African American Studies
Derrick Harriell Named Director of African American Studies Program
New leader plans to hire faculty and create innovative programming to boost profile FEBRUARY 14, 2023 BY EDWIN B. SMITH Derrick Harriell, an associate professor of African American Studies and English at the University of Mississippi, is the new director of the university’s African American Studies program, and he has plans to increase the program’s size […]
Joy Williamson-Lott to Discuss Black Freedom Struggle’s Impact at UM
Respected expert to address activism then and now Feb. 23 FEBRUARY 10, 2023 BY EDWIN B. SMITH A respected expert on the civil rights movement will discuss how the movement came to the University of Mississippi, including the lesser-known fallout from James Meredith’s enrollment, Feb. 23 as part of the university’s commemoration of the 60th […]
Black History Month Events to Honor, Empower Changemakers
Judy Meredith to deliver keynote address and host documentary screening FEBRUARY 5, 2023 BY CLARA TURNAGE The University of Mississippi‘s Black History Month celebrations this year coincide with the commemoration of 60 years of integration at the state’s flagship, giving attendees an opportunity to honor both today’s changemakers and the people who paved their way. […]
Civil Rights Hero Tells Students ‘We Were Your Age’
David Dennis Sr. and David Dennis Jr. lead discussion about their book OCTOBER 27, 2022 BY ERIN GARRETT David Dennis Sr., a civil rights activist and original Freedom Rider, looked out at a crowd of University of Mississippi students and had a realization. “We were your age,” Dennis Sr. said. “When you look back on […]
‘The Movement Made Us’ Authors to Speak at UM
Book tells story of original Freedom Rider and civil rights activist OCTOBER 21, 2022 BY ERIN GARRETT Authors David Dennis Jr. and David Dennis Sr. are set to host a conversation Tuesday (Oct. 25) at the University of Mississippi about their book, “The Movement Made Us: A Father, a Son and a Legacy of a Freedom Ride.” […]
Generations: The University of Mississippi Then and Now
Four Black families share perspectives on their UM experience OCTOBER 17, 2022 BY BENITA WHITEHORN When civil rights activist James Meredith (BA 63) integrated the University of Mississippi in 1962, he made it possible for thousands of other Black people to follow him, including his late son Joseph, who received a doctorate in business administration in 2002, […]
Where Integration Happened
Bus tour highlights desegregation sites across Oxford town SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 BY CLARA TURNAGE As the bus pulled away from the Lyceum on Tuesday (Sept. 27), Margaret Gipson, an African American resident and lifelong educator in Oxford, sat primly on the front row. Today, she would hear stories of integration across Oxford and at the […]
Ethel Scurlock Named Honors College Dean
First female African American dean brings administrative expertise, new vision to role JULY 25, 2022 BY EDWIN B. SMITH Ethel Scurlock has always been a trailblazer, and in her new role as dean of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi, she hopes to exceed everyone’s expectations – even her own. […]
Remembering a Mississippi Leader
Fannie Lou Hamer Scholarship Established in African American Studies January 26, 2022 By Mary Stanton Knight/ UM Development A generous gift from an anonymous donor will provide the University of Mississippi African American Studies Program with an endowed scholarship that honors a Mississippi civil rights leader. The $100,000 gift establishes the Fannie Lou Hamer Scholarship Endowment to help […]
Students Honored for Creating Positive Change
Majestic Gay and Frederick Williams are first recipients of scholarship honoring Donald Cole January 18, 2022 By Rhodes Walker A student activist, professor and leader, Don Cole has retired from the University of Mississippi but continues to influence the lives of Ole Miss students through a new scholarship endowment. Majestic Gay and Frederick Williams – the inaugural […]