OXFORD, Miss. – Adding $1.5 million in endowment for the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Mississippi is the goal of the Celebrating the Arts campaign, which will increase the total endowment to $3 million. Mississippi native and UM alumnus Gerald McRaney serves as the celebrity spokesperson. “It’s importantRead the story …
Celebrating the Arts Sets Big Goal for Ford Center
Campaign launches to build endowment for performing arts
September 12, 2018 by
Ford Center Set for Thursday Jazz Concert
The Hot Sardines bring mix of classics and original numbers
September 11, 2018 by
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi’s Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts will host The Hot Sardines for an evening of jazz on Thursday (Sept. 13). The band offers a traditional jazz music experience, playing original songs and covers. The group’s most recent album, “French Fries & Champagne,” held a No. 1Read the story …
Celebrated Dancers, Acclaimed Pianist Return to Ford Center
International artists to perform Sept. 20 at UM Honors Convocation
September 11, 2018 by
OXFORD, Miss. – Legendary dancer Alessandra Ferri and Herman Cornejo, star principal of American Ballet Theater, return to the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts for the Fall Convocation of the University of Mississippi’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. They will be joined by longtime friend and musical partner Bruce Levingston, acclaimed concertRead the story …
Blair McElroy Named Senior International Officer at UM
Ole Miss alumna brings global perspective, experiences to role
September 10, 2018 by
OXFORD, Miss. – During the 2017-18 academic year at the University of Mississippi, Blair McElroy watched over 877 international students as interim senior international officer. In that position, she served as an advocate for those students, ensuring their education at UM went as smoothly as possible, while also championing international education on campus by organizing internationalRead the story …
Gift Creates Women’s Council Scholarship
Couple honors the late Phyllis Shane by providing opportunities for others
September 8, 2018 by
OXFORD, Miss. – Mike and Cheryl Ducker have established the Phyllis Shane Ole Miss Women’s Council Scholarship Endowment in memory of Cheryl’s late mother with a gift of $125,000. While attending the University of Tennessee Nursing School, Phyllis Shane, of Kingsport, Tennessee, met her future husband, James. Soon after, she put her dream of becomingRead the story …
Couple’s Planned Gift to Support Two UM Endowments
Contributions to support scholarly work in Southern food and music
September 1, 2018 by
OXFORD, Miss. – Lynne Ann DeSpelder and Albert Lee Strickland, of Capitola, California, have partnered on many projects throughout their lives and someday, even in death, their collaboration will continue when their planned estate gift supports two programs at the University of Mississippi. The husband and wife will leave an estimated $1 million from theirRead the story …
UM Museum Gears Up for Busy Fall Programming
Variety of events will provide something for everyone
August 31, 2018 by
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi Museum and Historic Houses is ready for another semester of events and activities for children and adults. Each year, the UM Museum’s educational programming reaches more than 10,000 children in north Mississippi, providing valuable exposure to the arts and beyond. There is quite literally something for everyone, fromRead the story …
University Endowment Builds to All-time High of $715 Million
Strong investment returns, generosity of alumni and friends spurs growth
August 29, 2018 by
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi’s permanent endowment grew in its latest fiscal year to an all-time high of $715 million, thanks in part to the seventh consecutive year of new gifts of $100 million or more. Private support totaled more than $115.8 million from 30,332 donors, giving the university essential resources to continueRead the story …
Famed Actor Stars in Production of ‘Robert Frost: This Verse Business’
Gordon Clapp of 'NYPD Blue' performing in one-man show Thursday at Ford Center
August 29, 2018 by
OXFORD, Miss. – Emmy-winning actor Gordon Clapp, of “NYPD Blue,” stars in the one-man show “Robert Frost: This Verse Business” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 30) at the University of Mississippi’s Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Frost, who for nearly 50 years traveled around the country charming audiences with his celebrated verse andRead the story …
Whitwells Support Ole Miss Students
Oxford couple makes major commitment to Magee Center
August 25, 2018 by
OXFORD, Miss. – Ginger and Quentin Whitwell have found that living in Oxford, home of the University of Mississippi, gives them an opportunity to see the needs of college students “up close and personal,” inspiring their major support of the William Magee Center for Wellness Education. “It’s personal,” Ginger Whitwell said. “The University of MississippiRead the story …