JTC 26: A Philosopher Headed to Stanford

Jeffrey Jordan did not come to the University of Mississippi to study one thing. The Jackson native arrived looking for the place where his favorite subjects converged, and he found it.  

In May, he graduates with degrees in philosophy and public policy leadership. This fall, he plans to head to Stanford Law School. 

Q&A with Jeffrey Jordan 

What brought you to Ole Miss? Why did you choose your major? 

Our beautiful campus drew me in. Touring, I thought, “I would love to walk here every day.”  

Entering college, I sought to pursue the intersection of my favorite subjects, not just focus on one discipline. Interested in economics, philosophy, psychology and sociology, I saw politics as the place where they all found their application, and so I chose to study public policy leadership.  

Then, I realized the philosophy department satisfied my curiosity even more, allowing me to engage with the most fascinating parts of politics directly. And unable to take the required economic principles classes without diving deeper, I picked up an economics minor. 

What standout experiences have you had at Ole Miss? 

I am incredibly grateful for our philosophy department. Our professors encourage curiosity and pursuing the truth, which not only leads to academic success but also cultivates character.  

For me, the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom then built on that foundation, providing community around those values and applying them to the American tradition. Thanks to philosophy and the Declaration Center, I will graduate with a love for discovering new ideas and challenging my assumptions, familiarity with many great thinkers, and friends that I hope will continue learning with me for the rest of our lives.  

I am also grateful for the ministry of Reformed University Fellowship, which has provided consistent encouragement, friendships and opportunities to serve during my time here. 

Were there any challenges you overcame during your college journey? 

Junior year, I lost a friend. My freshman-year roommate; he and I had become close friends by the time he died. His death deeply affected many of my other friends, creating a dark time in all our lives.  

And yet, tragedy begot hope. It pierced through the worries of everyday college life, tore me from self-centeredness, crushed my self-reliance and set my mind on eternal things. As I said in my eulogy for him, grief clarified and beautified the gospel for me, and I believe it did for others, too. God is good. 

Who has been your most influential mentor, professor or supporter at Ole Miss? 

I am thankful for Dr. Steven Skultety’s great patience, expertise and generosity. From leading the philosophy department to spearheading the Declaration Center, to teaching on Edmund Burke, Montesquieu, Plato and Aristotle, to providing trips to political and academic conferences, Dr. Skultety is responsible for many invaluable parts of my college experience. 

What are your post-graduation plans? 

I will continue my education at Stanford Law School. 

How has your Ole Miss education prepared you for your next steps? 

I am equipped not just to retain and reiterate ideas but to parse them and truly communicate them to others. 

In one sentence, what would you tell future Ole Miss students? 

In pursuing involvements that align with my values, I have found both academic and extracurricular community that not only provides joy and fellowship but also pushes me toward excellence, toward curiosity, service and kindness. 

Top: Jeffrey Jordan, a philosophy and public policy leadership graduate from Jackson, graduates in May having found his intellectual home in the philosophy department and the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom. He will attend Stanford Law School in the fall. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services 

See more photos from Jeffrey Jordan's Journey to Commencement