O le M iss A lumni R ev iew Publisher Kirk Purdom (93) Editor Jim Urbanek II (97) jim@olemiss.edu
Dear Alumni and Friends,
Associate Editor and Advertising Director Annie Rhoades (07, 09) annie@olemiss.edu Contributing Editor Benita Whitehorn Art Director Amy Howell Contributors Andrew Abernathy (08, 10), Kevin Bain (98), Ruth Cummins (82), Bill Dabney (89), Mitchell Diggs (82), Jay Ferchaud, Thomas Graning, Robert Jordan (83), Nathan Latil, Joshua McCoy, Michael Newsom (05), Annie Oeth, Sydney Slotkin, Edwin Smith (80, 93), Christina Steube (11), Phillip Waller (15) Officers of the University of Mississippi Alumni Association Eddie Maloney (72) president Dr. Hal Moore (76) president-elect Bobby Bailess (73, 76) vice president Chip Crunk (87) athletics committee member Deano Orr (93) athletics committee member Alumni Affairs Staff, Oxford Kirk Purdom (93), executive director Joseph Baumbaugh, systems analyst III Allie Bush, web developer Clay Cavett (86), associate director Anne Cofer (07, 08), accountant Martha Dollarhide, systems programmer II Sheila Dossett (75), senior associate director Port Kaigler (10, 15), assistant director Annette Kelly (79), accountant Steve Mullen (92), assistant director for marketing Annie Rhoades (07, 09), publications editor Anna Smith (05), alumni assistant and club coordinator Scott Thompson (97, 08), assistant director Jim Urbanek (97), assistant director for communications Torie Marion White (07), assistant director Rusty Woods (01), associate director for information services Warner Alford (60, 66), executive director emeritus The Ole Miss Alumni Review (USPS 561-870) is published quarterly by the University of Mississippi Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Affairs. Alumni Association offices are located at Triplett Alumni Center, 651 Grove Loop, University, MS 38677. Telephone 662-915-7375.
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C hancellor from the
The beginning of the fall semester is an exciting time on college campuses across the country, full of promise and high expectations. That is particularly true this year at the University of Mississippi, where we are welcoming another exceptional freshman class and celebrating 22 consecutive years of enrollment growth. Such sustained progress has produced challenges, straining our infrastructure and creating the need for new residence halls and academic facilities. Our leadership team members have worked diligently for years to find new resources and expand our classrooms, laboratories and other spaces, and their efforts have transformed our campuses. It’s a process that continues all around us at Ole Miss. Just a few weeks ago, for example, we opened two new residence halls on Rebel Drive, where Guess Hall once stood. These new facilities have greatly increased our housing capacity, but more importantly, they include the modern conveniences that students expect, such as in-room bathrooms, microwaves and refrigerators, study rooms on each floor, conference rooms and community kitchens. All these things enhance our students’ campus experience and help us with recruitment and retention efforts across all disciplines. Just down the hill, a major expansion of the Student Union is rising above the construction fences. The first phase of this $50 million project will add some 60,000 square feet to the Union, including new dining areas, a ballroom, support kitchens and a transit center, all scheduled to be completed next summer. The final phase, expected to be done by the end of 2018, will involve renovating the existing space, including the student government offices, bookstore, lounge and box office. When it’s all ready, we will have a Student Union to serve our campus needs and offer a gathering place for alumni, families and friends for years to come. Down in Jackson, we celebrated the “topping out” of our new School of Medicine building earlier this year. The first new facility for our medical school since 1955, this new building will provide a consolidated space for training the next generation of doctors in a technology-rich environment. More importantly, when it opens next summer, it will allow us to admit more students, helping to provide enough physicians to meet the state’s health care needs. This is a major step to improve the lives of all Mississippians and boost the state’s health care economy. Meanwhile, many other projects are underway to expand and improve our learning environment. These include site work for our new STEM building and the South Campus Recreation Center at the old Whirlpool plant, a new parking garage, major improvements to the Gillom Sports Center and renovations to the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. And of course, we’re anxiously awaiting Sept. 10, when the Rebels take the field against Wofford for the first home game in the expanded Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. We hope that you’ll visit us soon. I think you’ll agree that it’s a great time to be a Rebel! Sincerely,
Jeffrey S. Vitter Chancellor P.S. You can always reach me at chancellor@olemiss.edu. And please follow me on Twitter @UMchancellor, and visit my blog at chancellor.olemiss.edu.