MISSISSIPPIAN THE
Thursday, May 1, 2025
University cuts support for Oxford Pride
NOAH WALTERS
The University of Mississippi is pulling all affiliated resources and involvement in the 2025 Oxford Pride Parade in an effort to comply with the new Mississippi law restricting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in public schools.
The parade will go on as planned this Saturday at 2 p.m. as part of the wider Oxford Pride events, which are themed “Defying Gravity” this year. It will start and end at the Oxford-University Depot. The Justice for Jay Lee organization has been named
the honorary grand marshal.
Unlike prior years, however, the university will not assist with the parade as the institution grapples with the impact of Mississippi House Bill 1193. The bill prohibits DEI statements and practices in public K-12 and postsecondary schools, disallowing the promotion of “transgender ideology,” pronouns and the usage of DEI programs within these institutions, among other things. HB 1193 was approved by Gov. Tate Reeves on April 17 after passing both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature.
“The 2025 Oxford Pride Parade will continue with support
from many community partners. This year, the university has paused its institutional support as leadership evaluates the impact of new state legislation on university involvement in events and activities,” Jacob Batte, director of news and media relations at the university, said. “The university remains committed to fostering a welcoming environment for all while ensuring compliance with state law.”
The first Oxford Pride Parade was launched by the UM Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies in 2016. Accord-
ASB expands legislative council, elects Wesley Templet president pro tempore
The Associated Student Body Senate confirmed 58 students into positions across each of its branches and elected Wesley Templet as president pro tempore for the 2025-26 term during its meeting on Tuesday, April 29.
New legislative council positions
ASB Vice President Walker
Jacklin released a legislative branch clarification memo on April 17, detailing the expansion of the legislative council to include five new advisory positions, bringing the total from eight in the Council to 13.
According to the ASB Code,
PHOTO FINISHES
Student photographers share their experiences during graduation season.
the legislative council, overseen by Jacklin, serves as advisers to the branch and collaborates with senators. The memo details the reasons for the expansion and the duties of the upcoming legislative council.
“The expansion stems from two important points, the first is a matter of visibility and impact,” Jacklin said in his memo.
“When asked what (ASB) has done for them, many students struggle to name a single initiative.”
The second, more internal purpose for the legislative council expansion is collaboration. In previous administrations, the vice president and senate chief of staff have typically been the only points of contact
year.
Meet the man who has played over 30,000 pickup basketball games at Ole Miss
CAMERON LARKIN Digital Editor
For three days a week, 52 weeks a year, for 36 years, Oxford High School head men’s basketball coach Drew Tyler has laced up his shoes and walked through the doors of every Ole Miss gym to play pickup basketball.
The coach behind the player
“I had a kids camp for like 21 years — kindergarten through sixth grade — and we’d go from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. inside Turner Center,” Tyler said. “We’d send them home, and then my basketball team would go eat pizza together. And then, later that evening, I’d be back in the Turner Center playing with some college kids that were in summer school or some law school students that were still around.”
Tyler, through a hearty chuckle, described these summer days as “a good day.”
“I could work with a kindergarten kid and use basketball to connect with them,” Tyler said. “Then, I got to hang out with
“We would sneak into the old gym and play, and (the University Police Department) would kick us out, and then we would get into (the Tad Smith Coliseum.) They’d kick us out. We’d go to the education building that is now where the Ole Miss Band music department is, and we’d get in that gym. They’d kick us out,” Tyler said. “But they couldn’t keep us out. We knew every way that we could get into the Tad Smith Coliseum. We thought that was pretty neat at that time, of course — but UPD didn’t.” Tyler, a 55-year-old Oxford native, grew up playing basketball in his hometown, making his way to the Turner Center for the first time at 17 years old in 1983. Tyler said many things have kept him coming back over the years — but the driving factor, he said, is the people.
my basketball team, and then, all of a sudden, I’m going back to my hobby: basketball. I think that just made for a good day.”
Tyler has coached at Oxford High School (OHS) since 1997, accumulating an overall record of 487-165. His players have come and gone, but the relationships he built with the people, not just the players he coached, lasted long past their time as Chargers.
One of Tyler’s coaching mantras is, “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” He takes this lesson into every season with each new team.
Kobe Jones, one of Tyler’s former players and a freshman biological sciences major, said his former coach cared for ‘Kobe the person’ before ‘Kobe the basketball player.’
“He always checked on me in school and out of school, just asking me if I wanted to go eat lunch some
days. He made it clear that I was more than just one of his players but a son.” Miles Luber, another former player of Tyler’s and a freshman finance and real estate double major, said he and Tyler still keep in contact. He also shared the greatest lesson Tyler taught him.
“We talk on the phone almost once a week, whether it’s me asking if I can get in the gym to play some pickup or just talking to talk. I know he’s always one call away,” Luber said. “I could go on with a lot of things he’s taught me, but one of the main things would probably be how I watched him win the day every day. No matter if it was with coaching, teaching, playing or being a father, he is always trying to be the best he can be.”
Dr. Kurre Luber, Miles’ dad, is thankful that his son knows someone like Tyler.
“It’s huge to have somebody like
People march for 2022 Oxford Pride.
HG BIGGS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Assistant News Editor
AKAYLA HUGHES News Staff Writer
CHRIS BEARD
Rebel head coach thanks students and fans after a successful
sity stepped back from assisting in Pride Week this year, Oxford Pride opened a GoFundMe. He said the GoFundMe goal of $5,000 is to cover “general expenses related to Pride stuff.”
Oxford Pride’s donation goal was surpassed on Wednesday, April 30.
“As previously announced, our university partners are barred from helping this year. Therefore, we are turning to the people of Mississippi and beyond to help us cover the expected and unexpected costs as we have to quickly shift gears after Pride Week has already begun,” Oxford Pride said in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
ate student and representative for OUTGrads, the university’s response is frustrating.
continued from page 1
ing to the Oxford Pride website, “Oxford Pride was created to give LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, staff and their allies a highly visible and inclusive community event during the academic school year to make them feel welcome and a part of the larger LOU (Lafayette-Oxford-University) community. The goals and objectives of Oxford Pride are to continue to provide a space for inclusion and learning about the university’s and Oxford’s queer community through a combination of social and academic programming.”
Oxford Pride shared an Instagram post on Tuesday, April 29 addressing the shift in support from UM. The post indicated the university is communicating with the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), the governing board of the eight public universities in Mississippi, to understand how HB 1193 will impact higher learning across the state.
continued from page 1
for senators, according to Jacklin.
“(It is a) rather unprecedented change for collaboration — a way where we can unite with one another in order to cast a great vision,” Jacklin said in an interview with The Daily Mississippian. “I think that senators typically get frustrated because they feel out of the loop.”
Alongside increased collaboration, Jacklin has expressed the desire for all senators to be informed.
“We want (senators) to feel as though their voice is heard but also that they are in the loop at all times,” Jacklin said. “When senators feel in the loop, when we have more collaboration with departments than ever before, that’s the effectiveness and change that we’re looking for.”
In his memo, Jacklin described the purpose, duties, reasoning and context for the addition of the following six positions.
The director of legislative policy (DLP) will use research and action to create clear and feasible legislation that aligns with the goals of ASB. The DLP will communicate with all media and news outlets about senate actions.
The legislative affairs officer will conduct check-ins with senators and serve as a confidential intake point, reporting serious concerns. They will be trained by the attorney general on how to maintain a respectful and functional environment.
The legislative auditor will re-
“While all Pride events will take place as scheduled, university leadership has directed the Sarah Isom Center and other university entities to step back from their institutional involvement with the 2025 Oxford Pride Parade while they study the new HB 1193 law and await guidance from IHL on how we can continue to support everyone on our campus,”
Oxford Pride said in the post.
The Sarah Isom Center shared the same message on its social media the same day.
According to Oxford Pride, the pause in institutional support means resources such as golf carts for those with mobility issues will no longer be provided by UM. It also means that no department, school, division, college or center affiliated with the university will be allowed to officially participate in or promote the events of the week.
The university has been a fiscal sponsor of Pride in the past, according to Sarah Isom Center Program Coordinator and Coordinator of Community Engaged Learning and Research Kevin Cozart. After the univer-
view legislation before it reaches the Rules Committee, provide feedback and track the effectiveness of bills to improve the senate’s impact.
The legislative coordinator will coordinate weekly briefings, promote effective communication, track legislative development and maintain organization within the legislative branch.
The director of internal affairs will manage logistics, collect feedback, assist in preparing for meetings and address concerns to promote functioning within the senate.
The events coordinator will plan events for the senate, manage logistics and collaborate with committee chairs to establish strong connections and invite guests.
The legislative affairs officer position was later discontinued by Jacklin and Senate Chief of Staff Luke Habeeb after they deemed it unnecessary.
The memo states that the expansion is limited to one term.
“But why we set this in place for one term is, in a sense, we will have to see how it goes,” Jacklin said.
These positions could become permanent at future executive discretion, according to Jacklin.
Habeeb and Jacklin conducted interviews with candidates. Jacklin indicated they were looking for experience, vision and work ethic in candidate responses.
“(What) was really exciting is we had nearly two-and-a-half times the amount of applications for the legislative council,” Jacklin said. “I think that speaks for itself, that people are excited about this vision being put forward, which is beyond exciting, that people want to see that collaboration, that peo-
In the absence of official university support, two student organizations, UMPride Network and OUTGrads, have become the official sponsors of Oxford Pride.
“We were already deeply invested in Pride Week as a whole, so the decision to take over the parade was a no-brainer,” Brooke Skolsky, a junior psychology major from Brookhaven, Miss., and president of UMPride Network, said. “We wanted to get the parade out there in any way we can, as it is such an important thing for queer students at the university.”
For Skolsky, the university’s response came as a shock.
“We knew that it was a possibility that the bill would be passed, but we did not think that it would impact Pride or that the university would bend to the bill so quickly,” Skolsky said. “I personally think that the university is not standing up for its queer students, and it shows their unwillingness to go against a pretty vague bill. Overall, UMPride Network is trying to show both Oxford and the university that you cannot forget about us that easily.”
For Paul Mora, a gradu-
ple want to see partisanship get out of the senate, that we want to work together and unite with one another rather than having divisiveness.”
Confirmations
The 13 legislative council members were unanimously confirmed at the formal senate meeting on April 29, including five new positions. Bekah Woodruff was confirmed as director of legislative policy, Davis McQuirter as legislative coordinator, Libby Baty as legislative auditor, Riley Littleton as director of internal affairs and Jess Voge as legislative events coordinator.
Following this confirmation, Jacklin expressed his pleasure with the new positions.
“The senate demonstrated unity on this initiative and have been supportive of the reasoning for the expanded legislative council, as shown by their unanimous vote last night to confirm and approve the nominees,” Jacklin said. “The legislative council expansion is a strong step toward ensuring that vision can take place. Students deserve to know how their senate is working to make campus life more enjoyable, and last night’s vote was a clear demonstration of that commitment.”
Forty-four students were also confirmed into the executive and judicial branches. These include 12 new members of the President’s Cabinet, 10 new Department of Justice members, 12 new Secretary’s Department members and 10 new members of the Treasury Department.
Of the 12 new members of the President’s Cabinet, two are serv-
“I am angry — plain and simple. There is nothing any elected official in Jackson or the Lyceum can say to make me change my answer,” Mora said. “I thought I knew what it felt like to feel targeted. I was an active-duty Army soldier who served openly in all-male combat units for six years, including a tour in Baghdad, Iraq, during the height of the occupation. All of that came with greater risk because the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy was in place. What’s odd is seeing the rollout of these new policies at the federal and state level and watching the university administration cave. It feels worse than the risk of serving openly under one policy years ago.”
In his assessment of the new policy and the university’s response, Mora drew on his military experience in making the case against HB 1193.
“The military teaches you to work together, work through your differences, and you will succeed together. The military has shown us that inclusive policies or practices have not impacted readiness at the unit level in any war. The military has not crumbled from those policies,” Mora said. “What are you supposed to think when your university is co-signing to policies that make life more complicated for different communities at the place you decided to call home for two years, four years or longer?”
Mora hopes the university will take greater strides in making Oxford’s LGBTQ+ community feel welcomed.
“I hope young student leaders learn from the hurdles put in place, recognize they will be higher next year and prepare to jump those hurdles by planning ahead,” Mora
said. “I would also like to challenge Chancellor Boyce and others in the university administration to take the time to meet with members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, including local business leaders. Learn why these events are important and have appeal. Establishing chancellor’s standing committees and logging meeting minutes isn’t enough.”
In the wake of this development, Phillip “Pip” Gordon, a UM alum, adviser for the UM Pride Network and visiting assistant professor of gender studies, has called for LGBTQ+ student organizations to show up to Saturday’s parade.
Gordon said the hope is that LGBTQ+ students and allies will encourage other students to join the march in large numbers, creating a “student section.”
“The University of Mississippi has multiple student organizations that serve our diverse, dynamic and vibrant student body, including several organizations for queer students and allies,” Gordon said.
Gordon hopes the collaboration among the organizations encourages all students to unify at the parade.
“These organizations all foster a strong sense of inclusion and belonging, and for this weekend’s parade, we wanted to create a space for students from all these organizations — and from across our university — to support each other by marching in solidarity for the values that make our university a great public institution,” Gordon said. “We welcome all students to join us.”
ing in newly-created roles: Marilee Cleveland as special advisor of accessibility and Eli Keel as special advisor on Graduate Student Council and faculty senate relations.
Templet wins president pro tempore
Three senators were nominated by their peers to run for the position of president pro tempore. Andrew Nichols, a senior public policy major from Monroe, N.C., and Jalon Hightower, a junior political science major from Durant, Miss., were elected as senators in the spring elections. Templet, a senior public policy major from Vacherie, La., unsuccessfully ran for vice president during the spring elections and was elected senator during open seat elections held last week.
After approximately 15 minutes of debate, no candidate reached the required 50% threshold during the initial round of voting, mean-
ing Nichols and Templet advanced to a runoff election. After another period of debate, a motion was filed to switch the voting method from secret ballot to roll call. The motion did not pass and the voting process continued as scheduled.
Following the runoff election, it was announced that Templet had won the president pro tempore slot. After the senate meeting, Templet was happy about the new opportunity.
“I am very excited,” Templet said. “I am so excited to work with everyone on senate and everyone on ASB. I am so happy that I was able to get this role and be elected.”
Aidan Poniatowski contributed reporting.
Wesley Templet elected president pro tempore during the formal senate session on April 29.
GIBSON RUSSELL / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
People wave flags during 2022 Oxford Pride.
HG BIGGS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Stamps Impact Prize awarded to 15 students
Fifteen University of Mississippi students will receive funding for their research and projects through the Stamps Impact Prize.
The prize, awarded each semester to select students, was created in 2023 in partnership with the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation for the purpose of supporting student-initiated research, creative works and other projects. The award allots up to a maximum of $5,000 to the winning students.
This semester, the prize winners are Jana Abuirshaid, Maria Fernanda Argote de la Torre, Darryl Bonds, Emma Broemmer, Benton Donahue, John Griffith, Ann Grigsby, Sydney Guntharp, Jacob King, Lindsey McGee, Camille Newman, Compton Ross, Jackson Sevin, Kate Tibbs and Abi Turner.
The award grew out of the Stamps family’s desire to encourage scholarship beyond their existing Stamps Scholarship Program, according to Kenneth Sufka, the director of the Stamps Impact Prize.
“The Stamps Scholarship Program is the premier scholarship program at the University of Mississippi. It’s a full ride,” Sufka said. “One of the things that the family had talked with university administrators about is they were curious as to why they weren’t seeing some of these Stamps Scholars making high impact research or creative achievement or community service type projects, and they wanted to support a program like that.”
The Stamps Impact Prize was created from a $100,000 donation from the Stamps family, as well as additional support and funding from the Office of the Provost.
According to Sufka, the burgeoning program is seeing success in the volume of projects it is able to fund.
“We can fund around 10 to 15 impact prizes per semester,” Sufka said. “We have two cycles, fall and spring, and so the 15 from this April are our fourth group of students. We have funded about 51 student projects so far over its inception. The beauty of it is it’s really a student opportu-
to begin building in the fall.
“I’m trying to design a new recycling system for the moon,” Newman said. “This way you can take all of your plastic, waste, food and trash, if you’re on a hypothetical base on the moon, and then use those plastics to make new tools, new items.”
King, a junior biomedical engineering major, plans to use the funding to study sea elegans.
“My project is on nematodes,
nior majoring in biomedical engineering, hopes to make medical advancements with her research as well.
“My project wants to identify genes important for heart development, and the way that I’m trying to do that is by developing a CRISPR-Cas9 screen in zebrafish,” Argote de la Torre said. “Zebrafish are really helpful because they’re easy to work with. They have short spawn times, and
“We have two cycles, fall and spring, and so the 15 from this April are our fourth group of students. We have funded about 51 student projects so far over its inception. The beauty of it is it’s really a student opportunity to take something of their own creation and run with it.”
Director
nity to take something of their own creation and run with it.”
The prize winners come from a variety of backgrounds, with projects corresponding to their own niche interests.
Tibbs, a junior majoring in exercise science, plans to use the money to buy equipment for her research.
“What I’m going to be doing is looking at the effects of palm cooling, specifically on cognition and perception,” Tibbs said. “With the funds, I’ll be getting things we don’t already have in the lab.”
For Newman, a junior mechanical engineering major, the money she received from the Stamps Impact Prize will go toward creating a prototype for her project, which she plans
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which are a breed of sea elegan. I’ll be using a bioluminescence strand of E. coli to measure their feeding rates,” King said.
The projects not only reflect personal interests, but can have real world impact for other people. For King, the award supports a project with personal meaning for him.
“This (project) gives me a lot of valuable experience to potentially use in the future,” King said. “I have an aunt who has multiple sclerosis, for instance, and maybe I can use some of this experience in the future to study some genetic factors that go into that progressive disease and hopefully make some advancements in that with this experience.”
Argote de la Torre, a ju-
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- Kenneth Sufka
of the Stamps Impact Prize
they’re very close genetically to humans, so we can translate what we find in zebrafish to humans.”
Argote de la Torre hopes to shed light on the workings of the human body, specifically the heart, through her project.
“Congenital heart diseases are a very big cause of infant mortality in the states, and a lot of it is just the fact that we don’t understand the mechanisms behind how the heart comes to be,” Argote de la Torre said. “I wanted to be a part of something that would push to understand this all a little bit better and hopefully lay the groundwork for other people to then use this information and kind of tackle these defects.”
Abuirshaid, a junior majoring in public health and
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Arabic, also hopes to make a real world impact with her research. Abuirshad is focused on helping Arabic-speaking immigrant communities in Mississippi get better access to healthcare by overcoming the language barriers they face.
“A lot of people don’t realize that in places like Mississippi there aren’t many Arabic-speaking doctors or medical interpreters, and many translation tools don’t work well with different Arabic dialects,” Abuirshaid said. “That means patients sometimes can’t describe their symptoms properly or misunderstand important medical instructions.”
Like King and other Stamps Impact Prize winners, Abuirshaid derived the project’s aims through personal meaning.
“Growing up, I saw how hard it was for people, especially immigrants, to get good healthcare when language and trust were barriers,” Abuirshaid said. “It’s heartbreaking when someone’s health suffers just because they can’t communicate. Being able to step in and use my skills to make a difference feels like the most meaningful thing I could do.”
Abuirshaid shared how the Stamps Impact Prize is helping her reach her goal.
“The Stamps Impact Prize money is essential for this work,” Abuirshaid said. “It’s helping us fund professional audio recordings, conduct community surveys to make sure we’re meeting people’s needs, build the app with the right technology team and run outreach programs so these tools reach the families who need them.”
HANNAH IVEY News Staff Writer
Abi Turner
PHOTO COURTESY: ABI TURNER Compton Ross
COURTESY: COMPTON ROSS Kate Tibbs PHOTO COURTESY: KATE TIBBS
Maria Fernanda Argote de la Torre
PHOTO COURTESY: MARIA FERNANDA ARGOTE DE LA TORRE Darryl Bonds
PHOTO COURTESY: DARRYL BONDS
Seniors cement their campus legacy with a brick
JESSICA JOHNSON Assistant A&C Editor
The University of Mississippi’s marketing, “Build Your Legacy,” is put into action every year with the new placement of senior bricks in the Circle by the Lyceum.
The bricks are sold by the Ole Miss Alumni Association for $300 each and feature up to three lines of text for graduates to leave a lasting message on the campus. Each graduating class’ bricks are grouped together on one of the paths through the Circle.
Some students choose to highlight their majors, Greek chapters or student organizations. Other bricks tell more personal stories.
Senior biomedical engineering major Sandra Arroyo dedicated her brick to her parents with the message, “For Mom and Dad, thank you!” She said her parents’ hard work is what got her to the place she is today, and she would not have made it without their sacrifices and support.
“My mom is an elementary school teacher who goes above and beyond for her students, even once buying a student a new pair of glasses when their family couldn’t afford it,” Arroyo said.
“My dad is a construction worker who has worked long, labor-intensive hours, including one 16-hour shift that left him sick from exhaustion, just to provide for us. When I asked him why he pushed himself so hard, he said, ‘Because I have to, for you and your brothers.’”
Arroyo said that her graduation will realize her father’s dream of see-
ing one of his children earn a degree.
“His dream was always for us to finish school and earn a degree so we wouldn’t have to work as hard as he did,” Arroyo said. “Although my brothers took different paths, my parents never stopped believing in us. This brick is for them, to show that I couldn’t have made it here without their sacrifices and support.”
Senior integrated marketing communications major Olivia Blonsky’s brick purchased by her parents features the nickname “Warrior Princess.” Even though she says it is not a phrase she would have put on it herself, she finds humor in the tribute.
“(Warrior Princess) was my childhood nickname, and my parents chose it because it reminds them of me growing up,” Blonsky said. “Even though it makes me laugh a little, it means so much to me because it’s (my parents’) way of showing how proud they are and how much they believe in me.”
Senior mechanical engineering major Tori Saenz’s brick also references a nickname: “Travel Bug.”
“The last line (on the brick) comes from the saying ‘catch the travel bug,’ which means to have a strong passion for traveling,” Saenz said. “Sometime in the past few years, I caught the travel bug pretty fiercely and have spent nearly every free moment traveling the world or saving and planning for my next trip.”
Others, like senior international studies major Adam Rosenbaum who has the phrase “I seek to do justice” on his brick, hope to leave a message looking toward the future.
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“I am attending law school this coming year and thought, ‘What better legacy to leave than justice,’ when going into the field to uphold it,” Rosenbaum said. Rosenbaum’s brick message was also influenced by his spirituality.
“Additionally, I took a bit of inspiration from the Bible: ‘Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow (Isaiah 1:17),’” Rosenbaum said. “My message is me declaring my mission in life: to live my life in the service of others.”
Senior criminal justice ma-
jor Kyle Ruther’s brick also reflects his religiosity, featuring the phrase “Ave Maria,” which translates to “Hail Mary” in Latin.
“Mary is an example in my faith of what righteous obedience looks like and is important to my faith,” Ruther said. “The phrase symbolizes my Catholic identity, and anyone who reads it will understand the influence my faith has had on my time here at the university. I want other Catholics to not be ashamed of their faith and to remember that they are present on campus when they see my message.”
the pavement; they are a testament to the kinds of people that enter the university and a dedication to the people who guide graduates on their journey to commencement.
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“I hope to leave behind a legacy that reminds others to always lean on their support system, whether it’s family, friends or anyone who will give you the world,” Arroyo said. “Success is rarely achieved alone. It’s built on the love, sacrifices and encouragement of the people who believe in you most.”
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These bricks are not just part of
CONTACT THE A&C DESK AT thedmfeatures@gmail.com
• Practiced at his privately owned law firm for 45 consecutive years- located at the same place, being the Oxford Square, Downtown, Oxford, Mississippi.
• Taught the Mississippi DUI Law and 5 different Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure courses each and every semester at the University of Mississippi for 29 consecutive years.
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• Former Association;
• Former Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• Taught the Mississippi DUI Law and 5 Procedure courses each and every semester for 29 consecutive years.
• A member of the Chancellor’s Trust at The University of Mississippi since1981.
• Former Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for over 6 years.
• Still practices at his privately owned law firm for 55 consecutive years - located at the same place, being the Oxford Square, Downtown, Oxford, Mississippi.
• Former Municipal Court Judge for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for 8 years.
• Former Vice President and President of the Lafayette County Bar Association; member of the Mississippi Bar Association, etc.
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• Former Municipal Court Judge for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for 8 years.
• Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys in Mississippi by the National Advocacy for DUI Defense.
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• Taught the Mississippi DUI Law and 5 different Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure courses each and every semester at the University of Mississippi for 29 consecutive years.
• A member of the Chancellor’s Trust at The University of Mississippi since1981.
• Former Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for over 6 years.
• Former Vice President and President Association; member of the Mississippi
• Selected as one of the Top 10 Best Attorneys of Mississippi for Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys.
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• Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AWARD OF MERIT for 1989 from the Mississippi State Bar given to one Attorney in the State each year for outstanding contributions to the practice of law.
• Former Municipal Court Judge for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for 8 years.
• Appointed by the Mississippi State Bar to the Mississippi Commission on Attorney Ethics and Attorney Violations of the Canon of Ethics and All Mandatory Rules concerning the Practice of Law. Occupied the positions of Vice Chairman and Chairman and served for 18 years.
• Former Vice President and President of the Lafayette County Bar Association; member of the Mississippi Bar Association, etc.
• Practiced at his privately owned law firm the same place, being the Oxford Square,
• Voted “Best Attorney in Oxford, Mississippi” in the Grove’s Choice Awards.
Member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys.
Appointed by the Mississippi State Bar to the Mississippi Commission on Attorney Ethics and Attorney Violations of the Canon of Ethics and All Mandatory Rules concerning the Practice of Law. Occupied the positions of Vice Chairman and Chairman served for 18 years.
• Appointed by the Mississippi State Bar Attorney Ethics and Attorney Violations Mandatory Rules concerning the Practice Vice Chairman and Chairman and served
• A Founding Member of the National College for DUI Defense conducted at Harvard Law School.
• Recipient the outstanding
• Taught the Mississippi DUI Law and 5 diff Procedure courses each and every semester for 29 consecutive years.
Member of the National League of Renowned Attorneys- Top 1% Awarded the United States Congressional Medal of Distinction by RNCC.
• Member of the American Jurist Institute - Top 10 DUI/DWI Attorney for Mississippi
• Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys in Mississippi by the National Advocacy for DUI Defense.
• A Founding Member of the National College for DUI Defense conducted at Harvard Law School.
• Appointed Attorney Mandatory Vice
• Voted
• A Founding Member of the National Harvard Law School.
• A member of the Chancellor’s Trust at the 1981.
• Member of the American Society of Legal Advocates - Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in the State of Mississippi.
• Member
• A Founding Harvard
• Member
• Selected as one of the Top 10 Best Attorneys of Mississippi for Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys.
• Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys in Mississippi by the National Advocacy for DUI Defense.
• Selected as one of the Top 10 Best Attorneys of Mississippi for Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys.
• Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys Advocacy for DUI Defense.
• Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Organization.
• Selected by the Attorney and Practice Magazine as one of Mississippi’s Top 10 Attorneys, et cetera.
• Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Organization.
• Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AWARD OF MERIT for 1989 from the Mississippi State Bar given to one Attorney in the State each year for outstanding contributions to the practice of law.
• Former Municipal Prosecutor for the City years.
• Awarded
• Selected Advocacy
• Selected as one of the Top 10 Best Attorneys Satisfaction Award by the American Institute
• Member Mississippi
• Former Municipal Court Judge for the City years.
Listing of these previously mentioned areas of practice does not indicate any certification of expertise therein.
• Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AWARD OF MERIT for 1989 from the Mississippi State Bar given to one Attorney in the State of Mississippi each year for outstanding contributions to the practice of law.
• Selected Satisfaction
• Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers Organization.
• Voted “Best Attorney in Oxford, Mississippi” in the Grove’s Choice Awards.
• Voted “Best Attorney in Oxford, Mississippi” in the Grove’s Choice Awards.
• Member Defense
• Former Vice President and President of the Association; member of the Mississippi Bar
• Member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys
• Member of the National League of Renowned Attorneys - Top 1%
• Member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys.
• Member of the National League of Renowned Attorneys- Top 1%
• Awarded the United States Congressional Medal of Distinction by RNCC.
• Selected Organization.
• Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AWARD the Mississippi State Bar given to one outstanding contributions to the practice
• Awarded the United States Congressional Medal of Distinction by RNCC.
• Member of the American Jurist Institute - Top 10 DUI/DWI Attorney for Mississippi
• Member of the American Society of Legal Advocates - Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in the State of Mississippi.
• Selected by the Attorney and Practice Magazine as one of Mississippi’s Top 10 Attorneys, et cetera.
• Selected 10 Attorneys, Listing
• Recipient the Mississippi outstanding
• Voted
• Appointed by the Mississippi State Bar to Attorney Ethics and Attorney Violations Mandatory Rules concerning the Practice Vice Chairman and Chairman and served
• Voted “Best Attorney in Oxford, Mississippi”
• Member
• Member of the American Jurist Institute - Top 10 DUI/DWI Attorney for Mississippi
• Member of the American Association
• A Founding Member of the National College Harvard Law School.
• Member
• Member of the National League of Renowned
• Member of the American Society of Legal Advocates - Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in the State of Mississippi
• Selected by the Attorney and Practice Magazine as one of Mississippi’s Top 10 Attorneys, et cetera.
• Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys Advocacy for DUI Defense.
• Awarded
• Awarded the United States Congressional
• Member Mississippi
• Member of the American Jurist Institute Mississippi
• Selected as one of the Top 10 Best Attorneys Satisfaction Award by the American Institute
• Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers
• Member of the American Society of Legal Defense Lawyers in the State of Mississippi
• Member Defense
Sandra Arroyo with her senior brick dedicated to her parents.
ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Student photographers capture picture-perfect graduation moments
AARON BARROW A&C Staff Writer
Many photographers in the Oxford area are focusing on preparing for the 2025 University of Mississippi graduation, and some of these photographers happen to be graduating themselves.
Senior integrated marketing communications major and portrait photographer Xenia Minton has honed her skills over the past eight years and worked with more than 600 clients since her freshman year of high school.
“I’ve loved photography, editing and all things creative and digital since I was little,” Minton said. “In high school, people began booking me, and my business grew steadily from there, starting in my hometown of Jackson, Miss. I’ve always loved telling people’s stories, and senior year is such a special milestone to celebrate.”
Many UM seniors mark the graduation milestone with a photoshoot complete with outfit changes, different locations across campus and, in many cases, a champagne pop at the Walk of Champions. Photographers like Minton use their years of experience to pull this off and provide photos that will last a lifetime.
Senior integrated marketing communications major and portrait photographer Macy Matthews began her photography business in 2018 at the age of 16. She says getting to photograph her peers makes the photography experience what it is.
“I enjoy taking pictures of people around my age the most,” Matthews said. “I feel like we can relate to each other more
and bond more. Pictures are more about the people to me.”
Fellow senior integrated marketing communications major Zoe Keyes said her photography career just came naturally.
“I’ve always loved being behind the camera,” Keyes said. “It was always something I felt comfortable with. I liked feeling like a fly on the wall, capturing moments that tell a story.”
Keyes said her graduation shoots have been some of her favorite moments as a photographer.
“I started taking senior photos mainly for friends, and I feel like I’ve really seen myself grow through that,” Keyes said. “I’ve done a lot of ‘non-traditional’ photos that are an ode to that senior’s major or interests, and those have been so fun to shoot.”
In Oxford especially, price is a big concern for graduates, who turn to student photographers as a less expensive alternative to photographers with more professional experience.
Minton said the price point of student photographers relies on experience.
“I believe pricing should reflect your artistic skill, creative vision and years of dedication to the craft,” Minton said. “The right clients will recognize and respect the value of your time and talent.”
For many student photographers like Minton, business operations run independently and necessitate higher costs. These costs caused Minton to raise her prices in February from $400 for an hour of coverage to $800 for an hour.
“Running a photography business includes costs like editing software, camera equipment, lighting, website hosting,
gas, SD cards and even taxes,” Minton said. “I wish more people understood and appreciated photography as a true profession, the same way other artistic industries are valued.”
Keyes, who charges $125 per graduation session, had similar input on pricing.
“I think as far as pricing goes, everyone is different,” Keyes said. “But at the end of the day, you’re paying an artist for their art. It’s kind of like buying an oil painting for any kind of original piece. It’s going to be expensive.”
Keyes’ photography career, which began her sophomore year, has provided her with a variety of opportunities.
“I do a little bit of everything,” Keyes said. “Portraits, events, weddings and even product photography. I’ve always loved
being behind the camera.”
While Milton sees the art itself as rewarding, she also values the interactions and moments she experiences because of photography.
“Photography allows me to connect with people on a such a personal level; it’s about capturing joy, pride and authenticity,” Minton said. “Whether it’s popping champagne or tossing a graduation cap, I feel honored to be a part of those once-in-a-lifetime moments. My favorite part will always be seeing my clients’ faces light up when they see their photos.”
Matthews has a similar focus on her clients’ reactions.
“Photography means the world to me,” Matthews said. “My clients mean the world to me. I am grateful for each and every one of
them and the memories and relationships they bring.”
Keyes said the stories behind the senior photos she takes are priceless.
“I did a photo shoot the other day for a journalism major who worked in the Overby Center, and we took some photos in the auditorium in front of the First Amendment that was printed on the wall,” Keyes said. “I had her throw her cap in the air and the photo turned out beautiful. That photo told such a huge story about what she has done at Ole Miss and what she plans to do with her future.”
CARTER
The University of Mississippi will host more than 5,500 graduates at its 2025 Commencement ceremony, which is set to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 10 in the Grove. In the case of bad weather, the ceremony will be moved to The Pavilion.
“We’ve got about 3,900 prospective spring graduates, plus December and August candidates totaling 5,522,” Caitlin Bagwell, systems and reporting analyst for the Office of the Registrar, said.
The number of graduates is increasing yearly.
“Ole Miss anticipates a slight increase in 2025 graduates,” Bagwell said. “It’s not yet a dramatic growth, but we’re seeing those bigger incoming classes start to graduate.”
Each school within the
university has its graduation ceremony, as well. The School of Business Administration is the largest this year, followed by the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Applied Sciences. Master’s students for these three schools have their own ceremony due to an influx of students in the schools’ respective programs.
With growing class sizes, there is also growing paperwork. The registrar’s office processes thousands of records related to graduation, from final degree audits to ensuring each name is spelled correctly before diplomas ship after the ceremonies.
“As we keep talking about incoming classes being bigger and bigger, the first thing I think about is all of the paperwork that’s going to go into Commencement,” Bagwell said. “We don’t mail diplomas from a third party; I pack
them up individually myself and mail every single one.”
Bagwell explained the stress behind the paperwork as over 14,000 individual documents are processed.
“When final grades are posted, we work 12-hour days during last-minute degree audits, and some students don’t fill their degree requirements until their final grades. So we adjust lists up until the printer deadline,” Bagwell said. “Then there’s always the panicked emails like, ‘I need proof I graduated today for my new job.’”
Another big task for putting together this year’s ceremony was securing the speaker. Delivering the Commencement speech this year is A.J. Brown, a former Ole Miss football player and Super Bowl winner.
“It’s very special to have former Rebels who have made it big come back,” Sara Austin Welch, a graduate assistant for
Federal and Legislative Relations, said. “When it comes to someone exciting like A.J., it is a great way to tie things up and students can forever say who spoke at their graduation.”
Welch elaborated on how the former Rebel was lined up to speak at Commencement.
“We started talks with his team in January because for NFL players, we have to work around offseason schedules and training commitments,” Welch said. “The Eagles’ bye week helped tremendously.”
Brown has an ongoing relationship with the Ole Miss Football program and donated $500,000 to improve athletic facilities in 2023.
“The Chancellor’s office works with alumni relations to identify potential speakers,” Welch said. “For A.J. Brown, it was perfect timing, as he was fresh off the Super Bowl, still connected to Ole Miss
and exactly the kind of success story we want to highlight.”
If Brown is unable to make an appearance, the Special Events team, an extension of the Chancellor’s Office, has a contingency plan.
“We have backup video options recorded in Philadelphia just in case, but A.J. promised us — barring emergency — he will be there in person,” Welch said. “He’s apparently been practicing his speech with his receivers coach.” Bagwell added her support to securing Brown as a Commencement speaker.
“He checks every box: young enough that students know him, successful enough to impress parents and the Ole Miss connection that makes it special,” Bagwell said.
Xenia Minton takes a senior photo on April 29.
GIBSON RUSSELL / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
JORJA
News Staff Writer
JAYLYNN CONNER A&C Editor
After a dozen musical artists performed on the Nicholas Air Stage on North Lamar Boulevard last weekend, the smell of food from vendors left the air and more than 100 artists packed up their booths, the 28th annual Double Decker Arts Fes -
Double Decker 28 rocks the Square
paintings, prints, candles, woodworks and other art forms were featured throughout the festival.
Stacy Kiehl, an interdisciplinary artist from Memphis, sold a variety of handmade toys, woodworking pieces, paintings and prints at the festival for the first time. She said that the community was welcoming,
“I feel like it was great, and I’m glad that I have experienced it. And the area around the stage was always fully packed. I mean, from the front you look back, and you can’t even see the Square anymore.“
- Alexander Harris management major from South Carolina
at the festival for his second year in a row. He repurposes discarded tools and other metal to create his sculptures, which he has enjoyed doing for three years.
“I try to take vintage tools and repurpose them and do what I call welded sculptures,” Burch said. “I try to make each piece unique. Although they’re similar, they’re different.”
Burch gets his inspiration from simply looking at different tools.
“I just look at discarded materials and think, ‘What could I use this for?’” Burch said. “When I see a hammerhead, it reminds me of a motorcycle. The wrenches remind me of fish, and the pickaxe reminds me of a sailboat. It’s a great hobby.”
Zach Doyle, a potter based in Lake Cormorant, Miss., sold pottery that he made in his garage along with handmade candles. Despite being a dedicated Ole Miss fan, this was his first time having a booth at the Double Decker Arts Festival.
“It was a good turnout,” Doyle said. “We’ve done pretty good. We sold about 30-something pieces in total.”
tival came to its bittersweet end on Saturday, April 26.
The music proved to be a hit, despite some initial skepticism about the popularity of the performers.
Cara Hawxby, a junior biology major from Buford, Ga., said at first she was not excited about the musicians in the Double Decker lineup, but she, along with the crowd of people around her, enjoyed the performances.
“I didn’t really know any of the artists,” Hawxby said. “I just knew a couple of songs, but when I walked into the crowd, everyone was excited.”
Alyssa Viegas, a freshman general business major from Hellertown, Pa., said that while younger people may not have been familiar with some of the artists, she believes the festival showcased what it was supposed to: a variety of unique artists.
“I feel like, maybe, for the younger generation, (the music) may not have been what everyone wanted the whole time, but I thought it was good for what the festival was,” Viegas said. “I don’t think it should have been any different.”
Alexander Harris, a management major from South Carolina, said that he was glad to be a part of the crowd gathered around the stage to see the performances.
“I feel like it was great, and I’m glad that I have experienced it. And the area around the stage was always fully packed,” Harris said. “I mean, from the front you look back, and you can’t even see the Square anymore.”
Other forms of art also proved to be popular during the event; there were roughly as many people crowding the booths as there were crowding the main stage. Sculptures, pottery,
and she sold a lot of her art.
“It’s been good,” Kiehl said. “It’s been really busy. We’ve sold a bunch of stuff, and everyone’s been really nice.”
Kiehl wants her art to encourage people to add joy and color into their life.
“Art should make you happy, and you can have fun in your house and not be afraid to decorate with bright, colorful stuff,” Kiehl said.
Sculptor J.W. Burch displayed welded sculptures
Doyle, who also displayed a Make-A-Wish donation jug at his booth, hopes to come back next year for Oxford’s 29th annual arts festival.
“It’s been a great, successful festival with great weather,” Doyle said. “Hopefully, we get invited to come back next year.”
“It’s been a great, successful festival with great weather. Hopefully, we get invited to come back next year.”
CONTACT THE A&C DESK AT thedmfeatures@gmail.com
Grace Potter performs on Saturday, April 26 at Double Decker.
- Zach Doyle potter based in Lake Cormorant, Miss.
Member of Ole 60 sprays crowd with a drink on Friday, April 25 at Double Decker.
LEXI TITUS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Charley Crockett performs on Friday, April 25 at Double Decker.
OLIVIA CANGELOSI / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
A fan dances on stage with Cimafunk on Saturday, April 26.
ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Ole 60 performs on Friday, April 25 at Double Decker.
OLIVIA CANGELOSI / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Festival attendees view art at Double Decker on Saturday, April 26.
AKAYLA HUGHES / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Houndmouth performs on Saturday, April 26 at Double Decker.
RILEY MCCOY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN Fans pack the Square at the main stage during Double Decker on April 26.
ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Festival attendee wears Double Decker T-shirt in crowd on Saturday, April 26.
ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN Fan sits on shoulders at Double Decker on Saturday, April 26
RILEY MCCOY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN Girls pet police horses at Double Decker on Saturday, April 26.
AKAYLA HUGHES / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
An ode to campus trees and those who care for them
JILLIAN RUSSELL A&C Contributor
For trees, life means incremental growth: roots digging deeper into the soil and branches extending wider than before. At the University of Mississippi, trees do more than grow — they witness freshman tours, game days in the Grove, laughter among new friends and seniors parting ways after convocation.
The university’s Department of Landscape Services works to design a refreshing, natural landscape for students and visitors to enjoy. First impressions also play a key role in attracting students, meaning the university’s landscaping is an important facet of recruitment.
Andrew Kamler, a sophomore accounting major from Nesbit, Miss., said the aesthetics of the campus were a factor in why he enrolled.
“The campus had a warm feeling and pretty nice homey vibe, and it’s a big part of why I came,” Kamler said.
Whether or not trees live a long life is largely determined within their first six years of life.
Nathan Lazinsky is one of two certified arborists on campus, along with Sophie Kline, whose jobs are to curate the perfect environment for trees to thrive.
Repeatedly receiving “farmer” as a suggested occupation on career readiness tests, Lazinsky knew he was destined to work outside. He went on to study forestry at Mississippi State University and is a certified arborist and tree risk assessor. He has planted more than 500 trees on the UM Oxford campus.
For Lazinsky, his priorities for planting revolve around longevity, as he realizes that the trees he grows will far outlast his career.
“I feel like (the Department of Landscape Services) leaves a legacy behind every day,” Lazinsky said. “The trees we plant are for the future generations to enjoy. Hopefully, everybody gets to enjoy it and someday someone will pick up the work whenever I decide to leave.”
The unassuming nature of landscaping work leaves an effortless impression on those who are oblivious to the landscapers beginning their workdays at 6 a.m., much like trees who supply oxygen without request.
“I think a lot of people take trees for granted, and if there weren’t trees, there wouldn’t be people here,” Lazinsky said.
Kelsey Lawmaster, a senior public policy leadership and philosophy double major from Breman, Ind., is one of two women in the Department of Landscape Services. She enjoys the handson nature of the work and the camaraderie of the crew, though she wishes more people respected the campus environment.
“I wish the average student had more respect for the environment and community they are a member of,” Lawmaster said. “The amount of litter that we find in the shrubs, in the grass, on the side-
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walk is unreasonable. It’s mostly alcoholic beverages or sometimes a full meal thrown on the ground, especially outside of dorms.”
Landscaping at Ole Miss is about more than upkeep. Everything planted on campus is calculated with intention, from the colors of flowers to the university’s signature green canopy.
“There is a lot that goes into tree care on campus,” Lawmaster said. “You can look at a forest and see how all the trees have dropped lower limbs, and it’s just that top bunch. They kind of look gangly and are trying to get as much sunlight as they can. On campus, we spread them out in a way where they can look like a real tree. We can ‘tree them up’ where you cut off the lower limbs to make it more aesthetically pleasing.”
Despite attentive care, sometimes trees still struggle. Over the past two years, numerous trees have uprooted on campus. These trees have lived beyond their expected lifespan to an average of 80-110 years of age.
According to Lazinsky, trees do not die of old age. As trees get older, they become susceptible to diseases, soil compaction and root rot. Following university procedure, arborists plant a replacement tree of the same species in place of a tagged declining tree.
Two dignified Mississippi champion trees are located on university grounds, the widest trees of their kind in the state: the Northern Catalpa, next to the student union and the Osage Orange near the University Museum.
The Northern Catalpa tree has received more attention over the past few years since storms in 2014 started to split the tree and required the addition of metal props to hold up its branches. After undertaking sonic tomography, Lazinsky’s team found that the tree is hollow on the inside. It is estimated to be 175 years old; however, the university will never fully know its age. Lazinsky cited the Catalpa as his favorite tree on campus and said he would not let it go down on his watch.
The university offers a self-guided digital tree trail that spans from the Grove to Bishop Hall. Upwards of 200 species of trees can be found on the Oxford campus, including Flowering Dogwood, Yoshino Cherry and Ginko Biloba.
Freshman accounting major Everett Heuer from Oxford completed the tree trail through an honors tour and for his environmental science class.
“I didn’t realize how many kinds of trees we had,” Heuer said. “The Northern Catalpa has been here since the university’s inception almost, which just shows how old it is.”
To learn more about trees on campus, visit Treeplotter. If you’re interested in embarking on a tree trail, search “University of Mississippi Tree Trail” on Google Maps.
Julien Baker & TORRES ‘Send a Prayer’ to Oxford
SYDNEY STEPP
Copy Chief
Julien Baker & TORRES
dazzled The Lyric on Tuesday night in matching sequined suits with a full live band. The April 29 concert was a stop on their current “Send a Prayer My Way Tour,” named for their album “Send a Prayer My Way,” which was released on April 18.
The Lyric began to fill with patrons at 7 p.m. who were waiting for the opening band
Big Benny Bailey to start at 8 p.m. and Julien Baker & TORRES to follow at 9 p.m. Baker, a Memphis native, is well-known both for her solo projects but also for her involvement in American indie rock supergroup Boygenius.
TORRES, the stage name of Mackenzie Ruth Scott, was raised in Macon, Ga., and is a Belmont University graduate. The pair have worked together professionally since 2024.
The concert primarily featured songs from the album “Send a Prayer My Way.” The show opened with “Bottom of a Bottle,” eliciting a rousing cheer from the crowd. “Dirt”
COACH TYLER
continued from page 1
(Drew Tyler) in your kid’s life in school,” Luber said. “To have your son have someone else to look up to outside of the family circle is great. … Drew relates to kids as well if not better than anybody I have ever been around.”
Basketball has served as a pseudo-love language for Tyler — a method of connection that comes naturally to him. “It’s a good feeling when one (of my former players) will text and say, ‘Hey coach, I’m headed to Turner Center to play if you want to play at 5:30 p.m. or something.’ It lets me know that they think I am going to connect with them and win some games, get some exercise — and I need to cherish every moment,” Tyler said.
The player behind the coach
Similar to most basketball players, Tyler has a competitive fire that, like building relationships, pushes him to keep playing. Tyler plays to win.
“I just cannot understand somebody wanting to play for fun,” Tyler said through a laugh. “I don’t understand somebody saying, ‘Hey, this is not the NBA.’ But then, all of a sudden, we are keeping score. I’ll never understand that, ever.”
Miles Luber said Tyler’s competitiveness is one of his greatest traits.
“He showed his care by being the competitor he is. It was a great feeling as a player to know that your coach wants to win just as badly and maybe even more than some players do,” Luber said. Tyler is also serious about wanting to play basketball for as long as his body will let him. One way he goes about this is by visiting Kurre Luber, an orthopedic surgeon based
was another crowd favorite, offering a solemn moment with acoustic guitars and live violin.
Both Baker and Scott are open about their queer identities and are popular for their lyrics that tell of the experience of growing up with these identities in religious settings in the South. Scott dedicated “No Desert Flower,” a song about staying with a longterm partner even if there are rough patches, to their wife as the crowd cheered and several crowd members shouted affirmations.
Sydney Guntharp, a junior political science and English double major from Hernando, Miss., came to the concert because they like the community that forms around Baker’s music.
“(I’m here because) I like Boygenius,” Guntharp said.
They also expressed that the concert helped them connect with Oxford’s LGBTQ+ community.
Kaitlyn Busby, a sophomore music education from Waynesboro, Miss., expressed a similar sentiment, saying that Baker’s recently announced relationship with Boygenius band member Lucy Dacus encouraged them to attend.
“I’m here because I’m a really big fan of Boygenius,” Busby said.
in Oxford. Luber is the doctor for the Ole Miss Football team, but he and Tyler have built a relationship over the years.
“(Dr. Luber) performed my microfracture knee surgery about eight years ago, and he now helps me keep my legs in working condition,” Tyler said. “His attention to detail and his expertise is a huge reason that I can play a high-impact sport at the age of 55.”
Tyler has dealt with psoriatic arthritis, which affects his joints. Luber said Tyler gets inflammation in multiple joints, which he has helped treat. Despite the medical hurdles, Luber is not surprised Tyler still plays.
“I think, obviously, it boils down to the love of the game and his competitiveness and just the fact that he has basically dedicated most of his life to basketball,” Luber said. Those who get to know Tyler, like Jones and Miles Luber, agree that his drive and passion for the game of basketball are nothing short of amazing.
“It’s actually inspiring,” Jones said. “He inspires me to continue to work out and stay in shape as I get older. It’s cool to see him keep the same passion for the game throughout all the years.”
Those who frequent the Turner Center know how much of a hot commodity Tyler is when he enters the gym; everyone wants him on the team.
“It’s funny to watch him surprise people when he can actually still play, and it also usually gives us an advantage because it takes them a little bit to realize he is actually good,” Jones said.
Tyler Dancy, a junior exercise science major, loves watching people play with Coach Tyler for the first time.
“I have to laugh because not too many people know what Coach Tyler can do,” Dancy said.
“It’s funny seeing them react to what he does, and I just be like, ‘Yeah, welcome to my world.’ I experienced it my first time here,
“I’m a huge fan of Lucy Dacus specifically, and I was like ‘Oh, Lucy’s girlfriend’s in town. I should go.’ I also like country music.”
Busby also said they were excited to meet new people in the queer community at the concert.
“I’m definitely excited to be here with the community in general,” Busby said. “I’ve talked to so many people so far, and that’s been fun (to meet) people that I didn’t even know existed that are part of the queer community of Oxford, and that’s been so fun. I think just being here in general really connects me to the community and I really love that.”
Amidst playing their own original songs, Julien Baker & TORRES also performed two covers, both well-known country hits that the crowd sang along to. Tim McGraw’s “Something Like That” and Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried” were given a new life under the lens of being sung by two queer Southern women.
“This song is for everyone whose parents wished they turned out different,” Baker said before “Mama Tried.”
The duo also played an unreleased song. “My Baby Loves Me More Than She Used To” was the only song of the
evening that did not also have the backing vocals of the crowd.
Kent Bynum, a sophomore biology major from Ellisville, Miss., expressed his joy at hearing an unreleased song.
“(My favorite part) was probably the song that they haven’t released yet,” Bynum said. “Yes, that was definitely my favorite part.”
Deja Samuel, an upcoming graduate student
in southern studies from Hattiesburg, Miss., thoroughly enjoyed the performance.
“I’m a new Julien Baker fan,” Samuel said. “I think (she and TORRES) both have beautiful voices, and experiencing that live and the story within their songs was my favorite part.”
too.”Dancy, on the other hand,appreciates playing with Tyler regardless of which team he is on.
“I like to play with and against him,” Dancy said. “He is pretty competitive, and he just likes to hoop. Playing with him is pretty fun because he literally finds you every time, no matter where you are.”
The man behind it all Tyler has been around basketball for as long as he can remember. It has been a stress reliever, a reason to stay active, a fuel for his competitive fire and a way to give back to a game that has given so much to him.
Tyler’s story is less about the man who goes to the Turner Center a lot. Rather, his journey is about the man who has dedicated his life to basketball as a relationship-building exercise.
“Our relationship now is still great,” Jones said. “I still talk
to him all the time, whether on the phone, at his house or playing pickup. I don’t see him every day anymore, but our relationship is definitely still strong.”
Yes, Tyler plays basketball to win, and yes, he plays with a competitive edge every time he steps onto the court. But, above all, Tyler is a steward of the game.
“I’m using basketball as a tool to help student-athletes at (OHS) — you know, winning on the court, winning in the classroom, trying to make them even more disciplined, whether they’ll be a great husband, a great father,” Tyler said. “At the same time, that same sport helped me meet people at Ole Miss when I was a student, and I’m continuing to meet people at Ole Miss. If it’s between games and we’re sitting, or it’s just down time, my number one question now is, ‘Hey, what made you come to Ole Miss?’” Many people who play bas-
ketball at Turner Center know and refer to him as “Coach” or even “Coach Tyler.” However, in his perfect world, everyone would know him for who he really is outside of his title.
“I’d rather not just be known as ‘Coach,’” Tyler said. “I’d rather them know me for who I am: Drew Tyler. (Coaching) is what I do from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., you know, help kids 15 through 18 years old. And then, all of a sudden, I’m playing with 18through 22-year-olds. I wish I could connect with all of them and maybe see what they’re about — maybe they can see what I’m about. But if they just know me as ‘Coach’ and the old guy that plays, I’d rather be known by that than a lot of other things people could be known for.”
Julien Baker performs at The Lyric on April 29.
OLIVIA CANGELOSI / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Kobe Jones (left) looks on as Drew Tyler draws up a play during a game on Dec. 5, 2023.
PHOTO COURTESY: KOBE JONES
Opinion:
How to avoid summertime sadness
Refuse to resign yourself to a season of empty days and hollow nights. Recognize and maximize the opportunities of relaxation, and you will return in August with renewed vigor and a rejuvenated spirit.
KADIN COLLIER Opinion Editor
As classes end for the semester, the squirrel population regains rodent control of the Grove. Those unlucky enough to fail organic chemistry march closer to the purgatory of summer intersession. “What to do” seeps into the minds of those navigating newfound free time.
For the more opportune of us that call the University of Mississippi a second home, summer includes a trip to a beachside house on 30A’s picturesque shoreline, two weeks of poolside strawberry daiquiris, sunburns on an island whose name starts with “Saint” and whose economy unscrupulously relies on luxury tourism — or, perhaps, a month promenading the shockingly traversable European continent.
Some of us were lucky enough to score a sweet paid internship (truly, the sparkling needle in the golden haystack) or secure scholarship money for a summer abroad. But for those of us forced to straddle a part-time job in our hometown where the only entertainment is Sonic, Walmart and the dilapidated Texaco, recharging is a seemingly indomitable task. Time is scarce, money is scarcer and the hopes of a hot girl summer are dashing.
So, for the sake of enjoying the scorching hot season that stands before us, here are a few tips for resting and recuperating, even when pockets are light. First, use public infrastructure. Public services are under increasing scrutiny, especially in the epitome of conservative virtue – Mississippi. So, making use of taxpayer-funded resourc-
Opinion Policies:
es sends a message to legislators: Americans oppose haphazard cuts to community services.
For those of us without our own swimming pools, the local pool — from the neighborhood-funded community center to the YMCA –is your de facto oasis. For those that “don’t like using public resources,” get a grip. The chance of contracting a nasty bug from chlorinated water is slim, and if you really hate children that much, go after 4 p.m. That being said, definitely wash your hands with heightened vigor after using any public bathroom.
If you’re not fond of water, hit the park. No money, no problem — luxurious, Pinterest-worthy picnics at the park are more accessible than you think. Enjoy a cost-effective snack picnic by substituting $39 Kroger charcuterie boards with Slim Jims and gummy bears. Gas station gastronomy: embrace it.
If you hate nature or if pollen is your mortal enemy, visit the nearest library. Again, demand is the beck and call for supply, so the more books checked out, the more money legislators can justify spending. Do your part to protect literacy.
A survey commissioned by Kindle and spanning 13 countries found that people who read weekly reported feeling 71% happier. Cast aside the obvious mental and intellectual benefits of flexing your brain muscles — actually reading as opposed to endlessly scrolling on TikTok is a surefire plan for personal prosperity.
As much as it sounds like I am quoting Kung Fu Panda’s Master Oogway, the second step is to be intentional about leisure.
According to a psychologi-
cal study funded by the National Institute of Health, leisure significantly improves physical and emotional wellbeing. You don’t need an exclusive member pass to an all-inclusive resort or a country club card to relax.
For Letterboxd fanatics lovers, dedicate time each evening to watching a movie or episode of your choice. Streaming out of budget? Most big streaming services, from Paramount to Hulu, offer hefty discounts for college students. “The Last of Us,” “Abbott Elementary” and “Schitt’s Creek” are only $1.99 away — the same price as a single chicken nugget from the student union.
For the bookworms, there is no time like summer to revive reading habits left behind in the fourth grade. Focusing on text as opposed to 15-second reels may be difficult at first, but resist the urge to pick up TikTok and you’ll be in a literary trance sooner than you think.
Once the dorms are vacated, Facebook furniture-thrift
ing pages explode and Aramark employees collectively sigh in relief, “what to do” will be the only question that truly matters. Refuse to resign yourself to a season of empty days and hollow nights. Recognize and maximize the opportunities of relaxation, and you will return to campus in August with renewed vigor and a rejuvenated spirit.
Kadin Collier is a freshman Arabic and international studies major from Hattiesburg, Miss.
CONTACT THE OPINION DESK AT thedmopinion@gmail.com
Columns do not represent the views of The University of Mississippi or The Daily Mississippian. The Daily Mississippian welcomes letters to the editor, which should be emailed to thedmopinion@gmail. com. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. They may be edited for clarity, brevity and libel. Third-party letters and those with pseudonyms or no name will not be published. Letters are limited to one per individual per month. Letters should include contact information, including relationship to the university, if applicable.
SUDOKU©
Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 with no repeats.
LEVEL
Chris Beard delivers personal thank you to Rebel fans
RUSS EDDINS Sports Editor
After Ole Miss Men’s Basketball’s historic run to the Sweet 16, Rebel head coach Chris Beard expressed his gratitude for the fans that stuck by the team all season.
“I think the main message is thank you. It was a successful season,” Beard said in an interview with The Daily Mississippian. “There’s some real measuring stick scores, but we also had a lot of victories with our attendance and student section turnout.”
Ole Miss finished the season 24-12 (10-8 SEC), ending
with a 73-70 loss to No. 2 seed Michigan State in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament on March 28. This was the Rebels’ first trip back to the Sweet 16 since 2001. Ole Miss has shown tangible improvement from year one to year two under Beard — a feat that Beard attributes, in part, to the fans.
“We broke all sorts of records. So the message from everybody in our program is just thank you,” Beard said.
“Thank you to our students. Thank you to the season ticket holders. Thank you to all the fans that supported our team all year long. We really look forward to next season as we
continue to build this thing.”
Ole Miss made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2019. After a nail-biting win against No. 11 seed North Carolina, Ole Miss pulled the Round of 32 upset over No. 3 seed Iowa State 91-78.
From beginning to end, this season felt different for many fans and, even though it ended in heartbreak against the Spartans, Beard was impressed with the overall turnout and enthusiasm this year.
“The first game, we broke an attendance record for season openers — second only to the first game ever in the Pavilion,” Beard said. “And
“We broke all sorts of records. So the message from everybody in our program is just thank you. Thank you to our students. Thank you to the season ticket holders. Thank you to all the fans that supported our team all year long. We really look forward to next season as we continue to build this thing.”
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Chris Beard
Ole Miss Men’s Basketball head coach
then it just continued during SEC play: the multiple sellouts, the students coming into the game two hours early and creating an atmosphere for our players as they warm up.”
Though the Rebels had many big moments on the road to the Sweet 16, Beard prefers to look at the season as one long journey.
“I think the growth that we all had together as a program was special,” Beard said. “I don’t (think there is) one defining moment but just the ability to keep building the program and things keep getting better. Ultimately, playing in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16,
Austin Simmons takes the torch
cided Ole Miss was the best fit.
fore signing with the Rebels.
my job,” Simmons said.
I think it was a real team effort.” Beard is setting his sights on the upcoming season.
“We’re just getting started. We look to build upon the momentum,” Beard said. “We improved from year one to two at Ole Miss. Ultimately, our objective is to compete for championships in the SEC and the national championship and, to do that, a lot of work has been done to this point and a lot of work needs to be done moving forward.”
WILL WRIGHT
Sports Staff Writer
Austin Simmons, the projected starting quarterback for Ole Miss next fall, hosted a meet and greet at The College Corner on Saturday, April 26 in hopes of connecting with fans and giving them insight into who he is.
More than 100 fans, including students, turned out for the sophomore. Out of high school, Simmons was a highly valued recruit for many programs across the country, and ultimately he de -
“It’s nothing like I’ve seen before. I’ve been to many places, and really it’s just unique to how much support that this whole community surrounds around the football program,” Simmons said in an interview with The Daily Mississippian. “And just being around the coaches, being around the players, being around the whole program by itself, really, just made me say, ‘This place, this is home.’”
The Miami native was verbally committed to the University of Florida be -
“Well, it was just a verbal commitment. At the end of the day, really just doing what’s best for me, and I saw that I can achieve more here at the school, rather than Florida,” Simmons said.
Playing in the SEC can bring immense pressure, but taking the reins for a Top 15 team in the country will bring even more challenges. However, Simmons seems unphased.
“I’m just a normal person. I’m just a quarterback that’s just here to do
With the Rebels loading up from the transfer portal, Simmons has high hopes for the upcoming season.
“I think we can do anything. I think we can accomplish our goals and that’s to win a national championship,” Simmons said.
The team has always prioritized a competitive environment and kept every player, including Simmons, ready for anything.
“At the end of the day (with us) competing every single day, nothing’s really guaranteed. My spot is not guaranteed,” Simmons said. “So, I’m just gonna keep moving forward every day, as if my spot is on the line, so not taking any rep for granted. Really just put forward maximum effort for every single rep.”
Simmons is confident about the upcoming season and his leadership role.
“We have big dreams in our heads right now, big goals to accomplish, and we are really just gonna go out there and put everything on the line,” Simmons said.
Ish Showell is the CEO of Axe Sports, Simmons’ NIL group. The company represents professional, D1 and top high school athletes, helping players navigate and leverage NIL marketing opportunities. Showell’s team is helping Simmons take the next step as a starting quarterback.
“If Austin wants to be an incredible quarterback, like I know he’s going to be, it’s more than physical. He’s got all the physical ability in the world,
right?” Showell said in an interview with The Daily Mississippian. “But a lot of it’s going to be mental. A mistake is inevitable. At some point he’s going to make a mistake. How quick can he bounce back?” Senior engineering major Cade Slayden and junior marketing major Drew Wright attended the event.
“I think it’s awesome. It gets the fans involved and gives a chance to meet the new quarterback. It’s a new beginning for us,” Slayden said.
Wright added his thoughts about the meet and greet.
“We also think this is something that we knew, that we expected with him coming into this role and being involved on and off the field,” Wright said.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart, recently drafted by the New York Giants, led the Rebels for the past three seasons with great success. He broke numerous school records, including surpassing Eli Manning’s as the winningest quarterback in Rebel football history. Dart left big shoes to fill and fans are wondering how Simmons will step into them.
“When he came in for the drive against Georgia (last fall), he opened a lot of people’s eyes and got him on the map,” Brady Birdsong, a senior marketing major, said. “I’ve had a lot of faith in him and I don’t think this program is going down at all.”
Chris Beard autographs a basketball for a fan on Oct. 22, 2024.
ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
RESULTS & BENEFITS
Increased Calorie Burn
Detoxification
Lower Blood Pressure
Anti-Aging & Skin Rejuvenation
Improved Circulation
Weight Loss
