Welcome!
The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College attracts a diverse body of high-performing students to the University of Mississippi and provides them a vibrant center of academic excellence to help them become outstanding in their fields and engaged citizens of their communities and the world. Established in 1997 through a gift from alumni Jim and Sally Barksdale, the Honors College merges intellectual rigor with public service. It offers an education similar to that at prestigious private liberal-arts schools and universities, but at a far lower cost. Small, discussion-based classes, dedicated faculty, and a nurturing staff enable honors students to experience intellectual as well as personal growth.
News & Events
SMBHC Spring Convocation
Make plans for our SMBHC Spring Convocation featuring Garrison Keillor with special guests Rich Dworsky and Heather Masse, February 15, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Reception following. Garrison Keillor's lecture is free and open to the public; however, tickets are required. Honors students may pick up their free ticket at Ms. Keri's office, SMBHC Rm 302, after the first of the year and before Friday, February 3rd. Tickets for the public are limited to two per person and will be available starting at noon on Friday, February 3 at the UM Box Office located in the Student Union. Box Office hours are from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
On the Silk Road
The Honors College, the Croft Institute, and the University Museum are sponsoring On the Silk Road and the High Seas: Chinese Ceramics, Culture and Commerce, an exhibition featuring more than 70 pieces of porcelain, stoneware, and carved jade on loan from the Norton Museum of Art. The exhibition will be on display at the University Museum beginning January 24.
As part of this special exhibition, we are hosting Dr. Virginia Bower, a renowned expert on Chinese art and archaeology and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. On Thursday, January 26 at 7:00 pm, Dr. Bower will present "From Mundane to Magnificent: Chinese Ceramics at Home and Abroad" at the University Museum. Before her lecture, nearly twenty honors students will have the opportunity to have dinner with Dr. Bower. More information about Dr. Bower and her research can be found here.
Study Abroad this summer in Oxford, UK with the Barksdale Fellows
An SMBHC honors college study abroad program at Hertford College, Oxford University is going to be offered this summer from the 24th of June until the 21st of July.
Students will be able to study for a 3-hour Honors course credit in a variety of subjects for the first three weeks, and will conduct an independent research project in Oxford and London's museums and libraries in the fourth week. Interesting talks and visits will form a significant part of the experience of studying and living at one of the world's oldest Universities. Applications for this exciting program will open early in spring semester. To register interest please email vince.evans@olemiss.edu or loebnbrg@olemiss.edu.
SMBHC Announces Clinical Shadowing Program at UMMC
The SMBHC and UMMC have partnered to allow a limited number of honors students to observe physicians in a clinical environment. Students will be chosen through an application process; the deadline to apply is February 15. Each honors student selected will be able to participate in up to two 2-week rotations in Summer 2012. You will participate in this experience with rising M2s (second year medical students) from UMMC. You will also have the opportunity (and expectation) of helping at the Jackson Free Clinic on Saturday mornings, gaining further experience. For further information about the program and application instructions, visit the Clinical Shadowing Program page of the SMBHC website.
Honors College Receives Record Number of Applications
The Honors College received an unprecedented number of applications by its deadline, 27.5% more than the previous record set last year. The admissions committee is diligently reviewing these applications and will notify applicants of their decision by the end of February. We are impressed by the quality of the applicants and are excited in the interest you have shown in the University of Mississippi and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.