The University of Mississippi

Office of the Chancellor

Welcome

Message to Campus Community on Student Death

Letters from the Chancellor, Welcome

To members of the university community,

What had been a beautiful fall Saturday in Oxford ended with a horrendous event that took the life of one of our students. Walker Fielder, a junior from Madison, Mississippi, was killed and another student, Blanche Williamson, a sophomore from Raleigh, North Carolina, was seriously injured after they were struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run just off the Square. It is a painful and distressing development for our campus community, and it is understandable that emotions are high with many unanswered questions about what happened.

Please join me in offering heartfelt condolences to Walker’s family, friends, classmates, and others. Walker was a leader in the Sigma Chi fraternity, and a widely liked member of our campus community. While there are no words that can alleviate the deep sorrow that his friends and family are experiencing, please keep them close in your thoughts and prayers during this time of immense grief.

In addition, please pray that Blanche continues to heal and recovers fully. She needs our support, love, and care.

I am grateful to the Oxford Police Department for its swift response. They are working with other law enforcement agencies to investigate this case vigorously, and two suspects who are not affiliated with our university are now in custody. Our community can help investigators by avoiding public speculation about what happened or why, and share relevant information if you have it. If you have any information that can help, please contact the Oxford Police Department at 662-232-2400, ​the University Police ​Department at 662-915-7234, or CrimeStoppers at 662-234-8799. Since this matter is an ongoing investigation, OPD will share updates with the public as they are able.

We are a tight-knit and welcoming campus and community, which is what makes this act so jarring for us. I urge anyone in need of support to reach out to those around them, or to seek assistance from one of the following university support services:

 

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

At the Flagship, September 2022

e-Newsletter, Welcome

A male cheerleader waves the Ole Miss flag at a football game, @The Flagship, September 2022

CHANCELLOR’S 3 THINGS TO KNOW

The fall semester is off to a great start in Oxford. Our Center for Manufacturing Excellence recently hosted the Mississippi Forge Forward Summit focused on workforce development and education for Mississippi’s defense industry. We honored the longtime generous support of the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation with the dedication of The Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union. Fall athletics are in full swing as well, including a 4-0 start for Ole Miss Football, the first time since 2015. With so much happening on campus, here are three things to know right now:
  • 60th Anniversary: In 1962, James Meredith became the first African American to enroll at the University of Mississippi, and this year we celebrate his leadership and the 60th anniversary of the university’s integration. Thanks to Dr. Shawnboda Mead, vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement, and with tremendous support from a special planning committee, the campus community has organized programs, events and projects throughout the 2022-23 academic year. We’re grateful to Mr. Meredith and his family for their presence at the commemoration’s signature event on Sept. 28, and we look forward to hearing from Mr. Meredith at that event. It is a humbling honor to thank him and reflect on the path of the university over the past 60 years. Please see the special section below for more information regarding the commemoration events.
  • Top University: The University of Mississippi remains the highest-ranking university in Mississippi and among the top 10% of public universities in the nation, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report in its “Best Colleges” 2022-23 report. UM ranks No. 72 among public universities and has been in the top 100 for 12 consecutive years. The university also ranked highest in the state for best value and veteran support programs, ranking No. 40 among public institutions in the “Best Value Schools” report and No. 68 among public universities for schools that make pursuing a college education more affordable for veterans and active-duty service members. These distinctions reflect our academic excellence and our commitment to student success.
  • Great People. Great University.: At Ole Miss, one of our top priorities is caring for our people. That’s why we’re thrilled to be recognized for the 13th time as a “Great College to Work For” by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The university was recognized in several categories, including faculty and staff well-being; diversity, inclusion and belonging; faculty experience; and shared governance. A thread connecting these categories is a commitment to treating one another with respect, fairness, civility, and kindness. I’m grateful to all members of the university community for contributing to the outstanding work environment that led to this achievement. You are what makes Ole Miss a great place to work!
And here’s a bonus item: Check out our university’s new television commercial that debuted earlier this month on the telecast of our football team’s win over Georgia Tech. It features many of our outstanding students and their hopes and dreams for the future.

 

Hope to see you on campus soon, and take care!

Read More

University Honors James Meredith and Commemorates 60th Anniversary of Integration

Letters from the Chancellor, Welcome

60 Years of Integration, Building Upon the Legacy, The University of Mississippi

 

Dear students, faculty, and staff,

In the life of a flagship institution stretching across three centuries, significant and pivotal moments occur throughout its history. These moments call for remembrance, reflection, and celebration. James Meredith’s enrollment in and integration of the University of Mississippi in 1962 is one of those moments, and we are proud to honor it with the coming Week of Commemoration to mark the 60th anniversary.Read More

At the Flagship, August 2022

e-Newsletter, Welcome

The university’s newest students gather to celebrate Fall Convocation on Aug. 23, 2022, @The Flagship, August 2022

CHANCELLOR’S 3 THINGS TO KNOW

With the start of a new academic year, our campus is bustling as new and returning students fill our residence halls, classrooms, libraries, common areas, and green spaces. The beginning of a new year also means our annual tradition of Fall Convocation. This year, we welcomed international bestselling author John Green, whose collection of essays “The Anthropocene Reviewed” is our Common Reading Experience text.

 

Here are three things to know right now:

 

FRESHMEN EVERYWHERE: We welcomed our largest-ever freshman class this fall! While final enrollment figures will be confirmed later this fall, this year’s class far surpasses the 2016 freshman class of 3,984 students. That’s a testament to all that our university offers, including a legacy of academic excellence, a beautiful campus in America’s best college town, myriad student success programs, and a commitment to provide unique opportunities that will define our students’ college experiences. It is also a testament to the team effort delivered by our staff to attract this amazing class, which is also one of the most academically prepared classes we’ve ever had. I’m thankful to everyone who contributed.

 

LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP: As a flagship university, we have an enduring legacy of inspiring and educating leaders — for the state of Mississippi and beyond. You see it in the halls of Mississippi government that are teeming with Ole Miss graduates who lead across the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. Be sure to check out “A Legacy of Leadership,” which we published to honor and recognize the leadership, dedication, and contributions of our outstanding alumni who serve in state-level public service roles. We’re so grateful to them for advancing our state! That influence also extends to the halls of government in Washington. A recent LegiStorm analysis found the University of Mississippi is “a top undergraduate school for Republican staffers” on Capitol Hill.

 

NATIONAL CHAMPS: The Ole Miss baseball team is the reigning NCAA College World Series champion! I’m not sure we will ever grow tired of saying that. An army of Ole Miss fans descended on Omaha to witness a special and defining moment in our university’s history as we cheered on a resilient and talented team that won our university’s first-ever men’s NCAA team title. We are building a new legacy of winning as this win follows the Ole Miss women’s golf team’s NCAA national championship in 2021. It’s a great time to be an Ole Miss Rebel.

 

Until next month, take care!

Read More

Charges filed in Jimmie “Jay” Lee case

Letters from the Chancellor, Welcome

Dear members of the university community,

This evening, Oxford and University police announced murder charges have been filed against a suspect in the disappearance of university student Jimmie “Jay” Lee, who has been missing since July 8.

As investigators continue to search for Jay, we continue to keep Jay’s family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this time of immense grief.

In light of this latest development, I encourage you to lean on and support one another. If you need help, please take advantage of any of the following campus resources and support services:

 
Sincerely,

 

Glenn F. BoyceChancellor