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

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7. The Center for Manufacturing Excellence nears completion with workers putting final touches on a rotunda outside the CME. The CME has been recognized as an environmentally friendly structure and is mainly powered by solar panels on the facilities roof. 2. A conference room inside the CME provides students with a professional environment to help students prepare for their future careers. The room is equipped with state-of-the-art conference and communication tools similar to a cooperative environment. 3. Construction v orkers continue to work on the new resident halls off of Rebel Drive. The halls will be similar to those of the Residential College and will house a total of 850 beds.

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By: Claire Ballew Photos: Tyler Jackson As the university continues to grow and change each year, the campus must improve to keep up with the rising enrollment. We ' ve got two fundamental problems. One is improving the spaces we have, and the other is the need for new space, said Ian Banner, the University ' s Architect. There are several construction projects that are currently in process, some of which are expected to be completed by the summer of 2012. Miller Hall was demolished in the spring of 2011 to allow space for the construction of new residence halls. I think it will result in a great addition to the school, especially with the large freshman class and rising enrollment numbers, Morgan Cantelou, a Junior Marketing major said. When the construction first began, I thought it would be problematic for the students on campus, but I have not seen any major issues. Three new buildings are currently under construction adjacent to the Kincannon dormitory. The new residential halls are in a triangular formation with an adjoining courtyard. The buildings will have a total of 850 beds, common areas and spacious study rooms. The project will be finished in July of 2012. The new construction will improve the campus because there will be more housing available, Avery Bond an Elementary Education major said. I think that the brand new dorms will influence the university to improve the older dorms like Kincannon, Stockard and Martin. Other current projects include the new energy-efficient research building, which is the sixth building on campus to be LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), new lighting in the Grove and the Center for Manufacturing Excellence. The Center for Manufacturing Excellence is the state-of-the-art addition to the Engineering School. The new addition to the program provides premier equipment, the ability to host smaller classes and supports one-on-one interaction with professors. Through a grant, solar panels will be added on the roof of the Center for Manufacturing Excellence. When they are in place, the electricity that is generated in the summer will be enough to power the lights and all of the electricity in the building during the day except the air conditioning system. It wi ll make a contribution. It won ' t solve all of our environmental needs, but it helps, Banner said. Chloe Dickinson, an Engineering major, said she is pleased by the new center and its potential to greatly improve the program. The new Center for Manufacturing Excellence will bring in more students, faculty and recruiters. I believe that the engineering students will receive more job opportunities. The new center will shine a light on Ole Miss ' Engineering School Dickinson said. In addition to current building construction and renovations, future plans of campus improvement include renovations to the Honors College, an $11 million dollar improvement to the Johnson Commons and a $50 million dollar restoration project to the Student Union. The future plans are expected to be completed within the next two to three years. When the students look back on their time here, they can have fo nd memories. We can hopefully give them memories that could carry them through a life time. Good architecture makes your heart flutter a little bit, Banner said. Not only are you in a building but you are in a great building and hopefully some of them are on this campus. u. Student Life tft ' TI

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Students find a community in holiday celebration By: Ka c ± Standing tall in the Circle, one would never notice the lone Leeland cvprus tree nestled in front of the Lyceum. On an average dav, most students walk right past it without a second glance. It is not until the beginning of winter that this tree takes center stage and shines a light on one of the most well loved of the University of Mississippi ' s traditions. The lighting of the Ole Miss Christmas tree occurs every year at the end of November. Students, faculty and community members alike gather in the the Circle for the annual ceremony. Each light on the tree represents a student at the uni versity. The Ole Miss Gospel Choir sang Christmas carols as special entertainment to community members and students. The Christmas season has definitely started. Peter En lert, Freshman Integrated Marketing Communications major commented while the Gospel choir sang. I never even noticed this tree was even here before. Now it ' s hard to ignore it. Chancellor Dan Jones spoke after the performance. It is a great year to be a part of the 01 Miss family. Chancellor Jones said. Chancellor Jones encouraged studen to spread cheer to those unable to go home like international students, to welcome others of different cultures, and to remember the troops fighting overseas. In that moment, said Freshman Chemistry major Gem Panicker. I felt like I had a family here who I could share my joy about Christmas with. iecause Whitman Smith, Director of Enrollment services led the countdown. An ticipation filled the air as voices young and old echoed across the cold, dark night as the countdown began. When the chorus of voices hit one , a gasp of awe spread across the crowd as the circle was illuminated in warm white light. When the Christmas tree finally started to glow, said Freshman Theatre and Economics double major Chandler Craig ' I felt as if it were a scene from the endi faculty, stude and singing— The experience impacted Craig so much that he realized what it really meant to be a watching the tree made him truly amazing Other students shared the sentiment. Eve never seen a tree that big! Amber r- Helsel, a senior Journalism major exclaimed, her eyes on the illuminated tree. I meant to come last yj gradual Happiness radiated from the crowd as the abundant, despite the near freezing temperatures. It just makes me feel a home. Said Freshman Business major Josh Moore. I missed decorating at home this year and being able to be a part of the lighting ceremony really made me teel better. Moore went on to say he would be returning every year until he graduates. I ' m making it my new tradition, for sure.