We Have Pride in Investing in Mississippi
Our legacy is built on courage, progress, and commitment to impact
OXFORD, Miss. – In 1963, James Meredith became the first Black student at Ole Miss, marking a pivotal moment in our history. Just two years later, Ernest Watson and Joyce O’Neal Jones joined the School of Business and went on to become its first two Black graduates.
Joyce O’Neal Jones shared, “I decided that if I was going to stay in Mississippi, I was going to get a degree at a college that was well-known to Mississippians.”
Their stories reflect the excellence we continue to Foster.
Today, the Ole Miss School of Business Administration builds on this legacy by preparing students to lead, innovate, and make an impact- not just in Mississippi, but wherever they choose to go. We are proud to be a nationally respected institution with a strong foundation in community leadership and economic growth. We have long championed initiatives to strengthen Mississippi’s future.
Dean McNew (1965-1979) had a strong stance on “Buying Mississippi”. He emphasized that, “a dollar spent in Mississippi turns over seven or eight times before it leaves the state.” This philosophy lives on in our outreach efforts today. One of those efforts is the Mississippi Small Business Development Center, which is headquartered here in Oxford, Mississippi. It offers training and research for business management and technical support to help small business owners flourish.
At the heart of our mission is helping students like you turn dreams into reality. Our Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a launchpad for aspiring business leaders. They support Ole Miss students gain funding and connect with mentors have expert knowledge.
Beyond business, we are deeply committed to opening doors through education. We believe that every driven student deserves access to life-changing opportunities, and we are here to support your growth at every step.
By
Abby Yuan
Campus
Published
July 18, 2025