VOA标准英语2008年-University Of Mississippi Looks to Presidential

The host for the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain, the University of Mississippi, is attempting to showcase the campus that nearly half a century ago drew world attention for a violent racial conflict. VOA's Greg Flakus reports from Oxford¹, Mississippi.
　
James McShane, chief U.S. Marshal (r), escorts James Meredith to classes at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi (02 Oct 1962 file photo)

When the University of Mississippi began the quest to host a presidential debate several years ago, a large part of the reason was to draw attention to a school and a state that many people still associate with ugly incidents from the civil rights movement of the 1960's. It was here, in September, 1962, that violence flared² after James Meredith became the first black person to enroll³ in the state school.

President John F. Kennedy sent federal marshals to protect Meredith and they were attacked by a mob of white supremacists. Two men died in the riot and this university and this town gained a reputation that lingers 46 years later.

The chancellor⁴ of the university, known popularly as Ole Miss, is Robert Khayat. He says he wants people around the world to see how this school and this community have changed for the better.
　
University of Mississippi Chancellor Robert Khayat stands near the Lyceum in Oxford, Mississippi, 16 Sep 2008

"I think they will see a progressive community," said Khayat. "I think they will see a diverse community. I think they will see a place where respect is a value that is embraced and lived. I think they will see a university that is out on the cutting edge in many ways. I think it is a close up look at a place that has not been looked at in 40 years."

Today 14 percent of the more than 17,000 students at Ole Miss are black. The overall percentage of minorities is 19 percent. One of the most prominent features of the campus is a monument to the civil rights movement with a statue of James Meredith near the Lyceum, the oldest building on campus and the focus of the 1962 riot.

As part of the program surrounding the debate Friday, the university is sponsoring a "Rock the Vote" party on the campus. In addition to music and other stage events, there are a number of politically oriented activities taking place. There are no classes on Friday, but many students are on hand to take part in the activities.

1 Oxford   

n.牛津（英国城市）

参考例句：

• At present he has become a Professor of Chemistry at Oxford.他现在已是牛津大学的化学教授了。
• This is where the road to Oxford joins the road to London.这是去牛津的路与去伦敦的路的汇合处。

2 Flared   

adj. 端部张开的, 爆发的, 加宽的, 漏斗式的 动词flare的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• The match flared and went out. 火柴闪亮了一下就熄了。
• The fire flared up when we thought it was out. 我们以为火已经熄灭，但它突然又燃烧起来。

3 enroll   

v.招收；登记；入学；参军；成为会员（英)enrol

参考例句：

• I should like to enroll all my children in the swimming class.我愿意让我的孩子们都参加游泳班。
• They enroll him as a member of the club.他们吸收他为俱乐部会员。

4 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。