Ole Miss Freshman Orientation Brings New Rebels to New Home

Incoming freshman cover the Ole Miss campus this summer for orientation.
Photo by Beth Harmon

Right now, the Ole Miss campus is teeming with future Rebels as the university hosts a two-day round of freshman orientation through tomorrow afternoon. Students from as close as Oxford to as far away as the state of Washington are taking part in the campus tours, freshman block party and opening festivities to ring in the Fall 2015 semester. While allowing ample time to socialize with other new students, orientation is a requirement for all incoming students to help them prepare for the upcoming school year. It allows them to register for classes, visit the department of their chosen major and meet with an academic advisor.

Parents gathered in Fulton Chapel to kick off their orientation.
Photo by Beth Harmon

Prospective students and their parents were welcomed to the university this morning during an orientation overview before breaking off into discussion groups to learn more about the college experience, expectations and life in Oxford.

Sporting memorable names such as “Ingrid’s Oranges” and “Ashley’s Sandals,” student discussion groups, led by Ole Miss orientation leaders, focused on the ins and outs of living on campus. “Basically, your food here is free,” one group discussed. “I think y’all are really gonna like it here,” said another.

Parents who may have been struggling with letting their student “out of the nest” were put at ease during the Monday morning family meeting. “Your son or daughter is our top priority here,” assured Martin Fisher, Assistant Director of Admissions for Orientation and Campus Visit Programs. Parents were also briefed on the university’s safety procedures as well as ways to keep up with their students’ progress in school.

When asked why they chose the University of Mississippi for their college education, students had various responses. But the overwhelming majority shared one similar answer: Ole Miss just feels like home.

Hadley Masters and Peter Grieb
Photo by Beth Harmon

“I chose to come to Ole Miss because my grandparents really support Ole Miss and it really feels like home,” said Max Lawson of Tupelo. Jack Harkins of Jackson agreed. “My mom went here and a lot of my friends are going here,” he said.

The looks of the Grove and last year’s football record brought Georgia residents Hadley Masters and Peter Grieb to Ole Miss. “The campus is really pretty,” Masters said. “I chose Ole Miss because they beat Alabama!” Grieb smiled.

The incoming freshman class will start classes Aug. 24.

Beth Harmon is is HottyToddy.com managing editor and can be reached at beth.harmon@hottytoddy.com.