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

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1. The Mighty Mississippi River. 2. James Son Thomas, one of the Mississippi Delta ' s finest Blue ' s musicians. 3. William Faulkner ' s home in Oxford, Mississippi. 4. Sarclis Lake at- tracks many Ole Miss students to its beaches year around. Opening 5

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ississippi. The name conjures images of planters and share croppers, an- tebellum mansions and shacks, wealth and poverty and of course, cotton and kudzu. These contrasts are often a source of both pride and embarrasment of Mis- sissippi residents. Proud of the state ' s good points, Mississippians don ' t like to be reminded that the state ranks at or near the bottom in almost every eco- nomic area. There have, however, been improve- ments in recent years. Mississippi has led the nation in recognizing problems with our educational system. And slowly, Mississippi ' s economic condition is im- proving. Inspite of economic woes, Mississippi has an ambiance that most states do not enjoy. It sometimes seems that everyone in Mississippi knows everyone else or their families anyway. Conversations with strangers invariably turn to shared friendships. Because of this, Mississippi is loved as few states are. Hill, Delta and Coast res- idents may have their differences at times, but they all share a love for the state and its people. And there is just a friendliness in Mississippi that is not found in many states. If you doubt this, wa lk through the Grove on a football weekend, or visit the Neshoba County Fair. No, Mississippi is not one big, happy family. But some- times it seems like it is. by Frank Hurdle 4 - - Opening 2 A

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ford, with fewer than 10,000 cit- fsTTB small. Located over an houTs drive from any major population center, in Northern Mississippi, it can be said to be in the middle of nowhere. Yet Oxford ' s size and location are what makes it special. Oxford ' s isolation offers at least some shelter from the worries of the world. Crime rates are lower, and the pace of life is slower, than in a large city. Oxford residents are aware that Ole Miss is what puts Oxford on the map, and they show it. Oxford residents are often the uni- versity ' s biggest boosters. Ole Miss and Oxford tend to work well together. Oxford now handles fire protec- tion for both the university and Oxford, allowing the purchase of better equipment to serve both communities. When Ole Miss needed a new baseball stadium, Oxford res- idents agreed to an additional tax to fund a stadium to serve both Oxford and the uni- versity. Oxford residents keep abreast of the uni- versity, and vice vena. Often, residents and students form friendships that last long af- ter a student ' s graduation from the uni- versity. Many students do not even realize how attached they have become to Oxford, until after a long absence they circle the town square and suddenly get the feeling that they have come home. Because for many, Oxford will always be a second home. by Frank Hurdle. 6 Opening