Speeches

Inaugural Veterans’ Gala
Friday, November 2, 2018, 6pm
Inn at Ole Miss

Good evening!  I’m Jeff Vitter, and I have the honor of serving as the University of Mississippi’s chancellor.  I’d also like to introduce my wife, Sharon, who’s here with me tonight.

It’s a pleasure to welcome you to our inaugural Veterans’ Gala.  First, let me thank Andrew Newby for his passionate leadership and commitment to Veteran and Military Services at Ole Miss.  Andrew, you’ve done a fantastic job tonight and in all of your efforts.

I’d also like to thank the Student Veterans Association for hosting tonight’s event.  The Student Veterans Association is an invaluable part of our community and provides our veterans support, resources, and a venue to find and build camaraderie.

Let’s give them a big thank you!

Our commitment to veterans and military personnel is closely linked to our university’s values of integrity and respect.  And I’m proud that we continue to strengthen that commitment.  We serve more than 1,400 military-connected students.  In February, we opened a Veterans Resource Center.  And, we are recognized for our commitment to our Veterans by Military Times among the top colleges in its “Best for Vets” rankings for 2019.  We’re truly proud of the ways Ole Miss is defining itself as a military-friend university.

Finally, let me take quick a moment to recognize the leaders and elected officials who are with us this evening:

• United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie;
• United States Senator Roger Wicker;
• United States Representative Trent Kelly — Congressman Kelly also serves as a Brigadier General in the Mississippi Army National Guard;
• Governor of Mississippi Phil Bryant;
• The Adjutant General for Mississippi, Major General Janson Boyles;
• Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees President, Shane Hooper;
• The Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs, Randy Reeves;
• Mississippi Representative Jay Hughes; and
• Guest of Honor and keynote speaker, Will Jimeno.

Before I turn it back to Andrew, I want to say how much we appreciate all of you for joining us and sharing your time this evening.  Thank you!

Universities Studying Slavery Fall Symposium — Presidential Plenary
Thursday October 25, 2018, 9:00am
Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS

I’m honored to serve on this panel today, especially with such distinguished fellow panelists.  I’d like to thank the organizers for hosting this meeting, especially the University of Mississippi Slavery Research Group, whose important work on our campus embodies the principled inquiry that sits at the core of academic freedom.  I’d also like to thank Dr. Hogan for inviting me to participate.  It’s a tremendous opportunity to advance the conversation about an historical matter of great import to our institutions, our state, and the nation.Read More

Military Academy Day
Saturday, October 13, 2018, 10:00 a.m.
Jackson Avenue Center

Good morning, and welcome.  It’s a pleasure to be here.  We’re honored the university is serving as your host site today.  I’d like to thank Congressman Trent Kelly’s office for organizing today’s events.

To all of the students here, I commend your interest in learning more about the U.S. Military Academies, and I thank you for your willingness to serve.  I wish each of you the best of luck in your pursuit of a spot at one of the academies, which rank among the most distinguished institutions of higher education in our country.Read More

M Partner Community Day of Service
October 13, 2018, 8 a.m.
Student Union Ballroom

This turnout is amazing!  It’s so inspiring to see such enthusiastic volunteers this morning.  I know it’s an early start for a weekend, but we commend you for giving your time and energy to serving our M Partner communities of Charleston, Lexington, and New Albany.  It’s so rewarding to see this army of students ready to mobilize and embrace this wonderful opportunity to serve.  You embody our university’s commitment to community engagement in action.Read More

Ole Miss Alumni Association Annual Meeting
Saturday, October 6, 2018, 10 a.m.
The Inn at Ole Miss, Gertrude C. Ford Ballroom

 

It’s great to be here!  And it’s so great to see many of our passionate Rebs today.  With so much energy and commitment, it’s easy to see why Ole Miss is such a special place with extraordinary people!

Every week at our great flagship university is exciting and active.  Let me take this week just to give you a sampling.  The Department of Music’s Living Music Resource and Prof. Nancy Maria Balach marked the 20^th episode of the LMR LIVE interactive talk show.  Our Commission on the Status of Women and my wife Sharon hosted a lovely reception at our home in the Carrier House honoring women faculty, staff, and graduate students.  Our Schools of Law and Pharmacy co-hosted an educational symposium on a heartbreaking issue facing our state and nation — the opioid crisis.  We commemorated the 20^th anniversary of the founding of our esteemed Croft Institute for International Studies with a wonderful celebration.  And of course, today is Homecoming as we welcome to campus so many alumni and all the great activities that come with it!Read More

Croft Institute for International Studies 20^th Anniversary
Friday, October 5, 2018, 2 p.m.
Croft 107

 

Good afternoon, and welcome.  It’s a pleasure to join you all for this celebration of one of the bright lights of our university.

I’d like to thank Dr. Dinius and all of the organizers of today’s events.  For two decades, Croft has been one of our university’s most prestigious, rigorous, and valuable academic programs.  In its relatively short history, Croft has enhanced the reputation of our university.

I’d like to thank the Abdalla family for their enduring commitment to Ole Miss through their unprecedented donation of $60 million from the Bancroft Fund.  That decision has rippled through our university and enriched the lives of countless students.  Those students, in turn, have pursued distinguished academic and career opportunities in the U.S. and around the world.  Their successes reflect positively on this university and carry our name to the far corners of the globe.Read More