Commending the University of Mississippi for 175 years of service to the State of Mississippi and the United States.

Commending the University of Mississippi for 175 years of service to the State of Mississippi and the United States. Whereas the University of Mississippi began its first session on November 6, 1848, with a 4-member faculty offering a liberal arts curriculum to 80 students; Whereas the University of Mississippi established one of the first State-supported law schools in the United States in 1854, and it was the first university in Mississippi to establish a school of engineering in 1900; Whereas, in 1882, the University of Mississippi became one of the first universities in the South to admit women and, in 1885, was the first university in Mississippi to hire a female faculty member; Whereas, in 1903, the University of Mississippi began providing medical education on the Oxford campus; Whereas the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi (1) was established by the Mississippi Legislature in 1950; (2) became the first and only academic medical center in Mississippi when it opened in 1955; and (3) was the site of the first lung and heart transplants into a human in the world, in 1963 and 1964, respectively; Whereas, in 1962, the University of Mississippi broke a racial barrier by admitting its first African-American student, James Meredith, who remains a source of inspiration today; Whereas, from its first class of 80 students, the University of Mississippi has grown to host more than 23,000 students participating in 120 programs of study across 7 campuses, including a medical center; Whereas thousands of students of all races, creeds, backgrounds, and beliefs receive world-class education at the University of Mississippi; Whereas the University of Mississippi advances academic excellence through the activity of the faculty and staff in departments and more than 75 academic, research, and community service centers; Whereas, in 2016, the University of Mississippi received a classification of R1: Doctoral Universities Very High Research Activity Whereas the University of Mississippi has produced 55 Fulbright Scholars, 27 Rhodes Scholars, 44 Boren Scholars, 18 Truman Scholars, 24 Goldwater Scholars, 8 Portz Scholars, and 11 National Science Foundation Graduate Fellows; Whereas the University of Mississippi has played a significant role in producing future public service leaders; Whereas, in 2008, the University of Mississippi hosted the first presidential debate between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, which was the first presidential debate held in Mississippi; Whereas, for 14 years, the University of Mississippi has been recognized as a Great College to Work For Whereas the University of Mississippi is dedicated to supporting the academic success of student-athletes while striving for on-field success; Whereas the Ole Miss Rebels are composed of 18 mens and womens intercollegiate athletic varsity teams that represent the University of Mississippi; Whereas the University of Mississippi, a charter member of the Southeastern Conference, claims 5 collegiate team national championships, and Ole Miss Rebel student-athletes have captured 25 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 individual titles; and Whereas the University of Mississippi has produced notable alumni in the fields of government, public policy, research, medicine, business, education, literature, the arts, journalism, athletics, and more: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) commends the University of Mississippi for its 175 years of service to the State of Mississippi and the United States; (2) recognizes the University of Mississippi for its academic, research, cultural, and athletic excellence; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to (A) the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, Dr. Glenn F. Boyce; (B) the Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics of the University of Mississippi, Mr. Keith Carter; and (C) the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Dr. LouAnn Woodward.

Summary: This resolution commends the University of Mississippi for its 175 years of service to Mississippi and the United States. It also recognizes the University of Mississippi for its academic, research, cultural, and athletic excellence.&nbsp;