The recently announced Martha Jo Mims Digitization and Conservation Lab brings a treasure of history to Mississippi University for Women. Mims, of Columbus, was present for the formal announcement and unveiling in her honor Sept. 26.
“The Mims Digitization and Conservation Laboratory is a huge step forward for the university and takes the Fant Library to the next level,” said Amanda Clay Powers, dean of the Fant Memorial Library. “Our mission is to be the center of research for the history and leadership of Mississippi women, and by digitizing our archival collections we can now share them with the world.”
Mims, a former teacher, an influencer and mentor, began her career at The W in 1967. She was a member of the Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers and recipient of the Faculty Member of the Year Award, Columbus-Lowndes Higher Education Faculty Member of the Year Award and the MUW Medal of Excellence — the university’s highest non-degree honor. Upon her retirement in 2000, she was awarded emerita status.
After retirement, Mims continued to contribute to the university through countless hours as a volunteer in the library’s Beulah Culbertson Archives and Special Collections. She dedicated herself to helping identify people and places in a collection of approximately 700 unidentified photos. Her work has enabled the library to contribute images in support of student and family history projects, exhibits and research, in addition to providing supportive information for local businesses.
Thoughtful gift
Laura Massey, a former student of Mims, and husband Ken Massey presented the university with the gift that resulted in the Mims Lab.
Laura first met Mims at Fant Hall on Move-In Day when she was a freshmen. Throughout Laura’s time at The W, she was constantly influenced by Mims as a faculty member and an adviser.
“I kept thinking how can we all, as students, give back to her and that was hard because she gives so much to so many. We decided we wanted to give a scholarship in Mims’ honor. We did that and that really wasn’t enough,” said Laura.
The Masseys and Mims never lost touch, continuing a close friendship. The Masseys would return to the university and were amazed at Mims when she volunteered in the archives.
“With her knowledge of the university history, she is unique,” said Ken Massey. “Very few people could do what she was doing to identify photos and class groups. She is doing what she loves.”
The Mims lab is located on the second floor of Fant Memorial Library, inside the Beulah Culbertson Archives and Special Collections.
Mims’ “encyclopedic knowledge,” as described by university archivist Derek Webb, will be available online to future students and scholars due to the generosity of the Masseys.
“This generous and thoughtful gift made by Laura and Ken Massey will make a lasting impact on our efforts to preserve the university’s history. What a special way to honor Martha Jo’s legacy at The W,” said Andrea Stevens, executive director of Development and Alumni.
Thanks to the gift in Mims’ honor, students, like those minoring in digital studies, will digitize and share documents from the first public university for women dating back to the 1800s. Items such as yearbooks, university bulletins and a donated collection of handwritten letters and diaries will be available to students, faculty and researchers around the world.
According to Associate Professor Hillary Richardson, the new digital studies minor is designed to help students develop critical thinking and technical skills around data and information literacy and examine the cultural, political and social implications of new technologies.
“We’re now able to increase the volume by which we can scan and digitize data from special collections, thanks to the three scanners and large wall monitors. We can also share information with each other more easily, and students learn that there are different ways to create a digital record for something,” said Richardson.
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