JTC 25: Inspired to Help Others

University of Mississippi senior Jesse Gordon has loved being a part of the Ole Miss family ever since he was a kid. When he was growing up in Lucedale, his family had ties to the University of Mississippi, and as an elementary and middle schooler, he participated in Rebel baseball camps each summer at Swayze Field.

“I kept coming to baseball camp every year until they finally kicked me out,” Gordon said. “I did eventually age out of kids camp, but the fantastic experiences I had visiting campus and Oxford made me want to keep coming back.”

When it came time to choose a college, Gordon said he only wanted to come to Ole Miss.

“There really wasn’t any other place I wanted to be.”

Gordan graduated from George County High School in spring of 2021 and enrolled at Ole Miss that fall.  

He was considering a career in the medical field but changed his major a few times until he found a good fit with the university’s Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies degree program during his sophomore year.

“I knew I wanted to help people, but I needed to find a degree program that worked for me,” Gordon said.

He shadowed his childhood dentist and loved the experience, so he began exploring opportunities at Ole Miss to learn more about a career in dentistry.

Through the MDS program Gordon minored in biology, chemistry and math to help prepare him to enroll in dental school.

He helped start a student organization at Ole Miss called the UM Tooth Fairy Club that gathered other students who were interested in dentistry and worked to help local children understand and become more comfortable with dental care.

The group held donation drives for toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash. The items were donated to children at Leland Elementary School in Washington County.

“There are so many fun ways to help children become more comfortable with dental care,” Gordon said. “You can demonstrate brushing your teeth with teddy bears and help kids understand why it’s important to take care of your teeth.

“Growing up, I appreciated my dentist back at home and how she helped me build confidence. I want to help kids feel better about their smile like she did for me.”

This past summer, Gordon secured a position as a dental assistant intern in Washington, D.C. He was able to investigate different areas of dentistry at the Beverly Pediatric Dentistry practice, including oral surgery, working with dental devices and general dentistry.

“The summer was really full circle and eye-opening for me,” Gordon said. “And I love that Ole Miss came with me to D.C. when I had the chance to connect with fellow students, alumni and staff during the ‘Mississippi on the Mall’ event in June.”

During his time in Oxford, Gordon has plugged in to various volunteer opportunities and ways to share his love for the Ole Miss community.

He served as an orientation leader for incoming students during the summer of 2022. He helped keep students dancing and the fundraising flowing as a morale leader during the annual RebelTHON fundraising event for Children’s of Mississippi.

Gordon served as president of the Gamma Beta Phi honor society that provides community service opportunities for Ole Miss students and helped the chapter win an Outstanding Chapter of the Year award in 2024.

As a middle blocker on the Ole Miss men’s club volleyball team, Gordon also represented the university around the country. He and the team were invited to attend the National College Volleyball Federation’s national tournaments in Kansas City in 2024 and made a repeat appearance in April in Phoenix.

“It’s been fun to get to travel with my friends and have that team experience,” he said.

Gordon’s hard work and love for Ole Miss was recognized this spring when he was inducted into the 2025 Ole Miss Hall of Fame with nine other seniors.

“Ole Miss is a great place to thrive,” Gordon said. “I’ll remember everything the university has done for me and all of the people I had the opportunity to meet and connect with.”

Top: From Rebel baseball camps to the Hall of Fame, Jesse Gordon’s Ole Miss journey has come full circle. The Lucedale native found his calling in dentistry and is leaving a legacy of service, leadership and school spirit. Submitted photo

See more photos from Jesse Gordon's Journey to Commencement