The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees approved renaming the department of political science at the University of Mississippi to the Ray Mabus Department of Political Science after former Gov. Ray Mabus on April 16.
University of Mississippi alumnus Mabus was elected the youngest governor in Mississippi in 150 years in 1988. He was also named one of America’s top 50 CEOs by Glassdoor.
Mabus also served as the 75th U.S. Secretary of the Navy in 2009-17 during the former president Barack Obama’s administration.
“Very few Mississippians have achieved Secretary Mabus’ level of success in both state and national politics,” former state Rep. Cecil Brown said in a press release. “I admire his commitment to making this state and nation better places for all of us in every position he has held.”
In an April 16 university press release, Chancellor Glenn Boyce said Mabus serves as an example of the high level of achievement university alumni can reach.
“One of the tremendous hallmarks of our alumni is how they take their Ole Miss education and build lives of service and purpose,” Boyce said. “Alumnus, former Mississippi governor and former Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus is one of our highest examples of a lifetime of achievement.”
However, not everyone agreed with the renaming of the department.
“I must admit I was disappointed today to see the University of Mississippi choose to name their entire political science department after one of the most liberal Mississippi politicians in our state’s history,” Mississippi’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gibson said in a statement on Facebook. “It seems odd to identify the Ole Miss political science department after an individual who has been so critical of conservative principles and of President (Donald) Trump.”
Georgia Magden, a freshman political science major from Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., hopes that renaming the political science department will increase interest in the political science major and in local government.
“I think sometimes we can forget that a lot of the really important and influential work in politics comes from the local and state level,” Magden said.
The political science department referred to Mabus as an “outstanding public servant” in the April 16 press release, praising Mabus for his high achievements.
“Do something to make a difference,” Mabus said in the press release. “Give back to this unique nation of ours. Help people who may never know you or realize what you did.”
Magden believes renaming the department promotes its efforts to encourage public service.
“I think it emphasizes their commitment to focusing on the benefits of public service and that, at the end of the day, politics should be a selfless act about serving your community,” Magden said. “I think that is a lovely message for the department to send.”
John Bruce, chair of the political science department, said Mabus represents many of the core values the department upholds.
“The department is always looking for meaningful ways to recognize distinguished alumni. Secretary Ray Mabus has built a record of public service that reflects many of the core areas we study in political science, including American politics, foreign policy and national security,” Bruce said in a statement to The Daily Mississippian on April 21. “The naming will also help generate support for student scholarships, research and faculty development. We believe it is a meaningful way to recognize Secretary Mabus’ career while creating lasting benefits for the department.”
