Mississippi governor proposed the merger of Ole Miss, MSU into one 'greater' university

For two weeks in 1928, a Mississippi governor proposed the consolidation of the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University into a "greater" university located in Jackson, according to a recently released book.

"Hidden History of Jackson," co-authored by Josh Foreman and Ryan Starrett and published by Arcadia Publishing and The History Press, gives a chronological look at some of Jackson's lesser known history from the 1700s to the 1950s. One particular story concerns a move to merge the state's two largest universities into one.

In his inaugural 1928 address, then-Gov. Theodore Bilbo said he "was obligated by his desire to serve the state" to move Ole Miss and Mississippi State universities to 100 acres once occupied by the state insane asylum in Jackson.

"In recommending the removal of the university, I have but one purpose in view. That is the best interest of all the people of the state," Bilbo said.

Read more: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2018/07/31/miss-governor-proposed-merger-ole-miss-and-msu-into-greater-university/825686002/