The Daily Mississippian | March 6, 2025 by The Daily Mississippian

MISSISSIPPIAN THE Daily

Thursday, March 6, 2025

University considers cap on freshman admissions

AKAYLA HUGHES News Contributor

Chancellor Glenn Boyce told the Associated Student Body in its formal Senate meeting on Tuesday, March 4, that the University of Mississippi is considering capping freshman admissions at 6,300 to 6,400 students.

“The freshmen class next year is exploding again. The applica-

tions are up (to) over 40,000. We will probably land in the neighborhood of about 6,300 to 6,500 freshmen for next year,” Boyce said. “We are not slowing down, and there comes a time when we are going to have to cap and stop (accepting applicants). We will probably stop around that 6,300 to 6,400 mark.”

The announcement comes after three consecutive years of increases in enrollment at the

university. In fall 2024, freshmen enrollment was 5,973 students, according to the university. Boyce did not give a time for when a cap would take effect.

Boyce also talked about providing more on-campus housing options. In recent years, the university has accommodated the growing student population by housing freshmen and up-

SEE ADMISSIONS PAGE 2

The University of Mississippi has “taken steps” to meet the U.S. Department of Education’s Feb. 28 deadline to reassess diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and programs.

In a Feb. 14 letter sent to educational institutions receiving federal funds, which led with the salutation “Dear Colleague,” the DOE called for reevaluation of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on the basis that they lead to discriminatory practices that violate Title VI of the 1946 Civil Rights act, which prohibits discrimination in institutions that receive federal funding.

The letter indicated that universities had 14 days to take appropriate measures to assess compliance.

“We have reviewed the ‘Dear Colleague’ letter, and the U.S. Department of Education’s recently released Frequently Asked Questions,” Jacob Batte, director of news

and media relations, said in an email statement to The Daily Mississippian on March 5.

“The FAQs helped clarify the scope of the Dear Colleague Letter. We have taken steps to align the university’s strategic initiatives and will continue to review our programs and make adjustments if necessary.

FAQs on the Department of Education’s website provide answers regarding the use of racial preferences and stereotypes in education. Some questions clarify Supreme Court decisions pertaining to admissions, equal protection and how the DOE will proceed with non-compliant institutions.

Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum addressed the Department of Education’s 14-day notice in an email addressed to colleagues on Feb. 28.

“We’ve worked closely with (Institutions of Higher Learning), state and federal leaders to understand the

Lady Rebels take on Mississippi State in SEC Tournament

LILY GREEN Sports Staff Writer

Ole Miss Women’s Basketball is headed to Greenville, S.C., for the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Lady Rebels enter this year’s competition as the No. 7 seed and will face No. 10 Mississippi State today. Mississippi State beat Missouri in the first round of tournament play 75-55. This win marked the first postseason tournament win for Mississippi State Head Coach Sam Purcell. In the 2024 SEC Tournament, Ole Miss made it to the semifinals after defeating Florida in the first round. Ultimately, the Lady Rebels fell to LSU 75-67 and missed out on a spot in the SEC Championship game.

The Lady Rebels finished regular season competition at 19-9 overall and 10-6 in SEC play. Some of their notable wins this season include Top 10 wins over No. 8 Kentucky and No. 7 LSU. Ole Miss also clinched a Top 25 win against then No. 23 Vanderbilt.

Following their Top 10 upset over LSU on March 2, head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin became the first coach in program history to achieve more than 10 conference wins in four consecutive seasons. This season, senior guard Madison Scott and senior forward Starr Jacobs have been standout leaders for Ole Miss. Scott led the team in points, averaging 11.9 per game. Scott also

CAMERON LARKIN News Editor

Madison Scott pulls up for a shot during a game against Oklahoma in the Pavilion on Feb. 6.

ALANA AKIL / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Chancellor Glenn Boyce addresses ASB senators at their meeting on March 4.

CHRISTIAN TOLLIVER / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

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perclassmen in master-leased, off-campus apartment complexes. Many students also now live in private, off-campus housing.

“When we did our dorm research, we were roughly 3,500 beds short from where we should be, based on our population,” Boyce said. “Our plan is for all our freshmen to get back on campus and for our upperclassmen to have the option to live on campus. Given the cost of living in Oxford, I would live on campus in a heartbeat.”

A July 2024 survey from RentCafe found the average rent for an apartment in Oxford was $1,834 per month. A third of the apartments in Oxford charge more than $2,000 in rent per month, and the remaining apartments charge anywhere between $700 and $1,500 per month.

On campus, the dorm rates range from $2,948 to $4,307 per semester, depending on the dorm and number of roommates.

The university will provide 7,260 bed spaces for the 202526 academic year. On-campus residence halls and Campus Walk consist of 5,687 bed spaces. The other 1,573 spaces come from the master leases. Boyce did not give specifics of the university’s plans to increase the number of on-campus bedspaces.

Boyce also said the university plans to implement a new intra bus system next year.

“We’re going to have a new intra bus system this next year,” Boyce said. “The intra bus system

DEI

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steps we must take to comply with this directive to the best of our ability,” the email read. “This effort includes changes to website language, nomenclature on campus and policies concerning student organizations. It’s important to understand that we were given two weeks to comply with this directive. Today — Feb. 28 — is the deadline to be in compliance. We are anticipating state legislation related to some of these issues as well.”

Keenum also said MSU has engaged in active dialogue with national higher education organizations, as well as its congressional delegation, to ensure it takes the correct measures to comply with federal law.

In addition to this, the email says that MSU is anticipating state legislation related to some of the issues raised in the DOE letter. There are currently two bills being considered in the Mississippi Legislature that would impact DEI programs at educational institutions in the state.

House Bill 1193, which passed Feb. 5 with a vote of 7441, prohibits “public schools, state accredited nonpublic schools and public postsecondary educational institutions from creating, promoting and implementing diversity, equi-

is only going to run inside the university and to the apartments.”

Boyce also discussed upcoming campus construction.

“We’re going to have about $500 million worth of construction going on during your time here. That does not make us the prettiest campus like we want to be, but the progress is amazing,” Boyce said. “We have to modernize, so students (will) want to come here.”

According to the Department of Facilities Planning, current construction includes the Data Center Facility, updates to dormitories and a new parking structure.

In addition to Boyce’s comments, two executive positions were filled during the meeting.

Caleb Ball, a senior political science major, was confirmed as vice president in a unanimous vote. Riley O’Neal, a senior public policy major, was confirmed unanimously as secretary.

A series of bills was also introduced during Tuesday night’s meeting.

Senate Bill 25-2 introduced a revision to the ASB Constitution and Code to list the qualifications, elections and duties procedures of President Pro Tempore in Titled II, Section 106.

Acting President Pro Tempore Andrew Nichols, a junior public policy leadership and economics major, proposed the bill, which passed with a vote of 16 against and 31 in favor.

“Every other executive qualification has that full-year stipulation in them,” Nichols said. “One important thing when you are writing code is to keep things consistent. Precedents and consistency matter. Trying to change the wording or apply

ty and inclusion programs.”

Senate Bill 2515 passed Feb. 6. with a 34-14 vote. This bill, which is also related to DEI, is being referred to as the “Requiring Efficiency For Our Colleges and Universities (REFOCUS) Act.”

MSU joins a growing group of educational institutions that have responded to the DOE’s directive.

In a university-wide statement, Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway said that diversity is necessary for the growth and success of a classroom. Holloway also said the university would review the letter’s contents to figure out the best way to move forward, while also maintaining university beliefs and practices.

“As we strive to foster a community where faculty, staff and students from all backgrounds are able to thrive, we will review the ‘Dear Colleague’ letter to ensure the university’s policies and practices continue to be consistent both with the law and with our institutional values,” Holloway said, according to The Daily Targum.

The American Council of Education sent a rebuttal on Feb. 25 calling on the DOE to rescind the 14-day notice. This letter was co-signed by 68 higher education organizations, according to Marquette Today.

“The Department should encourage inclusive and welcoming educational environments for all students, regardless of race or ethnicity or any

different periods than the other part would not make sense.”

Senate Resolution 25-3 urged the ASB Secretary’s office to disseminate resources for all students on the ASB website to know their rights and freedoms.

Senator Paul Winfield, freshman public policy leadership and economics major, introduced the resolution which listed “religious freedom rights, students’ rights, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, protection against discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin or disability, disability policies, the University Bill of Rights, the University Creed and immigration rights.”

The Senate passed the resolution after adding an amendment for it to include the U.S. Bill of Rights and the Mississippi Bill of Rights.

“My goal is to get it disseminated so that people know what their rights are,” Winfield said. “Many international students did not take a high school government class; they do not know the rights that they have.”

Senate Resolution 25-4 urged the university to waive the outof-state fee for dependents of veterans through a scholarship provided by the Yellow Ribbon Legislation, an educational assistance program for veterans and service members eligible for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, according to the Office of Financial Aid. Senate Resolution 25-1 was unanimously approved, urging the Department of Student Housing to grow the Hall Council Program.

The Senate also voted unanimously to appoint committee members for ASB OneUM, an initiative led by the ASB Principle of Inclusion and

other factors,” the ACE letter said. “Indeed, Chief Justice Roberts’ Supreme Court majority opinion in the SFFA case acknowledged that diversity-related goals in higher education are both ‘commendable’ and ‘plainly worthy.’”

Colorado State University President Amy Parsons sent a press release on Feb. 18 in response to the DOE’s letter. Within the release, Parsons said her university is in compliance with federal directives; however, she noted that there will be administrative adjustments.

“Starting today, CSU will begin to adjust to the new federal directives. We will shift some employee job duties and human resources policies and processes, and we will make some changes to CSU’s websites to reflect the institution’s compliance with federal guidelines,” Parsons said in the CSU press release.

The University of Montana conducted a “compliance audit” following the DOE’s 14-day notice.

According to the Montana Free Press, the University of Montana has asked its department heads to begin sifting through websites, grants, policies and recruitment and hiring practices to identify “points of friction” with federal guidelines laid out in the “Dear Colleague” letter.

Cross-Cultural Engagement to promote cultural awareness.

For Women’s History Month, Senate Proclamation 25-1 recognized the late Maralyn Howell Bullion, the first female ASB President for her accomplishments at the university during World War II. The proclamation was passed unanimously.

Senate Proclamation 25-2 recognized the honor societies

at UM that participated in the Honor Society Fair, and Senate Proclamation 25-3 congratulated the Traditional All-Girl Category cheer team for winning their first national championship.

The meeting concluded with a vote for Senator of the Year. The winner has yet to be determined.

Caleb Ball is sworn as ASB vice president on March 4.

CHRISTIAN TOLLIVER / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Old in years, young in minds: Lifelong Learners prove education has no age limit

JESSICA JOHNSON News Contributor

At ages 73 and 76, Chris Koban and her husband, Jack, are not your typical students at the University of Mississippi, but they are just as eager to learn.

“I always think it’s kind of funny as we go walking across campus, like who do people think we are?” Chris Koban said.

Through the Lifelong Learning program, the Kobans are back in the classroom — for free.

The program, offered by the Office of Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (PDLL), waives tuition for individuals 65 and older to take one academic course per semester up to

number can fluctuate based on interest and the number of new qualifying individuals, according to Boston.

The Kobans have taken courses for six semesters, including classes from the religion, finance, history and political science departments. This spring, they are enrolled in Rel 326: Saints and Sexuality.

“After I did the first homework, I was like, ‘I wonder what these kids think of us,’” Chris Koban said. “What would I have thought if my grandparents had shown up for a Saints and Sexuality class with me when I was in college?”

For some Lifelong Learners, stepping onto a campus where the majority of students are younger than

“After I did the first homework, I was like, ‘I wonder what these kids think of us. What would I have thought if my grandparents had shown up for a Saints and Sexuality class with me when I was in college?”

- Chris Koban

courage to take that step.”

Over time, Hadenfield saw the experience as a way to reconnect with his youthful side.

four credit hours. This does not include additional fees for books or online courses.

“First, what you have to do is apply to the university to be admitted. … The application fee is normally waived for them,” PDLL Director Mary Leach said.

Once accepted, students browse available courses and rank their top choices. Assistant Registrar Merchell Boston manages enrollment, making sure students can take classes for credit or audit them, depending on instructor approval.

Each semester, approximately 30 students enroll as Lifelong Learners, but the

them can be intimidating. The average age of an undergraduate student at UM is 20 years old, and only 4% of students are age 25 or older, according to the UM Common Data Set from 2023-2024.

Larry Hadenfield, another Lifelong Learner, felt this hesitancy on his first day on campus.

“I was nervous the first day, even getting on the bus, because I was riding the bus to campus,” Hadenfield said. “And just getting on the bus, you’re getting on with a bunch of 20-yearolds, and they all looked at me like, ‘What are you doing here?’… I think it took some

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“Outside of class, being a Lifelong Learner energizes me because when you’re on campus and you’re among all these youthful, energetic kids, it transfers that energy and that vibrancy to me,” Hadenfield said. “And that’s what I really appreciate.”

Jack Koban also praised the quality of the classes at UM compared to his initial experience as a student at the university over 55 years ago.

“When I was here, the instructors were limited by their own experience and the textbook, whereas now the professors are unlimited,” Jack Koban said. “They have solid access to so much information. The depth of their knowledge is just so much greater than it was when we were here. I don’t think the other students understand what a treasure this is, to have the quality teachers they have.”

- Larry Hadenfield

The biggest motivating factor for Chris Koban to continue taking courses is to keep her mind active as she ages.

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“One of my biggest fears in life, I think, is to grow old and not keep up with technology. … I keep wondering, in 10 years, will I be able to keep up — or in 20 years, if I’m still

around?” Chris Koban said. We just kinda feel like if we don’t keep doing these things, we’re gonna get old fast.”

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Jack and Chris Koban

PHOTO COURTESY: CHRIS KOBAN

Student recitals amplify love and laughter

HALLIE DAVIS A&C Staff Writer

Frankie Amore and Linna Zheng will take the stage to perform their student recitals at Nutt Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7. Both artists will be accompanied by Instructor in Collaborative Piano Yoojung Kim.

Zheng, a junior music performance major from Fulton, Miss., said the theme of love is displayed throughout her music selections, Poème, Op. 25 by Ernest Chausson and Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major by César Franck. Poème, Op. 25 is inspired by Ivan Turgenev’s short story “The Song of Love Triumphant,” which explores themes of passion and longing as it tells the story of two young men falling in love with the same woman.

“I think both pieces of work have their own characteristics and uniqueness. Learning these two works has taught me how to become more authentic because I think, as humans, we learn from love,” Zheng said. Freshman music education major Charmaine Manzano looks forward to Zheng’s performance.

“I am really excited to see how she interprets each piece,” Manzano said. “With her previous performances I’ve seen her put a lot of feeling and emotion into them, which will tie into the theme of her recital very well.”

Preparations for this recital

have taught Zheng the importance of valuing every moment — both on and off the stage.

“There are numerous instances where I doubt myself, especially when I have technical difficulties with certain pieces of music. I think having those moments are important, as they allow me to evaluate myself and really think about the ‘why’ in music,” Zheng said. “My pianist, Dr. Kim, told me once during a coaching session that ‘the recital is not the end, but the beginning.’ There will always be unforeseen circumstances, good or bad, and the important thing is how we cope and learn with these instances.”

As for Frankie Amore, a senior music education major from Charles Town, W.Va., his recital titled “The Bassoon is a Joke” will use his music selection to show the audience a bit of humor surrounding an instrument with unique characteristics.

Amore will perform Songs for Wicked Children by Amber Ferenz, Aeon by Daniel Baldwin and Sonata “Abassoonata” by P.D.Q. Bach.

Amore’s music selections for his recital are intended to be in honor of Peter Schikele, who created a character by the name of P.D.Q. Bach, claiming he was the long lost son of the Bach family. In these pieces, he incorporates comedy, theatrics and bizarre instrumentation into classical music with the goal of blending humor into a form of music that many see as pretentious.

“When I heard Peter Schike-

le passed away in 2024, I knew that I wanted to make my senior recital (in honor of) him and his work by programming one of his pieces, along with two that fall into the variety of music he chose to write. This is also where the title for my program comes from,” Amore said. “‘The Bassoon Is a Joke’ not only pokes fun at the odd qualities of the instrument, but it also previews the program I will be putting on as many view P.D.Q. Bach works as ‘joke music.’”

As a pole vaulter for the Ole Miss Men’s Track and Field Team, Amore is tasked with balancing his art and athleticism. However, he sees this as an opportunity for growth rather than a hindrance.

“Balancing music and athletics has definitely been tough at times, but it’s something I’ve done my entire life,” Amore said. “The two can definitely take away from one another, but it truly does help prevent me from burning out or getting overwhelmed with one or the other.”

After several years of exercising his two talents, Amore has found ways to intersect the two and use them both as a constant form of expression.

“In terms of translations from music to athletics, I always try to combine the skills I have in both areas,” Amore said. “When I compete in pole vaulting, I always try to put on a performance like I’m on the stage. I wear fun socks, decorate my spikes and always try

to make my vaults look like art.”

Amore takes a complementary approach to the bassoon.

“In music, when I perform, I always try to incorporate movement and athleticism within my delivery of musical passages and attempt to

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Frankie Amore

PHOTO COURTESY: KATHRYN HOSP

BELLA MCCORMICK

A&C Contributor

The University of Mississippi has a strong record of producing successful business leaders such as Jim Barksdale, Lawrence Farrington, Frank Rogers Day, Brett Babcock and others.

In recent years, many students have taken entrepreneurial leaps of their own and discovered what it means to be a business owner.

One of those students is Kristian Bell, a senior psychology major from Grenada, Miss., who launched the art business PaintedByKbell.

Bell began painting during the COVID-19 pandemic while choosing to stay home from school during her senior year and care for her grandfather who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

“I chose to go virtual so I could sit with him every day and help take care of him. That’s when I started to paint, while sitting at his bedside,” Bell said.

Her business journey began when she painted artwork for her dorm room in Martin Hall. Soon after, messages started pouring in from other students interested in purchasing her work.

After realizing the demand, Bell launched an Instagram account, @PaintedByKbell, where she showcases her latest creations and offers custom paintings. Her works are done in an abstract style with bright and pastel colors.

“In the summer of 2021, I had tons of orders and made around $1,500. This was huge for me and gave me so much more confidence

From dorm rooms to boardrooms: Student entrepreneurs build businesses

in my work,” Bell said. “I have always been my toughest critic, so finding out that people thought what I was doing was worth paying for made me ecstatic. I would have never guessed I would be teaching painting classes and working on even bigger projects.”

After Bell’s grandfather died, she put her painting on hold to focus on her grief and academic commitments but eventually returned to art as a way to navigate the loss she experienced.

“I never wanted it to feel like a chore or a job because painting has always been a passion of mine. But once I started painting again, my business grew even more,” Bell said.

Balancing college and entrepreneurship is challenging, but Bell believes passion is key to success. Currently, PaintedByKbell is not taking orders as the end of her senior year and graduation approach. However, she will resume accepting them in the coming weeks.

PaintedByKbell is not the only successful student-run business. Addie Salter, a sophomore integrated marketing communications major from Brandon, Miss., launched her own business, Addie Belle Boutique, before arriving at Ole Miss. Salter started her online shop selling women’s clothing when she was 16.

“During quarantine, I was scrolling on TikTok when I came across a girl just a few years older than me who had started her own boutique,” Salter said.

“It hit me — I could be doing the same thing right now and continuing it through college.”

Salter realized her boutique had become a real business when she started receiving orders from across the country. Salter’s boutique sells dresses and tops, along with several styles of shoes and boots and accessories.

“At first, I assumed most of my sales would come from people I knew — friends, family or community members who just wanted to support me,” Salter said.

“But I was wrong. The majority of my orders were from out of state, from people who genuinely loved what I was selling. That was the moment it hit me. This wasn’t just a small side project; it was a real business with real customers.”

With help from her mother in the early stages, Salter turned her boutique into both a job and a passion.

“It’s a lot to manage, but it’s worth it,” Salter said. “I’m gaining real-world experience, learning valuable skills and building something of my own, all while earning my degree.”

Lauren Hill, a senior allied health studies major from Fayetteville, Ark., started The Lemon House — a food truck that sells fresh juices and protein-filled snacks — in October 2024.

Two years ago, Hill planned to attend dental school, but after realizing that nutrition was

something she wanted to pursue as a career, she changed her major to allied health studies.

“I am extremely passionate about nutrition and just juicing in general. I have seen firsthand how it has improved my health along with my family’s,” Hill said.

When asked how she manages her business and coursework simultaneously, Hill explained that it is not for the faint of heart, but she feels it is worth the effort.

“My business is run solely by myself, so it has been difficult learning how to complete my schoolwork and attend classes while making my products and keeping my food truck open; but it is completely worth it,” Hill said.

The Lemon House can be followed and supported through the Instagram account @TheLemonHouse.juice. Customers can find Hill and her truck at 2885 South Lamar Blvd.

All three entrepreneurs highlighted the strong community of student business owners at UM. Bell said she was not worried about creating a business as a student because she had seen many others succeed in similar ventures.

“I think it’s extremely encouraging to see so many people using their passions to profit and express themselves. I respect it a lot,” Bell said. “Seeing people that I was in school with become successful through one small business and turn it into a career is inspiring.”

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Oxford Quilts sews a community together

There were no small businesses in the Oxford area where local sewists could buy supplies and attend classes before April 2024.

To temporarily fill this void, Margie Hamilton started an online business after returning to Oxford from an extended stay in Alaska to look after her grandchildren.

Shortly after, Hamilton allowed people to come to her home to purchase supplies before finally opening Oxford Quilts in its current brick-and-mortar location at 1306 North Lamar Blvd.

“When I came back, there was no quilt store,” Hamilton said. “There was no place to go unless I went to Memphis or Tupelo.”

Hamilton believes that having a physical store for sewing supplies is important because it allows sewers to see and feel the materials they are purchasing.

“You can order things, but you never get what you think you’re going to get,” Hamilton said. “It’s always better to feel the fabric and look at it because the shades are so different on the internet even though they try their best to display the colors.”

Hamilton opened her store

not only to sell supplies but also to provide a place where people interested in sewing could gather and find community.

“I can have people come in. They can look around, they can intermingle with each other and they can bounce off patterns and ideas,” Hamilton said. “It’s really nice to sit here and listen to some of it.”

Although the name only mentions quilting, Oxford Quilts has a wide variety of supplies, patterns and re-

sources for all types of sewing.

One of the biggest resources that Hamilton’s business prioritizes is frequent and flexible classes for sewers of all levels.

“What I do is, I rotate the sewing and the beginner quilting, so if you miss one, don’t worry, we’ll have another one,” Hamilton said. “I also do private lessons for someone who gets intimidated with other people around and just wants to do it on their own.”

Hamilton emphasized that

sewing and quilt making is for everyone, including men.

“Some of our famous quilters are men. Some of the first longarmers were men. Being a tailor, a lot of men did that,” Hamilton said. “So it’s not gender specific to do sewing and quilting.”

Hamilton highlighted a resurgence of quilting among younger generations and encouraged anyone interested to take the leap and learn the craft.

“Anyone can learn to quilt. I can teach you to where when you leave here you know how to quilt in one day,” Hamilton said.

“I won’t teach you everything, but I can teach you enough to where you can start quilting.” Hamilton said that she has received a lot of support from the community, which pushes her to continue what she is doing.

“People in town are very supportive, and they have been saying ‘I am so glad you’re here,’ and that makes me feel good,” Hamilton said.

JAYLYNN CONNER Assistant Editor

Lauren Hill, founder and owner of The Lemon House

PHOTO COURTESY: BELLA MCCORMICK

The interior of Oxford Quilts

JAYLYNN CONNER / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Margie Hamilton measures fabric at her business, Oxford Quilts.

JAYLYNN CONNER / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Oxford Film Festival celebrates 22 years of uplifting independent filmmakers

PALEIF RASPBERRY

Malco Oxford Commons Cinema held the 22nd annual Oxford Film Festival Feb. 27-March 2.

Over the four days of the festival, nearly 100 feature and short films were screened.

Chriss Alison Huff, who has won awards from OxFilm three consecutive years, reflected on what makes the festival draw a crowd each year. In 2021, their documentary film “GenderF**K Drag” won in the Mississippi Shorts category.

“There’s just something about the fest that I think draws people in. For example, I’ve made all kinds of friendships with folks all over the world, and we barely talk throughout the year,” Huff said. “But for some reason, we keep coming back here all together, and we see each other, catch up and we spend the weekend together. It cultivates such an interesting space.”

Originally from the Bay Area in California, Huff has been a resident of Oxford since 2006 and attended the University of Mississippi for both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in art and Southern studies.

Latoria Hicks, the winner of the UM Student Award this year, is an alumnae from Ridgeland, Miss., who graduated in 2024 with a degree in film production. Hicks received the honor for their film “Voices of the Academy,” their Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College thesis documentary that highlights African-American vernacular English’s validity in academic environments.

“I remember when I was younger, the language I grew up hearing being described as the sound of the unintelligent. It wasn’t until I got older when I started hearing about this ‘slang’ being its own legitimate language,” Hicks said.

“So I went to Atlanta to talk to people who were studying this specific dialect, and that’s how this documentary came about.”

While this is the filmmak-

er’s first festival award, Hicks is not a stranger to the festivities.

“This is my third year attending OxFilm. I attended a couple of times when I was a student here, and what I really think makes it special is the connection to the community around it. It’s very quaint, it’s very intimate and it’s very close,” Hicks said. “If you’re looking for a very welcoming environment of people who just love filmmaking, Oxford is a perfect place for that.”

M-Alain Bertoni, from Winston-Salem, N.C., was a firsttime attendee of OxFilm with their short film “No Signal.”

Bertoni emphasized the personal feeling of the festival’s atmosphere.

“I like the fact that we’re surrounded by other filmmakers but also people from this community. I was in the town square earlier hearing people in stores talk about the film festival. It was really nice,” Bertoni said. “It’s similar to other small festivals in that it’s very intimate, but I feel like a lot of care and effort has gone into it.”

A standout film that screened at the festival was “Lavender Men,” which was directed and produced by Lovell Holder. The film received the Hoka Award — the highest honor of the festival recognizing exemplary filmmaking.

“‘Lavender Men’ follows a stage manager who invents an elaborate queer fantasia regarding Abe Lincoln’s private life in order to resolve some internal questions they’re having about their personal world,” Holder said.

Holder is a filmmaker based in Los Angeles who attended the festival for the first time.

“I’ve had a couple projects screen here previously. In fact, the first feature I ever produced, a movie called “Some Freaks,” won the festival in 2017, so when the opportunity came to finally visit Oxford in person with “Lavender Men,” I couldn’t say no,” Holder said.

“I think the one thing that really allows Oxford to stand out is the genuine southern hospitality of the entire programming and administrative teams

and making every filmmaker feel welcome and valued.”

Holder described the filmmaking process as an overwhelmingly positive experience.

“It was an incredibly rewarding process creating the movie,” Holder said. “We adapted it originally from a stage play, and we filmed it very quickly, but we were thankful that all of our lead actors were deeply prepared and committed to these stories.”

Mia Ellis, an actor and producer of the film from Madison, Miss., now based in L.A., shared a similar sentiment.

“The juxtaposition of one of the ‘great presidents’ side by side with a queer person of color who is trying to figure themselves out is intriguing but necessary to share because there are so many folks, whether they are queer or not, who are dealing with finding their place in the world,” Ellis said. “It speaks to allowing yourself grace and space to figure things out and to know that you have value.”

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so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 with no

A&C Staff Writer

The 2025 Oxford Film Festival award winners

PHOTO COURTESY: MARY FAYE KNIGHT

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led Ole Miss in assists and blocks, averaging 3.8 assists and 1.0 blocks per game.

Jacobs led the Rebels in rebounds, averaging 6.6 per game.

During the regular season, Ole Miss defeated Mississippi State 71-63. The Bulldogs have a weaker season record than the Rebels, as they finished 7-9 in conference play and 21-10 overall.

Despite their lower ranking, Mississippi State recorded more points and rebounds than Ole Miss.

Senior guard Jerkaila Jordan led the Bulldogs in points this season, averaging 16 per game. They also were strong with rebounding, as junior Madina Okot led the team with an average

of 9.4 rebounds per game.

In their first round win against the Tigers, four State players reached double digits in scoring. Destin McPhaul scored 19 points, Okot Madina scored 12 points and Eniya Russell scored 10 points. Jordan led the team with 21 points, and Madina led the team in rebounds with eight.

Jordan and McPhaul combined for 40 points to push a 30-0 run against the Tigers in the final minutes of the game. Additionally, the Bulldogs forced 20 turnovers.

If Ole Miss wins and moves onto the quarterfinals, they will face No. 2 Texas on Friday, March 7.

Tip off for Thursday’s match is set for 5 p.m. and can be streamed on SEC Network.

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Rifle coach Rachel Martin aims for academic and athletic success

RUSS EDDINS Assistant Sports Editor

Ole Miss Rifle coach Rachel Martin, in her second season with the Rebels, has led the team to its fifth straight NCAA Championship appearance. The NCAA Rifle Championships take place from March 14-15 in Lexington, Ky.

Growing up in Peralta, N.M., Martin showed dairy goats with 4-H, a youth engagement organization. Her dad coached the 4-H air rifle program and made Martin and her two sisters go to practices.

“I actually really genuinely did not like (rifle) at first because I was very bad and had very little talent for it; I really couldn’t grasp it,” Martin said. “But I think I quite enjoyed that challenge. So then I kept shooting through high school.”

She attended the University of Nebraska on a rifle scholarship and was a dominant athlete for the Cornhuskers. Martin won an individual NCAA Championship in smallbore in 2015 and earned seven All-American honors from 2014-17. Additionally, she led Nebraska to four consecutive Top Eight team finishes.

“There were a lot of times where I wasn’t the best shooter on the range,” Martin said. “But I was the most irritating in the sense of I kept showing up. You couldn’t get rid of me.”

She graduated in 2017 and moved to Colorado Springs to train at the United States Olympic Training Center. She represented the USA in seven World Cups and won sev -

en national championships.

“We (the Rifle World Cup) don’t get quite as much attention for it as soccer does. But it really was an honor to be able to go and do that and to qualify so many times,” Martin said. “And there was one that I remember I really did well in. I won gold in women’s smallbore, and that’s a feeling that you never forget.”

In 2018, she was the assistant coach for the Army West Point Rifle team. She helped the Black Knights finish sixth in the NCAA Championship.

After her lone season with Army, Martin returned to Nebraska as the head

coach for two years. She led the Huskers to two NCAA Championship appearances.

Martin left Nebraska to take the assistant coach job at Ole Miss in 2022.

“I shot for Nebraska in college, and it really was a great program. I worked with some amazing people,” Martin said. “It was a great, great job. I really like Lincoln, but I kind of wanted something different and a little new.”

Martin had been in Lincoln for six years before coming to Oxford. Ole Miss pursued Martin in high school, but she declined due the subpar rifle program

Ole Miss had at the time.

“I vaguely remembered liking Oxford and remembering everyone was really nice. It was a beautiful city,” Martin said. “So I actually took the job here without coming, because I was living in Scotland at the time, doing a degree there.”

Outside of rifle, the coach’s interests lie in studying national security. Martin is a student at Missouri State University pursuing a doctorate degree in defense and strategic studies with an emphasis in ethical warfare. In college, she specialized in Islamic terrorism.

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“Sometimes I ask myself why I’m doing it. It’s because it is pretty hard, but I really enjoy it,” Martin said. “And because I’m not competing anymore, I am still very competitive, and I really like to try things that I don’t think I’m going to be good at and work hard to then be good at it.” She also conducts research on various topics of global importance and presents her discoveries to conferences.

“I did one — a recent project — on energy security, which I knew nothing about, and I thought it was really boring. But actually it’s really fascinating,” Martin said. “I think it’s very important to be realistic of the situation that we are in.” Martin spends a lot of time balancing being a student and a coach, on top of planning her wedding in May.

“We have morning practices, and then, I’ll go to the office. But (after work), I just go home and study,” Martin said. “That’s really my life right now, and then I’m getting married in May. So (planning) that also has been a part of my life which I didn’t realize how difficult that was.” Martin gives all the credit for Ole Miss Rifle’s success to her team.

“They make it pretty easy because they’re a really good group of girls,” Martin said. “We’ve been very picky on recruiting and the type of individuals that we want to bring on to the team. … This year shows how that really does pay off in the long run.”

KK Deans drives to the basket against Texas in the John and Sandy Black Pavilion on Jan. 26, 2024.

LEXI TITUS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Rachel Martin

PHOTO COURTESY: OLE MISS ATHLETICS

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