/Mississippi historian David Sansing, 86, dies following fall

Mississippi historian David Sansing, 86, dies following fall

According to a university news release, Sansing spent his entire career telling stories that illuminated the complex history of Mississippi. Over the past several decades, his work reached hundreds of thousands Mississippi students. Noel Wilkin (provost and executive vice-chancellor for academic affairs at University of Mississippi) said in a news release that “we are deeply saddened to lose David Sansing”. He was an outstanding university citizen and made significant contributions to our institution. “It’s a sad day in the university community and he will be missed greatly.” Sansing wrote more than a dozen books on Mississippi history including “The University of Mississippi: A Sesquicentennial History”, “Making Haste Slowly” and “Mississippi Governors. His textbook “A Place Called Mississippi”, which he published in 2013, is still being used in both public and private high schools across the state. Curtis Wilkie is a journalist and Overby Fellow at University of Mississippi. Wilkie spoke about how Sansing refused to succumb to the temptations that historians fall for, such as glossing over problems at universities or institutions with which they were affiliated. His history of the university is the definitive record that shows our history fairly, despite the warts. Wilkie stated that David didn’t try to ignore what happened in 1962 with the Meredith crisis, the ugly riot that occurred and other events that damaged Ole Miss’ reputation. According to the news release, Sansing was born and raised in Greenville. He credits one of his high school history teachers with his passion for history. He was a U.S. Army veteran during the Korean War. He went on to receive his degrees at Mississippi College and the University of Southern Mississippi. He also received his doctorate of history. In 1970, Sansing started teaching history at Ole Miss. According to a University of Mississippi news release, Sansing was named Teacher of the Year in 1990. U.S. Senator Roger Wicker tweeted Sunday, “David Sansing had been my friend and professor for 50 years.” His wife Elizabeth, three children, David Sansing Jr., Elizabeth Sansing McLarty of Jackson and Perry Sansing McLarty of Oxford, are his survivors. He also has five grandchildren, Cherish Sansing and Mary Love McLarty and Michael McLarty. According to the release, all eight of Sansing’s grandchildren and children earned degrees from UM. According to the release, a memorial service is planned for Sansing at 4 p.m. on July 10._x000D