Merry MacLellan

Reporter

For Homecoming 2026, we took the time to ask some alumni about their experiences and opinions of Mississippi University for Women during the annual Magnolia Mingle hosted on Shattuck Lawn.

Did you all live on campus while you were here at The W?

Annie Robinson Oeth, Class of ‘87, Former Spectator staff: I did not; I lived with my parents in West Point.

Linda Ross Aldy, Class of ‘73, Former Spectator Staff: We were required, only townies didn’t. I was here for two years on campus. I lived in Kincannon, and then maybe Jones, but both, both were on back campus.

Courtney Ballard Martaugh, Class of ‘78: I was in Fant my freshman year and Goen, for two years in Jones.

What’s it like coming to the campus, and what has changed the most since y’all attended?

Oeth: So definitely, the historic buildings, I think, are in better shape than they were in the 1980s when I was here.

Martaugh: I think the big difference with the dorms is when I was here, Callaway was a freshman dorm, and Fant and Peyton were freshmen.

Alumni raise a toast during this year’s Magnolia Mingle.
Photo by Chris Jenkins

Are there any things that you had back in your time here at The W that they don’t have now that you wish would be brought back?

Martaugh: Well, pledging. Pledging and social clubs are very different now than when it was when I was here.

Oeth: I didn’t do social clubs either, but they were very important. I lived on the floor with, you know, with the social clubs, with the Rogues. So, it does hurt me to see that those have diminished to the point that they have. Because I think they really created long-term relationships. I regret not doing social clubs. At the time, I just thought I needed to be studying. And I was just focused on studying in my degree and getting that degree to do social clubs.

What is something now here at The W that y’all didn’t have back then that you’re jealous students get now?

Oeth: The Women’s College. I wish that would have been an option when I was here.

Aldy: I totally agree with that. I pushed hard for us to, especially during the name change stuff. You know, we were founded as a women’s college to ensure leadership opportunities and a variety of opportunities that women didn’t have in other places, and that, you know, we needed. I mean, we are the women’s university in Mississippi. We needed a women’s college, and I am so happy about that.

The 2026 homecoming sign greets visitors at the front gate.
Photo by Chris Jenkins

What is a piece of advice that you wish you had in college that you would give to students now?

Aldy: I was on fire to graduate and go out and save the world. So, I graduated in three years. I wish I had taken more time. I wish I had taken the full four years. So, don’t rush this experience, would be my advice, and savor every moment.

Martaugh: It’s a great place to experience the whole four years. I mean, it really is.