University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Yearbook (Oxford, MS)

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Impressions of Oxford . by Jesse P. Phillips Oxford is home to me even though I am not a native son. More than 34 years ago I hitchhiked from Holmes Jr. Col- lege, Goodman, at mid-term of my freshman year to Ole Miss to make my initial inquiry concerning the possibility of transferring at the conclusion of two years of junior college work. I remember how much in awe I stood gazing at the big white columns of the Lyceum as I walked onto the campus. Upon entering I found the Lyceum in much disarray since it was undergoing extensive renovation inside. Finally, I found my way to the office of the Dean of the school of Business and Government, who introduced me to Dr. Gerald Forbes, chairman of the Department of Journalism. It was like going into the Army since Journalism was hous- ed in an old Army barrack, known as Temporary A and located then at the present site of Magnolia Courts. Dr. Forbes soon learned that I had to have work in order to pay tuition and meet other expenses. He was very alert to the possibility of such work at The Oxford EAGLE, since I had learned to operate a Linotype machine while in high school at Grenada. He carried me downtown to The EAGLE office (then located in the building where Rebel Press is presently located). Upon entering Ole Miss in the fall of 1952 I went to work at The EAGLE on a part-time basis. This work was to continue as Linotype operator, photographer and news editor through my graduate year. Soon after coming to Ole Miss, I met an attractive graduate of Blue Mountain College, the former Margaret Jeanette Col- lier. While completing my undergraduate degree and she a master ' s program, our courtship culminated in marriage in September, 1954. Our family unit has been blessed with three sons Dan, Tim and Andy. Following earning my M.A. degree in 1955 and two addi- tional years of employment with The EAGLE, it became ap- parent that I should explore the job market through Mississippi and Alabama. In February of 1957 a monumental thing happened Fif- teen Oxford business and professional men co-signed a note which enabled me to borrow $15,000.00 to enter a partner- ship and buy an office supply and commercial printing firm in Oxford. This type of support and friendship came from these men after knowing me and my wife, Jeanette, for only five years. Most of the association with these friends had been through our attendance at First Baptist Church. Little did we know at the outset of this business venture in 1957 that in another four years we would have the opportuni- ty of buying one-third interest in the newspaper which pro- vided me employment as a student. FAULKNER While I have remained downtown since graduation, my wife has been associated with the Department of Home Economics for more than 30 years and now serves as Acting Chairman of that department. Student days at Ole Miss were great but the opportunity of remaining in Oxford and being a resident of the Lafayette- Oxford-University community has been a beautiful experience. The folk in this community, even during our student days, made us feel at home and wanted. Even though I love my hometown of Grenada, there is a deeper love for Oxford, after living here 32 years. Oxford, which was incorporated by legislative act on May 11, 1837, is still a small city with the 1980 census figures showing 9,882 citizens. However, it is very unique with a cultural environment which you would only expect from a much larger city of more than 100,000 population. With the close association with the University community we are privileged to enjoy the artist series each season, many other musical and drama programs as well as the summer showcase productions. Through these years as a student and now as a resident of Oxford I have heard mention by some students and faculty, There should be a closer working relationship between the University and Oxford. Perhaps there has been some basis for this feeling at times, but I feel the Town and Gown relationship has always been strong. Within recent years the program of work of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce has been and is dedicated to making the relationship even stronger. Likewise, there have been times when Ole Miss students have felt that Oxford businesses were trying to rip them off. For the most part I take strong exception to this since our business community realizes just how important the University is to our very survival. I ' m sure there have been some isolated cases, which I regret. The Lafayette-Oxford-University (L-O-U) community is blessed with strong public schools both in Oxford and Lafayette County. The transition to a unitary system in 1968 in Oxford was as smooth as within any system in the southeast. Faculty and staff families at the University, as well as mar- ried students, have had a positive influence on our public schools and the quality of life afforded from them. A $2,450,000.00 bond issue to upgrade the four campuses of Oxford City Schools was endorsed by a 79.9% positive vote on Oct. 30, 1984. Oxford has never failed to support the passage of school bond issues even in the early 70s when issues were failing all over the State of Mississippi. Much national and world-wide acclaim has come to Oxford as a result of Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner, whose home Rowan Oak is now owned by the University. Ox- ford is also the home of Southern artist-writer John Faulkner and to nationally recognized primitive painter Miss Theora Hamblett. Stark Young was another literary person of impor- tance from Oxford. In interviewing newcomers to our community it is fre- quent to hear them tell of the positive impressions of the community, i.e. Small city blessed with a lot of culture Friendliness of its people Churches which have congregations with a warm spirit Quality public schools Clean air and beautiful countryside Ole Miss, which was chartered in 1844 and opened it. doors in 1848 with 80 students and Oxford, incorporated ir 1837, have worked in harmony through these years in an unusual way. Perhaps this is the reason that Oxford, MS was chosen by the newspaper, U.S.A. Today, to be featured as one of the top small towns where a major University exists today. 16 Guest Writer

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' wr ' r Jacque Dean Guest Writer 15

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Guest Writer 17