Southern Miss Now

Southern Miss Gulf Coast Instructor, Student Presented Disability Accommodations Awards

w301717 — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:49:57 +0000

The University of Southern Mississippi Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA) recently presented awards to both a Southern Miss Gulf Coast faculty member and student for their outstanding commitment to community and the integration and inclusion of people with disabilities into campus life.

Billie Tingle, visiting instructor in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education, was presented the Outstanding Instructor Award at the ODA Awards Reception held on the Hattiesburg campus. Alongside Tingle, recent elementary education graduate Ashlen Johnson was presented the Student Academic Excellence and Community Involvement Award.

Tingle, who has been with the university since 2008, was presented the award for her commitment to create a welcoming and accessible campus for persons with disabilities. Nominated by a student, Tingle was described as going above and beyond to ensure students were equipped to succeed.

Overcoming challenges, Johnson maintained a 3.5 grade point average during her academic career. In addition to being a member of the Southern Miss Gulf Coast Civic Chorale, Johnson has been involved in a music sorority and international honor society. Her honors include Alpha Lambda Delta, an academic honor presented to first year students, and most recently the Outstanding Elementary Education Student Award.

In addition to the student and instructor awards, the Outstanding Staff Award was presented to Denise Bounds with the Department of Residence Life in Hattiesburg.

The (ODA) is the university’s designated office to verify students' eligibility for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ODA works with eligible students on an individual basis in developing and coordinating plans for the provision of reasonable accommodations that are specific to their disabilities.

For more information about the ODA, visit www.usm.edu/oda.

University President Rodney Bennett's Statement on Southern Miss Athletics

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:13:47 +0000

University of Southern Mississippi President Dr. Rodney Bennett announced today that Jeff Hammond's contract as athletic director would not be renewed beyond its expiration date of June 30.

Below is Dr. Bennett's statement regarding the decision.

Intercollegiate athletics has provided an outlet for students pursuing their degree requirements since its establishment. It has also provided students with the opportunity to play their sport at the highest amateur levels while continuing their education. There are more than 300 Division I athletics programs across the country, both public and private, and The University of Southern Mississippi is proud to be among that group. Coaches at USM are among the finest and most dedicated of any program, and our student athletes continuously put in the time and effort to maximize their highest athletic ability while balancing academics. As an institution, we are grateful for both.

The University of Southern Mississippi Athletics Department and its programs are at a critical juncture in determining our future within the current conference and with regard to future conference placement. Many components, including facilities, budgets, private giving, student-athlete well-being, and placement within the NCAA determine the success of athletics programs. Division I athletics is a complex enterprise that requires one to establish and maintain relationships not only on campus or in the local community, but also throughout the NCAA system and beyond.

Our current athletics director, General Jeff Hammond, has served our country through his military career with honor and distinction. I personally like General Hammond and respect him as a USM alum.

However, I have decided to not renew his contract beyond its ending date of June 30, 2013. It is important to me to hire my own executive staff in certain high profile areas and assemble my own leadership team. Nonetheless, there is a place for General Hammond in my administration, and I have extended an opportunity for him to continue to serve USM in other areas. I am hopeful that he will accept my offer. I want to thank General Hammond for his service to the athletics department and the university and for his efforts to lead our athletics program.

I believe that the selection of a new athletics director who has national leadership experience and reputation within NCAA athletics will best position us for the future. To facilitate the selection of our new athletics director, I have secured the services of Bob Beaudine, President and CEO of Eastman & Beaudine, the premier athletics administrative search firm in the country. I have also secured the services of Vince Dooley, former University of Georgia head football coach and 1980 NCAA National Championship winner, who served as former long-term University of Georgia athletics director and also coached Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker along with many other student athletes who went on to be successful in professional athletics. Coach Dooley will review the athletics director job description and our current athletics program and advise me on his recommendations of how we can continue to position ourselves to be competitive in conference placement. In working with Mr. Beaudine and Coach Dooley, my goal is to have a new athletics director selected and on the ground here in Hattiesburg no later than August 31st of this year.

While I have not pre-determined who our next athletics director will be, because of my contacts in athletics, I know of several highly qualified individuals from around the country who I hope and suspect will apply. There will be a national search, and I am confident that highly qualified, experienced candidates will be excited about this opportunity at USM. In the coming weeks, I will identify a group who, along with Coach Dooley, will review and make recommendations on the athletics director job description. I will then select a small group to assist me with interviewing the top candidates.

Effective July 1 and until the new athletics director arrives on campus, Mr. Jeremy McClain will serve as the interim athletics director. As you know, Mr. McClain is currently the deputy director of athletics. He will not be a candidate for the position on a permanent basis.

I am excited about our future. Our best days as a university and as an athletics department are ahead of us. I am looking forward to building a world-class academic community, a world-class arts community, and a world-class athletics community – and I hope that each of you will join me in supporting these initiatives.

PBS Features Southern Miss Gulf Coast Social Work Instructor, Class in Video

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:53:25 +0000

Charmaine Williams Schmermund

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) viewers may have seen a series of new promotional videos featured on the television station, one of which highlights University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast social work instructor Karen Aderer and her use of PBS in the classroom.

Using PBS programming to provide real life examples to her students, Aderer says she finds this method makes for more engaged students, as well as interesting and lively conversations in the classroom. Aderer added that the programming examples are what students could expect to see in real social work practices, which helps to reinforce what students are learning.

“I hope the video brings awareness of the value in using PBS programming in the classroom,” said Aderer. “Students want to learn about what is relevant, interesting, and current. They want to know the lessons they are being taught will help them in whichever career path they take.”

“I have found that infusing classes with documentaries, news clips, and other media helps to keep students engaged. The best part is that PBS resources are professionally produced, unbiased, of academic quality, and cover a vast range of topics.”

Replying to a post on PBS’ Facebook page, Aderer informed the educational medium exactly how their programming was making a difference in people’s lives. Not much time passed before she was contacted by a director for an interview, which led to her selection as a recently filmed viewer testimonial.

PBS filmed a total of 15 viewer testimonials that have been provided to member stations to play during programming breaks. Being featured in the promotional videos, Aderer is among compelling testimonials showing how PBS has helped people develop rich life experiences.

Aderer’s students also took part in the promotional video as they were filmed during class at the university’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. The television spot features the class of 24 undergraduate social work students, as well as a classroom in the university’s new historically restored Lloyd Hall.

Considered “America’s largest classroom,” PBS and its member stations are described as the nation’s largest stage for the arts and a trusted window to the world. Aderer hopes her love of PBS has passed on to her students.

“This was a really fun and exciting opportunity to support a nonprofit organization that I believe in,” said Aderer. “It is my hope that this video shows the rest of America our beautiful Southern Miss Gulf Park campus, professional faculty and the intelligence of our highly motivated students.”

National Sports Safety Conference and Exhibition Forum Line-Up Announced

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:33:18 +0000

Alison Crumpton

In response to the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, 2013, this year’s National Forum – “Maintaining Safety and Security at Open Access Sporting Events: Different Challenges, Same Principles,” will provide national conference attendees with a set of protective measures that will help establish secure environments at events with open access areas.

Sponsored by Raytheon, the National Forum will take place during the opening day (July 16) of this year’s 4^th Annual National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) Conference and Exhibition set for July 16-18 in Orlando, Fla. The forum is scheduled for Noon-2 p.m. with a news conference to follow.

The NCS⁴ is located at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Hattiesburg campus.

Dave Scott, general manager for US Road Sports & Entertainment of Florida and race director for the Miami Marathon, as well as president of Stadium Managers Association, will serve as the forum facilitator. Alana Penza, program manager for NCS⁴’s Institute for the Study of Sport Incidents, will give the forum’s opening remarks, followed by Boston Police Superintendent William Evans discussing lessons learned from the Boston Marathon incidents.

“There’s always going to be a raw wound,” said Evans. “We’re going to have to always be concerned about security, but I am so proud of the entire Boston Police Department and the way they handled themselves throughout the entire situation.”

Subject matter expects representing events which include marathons, triathlons, auto racing, golf, parades, festivals, and tailgating will be on hand to begin the conversation at the National Forum. They will address the unique safety and security challenges facing event operators, law enforcement, and first responders at events with open access areas.

Some of the current issues and challenges at open access events include active shooter, suspicious packages, communication, lack of budgetary allocations, and managing growth of events.

Through dialogue between the experts and audience participants, in addition to round table discussions, the end result of the National Forum will be a set of best practices that can be implemented during open access events.

“Producing safe and secure events is a constant concern for all event directors,” said Scott. “The NCS⁴ conference and forum addressing these topics should not be missed.”

The National Forum is hosted by NCS⁴’s Institute for the Study of Sport Incidents, in conjunction with the Stadium Managers Association. For more information regarding press/credentials at the 2013 Conference, visit http://www.ncs4.com/conference/pressmedia.

For more information about the conference, visit http://www.ncs4.com/conference.

NSF-Funded Science Center to Hold First Meeting at GCRL June 21-22

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:25:38 +0000

Martha Brown

The Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCeMFiS), recently funded by the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center, will hold its first Industry Advisory Board meeting June 21- 22 at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory’s Cedar Point teaching site.

University of Southern Mississippi President Dr. Rodney Bennett is scheduled to speak to the assembled group as well as Mississippi Sen. Brice Wiggins. Both are on the agenda to speak at 8:15 Friday morning in the Aquaculture Research Building.

The Center, housed at the University of Southern Mississippi and the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, will provide an academic resource for the fishing industry throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf coast region. I/UCRC centers are designed to provide the business community with the opportunity to gain access to science to help fulfill their needs.

The I/UCRC program at NSF has a long history, operating for more than 40 years, is highly competitive and has become a model for collaborative research between industry and universities throughout the country.

Successful management of U.S. fisheries is limited by insufficient information on finfish and shellfish stocks and fisheries and insufficient development of analytical and modeling applications to surmount the challenges posed by sustainability goals.The mission of the SCeMFiS is to utilize academic, recreational, and commercial fisheries resources to address urgent scientific problems limiting sustainable fisheries.

The Center seeks to simultaneously achieve the goals of sustainable fish and shellfish stocks and sustainable fish and shellfish fisheries. SCeMFiS is unique in being the only federal-industry partnership in fisheries science today that permits the fishing industry to retain a leadership role in designing the science program. This will assure that the goal of sustainable fisheries will remain a focus of project design and that the science products produced will address the issues faced by the fishing industry directly.

For more information visit the SCeMFiS website at: http://www.SCeMFiS.org or the Cedar Point teaching site at: GCRL Cedar Point Campus

Southern Miss Readies for Second Phase of Broad Landscaping Plan

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:38:06 +0000

Van Arnold

The University of Southern Mississippi is moving into the second phase of a comprehensive landscaping plan to restore the southern edge of its Hattiesburg campus that suffered extensive damage from a Feb. 10 tornado.

The initial phase of the $3 million project – which included planting of five mature live oak trees, grass sodding and major irrigation work – wrapped up earlier this month.

“I am very pleased with the progress and the direction of this mammoth undertaking,” said Loren Erickson, superintendent of landscape at Southern Miss. “We have some of the best minds available on this project and it is being well directed. Now that we have the Gateway Phase completed, I am encouraged and excited to see the transformation continue.”

Erickson points out that the next phase will concentrate on new sidewalks, seating areas and lighting for the University’s renowned Rose Garden. The project will ultimately feature more than 130 trees, a new irrigation system and significant improvements to Lake Byron.

The highlight of the initial phase involved the planting of five oak trees, measuring 40-feet high by 40-feet wide, supplied by Florida-based grower The Magnolia Company. Despite some brown spots among the branches, Erickson stresses that the trees are thriving in their new home.

“The browning is actually some minor breakage and stress from taking a 40-feet wide tree and tying it to fit on a 16-foot wide flatbed, then transporting it from Florida,” said Erickson. “We knew going in that there would be some leaf stress from transplanting as well. The trees themselves are doing very well. If you get up next to them you will see a healthy flush of new growth even at the tips where it is most important. The brown bits are not dying or any cause for alarm.”

The F-4 tornado that struck Hattiesburg destroyed approximately 75 trees on the Southern Miss campus. In that group were four legacy oaks, estimated to be more than 90 years old. On April 15 the University announced the Front Campus Landscape Restoration and Enhancement Plan, spearheaded by landscape architect Russ Bryan of Neel-Schaffer. At the same time, the USM Foundation announced a campus beautification campaign to generate private funds to help address the cost of the plan.

An initial gift of $100,000 from the Southern Miss Alumni Association helped kick-start the campaign which received a tremendous boost when an anonymous donor made a $1 million gift commitment. On May 8, the Foundation encouraged supporters to participate in a “Day of Giving” as part of the campaign. In all, 374 gifts were given from 37 states, totaling $130,234 in a 24-hour period.

“We are obviously extremely grateful for the generosity of alumni and friends who have allowed our landscaping restoration efforts to progress at such a rapid pace,” said Bob Pierce, vice president for Advancement. “The Gateway Phase of the restoration project has turned out wonderfully and we know that thanks to the private contributions provided the remainder of the project will be successful as well.”

“As many know, we temporarily suspended our solicitations out of respect for the tornado victims in Oklahoma,” said Pierce. “We are now resuming those solicitations as the initiative to restore this vital and vibrant part of our campus moves ahead.”

For more information about the Campus Beautification Campaign and to view the landscape restoration plan visit www.usmfoundation.com/restore

Mississippi Polymer Institute Attains Laboratory Accreditation

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:30:03 +0000

Heather Leighow

Over the past year, the Mississippi Polymer Institute has worked to achieve accreditation through the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) by transforming its laboratories into ISO/IEC 17025 compliant spaces.

Laboratory accreditation is based on internationally accepted criteria for competence and has been awarded to MPI based on an independent, third-party audit of its quality system.

Robert Thompson, operations leader, and Sara Bayley, testing services and quality leader at MPI, lead the development and implementation of a quality system meeting the necessary requirements of the standard. This accreditation applies directly to those organizations that provide technical services, such as physical and analytical testing, which MPI specializes in.

This accreditation is important to many industrial clients in that it provides assurance that the testing equipment, facilities, methods, and personnel perform the tests covered by the Scope of Services.

MPI is the only mechanical testing lab in Mississippi and one of only a few mechanical testing labs that are fully available for commercial services in the entire Southeastern United States with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation through A2LA. MPI’s quality system and accreditation continue to position MPI for growth as an elite-testing lab and technical service provider.

For more information about Mississippi Polymer Institute’s capabilities, visit http://www.thepolymerinstitute.com/index.php or call 601.266.4607.

“Cat Island by Kayak” to Premiere at Katrina Research Center June 26

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:59:32 +0000

Charmaine Williams Schmermund

The Katrina Research Center at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast will host a premiere of the photography exhibit, “Cat Island by Kayak: A Retrospective,” by Dr. Eric Wyble on Wednesday, June 26, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Katrina Research Center, located on the third floor of the library on the university’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach.

A photographer since the 1980s, Wyble’s exhibit features his use of thediscontinued Kodak infrared black and white film and a 35mm camera. Living near the Mississippi Sound, Wyble combined his passion of sea kayaking to Cat Island and photographing the ever-changing seascape. In addition to the photographs, historical highlights of Cat Island are also elements of the exhibit, which features photographs taken both before and after Hurricane Katrina.

“Cat Island by Kayak: A Retrospective” will be on display at the Katrina Research Center through August 22. For more information, call 228.214.3423 or email krc@usm.edu.

Southern Miss Gulf Coast College of Arts & Letters News Briefs

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:57:35 +0000

Charmaine Williams Schmermund

Pauly Receives Department Award for Outstanding Service

LONG BEACH, Miss. – Dr. Bob Pauly, associate dean for the College of Arts and Letters and associate professor of international development at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, received the 2012-2013 Department of Political Science, International Development and International Affairs’ Award for Outstanding Service.

Pauly’s contributions to the university include serving as chair and co-chair of various committees, as a member of both national and international research organizations, and co-editor for a peer reviewed academic journal. The award for Outstanding Service was among three awards presented to faculty that included Outstanding Teaching and Outstanding Research.

Bristol Receives Grants to Conduct World War II Research

LONG BEACH, Miss. – Dr. Douglas Bristol, associate professor of history at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, recently received two development grants from the university. The first is a proposal development grant from the Office of the Vice President for Research and the second is a faculty development grant from the Office of the Academic Dean at Southern Miss Gulf Coast.

Bristol plans to use both awards to conduct research in the archives of the University of Georgia and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to focus on the papers of key officials in the Roosevelt Administration to gain an understanding of the evolution of policies for African American troops during World War II.

Celtic Studies Volume Features Follett as Co-Editor, Writer

LONG BEACH, Miss. – Dr. Westley Follett, associate professor of history at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, served as a co-editor of the 2013 published volume, “Gablánach in Scélaigecht: Celtic Studies in Honour of Ann Dooley.”

Published by Four Courts Press in Dublin, the volume also features Follett’s article, "Women, Blood, and Soul-Friendship: A Contextual Study of Two Anecdotes from the Tallaght Memoir,” which addresses the provision of pastoral care to women in a ninth-century Irish monastery.

For more information about the Southern Miss Gulf Coast College of Arts and Letters, visit www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/arts-letters.

Greek Life at Southern Miss: Good Grades, Giving, Growth

w301717 — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:18:55 +0000

David Tisdale

University of Southern Mississippi students who participate in the school’s Greek Life system are more likely to be among the school’s highest academic achievers and most active in community service.

In a three-year period from 2010-2013, students who are members of the university’s 25 fraternities and sororities carried a 3.0 grade point average or better, considered a record at the university in modern times according to director of Greek Life Josh Schutts.

Schutts points to efforts to encourage an overall culture of achievement that includes not only academic success, but community engagement that he believes helps Greeks become the kind of graduates who positively impact their communities after they leave Southern Miss.

“We’re focused on success in three areas – academics, community service and retention, as well as growth,” Schutts said.

A tutoring program among Greek Life students in which volunteers help fellow Greeks in particular subject areas, as well as one-on-one sessions between Greek Life Office staff and students who need academic assistance, are just part of a strategy for success. “We care about our students and want them to be successful,” Schutts said.

Schutts noted other superlatives, including that the average Greek Life student raises an average of $200 a year for charity through the various organizations’ designated charity of choice, as well as contributing 20-25 hours of community service annually.

“Over time, we’re seeing growth in all of these areas. Growth translates into motivation and motivation translates into reinvestment,” Schutts said. “That makes the whole system better.”

Schutts believes these superlatives are reasons the number of students who choose to join fraternities and sororities has increased, from 13 percent in 2010 to more than 23 percent this past academic year.

“We’re elated that our fraternities and sororities are thriving in unprecedented fashion,” said Southern Miss Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Joe Paul. “Every positive indicator of a healthy Greek system is up - grades, recruiting, retention and philanthropy. A healthy Greek system helps retain students who will most likely continue to be engaged in their communities and with the university for a lifetime.”

Recently, the “Dean’s Challenge,” honoring Southern Miss Dean of Students Dr. Eddie Holloway, was instituted as a way to give fraternities and sororities benchmarks for improvement in the areas of academics, retention, recruitment, community service and philanthropy. Meeting the Dean’s Challenge is another way to inspire Greek organizations at the university to advance their own missions and meet their goals in these areas.

Ned Nelson, a senior from the Hattiesburg area who serves as president of the Interfraternity Council at Southern Miss, said being a member of a fraternity has been a positive experience since his freshman year.

“Being in a fraternity has expanded my sense of community even more,” he said. “It’s a great resource of support academically and socially, completely invaluable.”

The lessons he’s learned are ones he and his fraternity brothers will carry with them in life and work, Nelson said. “We have tremendous autonomy to run our organizations, so we learn how to manage finances, work together and with other Greeks on campus to achieve goals that benefit not only our fraternity, but the university and others who need our help. Those kinds of experiences prepare you for life after graduation.”

Nelson pointed to the student-led recovery effort to clean up the Hattiesburg campus after the Feb. 10 tornado as an example. “The students who turned out the best were those who were members of sororities and fraternities,” he said. “We have a strong tradition of philanthropy and give more hours of community service than any other student segment on campus. We don’t just preach it, we live it.”

Hakeem Oduniyi, president of the university’s chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, is also proud of the record he and fellow Greek Life members at the university have achieved.

“It’s a sign that we’re striving to do better and continue improving academically,” said Oduniyi, a senior criminal justice major from Tupelo. “We also care about what’s going on in our communities. Helping others isn’t just about gaining some personal reward.”

For information about Greek Life at Southern Miss, online visit http://www.usm.edu/greek-life.

Children's Literature Association Annual Conference Hosted by Southern Miss

w301717 — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:46:31 +0000

From June 13-16, The University of Southern Mississippi’s Department of English and de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection will host the largest annual gathering of children’s literature scholars in North America when the 40th annual Children’s Literature Association (ChLA) Conference convenes at the IP Resort in Biloxi.

Approximately 250 scholars from around the world will be making presentations related to the conference theme, “Play and Risk in Children’s and Young Adult (YA) Literature,” chosen by the conference committee.

The conference was organized by Ellen Ruffin, curator of the de Grummond Collection, and Eric Tribunella and Kay Harris, faculty members from the English department.

Classic and contemporary works for young people often represent children or young adults playing games or taking chances. ChLA members will address variations on the conference theme, such as games and game theory, dramatic plays, stylistic or formal play, children at play, chance, risk-taking, at-risk youth, sports, and winning and losing in children’s literature and culture.

Dr. Jerry Griswold, Professor Emeritus and the former Director of the National Center for the Study of Children’s Literature at San Diego State University, will deliver the keynote address. The author of seven books, including Audacious Kids: Coming of Age in America’s Classic Children’s Books (1992) and Feeling Like a Kid: Childhood and Children’s Literature (2006), Griswold has long studied the complex psychological lives of children at play or at risk in children’s literature.

Each year the ChLA names recipients of the Phoenix Award, which honors distinguished children’s book authors for works published 20 years earlier. The 2013 Phoenix Picture Book Honor Award will be presented to Denise Fleming for her 1993 illustrated book, In the Small Small Pond. Keven Henkes, who is not able to attend the conference, has been selected as the Phoenix Picture Book Award winner for Owen (1993).Gaye Hiçyilmaz will receive the Phoenix Award for The Frozen Waterfall (1993).

The Anne Devereaux Award, which recognizes significant contributions in scholar or service in the scholarly field of children’s literature, will be presented to John Cech, Professor of English and Director of the Center for the Study of Children’s Literature & Culture at the University of Florida.

Some conference attendees will visit the Southern Miss campus and de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection in Hattiesburg at the conclusion of the conference to honor the fortieth anniversary of the convention.

de Grummond staff Danielle Bishop and Isaac Hudgins, and Jameela Lares, Alexandra Valint, Laura Hakala, and Paige Gray from the English department, assisted with planning for the event over the past year.

For information about the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at Southern Miss, online visit www.usm.edu/degrummond.

Students Selected as NASA Space Grant Program Scholarship Recipients

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:12:55 +0000

Charmaine Williams Schmermund

University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast students, Virginia Hutchinson of Long Beach and Erika Hosler of Gulfport, were both named spring 2013 scholarship recipients in the university’s NASA Space Grant program.

Hutchinson, a senior mathematics major with an applied computer science minor, and Hosler, a senior mathematics major, were selected based on academic performance, as well as the recommendation of faculty and the department chair. A total of $2,400 in scholarships was awarded to students in 9 science and technology disciplines at Southern Miss.

The NASA Space Grant program is designed to encourage and motivate excellence in student performance and to raise awareness of NASA employment and research opportunities among students with NASA relevant majors in the Southern Miss College of Science and Technology.

For more information about Southern Miss Gulf Coast, visit www.usm.edu/gulfcoast.

WUSM-FM Earns Best of the Pine Belt Award

w301717 — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:25:39 +0000

David Tisdale

WUSM-FM (88.5 fm), the campus radio station at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, was recently voted “Best of the Pine Belt” in the Signature Magazine/Festival South yearly poll.

“It’s great to have our fans step forward and vote in such great numbers to help us earn this award, and we want to keep building on that,” said WUSM Station Manager Justin Martin.

WUSM’s music format is a celebration of American roots music with a strong Mississippi influence, drawn from a 60,000-plus music library. Its programming and other information can be found streaming on the Internet at www.SouthernMissRadio.com.

To contact WUSM, including for program underwriting opportunities or information on the station and how to support it, call 601.266.4287 or e-mail wusm@usm.edu. The station’s offices are located on the first floor of Southern Hall, and the physical mailing address is WUSM, 118 College Drive, Box 5049, Hattiesburg, MS 39406.

Mississippi Home of Your Own Homebuyer Workshop Set for Greenville

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:06:56 +0000

Alma Ellis

Mississippi Home of Your Own (HOYO) will sponsor a free, one-day homebuyer education workshop Monday, June 17, for residents with and without disabilities in Washington and surrounding counties.

The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church at 1735 Spruce (Colorado) St. in Greenville. This workshop is co-sponsored by USDA Rural Development. Lunch will be provided.

In its 16^th year of service to Mississippians with disabilities and their families, HOYO is an award-winning program of The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies. HOYO was created to empower people with disabilities to reach their individual dreams of owning and maintaining their own homes. Since 1997, HOYO has assisted 506 people with disabilities and their families in 63 Mississippi counties in becoming homeowners.

Forgivable deferred loans of up to $15,000 are currently available to eligible borrowers with disabilities in designated areas of the state through HOYO. More information about these grants will be available at the workshop.

HOYO focuses on creating a support system that identifies potential homebuyers, analyzes their housing needs and financial capacity and prepares them for homeownership. Applicants of the HOYO program must attend homebuyer education seminars to be considered for financial assistance in purchasing a home.

For more information or to pre-register for the free homebuyer education seminar, call Heather Steele at the Hattiesburg office of the Institute for Disability Studies toll free at 1.888.671.0051 or Contenina Magee at USDA Rural Development at 662-887-9799, extension 4.

Mississippi Elected Officials Address Delegates to Girls State

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:07:50 +0000

Nikki Smith

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood encouraged Girls State delegates to take an unselfish approach to life during his speech at the annual convention held this week on The University of Southern Mississippi campus in Hattiesburg.

“Your generation is more about ‘we’ than ‘me.’ You will be more focused on protecting the children and young people of America,” said Hood.

Since being elected attorney general, Hood has spoken at Girls State every year. This year he spoke to the delegates about the importance of being safe and careful on the internet and with modern technology. Hood warned of the dangers of technology and problems like cyber-bullying and the sale of counterfeit products. He also reminded the delegates to be mindful of what they post on social media sites.

The delegates also heard from Commissioner of Agriculture Cindy Hyde-Smith, who spoke to them about her commitment to public service. Hyde-Smith, a Southern Miss alumna from Brookhaven and the first woman to serve as the state’s agriculture commissioner, said hard work and sacrifice were the keys to achieving any goal.

“That’s the way it is with anything worth pursuing,” she said. She also praised the delegates for taking part in Girls State and learning about how our representative democracy works. “I applaud your for being involved and finding out about the process,” she said.

The delegates of the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State also elected officials for the fictional state of “Magnolia.” Those officials include the following:

Governor, Catielee Bruni of Gulfport
Lieutenant Governor, Alexandria Jones of Jackson
Secretary of State, Christina Legradi of Hattiesburg
Attorney General, Leah Bowlin of Mendenhall
State Treasurer, Lizzie Nichols of Flowood
State Auditor, Allison Floyd of Magee
Commissioner of Insurance, Beth Baugh of Cleveland
Commissioner of Agriculture, Etta Kathryn Jennings of Grenada

“Girls State is a tremendous experience that encourages women to be involved in government,” said Bruni. “I think it’s amazing to be elected as governor in a state that I’m proud to be from and represent Girls State.”

King Earns Southern Miss 2012-2013 Staff Council Service Award

w301717 — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 21:25:34 +0000

David Tisdale

Sharon King, administrative assistant in The University of Southern Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was named recipient of the Staff Council Service Award June 4 during the organization’s annual recognition luncheon.

King, a 2003 graduate of the university, began her career at Southern Miss in 2005 as administrative assistant to the development officer for the College of Science and Technology. She joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in 2007, where her duties include responsibility for tracking budget expenditures, inventory control, and graduate student records, among others.

“I’m thrilled,” King said. “It’s truly an honor to be chosen for this award.”

Dr. Sabine Heinhorst, chair of the department, said King provides exemplary service and is very deserving of the award. “Her work ethic is a model for everyone,” Heinhorst said. “I couldn’t do my job without her.”

Incoming members of the Staff Council were also announced at the luncheon. They include:

*Jean A. Jovonovich: Coastal Sciences – Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

*Kelly Dunn: Photo Services

*Dennis Duplessy - Procurement and Contract Services

*Maria Englert - University Libraries

*Dorothy Mobley - Housing

*Sheri Rawls - Learning Enhancement Center

*Cissy Robertson - iTech Administration

Staff Council was established in 1989 as a means for university personnel to have representation for their interests within the institution. For more information about the organization, visit http://www.usm.edu/staff-council.

Staff/Council Awards Ceremony Reunites Tornado Victim, Officer

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:36:33 +0000

David Tisdale

The last time Annelise Moreau saw University of Southern Mississippi police officer Jared Pierce, he was coming to her aid after the Hattiesburg campus was struck by an F-4 tornado Feb. 10.

This past Tuesday, under clearer skies, Moreau returned to Hattiesburg to help the university honor Pierce for his service on that fateful day. During the university’s annual Staff Council recognition and awards luncheon, Pierce and fellow officer Jason Powell received the Life Saving Award and Medal of Valor, respectively.

Moreau, a junior at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, was travelling back to the university from New Orleans when she stopped to ride out the storm on the Southern Miss campus, near the heavily damaged Ogletree Alumni House.

Patrolling the campus to inspect the aftermath, Pierce discovered a visibly upset Moreau in her damaged car. He helped her out of her vehicle and took her and two pets traveling with her to safety at Wilber Hall, while also briefing staff there about her situation.

On Tuesday, Moreau said the feeling of returning to the campus for the first time after the harrowing experience was “intense” as she relived the memories, but was looking forward to reuniting with Pierce again and helping the university honor him.

“Jared’s a great guy and deserves this,” Moreau said. “The people I met here, including him, were a good background to a bad day.”

Pierce, the father of a baby daughter, said the memory of that day is still “surreal” and said he would hope any other police officer would do the same for his own child. “If I had an 18-19 year old daughter in that situation, I would have wanted a police officer to do the same thing,” he said.

On Nov. 28, 2012, Powell responded to a report of a fight on campus involving a firearm. Powell began investigating the area and encountered three suspects coming across Centennial Lawn. Parked near the old Copy Center building, he witnessed one of the suspects reach into a vehicle and pull out a black handgun. The armed individual then appeared to focus in on a group of people walking from Centennial Lawn toward the Cochran Center, at which time Powell made the decision to apprehend him, pinning him to the ground until backup arrived.

“I did the job any of us would have done. I made the decision without hesitation,” Powell said, adding that “it speaks highly of our administration to recognize us, because so many in our profession go unrecognized.”

In his remarks about the accomplishments of Pierce and Powell, University Police Chief Bob Hopkins said one of the primary things he emphasizes to his staff is that they care about the people they are protecting. In both instances, he said that was evident.

“In times of need, we shine,” Hopkins said.

Mississippi Home of Your Own Workshop Set for June 15 in Hattiesburg

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:53:14 +0000

Alma Ellis

Mississippi Home of Your Own (HOYO) will sponsor a free, one-day homebuyer education workshop Saturday, June 15, for residents with and without disabilities in Forrest and surrounding counties.

The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the BancorpSouth main office at 100 Hardy St., in Hattiesburg, Miss. BancorpSouth will provide refreshments for workshop participants.

For more information or to pre-register for the free homebuyer education seminar, call the Heather Steele at the Hattiesburg office of the Institute for Disability Studies toll free at 1.888.671.0051.

Annual FestivalSouth Celebration Gets Underway June 8 in Hattiesburg

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:57:14 +0000

Mike Lopinto

Hattiesburg comes alive with the sounds of music all day, every day during the fourth season of FestivalSouth, Mississippi’s only multi-genre arts festival, which will be held June 8-22.

Presented by the Hattiesburg Concert Association and Artistic Director Dr. Jay Dean this year’s festival features artists from across the state and around the world. FestivalSouth offers two full weeks of art, music, dance, food and fun for local residents, families, and cultural tourists.

Set amid the historic backdrop of Hattiesburg, this year’s festival features many events including a variety of musical performances ranging from classical, blues, Broadway and more.

“From the beginning, I wanted this festival to be representative of the entire world of

the arts,” Dean said. “People enjoy creative arts of all types and FestivalSouth offers

Hattiesburg residents, as well as visitors to our city, the opportunity to experience just that – a world of arts.”

FestivalSouth brings events to local coffee shops, bookstores, eateries, worship facilities and downtown venues. Artie Events, for children, are scheduled throughout the festival and offer parents an inexpensive outing for the whole family.

“Artie” was created by Hattiesburg native Ivey Swan. “Artie is a multi talented paint brush who paints of course, but also play instruments, dances and loves anything to do with the arts,” said Swan. “He promotes the arts to children in a fun way. So parents and children can look for Artie for events just for them.”

Most events have a minimal charge but the festival offers a “Circle Pass” that covers admission to all festival performances. This year’s highlights include the following:

OPENING NIGHT

The Blues Brotherhood

Saturday, June 8, 7:30 p.m.

Saenger Theatre

The Blues Brotherhood, a tribute to the Blues Brothers, covers the best material from the original motion picture as well as other classic blues, funk, and soul tunes in a style unique to the "Brotherhood.” Featuring native Mississippian, internationally acclaimed trombonist and arranger, Tom “Bones” Malone, of the original film and “Late Show with David Letterman” fame, hold on to your hats (and shades, for that matter) as the boys capture the sound, energy, and persona that propelled the original into the phenomenon that still thrills audiences around the world.

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT

Hairspray!

Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 16 at 2 p.m.

Saenger Theatre

Hairspray, winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, is family-friendly fun piled bouffant high with laughter, romance, and deliriously tuneful songs. Tracy Turnblad, is a big girl with the big hair and an even bigger passion – to dance! It’s 1962 and Tracy wins a spot on the local TV dance program, “The Corny Collins Show.” Overnight Tracy is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can an unconventional trendsetter in dance, music and fashion vanquish the program’s reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her ‘do? Joining performers who have come from across the country as part of Command Performance Broadway Intensive, local favorite Mike Lopinto kicks up his heels as Edna Turnblad to bring this limited engagement to FestivalSouth.

FESTIVAL FINALE

Aria: A Cirque de la Symphonie Spectacular

Saturday, June 22, 7:30 p.m.

Saenger Theatre

Aria, a FestivalSouth original production, combines the spectacular cirque acrobatics with the some of the most glorious music ever composed. Enjoy phenomenal singing, spectacularvisuals, and thrilling orchestral music by an international cast that will have you on your feat for an amazing FestivalFinale FestivalSouth offers events for music lovers of every taste. Circle Passes are now available at www.festivalsouth.org, 601.266.5418 and 800.844.8425. For more information,contact the Hattiesburg’s Visitors Center at 866.4-HATTIE or visit www.festivalsouth.org. Individual event tickets go on sale April 15.

"Sweeney Todd" Crew Receives Surprise from Play’s Author

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:29:34 +0000

Nikki Smith

After the catastrophe surrounding The University of Southern Mississippi School of Music’s production of “Sweeney Todd,” Dr. Mike Lopinto mailed a letter to the play’s author, Stephen Sondheim, describing the story of the cast’s misfortune while working on the musical.

Lopinto had heard that Sondheim often answered fan mail, so he decided to write the Tony Award winner about all the cast had endured in trying to stage the performance. Not only did Sondheim reply he donated $500 to the School of Music.

“After two months, I did not expect a reply and was completely shocked he responded. When I saw the check, I was completely awestruck,” said Lopinto, PR/marketing and event coordinator for the School of Music.

As the cast and crew rehearsed on Feb.10, an F-4 tornado ripped through Hattiesburg and a portion of the Southern Miss campus. The group rushed to the basement of the Mannoni Performing Arts Center as the storm tore through buildings on campus, including the MPAC. The performers lost their elaborate set and the center was in no condition to house the performance.

When the cast was called together afterward for a counseling session, most assumed that the production would not happen. Lopinto announced that they would still perform, but in a different venue -- the Saenger Theatre in downtown Hattiesburg. The production had to be restaged and re-choreographed, along with a new stage plan and new lighting.

But the show did indeed go on – March 6-7 – just one week after its original dates.

“So many wonderful people have done so many wonderful things for the School of Music during our time of crisis. I am grateful for them all, fame or not,” said Lopinto. “However, to have an iconic figure in musical theatre not only write us, but also donate to help, was beyond my wildest dreams.”

The proceeds from the performances were donated to the University’s tornado relief fund.

Southern Miss VP Frances Lucas Explores Logistics, Trade, Transportation Opportunities in Panama

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 19:52:20 +0000

Charmaine Williams Schmermund

Dr. Frances Lucas, left, vice president and campus executive officer at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, and Dr. Tulio Sulbaran, right, director of the Southern Miss Center for Logistics, Trade and Transportation (CLTT), meet with Dr. Albert White, director of logistics and transportation at the Chamber of Commerce for Industry and Agriculture of Panama.

Lucas joined students and faculty in the study abroad program in Panama last week to explore additional opportunities for the university, which include internship opportunities for students, expansion of CLTT and meetings with representatives from Panamanian universities. Southern Miss Panama Study Abroad participants are visiting a variety of business, industry and community sectors throughout the Central American country.

(Southern Miss Panama Study Abroad photo)

Southern Miss Center for Child Development Earns Top Rating

Fri, 31 May 2013 13:38:33 +0000

Van Arnold

The Center for Child Development at The University of Southern Mississippi reached an historic milestone recently by earning a five-star rating for the first time by the state’s Quality Stars Program.

Quality Stars is Mississippi’s tiered quality rating and improvement system, developed by the Division of Early Childhood and Development of the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

“The achievement of the five-star rating represents the commitment of the Department of Child and Family Studies to provide a model early care and education program for our students participating in practicum experiences, faculty engaged in research, and as a point of inspiration for other programs in our community,” said Center Executive Director Jeff Leffler.

Leffler notes that there are only eight five-star (out of five) centers in the state with the Southern Miss Center serving as the only one in Hattiesburg. The Center for Child Development is already accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (a designation achieved by only 10 percent of programs nationally).

Leffler said that much credit for the Center’s success must be given to the teachers on staff -- professional educators with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in child development/early childhood education.

“This recognition involves an intensive evaluation of the not only the overall program administration, but individual classrooms,” said Leffler.

The Center houses eight classrooms for approximately 90 children ages eight weeks through age 5. Its primary purpose is to serve as an academic/teaching and research facility for faculty and students across the university. A secondary purpose is to serve the children and their families in a quality childcare environment.

Children of Southern Miss faculty, staff and students receive priority enrollment in the Center but the services are also available to the community at large. For more information call 601.266.5294 or visit: http://www.usm.edu/family-studies-child-development/overview-center-child-development

Southern Miss to host American Legion Auxiliary’s 65th Girls State June 2-7

w301717 — Fri, 31 May 2013 17:23:08 +0000

David Tisdale

Approximately 300 rising high school senior women from across the state will be on The University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg campus beginning Sunday, June 2 for the 65^th session of the American Legion Auxiliary Magnolia Girls State.

The weeklong program teaches delegates about how our representative democracy works through simulated political campaigns, legislative and judicial processes in the fictitious state of “Magnolia.”

Held through June 7, the session will also feature guest speakers, including elected officials from all levels of government in the state, who will give delegates their perspectives on public service and citizenship.

Delegates are nominated to Girls State based on academic achievement, leadership potential and community service by American Legion Auxiliaries across the state.

The week’s events include:

Sunday, June 2

*Opening ceremonies, 4:30 p.m., Thad Cochran Center Ballrooms featuring guest speakers U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker and U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo.

Monday, June 3

*Political Party Caucuses, 10:30 a.m. – noon, 1-3 p.m., Thad Cochran Center Ballrooms

Tuesday, June 4

*Guest speaker Cindy Hyde-Smith, Commissioner of Agriculture, 10 a.m., Thad Cochran Center Ballrooms 1 and 2.

*Guest speakers Wynde Fitts, Southern Miss Associate Dean of Students; Dr. Ann Blackwell, Dean of Southern Miss College of Education and Psychology; and Stephanie Smith, Southern Miss Office of Admissions, 1:30 -4:30 p.m.

*Political rally, 6:30 p.m., featuring campaign speeches by Girls State candidates for elected office.

Wednesday, June 5

*General assembly featuring guest speaker Steve Guyton, assistant to U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, 10 a.m. Thad Cochran Center Ballroom.

*Guest speaker Jim Hood, Mississippi Attorney General, 3 p.m., Thad Cochran Center

*Girls State election results, acceptance speeches, administering oath of office to 2013 elected officials of “State of Magnolia” 4-5:30 p.m., Thad Cochran Center Ballroom.

Thursday, June 6

*General Assembly, introduction of Girls Nation Senators and presentation of scholarships, 7 p.m., Bennett Auditorium.

Friday, June 10

*Closing assembly, 8 a.m., Thad Cochran Center Ballrooms.

For more information about American Legion Auxiliary’s 2013 Girls State at Southern Miss, online visit www.missala.com.

Southern Miss Police Officers to be Honored at Staff Council Luncheon June 4

w301717 — Fri, 31 May 2013 18:53:35 +0000

David Tisdale

Two University Police Department officers will be honored for outstanding service at The University of Southern Mississippi Staff Council recognition luncheon set for Tuesday, June 4 at 11:30 a.m. in room 218 of the Thad Cochran Center on the Hattiesurg campus.

Southern Miss Chief of Police Bob Hopkins will be on hand to personally introduce and recognize the two officers. In addition, current members of the Staff Council will receive certificates in recognition of their service to the organization.

For information about the Southern Miss Staff Council, online visit www.usm.edu/staff-council.

Construction to Begin Soon on New Residential Halls at Southern Miss

Thu, 30 May 2013 13:25:37 +0000

Van Arnold

Construction is scheduled to begin soon on a massive student housing project that will transform The University of Southern Mississippi’s venerable Hattiesburg campus.

Century Park South will bring state-of-the art residence halls to Southern Miss, providing 954 beds for freshmen and other scholarship students. The $55.6 million project will feature three buildings, with five floors in each structure.

“The addition of Century Park South will be transformational for our Hattiesburg campus. Not only will we now have a critical mass of state of the art luxury housing for students, but also that north central part of campus will become a beautiful showcase area,” said Dr. Joe Paul, vice president for Student Affairs. "This will complete the second phase of our master plan for campus housing and will serve us well as we grow for many years to come.”

The new construction comes on the heels of Century Park North’s grand opening in August, 2010. Located just across Fourth Street and the main campus, Century Park includes four buildings with four floors and 864 beds.

To make room for Century Park South, two aging residence halls – Vann Hall and Scott Hall – were demolished. The east end of Bond Hall, which housed staff offices primarily, was also included in the demolition plan. Southern Miss officials note that the demolition process is nearing completion.

The McCarty Company-Design Group, P.A. of Tupelo, Miss., is serving as the lead architect on the project with assistance from Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company, Architectural Planning Company of Norfolk, Va. Harrell Contracting Group, LLC, of Jackson, Miss., has been chosen as the contractor, pending approval by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

Buildings B and C of the project have an estimated completion date of July, 2014 with 511 beds available for the fall semester. Building B will be designated as Luckyday Citizenship Hall pending approval by the IHL Board. It will house Luckyday Scholarship students and Luckyday offices. The Luckyday Foundation made a $4 million gift commitment toward construction of the Century Park South complex in November, 2011.

Building A, which will also include the new Moffitt Health Center, is scheduled for completion in January, 2015. The remaining beds would be move-in ready for the spring semester of that year.

Some modern conveniences available to students as part of Century Park South include the following:

Majority will be double rooms with private baths
Larger social areas, lounges and meeting spaces for a home-like ambience
Mini-kitchens with ovens and microwaves provided in some lounge areas
Each residential room will have a thermostat for personal temperature control
Study/quiet room separate from lounges
Full laundromats in multiple locations
Energy management systems with sensors that monitor temperature and humidity in different zones
Oxygen level monitors to ensure fresh air circulation

For more information about the Century Park housing, contact the Department of Residence Life at 601.266.4783 or reslife@usm.edu