Box continues ‘Long Blue’ legacy

Ethan Box, an incoming freshman, is a testament that Mississippi University for Women has been admitting men since 1982.

He is a third-generation male student and wants to continue the family tradition of walking the “Long Blue Line.”

“I want to be in my father’s fraternity, the BKTs. I’m also planning on being very active on campus,” Ethan said.

While he is a third-generation male, his whole family has a deep history with The W.

His grandmother, Glenda Kay Jobe Box, attended in the 60s. Though she didn’t graduate from The W and instead returned to Texas to finish school, she met Ethan’s grandfather while at the university.

Charles Box, the grandfather, originally attended East Mississippi Community College before being drafted during the Vietnam War. Following his stint in the Air Force, he returned to The W in 1996 to complete his education.

Mark Box, Ethan’s father, attended from 1991 to 1998.

Ethan’s mother, Jenny Leonard Box, attended from 1995 to 1999. She also met his father while both were students at The W.

“In 1995 my parents met at the W,” Ethan said. “My brother and I wouldn’t exist otherwise.”

Ethan’s brother, Eli, and sister-in-law, A. Brielle Bush, also graduated from The W.

Ethan plans to major in legal studies. The program was a large part of what drew him to campus.

“I was drawn to the legal studies program. I was also allowed to be part of the Honors college. I plan to get a job as a paralegal for some time while working on becoming a lawyer,” Ethan said.

However, he is no stranger to campus, and this also factored into his decision to attend The W.

“I have spent a lot of my life around and on campus. It’s also the closest to home in case I’m needed and there is the familiarity of it,” Ethan said.

Ethan looks forward to beginning classes, but before that he wants to soak in his first Blues Week.

Classes at The W begin Monday, Aug. 14.