Founded in 1848, the University of Mississippi, affectionately known to alumni, students, and friends as Ole Miss, is Mississippi's flagship university. Included in the elite group of R1: Doctoral Universities - Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification, it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics, and business. With more than 23,000 students, Ole Miss is the state's largest university and is ranked among the nation's fastest-growing institutions.