The South Oxford Center’s Infinite Potential
Experiential learning, school nutrition services, new dining options and endless possibilities are at the heart of plans for the University of Mississippi School of Applied Sciences’ world-class kitchen and dining complex in the South Oxford Center.
Renovating the former Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi building will facilitate unmatched, career building experiences for students, and bring together the larger Oxford community. Private support is critical to the development of the Innovation Kitchen and dining space and your support will ensure it reaches its full potential.
Pete Grandjean, dean of UM’s School of Applied Sciences, has set a goal for the school to shape the future of nutrition and hospitality management in the state, region, and nation. Plans call for a new minor in culinary sciences, more experiential learning opportunities for students, new interdisciplinary collaborations, and more opportunities for community engagement.
This new, dedicated space will be vital to accomplishing these goals:
Early Childhood Learning: When the Willie Price Lab School of the UM School of Education relocates here, Ole Miss students will get experience in providing nutritional services for the young learners and staff. They will work with the National Institute on Child Nutrition located on campus.
Sports Nutrition: Collaborations with Ole Miss Athletics will focus on sports nutrition and provide experiential learning opportunities for students and research opportunities for faculty.
Nutrition Clinic: A nutrition clinic developed with health and fitness researchers will offer assessments to the campus and community. It will also provide more hands-on, learning opportunities for students.
Experiential Learning and Career Development: Plans for a curbside kitchen and meal prep station manned by Ole Miss students will assist local food truck operators.
Budding culinary professionals will run a “grab-and-go” café offering pastries, sandwiches, and coffee.
Community Engagement & Special Events: Dining options will serve the entire community and cooking classes and other special events will be offered.
Open to the Oxford community, the Innovation Kitchen could feature UM graduates, such as internationally known chef Kelly English or the most recent James Beard Award semi-finalist Hunter Evans preparing special culinary feasts for patrons.
A casual dining patio will be available for special outdoor events like concerts, community gatherings, corporate events, weddings, and other parties.
Interested in learning more about how you can support the School of Applied Sciences’ work at the South Oxford Center? Contact Trey Skelton, development associate, at 601-422-8590 or tskelton@olemiss.edu.