knew they sacrificed a lot to get here.”

The Meridian, Miss., native came to Ole Miss looking for a sense of belonging and community, and he ultimately found this in contributing to local volunteer efforts and student organizations while cultivating close friendships along the way.

Konnar is a campus leader of the highest caliber, serving as the executive director of the Student Activity Association as well as vice president of the Columns Society. The senior public policy leadership major is also a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, the Trent Lott Leadership Institute and Phi Delta Theta fraternity, holding the position of philanthropy chair.

Konnar also serves as an Ole

MR. OLE MISS

Miss Ambassador, giving incoming students guidance on how to take their first steps in finding a community to call home.

“For any person whose family comes from an immigrant background or who comes from just a different walk of life or from a different country, I think finding your place on a campus that’s so big and so diverse is hard, and it’s hard to sometimes find yourself and what place you belong,” Konnar said.

Inspired by his parents immigration to America and commitment to success, Konnar’s campaign, “Your Journey, Our Ole Miss,” strives to celebrate the diverse identities and life experiences within the UM campus community.

The newly elected Mr. Ole Miss never expected to run for the position until he was motivated by friends, mentors and the opportunity to support local philanthropic efforts.

“I never wanted to be in the spotlight. I’ve always been one of the people who will sit behind the scenes and make sure things run smoothly, and I don’t necessarily have to be that front face,” Konnar said. “What made me realize I wanted to run was that the Mr. and Miss Ole Miss campaigns are such great philanthropic platforms that allow us to raise awareness and raise money for one or two great causes on our campus or off campus.”

As a member of the Ole Miss Women’s Council, Konnar has been enveloped in leadership education and mentorship. Konnar credited the council’s program di-

rector, Suzanne Helveston, with his dedication to pursuing the esteemed position of Mr. Ole Miss.

“Daneel is an exceptional student on this campus who embodies the values of our university’s creed and, most importantly, has the ability and motivation to encourage others to follow his example,” Helveston said. “He is a true servant leader and will leave this campus better than he found it.”

Encouraged by close mentor and friend David Magee, Konnar committed his campaign to support the Thomas Mayo Lab in its efforts to honor the legacy of former student Thomas Mayo and support mental health and substance misuse.

“What really drew me to the Mayo Lab was the work they were actively doing to ensure that our students could receive the best attention and care for any challenges that they may be facing with substance abuse,” Konnar said.

After graduating from UM, the public policy major plans to take a gap year between his senior year and law school to travel the world and explore different facets of family law.

As Konnar’s time at the university draws to a close, he offers advice to students seeking to build lasting friendships and become leaders within the university.

“If you’re scared of joining an organization, I can guarantee you that the other students who may be thinking about applying or wanting Mr. Ole Miss, Daneel Konnar. to join that organization are also feeling the same way,” Konnar said.

MISS OLE MISS ASHLYNN PAYNE

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

Miss Ole Miss, Sam Sepe.

MARIA RAMIREZ / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

For some, coming to Ole Miss feels inevitable, but Sam Sepe never imagined she would end up 13 hours away from her home in Pittsburgh. Although the destination was unexpected, Sepe fell in love with Ole Miss at first sight.

“I came here for my tour, my very first time being in the state, and I cried on my tour,” Sepe said.

In high school, Sepe could be described as someone who was involved in anything and everything. So naturally, in addition to being an education major, Sepe has continued to be involved in various ways, such as being an ambassador for both the university and School of Education, the Kappa Kappa Gamma chaplain and a Cru student leader.

Sepe never imagined her time at Ole Miss to be as valuable to her as it has become. Sepe simply would not be who she is today without the university and its community.

“I never thought I would have been a sorority girl. I would have never thought I would have been somebody in a khaki skirt and a polo,” Sepe said.

She especially never thought she would be Miss Ole Miss.

“Whenever the reporter came up to me and she asked how I felt, I just said, ‘I am just a girl from Pittsburgh,’ because that is literally how I felt,” Sepe said.

Despite her initial comment, Sepe has proven herself to be so much more than “a girl from Pitts-

burgh” through her bright and welcoming personality. Her campaign, “Smile with Sam,” was centered around the idea of making students smile in the face of adversity, big or small. Once criticized for her smile, Sepe was inspired to turn it into her biggest strength.

“Junior year of high school, this one girl made fun of my smile. She was like, ‘Sam has big teeth,’” Sepe said. “ I love my smile. That is one of my favorite things about myself, because I feel like I’m always smiling.”

Being genuine was one of the most important values Sepe wanted to uphold going into campaign season. If she was going to win, she needed to win as herself.

“We did not want to produce something that was fake. That was not me. That was not any of my team members either, because I feel like it is easy to slip into that and easy to fall into the world of campaigning rather than who you are and why you’re doing it.”

Sepe’s “why” for her campaign began by partnering with the William Magee Center, a free wellness education center for students. Through her fundraising efforts, Sepe accomplished her goal of raising $6,543, representing the last four digits of the center’s phone number.

Sepe’s journey to Miss Ole Miss was not a walk in the park. She experienced one of her greatest fears — a runoff. Once the announcement rang out, Sepe was overwhelmed with both relief and anxiety, as her work was far from over.

With the unwavering support

MARIA RAMIREZ / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

from her friends and campaign team, Sepe spent the next 40 hours campaigning to the best of her ability, no matter the outcome. Winning Miss Ole Miss may have been the original goal, but she explained that her campaign ultimately meant much more than a title.

“This campaign is about more than just numbers and goals; it is about the connections we have forged, the smiles we have shared and the belief in a brighter future,” Sepe said. “It is about how we can love one another well and love our university well.”

After two weeks of tabling, fundraising and smiling, Sepe was left speechless as ASB Attorney General Helen Philips announced her name as Miss Ole Miss.

“My knees — my individual patellas, they were literally shaking. I felt like I was sinking,” Sepe said. “Everything paid off and it was just so rewarding. I still get so giddy about it. I don’t know if it will ever sink in. I’m just so honored.”

As her time as an undergrad is coming to a close, Sepe is beginning to set her sights on graduate school for her M.Ed. Her heart feels as though she cannot leave Ole Miss just yet, but she remains open minded to spreading her kindness elsewhere. In the meantime, Sepe believes that her work as Miss Ole Miss is just beginning.

“I just want to continue this ‘Smile with Sam’ slogan, continue my work with the William Magee Center and just continue being a light on campus,” she said.

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023 | PAGE 11

Player spotlight: Ulysses Bentley IV TEDDY KING

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In his second season playing for the Rebels, senior running back Ulysses Bentley IV has made a name for himself returning to the field after being injured for a majority of last season.

Bentley previously played for SMU, where in three seasons he led the American Athletic Conference in rushing yards, recording 913 as a freshman in 2020 – 200 yards more than any other player in the league that season. He was also named Co-Rookie of the year for AAC. After entering the transfer portal in 2022, Bentley found a spot on the Ole Miss roster.

It was evident to Head Coach Lane Kiffin that Bentley could be dangerous on the offensive side of things and add even more depth to the already stacked running back room.

Coming into this season healed and healthy after playing only six games at Ole Miss last season due to a wrist inju-

HOMECOMING

continued from page 1

up to their visit to Oxford on Saturday. Seeing as this matchup could be the last one for a while between Ole Miss and Vandy, the Commodores would love to spoil the Rebels’ season.

Many of the oddsmakers have Ole Miss listed as high as a four-score favorite in the game, but anybody who has followed this series will know that predictions do not always work out that way. On paper, the Rebels should beat Vandy quite easily. The talent gap between the two teams is sizable.

ry, Bentley has recorded 327 rushing yards in 54 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns.

Bentley has also recorded seven receptions playing a few games at slot receiver; he is an all-around offensive weapon for Kiffin’s schemes.

Bentley is one the fastest players in the country, which makes the pairing of him and fellow RB Quinshon Judkins nearly unstoppable. These two shifty and dangerous players have created something special along with Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Tre Harris to contribute to one of Ole Miss’ strongest offenses yet.

A lot of the run game relied solely on Judkins last season, with injuries plaguing the rest of the room, but this year, the Ole Miss running attack is much more balanced with the quick, shifty and agile play of Bentley to compliment Judkins’ powerful, hardnosed and strong style of play.

With five games left for the Rebels this season, including

ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Ulysses Bentley IV rushes the ball against Arkansas on Oct. 7 in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. a road game at No. 1 Georgia, transferred into the program.

Bentley hopes to show RebThis Rebel team would not el fans the player they were be where it is today without expecting to see when he Bentley’s emergence as a near-

star. He has been a go-to guy for Kiffin and his offense, and the senior RB will keep turning heads as the season continues.

In an ideal world for Rebel Head Coach Lane Kiffin, many of his key players will not see the field after halftime.

They will need to take care of business early in order to give Judkins, Dart and many others some rest before hosting Texas A&M the following weekend. Do not expect Vandy to lie down, though. Despite their recent form, the Commodores are still there to win, and they showed that against No. 1 Georgia two weeks ago.

That being said, there is not a likely scenario where Ole Miss has many struggles in this game. Even though last year’s game gave Ole Miss a scare early on, being at home should calm the Rebel team.

ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Jaxson Dart glances at the crowd against Arkansas on Oct. 7 in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

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PAGE 12 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023

Who do they have? Vanderbilt roster breakdown WILL ROMANO

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The No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels are set to take on the struggling 2-6 Vanderbilt Commodores, who are on a six-game losing streak after several ugly losses in SEC play.

Although the Rebels are heavily favored, there are several Vanderbilt players to watch out for.

QB Ken Seals Ever since the Commodores’ former starting quarterback AJ Swann had three atrocious interceptions against Kentucky three weeks ago, Vanderbilt has elected to start Ken Seals in his place.

Even though Seals is 0-3 as the starter, he has fared well considering the formidable opponents he has faced each game, including No. 16 Missouri and No. 1 Georgia.

In the last three matches, Seals amassed 736 yards and six touchdowns, while tossing only two interceptions. The fact that Seals

BANDITS

continued from page 1 around us; I’m sure it’ll be fine.

We’re girls, they’re not going to kick us out,’” Gansereit said.

“And they were like, ‘No, you have to leave now.’ So we got up and left and went way higher.”

Sophomore journalism major Olivia Moore always tries to get into Ole Miss football games early so that she can get seats close to the field. Although she has not personally been urged by pledges to leave her seat, she has seen it happen to others.

“At one of the games, I witnessed a group of guys confronting a group of girls accusing them of taking their ‘saved seats.’ The confrontation became so escalated that the police and security had to resolve the situation,” Moore said. “I don’t know why the guys acted that way. The student section seats are first-come seats.”

The “first come, first sit” policy is one that University of Mississippi students have recited repeatedly. The Daily Mississippian received confirmation from a member of the Ole Miss Athletics Ticket Booth that the seating policy is indeed “first come, first serve.”

When asked if this policy is enforced, they would not comment.

Junior psychology student Rebekah Ball is not sure what the policy is regarding seating in the student section. As a result, she, too, has had her seat swindled from her by these bench bandits — a whopping five times at the game against Georgia Tech. She says that those encounters and the constant pushes for her group to relocate were frustrating.

“I was really confused because I was wondering what authority they had over me,” Ball said.

“Some of them were nice; some of them were a little aggressive.”

A former fraternity pledge said that pledges are instructed to save seats early in the stadium and that the process is elaborate. He and the UM fraternity parted ways because of “irrecon-

has managed this stat line against teams from the best conference in the country shows a level of play that garners some respect.

However, Seals is a statue in the pocket with practically no scramble attempts on the year. This weakness can enable the Rebels to utilize their pass rush to disrupt Seals’ rhythm and force him into his first bad game of the season.

LB CJ Taylor While the Commodores defense has struggled throughout most games this season, their junior linebacker CJ Taylor has been a bright spot for the lackluster unit. Like most linebackers who take charge of the defensive effort, Taylor leads the team in tackles with 52 throughout the season.

What makes Taylor stand out from most teams’ linebackers is the number of times he has forced a turnover this season. He has been a big play machine, nabcilable differences,” he said, and he asked to speak anonymously.

“It was understood we would always arrive at the (fraternity) house between six and nine hours before game time so that we would be out in the Grove basically before anybody else. We were free to move about and do whatever we want — visit family, friends and what not — but we were expected to be back at the (fraternity) tent two hours before game time,” he said. “We would go and save seats 90 minutes before the game started, and that was just understood. They would send out messages in group chats.”

The former pledge said there were punishments for not completing tasks correctly.

“If we didn’t save enough seats, we would be excused from the stadium. We were saving seats for the actives and then ourselves; that’s why we were encouraged to save bigger spots,” he said.

“There’s this thing called lineups. You get informed that you have to be at the house at a certain time, and whatever happens there depends on the fraternity.”

Do these lineups ever involve any physical harm?

“I wouldn’t say never,” he said.

“But I would say very, very rarely.”

The Daily Mississippian reached out to every Greek fraternity on this campus regarding saving seats in the student section at Ole Miss football games. Not one

bing two interceptions, forcing two fumbles and finding his way into the pocket for three sacks.

Listed at 6-foot-1-inches tall and 201 pounds, his physical report reads more like that of a defensive back’s, which might help to explain his uncanny ability to act as Vanderbilt’s ball hawk on the field.

Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and the rest of the Rebel skill position players need to find Taylor on every play, ensuring that he does not single-handedly disrupt or even end offensive drives. The past three games have been quite different for these two teams. Ole Miss has bounced back from its tough loss against Alabama with three exciting and gritty wins against SEC opponents, while Vanderbilt has been outclassed entirely. If Ole Miss can focus REED JONES / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN on the key players for Vanderbilt Jerrion Ealy breaks free for a 78 yard touchdown run. Ole Miss totaled during this game, things could get ugly for the Commodores. over 400 rushing yards in the 31-6 win over Vanderbilt on Oct. 5, 2019.

‘I was really confused because I was wondering what authority they had over me.’

- Rebekah Ball Junior psychology student

of them responded to our request for comment. The anonymous ex-pledge has theories as to why.

“That’s because it’s hazing,” he said.

UM’s hazing policy states: “The University of Mississippi prohibits hazing in any form. According to the educational website StopHazing.org, hazing ‘refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status of the group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/ or physical harm, regardless of their willingness to participate.’”

The university’s Interfraternity Council president, senior accounting major Ashton William Heath, states that the IFC stands with the university against all variations of hazing.

“The Interfraternity Council, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and university do not condone any forms of hazing or requirements, such as saving seats for new members,” Heath said. “ If new members choose to go into the games as soon as the gates open to save seats for their fellow fraternity brothers, that is up to their own free will, but it is not required by any of our chapters. Our fraternity community does not stand for this kind of behavior, as it does not align with our high professional, academic and philanthropic standards.

I assure the student body that these issues are being addressed and dealt with accordingly.”

Heath said these reports are not news to him and that the IFC is actively trying to remedy

any problems involving pledge confrontations over seating.

“We are aware of some of these complaints and have talked to our chapters to remedy these issues and prevent this from occurring for the rest of the season.

Chapters that have had members involved with these issues have been sanctioned by our IFC Judicial Board and Student Conduct.

Sanctions have included apologies to those negatively affected by these members, fines and training for chapter members involved in this type of behavior,” Heath said.

Ball has heard about these hazing efforts and believes that pledges deserve understanding despite their actions toward her.

“I think there is room to have some sympathy for them because they didn’t ask to be put in this position of (having) to save these seats,” Ball said. “They were just told to do something and then they were told if they don’t do it, they get punished.”

Though Ball feels for the pledges, she finds it important to stick to the policy of the student section.

“We pay for the same seats; we’re in the same boat. (But) we’re the ones that are actually there ready to sit down — not people that come in right before the game,” Ball said. “This is definitely not ‘first come, first serve’ in this situation because the people that are getting the seats are not actually there yet.”

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023 | PAGE 13

Baseball looks for strong ending to autumn IAN SPARKS

thedmsports@gmail.com

It is no secret that the 2023 season was a big letdown for Ole Miss Baseball after winning the NCAA national championship the season prior.

With a combination of losing ace Hunter Elliott early in the year and his return not going to plan either, last season had all the wrong vibes to it. The Rebels ended the season with a 25-29 record.

After hauling in a talent-filled portal class, the Rebels have had a good fall semester and are continuing to build on it. An Oct. 14 exhibition matchup with Jacksonville State provided a sneak peek of what is to come with this roster.

The 18-0 win against Jacksonville State gave a good look at the arms the Rebels have returned as well as the explosive offense that many have been accustomed to. Returning transfers Ethan Groff and Ethan Lege have had an outstanding fall, with both hitting well over .300. Transfer shortstop Luke Hill from

Arizona State has seemingly locked down the position, a mantle that holds massive reverence and expectations, too.

The matchup against Memphis on Sunday, Oct. 29 will be the final of the two fall exhibitions. Despite it being a fall ball matchup, both sides will have a lot to strive for.

There is much to improve on in every aspect of the game if the Rebels want a return trip to Omaha for the College World Series. For Memphis, this game is just as important as any game against their rivals would be. A win against a top program would be a massive boost for first-year head coach Matt Riser and his squad.

Memphis is not known for having a prolific baseball program, but the Tigers have proved to be tough competition recently. Despite third-baseman Logan Kohler transferring to Mississippi State over the summer, they have solid talent coming through the ranks.

This will be the last time that the Rebels will play anyone but themselves until they host Hawaii on Feb. 16. While

HG BIGGS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Jack Dougherty pitches against USM on June 7, 2021.

intrasquads, which are scrimmages among the team, are efficient, nothing beats playing outside competition to prepare for a tough season ahead. A lot

of eyes will be on the new additions and how they continue to find their way on this roster.

Finally, if the pitching staff can continue to build confi-

dence, conditioning and consistency before having it out in the spring, Ole Miss will find success throughout the regular season.

Week 9 College Football pick ‘em ball. Oregon has already lost one game it hard to think that Duke has a leto PAC-12 rival Washington and could gitimate shot at winning this one. thedmsports@gmail.com very well be out of the playoff picture No. 12 Ole Miss versus Vander- with a loss. In turn, Utah has a history Florida versus No. 1 Georgia bilt of spoiling PAC-12 teams’ playoff hopes.

(Teddy King) Final Score Prediction: Ole Final Score Prediction: GeorMiss 45, Vanderbilt 17 Utah has proved that its defense is gia 35, Florida 21 Ole Miss against Vanderbilt be- dangerous; however, its offense is not In one of the most heated rivalcame a more intriguing matchup as as solid. Oregon has a top-25 defense ries in college football, the Georsoon as the Commodores kept it close that the Utes will struggle against. gia Bulldogs and Florida Gators will with No. 1 Georgia. The Rebels are not The Ducks will squeeze by with a face each other for the 96th time at invulnerable to an upset here, but the win to keep their playoff hopes alive. TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, chances of that happening are unlikely.

Fla., a neutral site for both teams.

Although Vanderbilt may not have a No. 18 Louisville versus No. 20 Florida’s consistent offense led star-studded roster, it has a select group Duke by transfer QB Graham Mertz will of playmakers on both offense and deFinal Score Prediction: Louis- face one of the top defenses in colfense that could give Ole Miss headaches. ville 35, Duke 17 lege football. With the recent news Head Coach Lane Kiffin’s squad Duke QB Riley Leonard has had of star Georgia tight end Brock Bowhas been no stranger to tightly con- his share of injuries this season. Head- ers being sidelined with an injury, tested games this season, but the ing into the game against FSU, he Georgia hopes to replace his produchope is that this game will be the one was a little banged up and ended up tion with sophomore TE Oscar Delp. in which the Rebels take the top off. leaving that game with about sevWhile Georgia remains the No. 1 No. 13 Utah versus No. en minutes left in the third quarter. ranked team in the country, the rivalry 8 Oregon (Pier Cummings) Louisville had a bye week to prepare and the hatred between both fanbases Final Score Prediction: Oregon for this matchup and should be well-rest- will help fuel one of the best SEC East 31, Utah 21 ed. They are at home, too, so they have the games this season, in which the BullIn its final year of existence, the upper hand. This one could come down dogs will likely see victory once again.

PAC-12 has established itself as the to who is healthier and more rested. most prolific conference in college footIf Leonard does not play, I find

THE DM SPORTS

GRAPHIC: LIBBY FLANAGAN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

PAGE 14 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023

The Daily Mississippian editorial board endorses Brandon Presley for governor EDITORIAL BOARD

thedmopinion@gmail.com

The past four years have been a time of great trial, turmoil and transition for the state of Mississippi. The state has weathered a pandemic, grappled with its longstanding health care crises, grimly confronted a water crisis in its capital city and set the nation up for the downfall of the landmark abortion case, Roe v. Wade. A lot has happened, and not a lot of it has been good. As the state draws closer to our next statewide election on Nov. 7, voters have a lot on their minds.

The next era of administration in Mississippi’s executive office will require strong leadership. Our next governor should be someone who will wield the power of the office with integrity. It demands a candidate who is willing to address issues on the hearts and minds of all Mississippians with urgency, concern and care. It is the opinion of The Daily Mississippian’s editorial board that this person is Brandon Presley, public service commissioner for the northern district of Mississippi and Democratic candidate for governor.

He brings more than just the Presley name to the table. He has a wealth of political experience and a backstory that Mississippians can relate to. Since graduating from college in 2001, he has been in office nonstop, working his way from mayor of Nettleton, Miss., to being the state’s highest-ranking Democratic official when he was elected as public service commissioner for the northern district in 2007. He grew up in a single-parent household in rural Mississippi, attending Itawamba Community College and Mississippi State University.

Presley has been clear that he is running on the foundation of four distinct pillars – one of which is his health care agenda. Throughout his campaign and explicitly on his website, he lays out a plan which outlines health care fixes such as expanding Medicaid to 220,000 Mississippians, creating a website for residents to compare the cost of medicine, appointing a direc-

tor of Medicaid who has a background in health care and starting a drug pricing affordability board.

Under Gov. Reeves, Mississippi remains one of only 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid. According to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, one-third of Mississippi’s hospitals are in danger of closing in the next three years.

Gov. Tate Reeves has taken marginal steps to mitigate Mississippi’s healthcare crisis, namely signing a bill which created the Mississippi Hospital Sustainability Grant Program – the purpose of this program being to financially support state hospitals in any amount ranging from $250,000 to $1 million.

Presley’s campaign, however, promises to take more impactful and tangible action to mitigate the Mississippi’s health crisis.

One of Presley’s other pillars is education. This entails fully funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, which services Mississippi’s public schools. It has been underfunded every year since 2008.

One disappointing aspect of Presley’s campaign has been his position on a number of LGBTQ+ issues, especially with regard to gender-affirming health care for minors.

Earlier this year, Gov. Reeves signed into law legislation that banned medical professionals from prescribing hormones, performing surgeries and otherwise administering gender-affirming care to minors. Gender-affirming care is defined as age-appropriate medical procedures that help one transition from their sex assigned at birth to the gender that they wish to be identified as.

Though the Mississippi Democratic Party issued a swift condemnation of the new law, Presley has stated that he would not reverse the legislation and, generally, that he does not support such procedures for minors. Presley has also stated that he does not support “boys playing girl’s sports.”

This and like positions are stances that both the Democrat-

ic and Republican candidates for governor have maintained.

Gov. Reeves has accomplished certain feats one might deem agreeable, such as his initiative to widen and rehabilitate Mississippi’s highways and improve transportation and the state’s record low unemployment rates under his leadership. However, we do not support his overall campaign, and the values therein. These values include his continuous demonstration of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric, the signing of HB 1020 in April 2023, which created a separate judicial district in Jackson.

Under a potential Brandon Presley administration, there are great expectations not only from our editorial board but also from Mississippians across the state.

What we need is for Presley to approach critical issues like health care, the economy, corruption, education and development with a sense of urgency and initiative.

We want to see more designated health care available for women across the state which we lack so greatly.

We want a more detailed look into government officials’ behavior and motivations in order to increase transparency and discourage the alleged corruption that has been a major hit to credibility and public perception in recent years. We need Presley to stand on his pledge to “sanitize our state government that is infected with corruption.”

We want our capital city to stop being treated as an afterthought as the Jackson water crisis continues and industry has fled from the area over recent decades. Understanding that, it is just as important for Presley to continue focusing on the state as a whole, much like he has done in his campaign by visiting every county in the state. If he continues to focus on overlooked areas, our state will be much stronger as a whole.

More than all, we want a Mississippi where people, young and old, are empowered and free. We want our universities to be held up.

Students should have the freedom of choice to pick a discipline —

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HOW TO PLAY

whether it be education, engineering or gender studies — and those programs deserve to be supported.

Can Brandon Presley change the world? A task too tall, perhaps. But we believe he has the tools, capabilities and drive to change Mississippi for the better.

When it is decided that The t Daily Mississippian will take an editorial stance on an issue, the following positions will make de-T cisions as the Editorial Board;c editor-in-chief, managing editor,S copy chief, sports editor, opinion editor and multimedia editor.m t a s i m The DEADLINE to place, correct or cancel an ad is 12 p.m. one business b day in advance. The Daily Mississippian is published on Thursdays during f the academic school year. g Classified ads must be prepaid. All major credit cards accepted. No “ refunds on classified ads once published. g The DM reserves the right to refuse ads that appear to offer unrealistic or b questionable products or services. c a To place your ad in The Daily Mississippian Classifieds section, visit: http://www.thedmonline.com/classifieds. t

CLASSIFIEDS INFORMATION

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62- That’s ___ haven’t heard; 63- Duration; 64- Words to live by; 65- Roman road; 66- Seemingly forever; 67- Biblical brother; 68- Put aboard; 69- Agitated state; 70- Beast of burden;

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE

DOWN 1- Gregory Peck role of 1956; 2- “Give that ____ cigar!”; 3- Coloured part of the eye; 4- Third sign of the zodiac; 5- Muscat native; 6- Andean country; 31- Give a false 48- Stellar; 7- 16th letter of the 50- Adlai’s running mate; impression of; Hebrew alphabet; 52- _____ point: where it 33- Cargo measure; 8- Eye membrane; all becomes clear; 34- Spring up; 9- Vestige; 53- Organization to 35- Sharp-edged 10- Apple product; promote theater; instrument; 11- Potting need; 36- 1985 Kate Nelligan 54- Bird feed; 12- Raced; 55- Male parent; film; 13- Jazz trombonist 38- Remove an electron, 56- Bygone Dodge; Kid ___; 57- Observe the say; 22- Sycophant; Sabbath; 39- Maker of Pong; 24- Lanterns; 41- Male sheep who may 59- Jealous wife of myth; 26- Fiend; play football for St Louis!; 60- Biblical land; 27- The end of ___; 61- Author Jaffe; 42- Rage; 28- Release; 62- Wildcatter’s find; 30- Friend in the ‘hood; 47- Wound;

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 with no repeats.

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023 | PAGE 15

From the editor’s desk: why The Daily Mississippian is making an endorsement

VIOLET JIRA

thedmopinion@gmail.com

It has been a long time since The Daily Mississippian endorsed a candidate running for public office.

So, why are we doing one this year?

Brandon Presley, whose name many did not know before he tossed his hat into the ring, has run a gubernatorial campaign more successful than anyone could have imagined. Tate Reeves, whose most recent years as governor have been marred by a deep-seated welfare scandal, remains Mississippi’s golden boy, if only by virtue of the “R” next to his name. This year’s governor’s race is shaping up to be the most hotly contested in recent memory. National reporters are flocking to Mississippi to cover the race. There is talk of a runoff.

While the drama is certainly there, it is the weight of the issues

between the lines of the ballot that brought The Daily Mississippian’s editorial board to the table. The fate of Mississippi’s healthcare system, racial justice and equity, education and many other essential issues are all on the ballot this year. With each candidate promising to steer the state into irrevocably different directions, the power voter-eligible residents of this state hold in charting the course of Mississippi’s future burns brighter than ever.

Generally, the purpose of a newspaper editorial is to inform the reader of who senior newspaper editorial staff regard as the best candidate for a position. This decision is made based on the experience and expertise of the editors, informed in large part by the paper’s reporting on the election.

As a collegiate newspaper, at a university like ours, in a state like

Mississippi our purpose is even more clearly defined. Unlike many larger newspapers that cater to large audiences in a given state, region or even nationally, we have a very specific intended audience.

While we may have secondary and tertiary responsibilities to faculty and staff, and Mississippians more broadly, our primary audience is students at the University of Mississippi, Mississippi’s oldest and largest public institution of higher education. Many of these students will be casting a ballot for the very first time this year.

The Daily Mississippian has done extensive reporting throughout the course of this election, particularly as it relates to students: we are uniquely tuned in to what they need, what they care about and what they want in a statewide leader. The edito-

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rial board took these things into great consideration when deciding who to support for governor.

It is for these reasons and more that The Daily Mississippian staff, as a whole, voted to make an editorial endorsement. It was The Daily Mississippian’s editorial board that decided to endorse Brandon Presley for governor.

This is an important distinction to make; No news editor, writer or person not on the editorial board contributed to this editorial or the decision to endorse Presley, though our endorsement was informed by the news desk’s coverage of this election and other statewide news.

The editorial board stands separate from the news desk and other parts of our newspaper. Our news section remains integrous, objective and free from opinion or sway.

This editorial should by no

means be the singular resource students turn to in deciding who they vote for. We encourage students to seek out information about both candidates from a diverse range of credible sources.

At the very least, we would hope that this editorial and our previous reporting on the race helps students to make the most informed vote possible, no matter who it is they vote for. Most importantly, we encourage students to partake in their civic duty and vote.

The Daily Mississippian continuously strives to educate and inform our audience, with a commitment to transparency, accountability and fostering an environment of open dialogue. Responses to the editorial board are welcome and encouraged: please direct them to thedmopinion@gmail.com or me (dmeditor@gmail.com).

PAGE 16 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 26 OCTOBER 2023

FALL 2023 INITIATES College of Liberal Arts Anna K. Adkins Kenneth T. Arnett Calyn Ashe Olivia R. Bacon Rebekah R. Ball Bryce M. Barrett Bailey B. Beaird Caleb J. Bohannon Kiera E. Breisch Jonathan L. Burn Eden M. Cain Gavin N. Carr Adam R. Cazayoux John Christopher Crowder Caitlyn E. Culpepper Harrison M. Dillard Cami M. Dougherty Mary C. Drane Jacob Draper Aden L. Felts Amy Fletcher William J. Fortenberry Olivia Gray Alexis Heflin Ava C. Hutchings Jeffrey Jordan Keerthin Karthikeyan Sarah N. Kerr Emmalime C. Landes Riley M. Littleton John N. Lyles Caroline McCutchen Mason G. Nichols Amy L. Nyary Riley M. ONeal Gregory Michael Palculict Autumn L. Payne Andrew F. Purcell Mallory P. Roberts Riley L. Roberts Ashton L. Rodrigues Emma Kate Schaaf Stephen A. Shelton Neziah D. Smith Allison Stapor Sarah Sumrall Lane Taylor Miles Thompson Sonia Tiwari Mary A. Young

Graduate School Amirhea C. Bishop Christian A. Clark Laura C. Conte Chloe S. Crane Caleb Drew Hannah Gill Stacey C. Goliday Emma C. Hale Holly E. Hazen Andreas S. Hilterbrand Stacy L. Hilterbrand William Hudson Sarah M. Johnson Sabrina M. Linenbroker Kaylee D. Markham Elizabeth H. McMurphy Oluwatobi Ogundiran Brenda Orellana Isabella Page Katherine A. Poole Preslee N. Sartain Abigail M. Sides Karman Starks Elizabeth Stephenson Kaitlyn Traylor Marisa D. Wetzel Alyssa Whitehead Abby Yates

Caden T. King Helen S. Myers Madelyn G. Sikorski Rachel Spencer Mary A. Stevenson Saydee L. Taylor

General Studies Kiara S. Clay Kellygrace A. Loko Haley Petterson Jonathan K. Schrock Kimberly I. Wallis Athen T. Walton Miller M. Williams

School of Business Administration Sarah A. Baldwin Kyla B. Baskin Presley D. Blann McKinley Bowers Sayley A. Crawford Nicholas D. Currie Christina C. Evans Campbell G. Hankins Madison J. Hanna Caroline E. Hollowell Kyle A. Jenkins Hays C. Larson Rebekah M. Mattox Ella K. Nieman John E. Prigge Finley Rock Richard E. Stone John A. Watson

School of Law Joseph M. Muldrew Jacqueline S. Lowe-Curtis Mary K. Brogan School of Accountancy Zane C.M. Bartman Sydney A. Baumgardner Megan L. Bundren Sydney M. Cohen Kathryn Downs Mary Greer Grant Edward Harrison

School of Applied Sciences Meghan E. Aubuchon Caroline H. Brock Campbell V. Brown Brookleigh A. Brumfield Anna P. Cochran Alice C. Collins Katherine K. Dragna Holland E. Frey Allison B. Greene Elizabeth Gracen Hendon Hannah L. Henry Audrey O. Howard Aliza F. Jordan Theodore W. Lampton Lydia G. Mckissick Elise Mullins Erica N. Schomaker Logan M. Thornton Kaleb E. Ward Kendall M. Wasunyk

School of Education Gwyneth Broadfield Sally G. Cooper Elle Dangelo McKenna N. Danzey Madison I. Derito Jacob E. Dunahue Kaylee M. Fleming Carter R. Grubbs Meredith J. Whited School of Engineering Ally Grace Bounds Benjamin K. Cooper John M. Cooper Anthony J. Hasley Austin M. Hipskind Rachel G. Hipskind Kendall M. Kelly Blake T. Knippers Ander Pearce McDade Jaromir J. Saloni George R. Taylor Nicholas R. Toepfer Glenn H. Walker Thomas Wasson Katelyn R. Watson Audrey L. Williams Lindee A. Wilson School of Journalism and New Media David J. Clements Haley M. Cote McKenzie S. Cox James A. Dorman Dabney R. Flynt Sterlin N. George Anna E. Jones Grace A. Landry Lindsey Magee Emma F. Taylor Jaleah S. Walker School of Pharmacy Nouf Dughayshim Alshammari Kelly Caston Kenneth R. Hulugalla Elizabeth Kirby Kurre Luber Kurre Luber Mitchell Thomas Reeves Mitchell J. Thomas Reeves Andrew Williams Andrew J. Williams