A twin bond supported Michael and Lauren Taplin as they found their way at the university.
Twins Michael and Lauren Taplin used to watch “The Blind Side” together in their Edwardsville, Illinois, home and wonder about what Ole Miss was really like. Although the siblings’ interests were very different, they both liked the sense of the University of Mississippi they got from the movie and decided to visit when it was time to apply for college.
“I think what surprised me the most is that there is something for everyone on campus and in Oxford,” Lauren said.
As each twin pursued their different interests at Ole Miss, they still spent lots of time together, supporting each other and providing a link to their close-knit family while away at school.
Now, as they both prepare to graduate from Ole Miss, they are also preparing to live in different cities for the first time as they pursue their careers.
From ‘The Blind Side’to the Big Leagues
Lauren, who majored in sport and recreation administration with an emphasis in sport administration, plus a minor in Spanish, grew up an avid sports fan. While in school, she worked as the Ole Miss baseball student manager and an intern in the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation, using her lifelong, in-depth baseball knowledge to eventually land right where she had hoped: Major League Baseball.
After finishing her coursework a semester early in December 2021, Lauren became the first female hired into the New York Mets’ scouting department to work specifically on the MLB draft and discuss and evaluate players in the war room.
“I am extremely passionate about baseball,” Lauren said. “I am motivated by my lifelong dream to work high up in the front office, so this is a dream come true for me.”
It will be fun to watch the total impact she has in her world.
David Waddell
In 2021, Lauren received the university’s McMurray Undergraduate Award, the highest honor within the sport and recreation administration program. And in April, she was awarded a Taylor Medal, the university’s highest academic honor.
“Lauren demonstrated a desire to learn all she could to prepare her for a career in sports,” said David Waddell, a lecturer the Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Administration and a friend and mentor to Lauren. “She was never afraid to ask questions or obtain advice. It will be fun to watch the total impact she has in her world.”
Finding His Own Path
The twins have always been close and stayed that way in college, hanging out with some of the same friends, tailgating together and having each other’s back while they were away from home. When Michael came out in his sophomore year at Ole Miss, his sister was the first person he told.
“Lauren has always supported me,” Michael said. “I knew if she didn’t think anything different (of me), then nobody else would. I was right.”
Michael majored in integrated marketing and communications with a specialization in social media and PR and a minor in general business. He took on numerous communications work experiences, including as one of the university’s social media ambassadors and a student worker in the university’s Office of Marketing and Communications.
Most of his work was under the supervision of Webb Lewis, the university’s assistant director of marketing, brand strategy and social media.
“Webb noticed potential in me that at times, I didn’t see in myself,” Michael said. “Webb always asked about my interests and what’s going on in my life. He even influenced me to change my major from general business to IMC and add specializations in social media and public relations.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without Webb Lewis.”
I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside Michael starting with his first day on campus as a freshman, all the way through to seeing him graduate. He brought great joy to our office, partnered with a wonderful passion to learn and grow. I’m proud of who he has become and look forward to seeing all he accomplishes.”
Webb Lewis
While working with the Office of Marketing and Communications for four years, Michael, who hopes to operate his own marketing firm one day, wrote news stories, created social media content, drafted university communications and led a student editorial team that created weekly issues of The Powder Blue, the Ole Miss student newsletter.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside Michael starting with his first day on campus as a freshman, all the way through to seeing him graduate,” Lewis said. “He brought great joy to our office, partnered with a wonderful passion to learn and grow.
“I’m proud of who he has become and look forward to seeing all he accomplishes.”
Going Forward Together
Though Lauren and Michael both thrived and made great friends and memories at Ole Miss, they agree that going to school with each other was what Michael called “an unbeatable, irreplaceable experience.”
“My favorite part of Ole Miss is that Michael was here with me,” Lauren said. “It’s always good to have your best friend around.”
Now that the two are going their separate ways and becoming Ole Miss alumni, they both say they are incredibly proud to have attended UM and are already missing Oxford.
“The Ole Miss campus community is like a family,” Lauren said. “It’s rare to walk on campus and not see someone you know. Ole Miss will be a part of me forever.”
By Sydney DuPriest, University Marketing and Communications
