Miss America to Visit Ole Miss

Nina Davuluri hopes to raise awareness of cultural diversity

Nina Davuluri, Miss America 2014

OXFORD, Miss. – Miss America 2014 will visit the University of Mississippi next week to raise awareness concerning her national platform, “Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency.”

Nina Davuluri, who was crowned Miss America in September, will participate in an “Evening with Miss America” Nov. 21 at Fulton Chapel. The 6:30 p.m. event is free, but tickets are required. They are available at the UM Box Office while supplies last.

Miss America and UM representatives Courtney Pearson, 2012 Ole Miss homecoming queen, and Ty Allushuski, assistant director of admissions, will interact with students and community members during an open forum discussion about social media’s influence on society.

Upon being crowned as the first Indian-American Miss America, Davuluri launched a social media campaign to “encourage constructive and civil dialogue on diversity issues.” She encourages fans to share their experiences on advancing cultural awareness in America.

“I want to use this opportunity to encourage positive dialogue among all Americans about the ways in which we are all unique and how that makes us stronger as a country,” Davuluri said.

Sam Haskell, chairman and CEO of the Miss America Organization, will host the event.

–Dennis Irwin, Ole Miss Newsdesk