Senate candidate returns to Colombus and demands debate

Merry MacLellan
Editor-in-chief

On Oct. 1, Scott Colom again challenged Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, his opponent in the U.S. Senate race, to participate in a debate. 

He made the challenge at a news conference in Columbus, one of the many in the past few weeks held by Colom, who serves as the district attorney for Circuit Court District 16. He called for a debate to happen before the Nov. 3 midterm election.  

Colom has previously accepted invitations from WLBT and WJTV in Jackson for debates and has extended an invitation for a third debate with Hyde-Smith, with her choice of moderating news station. Colom reiterated this invitation to the senator before turning his attention to voters’ concerns. 

“She won’t do a town hall, and she won’t do a debate, because she wants to lie and hide,” Colom said. “It’s not me she’s disrespected. She’s disrespecting the voters in Mississippi.”  

Scott Colom demanding Cindy Hyde-Smith debates him.
Photos by Merry MacLellan

Colom said numerous issues are impacting Mississippi voters, including a low minimum wage, rising prices because of tariffs and the ongoing war with Iran. He also reminded voters of past events in which Hyde-Smith voted in the interest of tax breaks, causing cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits in March of this year.  

During the press conference, Colom was asked how he would help Mississippians gain access to higher education as the prices of tuition have risen, and access to federal student loans are potentially restricted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  

“And I will prioritize making sure every Mississippian that wants to go to higher learning has the opportunity to do that,” Colom said.  

Colom urged undecided voters to remember the value of the state and stand against what he called corruption. He encouraged voters to look at his past success and track record in court when considering who would fight for them and for the state.  

“I am promising a senator that’s gonna fight for Mississippi,” Colom said. “That’s what I fight for.”  

The deadline for Hyde-Smith to respond to the formal invitation for the third debate Colom and his team sent is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2. As of now, her campaign has yet to respond.  

In Memory of Dr. Barry Smith

This month, the Spectator is dedicated in honor of Dr. Barry Paul Smith. An amazing part of the Communications Department and a dedicated Department Chair. In his honor, past and present students of the department shared a few words with the Spectator. The Spectator extends its deepest condolences to his friends and family in these hard times. He will be greatly missed.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Barry’s Facebook.

For the past two years, I had Dr. Barry as my professor and my advisor. Throughout my time in his classes, he was one of my biggest supporters, encouraging me to pursue bigger projects and stakes because he had the faith in me to get it done. He always took the time to listen to his students. I would not have minored in film studies if it were not for his dedication and time he took to show me how much more there was to film. I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with him.
Merry MacLellan, Editor-in-Chief

Without Dr. Barry, my love for filmmaking and media would not be as strong as it is now. He constantly encouraged my interests, discussed movies with me, and made sure I always had a voice in the classroom. Dr. Barry took all my thoughts and suggestions for classes into consideration, and he brought these film classes to life with such love and enjoyment. I am forever thankful for all the guidance in class, help with productions, extensive movie talks, and the cups of coffee he would make for me while I was the Cromwell student worker. Words cannot express how much I will miss his enthusiasm and encouragement that constantly cheered us students while we were in Cromwell and are now working on different paths.
Emma Brown

Dr. Barry Smith had a truly one-of-a-kind sense of humor. He established my forever love of Monty Python. I will always remember the “air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow” and cherish the memories of his air guitar dance at my senior Spectator wrap party. You could always count on him to make your day better with a Star Wars reference or a coffee meme.
Lauren Trimm

Dr. Barry was a teacher that everyone wanted at their side, and he graciously gave himself to his students by being in their corner. He effortlessly gave advice and encouraged students to do their best. He would help students with their video projects and even be in them. I was lucky enough to have him in mine. But I won’t be alone in saying my favorite memory of Dr. Barry is when he premiered his own music video of his performance of Mele Kalikimaka. A masterpiece that no one knew we needed. But we did need Dr. Barry. I believe he brought the best out of everyone he was around, and I will surely miss him and cherish the overwhelming memories from being a student in his classes.
Dylan Scott

Dr. Barry Smith created an atmosphere of laughter, curiosity, and intrigue. He was a professor who encouraged his students to push themselves academically, but he was also someone who made you feel as though you had gained a friend. Conversations with Dr. Barry could range from the intricate film style of a new movie to his adamant insistence that Blade Runner was a great movie. I didn’t agree with him at the time, but now I find myself wanting to revisit that discussion. I am deeply grateful for all the advice, encouragement, and support I received from Dr. Barry over the years. His passing leaves a void that will be felt for years to come, but his greater legacy lives on in the lives of those fortunate enough to have called him a mentor and a friend.
Caleb Youngblood

My favorite memory of Dr. Barry is from this past Spring semester. He was my advisor, and I had my advising session with him one afternoon. A classmate of mine, Tia, was also with me at the time, and her appointment with Dr. Barry was right after mine. I had promised to drive her back to her dorm after the advising session, since I figured it wouldn’t take more than 15 minutes or so; and I was right, sort of. The advising portion only took 15 minutes, but Dr. Barry and I ended up spending the better part of an hour just talking and debating about movies.  He was one of the easiest people to talk to that I’d ever met. No matter what the topic was, any conversation with him was interesting and as effortless as breathing. 
Travis MacLellan

Dr. Barry was such a joyful soul. He was funny, entertaining, and always knew how to make his students laugh. I remember taking news quizzes in his class, and he would joke around with everyone while we discussed the topics he chose for the quiz. Those moments made his class feel welcoming and enjoyable. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to learn from him. His joyful personality and the way he connected with his students are things I will always remember. 
Jaelyn Grant

Dr. Barry was a one-of-a-kind human and educator. In the short time I knew him, he greatly enriched my love for film. He was the type of professor to bring snacks for his students, remember not just their names but their interests and ideas, and always uplift the underdog. He was someone who always made me feel safe and heard in a world where that can be rare for young women, especially in male-dominated fields. Though we didn’t agree on everything, he was one of the kindest, most respectful, and open-minded men I have ever met. I hope to honor him in my future career, which he inspired me to pursue. I’ll tell my students about the man who ignited my love for film and education. Dr. Barry will never be forgotten.
Emma Stapp

Staff Streaming Picks

Poster courtesy of Warner Bros.

ER

If you (like me) are counting down the days until the next season of The Pitt, then go back to the original inspiration and appreciate Noah Wyle’s portrayal of a younger, much more awkward med student!
Available to stream on Hulu and HBO Max
Abbey Thornton

Poster courtesy of HBO Max

Sharp Objects

Over the summer, I watched “Sharp Objects” and fell completely in love with its atmospheric, broody tone. Its got heart, grit and a spellbinding story to tell.
Available to stream on HBO Max
Emma Stapp

Poster courtesy of Apple TV+

Schmigadoon!

It’s a comedy show about a couple who get stuck in a musical and must find their way out. It has wonderful songs and will make you giggle for a bit. I highly recommend it. 
Available to stream on Apple TV+
Kameron Gibson 

Poster courtesy of Avalon Television

Taskmaster

Taskmaster is non-stop laughs, the comedians in every season are truly hilarious and very committed to the competition. If there's ever been a show that perfectly combines competitive games and petty point-giving, then it's this one!
Available to stream on YouTube
Kay Keeton

October Events Calendar

Contrary to popular belief, the W campus always has something going on. If you scan below you will find several events which will be taking place during the month of October:

• Oktoberfest – Oct. 2, at 5 p.m.

• This will be an opportunity to celebrate Halloween early and on campus, play game to win prizes and get to know some of the student organizations

• Nest Night – Oct. 14 and Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

• This is a chance to go into the Nest and enjoy the company of other students as we all participate in a themed event

• Welty Gala – Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. 

• This is an incredible event to raise money for the University and to hear Elizabeth Smart, an inspirational figure, tell her story

• Omicron Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - Winter Clothing Drive – Oct. 1- Nov. 2

• This will be an opportunity to give back to the community and to help people get ready for the winter

In addition to all of these events, there are probably several more that will be going on that have not yet been advertised. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so be on the lookout for events to spread awareness around campus. Also be on the lookout for some Halloween-themed events that could be going on around campus. Here’s to an incredible October. Remember, stay safe and Go Owls!

Grossnickle Hall: who the building is named after

Kameron Gibson

Writer

Grossnickle Hall is one of the oldest remaining buildings at Mississippi University for Women, built in 1922 and still standing strong.

Residing in the north of campus by Parkinson and Painter halls, it features two stories of Spanish Revival architecture and is able to house 49 residents.

According to information from the 1997 Grossnickle Hall Dedication Program, the last renovation to the building cost $1.5 million dollars and focused on keeping the Spanish Revival architecture style to reflect and preserve the building’s original design.

Sarah Parrish, activist at The W’s Beulah Culbertson Archives and Special Collections, said that the building was originally built to house faculty members. At some point over the years, the building was rededicated to house honors students.

“The building that we now know as Grossnickle Hall was finished in 1922, and they originally just called it the Faculty Club,” said Parrish.

The residence hall was named after Russell Louie Grossnickle, the former head of the Mathematics department here at The W, who died in 1983.

Grossnickle worked as a faculty member for 38 years from 1927 to 1965, earning admiration and praise from students and faculty alike. Newspaper clippings from The Commercial Dispatch said he was one of the first recipients of MUW’s Medals of Excellence.

His contributions to the university were many, having coached the tennis team to a regional title, and he was a big participant in the Royalty Club. He was also associated with organizing the Mississippi chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon, the National Mathematics Honor Society.

Records from the MUW Alumni Affairs office revealed that after his death, when the Faculty Club needed renovations, his family offered to donate some furniture as long as the building was named in his honor.

Today, Grossnickel Hall stands as a lasting tribute to Grossnickel’s dedication to the university. It also ensures his influence will continue to guide students and preserve the history, pride and spirit he helped build at The W for generations.

Cover photo courtesy of the Beulah Culbertson Archives and Special Collections.

September Sports Coverage

Noah Chism

Sports Reporter

Men’s Tennis

As a new school year begins for Owls Athletics, there is an optimistic buzz in the air.

Our men’s tennis team has come out of the gate with wins against Blue Mountain Christian and Northwest Mississippi Community College. 

The tennis team is also welcoming a host of new faces to Columbus as it sets out to have a season more successful than last. Dylan Barber, a junior member of the team, who is a veteran on the squad, said the group is working together to build a strong team culture. 

“We are super excited about this upcoming season and all of the success that will come with it,” said Barber. 

Barber said that the team’s biggest challenge would be creating a team environment where everyone is held accountable.

“Because we are working so hard our culture has improved, and we believe that this will translate into a great season,” Barber said.

Athletes from every corner of sports will tell you just how important and difficult it is to build a culture like the Owls tennis team is creating. This is a detail about the team that is more commendable than most every accomplishment it could achieve. 

David Gimenez playing on home courts.

Photo by Dave Beyer

Last season the Owls finished with a record of 11 wins and eight losses, which is a winning percentage of around 57%. They are looking to build off last season with continued success this year. 

The fall season for the Owls will end with their tournament in Memphis from Oct. 2-4, and this will bring a wildly successful fall season to a close while leaving them with a great foundation as they head into the spring.

Cross Country

Along with the Owls Tennis squad, the MUW Cross Country runners have been very successful this season competing in two different meets.

The Owls travelled to Freed Hardeman, which is located in Henderson, Tennessee, to compete in the Freed Hardeman Speed meet on Aug. 29. On that day both the men's and the women’s squads were in competition. 

In Henderson our men's team came in 6th place at the meet while our women's team came in 5th.  These are some pretty stellar results considering the stiff competition that was faced during this competition. 

At the competition, Owl runner Hannah Owens placed 14th out of 38 runners with a time of 22 minutes and 10 seconds in the women’s 10K.

Hannah Owens at Freed Hardeman.

Courtesy of OWLS Athletics

The Owl runners also travelled over to Jacksonville, Alabama, on Sept. 4 to run in the Foothills Invitational. The women’s team came in 20th place while the men’s team came in 17th. 

These finishes at this tournament are impressive because of the nature of the competition at this tournament. There were several Division I teams who competed in the Foothills Invitational, including some schools from the Southeastern Conference. 

Images of the old Pohl Gym before restoration

Anna Beth Hirshfeld

Reporter

Merry MacLellan

Photographer

The Old Pohl Gym stands, unusable, in the center of North campus at the Mississippi University for Women. 

This building was most previously utilized by the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science as a recreation building. Built in 1927, it was used until the year 2002, when the building was decommissioned after it sustained damage from a tornado. 

Now, Old Pohl Gym has been put on the docket of buildings being renovated and brought back to life on The W campus. In a statement given to The Commercial Dispatch, former President Nora Miller said the building will be converted into offices, lab spaces and classrooms. The Commercial Dispatch reported that the The W was set to receive an $11.5 million appropriation from the State of Mississippi for repairs and renovations, though The Spectator reporters have been unable to confirm this with publicly accessible budget summaries. 

In a 2024 construction update made by the Tyler Wheat, Communications Director at The W, pre-planning was scheduled to begin in fall of 2024. This renovation will include replacing the roof, completely renovating the exterior and interior, and reconfiguring some interior spaces. Renovations will include the removal of all asbestos, ensuring that the building is ADA compliant, all with up-to-date mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. 

Because of the building’s status as a Mississippi landmark, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History will be a coordinator in this project. Wheat also stated that since its construction in 1927, this building has not seen significant improvements or modifications. No further information about the Old Pohl Gym renovations has been released.

Spectator reporters were allowed to walk through the decommissioned building, accompanied by campus maintenance, and found the building still full of items from before the building’s closure in 2002. 

Now a home to the campus groundhogs, this building was previously bustling with club and intramural sport activities. Pool and foosball tables lie unused and rotting away into the ground and long-forgotten sports equipment resides in dark, damp closets. Rooms that would have been used for club meetings now house stacks of old mattresses. 

The three-story building still houses the large tiled pool, which in 1927 would have been where all students took their mandatory swimming test. There is also a large wooden gym that showcases murals of social club seals, including still active social clubs. Now, the floors are littered with crumbled plaster and ceiling tiles from the building’s slow decline to time.

More than just a book club: the Women's College's feminist book club

Katelyn Klark

Reporter

The Women’s College at Mississippi University for Women has established a thriving feminist book club thanks to one student.

In collaboration with The W’s Women’s College and Friendly City Books, non-traditional student Elessa Harvey worked to create an inclusive space for both W students and the Columbus community to explore feminism.

Dr. Jill Drouillard, director of the Women’s College, emphasized the importance of student leadership in establishing Harvey’s book club.

“We really wanted to make sure that it was a student-led initiative,” Drouillard said. “We wanted other students to know that they could come to the Women’s College with ideas.”

While Harvey leads the club’s discussions, students have a say in what the club reads.

During the summer of 2025, Harvey participated in the Nancy Yates Community Engagement Program, assisting Friendly City Books. Harvey’s experience with the independent bookstore inspired her to create 1884 Fellow Lessa Harvey’s Feminist Book Club.

“I joined the Women’s College because I view women, gender, and sexuality studies as activism as a degree,” said Harvey. “I remember thinking that Friendly City Books has these wonderful book clubs that they host for the community, and it would be so awesome if we could have a feminist one.”

Harvey hopes that the club will provide a less formal setting for discussions about feminist literature and personal experiences.

“I wanted a medium where we got to have a bit more fun and less formal discussion where you can talk about your own experiences and how it relates to this novel,” Harvey said.

Harvey’s book club will host a discussion at Friendly City Books about Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” on Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. The club will meet again on Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. to discuss Audre Lorde’s “Sister Outsider.”

“I Who Have Never Known Men” by Jacqualine Harpman has been tentatively selected for the Nov. 18 meeting, but may be subject to change. 

The covers of the three books selected for the Fall 2026 book club meetings.

Covers courtesy of Amazon, Crossing Press, and Transit Press.

Knowing your representative: a conversation with Rep. McLean

By Merry MacLellan

Editor-in-Chief

While the Mississippi legislative session officially runs from January to May, the rest of the year is still busy for Rep. Dana McLean as she prepares for the next session, works in her committees and meets with her local constituents.  

Representative Dana McLean for the Mississppi House District 39.

Photo courtesy of legislature.ms.gov

One of the many things that has filled her schedule is planning and preparation as she has announced to run again for the Mississippi House of Representatives. On top of having to plan for the legislative session, McLean is planning for the possibility of redistricting.  

In April, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Louisiana v. Callais, it overturned parts of the Voting Rights Act that had allowed districts to be drawn up according to voter’s racial demographics. Many Mississippians prepared for the possibility that, along with Louisiana and Tennessee, the state would be the next to redraw district lines. However, Gov. Tate Reeves announced in May that this would not occur until after midterm elections in November.  

“I believe that we will be called back to special session before January,” said McLean. “I believe we will be called back this fall. 

“And it may not be congressional districts that we redraw, but it appears that we will be redrawing our own statewide districts.”  

For McLean and others preparing for reelection, the possibility of a redraw could completely change the map of their districts. This raises the possibility that the election cycle could look very different from what McLean has experienced the past two times she has run for office.  

Until that special session is called, McLean has spent her time serving on her committees and visiting her constituents. In May, she participated as a Faculty in Residence for Mississippi University for Women’s NEW Leadership Mississippi summer summit. More recently, she visited the Possumtown Book Festival in Columbus on Aug. 29.  

McLean serves on seven committees in the Mississippi House, including the Universities and Colleges Committee, the Education Committee and the Youth and Family Services Committee. With District 39 containing parts of The W campus, and a personal history with the university, McLean has served as a diligent representative for the university and for the Mississippi School of Mathematics and Sciences.  

“So, it is woven through all of my memories and personal history,” said McLean. “So, it is very important to me that The W remains autonomous and remain independent and remain.”  

When asked about the possibility of The W potentially facing a merge with Mississippi State University as has been attempted in past legislative sessions, McLean was confident that would not be on the agenda for the 2027 session. She stated that there has yet to be any mention of it in a bill and that next year’s election would keep most controversial bills pushed off.  

Included in the discussion about the future of The W, McLean also discussed what the future of MSMS looks like in accordance with the legislature.  

“Yeah, I think that at this point, MSMS somewhat depends on what happens to The W,” said McLean.  

For McLean, while her time at the Capitol is important, much of her work comes from meeting with constituents and listening to the problems her communities face. Before she was even sworn into office in 2020, McLean was already meeting with constituents to help their voices be heard in Jackson.  

From people stopping her in the grocery store, to neighbors, to strangers who have sent a letter or called her, McLean wants it to be known why she was elected to her position.  

“I give out my card to everybody,” said McLean.  

For information on how to contact McLean, or on how to contact any of the state representatives, visit legislature.ms.gov/legislators/representatives

Slowing down and shutting up: an editor's column

Merry MacLellan

Editor-in-Chief

One of my favorite songs by King Princess is the song, “Slow Down and Shut Up.” And while I don’t listen to the song as much as I did upon its initial release, the chorus has come back to me frequently over the past weeks. My schedule has been busier than ever this semester and sometimes I wish someone would say those words to me.  

“Slow down and shut up.”  

Harsh? Maybe. But sometimes necessary when you’re the type of person who overthinks everything without the actual time in my days to be overthinking.  

If I opened my daily planner, you would understand where this desire to slow down is from. There’s always a class to attend, an assignment to turn in or an appointment that’s taking up more hours than necessary. There’s always something to do and the result of that busyness is that things become a mess. My emotions, my assignments, nothing is going smoothly and everything is on fire because there’s only so long that the human body can go at 100% before it breaks down.  

Already this semester I have been reaching my limits, stressing myself out with endless engagements, pushing myself to get everything done as best as I can, and I’m so tired. And we haven’t even made it to midterms.  

This month of September proved to be a trial, testing me to see who will come out on top. My schedule, or me. While the winner has yet to be announced, my optimism was beginning to wane until a friend reminded me that I didn’t need to rush, and a professor told me to slow down.  

It is so common to get caught up with all of the deadlines and things that we have to do. It’s practically second nature for me to try and get it all done as fast as I can to move onto the next task, only to find that I’ve made mistakes and have to start my task all over again. In the haste to have it done, I don’t have it done well. And in that hurry to get it over with, I say all the wrong things.  

So, I’ve been forced to slow down, to remember what my friend, my professor and King Princess have said. In the act of slowing down, everything becomes clearer. All the outside noise, chaos, and obligations slow down with me as I take a step back.  

Then I can shut up for a moment. I’m not racing to finish my sentences before I’ve even finished my thoughts. It is incredible how much strife can be avoided in your life when you’re taking the time to be quiet for a moment. Let yourself listen to the world as it moves by, listen to whoever is talking to you before jumping to a response.  

If you ever find yourself caught up in a whirlwind of things that need to be done, just take a moment. Slow down and shut up; that might be all you need to lighten the load and change your perspective.