The University of Mississippi’s Pre-Dental Society has officially partnered with the city of Oxford in the Adopt-a-Street program, taking on the upkeep of Madison Avenue and South 15th Street. This initiative, detailed in a memo from Mark Levy, director of special projects for the city to the board of aldermen, signifies the society’s commitment to community involvement and environmental care.

Under the terms of the agreement, the society will maintain these streets for at least two years. They will organize at least three yearly cleanup activities, following the city’s safety and reporting protocols.

The society’s president and 20 other members are spearheading this effort. The participants include Tucker Sala, Miller Hodge, Anna Leigh McCallum, Emily Ann Davidson, John Samuel Hathorn, John Clark Rounsaville, William Jackson Hall, Georgia Taylor Tucker, Margaret Elaine McCormick, Julia Carole Ladner, Megan Elizabeth Lacey, Sydney Elaine Woods, Robert Henry Walker, Rachel Caroline Dees, Swayze Elliott Pentecost, William Edward Moak, Robert Todd Migues, Emma Grace Dye, Mary Margo Fratesi and Elizabeth Anne Sudduth. All have signed waivers as part of their involvement.

The city of Oxford will provide the necessary equipment and safety gear to support this initiative, ensuring effective and safe cleanups.

Mark Levy, along with Ashley Gonce from the Environmental Services Office, shared that the Pre-Dental Society is the seventh group to join Oxford’s Adopt a Street Program. The program currently includes six active groups with about 75 volunteers. These groups manage approximately seven miles of city roadways and have collected 250-300 bags of garbage in 2023 alone.

The participation of the Pre-Dental Society in the Adopt-a-Street program is a significant contribution to the local community. Their active involvement in maintaining and beautifying these streets demonstrates a blend of civic responsibility and environmental stewardship, highlighting the important role of student organizations in local community development.