Thursday, October 4, 2012


Donald Cole is speaking at the Overby Center on Thursday for "Ole Miss after the Crisis."

Hayden Phillips
JOUR 271
Oct. 14, 2012
Ole Miss after the Crisis
406 Words

            UNIVERSITY, Miss. – Three Panelists gave their thoughts on how the University of Mississippi has progressed within racial discrimination. With David Sansing, the Ole Miss historian, as the moderator of the discussion, the Overby Center on campus had a packed crowd on Thursday.
            “It is exciting that after 50 years, we, the University, are taking a look in the mirror. An honest look,” said Valeria Ross, the assistant dean of students for multicultural affairs and volunteer services.
            It has been 50 years since James Meredith was admitted into the University of Mississippi as the first African American student to attend the school. This time, with the anniversary, is very important to Ole Miss and the students and faculty. As Ross said, it is important that we, as a whole, reflect on the ups, downs and trials that African American students have gone through at The University of Mississippi.
            The other speakers were Gerald Walton and Donald Cole. Each panelist spoke for about 20 minutes reminiscing from his or her experiences on the matter. Attention was kept tight since they all had interesting and relevant stories to tell.
            “It is great that the school is showing respect and concern during this time for what has happened,” said Jake Reed, a student at Ole Miss.
            Gerald Walton was the dean of the liberal arts school at Ole Miss in the late ‘70’s. Walton has done many good things throughout his career at the University. He started the Black Studies Program here on campus and got Cleveland Donald to be in charge of it.
            Cole, a faculty member and administrator at the University of Mississippi, displayed his recollection of stories from when he was at Ole Miss starting in 1968. He enrolled as an African American just six years after Meredith had been admitted and said that rebelliousness had not slowed down at all for the students.
            “Protesting was natural to us. It was going on all over the country with Vietnam and everything. We were protesting way left though. We even wanted the sports teams to be integrated,” Cole said with a hint of joking sarcasm.
            Ultimately there was light shown on students and faculty during the discussion.
            “Yes, it is true that we have a lot to be guilty of but the best we can do is go and sin no more,” Walton said.

Source Contact Info:
Jake Reed - 662-379-5253 

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