JTC 26: Biology Major Builds Confidence, Community Through Gospel Choir

OXFORD, Miss. – When Anthony Miner arrived at the University of Mississippi from his hometown of Pearl, the December pre-med biology graduate felt overwhelmed by the size of campus, the crowds of students and the rigor of his classes.

"I would go home every weekend," Miner said. "But once I got acquainted with everything, it started to feel more like home."

Miner credits the University of Mississippi Gospel Choir for helping him grow personally and find his place at Ole Miss. A chance encounter with the choir at a tabling event on the Ole Miss Student Union plaza in his freshman year led him to attend a rehearsal, and he never looked back.

"The gospel community shaped me to be the person I am today," Miner said.

Before joining the choir, Miner said he lacked confidence and struggled to connect with others.

“When I first got here, I wouldn’t sing in front of anybody," he said. "I hated my voice because I thought I couldn't sing well. But from that point to now, there’s a huge difference.

"The choir brought me out of my shell; it changed my life.”

Over time, that quiet hesitation gave way to leadership. With flourishing confidence Miner grew into one of the choir’s section leaders.

“Anthony has been such a valuable part of the choir,” said Honesty Shaw, the choir's director. “He was one of our strongest tenors. I can always count on him to show up.

"Beyond his vocal talent, he brought a great sense of humor that made rehearsals and performances even more enjoyable.”

For Miner, the growth wasn’t just musical; it was personal. He said the choir also helped deepen his faith.

"I grew up in the church — my dad's a preacher — so I already felt close to God," he said. "But seeing my peers interact with God made me even stronger in my faith. Without the choir, I wouldn't be where I am spiritually."

When asked what his college experience might have looked like without the choir, Miner didn’t hesitate: "It would have been a boring life. I would be in my house, studying more and not having a social life."

Through the choir, Miner learned the value of community, a lesson he plans to carry into his future career in medicine. Post-graduation, he is preparing for the MCAT with a long-term goal of practicing family or emergency medicine in Mississippi or possibly Texas or Florida.

"My social life and Gospel Choir go together; they are my community," he said. "And they’ve taught me how to build community wherever I go."

Balancing academics with choir commitments taught Miner time management skills that were critical to his success. As a biology major with a minor in Spanish, he maintained a strong GPA while participating in at least eight concerts over four years.

"It is difficult to manage your time when you first come in," he said. "You want to go out and have fun and experience the college life in Oxford.

"But you can't really only keep doing that. You have to sit down and do your work."

Miner encourages incoming students who may feel shy or overwhelmed to step outside their comfort zones.

"Don't crawl up in your shield," he said. "Venture out, meet friends you feel comfortable with. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the people here on campus because there’s going to be a group or community where you fit."

As he reflects on his journey, Miner expresses gratitude for how far he’s come — and excitement for what’s ahead.

"It's been rough, but by the grace of God, I was able to accomplish graduating college," he said. "I can't wait to see what the future holds for me in terms of becoming a medical doctor and helping other people."

Top: Anthony Miner, a biology senior from Pearl, credits the UM Gospel Choir with bringing him out of his shell and shaping him into the person he is today as he prepares to pursue a career in medicine. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

See more photos from Anthony Miner's Journey to Commencement