Going the Distance

By Erin Pennington

OXFORD, Miss.– The year of 2020 was a pivotal moment in history.

The Coronavirus spread fast and caused a major shut down all over the world. Its impact affected many industries, individuals and even so here, at the University of Mississippi. For the first time in recent history, Commencements were postponed and distance became the norm for students, faculty, and staff.

As the 2020-2021 school year began, everyone had to adjust to distance learning. From 8am Zoom classes to sitting at least 6 feet apart, it was a drastic change. Several students, specifically graduate students, did not know what to expect or how to even navigate their first and/or last year of graduate school.

Graduate student Lacius Caddle began her academic career at the University of Mississippi in 2015. Caddle graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications in 2019. She would shortly take a year off and then decide to pursue her Master of Business Administration.

As eager as she was to return to campus, little did she know she would be returning to a different, more digitized University of Mississippi campus.

“The return to campus was very weird because there was nobody on campus,” said Caddle, “The School of Business told us that we would be doing some virtual classes. I still had my assistantship which required me to go on campus.” Ultimately, for health reasons, all of Caddle’s classes went virtual in September.

Caddle, a hands-on learner, preferred for her classes to be in person. She said the learning experience became much more of a challenge for her. She missed being able to have the privilege of fully interacting with her professors and peers.

“I had to have a lot of Zoom meetings with my professors,” Caddle said.

Even with Zoom and progress in combating the pandemic, new challenges emerged in the spring.

“The second semester for me was pretty rough, I am from Jackson, Mississippi and ended up getting stuck in the snowstorm,” she stated, “We lacked electricity and water on my side of town but I am so grateful that my professors were understanding of it all.”

There would soon become a time for Caddle to appreciate the extra steps she had to endure during an all virtual semester. She walked in the 2021 MBA Commencement with her family cheering her on in the crowd.

There was no better feeling for Caddle than reaching for her diploma, then looking up in the stands to see her family watching all of her hard work finally pay off.

“This experience was definitely all worth it, especially my program. It was a different pace. I do wish I could have gotten to know my classmates in person. However, I do feel like I learned a lot about myself and the business industry,” stated Caddle. “I am really excited about the future!”

While some were getting adjusted academically, others were trying to navigate being in a brand new environment.

Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs for the School of Journalism & New Media and Associate Professor Dr. Marquita Smith recently made Oxford, Mississippi her new home one year ago. Moving in the middle of a pandemic to a new location and school was frightening.

“It was probably one of the hardest professional transitions I have ever made, mostly because of the lack of engagement, ” said Smith, “Everything was conducted online via Zoom, all of us new hires found ourselves trying to bond and build relationships. It was challenging.”

Smith said one of her favorite things to do while adjusting to being a part of the Oxford community was visiting the farmer’s market on Saturday mornings. She would later find connections with sorority sisters. Oxford would soon begin to feel a lot more like home.

“Once I was able to connect with them, I built more relationships. I just cried,” stated Smith.

Dr. Marquita Smith was also able to be closer in proximity to her immediate family once she moved to Oxford. She said being near them was one of the greatest feelings ever throughout the pandemic.

“I was able to be here, closer to my sister and spend time with my new nephew. I could visit my mother more often,” said Smith, “Had things been at a normal pace, I don’t think I would have been able to reflect as much, especially in terms of the program and reducing barriers. So it was a gift in the midst of everything going on.”

As the year flowed by, many individuals like Caddle and Smith were starting to accept their new normal but Commencement dates would soon be announced that gave many a feeling that there was light at the end of the tunnel.

Many students were excited to be able to walk across the stage to receive their degrees. Faculty and staff would be there to cheer the students on.

On April 30, Caddle received her diploma and Smith completed a full year in a new work environment. As monumental as that moment was, it served as a reminder of the extra steps they made during a pandemic to put health as a priority.

Associate Dean of Community Engagement for the School of Applied Sciences and Professor of Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management Dr. Allison Ford-Wade said that living during the pandemic was a monumental moment in history and that it highlighted the importance of public health.

“From the public health perspective we were able to live in a part of history that will forever be in our epidemiology textbooks, we all did the best we could under the circumstances,” said Ford-Wade.

Ford-Wade said it was amazing to finally see her students walk across the stage despite the obstacles and challenges faced. “It was so wonderful to attend the 2020 and 2021 graduate Commencement ceremonies,” said Ford-Wade. “Just to be able to see our students walk across the stage brought tears to my eyes because of everything that the entire world had been through. It was such a blessing to be able to witness the graduation ceremonies.”

The work of students and staff has created a lasting impact on the university and has helped to create an increased priority on the study of public health.

UM’s Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management now has new degree programs in public health, including a Master of Public Health that will begin this fall.

“We were excited to hire a new faculty member in epidemiology beginning this fall,” said Ford-Wade, “Throughout all of this I have learned that people are resilient, we can work well together, and if we can survive that, we can survive many things.”

This significant moment in history opened millions of eyes and highlighted how precious time, connection, and achievement can be.

Going the Distance

Newsletter Spring/Summer 2021 Articles