Southern Studies

Ted Ownby, former director of the UM Center for the Study of Southern Culture, reads outside Barnard Observatory. Ownby has received a Fulbright Award to teach and conduct research at the University of Southern Denmark. Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

Ted Ownby to Retire After 35 Years

Historian plans to write new book exploring Mississippians who did fascinating things JUNE 5, 2023 BY REBECCA LAUCK CLEARY After 35 years as a member of the University of Mississippi faculty, including 11 years as director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, history and Southern studies professor Ted Ownby is preparing to […]

For the Love of the South

Feders Recommit Support for Oxford Conference for the Book with $100K Gift JUNE 1, 2023 BY BILL DABNEY As native Mississippians, Ron Feder and his late wife, Becky, grew up steeped in the folkways of the American South. But it took an extended stay in the faraway Philippines to help them truly appreciate the extraordinary […]

The 2023 Summer Sunset Series, a sequence of free

Summer Sunset Series to Highlight Art, Music and Alumni

Annual free concert series to include Mississippi musicians, Southern studies alumni showcase MAY 28, 2023 BY CLARA TURNAGE Each Sunday in June, members of the Lafayette-Oxford-University family can gather on the Grove for a night of music and culture as the annual Summer Sunset Series returns to the University of Mississippi. The free concert series […]

Journey to Commencement—Making a Community

Sandip Rai’s creative journey brings stories to life on the screen. MAY 4, 2023 BY REBECCA LAUCK CLEARY When Sandip Rai made a list of possible graduate schools, his factors included location, program courses, community and eligibility. After a Zoom meeting with staff at the University of Mississippi’s Center for the Study of Southern Culture, […]

University Celebrates Employee, Community Service

Annual program recognizes achievements in research, learning, service and scholarship APRIL 20, 2023 BY EDWIN B. SMITH The University of Mississippi Division of Diversity and Community Engagement recognized outstanding accomplishments in community-engaged research, learning, service and scholarship Tuesday (April 18) during its annual Celebration of Service. Honors presented included the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Service Award, the Excellence in […]

The staff of Mississippi Today will be honored for the organization’s work in the state at this year’s Silver Em ceremony at The Inn at Ole Miss. This is the first time a news organization, rather than an individual, has been awarded a Silver Em.

Mississippi Today Named Silver Em Winner

UM School of Journalism and New Media lauds news organization for contributions to state APRIL 11, 2023 BY LAREECA RUCKER The University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media has been honoring outstanding journalism with the Silver Em award since 1958, and for the first time, this year’s winner is a news organization, rather […]

from left) Marshall St. Amant, Anderson DeWitt, Margaret Walker, Eriona Banks and Casey McCarthy gather to sign the turret in Ventress Hall, home of the College of Liberal Arts, leaving their mark on the historic building as students have been doing for more than 100 years. The students were chosen after making gifts during Giving Day 2023.

Giving Day 2023 Sets University Record

Alumni, friends step up with $6.83 million in support APRIL 8, 2023 BY TINA HAHN When the last online donation came in Wednesday (April 5) for Giving Day 2023, the University of Mississippi‘s donors had united to set an unprecedented fundraising record. This year, Ole Miss students, parents, alumni, friends, faculty and staff members came […]

Alumnus Feeds Passion for Discovery as TV Documentary Producer

Ben Cannon puts his Southern Studies degree to use in unexpected ways MARCH 23, 2023 BY REBECCA LAUCK CLEARY Ben Cannon has always enjoyed exploring new places, which is quite helpful for his job as a field producer for the Discovery Channel. Cannon earned a bachelor’s degree in Southern studies from the University of Mississippi […]

Southern Documentary Project Director Earns Two Fellowships

Melanie Ho plans to use award to network with other emerging storytellers and hone skills MARCH 10, 2023 BY REBECCA LAUCK CLEARY Melanie Ho, producer-director at the Southern Documentary Project and an adjunct assistant professor in the University of Mississippi‘s Center for the Study of Southern Culture, has enjoyed many accolades the past few months. […]

Willie Morris Awards Awarded in Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry

Destiny Birdsong, Beverly Lowry and Adam Haver to read at 2023 Oxford Conference for the Book MARCH 6, 2023 BY STAFF REPORT The Willie Morris Awards for Southern Writing will celebrate some of the year’s best in contemporary literature in a session concluding the 2023 Oxford Conference for the Book. The awards program celebrates the […]