Since the idea of moving Mississippi School for Math and Science from its home on the campus of Mississippi University for Women to a new site at Mississippi State University first emerged late in the 2024 legislative session, MUW president Nora Miller seemed to have struggled to find her voice.
Until this week, it had been more Doris Day and “Que Sera Sera” than Tom Petty and “I Won’t Back Down,” even as it became more and more evident that the Mississippi Department of Education had rigged the game in favor of Mississippi State.
In February, when the MDE began its Machiavellian machinations to legitimize moving MSMS through a process that (presumably) allowed both universities to make their cases, Miller sounded almost fatalistic. In a letter to the MUW community, Miller said that, yes, MUW would submit a proposal to MDE, but if MSMS was relocated, The W would have a back-up plan to sustain the university and make up for the loss.
It’s not the sort of thing you say when you want to rally the troops.
In the spring of 2025, the MDE held a brief public comment period immediately before the Board announced, predictably, that MSU should be the new home of MSMS. Through a public records request by a private citizen, The Dispatch reviewed the public comments.
Of the total comments, 185 advocated keeping MSMS right where it is. Just three people favored moving MSMS to MSU.
Those public comments seem to have inspired Miller to find her voice.
In a Monday interview with The Dispatch, she said it was clear that the MDE gave the public comments “no consideration at all” and said the MDE has been motivated by “politics” rather than what’s best for education.
That’s a message the MUW base desperately needs to hear, and we hope Miller continues to broadcast it.
This is an important change. Locally, people have rallied to the cause. Local stakeholders have long recognized that moving MSMS represents an existential threat to MUW’s future.
MUW alumni outside of Lowndes County need to understand that too.
Carrying that message to the larger MUW community relies in large part on Miller. Make no mistake, MUW alumni located throughout the state can be a formidable force. Their influence with legislators from other parts of the state may be the last line of defense against a rigged process.
The public comments are evidence that MUW supporters are energized, Miller said. She said MUW supporters will use that energy to make their case directly to the legislators, who have the final say, after all.
Miller did not speak of a back-up plan Monday. She spoke as a leader, rallying the troops and stirring to action the sleeping giant that is MUW’s base.
The message she now proclaims is no longer “Whatever will be, will be,” but “Gonna stand my ground and I won’t back down.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
