CHANCELLOR’S 3 THINGS TO KNOW
This month marked the culmination of a spectacular academic year and a time to recognize the accomplishments of our students, faculty, and staff. Check out the special section at the end of this newsletter for highlights of their extraordinary achievements! Here are three things to know right now:
- Our Unstoppable Grads: The Grove hummed with excitement and joy as we celebrated the more than 5,000 graduates and candidates of the Class of 2023. It’s worth noting that these amazing students persevered as COVID-19 disrupted the world and their expectations for the college experience. Despite tough circumstances, they came back, persisted, and achieved their dreams. The Class of 2023 included 26 staff members who continued their education while working for the university. Earning a degree while balancing work, personal obligations, and outside activities presents unique challenges, and I commend our newest Red and Blue graduates! Their dedication to excellence is evident every day.
- Purpose Will Find You: Alumna Stephanie Hickman (JD 91) delivered an outstanding Commencement address to our newest graduates. Her inspiring words encouraged the audience members to embrace flexibility, tackle challenges, and ground themselves through service to others. During her address, she said, “Life will surprise you. You can’t know how your story will unfold, and that’s a beautiful thing” and told the graduates “I stand here as an example that purpose will find you.” She pursued a law career before taking ownership of her family’s construction company, and her story is a testament to the incredible feats one can accomplish with drive and confidence. You can watch a recording of the live stream here.
- 175 Years Forward: This fall, the University of Mississippi will celebrate 175 years ofdelivering education, research, health care, and service to the people and the state of Mississippi. In honor of the anniversary, we invite you to share your stories, experiences, and reflections. Planning is underway, and we’ll share more details soon!
With Memorial Day coming up, please take time to remember our military heroes who have laid down their lives in sacrifice for our nation. One way to do this is to participate in the National Moment of Remembrance, a minute of silence observed at 3 p.m. local time each year on Memorial Day. We are incredibly grateful for their noble dedication to protecting our freedoms and for their enduring love of country.
Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor
FLAGSHIP FACTS
TOP STORIES
HEALTHIER BABIES
UMMC has been selected to join a network of medical centers studying ways to improve health outcomes for newborns.
SAFER, MORE EFFECTIVE DRUG DELIVERY
The National Science Foundation has awarded Eden Tanner, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, an $850,000 CAREER award. Her five-year project could lead to the development of targeted drug delivery systems that are safer and more effective for patients.
SCORE FOR SERVICE
Kenney Broadnax of Ole Miss men’s track and field and Ellen Hutchinson-Kay of Ole Miss women’s golf have been named Ole Miss winners of the Brad Davis SEC Community Service Award for 2022-23.
Extraordinary Achievements
Congrats to the many individuals who have made a stellar impact at Ole Miss through their extraordinary achievements during the 2022-23 academic year.
Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award: Jason Ritchie, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, received the university’s highest teaching honor for his brilliant and caring presence in the classroom.
St. Amand Outstanding Teaching Award: Lou Burney, lecturer in accountancy instruction, received the inaugural St. Amand Award, which honors a nontenure-track faculty member. Burney was lauded by her nominators as a caring and passionate mentor who gets to know her students personally.
Distinguished Professors: Two professors were named 2023 distinguished professors: Beth Ann Fennelly, an acclaimed writer, professor of English, and Mississippi’s immediate past poet laureate, and Jeff Watt, a preeminent historian and the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Professor of History.
Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement: Aimee Nezhukumatathil, professor of English and creative writing, received the university’s highest honor for outstanding accomplishment in research, scholarship and creative achievement. Nezhukumatathil is the first humanities faculty member and the first woman of color to be selected for this award.
SEC Faculty Achievement: Kristie Willett, chair of biomolecular sciences, is the recipient of this year’s SEC Faculty Achievement Award, which honors success in teaching, research, and service.
Frist Student Service Award: Ashleen Williams, assistant professor and senior Barksdale fellow in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, and Blake Adams, program manager for the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program in the School of Education, were recognized this year for going the extra mile to encourage and assist students.
School of Pharmacy Distinguished Teaching Scholars: Sally Earl, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice; Kayla Stover, professor of pharmacy practice; and Noa Valcarcel, instructional assistant professor of pharmacology, were honored for their dedication to teaching and student development.
Paragon Award for Excellence in Distance Teaching: Kristy Durkin, instructor of social work, was honored with this award from the Office of Academic Outreach, which celebrates a teacher who has implemented creative ways to enhance student learning and engagement through course design, technology, and instructional methods.
Celebration of Service: The Division of Diversity and Community Engagement recognized individuals and projects for outstanding accomplishments in community-engaged research, learning, service, and scholarship. The honors include the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Service Award, the Excellence in Community Engagement Award, and the Community Engaged Development Partnership Fund awards.
Truman Scholar: Madeleine Dotson, of Mobile, Alabama, was named a Truman Scholar. The distinguished national program awards merit scholarships to students who plan to pursue government or public service careers.
Goldwater Scholars: The university celebrated three Goldwater Scholars this year for the second year running. Congratulations to Christian Boudreaux, of Oxford; Noah Garrett, of Madison; and Alyssa Stoner, of Gulfport. The Goldwater Scholarship supports students who promise to become the nation’s next generation of research leaders in science, engineering, and mathematics.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program: Eight UM students earned Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards this year, the most ever in university history. The program partners students with universities and schools from more than 140 nations to promote international study and cross-cultural dialogue.
We also welcomed 10 seniors into our 2022-23 Hall of Fame!
