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Just Jean - Photographing a MU student activist and mentor

  • Lily Oppenheimer
  • Sep 30, 2016
  • 1 min read

Jean Whitley, 23, takes a moment in downtown Columbia on September 2, 2016.

Jean Whitley is one of those people who pops up everywhere on the University of Missouri campus. After being involved with social justice retreats, singing groups, and MU student leadership, Jean is graduating and saying goodbye. But for those who knew Jean, these photos provide a glimpse of his sense of tranquility, his humor, his style, and wisdom. Even through a passing moment, Jean can change the dynamic of a space and make you light up.

"One of the most significant things I'm taking away from Mizzou after I graduate is that not everyone is going to have the same thought process as I will." -Jean Whitley, 23

"The way that I look at things isn't always going to be the same way others do, which is cool because I think that's where real growth and learning can develop." -Whitley, 23


 
 
 

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About This Blog.

I'm a Pittsburgh native pursuing a dual-major in convergence journalism and international studies, and these are the faces I've come to love so far from home. Call it a "humans of mid-Missouri" if you wish. Sometimes I'll post poetry. Sometimes I'll post photos of faces that were never newsworthy, but that doesn't mean there isn't a story behind them. These are the faces of friends, family, and passing strangers in mid-Missouri. They pour a little extra honey into my day, they mentor me, and even as they quickly come and go from my life, they provoke my curiosity. 

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Lily Oppenheimer - Missouri School of Journalism, Convergence. Focus in radio and international studies. 

-I'm a multimedia reporter, which means I'm a writer, anchor, video editor and podcast junkie. I also love exploring new salsa dance spots, eating chocolate and connecting with innovative people. 

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