Evelyn Gandy Online Encyclopedia Launched at USM
Thu, 10/12/2023 - 07:54am | By: David Tisdale
A public history project focusing on the life and career of University of Southern
Mississippi (USM) alumna and history-making politician Evelyn Gandy has been established
at her alma mater with the online-accessible E. Evelyn Gandy Encyclopedia.
The Gandy Encyclopedia was designed to create a comprehensive portrait of one of Hattiesburg and Mississippi’s most famous citizens, Edythe Evelyn Gandy. Entries in the encyclopedia are researched and written by USM students and cover topics ranging from her pioneering career as the state’s first female Lieutenant Governor to the study of the objects, awards, design, and records from her historic home and in the USM Archives’ Gandy Collection.
Beginning with the first encyclopedia entries posted in the fall 2023 semester, this organically growing project seeks to explore the many facets of the history of Gandy’s home, life, and legacy, and to bring those histories into focus through the various exhibitions and articles, both digital and physical, as well as the many interactive elements of this project.
USM students enrolled in the course HIS 350: Public History in Theory and Practice, taught by USM Assistant Professor of History Dr. John Winters, have made significant contributions to the Gandy Encyclopedia.
“The Gandy Encyclopedia’s contents reflect the varied interests and perspectives of
USM students,” Dr. Winters said. “The first articles published cover such diverse
topics as Gandy's political affiliations, perspectives on race and gender, administrative
history, and her profound political career and legal legacy.
“As new generations of USM students continue to contribute to this growing project, the Encyclopedia will become a comprehensive compendium of Gandy's life that puts her legacy into conversation within the dynamic society we live in today.”
Current USM students interested in contributing to The Encyclopedia of E. Evelyn Gandy can contact Dr. Winters.