University Museum Releases Keepsake Celebrating Walk of Champions and Vaught Hemingway Stadium

On December 8 the University of Mississippi Museum unveiled its annual holiday keepsake, a commemorative item highlighting two of the campus most recognizable landmarks, the Walk of Champions and Vaught Hemingway Stadium. The keepsake is available through the museum store, and orders placed by December 19 will be delivered in time for Christmas. The offering arrives during the season when many local families and alumni look for tangible ways to share university pride.

“This year’s design celebrates two of the most iconic symbols of Ole Miss tradition and pride – the Walk of Champions and Vaught Hemingway Stadium – by highlighting their deep historical roots and their lasting impact on the university community,” said Campbell Sandlin, the museum’s coordinator of membership and communications.

The stadium bears the names of Judge William Hemingway, a professor of law and former chairman of the athletics board, and John Howard Vaught, the coach who led the Rebels to national championships in 1959, 1960 and 1962. By centering these sites, the museum keepsake ties present day fans to the university history that shapes campus identity and local culture in Lafayette County.

Beyond memorabilia value, local museums play a role in community wellbeing by offering shared cultural touchstones that contribute to social cohesion during the holiday season. For many residents, especially retirees and lower income households, affordable access to cultural items and programs can help reduce isolation and support mental wellness. The release of this keepsake is a reminder that cultural offerings are public health resources as well as heritage items.

As Lafayette County moves through the holiday season, city and county leaders and museum administrators might consider ways to expand equitable access to campus history, such as targeted outreach, donation based distribution or partnerships with community organizations. Ensuring that cultural institutions remain accessible helps sustain both the economic health of local heritage venues and the social fabric of the community they serve.