McKenzie Cox, a junior integrated marketing communications and public policy leadership major from Concord, N.C., was crowned Miss University 2025 on Oct. 3.

Celeste Lay won first alternate, Maddie Grace Lightsey won second alternate and Madison Belk won third alternate.

The Miss University Scholarship Competition — now in its 76th year — is hosted by the Student Activities Association and the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union. It is a preliminary competition for Miss Mississippi. This year there were 11 participants and all winners were awarded scholarships.

Cox won a $5,000 dollar scholarship. Lay won a $1,000 scholarship, Lightsey won a $500 scholarship, and Belk won a $250 scholarship.

Miss University 2024 Jane Granberry joined the contestants to say goodbye to her title.

“I once was the girl who wanted to be Miss University, so being the one people look up to now is truly a blessing” Granberry said.

The night was hosted by Mr. Ole Miss Jakota White and Miss Mississippi’s Teen 2024 Brooke Bumgarner. They guided the participants through introductions and interviews as well as talent, athletic wear and evening gown portions.

“All of the women who competed tonight represented so many different parts of our campus. You can really tell how supported they all are by the community at Ole Miss,” junior integrated marketing communications major Callie Scroggins said.

Amber Amis, a junior integrated marketing communications major, expressed confidence in Cox as Miss University.

“I know that she is going to represent the University of Mississippi very well,” Amis said.