A Great American Public University
Taken from The University of Mississippi Website
The University of Mississippi is experiencing a renaissance unparalleled in the institution's 153 year history. Dramatic growth in its endowment, a huge jump in funding for research and an explosion of innovative new academic programs make The University of Mississippi one of America's great public universities.
Imagine the thunderous applause when alumni, friends, students, faculty and staff learned that their passionate efforts on behalf of Ole Miss had attracted $525.9 million in private gifts through the Commitment to Excellence campaign. The impact of this grass-roots effort already can be seen in competitive student scholarships, new academic programs, increased faculty support, cutting-edge technology, prestigious Phi Beta Kappa chapter, sweeping construction and renovation, and campus beautification.
"Our graduates and friends, as well as our students, faculty and staff, joined together and worked tirelessly to attract the investments we need to be a truly great public university," said Chancellor Robert C. Khayat. "Every aspect of life on the Oxford campus and at The University of Mississippi Medical Center has been improved, while we've expanded campuses in Tupelo and Southaven."
The story began in 1848 when The University of Mississippi – the flagship university of the state – opened its doors to its first 80 students. The research extensive, doctoral degree-granting University now has nine academic divisions on its main campus: the College of Liberal Arts; the schools of Accountancy, Applied Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Pharmacy and Law; and the Graduate School. Research excellence has led to UM's selection as home for more than 20 major research centers that garner national and international attention. The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, Croft Institute for International Studies, Lott Leadership Institute and Institute for Racial Reconciliation also strengthen and expand the academic experience.
The health sciences complex in Jackson trains professionals in the fields of medicine, nursing, health-related professions and dentistry. With a goal of bringing the resources of the university to the people it serves, Ole Miss continues to expand academic courses and degree offerings on its Tupelo and Southaven campuses.
Ole Miss Firsts
-Chartered as the first public university in Mississippi.
-One of the first public universities to offer engineering education.
-One of the South's first universities to admit women, and the first to hire a female faculty member.
-First public university in Mississippi to shelter a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and most prestigious undergraduate honor society.
-University of Mississippi Medical Center surgeons performed the world's first lung transplant in man and transplanted the heart of a chimpanzee - man's closest genetic relation - into the chest of a dying man. http://www.umc.edu/hardy/index.html
-Developed the state's first and only Teacher Corps. http://www.olemiss.edu/programs/mtc/
Please note: Click here for a list of facts about and recent accomplishments of The University of Mississippi.