The Daily Mississippian | May 6, 2024

CONGRAT U LATIONS Class of 2024

PHOTO

ARE YOU READY for graduation?

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

6:00 p.m. – Graduate School Doctoral Hooding Ceremony

The Sandy and John Black Pavilion

Thursday, May 9, 2024

11:00 a.m. – School of Pharmacy

The Sandy and John Black Pavilion

3:30 p.m. – School of Law

The Sandy and John Black Pavilion

7:00 p.m. – Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College Ceremony

The Sandy and John Black Pavilion

Friday, May 10, 2024

9:30 a.m. – Business School Master’s Degree Ceremony

The Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts

12:00 p.m. – School of Education

The Sandy and John Black Pavilion

12:00 p.m. – College of Liberal Arts Master’s Degree Ceremony

The Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts

3:30 p.m. – School of Applied Sciences Master’s Degree Ceremony

The Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts

4:00 p.m. – School of Business Administration

The Sandy and John Black Pavilion

7:00 p.m. – Patterson School of Accountancy

The Sandy and John Black Pavilion

Saturday, May 11, 2024

9:00 a.m. – Convocation

The Grove

*In the case of inclement weather, The Sandy and John Black Pavilion

11:00 a.m. – School of Engineering

The Sandy and John Black Pavilion

11:00 a.m. – General Studies

The Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts

The General Studies ceremony will be a ticketed event. Guests MUST have a printed ticket to be admitted to the ceremony.

2:30 p.m. – School of Journalism and New Media

The Sandy and John Black Pavilion

6:30 p.m. – College of Liberal Arts

The Sandy and John Black Pavilion

Sunday, May 12, 2024

9:30 a.m. – School of Applied Sciences

The Sandy and John Black Pavilion

Since 1970

• 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

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

- 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.

Class of 2024 seniors reflect on their years at UM

The class of 2024 had a unique freshman year experience. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, students had to navigate online learning and feelings of isolation in addition to the typical challenges that college students face.

Four years later, ready to walk across the graduation stage, members of the class of 2024 reflected on their time at the University of Mississippi.

Senior criminal justice major Deja Johnson said she experienced the negative effects of COVID-19.

“During freshman year I would describe myself as scared,” Johnson said. “I didn’t really do much. I wasn’t a part of any organizations on campus. Classes were hybrid (because of the pandemic), so I really barely left my dorm if it wasn’t for work or food. I was always in my dorm doing homework or just watching TV.”

Senior biological science major Caitlin Thrash entered college in the middle of the pandemic as well. Thrash was focused on maintaining some form of normalcy

that COVID had any impact on how much I’ve changed during college. I think COVID primarily impacted the end of my high school career,” Hosey said. “Submerging myself into all the good that comes with being an Ole Miss student had the most impact on changing me.”

Thrash said that although the pandemic caused the students to miss out on some key freshman experiences, it is part of what brings the class together.

“I loved my college experience so much,” Thrash said. “Granted, there were a few things I think that the seniors wish we could have had our freshman year, but we had our own unique experience that helped shape us into a fantastic graduating class. I will always love the friends I have made here and the experiences that I have been so lucky to be a part of.”

When the UM campus opened back up in 2021, the class of 2024 was able to get a taste of the typical college experience.

Johnson is a member of the Xi Zeta chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. She said her involvement has opened many doors for her throughout her time at the university.

during her freshman year.

“I would describe myself as a driven student who was learning how to balance school, being away from home for the first time and making new friends as well as navigating involvement on campus during COVID,” Thrash said.

Thrash said that, although the pandemic was a difficult experience, she did not let it change her as a person.

“I don’t think that COVID had much impact on how much I changed as a person during college, but it definitely did make some of our experiences during freshman and sophomore year look different than they traditionally would,” Thrash said.

For some, including senior biochemistry major Kasia Hosey, the pandemic had little impact on their freshman year experience.

“I don’t necessarily think

validation.”

Thrash described the academic and social changes that she has been through.

“I would say the biggest change that I have observed in myself academically is my ability to learn more efficiently and thoroughly rather than just understanding class information on a surface level,” Thrash said. “As far as social changes I would say that I have become much more confident in my abilities in leadership and friendships, a lot of which is due to my friends who have pushed me to be the best version of myself.”

Hosey, Thrash and Johnson all gave advice to incoming students.

“To the incoming freshman, I’d simply say to not wish a moment by. When school is stressful, remember that a singular grade does not dictate your entire future –– even though it may feel like it,” Hosey said. “Your time at Ole Miss is one you’ll never want to give up, but it’s only as good as you allow it to be.”

Thrash said that getting involved is one of the best decisions she has made since entering college four years ago.

building relationships now, and I promise you won’t regret it”

Johnson and Thrash also gave advice to rising seniors.

“Finish strong. If you didn’t have an amazing (first three years), it doesn’t matter,” Johnson said. “If you don’t have the GPA your friends have, at the end of the day your diploma will say the same thing: ‘The University of Mississippi.’ So, stay true to yourself and be a light for someone else.”

Thrash’s sentiments were geared toward slowing down and taking in the last few moments of college.

“I would tell rising seniors to

“Being an active member of (Sigma Gamma Rho) affected me in so many ways,” Johnson said. “I was able to meet people and network with a lot of different faculty and staff when it came to booking events or looking for a keynote speaker at those different events. I believe I’ve benefited greatly from joining this great sorority. It has helped me grow as a person and a leader.”

Hosey described part of her academic experience.

“I describe the fall of my sophomore year as ‘the trenches’ because it was probably the most crippling period of my undergraduate career academically,”

Hosey said. “I wouldn’t say that I took my hardest classes of college this year, but this was the year that made me break my need for academic

“I would tell incoming freshmen to get involved on campus in whatever way you can, whether it is clubs, sports, greek life, or academics,” Thrash said. “There are so many fun ways to get involved, and you will meet so many new people through those experiences who may open doors for you down the road. I would also tell them to just remember that every single freshman is in the same boat and to not be too hard on yourself as you learn over the course of the year.”

Johnson echoed Hosey and Thrash.

“(You have) to get involved,” Johnson said. “You Don’t have to wait until your sophomore or junior year to start joining organizations; start forming connections and

enjoy every single second of their last year because it goes by so fast,” Thrash said. “One day you will blink and Ole Miss will be posting ‘10 days to graduation,’ and it will feel so surreal. Enjoy every second that you have with your friends whether it is studying or getting dinner together.”

Working Day- 5 DAYS IN A WEEK

Working Hour– DAYS FLEXIBLE Salary is $30 per Hour

JOB DUTIES

Provide

my Mother

Caitlin Thrash

Kasia Hosey

Deja Johnson

A LOOK BACK AT THE SEMESTER

PHOTO BY COLIN KENNEDY, THE OLE MISS YEARBOOK

Student workers in the Center for Manufactoring Excellence on Feb. 26.

PHOTO BY HAILEY AUSTIN, THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

PHOTO BY MARIA RAMIREZ, THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. strolls during Union Unplugged on Feb. 29.

Moussa Cisse stands along side Arkansas players during a game in The Pavilion on Jan. 24.

PHOTO BY COLIN KENNEDY, THE OLE MISS YEARBOOK

Students work on a photography project in the Grove on Feb. 23.

PHOTO BY ANTONELLA RESCIGNO, THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Jariy Copeland, a firefighter at Oxford Fire Departmet Station 1, loads the fire engine in preperation for the next callout on Feb. 6.

PHOTO BY LYN MOORE, THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Beto O’Rourke signs reader’s books on March 8 in Square Books.

A LOOK BACK AT THE SEMESTER

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ACROSS 1- Tortilla topped with cheese; 6- Long luxuriant hair; 10- Wagon; 14- Audibly; 15- Yellow spread; 16- Baseball’s Felipe; 17- Act badly; 18- Vegas gas; 19- Former Virginia senator Charles; 20- Patsy; 21- Eyeglasses, for short; 23- Columbus’s birthplace; 24- Composition; 26- Driving hazard; 27- Worldly; 29- Consumed; 31- Golfer Aoki; 32- Claw; 33- Egg ___ yung; 36- In spite of; 40- Barely manage, with “out”; 41- Cool!; 42- Customer; 43- Seine spot; 44- Jughead’s pal; 46- Rice-___; 48- Tremble; 49- Stan’s partner; 50- Bailiwicks; 52- ACLU concerns; 55- Noticed;

56- Rock star Clapton; 57- Brief appearance; 59- Part of MIT; 60- Diplomat’s forte; 61- Improve; 62- Cong. meeting; 63- RR stops; 64- Blair of “The Exorcist”;

DOWN 1- Scottish refusals; 2- Mater preceder; 3- Collaborate; 4- Simple shelter; 5- Black Sea port; 6- Medium of exchange; 7- One of the Baldwin brothers; 8- Modernists; 9- Very long time; 10- Sway; 11- By oneself; 12- Android; 13- Orchestral heavyweight; 22- Chum; 23- First American to orbit Earth; 25- Winter fall; 26- Greek portico; 27- Silver screen; 28- “Dilbert” intern; 29- Bridge positions; 30- Chorus voice; 32- Bangkok tongue; 33- Anglers; 34- That’s ___ haven’t heard; 35- Fiend; 37- Senseless; 38- Actress Garr; 39- Web-footed swimming bird; 43- Indicates a direction; 44- I’ve got it!; 45- Mischievous person; 46- Coeur d’___, Idaho;

PHOTO BY ANTONELLA RESCIGNO, THE OLE MISS YEARBOOK

UM students participate in goat yoga on April 15.

PHOTO BY RILEY MCCOY, THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Conner Smith’s band performs at the Double Decker Arts Festival on April 26.

From college to the real world: what post-grad life looks like for UM seniors

As the school year draws to a close at the University of Mississippi, a palpable sense of anticipation fills the air. For seniors, this moment signifies the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. With graduation less than two weeks away, thousands of students are preparing to cross the stage in the Grove — ready to embark on their journey into adulthood.

Boasting a 91.42% employment rate after graduation, it would seem that most graduates at UM have their future plans figured out. Here is what some of the university’s seniors are doing after they take that momentous walk at graduation.

Jacob Gallagher

Jacob Gallagher, a senior biology major from Laurel, Miss., plans to pursue a research opportunity at Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology, where he hopes to research brood parasitism among different bird species in Australia before applying to graduate school.

“I’ve had a few classes at the school that were really influential and a few professors that helped push me towards the research route, and I’m really excited to further my

studies,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher said he is worried about his chances of getting into a graduate school after taking a year off.

“I wanna get more field experience and more stuff on my resume. I haven’t actually gone through the application process yet for grad school since I’m trying to get as much stipend money as possible,”

Gallagher said.

Still, Gallagher urges students to talk to their professors when they need help.

“If you have questions about jobs or grad school or internships, definitely talk to your favorite professor. They’ve been through it all and they’re so helpful,” Gallagher said.

Jaycee Pilcher

Jaycee Pilcher, a senior biology major from Richland, Miss., is planning to continue his studies through a physician assistant program at Mississippi College.

“When I started at Ole Miss, I was hoping to attend medical school.

My first time hearing about the PA profession was actually from a TikTok differentiating M.D.s from PAs,” Pilcher said. “I’m excited

to move on to the next thing and continue my education in something I am passionate about.”

During his time at UM, Pilcher also worked as an Emergency Medical Technician, which furthered his passion for medicine.

Pilcher advises current students to go outside of their comfort zones during their college experience.

“Branch out. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and actually try to get experience in what you’re doing,” Pilcher said. “This is the best time to learn the most about yourself.”

Abby Young

Abby Young, a senior business major from DeKalb, Ill., is planning on returning to her hometown and working with sales in the TQL logistics department.

“I’m most excited about learning something new. I don’t know much about trucking logistics, and that’s something I’m looking forward to learning about. Also having my own money in a salary job will be awesome,” Young said.

Though enthusiastic about graduating, Young expressed leaving the university is bittersweet.

“Yeah I’ll miss this place. I’ve had

some really good times here,” Young said. “I’m honestly surprised I made it out in four years.”

Young gave a few words of advice for current students to follow as they explore future career paths.

“Really try to network with people. Go to career fairs. I never wanted to go, and I was always super nervous, but once I started going and getting contacts, it was much easier to find a job. My LinkedIn was like a machine,” Young said.

Abby Clement

Senior integrated marketing communications major Abby Clement from New Orleans plans on working as a marketing and communications specialist for a North East Power Company in Oxford.

“I started out as an intern and got the position through my IMC 455 class, then they offered me a full time position. I chose this because I love marketing and I get to stay here in Oxford,” Clement said. Clement is looking forward to the future, but also reflects on the growth she has made in college.

“Looking back on it, you never realize how much you grow in college,” Clement said.