Long Island native Delaney O’Keefe joined the class of 3,000 freshmen this year.
O’Keefe initially wanted to attend a university where she could pursue her goal of playing lacrosse. But like many high school athletes, she changed her mind about the sport, freeing her to attend a school of her choice for non-athletic reasons.
Drawn to The University of Mississippi by the insanely energetic football atmosphere, low tuition costs and traditions of the Grove, O’Keefe said she has never regretted her decision.
“It’s everything and more,” she said. “People are really nice here and a lot more welcoming. In New York, you don’t make eye contact.”
Ole Miss has its downsides too, however.
“Oh my gosh,” O’Keefe said. “The bugs here are like small birds.”
For O’Keefe, growing up in suburbs of Syosset, Long Island, was a wonderful experience. She grew up surrounded by four generations of family who all live relatively close to one another. When she wants to remind herself of home, O’Keefe surrounds herself with other northerners.
“It’s nice to have friends that know what’s it like where you’re from,” O’Keefe said.
Best friend and fellow Rhode Islander, Emily Karn, described her as comforting and easy to talk to.
“She listens really well and gives super good advice about everything,” Karn said.
O’Keefe frequently visits the 6 N Tubbs for a slice of New York style pizza.
“New York is known for its pizza and its bagels,” O’Keefe said.
While the best advice she has been given is to study hard and to not let the partying alter her goals, O’Keefe has the same fears as any other college student.
“I want to do well in school, obviously,” she said. “It’s a lot different than high school.”
Although she loves being at Ole Miss, O’Keefe, whose major is undeclared, will be taking her degree back up north and putting it to use. She said she could never tolerate the heat and humidity.
“I’ve become a little bit nicer,” O’Keefe said about the Southern hospitality that has rubbed off on her since moving to Oxford and the diversity of outlook it has given her. “This atmosphere is different.”
