The Daily Mississippian | October 1, 2026

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN Serving Ole Miss and Oxford since 1911

Thursday, October 1, 2026

THROWBACK EDITION

Volume 115, No. 6

Kratom Org calls OPD Investigation ‘Unforgivable’ CHANCE MARLOWE Local News Editor

The American Kratom Association (AKA) denounced local law enforcement in Oxford for misrepresenting the drug kratom following the deaths of two University of Mississippi students. The conference took place outside the Lafayette County Detention Center on Wednesday, Sept. 30. “We wanted to correct the false claim that was provided in a pre-investigation report by the police chief and the county sheriff where they indicated that there was found at the scene a packaged kratom product,” Mac Haddow, senior fellow of public policy for the American Kratom Association (AKA), said. “We now know that that is inaccurate and should never have been put up.” The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit released a statement on Sept. 22 following the deaths of Aidan Hamilton and Robert Strang, stating that packaged kratom was found at both investigation sites. The specific product was not disclosed, and the statement said that there was no confirmation that kratom was a contributing factor in either death. However, the stateTAF FLANDERS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN ment warned the public to avoid kratom altogether. PHOTO COURTESY: OLE MISS ATHLETICS Oxford Police arrested Yahya Mohamed Mosleh and Islam Mohamed on Sept. 24 for possession of Schedule I substances with the intent to distribute. The arrests were made after OPD obtained a TAF FLANDERS BILLY FLOWERS search warrant at Puffs Vape, Tobacco & Beer Store. Assitan A&C Editor Sports Staff Writer Following the arrests, police disclosed on Sept. 28 that the drug found at both student Just as the student newspaper at the Universi- death sites was marketed as Smax Psuedo-DHM. Trinidad Chambliss finished eighth in ty of Mississippi has gone through an evolution in Smax Psuedo-DHM is a synthetic drug containing Heisman voting last year, the highest finish naming, our print advertisements have evolved, opioid compounds named MGM-15 (scientific name by an Ole Miss player since Eli Manning too. Advertisements in our newspaper have long dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynin) and mitragynine pseudo- finished third in 2003. This year, Chambliss reflected changing consumer habits, cultural indoxyl. Both compounds have been temporarily feder- entered the season Top 5 in Heisman voting. norms and dominant communication methods. ally classified as Schedule I narcotics as of Aug. 26, 2026. After Week 4, he sits fourth, but he is still a Cigarettes This classification does not apply to traditional botanical mainstay in the Heisman conversation. Cigarette advertisements were common kratom,althoughbothhavebeenbannedinOxfordsince2019. Though an Ole Miss player has never won in The Daily Mississippian for decades. Ads Smax Psuedo-DHM and related products synthet- the Heisman Trophy, the buzz surroundfor brands ranging from Lucky Strikes to Vir- ically alter the chemical compound of kratom to create ing Chambliss’ season is palpable. That ginia Slims played into scenarios specific to said, it seems appropriate to walk down college students. In the May 20, 1926 edimemory lane to highlight other Ole Miss tion of The Mississippian, an ad for Camquarterbacks who have contended for one el’s Turkish and Domestic blend cigarettes SEE KRATOM PAGE 2 of the sport’s most prestigious awards. targeted recent graduates of the university. ​C harlie Conerly (1947) “When comes that day of days — and sudCharlie Conerly started his career at Ole denly you know you’re a senior at the top Miss in 1942, but World War II interruptof the world — have a Camel!” the ad read. ed his time in Oxford. After serving in the The ad included an illustration of two graduates Battle of Guam, Conerly came back to Ole with linked arms, with another illustration of an Miss in 1947 ready to make a name for open pack of Camel cigarettes. In its May 6, 1955 himself on the football field. That season edition, The Mississippian included ads for Camat quarterback, he led the nation in comel, Lucky Strike and Herbert Tareyton cigarettes. pletions with 133. He also threw 18 touchNow, in a generation of college students down passes and added nine on the ground. who grew up learning about the dangers of ​ Conerly was pivotal to Ole Miss’ success cigarettes from an early age, the idea of an ad that season. He led the Rebels to a 9-2 refor cigarettes in our student newspaper is alcord and the SEC Championship win. The most inconceivable. The modern-day equiva9-2 finish was Ole Miss’ best since before lent might be a photo of two recent graduates World War II. For his efforts, Conerly re“double decking” nicotine pouches in an adverceived All-SEC and All-American recognitisement for Zyns, but don’t get your hopes up. tion and finished fourth in Heisman voting.​ X-rated films Conerly enjoyed a successful 14-year Despite Mississippi’s historically conNFL career with the New York Giants afservative nature, Oxford used to be home ter his time at Ole Miss. He won the NFL to movie theaters that aired X-rated films. Championship Game in 1956 and was These film screenings were advertised in named to two Pro Bowls in 1950 and 1956. the newspaper as “adult-only” features. Named after the Ole Miss legend, the ConerOn the second page of the March 1, 1972 ly Trophy is now awarded to the best college edition of The Daily Mississippian, a quarfootball player in the state of Mississippi ter-page ad run by The Ritz theater spread at the end of every college football season. the word about “Maid in Sweden,” an X-rated

The ads we left behind

Ole Miss’ Heisman candidates

CHANCE MARLOWE / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

SEE AD PAGE 3

SEE HEISMAN PAGE 8

PAGE PAGE 22 ||THE THE DAILY DAILYMISSISSIPPIAN MISSISSIPPIAN |1 |1 OCTOBER OCTOBER 2026 2026

NEWS

KRATOM

continued from from page page 11 continued create the opioid-like high that the opioid-like high that users users experience. Haddow said experience. Haddow said the the synthetic drugs are different synthetic drugs are different from natural kratom. Local law from natural kratom. Local enforcement misrepresented the law enforcement misrepreissue by announcing kratom as a sented the issue by announcpotential danger, Haddow said. ing kratom as a potential Natural kratom derives from danger, Haddow said. the leaves of a tree native to SouthNatural kratom derives from east Asia and is used as a natural the leaves of a tree native to pain reliever and energy booster. Southeast Asia and is used Crushed leaves can be drunk in as a natural pain reliever and tea, smoked or swallowed in pills. energy booster. Crushed leaves Haddow said that the drugs can be drunk in tea, smoked or found on the scene were misswallowed in pills. labeled; these drugs were not, Haddow said that the in fact, packaged kratom but, drugs found on the scene were rather, Smax Psuedo-DHM. mislabeled; these drugs were “We are here to hold Sheriff not, in fact, packaged kra(Joey) East and Police Chief (Jeff) tom but, rather, Smax PsueMcCutchen to account,” Haddow do-DHM. said. “(We want to) have them ex“We are here to hold Sheriff plain to the families and the Ole (Joey) East and Police Chief Miss community why (East and (Jeff) McCutchen to account,” McCutchen) would not have idenHaddow said. “(We want to) tified properly � with pictures � have them explain to the famthe products in the scene so there ilies and the Ole Miss commuwould be clarity, and no one could nity why (East and McCutchdoubt what the product was.” en) would not have identified OPD’s failure to release phoproperly — with pictures — the tographs of the drugs found products in the scene so there on the scenes, combined with would be clarity, and no one the mislabeling of the drugs as could doubt what the product

packaged kratom in the Lafaywas.” ette Country Narcotics OPD’sMetro failure to restatement, meant that lease photographs of thestudents drugs who might been in posfound on thehave scenes, combined session SMAX Pseudo-DHM with theof mislabeling of the would as notpackaged have realized thisinwas drugs kratom drug found at both scenes. the Lafayette Country Metro “What statement, happens if an Ole Miss Narcotics meant student sittingwho in amight dormhave room that students or off-campus housing has the been in possession of SMAX very product that wasnot identified Pseudo-DHM would have at the scenes, butthe notdrug disclosed, realized this was sitting atthere?” Haddow said. found both scenes. “And it’s “What not packaged as if kratom happens an … because it isn’tsitting kratom. Ole Miss student in They product is safe.” awould dormthink roomthat or off-campus Haddow saidvery thisprodlapse in housing has the judgement caused significant uct that was identified at the harm and lednot to the increase in mescenes, but disclosed, dia attention surrounding Oxford. sitting there?” Haddow said. “The ideapackaged that the aslaw “And it’s not kra-enforcement o�cials herekratom. in Oxford tom … because it isn’t wouldwould allow think that misinformation They that product tosafe.” occur is unforgivable because is it misled Haddow everyone said and, this of course, it alsoinmisled the media,” lapse judgement caused Haddow said. “We’ve heard mesignificant harm and ledthis to the dia frenzyinfor the past two weeks increase media attention about kratomOxford. being associated surrounding with these“The tragicidea deaths thathere theat Ole Miss, and we find out now it’s not.” law enforcement officials here Lafayette County Metro in Oxford would allow that Narcotics released ato statement misinformation occur is on Sept. 30 shortly after AKA’s conunforgivable because it misled ference which the everyone and,explained of course, it initial also press release did notHaddow cite kratom misled the media,” as the“We’ve cause of death. Itsmedia warning said. heard this againstfor kratom usetwo was issued frenzy the past weeks out of kratom an abundance of caution. about being associated was here not a with“That these warning tragic deaths

declaration kratom or any at Ole Miss,that and we find out specific substance caused einow it’s not.” ther death,” the statement Lafayette County said. “It wasNarcotics a proactive effort Metro released a to inform theonpublic of shortly a potenstatement Sept. 30 tial while investigators afterdanger AKA’s conference which worked to the determine the facts.” explained initial press In an interview after asthe release did not cite kratom press conference, the cause of death.Haddow Its warn-disclosed to The Daily ing against kratom useMississipwas pian that toxicology screens issued outthe of an abundance of of Hamilton and Strang are caution. complete “That but not yet released. warning was Lafayette County notThe a declaration that kratom Metro Narcotics statement or any specific substance maintains that the the full recaused either death,” stateport still assembled. ment is said. “It being was a proactive “We awaiting the o�cial effort to are inform the public of a autopsy toxicology findings potentialand danger while invesfrom theworked Mississippi State Medtigators to determine ical Examiner’s O�ce and assothe facts.” ciated forensic testing to help deIn an interview after the press termine the cause and disclosed manner of conference, Haddow each death,” statement read. to The Daily the Mississippian that believes investheHaddow toxicology screensthe of Hamtigation from law enilton andprocess Strang are complete forcement be reviewed. but not yet should released. “I think is fair now to test Theit Lafayette County the methodology of the police Metro Narcotics statement chiefs andthat sheriff department, maintains the full report and hope assembled. the state takes a is stillI being hard look“We at this,” Haddowthe said. are awaiting AKAautopsy is in favorand of furthering the official toxicology ban on these synthetic substances findings from the Mississipand argues that Examiner’s these synthetic pi State Medical substances create false forensic narratives Office and associated surrounding testing to help natural determinekratom. the “We want, as the American cause and manner of each Kratom Association, get the death,” the statementtoread. bad actors not only in thisthe synHaddow believes

thetic opioid space, butfrom we want investigation process the kratom leaf product law natural enforcement should be manufacturers who are violating reviewed. federal standards “I think it that is fairrequire now that thetheentry of their product to test methodology of must have chiefs a reasonable basis for the police and sheriff safety (to be removed, asthe well),” department, and I hope Haddow said. “Welook haveatreportstate takes a hard this,” ed over said. 140 companies who Haddow are making therapeutic AKAillegal is in favor of furclaims formulatheringwhose the banproduct on these syntions suspect and to the FDA.” theticare substances argues also expressed conthatHaddow these synthetic substances cerns toxicology createthat falsethe narratives sur-report will not benatural done adequately. rounding kratom. He said that “We if anwant, extensive toxicolas the ogy screening is not performed, American Kratom Associakratom falsely attributtion, to could get thebebad actors not ed of death onlyasinthe thiscause synthetic opioiddue to thebut manipulated space, we want the chemical natural makeup of the synthetic kratom leaf product manu-drug. “The manipulations that are facturers who are violating made bad actors inrequire the krafederalbystandards that tom space is of equally complex, that the entry their product and requires a full and commustithave a reasonable basis plete (toxicology) screen before for safety (to be removed, as anyone should come well),” Haddow said. out “Wethere,” have Haddow “I, companies frankly, have reported said. over 140 doubts youillegal have this kind who arewhen making theraof law enforcement peutic claims whoseinvestigation product that did what the the formulations are sheriff suspectand to the police FDA.”chief did, that didn’t properly warnHaddow people in theex-Missisalso sippi area and throughout the pressed concerns that the toxcountry. That’swillirresponsible.” icology report not be done Haddow Hecites adequately. said thatNational if an Medical Labs, an inextensiveServices toxicology screenternationally accredited ing is not performed, kratomindependent laboratory could be falsely attributed asthat provides specialized toxicolothe cause of death due to the

A

gy services, for this warning. manipulated chemical makeinformed up “They’ve of the synthetic drug. coroners, medical examiners and “The manipulations law o�cials that enforcement are made by bad actorsthat you cannot relyspace uponissimply the in the kratom equally detection of it mitragynine, the complex, and requires a full principal alkaloid in the kratom and complete (toxicology) plant, a basis for saying (krascreenasbefore anyone should tom) attributed or in any way comeisout there,”to Haddow caused death,”have Haddow said. said. “I,the frankly, doubts when you have this kind of law enforcement investigation that did what the sheriff and the police chief did, that didn’t properly warn people in the Mississippi area and throughout the country. That’s irresponsible.” Haddow cites National Medical Services Labs, an internationally accredited independent laboratory that provides specialized toxicology services, for this warning. “They’ve informed coroners, medical examiners and law enforcement officials that you cannot rely upon simply the detection of mitragynine, the principal alkaloid in the kratom plant, as a basis for saying (kratom) is attributed to or in any way caused the death,” Haddow said.

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Ole Miss TPUSA hosts James Fishback DYLAN DYLAN THOMAS THOMAS

PARKER PARKER MILLER MILLER

The The University University of of Mississippi Mississippi chapter chapterof ofTurning TurningPoint PointUSA USAhosthosted ed James James Fishback Fishback for for its its “What’s “What’s Next Next For For America” America” event event as as part part of of its its Pick Pick Up Up the the Mic Mic initiative initiative in in the theGertrude GertrudeC. C.Ford FordOle OleMiss MissStuStudent dent Union Union on on Tuesday, Tuesday, Sept. Sept. 19. 19. Fishback Fishback worked worked as as aa hedge hedge fund fund analyst analyst before before launching launching his his campaign campaign for for governor governor of of FloriFlorida da in in the the 2026 2026 election, election, where where he he finished finished third third in in the the Republican Republican primary primary with with 10.5% 10.5% of of the the vote, vote, according accordingto toNBC NBC66South SouthFlorida. Florida. Fishback Fishback garnered garnered national national attention attention for for allegations allegations of of sexsexual ual misconduct, misconduct, extreme extreme policy policy proposals proposals and and racially racially inflammainflammatory tory remarks. remarks. During During the the Florida Florida Republican Republican primary, primary, he he camcampaigned paigned on on traditionally traditionally conserconservative vative ideologies, ideologies, including including strong strong support support for for states’ states’ rights rights and and ananti-abortion ti-abortion laws. laws. Fishback Fishback also also made made his his Christian Christian faith faith one one of of the the focal focal points points of of his his campaign. campaign. “A “Alot lotof ofpeople peoplewill willwalk walkout outon on podiums podiums like like this this and and call call themthemselves selves ‘principled ‘principled conservatives,’” conservatives,’” Fishback Fishback said. said. “Ask “Ask them, them, ‘Where ‘Where do do you you draw draw your your principles principles from? from? … … The The Founding Founding Fathers Fathers got got their their principles principles really really from from two two places: places: the the Declaration Declaration of of InIndependence dependence and and the the Holy Holy Bible.” Bible.” During During the the Turning Turning Point Point event, event, the the university’s university’s chapter chapter of of Students Students for for aa Democratic Democratic Society Society (SDS) (SDS) hosted hosted aa protest protest against against Fishback’s Fishback’s presence presence on on campus. campus. SDS SDS said said itit protested protested Fishback’s Fishback’s presence presence on on campus campus because because of of his his alignment alignment with with white white nationalist nationalist figures figures and and past past alleged alleged hostile, hostile, racial racial comments. comments.

The The protest protest was was small, small, with with only only five five people people attending. attending. The The students students chanted chanted outside outside the the GerGertrude trude C. C. Ford Ford Ole Ole Miss Miss Student Student Union Union during during the the first first hour hour of of the the TPUSA TPUSA event. event. Participants Participants chantchanted, ed,“No “Nohate, hate,no nofear, fear,Fishback Fishbackhas has no no business business here” here” and and “racist, “racist, sexsexist, ist, anti-gay: anti-gay: Turning Turning Point Point USA.” USA.” SDS SDS specifically specifically referenced referenced aa viral viral video video in in which which Fishback Fishback told told aa Black Black man man that that he he should should be be “lynched” “lynched”after afterhe hequestioned questionedFishFishback back regarding regarding rumors rumors of of alleged alleged sexual sexual relations relations with with aa minor. minor. While the the protest protest drew drew litlitWhile tle tle turnout, turnout, itit did did garner garner the the attention attention of of other other students, students, as as some some stopped stopped to to film film or or mock mock them them while while they they chanted. chanted. Mia Kienburger, Kienburger, aa sophomore sophomore Mia film film production production major major from from HerHernando,Miss., Miss.,attended attendedthe theprotest. protest. nando, “I decided decided to to show show up up bebe“I cause II don’t don’t believe believe racism racism cause or any any racist racist figure figure should should be be or welcomed welcomed on on campus,” campus,” KienKienburger said. said. “I “I think think everyone everyone burger should should be be in in solidarity solidarity against against it.” it.” Kent Tonos, Tonos, president president of of Kent the the University University of of MississipMississippi pi Turning Turning Point Point USA USA chapter, chapter, emphasized emphasized that that Turning Turning Point Point members members did did not not necessarily necessarily agree agree with with Fishback’s Fishback’s past past statestatements, ments, but but they they invited invited him him to to campus campus to to spark spark conversation. conversation. “This “Thisyear, year,our ourchapter chapterdecided decided to toinvite inviteJames JamesFishback Fishbackto tocampus campus because becausewe westrongly stronglybelieve believecollege college students students deserve deserve the the opportunity opportunity to touse usetheir theirvoices voicesand andengage engagewith with aa variety variety of of political political viewpoints,” viewpoints,” Tonos Tonos said. said. “We “We are are also also aware aware that that some some of of Mr. Mr. Fishback’s Fishback’s past past

University University News News Editor Editor

News News Staff Staff Wrier Wrier

comments comments have have been been subject subject to to differing differing interpretations interpretations and and concontroversy. However, However, our our decision decision troversy. to to invite invite him him is is not not an an endorseendorsement ment of of him, him, his his personal personal views views or every every statement statement he he has has made.” made.” or Trey Trey Taylor, Taylor, aa junior junior English English major from from Oxford, Oxford, attended attended major the the protest. protest. While While he he felt felt that that protesting protesting can can be be uncomfortuncomfortable, he he emphasized emphasized that that his his efefable, forts forts were were worthwhile worthwhile ifif they they helped other other students students feel feel heard. heard. helped “It’s kind kind of of awkward. awkward. It’s It’s kind kind “It’s of of embarrassing,” embarrassing,” Taylor Taylor said. said. “But at at the the same same time, time, it’s it’s so so little little “But to to go go through through just just to to make make other other people, who who don’t don’t feel feel comfortcomfortpeople, able or or able able to to speak speak up up for for themthemable selves selves — — to to make make them them feel feel safe.” safe.” Zachary Lyons, Lyons, aa senior senior popoZachary litical science science major major from from Biloxi, Biloxi, litical Miss., believes believes that that SDS’s SDS’s goal goal to to Miss., express its its disapproval disapproval of of FishFishexpress back back was was ultimately ultimately successful. successful. “There’s always always people people at at Ole Ole “There’s Miss willing willing to to do do the the right right thing,” thing,” Miss Lyons said. said. “No “No matter matter how how small small Lyons the crowd crowd is, is, there’s there’s still still people people the whoare arewilling willingto tostand standup upand andsay say who what is is wrong wrong and and what what is is right.” right.” what During Duringthe theevent, event,Fishback Fishbackdisdiscussed cussed his his anti-abortion anti-abortion platform. platform. “Abortion “Abortion isn’t isn’t healthcare, healthcare, it’s it’s murder,” murder,” Fishback Fishback said. said. “If “If saying saying that that loses loses us us votes, votes, then then so so be be it, it, because because we we will will not not be be judged judged by by the the ballot ballot box. box. We We will will be be judged judged by by our our Lord Lord one one day, day, and and we we (would) (would) much much rather rather lose lose an an elecelection tionthan thanlose loseour oursoul souland andbe beconcondemned demned to to eternal eternal damnation.” damnation.” Fishback Fishback also also discussed discussed his his stance stance regarding regarding the the U.S. U.S. relationship relationship with with Israel. Israel. “It “Itis istime timefor forPresident PresidentTrump Trump to tocall call(Israeli (IsraeliPrime PrimeMinister) Minister)BenBenjamin jaminNetanyahu Netanyahuand andcut cuthim himoff,” off,”

GAVIN GAVINGALLEGOS GALLEGOS//THE THEDAILY DAILYMISSISSIPPIAN MISSISSIPPIAN

James James Fishback Fishback smiles smiles as as the the audience audience applauds applauds him him in in the the Gertrude Gertrude C. C.Ford Ford Ole Ole Miss Miss Student Student Union Union ballroom ballroom on on Sept. Sept.29. 29. Fishback Fishback said. said. “We “We must must decoudecouple ple from from Israel Israel to to save save America.” America.” Fishback Fishback also also mentioned mentioned H-1B H-1B visas, visas, which which are are temporary, temporary, ememployer-sponsored ployer-sponsoredwork workvisas visasgiven given to to highly highly skilled skilled foreign foreign workers. workers. H-1B H-1B visas visas allow allow workers workers to to mainmaintain tain employment employment in in the the U.S. U.S. for for three three years years and and can can be be renewed renewed for an an additional additional three three years. years. for Fishback Fishback claimed claimed these these visas visas are are used used to to replace replace American American ememployees ployeeswith withinternational internationalworkers. workers. “The “The H-1B H-1B scam scam is is what what alallowed Amazon Amazon to to fire fire 30,000 30,000 lowed Americans, then then turn turn around around and and Americans, apply apply for for 10,000 10,000 H-1B H-1B worker worker visas,” Fishback Fishback said. said. “American “American visas,” citizens citizens who who had had done done nothing nothing wrong, wrong, work work at at the the same same job job for for 15 15 (or) (or) 20 20 years, years, get get aa tap tap on on the the shoulder, shoulder, saying, saying, ‘Your ‘Your position position is no no longer longer available,’ available,’ … … because because is they they found found someone someone from from HyderHyderabad, abad, (India,) (India,) or or Mumbai, Mumbai, (India,) (India,) who would would do do the the job job cheaper.” cheaper.” who Tristan Tristan Loberg, Loberg, aa freshfreshman biomedical biomedical engineering engineering man

major major from from Jonesboro, Jonesboro, Ark., Ark., said said he he attended attended the the event event specifically specifically to to see see Fishback. Fishback. “I “Isaw sawmy myfriend friendpost postaastory storyon on Snapchat Snapchatthat thathad hadJames JamesFishback Fishback in in it,” it,” Loberg Loberg said. said. “I “I saw saw him him on on the thestory storyand andwent wentjust justto tosee seehim.” him.” Tonos Tonos said said that that the the event event was was aa way way for for students students to to hear hear from from the the politician politician and and conconsider sider his his views, views, even even ifif they they do do not not agree agree with with those those views. views. “We “We are are simply simply hosting hosting aa speaker speaker and and creating creating an an opporopportunity tunity for for students students to to hear hear from from him him directly directly and and engage engage with with what what he he has has to to say,” say,” Tonos Tonos said. said.

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THE THE DAILY DAILYMISSISSIPPIAN MISSISSIPPIAN || 11 OCTOBER OCTOBER 2026 2026 || PAGE PAGE 33

ARTS & CULTURE

ADS

. d t continued continued from from page page 11 e e three photos of (what is asm sumed to be) Inga moaning. In 1981, the Rebel Drivey In ran a page 2 advertise. ment for its late-night adult showing of “Sex With a Smile,” a sex comedy film. The Hoka Theatre, an old movie theater known for art house films, also advertised adult-only film screenings during the 1970s and ‘80s. A documentary about The Hoka called “Sorry, We’re Open,” which was directed by

N

ee ..

Joe York, is available in the university’s Southern Documentary Project archives. Minstrel performances The university has a long, complicated legacy when it comes to the treatment of Black Mississippians. Some instances — like the violent riot aimed at preventing the university’s integration in 1962 — are more obvious than others. A lesser-known aspect of the university’s attitudes towards Black citizens is the history of minstrel shows in Oxford. On December 9, 1921, The Mississippian includ-

ed multiple advertisements and a story about a “minstrel revue” set to take place during the following week. Minstrel shows used white performers to portray racist caricatures mocking Black people. The revue mentioned in the 1921 paper was organized by the local American Legion chapter and was set to take place at The Lyric. Alcohol The legal drinking age in Mississippi has not always been 21. Until 1981, almost every student on campus was old enough to enjoy an alcoholic beverage. This, of course, meant ads for alcohol

in our newspaper. In The Daily Mississippian’s Sept. 18, 1981 issue, an advertisement for Coors draft beer took up almost half a page. The ad was run by the Ramada Inn of Oxford, which guaranteed a rate of $1 per mug from 4:30 p.m. until closing time. Shyness workshops Before we had a better understanding of social struggles such as autism and social anxiety, there was a condition called “shyness.” From March 31 to April 2, 1981, the Ole Miss Psychology Department hosted nightly “shyness workshops.” According to the ad in the March 24 edition of

The Daily Mississippian, students could make their way to Peabody Hall at 7 p.m. each night to participate in smallgroup, confidential sessions to help “overcome shyness and increase social skills.” While one-on-one counseling services are now readily available to students on campus, perhaps a shyness workshop would do some of us well in an age of digitally driven loneliness CIA Recruitment In the Sept. 25, 1975 edition of The Daily Mississippian, an unassuming, text-only advertisement called on students from a variety of fields to apply to the Centra Intelligence Agency. From psychology to physics to economics, seniors and graduate students were encouraged to mail in their applications Ironically, 1975 was coined “the year of intelligence” due to the executive branch’s extensive inquiry into the intelligence community, which was later referred to as the “Rockefeller Commission.” Later revelations included Operation Mongoose wherein the CIA committed a string of terrorist attacks against civilians in Cuba

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TAF TAFFLANDERS FLANDERS//THE THEDAILY DAILYMISSISSIPPIAN MISSISSIPPIAN

the DM DM editors editors and and The The Daily Daily MississipMississipWe We have have evolved evolved the journalists before before us us pian pian has has served served the the UniUni- alongside alongside the the univeruniver- journalists and the the student student memeversity versity of of Mississippi Mississippi sity, sity, most most notably notably by by and dia leaders leaders to to come. come. and and Oxford Oxford community community changing changing the the name name of of dia since since 1911. 1911. From From the the first first the the newspaper newspaper in in 1968. 1968. edition edition of of The The MissisMissis- We We now now publish publish weekweekThe Daily Daily Mississippian Mississippian sippian sippian on on Oct. Oct. 14, 14, 1911, 1911, ly ly in in print print and and daily daily on on The Editorial Staff Staff to to Volume Volume 115, 115, No. No. 6, 6, our our website, website, thedmonthedmonEditorial we we have have delivered delivered news, news, line.com, line.com, and and promote promote content on on social social media. media. entertainment, entertainment, sports sports content This special special throwthrowcontent content and and student student This back edition edition honors honors opinions opinions for for 115 115 years. years. back

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Washington D.C. to Oxford: Who has visited UM? TAYLOR HILL A&C Editor

For more than a century, the University of Mississippi has hosted political figures from across the country, including vice presidents, U.S. senators and presidential candidates. Most recently, the university served as a venue for Vice President JD Vance and Erika Kirk’s Turning Point USA visit. Curtis Wilkie, a Greenville, Miss., native and 1963 Ole Miss alumnus who became a political journalist and presidential campaign correspondent, remembers a campus where national political rallies were less common. “Until fairly recently, there weren’t many votes on campus because you had to be 21 to vote,” Wilkie said. “So, there wasn’t much incentive for political people to have a rally on campus.” That began to change as students became a larger part of elections and national political figures began engaging with young voters. Some of those visits carried significance beyond campaigning, particularly as the university and Mississippi continued to navigate the political and social consequences of the 1962 integration crisis. Robert “Bobby” F. Kennedy Robert “Bobby” F. Kennedy visited the campus as a U.S. senator on March 18, 1966. Bobby Kennedy had been attorney general during the 1962 integration crisis and had directed U.S. marshals to accompany James Meredith when he enrolled at Ole Miss. Bobby Kennedy accepted an invitation from the university’s law students to address students. The event drew about 6,000 people. According to Wilkie, Bobby Kennedy’s reception was notable. Rather than the confrontation some expected, he remembers a largely welcoming crowd. “(Bobby Kennedy) was very popularly received,” Wilkie said. “He (was) surprised (there were) so many people, because a handful of (Ku Klux) Klan people showed up, and some people freaked out and said, ‘It’s going to be something terrible,’ but it could not have been a warmer reception.” The students who brought Bobby Kennedy to campus also had a political objective beyond hearing from a current senator. According to Wilkie, they wanted to use the event to challenge former Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett’s political legacy after their confrontation over Meredith’s enrollment. “The law school students wanted to do everything they could to make sure that Ross Barnett would never get elected again,” Wilkie said. “So, they essentially cut a deal with Bobby Kennedy’s office that he would come down here, but he would not talk about Barnett in his speech. However, he

made it clear he would be willing to take public questions and answers after his speech.” That arrangement left room for the audience to raise the subjects that Bobby Kennedy had avoided in his prepared speech. When the question and answer session began, the first question returned directly to the events of the riots four years prior. “The first question was, ‘Who was responsible for the riot in (1962)?’ and Bobby Kennedy grinned and didn’t blame Barnett explicitly, but he began talking about the deals Barnett had tried to cut with the Kennedys,” Wilkie said. “People had heard rumors, and it had never been confirmed. Here, the guy who had been involved in it confirmed everything.” Edward “Ted” Kennedy In May 15, 1978, thenSen. Edward “Ted” Kennedy delivered the commencement speech at the university, marking another notable appearance by a member of the Kennedy family. Ted Kennedy spoke to the students about racial justice. His appearance was covered nationally, with reports pointing out the symbolism of Ted Kennedy delivering the commencement address at a university so closely tied to the family’s involvement in the 1962 integration crisis. Ted Kennedy’s presence was particularly notable because his brothers, former President John F. Kennedy and former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, had played central roles in the federal response to Meredith’s enrollment. Sixteen years later, Ted Kennedy stood before Ole Miss graduates as their commencement speaker. The invitation also reflected an unusual political relationship between Ted Kennedy and former Mississippi Sen. James Eastland, a prominent segregationist and powerful Senate figure. Eastland had developed a working relationship with Ted Kennedy over the years, and their relationship helped make Ted Kennedy’s appearance at Ole Miss possible. George H.W. Bush George H.W. Bush delivered the keynote address at the university’s second commencement in May 1985, during R. Gerald Turner’s first year as university chancellor. This fell during Bush’s tenure as vice president; he was elected president in 1989. Turner later recalled that the university wanted to bring a prominent national figure to campus for the occasion. U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran and U.S. Rep. Sonny Montgomery had personal connections to Bush, making the invitation possible. In a Dec. 4, 2018 article for the University of Mississippi News, Turner reflected on how Bush came to deliver the address. “It was my first year as chancellor at Ole Miss, and

we wanted someone of note for this occasion,” Turner said. “Through my associations with U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran and (U.S. Rep.) Sonny Montgomery, who regularly played golf with the vice president, we invited Mr. Bush to come and deliver the keynote address. He graciously accepted our invitation.” John McCain John McCain visited the university twice, first as a senator in 2005 and again three years later as the Republican presidential nominee. His first visit came on Nov. 18, 2005, when the Trent Lott Leadership Institute hosted him for a public forum at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. The event focused on current events and gave students and community members a chance to hear directly from a prominent national political figure. McCain was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, won a U.S. Senate seat in 1986 and sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2000. His 2005 appearance came years before he secured the Republican nomination and faced then-Democratic nominee Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election. McCain’s For Wilkie, first visit created an unexpected connection between the senator and the university. Wilkie had known McCain for years and recalled attending a small dinner at the chancellor’s house after the forum with him. “I remember I went to dinner at the chancellor’s house that night,” Wilkie said. “He had a small dinner party, and he knew that McCain and I were friends. I remember asking McCain at the dinner, ‘Sir, how would you like to come back to Ole Miss in three years and appear at a presidential debate?’” What began as a hypothetical suggestion at a dinner table became reality less than three years later. McCain returned to Oxford on Sept. 26, 2008, this time for a presidential debate against Obama. Barack Obama In 2008, presidential candidates Barack Obama and McCain came to Ford Center to participate in a presidential debate. Students, faculty and alumni gathered to watch the historic event. Robert Khayat, the chancellor from 1995 to 2005, remembers the debate beyond the candidates themselves. For him, the event changed the atmosphere of the university, creating a sense of anticipation that reached far beyond the Ford Center. “The excitement that flooded the campus was really across the campus. I thought, lots of students and lots of faculty staff, plus alumni, were so thrilled about it,” Khayat said. “It was alive.” The scale of the event also reached beyond the university. More than 3,000 additional people came to Oxford, filling not only the Ford Center

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Robert F. Kennedy in 1966 but also the David Nutt Auditorium across the street. The town prepared for the influx by expanding housing and restaurant, medical and transportation services. Alumni and faculty also helped organize and fund the event, making the debate a collective effort that extended throughout the Oxford community. For Khayat, the significance went beyond the logistics of hosting a nationally viewed event. The presence of Obama and McCain on campus also reflected the university’s changing position in the national conversation. “It was a great statement for the university to have that diversity in those two candidates — to have one person who was African American, who has, I’d say, marginal experience with Mississippi, and John McCain, who was much more familiar with us because of his family relationship,” Khayat said. The debate became part of a larger effort to reshape how the university saw itself and how it was viewed beyond Oxford. For Khayat, bringing the debate to campus aligned with a goal he had emphasized throughout his tenure. “When I was first told that I would be chancellor in 1995 and I went around making talks on campus, I repeatedly said, ‘We want to be perceived as one of America’s great public universities, and we want to perceive ourselves as one of America’s great pilots,’ so that means students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends (and) elected public officials.” Bill Clinton Former President Bill Clinton visited Ole Miss on Oct. 14, 2010, joining thenU.S. Rep. Travis Childers for a “Get Out the Vote” rally to encourage young voters to participate in the upcoming midterm elections. Speaking from the Grove Stage, Clinton and Childers emphasized the importance of civic participation as students gathered to hear from the former president. Clinton originally set out to support people who

had backed Hillary Clinton during her 2008 presidential campaign, since she was unable to participate in political activities as a member of President Obama’s Cabinet. As Clinton traveled to more campaign events, his focus shifted toward voter engagement. He said conversations with students and others along the campaign trail made him increasingly concerned about whether people would participate in the midterm election. “The more I got out here, and the more I saw what was going on, the more upset I got,” Clinton said in his speech. “Two University of Mississippi students were interviewed saying they voted in 2008, but they just weren’t interested in voting in the midterm, so what I decided to do was see if I could find some way to get people to think about this election” Clinton’s appeal then moved beyond simply encouraging students to vote. He challenged them to take a more deliberate approach to the political decisions they were making, arguing that frustration and instinct could easily replace consideration of the issues. “We don’t want to think; we just make up our mind, we get mad, and we say, ‘This is what I’m going to do,’” Clinton said. “I’m telling you, on this campus, it is time to think about this election.” Many other political figures have also made appearances on campus, including former Vice President Hubert Humphrey, former Sen. Mitt Romney, former Rep. John Lewis, former Sen. Tom Daschle and former President Joe Biden.

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 1 OCTOBER 2026 | PAGE 5

One night only! Some of Oxford’s most notable concerts P.B. JERNIGAN A&C Staff Writer

Despite Oxford’s classification as a small town, it has a reputation for attracting renowned musical artists and bands. The music scene has been active and lively for years thanks in part to the plethora of notable venues on campus and around town, like the recently demolished C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum, Fulton Chapel, Proud Larry’s and even the parking lot behind the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union. Oxford’s prolific music scene may be attributed to the young, vibrant student population and the town’s convenient location near major music hubs. Mem6phis, Nashville, Atlanta and New Orleans make the area a hotspot for musicians touring through the South. The list of great acts that have performed in Oxford is expansive and ongoing, making it impossible to nare row down Oxford’s “most iconic” shows. Here are just a few big shows and concerts that struck a chord with students and locals throughout the decades. R.E.M. Prior to R.E.M.’s induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and three Grammy t wins, the band played on the Ole Miss campus twice. University of Georgia students formed the band in Athens, Ga., in 1980 before dropping out to pursue music professionally. In the Oct. 8, 1984 edition of The Daily Mississippian, the band expressed enthusiasm for its Little America Tour stop at Fulton Chapel on Oct. 3. “Audiences (in small towns) are more fun,” guitarist Peter Buck said. “They’re starved for entertainment — or they’re less trendy.” Bassist Mike Mills agreed that students crave live music. “Colleges have a built-in audience waiting to have fun,” Mills said. “They’ve paid their e $12 to get in, and they want to get their money’s worth.” R.E.M came back to campus during its 1987 Work Tour on Nov. 14. This time, the band’s increased popularity meant a larger setup in the Tad Pad. Following the concert, The Daily Mississippian’s front page left a good review of the concert, with the headline reading, “R.E.M. rocks UM coliseum.” Recording engineer and musician Clay Jones moved to Oxford from Jackson, Miss., in 1991 to study English at the university. While in high school, he traveled to Oxford to see the 1987 concert. Jones described R.E.M.’s influence and popularity at the time. “There’s no way to explain how important R.E.M. was to my generation,”

Jones said. “It was like they were the one thing from the South that gave anybody hope that you could be in a band or have success. They were kind of our heroes.” For Proud Larry’s owner Scott Caradine, R.E.M. put on an exceptional concert. Originally from Lafayette, La., Caradine moved to Oxford in 1987 to attend the university as a hospitality management major before opening his own local venue in 1993. “I saw concerts in high school, but this was a different experience,” Caradine said. “It was the first concert I saw in the Tad Smith Coliseum. I remember having seats halfway back on the floor and knowing all the words to the songs.” Oxford local Chico Harris began attending the university as a journalism major in 1985, but he started going to shows around town much earlier. Harris attended both R.E.M. concerts and described the evolution of the band’s performances. “In those short years, they became much more professional,” Harris said. “In the Tad Pad, they seemed more like a big rock ‘n’ roll band, and in Fulton Chapel, they still seemed like a band you might see at a bar.” Bob Dylan Bob Dylan performed at the Tad Pad during his 1990 Never Ending Tour on Oct. 25. His concert was highly anticipated by students and locals due to his status as a folk legend. In an article by the DM leading up to the concert, graduate student Michael Reese voiced excitement for the front-row tickets, for which he waited in line all night. “It’s Dylan; it’s not often you have an opportunity to do something like this. … Just to see Dylan is going to be wonderful,” Reese said. Despite the anticipation, Dylan’s performance was not his best. Caradine commented on the poor sound quality in the venue. “The sound in there was terrible. (Dylan) was one of those hit-or-miss artists that either put on a great show or didn’t,” Caradine said. Jones echoed the sentiment. “He does this thing live where he’ll just obsessively rearrange songs,” Jones said. “I can just remember sitting there having to strain to pick out a lyric to know what song he was singing. There was never a recognizable melody or anything like any song you knew. But he’s been doing this forever. That was just a particularly bad case of it.” Regardless of this particular lackluster performance, Dylan’s campus concert was a historic moment. It was the first and only time Dylan performed his 1963 song “Oxford Town,” which was based on James Meredith’s

enrollment at Ole Miss in 1962 as part of integration and the riots that ensued. Phish “Who the heck are Phish?” Daily Mississippian opinion columnist Nik Dirga asked prior to Phish’s concert in the parking lot between Stewart Hall, Brown Hall and Hefley Hall in 1994. While still a relevant question, the show’s unique circumstances and hilarious coverage makes this a necessary addition to the list. The abnormal concert on Oct. 13 involved blocking off what was called the Women’s Terrace, now the parking lot behind the Student Union, and caused an uproar for those living in the dorms with residential parking passes. “If it was a cool band, it’d be OK to inconvenience all of us, but since it is Phish, it is really a hassle,” student Diane Covar said. “The (Student Programming Board) should, in the future, consider the full effects of their actions upon the campus as a whole,” Dirga wrote. “And maybe next time they can get a band that doesn’t suck as well.” The Vermont jam band isn’t popular for mainstream hits, but for its impressive live performances and cultlike following known as “Phans” and “Phish-heads.” In spite of students’ critiques, The Daily Mississippian’s review of the concert read, “Columnist gives Phish concert passing marks.” The review also highlighted the unique style of Phish-heads. “In the same fashion as faithful tagalongs of the Grateful Dead, Phish-heads, those devoted phollowers of Phish, accounted for much of the pre concert entertainment,” staff writer Jamie Kornegay wrote. “They paraded around in ‘60s attire, got tanked up on an array of pharmaceutics and peddled various hippie trinkets.” Jones described inadvertently stumbling upon the show. “I had to go to a philosophy forum in the Union, so when I walked out it was literally right there in the parking lot,” Jones said. “I didn’t have a ticket or anything, so I just watched it from outside the fence.” This was the second (and last) time Phish performed in Oxford, the first being in 1991 at The Gin, a popular nighttime bar and venue. Phish’s 1994 show in the parking lot on campus remains a legendary Oxford show for its atypical execution and eccentric crowd. The Smashing Pumpkins The Smashing Pumpkins’ visit to Oxford during the band’s 1994 Siamese Dream tour received bad reviews, to put it lightly. The Smashing Pumpkins’ first Mississippi performance was on April 6, 1994 at the

Tad Pad. Two days later, The Daily Mississippian’s front page entertainment headline read, “Smashing Pumpkins deserves to be smashed.” The scathing review claimed that “the band was rude, crude and socially unacceptable according to some staff members.” Reports of the concert outlined multiple problems during the show — most notably, lead singer Billy Corgan’s attitude towards the crowd. “Billy Corgan’s, the lead vocalist, attitude sucked,” entertainment staffers Shannon Foster and Sean Thompson wrote in their review. “It especially ticked me and several other members student (sic.) off that Corgan thanked members of the audience that had come to the concert because of their ‘one’ song on MTV.” Jones was similarly disappointed in the band’s performance. “I had seen them play in Memphis months before that, and it was one of the best things I’ve ever seen. The sound was great. Everything was great. They were perfect,” Jones said. “And then at the Oxford show, they came out came out and just immediately had this ‘we-don’twant-to-be-here’ vibe.’” The Smashing Pumpkins had a rude demeanor, did not thank the crowd at the end of the show and ended their concert after 50 minutes, making this show a funny addition to Oxford’s music lore. Oxford’s reputation for its music acts transcends the generational divide. Oxford native Amelia Thomas, a sophomore art history major, heard about The Smashing Pumpkins concert growing up. She comment-

ed on the enduring legacy of Oxford’s music scene. “I think Oxford draws in so many music acts largely because it is a college town,” Thomas said. “To me, Oxford is the coolest place with the coolest people in Mississippi, and I think that if I were going to pick somewhere to play, it would definitely be here.”

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Smashing Pumpkins ad originally published in The Daily Mississippian on March 10, 1994

PAGE 6 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 1 OCTOBER 2026

What were game days like over 50 years ago? BRIDGET MCGUIRE A&C Staff Writer

Many years before the Grove became a sea of red and blue tents and elaborate buffet spreads, fall Saturdays in Oxford looked considerably different. Thomas J. “Sparky” Reardon, a 1972 Ole Miss alum and the dean of students from 2000 to 2014, has witnessed many variations of tailgating in the Grove. During his own undergraduate years, the Grove functioned as a casual gathering place before games. “The Grove wasn’t really a big deal when I was in school,” Reardon said. “You felt like you had to go to meet your parents.” Back then, the majority of the Rebels’ biggest football games were played in Jackson, Miss., rather than Oxford. The Grove offered a quieter experience and smaller crowd than it does today. “The atmosphere was very laid-back,” Reardon said. “(There were) cars in the Grove, mostly families and hometown groups. There were no tents or rush to claim a spot.” Today, on a typical game day morning, the Grove is a frantic jumble of students and fans hauling in supplies. The Grove atmosphere in the 1970s was more relaxed. Instead of waking up early, fans could drive their cars directly into the Grove and gather with family and friends. There were none of the elaborate tent setups that characterize the Grove today. Food was simpler, too. Fried chicken, pimento cheese sandwiches and classic Southern barbeque were staples of traditional Ole Miss tailgates in the 1970s. Although tailgating was considerably less extravagant

than it is today, one game day tradition that holds true to this day is the attire. Even in the 1970s, fans took dressing up for game days seriously. “Girls and guys both dressed up,” Reardon said. “Most guys — even (active fraternity members) — wore coats and ties to the games.” Today, fraternities do most of their tailgating in tents in the Grove, but back then, Greek life functions took place primarily at fraternity houses. Fraternities hosted brunches before games, receptions after games and parties on Friday and Saturday nights. Rather than gathering in the Grove, many students spent their game day weekends at fraternity houses. “We didn’t have any night games,” Reardon said. “There was much more activity at the fraternity houses, where they had brunches and receptions after the game. The Square had nothing.” Many of the defining traditions that Ole Miss cherishes today also looked different. The procession of the football team down the Walk of Champions did not exist during Reardon’s undergraduate years. In fact, the tradition didn’t come about until Billy Brewer’s stint as head football coach in the 1980s. For Reardon, the most memorable football moments of his college years took place outside of Oxford. He recalled the Rebels’ 38-0 win over Tennessee in 1969 in Jackson as one of the most unforgettable games during his time as a student. As the game day culture and popularity of the university grew, the Grove began to take on a new appearance. “It started when UM banned cars in the Grove, and people started set-

ting up tents and more elaborate decorations and tables,” Reardon said. The evolution of the Grove also reflected changes in campus culture. The display of Confederate flags was a practice that disappeared from the university’s game day traditions after the use of sticks and flagpoles were banned by Robert Khayat in 1997. By the time Reardon stepped into the role of dean of students in 2000, the Grove had undergone a THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN complete transformation. Although the scale of Ole The Alumni Association sponsoring a Grove party to support the Rebel Miss tailgating has evolved baseball team as they compete in the Super Regional in July 2005. through his decades studying and working at the university, Reardon believes the underlying character of the Grove has persevered. For Reardon, the most iconic part of the Grove has never been the decorations, food or football traditions. It has been the sense of community that ties Ole Miss fans together across the country and across generations. “(The best part of the Grove is) the spirit of friendliness and hospitality and Rebel spirit, along with who we are as an Ole Miss family,” Reardon said.

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SPORTS HEISMAN ​

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In 1960, Gibbs led the SEC Gibbs (1960)​ in Jake passing touchdowns Jake Gibbs started at quarwith 12. He threw for 970 terback for66-of-109 Ole Miss inpassing, 1959 yards on and 1960. Gibbs led the team which was enough for No. to consecutive Sugar Bowl 20 in the country. On the victories and back-to-back AP ground, Gibbs added 246 No. 2 finishes. yards and five touchdowns. ​In 1960, Gibbs led the SEC He led Ole Miss to a 10in passing touchdowns with 0-1 record. The Rebels 12. He threw for 970 yards beat Rice 14-6 in the Sugon 66-of-109 passing, which ar Bowl, and he was named was enough for No. 20 in the the Sugar MVP. Gibbs Addicountry. On Bowl the ground, tionally, Gibbs took added 246 yards and five home unanimous All-American touchdowns. honors ​H e led Oleand Missfinished to a 10-0-1third in theTheHeisman record. Rebels beat voting. Rice Gibbs drafted by the 14-6 in thewas Sugar Bowl, and NFL’s Cleveland Browns he was named the Sugar Bowl and the AFL’s Houston OilMVP. Additionally, Gibbs took ers ofunanimous the, but he decided to home All-Ameriforgo bothand options and purcan honors finished third sued a careervoting. in the MLB in the Heisman with the York Yankees. Gibbs wasNew drafted by the Manning NFL’sArchie Cleveland Browns and (1969 and 1970) the AFL’s Houston Oilers of the, but he decided to forgo his Archie Manning began both options and pursued a tenure on the Ole Miss varsicareer in theteam MLB with ty football as a the sophoNew Yankees. moreYork in 1968. He started im​Archie Manning (1969 mediately and led the Rebels 1970) to a 7-3 and record and a LiberArchie Manning his one. ty Bowl victorybegan in year tenure the Ole Miss Hison junior and varsity senior football as a sophomore seasons,team however, are in 1968. started why hisHeNo. 18 immedijersey is ately led the Rebels the and honorary speedto alim7-3 andMiss’ a Liberty Bowl it record on Ole campus. victory in year one. In 1969, Manning threw His seniorand seasons, for junior 1,762and yards nine however, are why his No. touchdowns. While 18 these jersey is the honorary speed numbers seem pedestrian limit on Ole Miss’ campus. for a Heisman candidate, ​In 1969, Manning threw for Manning also led the Reb1,762 yards and nine touchels in rushing yards and downs. While these numtouchdowns, rushing for 502 bers seem pedestrian for a yards and leading the SEC Heisman candidate, Manning withled 14 the rushing also Rebelstouchdowns. in rushing Manning displayed rushhis exyards and touchdowns, cellence to a national audiing for 502 yards and leadence Oct. 4,141969 in the ing theon SEC with rushing touchdowns. ​Manning displayed his excel-

lence a national audience first to college football game on Oct. 4, 1969 the first in broadcast on intelevision college game broadprime football time. Manning threw cast television. for on 436 yards Manning and three threw for 436 yards three touchdowns whileandrushing touchdowns whileagainst rushing Alafor for 104 yards 104 yards against Alabama. bama. Even though the RebEven though thegame, Rebels lost els lost that 33-32, that game, 33-32, Manning becameManning the hottest became the hottest in name in collegename football. college football.​ Ole Miss finished 1969 with Ole Miss record finishedand 1969awith an 8-3 Sugar an 8-3 record and a Sugar Bowl victory against ArkanBowl victory against sas. Manning took Arkanhome the sas. Manning took home the MVP award in that contest. MVP award in that contest. He finished fourth in the He finished fourth in the Heisman voting, but won Heisman voting, but won SEC SEC MVP and the Walter MVP and the Walter Camp Camp Award, which is preAward, which is presented to sented to the best player in the best player in the country the country but is less prombut is less prominent than the inent than the Heisman. Heisman. Manning into ​Manning camecame into the 1970the 1970 season with immense season with immense expectaexpectations. Despite higher finishtions. Despite finishing ing higher in the Heisman in the Heisman voting than voting than did(third), the year he did the yearheprior prior (third), Manning and theManning Rebels and the Rebels disappointed disappointed in 1970. They in 1970. They finished 7-4a and finished 7-4 and suffered suffered loss toand PatAuSulliloss to PataSullivan van and Auburn in the Gator burn in the Gator Bowl. The Bowl. Bowl The loss Gator Bowl loss Gator marked their marked theirdefeat thirdto straight third straight end defeat to end the season. the season.​ Notably,Manning Manning broke Notably, broke his arm Houston on Nov. his against arm against Houston 7, endingto a on leading Nov. to 7, a poor leading on what could have been an poor ending on what could all-time great for the have been anseason all-time great Rebels. season for the Rebels. Statistically, ArchieArchie had a had Statistically, relatively quiet season 1970 a relatively quiet inseason as forHe 1,481 in well. 1970Heasthrew well. threw yards, 14 touchdowns 14 for 1,481 yards, 14and touchinterceptions. for downs and He14rushed intercep113 yardsHe andrushed six touchdowns. tions. for 113 ​T he Saints selected Manning yards and six touchdowns. second the 1971ManNFL The overall Saints in selected Draft. He had a 13-year NFL ning second overall in the career and was selected the a 1971 NFL Draft. He to had Pro Bowl twice. Manning was 13-year NFL career and was elected to the College Football selected to the Pro Bowl Hall of Fame in 1989, and his twice. Manning was electlegacy is sacred within the city ed to the College Football limits of Oxford. Hall of Fame in 1989, and Eli Manning (2003) his legacy is sacred withEli ​Manning followed in his father’s footsteps by commit-

GREYSON GREYSON HOWARD HOWARD // THE THE DAILY DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN MISSISSIPPIAN

tingthe to Ole ahead of the in cityMiss limits of Oxford. 2000 With (2003) enormous Eliseason. Manning shoesManning to fill, Manning served in Eli followed as a three-year He ledby his father’s starter. footsteps the Rebels to three straight committing to Ole Miss winningofseasons while putting ahead the 2000 season. up incredible statistics. With enormous shoes to As a senior, Eli Manning fill, Manning served as a earned the Maxwell a three-year starter.Award, He led third-place Heisman finish, the Rebels to three straight the Johnny Unitas Golden winning seasons while putArm Award and SEC statistics. Offensive ting up incredible Player the Year. As aofsenior, Eli Manning ​He recorded passing earned the 3,600 Maxwell Award, yards, 29 touchdown passesfina third-place Heisman and three rushing touchish, the Johnny Unitas Golddowns. Eli Manning led the en Arm Award and SEC OfSEC in both passing yards and fensive Player of the Year. touchdowns. The Rebels won He recorded 3,600 pass10 games and ended their seaing yards, 29 touchdown son with a Cotton Bowl win. passes and three rushing ​The Cotton Bowl was Eli touchdowns. Eli in Manning Manning’s last game an Ole led the SEC in both passMiss uniform. He threw for ing yards and touchdowns. 259 yards and two touchdown The won 10 games passesRebels in the Rebels’ 31-28 and their season victory.ended He earned the Cotton with a Cotton Bowl win. Bowl MVP, a fairy-tale ending The Cotton Bowl was Eli to his Ole Miss career. ​The San Diego Chargers selected Eli Manning with the

first overall pick 2004 in Manning’s lastin the game NFLOle Draft. Manning was tradan Miss uniform. He ed to thefor New259 Yorkyards Giants and threw and enjoyed four Pro Bowl appeartwo touchdown passes in ances and two Super Bowl the Rebels’ 31-28 victowinsHe in his 16-yearthe career. ry. earned Cotton Trinidad Chambliss Bowl MVP, a fairy-tale ending to his (2026) Ole Miss career. Chambliss Week 5 of The Sanenters Diego Chargers the college football season selected Eli Manning with fourthfirst in theoverall Heismanpick race. in the He was briefly theDraft. favoriteManthe 2004 NFL beforewas Ole traded Miss lost to ning to52-28 the New Florida. In that game, ChamYork Giants and enjoyed bliss took big hit,appearancwhich four Pro a Bowl forced him to be subbed out. es and two Super Bowl He also threw an intercepwins in his 16-year career. tion late in the fourth quarter Trinidad Chambliss when the game was all but (2026) over. Chambliss enters Week 5 He has 1,222 passing yards of the college football seaand eight passing touchdowns son in the Heisman so farfourth this season, plus 108 race. He was briefly fayards on the ground andthe four vorite before Ole Miss lost rushing scores. 52-28 Florida. that If he cantoshake off the In rough game, Chambliss took a performance against Florida big hit, which forced him and return to the form he held to be subbed out. He also for the first three games of the season, Chambliss’ Heisman stock will shoot back up.

threw an interception late in the fourth quarter when the game was all but over. He has 1,222 passing yards and eight passing touchdowns so far this season, plus 108 yards on the ground and four rushing scores. If he can shake off the rough performance against Florida and return to the form he held for the first three games of the season, Chambliss’ Heisman stock will shoot back up.

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The most important walk in the Grove: The history of the Walk of Champions

COOPER FERGUSON Sports Sports Staff Staff Writer Writer

The 10-acre oasis in the middle of the University of Mississippi campus has become the most notable symbol for Ole Miss Football. Just about every college football fan has heard about the Walk of Champions and the Grove. When tens of thousands

of fans flood the Grove on Saturday mornings, it transforms from a beloved study spot to the epicenter of Rebel football. Tents fill the land as far as the eye can see as the buzz of the Ole Miss fandom grows until its climax in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. When Billy Brewer returned to Ole Miss to coach the Rebels in 1983, he knew

ALANA ALANA BROWN-DAVIS BROWN-DAVIS // THE THE DAILY DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN MISSISSIPPIAN

that the Grove could mean so much more to his team than it had before. Brewer was a player under legendary head coach and stadium namesake Johnny Vaught. Brewer knew what life in Oxford was like, and more so, how much that simple plot of land meant to all Rebel fans. He wanted his players to feel the passion of the Ole Miss faithful, so he paraded them through the most iconic 10 acres in all of college football. Initially, Brewer and his team took a different journey each week, often beginning at the former athletic dormitory Kinard Hall, quite a bit farther from the stadium than where the walk begins today. When Brewer realized just how much this walk did for the morale of his players and fans alike, the experiment became a cemented part of Ole

Miss game day lore, leading to the set path fans know today. Beginning at the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union, the Rebels walk under the iconic “Walk of Champions” arch, erected by and in honor of the 1962 undefeated Ole Miss Rebels. Cutting through the heart of the Grove, fans battle for the chance to get high fives from their favorite Rebels. Brewer led the Rebels well, bringing a struggling program with a lack of identity back to competition in the SEC, although no legacy left by Brewer is greater than the walk he and his team started. Some of the greatest Rebels have set foot on the very bricks Ole Miss students stroll down on the way to class. It is certainly nice to know that on the way to an 8 a.m. math lecture, a student could be

walking where the likes of Patrick Willis, Eli Manning and A.J. Brown once began their journeys to the stadium. The Grove is not just a beautiful plot of land at the center of the Ole Miss campus — it is the center of what it means to be a Rebel: showing out to the Grove with pride and supporting your team, regardless of the outcome, in rain or shine. If you want a good view of the Walk of Champions, get your tent set up early.

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 1 OCTOBER 2026 | PAGE 9

Looking back at some of the Rebels’ most iconic uniforms ISAAC SCHEER

Sports Sports Staff Staff Writer Writer

Ole Miss fans, as well as fans across the nation, frequently rave about the uniforms the Rebels wear for many sports. The Rebels have many different game day combinations, but some of their most recognizable uniforms are the ones that they donned in years past. Football

When the Ole Miss Football program began in 1893, the Rebel uniforms were simple: plain wool with a block “M” on the chest. For a long time, the uniforms stayed close to the original style, only adding and subtracting minor details (such as numbers) N Nor varying the letter style. e It was not until the late n1940s and 1950s that the uni.forms Rebel fans recognize today began to take shape. During s that time, stripes were introduced on the sides of the uni, forms, and in 1948, the powder d blue color was first introduced. . Ole Miss wore powder blue e helmets on and off throughout tthe 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. eWhen quarterback Archie tManning took the field for the -Rebels in 1968, the uniforms nhad finally reached the classic .red and navy throwback look.

f g n . a e f REAGAN TAYLOR e Assistant Assistant Sports Sports Editor Editor g e Ole Miss Basketball has . f had plenty of iconic moments , over the years. From scor. ing duels to record-breaking point games, many players have written their names in Rebel history. Here is a look back at some of the best player performances over the years. Johnny Neumann vs. LSU, 1971 Ole Miss legend Johnny Neumann had his career-defining game against LSU in 1971, scoring 63 points

While this design and combination is iconic, it is the powder blue variation that many fans tout as the best Rebel jersey. Considering its popularity today, it is all the more surprising that the powder blue jerseys disappeared entirely from the Rebel wardrobe rotation in 1994. Fast forward to 2014, two decades later, when powder blue made its return. That year, the Rebels wore the powder blue helmets for a home game against the Memphis Tigers to honor Chucky Mullins, who donned the powder blue helmet during his time at Ole Miss. After the Rebels’ 24-3 victory against Memphis, the color’s popularity surged; thus, powder blue became a permanent staple. Overall, football uniforms have been pretty standard throughout history — regulated to red, navy or powder blue. Recently, though, Ole Miss has experimented with more alternate uniforms, specifically with the introduction of the Realtree camouflage helmets and uniforms in 2022. Basketball The Rebel basketball programs wear fairly standard uniform combinations today with the occasional special variation, such as when the women’s team wears pink uniforms during the

annual Play4Kay breast cancer awareness game. However, out of all the Rebel teams, the basketball squads may have some of the most recognizable throwback uniforms. When the men’s team played its first season in 1909, the uniform had a standard early-20th century design — essentially a tank top with “Ole Miss” printed on the front. Similar to football, basketball jerseys did not change for many decades until Ole Miss added the women’s basketball program in 1974. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Rebels wore white uniforms, with a vertical red stripe running down each side of the jersey top and the shorts and with three horizontal navy stripes layered over the red. On the front, the Ole Miss wordmark was a stylish navy block outlined in red. This jersey made a reappearance for the 2000-2001 basketball season, one of the most memorable seasons in Rebel basketball history. The men’s team advanced to the SEC Championship game and, later, the NCAA Tournament where the Rebels reached the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. As a result, the jersey has frequently been brought back because it serves as a remind-

PHOTO PHOTO COURTESY: COURTESY: OLE OLE MISS MISS ATHLETICS ATHLETICS

Patrick Willis plays in a game against Memphis in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Sept. 6, 2006. er of Rebel basketball glory. In fact, the Rebels wore these jerseys at throwback games in the C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum.

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The top Ole Miss Basketball performances of all time

PHOTO PHOTO COURTESY: COURTESY: OLE OLE MISS MISS ATHLETICS ATHLETICS

Gerald Glass

— notably, before the introduction of the 3-point line. Neumann led the Rebels to a 113-90 win over the Tigers. This 1971 performance stands as the most points any Ole Miss player has scored in a single game; it is also the most points any player has ever scored against LSU. Neumann’s 63 points are tied for the tenth most in a single game in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history. Neumann was 26-of40 on field goals and shot 11-of-13 from the free throw line. This remains the greatest single-game

performance in Ole Miss Men’s Basketball history. Neumann said that this was the best he has ever shot the basketball in a game. LSU head coach Press Maravich noted how dominant Neumann was in a postgame press conference. “Neumann destroyed us,” Maravich said. “He hypnotized us and put the ball in the basket.” Gerald Glass vs. LSU, 1989 Often remembered as one of the greatest college basketball games in history, Ole Miss’ Gerald Glass and LSU’s Chris Jackson’s legendary scoring duel stands above the rest. The two Mississippi natives battled it out on the scoreboard until the very last minute. This game was the first time in SEC history when two players scored 50 points or more in the same game. Glass put up 53 points for the Rebels, and Jackson scored 55 for the Tigers. Despite Jackson winning the individual scoring battle, Ole Miss won the game in overtime, 113-112. “Looking back on it, I wish I had a ticket and was looking at it from the stands,” former Ole Miss coach Ed Murphy said in a postgame press conference. “If you don’t

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appreciate Glass and Jackson from a basketball standpoint, you are legally dead.” Glass sank a 3-pointer to tie the game at 112, and on LSU’s final possession of the game, Jackson was unable to score. Glass made a free throw in the final moments to give Ole Miss the win. Armintie Price-Herrington in the NCAA Tournament, 2007 Armintie Price-Herrington stands as one of the top women’s basketball players to ever come through Ole Miss. In 2007, she led the Lady Rebels to an 89-78 upset over No. 2-seed Maryland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. She led the offense with 28 points and added seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Following the second-round win, Maryland head coach Brenda Frese praised Price-Herrington’s performance. “Armintie Price is an exceptional player. She’s a pro,” Frese said. “She put her team on her back tonight. Her defensive energy really set the tone, and we just didn’t handle the pressure.” This win led the Rebels to the Sweet 16, where Price-Herrington dropped 31 points against Oklaho-

ma in the Lady Rebels’ 9082 win. That win led Ole Miss to its first Elite Eight appearance since 1992. Peggie Gillom vs. Tennessee, 1978 Peggie Gillom left her mark on the Ole Miss Women’s Basketball program. Her 45-point outing against Tennessee is the most points scored in a single game for a women’s basketball player at Ole Miss. Gillom’s performance ranks as the most points scored against the Lady Volunteers in history. Her impact on Mississippi basketball has never been forgotten. This game was perhaps the most dominant of her career. In her career with the Lady Rebels, she scored over 2,000 points and totaled over 1,000 rebounds, a feat no other Rebel basketball player has achieved.

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PAGE 10 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 1 OCTOBER 2026

RUSS EDDINS

College sports in the pre-NIL era

Sports Editor

College sports look dramatically different today than they did just six years ago; the landscape of college athletics is now unrecognizable. Here is a throwback to the old days that are not so old. Name, image and likeness rules officially came to college sports on July 1, 2021. While the on-field product remains as intense and engaging in the NIL era as it always has been, with lawsuits and portal rules, the game looks different now than it did as recently as 2024. Conference realignment The SEC looks very similar to how it did before the NIL era. Geographically, all the SEC teams are located in the South, though two are a bit farther west. Texas and Oklahoma were in the Big 12, but they joined the SEC in 2024, three years after they requested to join the conference. In 2012, Texas A&M and Missouri joined the SEC. They were the first schools the conference added since Arkansas and South Carolina in 1991. There was a good bit of conference movement in the 2010s. Louisville and Pittsburgh did not join the ACC until 2014 and 2013, respectively. West Virginia joined the Big 12 in 2012. The Mountaineers do not geographically fit in with the Big 12, which hosts mostly teams in the West, but it is a far cry from what fans see today. Many conferences today, particularly the Big 10 and ACC, have not attempted to maintain any resemblance of geographic purity. Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington all joined the Big 10 even though most of the conference’s members are located in

the Midwest. The ACC, which stands for Atlantic Coast Conference, now hosts California and Stanford, which are notably schools on the West Coast. Those two teams were in the Pac-12 before it dissolved due to TV broadcasting issues. Since NIL began, the Power Five became the Power Four, but in reality, there are two top power conferences (the SEC and Big 10), two conferences a step down (the ACC and Big 12) and then everybody else. Fans have NIL to thank for that. Ole Miss Football before NIL In 2013, Ole Miss landed its biggest high school recruit ever: Robert Nkemdiche, the No. 1 player out of high school and the all-time highest rated Rebel recruit. Ole Miss also had three players with five stars: Laremy Tunsil, Laquon Treadwell and Tony Conner. Ole Miss went 8-5 (3-5 SEC) in 2013. 2014 and 2016 were dark years because the Rebels had numerous wins vacated due to NCAA sanctions. Ole Miss Football records remained very poor for several years. NIL and the portal changed the game for the Rebels. They were able to bring in top talent and reestablish themselves in the SEC. Without those things, Ole Miss would likely remain, at best, a middle-tier SEC team. The transfer portal actually predates NIL by three years. Before the portal, teams relied heavily on high school recruiting. The better recruiting the program did, the better that program performed. Now, teams are mostly built from the portal. The transfer portal started in 2018. Back then, it was just a website to ease the transfer process. Football programs could only sign 25 high school

recruits or transfers a year — that was, until the NCAA suspended the rule in 2021. Players used to have to sit out a year after they transferred, making it an undesirable choice. Additionally, coaches were allowed to limit a player’s transfer destinations in order to avoid playing against that player in the future. Graduate transfers could play right away, while underclassmen had to sit out a year. Players sought waivers in order to play right after transferring. This changed in 2021 when the NCAA gave underclassmen eligibility upon transferring, but underclassmen could only transfer one time until 2024. Postseason/bowl season Bowl games used to mean something, but the 12-team College Football Playoff essentially killed that. There are some highly anticipated bowl games, such as the Citrus Bowl, which Michigan and Texas played in last year, or the ReliaQuest Bowl, which hosted Iowa and Vanderbilt. But, for the most part, teams only care about getting into the playoffs, not the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl or the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The 12-team CFP is only in its third year, and it may be replaced by a 24-team field as early as the 2027 season, which would really be the dagger for bowl season. Before it was 12 teams, the CFP was originally just four teams. Mississippi State was the first No. 1 team in the first CFP rankings. Florida State, Auburn and Ole Miss were the other Top 4 ranked teams. Of those four teams, only FSU went on to qualify for the playoffs. Ohio State won the championship that year. College football’s postsea-

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son has taken several forms. Before the CFP, there was the Bowl Championship Series from 1998 to 2013. Six conference champions from the SEC, ACC, Big 10, Pac-12, Big East and Big 12 earned automatic bids to the four prominent bowl games: the Fiesta Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, the Orange Bowl and the Rose Bowl. Two spots were reserved for at-large bids. The No. 1 and No. 2 teams competed for the championship. The BCS was designed to prevent split titles; however, the AP poll did not always recognize the BCS national champion as the true champion, so it did not always work out that way.

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In the 2003 national championship, No. 1 LSU defeated No. 2 Oklahoma, yet AP named the Trojans the national champion. No. 3 USC beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl. That was the last time teams split the title. For fans, it feels like NIL and the portal feel have been around for many years, but they have been in the game for less than a decade. With federal legislation on the horizon, college sports could look very different in just a few months.

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PHOTO COURTESY: OLE MISS ATHLETICS

Laquon Treadwell makes a catch in the game against LSU in VaughtHemingway Stadium on Nov. 21, 2015.

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40- Sticky stuff 42- Carrot or turnip 43- Tranquil 46- Aussie gemstone 49- Jazz org. 50- Gal of song 51- Oscar ___ Renta 52- Serpentine shape 53- Values highly 57- Hire 59- Gillette razors 60- Covered with sand and lime mixture 65- Fly like an eagle 66- ___ accompli 67- Strong adhesive 68- Rocker Clapton 69- Woe ___! 70- Fasten again 71- Adam’s third son 72- Dec. holiday 73- Bird homes

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35- Top of the line 36- Unruly crowds 37- RR stops 39- Investigate 41- Performs surgery 44- Scottish refusals 45- Shade maker 47- Pub orders 48- Portable lamp 53- Alleviates 54- Mall unit 55- Characteristic 56- Sudden convulsion 58- Conical native American tent 61- Bean town? 62- Goes bad 63- Way out 64- Changes color 66- Mend

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 1 OCTOBER 2026 | PAGE 11

OPINION

d d n e

Turn off your screens, and opt for a book instead

L

t r , y .

Reading from a physical book and, quite frankly, reading in general has slowly been eclipsed by online articles, audiobooks and the deadly beast that is social media. These new advancements do not prompt the same level of deep thinking that actual reading does. GRIFFIN ARMSTRONG Opinion Staff Writer

In Thomas Fuller’s book “The Boys of Riverside,” the common reading book for Ole Miss class of 2030 students, Fuller writes that differences can be something that can be used as a superpower. He originally made this comment about the California School for the Deaf football team, but it applies to reading as well. The University of Mississippi has required a common reading book since 2011 because the school understands the benefits of reading. Reading is the very foundation of human knowledge, and it will hold your hand and walk you down the great path of life. It will guide you through any dilemma. In college years, students’

brains are sponges, soaking up vast amounts of information which they will retain for their entire lives; take advantage of that. Reading is the key that unlocks the gargantuan, imposing, threatening gate that barricades you from your greatest desires. Anytime you pick up a book, you are guaranteed to learn something. I have read many works in my young college days, including a steady mix of fiction and nonfiction. I think this has been particularly conducive to my enhanced appreciation for reading because both categories present different advantages. Fiction, for one, will teach you about the romance and majesties of life, as well as the lives and cultures of the past. It presents a plot with a problem that each of us could face and gives us a sense of how to solve it.

Andrew Bishop, an instructor in the UM Department of English, teaches several courses, many of which tie literature and fiction to broader concepts. He explained the benefits of reading fiction. “It activates a part of my brain that doesn’t always get activated. … (Fiction books) reveal (a lot) about the way the mind works,” Bishop said. Bishop also noted that it is through fiction that children’s brains develop the sensitive naempathetic, ture we require as humans. Alternatively, nonfiction gives us the details, explores the history of life and teaches us how to fix physical objects. I feel such gratitude seeing the free books about the Civil War that line the counter on the first floor of Bishop Hall. I urge all students to go get one.

It is important to understand history for two reasons. One reason is that this understanding will help us learn from our mistakes, of course. The other is that understanding history gives us a sense of what it takes to be great — the secrets of success, perhaps. Great people are often great students of history. Unfortunately, reading from a physical book and, quite frankly, reading in general has slowly been eclipsed by online articles, audiobooks and the deadly beast that is social media. These new advancements do not prompt the same level of deep thinking that actual reading does. Reading promotes a profound connection from the brain to the topic because it challenges the brain to exercise all of its power. It expands your vocabulary and

helps you become a wiser human. People who are diligent readers will succeed infinitely more than the people who spend the majority of their time scrolling. It is called “doom scrolling” because it dulls and dooms the mind. Looking at a screen gives you a physical sensation, while reading words forces you to create the setting, the characters and the solution. Cast aside your screens, and open up a book. There are infinite worlds of words to be discovered.

Griffin Armstrong is a freshman political science major from Tuscaloosa, Ala.

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Opinion Policies: Columns do not represent the views of The University of Mississippi or The Daily Mississippian. The Daily Mississippian welcomes letters to the editor, which should be emailed to thedmopinion@gmail.com. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. They may be edited for clarity, brevity and libel. Third-party letters and those with pseudonyms or no name will not be published. Letters are limited to one per individual per month. Letters should include contact information, including relationship to the university, if applicable.

GRACE ANN COURTNEY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

PAGE 12 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 1 OCTOBER 2026

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