The Good Life: A Knowledge for Freedom Pilot Program

During the Knowledge for Freedom Pilot Program, we’ve seen remarkable camaraderie among our students and deep discussions on defining what the good life means. It was inspiring to witness our students bond, set meaningful goals and embrace other perspectives.

Thank you to all the faculty and staff at the The University of Mississippi - Ole Miss who contributed to the success of The Good Life Pilot Program! Your dedication to leading thought-provoking discussions and encouraging our students to question and explore the essence of a good life was invaluable. We couldn't have done it without you!

our final outing for during last week's Good Life Pilot Program was a visit to Square Books and The Oxford Creamery.

We had such an amazing week with this group of students! Thank you to everyone who made it possible!

This week we have explored the pathways to understanding the good life. What are the different ways we come to know what it means to truly live well?

From personal experiences to philosophical inquiry, let's delve into the various perspectives and insights that shape our understanding.

The Good Life pilot program continues! Over the last few days, we've had the opportunity to spend time with some of the University of Mississippi's most respected leaders and thinkers. Our journey included a thought-provoking discussion on community engagement with Castel Sweet, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Community Engagement. We also enjoyed an insightful conversation with Ethel Scurlock, Dean of the The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and took a walk through Bailey's Woods to visit Rowan Oak, guided by Dr. Katie McKee, Director of the Center for the Center for the Study of Southern Culture ernstudies. Each moment spent with these leaders has been thought-provoking for our students!

Today, we're visiting one of Oxford’s most iconic literary escapes: Square Books. Known for its vast collection of American, historical, and fictional literature, it’s a bookworm’s dream.

Thank you, , for letting us browse your shelves!

Art, music, and books provide unique insights into what makes a good life. They reflect our values, challenges, and aspirations.

How do these creative forms influence your understanding of a meaningful and fulfilling life?

Today, we're visiting the home of William Faulkner, just off the historic downtown Square. Faulkner purchased what was then The Bailey Place in 1930 and renamed it Rowan Oak “to symbolize security and peace, and for the live oak of America to symbolize strength and solitude.”

It was here that Faulkner wrote many of his most famous novels, earning him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949, a Pulitzer Prize, and more.

Thank you, , for letting us explore the house and grounds on our literary adventure!

How has your place influenced your perspective of what a good life should look like?

Reflecting on our lives and examining our actions can lead to profound personal growth and a deeper understanding of what constitutes a good life. How do you think self-reflection and self-examination contribute to living a fulfilling and meaningful life?

Highlights from the first day of The Good Life pilot program!

Our enthusiastic students explored the University Museum with Molly Pasco-Pranger, Chair of the University of Mississippi Department of Classics, and engaged in a thought-provoking ethics discussion led by Ethan Davis, Assistant Director and Assistant Professor of Practice at the University's Center for Practical Ethics.

For today’s community field trip, we're exploring the University Museum. This museum, housed in historic buildings, serves as a cultural center for the community. Founded in 1939 and transferred to the University of Mississippi in 1974, it has been a cherished part of the Oxford-Lafayette community for nearly a century.

Thank you, , for hosting us!

Today, we’ll dive into discussions, readings, and lessons about what it means to live the good life. We’re excited to hear your thoughts!

The Good Life: A Knowledge for Freedom Pilot Program is about to kick off, and we couldn't be more thrilled to meet you!

Are you ready to dive into discussions about what it truly means to live the good life?

Join us today, June 9th, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Residential College South. After a welcome orientation in Lamar 129 at 4:00 p.m., we will gather for a welcome dinner in the RC South Dining area at 5 p.m.

Only 24 hours left until The Good Life: A Knowledge for Freedom Pilot Program begins. Pack those bags and get a good night’s sleep!

Important reminder: Check-in is tomorrow afternoon from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at South Residential College. Get ready to explore the meaning of what makes for a good life!

We’re excited to welcome you to campus!

Next week, the University of Mississippi College of Liberal Arts in partnership with the Office of Pre-College Programs Programs and UM Flagship First-Gen, will host rising 11th and 12th grade students from North Mississippi for a week-long, humanities-based program focused on answering the question, "What makes a good life."

This event is a part of a A Knowledge for Freedom pilot program, made possible with support from the Teagle Foundation.

Once the week is over, our instructors and mentors will offer additional workshops and college/career preparation programming.

Follow The Good Life journey on social media to learn more! Ole Miss First University of Mississippi College of Liberal Arts