Monday, May 9, 2022   
 
MSU Choctaw Preview Day welcomes prospective students
Fourteen Choctaw Central and Neshoba Central high school students got a look at college life April 26 when a 4-H career prep program took them to preview day at Mississippi State University. The young people met with MSU students who are fellow members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, or MBCI. They also examined one of the EcoCAR club's hybrid vehicles, heard about the admissions process and were given an idea of what the academic experience will be like. The students were hosted by the MSU Extension Service, who offered the 10-week Build Your Future program. The program is part of the strengthened partnership between the Choctaw Tribe and MSU, funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture "New Beginning for Tribal Students" grant with an MSU and MSU Extension Service match. The Build Your Future program focuses on college and career readiness. A highlight of the program was the Choctaw Preview Day, which brought the group to campus. Ra'Sheda Forbes, MSU vice president for access, diversity and inclusion, said the Indigenous Students and Allies Association is a place for students to find community. MSU's student body currently includes a diverse population from across the state, nation and world, with a small percentage identified as American Indian or Alaskan Native. "We want to create an environment at Mississippi State that is inclusive and supportive for our students, including our indigenous and tribal students," Forbes said. "We are working to increase the diversity of our student body."
 
Why Ulysses S. Grant May Receive a Promotion -- Nearly 140 Years After He Died
Two centuries after famed American soldier and statesman Ulysses S. Grant was born at Point Pleasant, Ohio, he may finally be up for a promotion. At a time when political divisions have polarized many in America, Democratic and Republican politicians have joined hands in bipartisan legislation to advance Grant's promotion to the rank of general of the armies of the United States. The Ulysses S. Grant Bicentennial Recognition Act, introduced by U.S. senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), passed unanimously in the Senate. The legislation has paved the way for President Joe Biden to raise Grant's rank above that of a five-star general -- an honor held thus far only by George Washington and Gen. John J. Pershing. "I hope it will be a moment to recognize Grant. It will be a statement by the country that he's important and that his service deserves to be valued," said Frank Scaturro, president of the Grant Monument Association and advocate for the proposal, in an interview with Military History. "He's not perfect, but nobody's perfect." Overcoming many personal struggles during his life, Grant was held in high esteem by many of his contemporaries and achieved an exceptional level of popularity among the American public. "In Grant's own time, he was seen as an equal of any of the greats," Scaturro said. "He had this preeminence that matched Washington and Lincoln. He was the most famous soldier in the world without any doubt at the time of his world tour and at the time of his death." Yet Grant's reputation after the war became mired in controversy.
 
Mississippi's first Tesla dealership is coming to Brandon. Here's how it happened
Mississippi's first Tesla dealership is expected to open this year in Brandon. Local developer RCI, LLC and Trihelm Properties have worked together to bring the car manufacturer, Tesla to Brandon. Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, manufactures and sells electric vehicles. Tesla was founded in 2003 by a group of engineers who said they wanted to prove that people didn't need to compromise to drive electric. It has become one of the leaders in performace EVs. Trihelm Properties co-owner Adam Savage said that when he and some others were brainstorming businesses that might move into the property, Tesla came up as pie-in-the-sky jesting. "We were kind of pot-shotting stuff, wondering who is the best tenant you could get in here. When Telsa was mentioned, there was a chuckle," Savage said. "I found someone online and sent them an email. The next thing I know they are flying out here to look at the property." Renovations are underway at 255 Mar Lyn Drive in Brandon to prepare the 25,000 square foot building and associated property for Tesla to begin operations later this year. "Working with Tesla has been very interesting," Savage said. "They have a lot of super intelligent people, and the way that they operate is totally different than the typical big company. It's been fun." The only other Tesla property of any kind in Mississippi is a service center in Pearl.
 
USDA: Farmers in 4 states can apply for drought loans
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says drought during the growing season has made farmers in most of Texas, all of Louisiana and parts of Arkansas and Mississippi eligible to apply for federal aid. The department's Farm Service Agency says low-interest emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of equipment or livestock. They can also be used to reorganize a farming operation or refinance certain debts. The agency will consider the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. USDA declares drought disasters if a county is under extreme or exceptional drought, or has had at least eight straight weeks of severe drought. Twenty-three Mississippi counties and 20 in Arkansas are primary disaster areas, with farmers and ranchers eligible to apply for loans in another 13 counties in Mississippi and 11 in Arkansas, according to news releases. Application deadlines vary according to when a county was declared an agricultural disaster area. That and other details are available on the Farm Service Agency website, fsa.usda.gov.
 
Marty Stuart statue unveiled at state museums
A statue of country music hall of famer Marty Stuart was unveiled at Mississippi's Two Museums in downtown Jackson Friday. The statue is covered with history of the Philadelphia native's long career in the music industry. The statue was done by master brown sculptor, Craig Campobella, who Stuart has known for years. Eventually, it will stand in Marty Stuart's Congress of Country Music Museum in downtown Philadelphia. But until the end of the year, it is part of "The World of Marty Stuart" exhibit at the museums. All over Camponella's creation are symbols of Stuart's life and career. The guitar he is holding, Clarence, is one of Marty's favorites, and the strap holding it is from Travis Tritt. On Stuart's hand is a replica of his wedding ring. There is a Grammy representing his 5 Grammys ( and counting). A feather represents his adoption into the Lakota Indian nation. The lyrics of the iconic song "The Pilgrim" are inscribed on the statue. Names of people and places that are dear to him are inscribed on his cape. There is a crow representing his song, "The Observation of a Crow". There are many other symbols to find and enjoy. Stuart was on hand for a press conference to announce the exhibit's opening and the unveiling of the statue. He walked through the exhibit explaining the history of each artifact to reporters.
 
Hyde-Smith joins ERDC leaders to dedicate heavy vehicle simulator
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith joined leaders from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) on Friday to officially dedicate the world's largest heavy vehicle simulator (HVS) at the ERDC's Vicksburg headquarters. "ERDC's expanded capability to test and prove better transportation infrastructure techniques will benefit not only our national security, but also states and cities as they ramp up upgrades to highways, bridges, and airports," Hyde-Smith said. "I have every confidence in the Army Corps researchers in Mississippi who will put this new heavy-duty simulator to work." Assembly of the HVS was completed in March and the ERDC researchers have started using it for testing. The HVS is a critical research tool used to evaluate new materials, design methods and construction techniques that can help optimize new infrastructure facilities. "The new HVS will allow us to build upon a long legacy of excellence in transportation infrastructure research and keep the Department of Defense, and our nation, ahead in supporting our warfighter and civil works missions around the country," said Jeb Tingle, senior scientific technical manager from ERDC's Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory. The new HVS, nicknamed the Titan, is the world's largest HVS and has the unique capacity to simulate ground vehicles, aircraft and rail traffic up to 120,000 pounds.
 
Falling through the gap: Moms, advocates discuss need for postpartum Medicaid extension
At first, Alexandria Garner was just tired. The Shannon native, 27, had given birth to her second daughter, Charleigh. For the first three months afterward, Garner was mostly sleep deprived from having to constantly pump breast milk. She brushed off her exhaustion as the normal "baby blues." The turning point came on suddenly. One day, while she and her husband were driving home after visiting her family, Garner felt as if she just couldn't do it anymore. Any of it. "I just had the strong urge to jump out of the car and jump off a bridge because it was just that terrible at that time," Garner said. Roughly three months post birth, Garner learned she was experiencing postpartum depression. Despite the severity, however, her first thought wasn't to seek therapy. She had already been cut off from her postpartum Medicaid, meaning she was uninsured and could no longer afford to do so. In Mississippi, the current postpartum Medicaid policy only offers 60 days of coverage, leaving very little wiggle room for new mothers to seek treatment before having to pay hefty out-of-pocket expenses. During the 2022 legislative session, the Senate passed a bill to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage to a full year, but it died in the House. With the future of similar postpartum legislation uncertain, two family advocates and two mothers who've received postpartum Medicaid shared the potential need and impact of extending the period of coverage.
 
Where Does the Anti-Abortion Movement Go After Roe?
For nearly half a century, the anti-abortion movement has propelled itself toward a goal that at times seemed impossible, even to true believers: overturning Roe v. Wade. That single-minded mission meant coming to Washington every January for the March for Life to mark Roe's anniversary. It required electing anti-abortion lawmakers and keeping the pressure on to pass state restrictions. It involved funding anti-abortion lobbying groups, praying and protesting outside clinics, and opening facilities to persuade women to keep their pregnancies. Then this week, the leaked draft of the Supreme Court opinion that would overturn the constitutional right to abortion revealed that anti-abortion activists' dream of a post-Roe America appeared poised to come to pass. The court's opinion is not final, but the draft immediately shifted the horizon by raising a new question: If Roe is struck down, where does the anti-abortion movement go next? The sprawling anti-abortion grass-roots campaign is rapidly approaching an entirely new era, one in which abortion would no longer be a nationally protected right to overcome, but a decision to be legislated by individual states. For many activists, overturning Roe would mark what they see as not the end, but a new beginning to limit abortion access even further. It also would present a test, as those who have long backed incremental change could clash with those who increasingly push to end legal abortion altogether.
 
Gov. Tate Reeves discusses likelihood of banning contraceptives on NBC's 'Meet The Press'
Governor Tate Reeves appeared on NBC's "Meet The Press" on Sunday, almost a week after a draft opinion from the Supreme Court of The United States had been leaked, suggesting that Roe v. Wade could be overturned. It comes months after justices heard arguments on Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban, and as more Republican-led states pass similar laws. Justices heard oral arguments for Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization back in December and the court's decision would not be finalized until it is officially published. Prior to his appearance Reeves took to his Twitter account to state that he and other pro-life advocates will continue to push for policies that "make abortion unnecessary." "What about contraception?" host Chuck Todd asked, in which he inquired about the effect that the abortion ban would have on contraceptive methods such as IUDs. Reeves stated that he does not believe it will apply to women who choose to use birth control. "I am trying very hard to make sure that everyone knows that the overturning of Roe certainly puts the decision-making on abortion policy back in the elective representatives in each of the 50 states. That's where decision-making was in America for the first 200 years before 1972. I believe Roe was wrongly decided."
 
Rallies held in Mississippi in reaction to Supreme Court abortion rights opinion
Rallies are being held across Mississippi in reaction to the leaked Supreme Court opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case. And students are active in discussions about abortion access. The anti-abortion rights group Students for Life held a national meeting on how to discuss the topic. During the virtual rally, organization President Kristan Hawkins spoke with students across the nation. Hawkins says "We are hoping and we are praying that those five votes still remain, the decision probably has gone through multiple drafts by now and there are different justices who have weighed in on different points. So we don't really know what the final decision may be." On the steps of the Mississippi Capitol building, abortion rights activists are calling on the court to uphold Roe v. Wade, and for national lawmakers to codify the right to an abortion. Masie Brown is a student at Jackson State and local lead at 601 for Period Equity. She says if Roe is overturned, it could disproportionately harm people of color and those living in poverty in the state. "I think that we in Mississippi have already acting on limited access as is, and so if that is completely stripped, I mean we were already living in a sort of post-Roe world," says Brown. Also attending the rally is Jade Denson of Starkville, a student who drove two hours to protest the court's draft opinion. She says abortion access is essential for those who may not be able to care for a child. "And I think that Mississippi can address the immense amount of poverty that we see, and the immense amount of evictions that we see," says Denson. "Because we're pushing people out of their homes, but we're not giving them anywhere else to stay, but we're also forcing them to have kids."
 
Court leak is catnip for those who love a juicy DC whodunit
Washington loves a whodunit. And the latest one comes with the stunning plot twist of a leak from the famously buttoned-up Supreme Court. The publication this past week of a draft opinion that said Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision establishing a constitutional right to abortion in the United States, was wrong from the start and should be overruled, has set off sleuthing from every corner of the capital. Who could possibly be behind such a glaring breach of trust? Why did that person choose to leak the draft? Why did that person choose a reporter from Politico? Who will investigate the matter? Will there be consequences? What will the court's ultimate opinion say? Washington, by nature, abhors a vacuum. So the two months before the court actually issues a final ruling will be filled with guesses, surmise, false starts -- and maybe even the truth about who is behind the leak. It's an intrigue in the tradition of Watergate's "Deep Throat" -- one of Washington's best-kept secrets for more than three decades; of Iran-Contra, with classified documents spirited out in a secretary's undergarments; of "Primary Colors," a roman à clef about a certain Southern governor. The Trump era provided almost an entire genre. Among them: an unidentified whistleblower's complaint about Donald Trump's phone call with the president of Ukraine and the writings of "Anonymous," a senior administration official who only stayed anonymous for about two years after he wrote an opinion piece and subsequent book slamming the president. The Supreme Court leak is "up there with the most important disclosures of this century and the last century -- maybe ever," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the private Project on Government Oversight.
 
In Ohio, Biden pushes bipartisan bill as way to curb inflation
President Joe Biden touted bipartisan efforts to move an innovation bill on Capitol Hill during a stop in Ohio on Friday, a state with competitive House races and a pivotal, multimillion-dollar Senate race this fall. Flanked by the state's two senators, Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Rob Portman, Biden told local officials and business leaders that measures such as the innovation bill would address inflation and supply-chain problems by encouraging more U.S. manufacturing. The pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have shown "the vulnerability when we become too reliant on things made overseas," Biden said after touring a United Performance Metals plant where parts were manufactured using 3D printing. "We learned the hard way that we can't fight inflation if supply chains buckle and send prices through the roof." Biden's visit to the Cincinnati suburb of Hamilton was to highlight the launch of AM Forward, a new voluntary effort to enhance additive manufacturing capabilities like industrial-level 3D printing. It's the latest in a series of stops by the president to tout various parts of his agenda, with the emphasis Friday on pushing Congress to finish a bipartisan package designed to bolster American competitiveness, especially in the production of technologies like semiconductors. The president gave shoutouts to major companies including GE, Honeywell, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and others. Though the Buckeye State will host high-profile Senate and House races this fall and with matchups set after primaries on Tuesday, Biden took a decidedly bipartisan approach in his remarks. The race to replace Portman, who is retiring, has already grabbed attention with Republican J.D. Vance, who had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, running against Ohio Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan.
 
Internet providers to cut broadband costs for low-income Americans
Millions of low-income Americans will be able to get high-speed internet service for no more than $30 a month under an agreement the Biden administration has reached with major internet providers. Twenty internet providers, including AT&T, Comcast and Verizon, have agreed to increase their internet speeds or cut the price of their services for eligible households, according to senior administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will announce the deal at the White House on Monday. The announcement is part of the administration's push to expand access to fast, affordable internet service in rural areas and on tribal lands. The bipartisan infrastructure law that Congress passed last year allows certain low-income families to receive a $30 monthly benefit or $75 a month on tribal lands to help pay for broadband service. Those who apply that benefit to one of the broadband plans covered under the deal to be announced Monday will essentially get high-speed internet service at no cost. About 48 million households, or nearly 40% of those in the country, are eligible for the broadband benefit. To make sure that eligible families take advantage of the offer, the administration will launch a website (GetInternet.gov) that will provide details about how they can sign up and find participating internet providers in their area.
 
Jill Biden visits Ukraine, making her first solo trip to a combat zone as first lady
First lady Jill Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine Sunday and met with the country's first lady, Olena Zelenska. It was the first time a U.S. first lady has traveled solo to a combat zone since 2015, when Michelle Obama visited Qatar's al-Udeid Air Base. Biden crossed the Slovakia-Ukraine border after a visit to the Slovakia side of a border crossing in Vysne Nemecke. She spent about two hours in Ukraine, visiting the city of Uzhhorod, in Zakarpattia Oblast in the southwest corner of the country. Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has been in hiding along with their children since the beginning of the war. This was the first time since the war began that Zelenska had emerged in public. Biden and Zelenska met at a school that has been converted into a shelter for internally displaced Ukrainians. Zelenska stepped out of a black SUV guarded by a Ukrainian soldier. Biden handed her flowers, and the two hugged. They then met in a small side room behind closed doors for more than an hour. When traveling press were briefly brought in, Biden said, "I wanted to come on Mother's Day. We thought it was important to show the Ukrainian people that this war has to stop, and this war has been brutal. And the people of the U.S. stand with the people of Ukraine." "We feel it," Zelenska responded.
 
No end in sight for Ukraine war as Putin hails Victory Day
Russian President Vladimir Putin used a major patriotic holiday Monday to again justify his war in Ukraine but did not declare even a limited victory or signal where the conflict was headed, as his forces pressed their offensive with few signs of significant progress. The Russian leader oversaw a Victory Day parade on Moscow's Red Square, with troops marching in formation, military hardware on display, and a brass band blaring to mark the Soviet Union's role in the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany. But his much-anticipated speech offered no new insights into how he intended to salvage the grinding war -- and instead stuck to allegations that Ukraine posed a threat to Russia, even though Moscow's nuclear-armed forces are far superior in numbers and firepower. He steered clear of battlefield specifics -- failing to mention the potentially pivotal battle for the strategically vital port of Mariupol or even uttering the word "Ukraine." Many analysts had suggested Putin might use his speech to declare some sort of limited victory -- potentially in Mariupol -- as he looks for an exit from the conflict that has unleashed punishing sanctions from the West and strained Russia's resources. Others suggested he might order a nationwide mobilization to beef up the depleted ranks for an extended conflict. Neither was forthcoming. As Putin laid a wreath in Moscow, air raid sirens echoed again in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared in his own Victory Day address that his country would eventually defeat the Russians.
 
The W's inaugural class of MFA in theater education graduates
Alyssa Algee was at a crossroads. After earning a bachelor's degree in theater from Mississippi University for Women in 2011, Algee decided she wanted to pursue the highest degree in her field. But Algee didn't want to quit her job as technical director of fine arts at Northwest Mississippi Community College (NWCC), so she was stuck. The W's master of fine arts in theater education allowed Algee to realize her goal and so much more. "This is THE program for the working teacher," Algee said. "As a full-time teacher, in any capacity, few are in a position to be able to leave a steady, reliable income to take three years off to pursue that terminal degree, so to find there is a program that works with you and your job -- priceless." Algee was one of seven students from Cohort 1 who graduated this weekend as part of The W's inaugural class. The MFA in theater education is a three-year, 60-hour degree that features online courses in the fall and spring semesters and a two-week summer residency for two years, followed by a thesis project. Since the program is geared toward theater educators, the basis of the thesis project will generally be a K-12 school production that the MFA candidate is directing, producing and/or designing. David Carter, chair of the Department of Theater, has spent much of the last six years developing and implementing the plan for the MFA in theater education. He said the program has been tweaked in the past few years to ensure the course material is more relevant to the students.
 
USM campus workers hold rally, call for higher wages
Southern Miss workers, students and members of the community joined together Thursday at Danforth Chapel Fountain on the university's campus to call for a $15 hourly minimum wage for campus workers. The lowest-paid campus workers receive an annual salary of $21,000, roughly $10.50 an hour, according to Sam Ewing, adjunct professor of art history at Southern Miss. "If we want to be a place that's welcoming to students, that's supporting the students, we've got to support the people who make this university work," Ewing said. "We know we're worth more, and we're out here demanding it because we know the university can do better." Southern Miss Chief Communications Officer Jim Coll said faculty and staff members are paid "well above legally mandated minimum wage rates" and are given personal and medical leave time along with additional benefits. "The University of Southern Mississippi values its employees --- all of whom are instrumental in helping the institution fulfill its important teaching, research and service missions," Coll said. The more than two dozen attendees of the rally marched around campus chanting "What do we want? Fifteen. When do we want it? Now," and holding signs calling for higher wages before delivering their petition to Southern Miss President Rodney Bennett. "I've got my materials, so we'll take a look at it. ... Thank y'all for being here," Bennett said.
 
Millsaps College Awards Founders' Medal to Five Graduates in Class of 2022
For the first time in the 132-year history of Millsaps College, five graduating students have been awarded the Founders' Medal. The Founders' Medal is presented each year to the senior with the highest grade point average for the entire course of study. To be considered for the award, students must have begun their course of study as a first-year student at Millsaps, completed all work required for their degree, and earn a grade of "excellent" on their comprehensive examinations. "We have never, in the history of the college, had this many students in a single class achieve this status -- and they did it in the midst of a global pandemic and serious disruptions to the academic process," said Dr. Keith Dunn, provost and dean of the college. Students earning the medal were: Anna Grace Boxx from Bay St. Louis, Miss., who earned her Bachelor of Science in environmental science; Mary Frances Dickie of Jackson, who earned her Bachelor of Arts in English; Newlon Bryce Gillihan of McComb, Miss., who earned his Bachelor of Science in biology; Paul Starnes Thomas of Hattiesburg, Miss., who earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with a double major in economics and business administration; and Taylor Kay Weintritt of Metairie, La., who earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in economics.
 
Meridian Community College hosts two commencements honoring Class of 2022
Meridian Community College graduates took the spotlight on the Evangel Temple stage as they were applauded receiving their diplomas and or certificates during two commencement ceremonies held Friday. Five of the graduates earned three prestigious scholarships for their academic achievements and campus and community involvement. Avery Bryan, Caleb Clearman, and Jacob Vance received the H.M. Ivy Scholarships. The scholarship is named after Dr. H. M. Ivy, the founding father of MCC. Ivy Scholars are selected based on academic excellence, extra-curricular participation, financial need, and faculty appraisals. All three scholars will receive $3,600 for their junior year of study at senior institutions and provided their academic excellence continues, $3,600 awards for their senior year of study. Bryan, 20, of Collinsville, is a poultry science/pre-veterinary major who plans to continue her studies at Mississippi State University. She hopes to own her animal practice someday. At MCC, she is captain of the tennis team, a member of the Phil Hardin Foundation Honors College at Meridian Community College, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes vice president. Clearman, 20, of Meridian, will continue his studies at MSU, studying astrophysics. He aspires to work at NASA or SpaceX. President of MCC's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Clearman, is also an officer in the organization's regional chapter. In addition, he is vice president of the College's student government and a member of the Honors College.
 
Lawmakers, Fired Up Over What Schools Teach, Target Library Materials
The push for parents' rights in their children's schooling has a fresh target: research databases used by millions of students for in-class and homework assignments. State lawmakers are promoting legislation to stiffen oversight of material in the databases because, they say, the collections sometimes contain obscene, even pornographic, material that students may encounter inadvertently. Database companies and library associations dispute that charge and say the digital libraries are valuable resources for student research. The databases -- assembled by research companies such as Ebsco Information Services and Gale, part of Cengage Group -- are collections of newspaper, magazine and journal articles, as well as ebooks and other resources. State agencies, libraries and school districts typically contract with the companies to make the databases available to students, who can access them in class as well as through local libraries and online accounts. Conservative parents' groups have mounted various challenges to the databases since at least the mid-2010s. The rise of parents' rights groups in the past few years, focused on issues of race and gender in school curricula and classroom discussion, has added fuel to the database effort. Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed into law this week a bill passed by the state's GOP-controlled Legislature that would require companies to verify that their databases block access to obscene content and prevent users from viewing material harmful to minors, as defined under current law. School districts could withhold payment to a database provider if it failed to do so, under the bill.
 
U. of Alabama awards more than 5,000 degrees at spring graduation
The University of Alabama awarded more than 5,000 degrees during spring commencement exercises this weekend at Coleman Coliseum. According to UA, the spring class of 2022 included 4,306 undergraduates, 1,478 master's degree candidates and 123 doctoral degree candidates. UA's spring graduating class included students from 31 countries, all 50 states and 66 or Alabama's 67 counties. The class had a grade point average of 3.503 and included 1,145 students who identify as minority, 564 first-generation college students and 465 applicants with multiple majors. A total of eight graduation ceremonies were spread out over Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the coliseum.
 
U. of Tennessee once again will require ACT or SAT scores
All campuses in the University of Tennessee system will go back to requiring standardized test scores, such as the ACT or SAT, for students applying for the fall 2023 semester. The university paused its testing requirement for two years during the height of the coronavirus pandemic when testing centers closed down to mitigate the spread of the virus. In response, universities across the U.S. went "test-optional," meaning that students could submit test scores if they had them, but they weren't required to. UT followed suit. But as the world continues to adapt to the coronavirus, UT is returning to its prepandemic policy, which requires students to submit scores from the SAT, ACT or both. "The chancellors and I, and our colleagues at the system and campuses, are extremely thankful for the very thorough engagement we have had with the board regarding the test optional exception we made to our admissions practices for the last two years to accommodate our students during the COVID pandemic which made testing less available," Boyd said in a statement. "Based on our review and the thoughtful conversations at our recent board meetings, the campuses do not intend to bring forward any proposed revisions to the university's admissions policies."
 
U. of Florida seems to endorse new state anti-CRT law
The University of Florida is telling faculty members not to run afoul of the state's so-called Stop WOKE Act, lest UF face "large financial penalties." "Thank you for devoting your time to learning about this legislation and for your important role as an objective educator and teacher," UF president Kent Fuchs says in a slideshow-style introduction to the law that was sent to all instructors last week. Fuchs notes that Florida passed multiple laws impacting higher education this legislative session, but he focuses on legislation known as HB 7, which he says governs "instructional topics and practices." HB 7 is better known among its supporters as the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (WOKE) Act. Republican governor Ron DeSantis introduced the legislation in December as a bulwark against the "state-sanctioned racism that is critical race theory." Another slide in UF's presentation says, "At its core, the bill's message is: 'No one likes to be told what to think. And that includes students.' The theme of the bill is that instructors should not present personal beliefs about a topic as the 'right' point of view or compel or encourage students to adopt a specific belief." Yet another slide in UF's presentation says that HB 7 "declares certain types of employee and student training and instruction to be discriminatory as a matter of state law," and that Florida's SB 2524 -- also passed during the 2022 legislative session -- "imposes large financial penalties on any university that violates the HB 7 requirements." For the UF, this penalty could be upward of $106 million in performance-based funding.
 
How Texas A&M's Corps of Cadets plans to increase membership to 3,000
Texas A&M's Corps of Cadets hasn't had 3,000 members since the 1960s when all university students were required to be members of the uniformed student body. Current Corps leadership is implementing plans to surpass that number again by the end of this decade. A&M and Corps officials announced the "March to 3,000" campaign last week, which has already included the announcement of two university-funded scholarships, will soon feature revamped recruitment and retention strategies after collaboration with graduate students in A&M's Mays Business School, and has future plans to add two new dormitories. The Corps currently has 2,143 members, making it the largest uniformed student body in the country outside of the military academies. Framework for this initiative started in 2017, according to Col. Byron Stebbins, who is A&M's interim commandant. At that time, the Corps had 2,560 students and Stebbins noted the goal was to get membership to 2,600 to fill the Corps' capacity at the Quad on A&M's campus. Once the Corps was close to reaching that goal, officials came up with a stretch goal of 3,000. Last November, A&M officials announced the university was committing $50 million for its ROTC Patriot Scholarship to cover tuition, room and board to Corps members who are ROTC scholarship recipients. Two additional Corps dorms are scheduled to be built by 2027-28 to accommodate for growth.
 
U. of Missouri Ukrainian students plan reunions with loved ones amid war with Russia
The University of Missouri recently approved Vlad Sazhen and his girlfriend, Alina, for three-year non-resident tuition scholarships. "That's amazing," Sazhen said of the news. "That's absolutely brilliant." Sazhen is a Ukrainian exchange student studying at MU. Alina is in Poltava, Ukraine, with her family. Sazhen mentioned it nonchalantly during a phone call with Alina, he said. "At first she didn't believe me," Sazhen said. "She said, 'No way, you're joking.' Afterwards she was really happy." "I'm extremely grateful to everyone that's supported us," Sazhen said. David Currey, director of international student and scholar services, put the scholarships in perspective. "This is a significant scholarship and both students are highly qualified candidates, meeting the scholarship eligibility requirements," Currey wrote in an email. "In any case, there still exists a significant gap in the funding they both need to demonstrate adequate funds to study at Mizzou." MU continues to reach out to local foundations, companies and individuals to find sponsors of financial support for Vlad, Alina and other prospective Ukrainian students, Currey wrote. Another Ukrainian student at MU, Irynka Hromotska, is planning to visit family and her partner this week in Poland and Ukraine, she said Friday. She's a graduate photojournalism student at MU who organized an exhibit of the work of Ukrainian photojournalists at Reynolds Journalism Institute.
 
U. of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine holds 'Purrassic Bark' themed open house
As dogs ran through obstacles, caught Frisbees and leaped in the air, the crowd erupted with applause and cheers for the Purina Incredible Dogs. The University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the annual open house event Saturday, and this year's theme was "Purrassic Bark." The student-led event is funded entirely by donations and is an opportunity for students to educate the public on various topics. "This event is basically opening our doors to the community to let people in Columbia come and see what we do," second-year veterinary medicine student Alex Mandi said. He said that it's a great opportunity for students to get involved on campus. Attendees were able to learn about various topics and enjoy entertaining presentations from nearly 40 vendors. Lizette Somer, a Raptor Rehabilitation Project volunteer, answered questions for children while holding a turkey vulture on her arm named Grimm. Raptors are birds of prey including eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and vultures. The Raptor Rehabilitation Project is one of four raptor rehabilitation organizations in Missouri. "Our main mission is to rehab raptors and get them back out into the wild," Somer said as Grimm flapped its wings. Vendors demonstrated their contributions to the community, like the partnership between MU's College of Veterinary Medicine and the Boone County Fire Protection District.
 
As a record number of U. of Memphis graduates marched Saturday, some celebrated special triumphs
Before Natalia Salvador Ellis graduated from the University of Memphis yesterday, her husband, Timothy Ellis, had a dozen red roses to complement her cap and gown. But years earlier, those flowers might have adorned a coffin. "She was out on a run one day, and she had a really bad accident," Ellis' sister-in-law, Karissa Huey, said, as he yielded the storytelling to her. "She already had a bachelor's degree, and a major in business and communication, and she worked for a Big Ten Network. But it [the accident] left her with a traumatic brain injury." It also derailed her career, Huey said. But Ellis recovered and, after moving to Memphis from Athens, Georgia, where she met and married her husband, she enrolled at U of M to pursue a degree in Exercise, Sport & Movement Science. On Saturday, as thousands pooled into the halls at FedEx Forum with family members and friends to coordinate searches for seats at U of M's spring commencement, Ellis, Huey and her 16-year-old daughter, Jayden, basked in Ellis' triumph. It was part of a larger one. A record number of U of M students – 2,713 – were set to receive degrees yesterday. That's the school's largest number of in-person graduates in one semester. Those numbers led the school to hold three commencements.
 
Colleges explain how they are filling their classes
One day in April at Duquesne University, more than 500 people -- wearing hairnets and in 18 assembly lines -- spent about an hour each packing 75,744 meals of red lentil jambalaya for those who don't have homes or food. The event was organized on an admissions day for students who had been admitted to Duquesne but hadn't yet decided whether to enroll. They worked with U.S. Hunger, a national group that fights poverty and helps those who lack food. Joel Bauman, senior vice president for enrollment management, said the idea was to demonstrate some of what makes Duquesne a special place. It's located in Pittsburgh and is deeply committed to helping those in the area who are low income. Duquesne is Roman Catholic and the only Spiritan college or university in the United States. "This was a cultural moment, of saying that you are part of the Duquesne community," Bauman said. Every college, of course, depends on enrollment to fulfill its purpose of educating students. But for most colleges, enrollment of new students is also key to their financial survival. And for most colleges, May 1 -- the traditional date for admitted applicants to say whether they will enroll -- has long ceased to be the end of the process. It is still a key date, of course, but it is one of many. So this article will not include any Ivy League colleges (or their like) or flagship public universities. It will also not include colleges that are truly in danger of not having enough students in the fall. Or community colleges, which operate on a different calendar. But it includes colleges that admit most students who apply, which the vast majority of four-year colleges do. Rather, this article will look at good colleges with programs of pride. But these colleges don't have billion-dollar endowments or truly international reputations. All four colleges in this story say they are having a good year in admissions, but all of them are still admitting students for the fall.
 
Could 'Course Sharing' Help HBCUs and Other Minority-Serving Colleges Graduate More Students?
Seven colleges and universities with predominantly Black enrollments are betting that "course sharing" will help more of their students graduate on time. Under a new arrangement, students at any one of the institutions will be able to take online classes offered by the others. The hope is that making more courses available to students will ease their path to graduation. No worries if the accounting course you need for your major has run out of seats, isn't offered until the following semester, or conflicts with your work schedule -- maybe there's a course-share that fulfills the requirement. "It was all about retention, persistence, getting students over the finish line for completion," said Jamila S. Lyn, director of specialized programming at Benedict College, in South Carolina. "We see this potentially helping student-parents. We see this potentially helping working students. We see this as helping students who can't come to campus because of a health condition, who have approval for virtual courses." Many historically Black colleges have low graduation rates, which higher-ed experts attribute to the fact that they are underresourced and tend to serve low-income, first-generation students without financial safety nets. Students might have to work part time to pay tuition, or they might have to drop out for a semester or two if they can't afford to enroll, making it more difficult to graduate in four to six years. Course-sharing, campus officials said, can offer those students more options to stay on track academically -- and could even help some students graduate more quickly, saving them money.
 
Nancy Pelosi to address Brown University commencement
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will deliver the main address at Brown University commencement exercises later this month when the Ivy League college honors not only members of this year's graduating class, but also the Class of 2020, the school announced Friday. The California Democrat is one of nine people scheduled to receive an honorary degree during the three-day commencement weekend May 27 to 29. Pelosi will deliver a commencement oration on May 29. "A Brown tradition since 1769, the annual presentation of honorary degrees offers our community the chance to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds," President Christina Paxson said. In addition to Pelosi, Brown will confer honorary degrees on Dr. Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; recording artist and former U.S. Marine, Shaggy; former Rhode Island Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott; economist and Nobel Laureate Guido Imbens; Oscar-nominated filmmaker Stanley Nelson; Brown benefactors Alice and Thomas Tisch; and technology scholar Zeynep Tüfekç. The university is holding a dedicated ceremony for 2020 graduates on May 28 because they missed their in-person commencement because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shaggy, who was born Orville Richard Burrell, will deliver the keynote speech.
 
Dr. Fauci praises U. of Michigan grads at belated 2020 commencement
University of Michigan alumni who had their opportunity for an official graduation deferred by the COVID-19 pandemic had a second chance Saturday, alongside one of the country's leading immunologists. More than 4,000 graduates from 19 schools filled Michigan Stadium May 7 for the university's "Comeback Commencement" ceremony, honoring the Class of 2020 -- and a smaller selection of Class of 2021 graduates. U-M previously saw multiple in-person commencements canceled due to the pandemic, including the spring 2020 and 2021 commencements, which instead took place virtually. Also among Saturday's degree recipients was Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was granted an honorary Doctor of Science. Fauci, President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, became the public face of the federal government's response to the pandemic after its initial outbreak in the U.S. in early 2020. More than one graduate sitting near the stage yelled, "I love you!" to Dr. Fauci as he was on stage, prompting Fauci to mouth the affirmation back at them at one point. "The profound ways that COVID-19 has disrupted your student years... are unprecedented," Fauci said in his address to graduates. "Viewing the overall situation from my vantage points at the National Institutes of Health and in the White House, each of you deserves enormous credit and respect."
 
Michelle Obama promotes UMBC during College Signing Day
Michelle Obama represented the University of Maryland, Baltimore County on a national stage Saturday by sporting a UMBC T-shirt in a video promoting College Signing Day. The unexpected shout-out from the former first lady thrilled UMBC students and alumni and spotlighted the achievements of the Baltimore-based university. "To celebrate our eighth annual #CollegeSigningDay, I'm wearing a college shirt from UMBC, an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution in Baltimore County, MD," Obama said in a statement accompanying the video. She appears alongside celebrities, such as Usher, Chloe and Halle Bailey and Conan O'Brien, celebrating students for their upcoming college paths or military careers. College Signing Day is an event typically associated with high school athletes selecting the colleges or universities where they plan to attend and continue their athletic careers. Obama started an initiative in 2015 to encourage all students to pursue education beyond high school. In a six-minute video, Obama praises high school graduates for completing school during a year fraught with the coronavirus pandemic. She assures students who made a decision to attend community college or university, enlist in the military and enroll in training programs that their investments in the future will pay off.
 
Biden officials prepare to blow up Trump's rules on sexual misconduct in schools
A Biden administration plan to overhaul how schools respond to sexual misconduct complaints and extend federal protections to some of the most vulnerable students is coming as soon as this month -- and partisan combat is certain to follow in its wake. Along with casting off many Trump-era guidelines Biden officials say are too arduous for assault victims, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona is expected to codify safeguards for transgender students for the first time, handling both issues in the same rule. By revising Title IX, the federal education law that prohibits sex-based discrimination, Cardona will be undoing a key legacy of former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. He'll also be leaving his own mark on what is perhaps the agency's most closely watched initiative and its biggest legal target. Cardona's groundbreaking move to codify protections for sexual orientation and gender identity in Title IX could set up a fight that's just as divisive as DeVos' rule, which drew more than 124,000 written comments during the regulatory process and attracted five lawsuits. Her rule, which took effect in August 2020, narrowed the definition of sexual harassment and directed schools to conduct live hearings with cross-examination for sexual misconduct investigations. Among Democrats, Cardona's proposed rule would be a shield for already marginalized kids looking for inclusion, but for Republicans, it's a spear of advancing "wokeism" that's trying to cater to a small minority of kids. Cardona's rule won't take effect for several months, until the regulatory process runs its course. But lawsuits from Republican attorneys general and conservative groups are inevitable.


SPORTS
 
Honoring A Slugger, A Southpaw And A Guy That Did It All
Three Bulldogs. Three unique skillsets. Three different generations. One common thread. On a sun-soaked Starkville day, Richard Lee, Frank Montgomery and Pete Young sat in the Adkerson Plaza at Dudy Noble Field to take their rightful places in the Ron Polk Ring of Honor. Despite their differences -- Lee being the late 90s slugger, Montgomery being the early 60s shutdown southpaw and Young being a late 80s jack-of-all trades -- all share in the ability to be labeled as Bulldog greats. Oh, that, and their shared inability to put into words what it means to now be immortalized alongside the best to ever put on the maroon and white. "To be included in this group is just overwhelming," Lee said. "Really hard to explain," adds Young. "So many emotions." "It's so meaningful, it's hard to answer and put into words," Montgomery chimes in. The three might not can express it verbally. That's fine. Their talents did plenty of talking during their respective eras. Lee was one of the most consistent and complete Bulldog bats to ever have his name written in an MSU lineup. His name is all over State's all-time offensive Top-10 lists. Oh, and don't forget how he was instrumental in getting the Diamond Dawgs to the College World Series in back-to-back years in 1997 and 1998. Montgomery's left arm was something to behold. His career earned run average still ranks second in school history. His 1962 season stands among the best MSU campaigns ever. Montgomery had a perfect 10-0 record that year. He struck out 102 hitters over 92 innings. His ERA stood at a microscopic 0.68. Then there was Young. Where do you start? Do you talk about his incredible defense at third base? Do you begin with his fantastic bat that by the end of his career, had him first in MSU history for single-season and career doubles? Or maybe the opening topic is the arm that racked up save after save from the mound and led him to the big leagues with the Montreal Expos.
 
Smith shines but Gators complete sweep of Bulldogs
Cade Smith made his mother proud. The Mississippi State sophomore threw a career-high seven innings Sunday, but his heroics were matched on the other side and ultimately were not enough. Florida second baseman Sterlin Thompson, the first batter faced by MSU reliever Pico Kohn, homered to right field to lead off the eighth. That was the decisive run as the Gators won 6-2 to complete a sweep at Dudy Noble Field. The Gators, as they did in Saturday's 9-3 win, added insurance in the ninth. This time it was four runs on three hits and two walks against Jackson Fristoe who started the inning. State got a one-out home run from Logan Tanner in the bottom of the ninth, its first run since the first inning. "It's been that way all year. We just haven't been good late in that bullpen. It comes back to get you," MSU coach Chris Lemonis said. "Sometimes you lose, and you lose, but when you play good all game and you lose at the very end it's demoralizing a little bit. I feel like we're in repeat a little bit." It's the second time this season the Bulldogs (25-23, 9-15 SEC) have been swept at home. LSU won three times at Dudy Noble from April 8-10. Two name brand programs within the conference, Florida (29-18, 11-13) and Mississippi State found themselves in unusual positions with losing conference records in May. The Bulldogs play at Texas A&M next weekend then close the regular season at home against No. 1 Tennessee. They have considerable ground to cover to rekindle hopes of an NCAA Tournament at-large bid.
 
Sunday's 9-4 loss to South Carolina leaves more questions for A&M pitching staff as postseason looms
The Texas A&M baseball team didn't have to worry about winning the series heading into Sunday's finale against South Carolina, having won the first two games. But head coach Jim Schlossnagle knows eventually the Aggies might need to put together three consecutive victories to make it through multiple rounds of the Southeastern Conference tournament or a winners' bracket of an NCAA regional. The 21st-ranked Aggies aren't there yet as the Gamecocks grabbed a 9-4 victory at Blue Bell Park. South Carolina (24-22, 10-14) built a 7-0 lead for sophomore right-hander Will Sanders who won his second straight start with six solid innings. "I thought our offense fought with them," Schlossnagle said. "We hit some balls hard, but this is the day we needed to pitch with them and we weren't able to do it." With no midweek game before the Aggies close out their home regular season in a series against Mississippi State (25-23, 9-15), Schlossnagle will have his full arsenal of arms available. His hope is for the pitching staff to find its stride. "If we're going to play in the postseason, we've got to pitch," he said. "I can't even imagine playing a conference tournament where you have to play four or five games in a row. Holy cow. We would have position players throwing out there. We've got to figure it out at some point. All that matters is that you play your best when it's needed the most and that's what's coming."
 
Seniors Deliver Victory In Final Game At Nusz Park
A complete team effort, led by Mississippi State's four seniors, lifted the Bulldogs to a 6-5 comeback victory over No. 19 LSU on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs fell behind early after a grand slam punctuated a five-run inning for the Tigers (34-20, 13-11 SEC) in the second. But MSU (32-23, 10-14 SEC) answered back with a four-run fourth inning before completing the comeback in the bottom of the sixth. "It was a huge win. It was a huge comeback to set us up for the postseason," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "The fight and grit that they showed, as well as the improvements on offense and defense. Annie Willis especially played well. After giving up five runs in the second inning, it's easy to just give up on yourself, but she got better and better as the game went on. I'm proud of her for doing so well on her Senior Day, her last game at Nusz Park." "I thought it was a great performance all around by our seniors," Ricketts added. "Allison [Florian] made some great plays in right field, and Montana [Davidson] had the big two-out, two-RBI at-bat late in the game. I'm proud of all of them. Mia did what she always does by holding it down behind the plate. I'm proud of the seniors all around. It was a great way to send of this special group of seniors." A rematch is on deck. The SEC Tournament begins on May 10 in Gainesville, Florida, and the Bulldogs will open play on Wednesday, May 11 as the No. 11 seed against No. 6-seed LSU.
 
NCAA to soon pass name, image and likeness rules targeting boosters offering inducements to athletes
An expedited NCAA enforcement process addressing name, image and likeness rights abuses is expected to pass as early as Monday, sources tell CBS Sports. How effective it will be -- as the NIL culture chaotically spreads -- is up for debate. "We know we're going to get lawsuits," Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith told CBS Sports on Friday. Smith is a member of a little-known NIL working group formed about two months ago to deal with growing questions of illicit activity. Despite the threat of legal liability, Smith said the NCAA and his subcommittee are determined to put up meaningful guardrails around NIL, which in some cases has edged close to pay-for-play. The working group's recommendations submitted this week primarily deal with booster involvement. Several monied boosters have developed "collectives" establish NIL opportunities for athletes. NCAA stakeholders have long been suspicious of such collectives becoming direct inducements for recruits and transfer candidates. "What's happening in that space is what we were all fearful of," Smith said. "What's going on -- on campuses [with existing scholarship athletes] -- currently is fine. It's the inducement pieces. We gotta kill that. If we don't kill that now, forget it." The most likely penalty for boosters, who are not compelled to cooperate in NCAA investigations, is the threat of disassociation from a school. A disassociation means a subject cannot interact with the university in any way.
 
'It's Definitely a Crisis': Why Women in College Sports Are Struggling With Mental Health
Many college students are experiencing mental-health crises, but one subset has seen a rash of reported suicides this year: female athletes. On Thursday, Southern University and A&M College announced a cheerleader, Arlana Miller, had died shortly after writing a social-media post that detailed her mental-health struggles, NBC News reported. That news followed the deaths by suicide of three women this spring: Lauren Bernett, a James Madison University softball player; Sarah Shulze, a member of the University of Wisconsin at Madison track team; and Katie Meyer, a Stanford University soccer player. Students are speaking out about the problem and asking for more help in dealing with the pressures they feel as athletes. Last month Cailin Bracken, a Vanderbilt University lacrosse player, wrote an open letter to the college-sports world after learning about the death of another player. She described her decision to take some time off from the sport to focus on her mental health, and urged members of this community to do a better job of supporting players who need help. "When you are an adult in this space, you have a massive responsibility to -- above all else -- make sure that the young adults with whom you work feel safe, loved, and valued," she wrote. This is not a new problem. But scholars who follow mental health and sports say it has been particularly acute in the past year. The Chronicle spoke on Friday with two experts about why there is a crisis now and what colleges can do about it.
 
Donald Trump is holding a fund-raiser at the Derby, trampling on Mitch McConnell's turf.
When word circulated online two weeks ago that former President Donald J. Trump would be attending a $75,000-per-person fund-raiser hosted by his super PAC at the Kentucky Derby -- in Senator Mitch McConnell's home state -- it was news to executives at Churchill Downs. Even so, for a sporting event that regularly hosts more than 150,000 people, including many notable politicians and celebrities, a last-minute entry was nothing to panic about. "It's not unusual for a high-profile guest to have an event on our property during Derby Day," said Tonya Abeln, a spokeswoman for Churchill Downs. "But Churchill Downs is not an organizer of that event. We coordinate as is operationally necessary to ensure safe, smooth operations and that it doesn't interfere with other guests' activity." The appearance on Saturday came at a particularly testy moment in the relationship between Trump and McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, after a four-year marriage of political convenience that imploded when McConnell opposed Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump, whose power is derived from his ability to project the image of party kingmaker, seemed to relish the chance to upstage McConnell on his own turf. On Friday night, at a rally in Ohio, Trump heaped his go-to barnyard insult on McConnell, calling him "the old broken-down crow." The two men will not cross paths, even accidentally, this weekend. McConnell, who often attends the race, will be in Utah attending a memorial for Senator Orrin Hatch, a longtime friend, his aides said.



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