The Daily Mississippian | April 25, 2024

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Getting to the root of potential causes for UM’s fallen trees

Recent fallen trees on the UM campus may be caused by more problems than just poor weather, according to university officials.

SAA opts to skip spring concert

HANNAH IVEY thedmnews@gmail.com

The University of Mississippi and the Student Activities Association will not host a free concert this spring.

Previous performers at these SAA-sponsored spring concerts include PARTYNEXTDOOR, Riley Green, Thomas Rhett, Wiz Khalifa and NEEDTOBREATHE, according to the ForUM.

JORDAN ISBELL

The University of Mississippi has experienced several inches of rain and strong winds throughout the past few weeks. As a result of this bad weather, multiple trees fell on April 10 and 11 on the UM campus: two in the Grove, one near the Chancellor’s House and one outside the UM Law Center.

The most significant incident occurred in the afternoon of

April 11, when a 107-year-old oak tree uprooted in the Grove and fell across the Ole Miss Student Union Plaza. The tree crushed numerous light and banner poles, but none of the students walking on the plaza were injured.

UM Landscape Services reported the ancient oak that keeled over near the union and another giant tree that uprooted in the middle of the Grove fell due to oversaturation from heavy rainfall.

The other fallen trees on campus are thought to have succumbed for similar reasons.

Assistant Director of UM Landscaping Nathan Lazinsky explained why trees fall in such situations.

“The soil swells up, and it gets to where the tree is almost floating in water, and when you have wind on top of that, that’s where you have failures,” Lazinsky said. “If you think about how the wind blows, it’s pulling the oversaturated roots right out of the ground.”

Factors other than weather are also at play. The Grove attracts

Executive Director for the SAA and senior public policy leadership major Daneel Konnar said the large number of other events on campus this semester had an impact on SAA’s decision not to include a concert in the events slated for this spring.

“Due to the high number of spring entertainment opportunities — like Double Decker Arts Festival, Mississippi Day and more — and to encourage more engagement and attendance at those events, the Student Activities Association will not host a spring concert,” Konnar said. “We decided to push the Student Activities Association concert to next school year due

JERIDIANE RAY

Jalapeño cornbread, collard greens and butter beans just like your mom made them: These are the key ingredients that have made Ajax a key player of the Oxford food scene for over a quarter of a century. While Oxonians love

the timelessness of the diner’s menu, a recent development is making history as the first time

Ajax Diner has changed ownership since its opening in 1997.

Randy Yates turned over the keys to new owner Clay Scruggs on April 9. As a UM alumnus, the Tupelo, Miss., native’s love for Ajax Diner began during his time as

a student in the late 1990s. Scruggs explained how the opportunity arose to purchase the iconic restaurant on the Square.

“(Yates) approached me a few months ago about if I were interested in purchasing the restaurant, and I was a little ‘Oxford

University of Mississippi students and employees take photos of the fallen tree in the Grove in front of the student union on April 11.

PHOTO COURTESY: HG BIGGS

TREES

continued from page 1

people for football game tailgating, graduation ceremonies, concerts, studying, impromptu games and events.

Director of UM Landscape Services Jeff McManus said that foot traffic from people gathering in the Grove leads to compaction on tree roots over time, which results in less aerification –– the process of filling the soil and roots with air.

“Anytime you have compac-

tion on tree roots, it’s not good for the trees,” McManus said.

“We have all of us walking on (the Grove) over and over, and now you don’t have that aerification.”

Lazinsky echoed McManus’ comments about how the university tries to mitigate compaction.

“Soil compaction is a major deal. (UM landscaping) goes through to try to mitigate (the damage) through radial trenching, which is when we excavate the soil with air and try to mitigate that compaction,” Lazinsky said. “Compaction is the silent killer.”

The population in the Groveincreases dramatical-

ly when the Ole Miss Football season is in full swing. Approximately 50,000 fans congregate in the Grove each home game weekend, according to the Tailgate Group.

“Despite the recent fallen trees on campus due to heavy rains (four to six inches) and severe winds, tailgating in the Grove and Circle will proceed as usual in the fall,” McManus said.

UM Landscaping Supervisor Thomas Dickerson said that in addition to efforts to help alleviate compaction, his crews continually monitor university trees and complete maintenance work every year.

University of Mississippi police officers survey a fallen tree in the Grove in front of the student union on April 11.

“We have people come trim and clean the limbs out of them, and we do keep an eye on them. So we’ll just keep doing the same thing we’re doing,” Dickerson said.

McManus said that the university is continuing to keep a close watch on campus trees in order to keep trees from falling.

“We try to mitigate (trees falling) by continually monitoring the trees,” McManus said. “We also have a maintenance program that’s constantly trimming, cleaning, looking for problems and issues, especially on the Grove and in the Circle. We hire companies to come in and help us do that, and we’ve had very few trees in the Grove go down over the last two to three years.”

100+ Art vendors, local food vendors Friday Grace Bowers Conner Smith Flatland Cavalry live art demonstrations

Kenny Brown

Billy allen and the pollies jaime wyatt bass drum of death charlie

Students were surprised at the number of fallen trees recently but expressed minimal concern for safety going forward.

Junior business management major Hannah Hopson found out about the incident through social media.

“I did not know the tree actually fell until I saw a photo on Snapchat,” Hopson said. “It was concerning, but it wasn’t my main concern at the time.”

Junior business major Worth Duperier expressed similar feelings toward falling trees.

“I think the weather has been really bad,” Duperier said. “It’s been really windy recently, and the trees have been falling around Oxford. I don’t think it’s a main concern, but it’s definitely something to look out for.”

PHOTO COURTESY: HG BIGGS

UM grounds and landscaping employee cuts the remains of a fallen tree in the Grove on April 10.

KHARLEY REDMON / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

continued from page 1

to the various programming opportunities in the Lafayette-Oxford-University community this spring, including the Morgan Wallen concert.”

Konnar hopes postponing the concert will encourage future attendance.

“The Student Activities Association hopes that this shift will encourage increased participation and attendance at the SAA concert next school year,” Konnar said.

Though the spring concert is free to students, SAA must request funding to pay for the production.

“The Student Activity Fee (SAF) funds the concerts that the Student Activities Association hosts,” Konnar said. “The Student Activities Association requests SAF funding every semester in order to host various events. Funding requests

are processed and allocated by the Associated Student Body (ASB). This year, the Student Activities Association did not request an allocation of funds for this spring in anticipation of hosting a concert during the 2024-2025 school year.”

Many students were disappointed that a free concert was not scheduled.

“I went to the Riley Green concert my sophomore year,” senior integrated marketing and communications major Emmaline Wolfe said. “I’m a little upset about (the concert being canceled) just because it was something to look forward to. I didn’t get to go to the one last year. Since I’m a senior this year, I was sad there wasn’t one.”

Sophomore pharmacy major Amber Rogers, who also previously attended one of the concerts, was also disappointed.

“I went last year to PARTYNEXTDOOR,” Rogers said.

“I wish they had one (this year) since I went to one

last year. I don’t know why they’re not having one, but I wish they did have one.”

Freshman elementary education major Lucy Plowman said she would have considered going to a concert this year.

“I heard about it at orientation,” Plowman said. “I feel like I probably would go just because it’s my first year here.”

Rest and Relaxation: UM Campus Recreation hosts sunset yoga

BRYNN BATES thedmnews@gmail.com

In an effort to help students alleviate the stress of schoolwork and upcoming finals, the University of Mississippi Campus Recreation hosted a free Sunset Yoga class on April 22 for students to ease their minds.

The class was instructed by Mary Hazel Bellan, a junior biochemistry major who has been teaching yoga classes at the South Campus Recreation Center for the last two semesters.

“I started getting into yoga in high school during COVID-19, and I have just been keeping up with it ever since,” Bellan said. “It was just something fun to do and an easy way to work out, and then I started to really get into it.”

Sydney Rott, a South Campus Recreation Center employee pursuing a masters degree in exercise science, also helped facilitate the event.

“We did a class like this during COVID-19 because we were trying to incorporate more things to do outside, but we wanted to bring it back and thought this time of year with the warmer weather was the perfect time to do it,” Rott said.

The class had a turnout of 30 students, which was the maximum number for class slots offered. The class attendees ranged from those new to the yoga practice to students who are regulars in Bellan’s class.

Cindy Pan, a graduate student working towards her Ph.D. in business administration, attended with her friend and fellow graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in business administration, Aisha Ghimire.

“We have been going to Mary Hazel’s class every Monday, and so we were pretty excited about this since it was something fun and different,” Pan said.

Ghimire said that she hopes the South Rec continues to host fitness classes outdoors.

“We love coming just to be able to relax our mind,” Ghimire said. “I hope that they do more of these classes outside.”

Mary Morgan-Bryan, owner of Baptiste Power Yoga in Oxford, said yoga is an effective mental health booster.

“Anxiety, stress and depression are very common reasons I hear people seek out the practice of yoga,” Morgan-Bryan said. “Breath during yoga is in-

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tentional and slowed down, and while controlling the breath, the practitioner can shift from the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is calming and restorative.”

Many students are drawn to yoga because of the calming effects, according to Morgan-Bryan.

“Yoga is a form of mind-body fitness that involves a combination of physical movement and mindful focus on awareness of the self, the breath and energy,” said Morgan-Bryan. “Researchers are only beginning to understand how yoga promotes health and well-being.”

Bellan said there is another aspect that many people do not think about initially when yoga comes to mind.

“In general, yoga is known to be good to calm the mind and body, but I think specifically the group fitness aspect is extra fun for the community and connection aspect,” Bellan said.

Keely May is a senior public policy leadership major who has just recently started practicing yoga, and she echoed what Bellan said.

“Yoga brings such a sense of

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community that I was not expecting when I started,” May said. “I have started to become friends and make connections with so many people that I never would have met, and it overall just feels like a close-knit community that is so accepting.”

“It would be nice to do some in the fall when it is still warm next semester, and we definitely want to continue them in the spring, too,” Rott said.

After the success of this event, the campus rec center is hoping to continue to add more sunset yoga classes open to all students.

Students participate in sunset yoga at the South Campus Recreation Center on April 22.

PHOTO COURTESY: SYDNEY ROTT

R&B artist PARTYNEXTDOOR performs at Ole Miss’s annual spring concert in the Grove on April 1, 2023. KHARLEY REDMON / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Behind the LGBTQ experience at UM

Growing up, Jacob Matthews never questioned his sexuality. He went through his entire childhood assuming that he was straight. But when others started to question his sexuality, he took a step back to reflect.

“It wasn’t until sixth or seventh grade where I really started to notice that I happen to be attracted to the same sex. I mean, it’s just love, right?” Matthews said.

Matthews, a native of Biloxi, Miss., came out to his family when he was in eighth grade.

“I was so nervous about telling my parents that I had my sister tell them while I hid under my covers,” Matthews said. “Luckily, my family and close friends were very supportive and made sure to let me know that they loved me regardless.”

Aether, god of the sky, space and light,” Matthews said. “Space scares the hell out of me, so I wanted to choose a name based on something that scares me to really represent my drag.”

Although anti-queer sentiments are voiced across the nation, Matthew’s experience at UM has been mostly positive.

“I can’t say I’ve experienced any harassment that I couldn’t handle. I am fortunate enough to not have faced harassment,” Matthews said. “However, I think it’s important to realize that hate against the LGBTQ+ community still exists.”

Matthews also emphasized the importance of treating everyone with respect regardless of personal beliefs.

“I think the world should realize that you don’t necessarily have to agree with who people choose to love in that

While Matthews knew the University of Mississippi’s history of discriminating against minorities, this did not stop him from pursuing a degree in what he loves to do: acting.

Matthews is a sophomore theater arts major with an emphasis in acting for the stage and screen. When considering the risk of encountering discrimination or harassment at UM, Matthews felt that it was a chance worth taking in order to follow his dream.

“I was fond of the theater department at Ole Miss, and I knew that regardless of what I could possibly experience outside of the department, I had a family I could go to on campus that would support me,” Matthews said.

In addition to his theater community, Matthews has also found support in Oxford’s drag scene since he began participating as a drag performer.

“The people I’ve met through drag have also changed my life and introduced me to a world I didn’t know existed,” Matthews said. “I’m very grateful and humbled through my experience with drag, and I intend on pursuing it long-term.”

Matthews shared that he uses drag as a way to step out of his comfort zone and into the spotlight.

“My drag is all about stepping outside of your comfort zone and conquering things you are afraid of. That’s where my drag name, Aetheria, comes from. It’s a variation of the Greek god

the difficulty of coming out.

“It’s always hard to come out of the closet because you’re saying something that will change the way people see you and interact with you,” Gordon said. “Sometimes that change is not bad, but it’s still a change.”

A top scholar and star athlete, Gordon describes his younger self as very strong-willed and not someone who would allow others to tear him down.

“I was able to be myself, and as much as there was a lot of sense in the world at large that being a gay person could have negative outcomes, I’ve always just brushed that off and said, ‘I’m still going to be who I am,’’ Gordon said. “I guess growing up at that time it was different than it is now.”

Gordan recalled one of the first things he did when he arrived at UM.

“When I was here, there was one group. I arrived on campus and one of the first things I did, in 2006, was look up the Gay Straight Alliance,” Gordon said.

A group consisting of undergraduate and graduate students and faculty advisers, the Gay Straight Alliance provides support for students who are in the LGBTQ community.

Gordon recalled that many of his queer peers were scared of being on the Ole Miss campus. However, Gordon felt welcomed by the Oxford and UM communities.

“I felt like this was a much more welcoming environment, and I felt like some students were overreacting to that sense of fear,” Gordon said. “But then, maybe that’s just sort of a privilege on my part.”

don’t necessarily identify with the community,” Harker said. “I’m not sure that would’ve happened 20 years ago, whereas now, I think there’s a lot of sense of, ‘We all need to stick together.’”

Harker believes that this change in acceptance is generational.

“For most people in Gen Z, people get to be who they are, and a lot more identify within the community, but also a lot more are okay with that no matter what other political differenc-

regard, but we are all still humans with souls, feelings, minds, intelligence and gifts that deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. That goes for everyone,” Matthews said.

Despite controversial politics centering around gay life, Phillip “Pip” Gordon came out in the late 1990s, a very different time for queer visibility. Gordon recalls the 1998 murder of gay Wyoming college student, Matthew Shepard, a hate crime that drew national attention.

“That was in October of 1998. The big emphasis in the news at the time was that to be a gay person was dangerous and scary,” Gordon said. “You would always feel under threat, and you couldn’t live openly.”

Gordon, a Jackson, Tenn., native, began his graduate work at UM in 2006 and earned a master’s degree in English. The alum is now in his second semester as a visiting professor in the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies. At the age of 16 — the same year that Shepard was murdered — Gordon came out to his family and friends.

“It was just because I wanted to, and it was the right thing to say. I had acceptance from friends when my family eventually found out,” Gordon said. “They didn’t love it at first, but there was never ever a sense that it would cost me.”

Gordon understands

However, Gordon believes that the disappearance of Jimmie “Jay” Lee has led to a “reemergence of fear” on the UM campus for many queer people.

On July 8, 2022, Lee, a student at UM and member of the LGBTQ community, went missing after last being seen at his Campus Walk apartment. Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr., another former UM student, has been indicted for capital murder and will face a trial later this year.

“Flashing forward all the way to hearing about Jay Lee’s disappearance, the reactions afterwards from the community and from the people who knew him really brought up a lot of those old memories of why people might have felt unsafe on this campus,” Gordon said.

Even so, Gordon thinks that today’s students are more comfortable expressing themselves.

“Kids these days are more comfortable with LGBTQ+ identities. I encounter individually from undergrads that this is one of the first times that, away from home, they have had a chance to have an identity,” Gordon said. “They say that identity out loud, and they’re seeking spaces.”

Director of the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies and English Professor Jamie Harker agreed with this sentiment.

“Now, I think there’s a lot of acceptance of different folks. When the (Oxford) Pride Parade happens, about half the people who march are allies, and they

es they have,” Harker said.

Gordon also expressed the importance of fostering the same supportive environment for queer students that he experienced.

“Coming back as an alum, my hope is that most queer students who are here, learning to get their feet wet for the first time in the world where they can define themselves (and) get the support for that so that their next step in life, when they are graduating and going out in the professional world, they don’t feel like they have to go back into that moment of anxiety,” Gordon said.

UM has multiple resources and groups that promote an accepting experience for all students in the LGBTQ community.

The UM Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement hosts resource fairs as well as Pride Camp, a program at the beginning of the semester for new and returning students where students share information about clubs, resources, events and spaces available to queer students. The Sarah Isom Center and the CICCE also oversee Lavender Graduation and the Oxford Pride Parade. Student groups on campus include OUTGrads, an organization for queer graduate students; OUTLaw, an organization for law students; UM Pride Network and LAMBDA, a student support and discussion group on campus.

Harker encouraged students to get involved and find a sense of community.

“No matter what you’re interested in, there’s going to be a group or space for you. There’s just a lot of different entry points, (and) there’s going to be someone like you who’s interested. There are a lot of people who are going to welcome you and be excited that you’re here and want to help you find the community that’ll support you,” Harker said. “So don’t be afraid, come on by and we’ll plug you into whichever group makes the most sense.”

Jacob Matthews as Aetheria before a drag performance. PHOTO COURTESY: JACOB MATTHEWS

Phillip “Pip” Gordon ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

University of Mississippi students walk in Oxford’s annual pride parade on April 30, 2022.

HG BIGGS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

AARON BARROW thedmfeatures@gmail.com

A glimpse at the 27th annual lineup

Double Decker Arts Festival is set to bring music fans from across the country to Oxford in a massive celebration of artistic talent on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 on the Square.

The 27th Double Decker Arts Festival musical lineup is stacked with talented groups and solo artists. Grammy Award winners Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Brittany Howard will perform along with other big names this weekend. Grace Bowers, a 17-year-old solo artist from the Bay Area is set to open the festival at 6 p.m. on Friday. Praised by Rolling Stone magazine and having recorded with John Osborne of the Brothers Osborne, Bowers has made a considerable name for herself in the music industry despite her young age.

“When you listen to me, I hope you hear the authenticity,” Bowers said on her website. “I’m never trying to imitate anybody else. I’m just trying to make the

music I want to make.”

Following Bowers’ opening act on the Nicholas Air stage is emerging country star Conner Smith and Americana band Flatland Cavalry.

After Friday’s musical kick-off, the all-day concert starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday when Mississippi native and blues guitarist Kenny Brown will take to the stage.

Brown’s early performance will be followed by rock band Billy Allen and the Pollies at 11:30 a.m. Shortly after, soloist Jaime Wyatt will bring his soulful energy to the stage starting at 1 p.m.

Rock music will return to the Double Decker stage with a performance by Bass Drum of Death beginning at 2 p.m. While lead singer John Barret is now based in New York City, he is originally from Oxford. Barret collaborated with local label Fat Possum Records to create the band’s latest album, “Say I Won’t.”

“(After) growing up in Mississippi and then staying around Oxford after high school, touring was a way for

me to get out,” Barrett said in an interview with Spin magazine. “Now, as I’ve gotten older, it’s kind of flipped a little bit. I really enjoy making songs and figuring things out in the studio. But we’re really excited to get back out there and play some new and old stuff.”

Country singer, songwriter and Yalobusha County native Charlie Mars will usher in the evening performances at 4 p.m. Mars is an artist who thrives on his small-town background.

At 5:30 p.m., singer, songwriter and pianist Neal Francis will take the stage. Though Francis is from Chicago, he draws inspiration from several New Orleans creatives.

Grammy Award-winner Christone “Kingfish” Ingram will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Ingram began his career playing in local clubs in his hometown of Clarksdale, Miss., where he honed his skills, drawing inspiration from B.B. King and Jimi Hendrix.

Ingram went on to earn a Grammy nomination for his 2019 album, “Kingfish,” from which he earned

his moniker, and he secured a Grammy Award for his second album, “662.”

Ingram now headlines festivals and concert halls worldwide and has opened for the Rolling Stones. He was also included among Rolling Stone’s Top 250 guitarists.

Closing out the weekend

of music at 8:30 p.m. is Brittany Howard. Howard, who hails from Athens, Ala., is a four-time Grammy Award winner with the group “Alabama Shakes.” Since 2018, however, Howard has flown solo, releasing two albums and gaining seven Grammy nominations and one win for Best Rock Song.

Oxford transforms into small artist haven

SYDNEY STEPP thedmfeatures@gmail.com

The Double Decker Arts Festival hosts a multitude of musicians, artists and vendors during its two-day stint on the Square every year. Over 100 art vendors and more than 20 local food vendors will set up on the Square on April 27 for the 27th celebration of the festival.

From reclaimed vintage picture frames to upcycled art and accessories, a variety of artis-

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tic creations will be displayed at the festival, including work from campus organizations at the University of Mississippi.

Pixel Press is the first interdisciplinary student organization on the UM campus that focuses on printmaking and photography. Kaleena Stasiak, assistant professor of art and printmaking at the university, explained how the club has prepared for Double Decker.

“Club members have been working hard the past few

FRIDAY, April 26

4am cars towed on north lamar & monroe ave

Saturday, April 27

4am all cars towed left on the square, south lamar, van buren, jackson ave east, chancery builing, all city surface lots

Saturday, April 29 9:30am - midnight Oxford high & South oxford center $5 roundtrip cash only shuttles

weeks to make handmade commodities such as tote bags, cards, dish towels, buttons, notebooks, etc. through printmaking and photographic processes such as screen printing, relief, cyanotype and bookbinding methods,” Stasiak said.

Stasiak said students’ involvement in the organization allows them to learn skills they can apply in their future careers, including the ability to facilitate a business.

“Making, pricing, displaying and selling handmade items will help students gain an understanding of how to run a business and make money with an arts degree,” Stasiak said. “The money raised will go towards bringing in visiting artists and participating in field trips to relevant museums and conferences.”

Based in Walnut, Miss., Ron Buse’s business Gridiron Classics repurposes used footballs, baseballs and baseball gloves into leather products including wallets, keychains, bracelets, earrings and journal covers. Buse explained the significance of the involvement of his business in this year’s Double Decker Arts Festival.

“I’m excited to introduce my craft to another part of the area and would hope to grow my customer base among football, baseball and other sports fans,” Buse said. “(I am hoping to impact Double Decker) by bringing a unique, one-of-akind, hand-crafted product that is not seen at most craft events.”

Epoxy and wood artisan Alice Cole Adams runs ACA Cre-

ations. Based in Collierville, Tenn., ACA Creations primarily crafts end tables, smaller drink tables and charcuterie boards.

“I love searching for unusual pieces and species of wood from all over the world,” Adams said. “I especially love working with spalted wood — a fancy name for beginning to rot — and find it to be the most challenging, and it ends up being the most colorful, most beautiful and most rewarding once completed.”

Adams also noted that the bird in her logo is a tribute to her mother, Genevieve, who passed away in 2019.

“It’s kind of a tribute to her because that little feisty wren was her favorite (bird) since childhood,” Adams said.

“It’s going to be a big benefit for us,” Gooden said. “We hope to generate buzz (at the festival) with unique art and designs.”

The festival vendors will be open for business at 10 a.m. on Sat., April 27 on the Square.

“I am looking forward to being a part of such a wonderful event,” Adams said. “I already feel honored to have been chosen to be a part. I do not take this honor lightly at all. … I am truly grateful.”

Elizabeth Gooden works with her father to create artistic pieces out of vintage, upcycled picture frames for her business, Estate Frames, a Decatur, Ga., business. Gooden is excited for Double Decker, as it will be her first time visiting Mississippi.

American Garage punk band poses for a photo.

PHOTO COURTESY: STEVE GULLICK

Food vendor Country Cutter participates in the Double Decker Arts Festival in 2019.

PHOTO: REED JONES / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

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hesitant at first because of my day job, but after just thinking about it, and looking into it a little bit further, I decided that I really wanted to do something local,” Scruggs said. “Most of my work has been in Mississippi but also other states across the Southeast. So wanting to be local and living here, I thought there was no better local business to buy than Ajax just because of the history, the product and the brand.”

On the day of the transfer of ownership, Scruggs felt both emotional exhaustion and a burst of exhilaration.

“The next day I was really excited. It kind of hit me that, ‘Oh my gosh look what I just did.’ It was a relief, but also it caught up with me for a

Scruggs said that the Ajax family has made the transition a smooth one.

“It’s only been a couple of weeks, but the staff is great. (There are) a lot of long-term, tenured staff here, and that’s been a great easy transition for me because they know what they’re doing more than me for sure,” Scruggs said.

In addition to inheriting a pre-existing staff, Scruggs has 20 years of experience in business management and hospitality to aid him in his new venture.

“I was in the general contracting business for 13 years, and then I’ve been in the hotel hospitality side for almost seven (years), building new hotels with restaurants,” Scruggs said.

Scruggs has appreciated the support he has received from the Oxford community.

“Hearing a lot of positive feedback from the communi-

“ I want to be able to continue to serve the community with great food, service (and) atmosphere. If there’s any money left, (I want) to try to give back to the community and do what we can to help support people that need it.”

- Clay Scruggs owner of Ajax Diner

media,” Scruggs said. “So that’s been fun getting a little bit of the recognition from all the people that I haven’t connected with.”

UM students are excited about the change in ownership but hope the timeless aesthetics and warmth that the business has are left untouched.

day. What it took to get there was so tiring to get it done but very excited and relieved once it was through,” Scruggs said.

ty has been great. I’ve heard from people that I hadn’t heard from in 20 years, texting me after they saw the posts on social

Since 1970

For those anxious about what a change in ownership entails, Scruggs said he is committed to Ajax’s current business model and is planning a stronger future for the diner, not a different one. He wants to ensure the work of the original owner lives on.

“I don’t want you to know any difference except for minor things that you may see or feel, like the product in the back, with our kitchen staff and the recipes. I hope you don’t tell any difference. I want that product to stay the same,” Scruggs said.

“Ajax was one of the first places my mom and I ate when I was touring the campus. I am excited for the new management, but I love the way Ajax is currently,” senior business major Lauren Bender said. “It makes you feel like you are taking a step back in time with the decoration and its history. I hope this same feel is kept with the new owners.”

In the years to come, Scruggs aims to foster a close connection with the Oxford community.

“I want to be able to continue to serve the community with great food, service (and) atmosphere.” Scruggs said. “If there’s any money left, (I want) to try to give back to the community and do what we can to help support people that need it.”

At the end of the day, Scruggs said what is likely on many Oxonians’ minds.

“Oxford is not Oxford without Ajax,” Scruggs said.

• Former Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

• Former Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

• Still practicing at his privately owned law firm for over 50 consecutive - located at the same place, being the Oxford Square, Downtown, Oxford, Mississippi.

• Practiced at his privately owned law firm for 45 consecutive years - located at the same place, being the Oxford Square, Downtown, Oxford, Mississippi.

• Taught the Mississippi DUI Law and 5 different Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure courses each and every semester at the University of Mississippi for 29 consecutive years.

• Taught the Mississippi DUI Law and 5 different Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure courses each and every semester at the University of Mississippi for 29 consecutive years.

• A member of the Chancellor’s Trust at the University of Mississippi since 1981.

• A member of the Chancellor’s Trust at the University of Mississippi since 1981.

• Former Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for over 6 years.

• Former Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for over 6 years.

• Former Municipal Court Judge for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for 8 years.

• Former Municipal Court Judge for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for 8 years.

• Former Vice President and President of the Lafayette County Bar Association; member of the Mississippi Bar Association, etc.

• Former Vice President and President of the Lafayette County Bar Association; member of the Mississippi Bar Association, etc.

• Appointed by the Mississippi State Bar to the Mississippi Commission on Attorney Ethics and Attorney Violations of the Canon of Ethics and All Mandatory Rules concerning the Practice of Law. Occupied the positions of Vice Chairman and Chairman and served for 18 years.

• Appointed by the Mississippi State Bar to the Mississippi Commission on Attorney Ethics and Attorney Violations of the Canon of Ethics and All Mandatory Rules concerning the Practice of Law. Occupied the positions of Vice Chairman and Chairman, served for 18 years.

• A Founding Member of the National College for DUI Defense conducted at Harvard Law School.

• A Founding Member of the National College for DUI Defense conducted at Harvard Law School.

• Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys in Mississippi by the National Advocacy for DUI Defense.

• Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys in Mississippi by the National Advocacy for DUI Defense.

• Selected as one of the Top 10 Best Attorneys of Mississippi in for Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys.

• Selected as one of the Top 10 Best Attorneys of Mississippi in for Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys.

• Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Organization.

• Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Organization.

• Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AWARD OF MERIT for 1989 from the Mississippi State Bar given to one Attorney in the State each year for outstanding contributions to the practice of law.

• Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AWARD OF MERIT for 1989 from the Mississippi State Bar given to one Attorney in the State of Mississippi each year for outstanding contributions to the practice of law.

• Voted “Best Attorney in Oxford, Mississippi” in the Grove’s Choice Awards.

• Voted “Best Attorney in Oxford, Mississippi” in the Grove’s Choice Awards.

• Member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys

• Member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys

• Member of the National League of Renowned Attorneys - Top 1%

• Member of the National League of Renowned Attorneys - Top 1%

• Awarded the United States Congressional Medal of Distinction by RNCC.

• Awarded the United States Congressional Medal of Distinction by RNCC.

• Member of the American Jurist Institute - Top 10 DUI/DWI Attorney for Mississippi

• Member of the American Jurist Institute - Top 10 DUI/DWI Attorney for Mississippi

• Member of the American Society of Legal Advocates - Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in the State of Mississippi

• Member of the American Society of Legal Advocates - Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in the State of Mississippi

• Selected by the Attorney and Practice Magazine as one of Mississippi’s Top 10 Attorneys, et cetera.

• Selected by the Attorney and Practice Magazine as one of Mississippi’s Top 10 Attorneys, et cetera.

Fried catfish poboy and french fries served at Ajax Diner.

PHOTO COURTESY: AJAX DINER

Andrew “Ranger” Kielak of The Chilcoot, Calif., is in the middle of a staggering feat: walking from the East to West Coast. Kielak’s journey — which began in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and will end in Pismo Beach, Calif. — brought Kielak to Oxford on April 20.

Kielak explained he decided to take on this task, which requires him to walk 20 to 36 miles a day, in hopes of leaving a legacy.

“(As a freshman in high school) I heard the quote ‘every man has two deaths, (the first is) when he is buried in the ground, and the (second is the) last time someone says his name,’” Kielak said on his website. “This quote got me obsessed with the idea of ‘legacy’ and ‘being remembered after I die.’”

Kielak is also using the opportunity to raise money for the Future Farmers of America, Bigger Than The Trail and the Hospice Promise Foundation. Thus far, Kielak has raised $4,000 of his $100,000 goal.

“One of the nonprofits I’m raising money for, The Hospice Promise Foundation, helped my Nana Rose and Papa Larry while he was going through hospice care for his Alzheimer’s diagnosis,” Kielak said.

In addition to The Hospice Promise Foundation, Kielak is raising funds and awareness for the Future Farmers of America and Bigger Than The Trail non-profit organizations.

Kielak said his journey thus far has been akin to a frog hopping across lily pads.

“The way that I describe it is that I am a frog getting across a pond,” Kielak said. “And there’s lily pads throughout. Columbia, South Carolina, was one, Little Rock, Arkansas, Oklahoma City, Amarillo. … It’s just easier for me to chunk down.”

While Oxford was a lilypad a bit off course, Kielak was happy to make the adjustment.

“While I was planning the route, I knew I wanted to go through their (Nana Rose and Papa Larry’s) hometown Okmulgee, Okla., and while looking at the map, I noticed I just barely missed Oxford,” Kielak said. “I’ve heard about Ole Miss and the rich history in the area, so I adjusted my route to make sure I can pass through and hit the area. I’m so glad that I was able to make it work because I met some great folks in the area like the Breckenridges and the folks at Stronger Together

A walk across America with a pit stop in Oxford

Oxford,” Kielak said. “I loved how community-focused the town is.”

Kielak shared that this aspect — interacting with unique individuals throughout his walk — has been especially meaningful and encaptures the purpose of his journey.

“The purpose of my walk is to highlight, learn from and work with people in the U.S. that are really making a difference in their communities,” Kielak said.

In South Carolina, he stayed with a man who owned a bird sanctuary. In Atlanta, Kielak stayed with a Great Pyrenese rescue group from which one of his host families bought their dog.

Before arriving at Towneplace Suites in Oxford on April 21, Kielak spent the weekend in Water Valley with the Breckenridges, a couple who dress as Mr. and Mrs. Claus every year for Christmas.

Kielak said that the compassion of strangers has been one of the pleasant surprises of this journey.

“What surprised me most is how willing people are to help,” Kielak said. “If you are doing something that people can get behind, whether it’s starting a business, a nonprofit or doing a walk — people want to help.”

Kielack said his fiancé has been especially helpful in both providing him with supplies and helping him find a place to stay when he arrives in larger towns.

When he stops in smaller areas, he must rely on the generosity of others for places to sleep.

“I’ve been pretty lucky just reaching out to people on social media,” Kielak said. “Family, friends, friends of friends, etc. have been letting me stay at their places.”

Kielak tries to plan where he is going to stay a few days in advance. He has roughly sketched out where he will be able to sleep until he reaches Arkansas.

Kielak travels with a threewheeled cart where he stores his supplies, including tents, a sleeping bag, a small air mattress, an extra pillow, blankets and towels, along with food and water.

“I try to keep three gallons (of water) on me at all times and try to refill every chance I get,” Kielak said. “Food-wise, it’s the kind of stuff you would assume … a lot of tuna, a lot of packaged meats, tortillas (and) granola bars. I have my pill diet every morning, which is a bunch of vitamins.”

Kielak restocks at grocery stores along the way and relies on the donations and support of friends and family to fund his journey.

In addition to unexpected generosity, Kielak described another thing that has surprised him thus far.

“I didn’t know that feet could blister that way,” Kielak said.

PHOTO COURTESY: ANDREW KIELAK

Andrew “Ranger” Kielak

PHOTO COURTESY: ANDREW KIELAK

What Ole Miss can learn from back-to-back National Champions UConn

TEDDY KING thedmsports@gmail.com

During its back-to-back NCAA Championship runs, the University of Connecticut Huskies Men’s Basketball team has set itself up as an example for other NCAA teams.

UConn Coach Dan Hurley has cemented himself as a basketball icon. In his eighth season with the Huskies, Hurley led a UConn team that dominated a talented Purdue Men’s Basketball program in the finals of the 2024 NCAA Tournament to win a second consecutive championship.

Ole Miss Men’s Basketball ended its 2023-24 season with record-breaking statistics, including the largest recorded attendance in the Sandy and John Black Pavilion as well as 10 consecutive home game wins.

To build on this success, the Rebels can learn a few

things from UConn’s powerful championship runs.

Actively recruiting

Hurley and UConn know how to search for talent and prioritize areas on the team that need improvement.

Similar to Ole Miss Football Coach Lane Kiffin, Beard and the men’s basketball staff are working to recruit players and fill voids from the transfer portal in addition to creating combo players that make for dangerous threats to other SEC Teams. Beard has already brought talented players — including Mikeal Brown-Jones, Malik Dia and Davon Barnes — to the roster.

In-game transitions

Another key characteristic of the Huskies is their ability to quickly transition on the court. A team that is able to easily transition from of -

fense to defense is likely to be successful in any sport.

If the Rebels focus on being able to smoothly and quickly transition in games when playing powerhouse SEC Programs — such as Auburn and Tennessee — Ole Miss will be able to close that scoring gap and get off a lot more shots.

Maintaining attendance at games

Most athletes can attest that having high attendance at games brings energy and excitement to the arena.

UConn —widely known as a basketball school — attracts a consistently large and fiery crowd to nearly every home game. Students and fans traveled across the country to cheer on the Huskies during their appearance in the NCAA National Championship in Glendale, Ariz.

Beard has already creat-

ed an environment that Ole Miss students and fans look forward to being a part of.

Ole Miss Basketball had the largest attendance ever recorded in the SJB Pavil -

ion during the game against Mississippi State on Jan. 30. Beard looks to carry that momentum into Ole Miss Basketball’s upcoming season.

LUKE DUNAVANT thedmsports@gmail.com

SEC fans rejoiced when they heard the news that former Kentucky Basketball Head Coach John Calipari was leaving Kentucky, but they were quickly brought back down to earth when it was announced that Calipari will be replacing Eric Musselman as the next coach at Arkansas.

The Ole Miss Men’s Basketball team is coming off of a much-improved season under first-year Head Coach Chris Beard, and they have done very well in the portal, but a new hot bed for transfers has appeared in the SEC. So, how does

Calipari’s move to Fayetteville, Ark. affect the Rebels?

Calipari is one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history, but after a couple seasons fell short of fans’ expectations, Big Blue Nation started to turn on him.

Still, Calipari always brings in incredible talent. It is unclear whether many of his Kentucky recruits and players will stay at Kentucky or transfer to another school, possibly following Calipari to Arkansas. No matter what his former players and recruits decide to do, Calipari will most certainly have to build through the portal, as the Razorbacks currently have one player on their roster. This could prove worrisome for

Ole Miss, as Arkansas is now an even bigger and brighter transfer destination than before.

Players want to compete for Coach Cal, and that could lead to some of the high-caliber players in the transfer portal choosing him over Beard and Ole Miss.

With Kentucky hiring Brigham Young University’s Mark Pope — who led BYU to the NCAA tournament in 2024, only to lose to No. 11 Duquesne in the Round of 64 — the Wildcats will not be going away anytime soon.

The Wildcats will surely lose players to the portal, and that bodes well for the Rebels. Beard is already using the portal, having nabbed

All-SoCon forward Mikeal Brown-Jones and Belmont star forward Malik Dia.

Aside from returning guard Jaylen Murray, Ole Miss has positions to fill and could offer high-tier SEC minutes to any quality transfer player.

The Rebels will be a tough out for nearly any team next year, but they have a much tougher schedule on paper now. This past season, Ole Miss defeated Arkansas in their regular season matchup, but it was one of the few conference wins on their schedule. Now, Arkansas is back to being a team that everyone — not just Ole Miss — needs to watch out for.

There was a massive domino effect because of the coach -

ing carousel this offseason. SMU lost its coach because it is joining the ACC, and USC lost its coach to fill the SMU job. Arkansas lost Musselman to USC, Kentucky lost Coach Cal to Arkansas and BYU lost its coach to Kentucky.

Within the conference, Arkansas will ultimately get better with Coach Cal, and Kentucky found a coach they are confident can bring them success.

As for the Rebels, things just got harder, but Beard and the Ole Miss Men’s Basketball Team might have the ability to counter these moves in the upcoming season. Working

Chris Beard coaches during a timeout against Arkansas in The Pavilion on Jan. 24.

HAILEY AUSTIN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

John Calipari answers questions from reporters after being introduced as Arkansas men’s basketball coach on April 10, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark.

PHOTO COURTEST: MICHAEL WOODS /AP PHOTO

Lady Rebels Softball win over Southern Miss

After being swept by the Texas A&M Aggies over the weekend, Ole Miss turned its attention to the Southern Miss Golden Eagles for its midweek home game on April 23.

Heading into the game, Ole Miss stood at 25-22 overall and 3-15 in the SEC, while the Golden Eagles stood at 20-23 overall and 8-10 in the Sun Belt Conference.

Late into the season, both teams sought to gain a much-needed win.

Ole Miss fell behind in the first inning on a single from USM shortstop Maria Smith.

However, the Rebels answered back quickly with a hit from left fielder Jaden Pone, a sacrifice fly from first baseman Paige Smith and a home run from designated player Lexie Brady. The Rebels were up 3-1 at the conclusion of the first inning.

The Golden Eagles then tied it up in the top of the second inning off of an error from Smith.

From then on, the Lady Reb-

els and Lady Golden Eagles were in a stalemate, trading defensive inning for defensive inning. That was until the fourth inning when Ole Miss second baseman Agelina DeLeon, shortstop Ryan Starr and center fielder Jalia Lassiter rattled off hits to put the Lady Rebels in scoring position.

Lassiter’s hit, coupled with an obstruction call, resulted in two runs for Ole Miss — making the score 5-3 at the bottom of the fourth inning.

Southern Miss gave the Lady Rebels a scare by getting runners on the corners with only one out in the top of the sixth inning –– the only form of offensive success USM had garnered since early in the game. With Ole Miss being up by only two runs during this time, they did not have a big margin for error.

After a pitching change to put in left-handed pitcher Brianna Lopez, Ole Miss was able to get out of the jam without giving up any runs, leaving USM runners on base to close the inning.

The Lady Rebels got more insurance runs in the bottom of the

sixth inning off a two-run home run from DeLeon that upped the score to 7-3, effectively silencing any whispers of a USM comeback.

Despite having two errors that put them in sticky situations, Ole Miss was still able to take care of Southern Miss quite easily, which allowed them to go into the

top of the seventh comfortably.

At the heart of it, this game was a defensive battle, but both teams amassed seven hits to supplement their respective offenses; however, the Lady Rebels got more use out of them.

Ole Miss held onto its 7-3 lead at the conclusion of the seventh inning, reaching its 26th

win of the season before heading into this weekend’s SEC series. What’s next?

Ole Miss will stay at home, hosting the Auburn Tigers for a three-game series from April 26-28. The first game will begin at 5 p.m. Friday. SEC Network will broadcast the game.

Ole Miss Baseball defeats

9-4

After losing two of three games to Georgia in an SEC series in Athens last weekend, the Ole Miss Baseball team hosted North Alabama on April 23 in a midweek match.

In a messy yet victorious outcome, Ole Miss topped North Alabama 9-4. This game was a reflection of a competitive Ole Miss team still working to improve.

The Rebels look to carry Tuesday’s winning mindset heading into their series against Alabama later this week.

What looked good

The team limited strikeouts, with six throughout the entire game.

Overall, the batting average of the team for the game was .251, meaning that the Rebels got a hit about every four at bats –– a pretty statistic to see on paper.

This feat was accomplished in spite of using 12 batters throughout the game, as Ole Miss Head Coach Mike Bianco did a good job at knowing when to substitute pinch hitters.

The pitching as a whole was much improved from the beginning of the season, with the staff as a whole totaling 14 strikeouts, allowing just eight hits.

Despite giving up two home runs, the Ole Miss defense was able to stay composed and take care of business in every other way. Each pitcher might not have had a perfect performance individually, but they showed promise as a collective group.

What didn’t look good

The hitting was carried by only a couple of players and a few careless walks by North Alabama. Six batters, out of the 12 total, were held without a hit in their victory, making the .251 batting average even more impressive.

While Ole Miss did pull out the win, the overall performance was not up to par for a typical Ole Miss Baseball Team.

The Rebels left five runners on base, which luckily did not come back to haunt them because North Alabama also left five on base. Overall, a decent hitting performance but not a great one.

While a few pitchers struggled as a whole, a few pitchers

struggled individually. Grayson Saunier got the start on the mound and only made it through four innings, striking out three batters and giving up a home run.

Despite having three strikeouts, Saunier struggled throughout all four innings, giving up four hits. The rest of the contributing pitchers, five other players, all pitched one inning each and had limited success.

Who’s next

The Rebels start a threegame series on Thursday, April 25 in another big SEC series against the No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide in Oxford.

Ethan Groff holds the bat at home plate during a game against Mississippi State on April 12.

PHOTO: DANIEL LAUBHAN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Delaney Rummell and Jamie Mackay cheer during a game against Western Kentucky on April 15.

PHOTO: ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

LUKE DUNAVANT

thedmsports@gmail.com

With the 2024 NFL draft approaching on April 25, a few Rebels have decided to take their skills to the next level. Many of the players entering the draft were key contributors for Ole Miss during their time in Oxford, and many of them improved their draft stock throughout the 2023-2024 season.

Cedric Johnson, Daijahn Anthony, Zakhari Franklin, Deantre Prince and DeShawn Gaddie Jr. headline a group of Rebels hoping to hear their names on draft night. These players could go anywhere from rounds four through seven and have clear best fits based on position of need and overall playing style.

Cedric Johnson

Best fit: Minnesota Vikings

Cedric Johnson is coming off a 40-tackle, six-sack season and has set himself up to be a well-known force in the draft. Johnson has one of the higher floors in the draft but he also has one of the lowest ceilings. The Vikings are in desperate need of edge help. Weighing in at 260 pounds, Johnson is a standup, classic edge rusher. If drafted by Minnesota, he should be able to find consistent playing time in a relatively weak edge room.

Daijahn Anthony

Best fit: Kansas City Chiefs

Daijahn Anthony was the star safety for the Ole Miss Rebels in 2023, coming off of a 61-tackle, three-interception season. Anthony is a skilled safety who plays with an oldschool style. The safety position is evolving into a more coverage-oriented role. He is not concerned with interceptions as much as he is with tackling.

The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the hottest teams in football, coming off of back-to-back Super Bowl victories. The Chiefs

already have Justin Reed at one safety, and a few younger players at the other one. Anthony would be a perfect match for Reed, an interception machine. If drafted by the Chiefs, he will be among some serious competition, but his elite tackling skills should serve him well.

Zakhari Franklin

Best fit: Green Bay Packers

Zakhari Franklin battled injuries all of last season, playing in only three games. Franklin was a highly touted receiver transfer out of the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he came off of back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns. Franklin, when healthy, is one of the most consistent receivers on the field. While he might not be explosive like some other receivers, he catches nearly everything and averaged around 12 yards per catch in all four of his years at UTSA.

If Franklin had played all year, he could have been one of the top receivers in this class, alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze. Franklin’s current health concerns have caused him to drop on draft boards, but there is optimism that he could be very good if he is able to recover. The Packers have a lot of explosive wide receivers,

such as Christian Watson and Jaydon Reed, but they are missing a consistent player; Franklin could be just that for the team.

Deantre Prince

Best fit: Las Vegas Raiders

Deantre Prince is probably the best Ole Miss Rebel entering the draft. While his numbers — 36 tackles and a single interception — might not jump off the stat sheet, Prince shuts down most any receiver he covers.

Prince got on many teams’ radars after running an outstanding 4.38 40-yard dash, the fifth-highest among corners at the combine. After the combine, Prince made it clear that he is seeking to finetune his abilities as a player.

“Coming out of (the Combine), I knew what I needed to work on, like my shuttles, L drills and things like that,” Prince said in an interview with The Grove Report. “I need to get a better vertical as well. I worked on those things during my time off, and when it came to my pro day, I had to make sure that I upheld on my end and made sure that (the scouts) knew I was working.”

The Raiders desperately need corner help. Prince would most likely be an instant starter or at the very least a pretty good returner.

DeShawn Gaddie Jr.

Best fit: Los Angeles Chargers

DeShawn Gaddie Jr. did not play much last year for Ole Miss, having only nine tackles and playing in six games. Most og

Gaddie Jr.’s production came during his time at North Texas, where he recorded 82 tackles in his last two seasons there.

The Chargers need a safety

to pair with superstar Derwin James. If picked by the Chargers, Gaddie can fit really well with James, and they could form one of the best tackling duos in the league. Gaddie could develop coverage skills, but he will earn his money with his tackling.

Entering one of the most significant stages of their careers, these players will have the opportunity to represent Ole Miss in the NFL, with Rebel fans cheering them on along the way.

Highly ranked competitor in sporting events; 67- Rose; 68- Denials; DOWN 1- Water: Sp.; 2- Squealed; 3- “Not guilty,” e.g.; 4- Specimen; 5- Kilmer of “The Saint”; 6- “Hold On Tight”

Daijahn Anthony prepares for a sprint at Ole Miss Pro Day on March 27.

JOHN MATTHEWS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Spring concerts

This past weekend, country superstar Morgan Wallen returned to Ole Miss campus for his long-anticipated concert at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Last year, Wallen frustrated many attendees by canceling his Sunday night show. But this time, Wallen delivered a full set list, ringing music through the rainy night on April 20.

Late April in Oxford is a season when musicians from all over journey to campus and the Square to entertain students and residents alike. The Double Decker Arts Festival is around the corner, but it is hard to forget that the university has left an event off its schedule this year — the free spring concert.

Without the spring concert, students were left without a staple Ole Miss experience. In previous years, the spring concert has hosted famous musicians such as Riley Green, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Wiz Khalifa.

This year, squirrels and studying students are the only features the Grove will host until convocation.

The Student Activities Association shared that they will not host the spring concert this year because they want the student body to take advantage of other entertainment options (Mississippi Day, Double Decker Arts Festival, etc.).

Don’t get me wrong, Double Decker is a wonderful event and concerts at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium are revolutionary, but students expect the spring concert. What better way to take in the beauty of our unique campus than by listening to famous musicians put on the performance of a lifetime in the Grove?

sonable to expect many students to enjoy the festivities.

Wallen attracted tens of thousands to the Ole Miss campus, but because of the high prices, it was unrea-

This may represent a notorious theme plaguing Oxford: high prices. Now worse than ever, students are paying the price to enjoy the Ole Miss experience. The cost of living in Oxford has skyrocketed to an absurd level within a couple of years and off-campus housing costs have infuriated much of the student population.

David Ramsey is a junior public policy leadership major from Madison, Miss.

Hopefully, 2025 will bring the spring concert back to the lineup of festivities at the end of the school year. If not, the Double Decker Arts Festival will have to suffice.