Founded in 1848, the University of Mississippi – affectionately known to alumni students and friends as Ole Miss – is Mississippi’s flagship university. Included in the elite group of R-1 Doctoral Universities (Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification) it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics, and business. With more than 24,000 students, Ole Miss is the state’s largest university and is ranked among the nation’s fastest-growing institutions. Its 15 academic divisions include a major medical school, nationally recognized schools of accountancy; law; and pharmacy–and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College,  renowned for a blend of academic rigor experiential learning and opportunities for community action.