Ole Miss Opens Its Doors for a Day of Discovery and Fun

Mississippi Day is an interactive open house showcasing learning, activities and community spirit

By Marisa C. Atkinson

The University of Mississippi campus will be all abuzz with activities April 12 as it hosts its annual Mississippi Day. This ultimate outdoor open house will celebrate and showcase the opportunities the flagship offers.

The event will be open 10 am–2 pm on the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union Plaza, the Circle, and Business Row. This free event is open to the public and will have shuttles running from parking at the Ford Center and Tad Smith Coliseum.

“Visitors can expect to engage in hands-on learning activities offered by UM’s academic departments and other units,” said Emily Ferris, associate director of outreach. “These activities will allow visitors of all ages to participate in learning and academic discovery.”

The university created Mississippi Day four years ago to exhibit the exciting opportunities and resources Ole Miss offers, as well as demonstrate the university’s contributions to the state, nation, and world. This year, all 10 colleges and schools on the Oxford campus will participate with more than 70 individual booths.

Families can enjoy kid-friendly activities such as games, stuff-a-pup, a rock-climbing wall, and inflatables. Performances, demonstrations, and food vendors are also scheduled.

“Mississippi Day allows members of the public, families, alumni, UM faculty, staff, students, and prospective students to engage with the Ole Miss community in a new and exciting way,” Ferris said. “It provides them with a unique experience of learning that is memorable and fun.”

One unique experience comes from the University Libraries‘ IDEAlab maker space, which offers students, faculty, and staff space for video creation, research poster printing, 3D printing and checking out laptops, cameras, and tripods.

The staff has noted an increase in questions about 3D printing, said Elizabeth Batte, outreach and strategic initiatives librarian.

“So, this year we partnered with Sarah Katherine Glass (IDEAlab program coordinator) to create a 3D printing petting zoo,” Batte said. “We are highlighting different filaments, textures, and printing styles for visitors to come and ‘pet’ and learn about the different capabilities of a 3D printer.”

The Department of Music will also highlight the array of opportunities it offers throughout the year to the community. Besides educational materials and giveaways, the department’s booths also will offer interactive experiences, said Nancy Maria Balach, department chair and professor.

“Mississippi Day is exciting because it highlights the variety of our department,” she said. “We will have opera performances, yoga demonstrations, an instrument ‘petting zoo’ and a percussion performance.”

The department will also host its inaugural songwriter showcase following Mississippi Day festivities, at 7:30 pm in Nutt Auditorium. It is also free and open to the public.

In addition to the Mississippi Day festivities, Ole Miss will host its Junior Preview Day from 8:30 am to 3 pm, Meet the Rebels at 1 pm in the Manning Center, and Baseball against the University of Tennessee at 4 pm.

“It is an opportunity to have fun with a wide range of people,” Balach said. “You’re going to learn about disciplines and departments in a way that is extraordinarily fun as well as informative.”