Articles

In February, you can’t go anywhere without being reminded of Valentine’s Day. The day dedicated to showing that special someone how much he or she means to you. Heart-shaped chocolate-filled gifts as well as candy hearts proclaiming “Love You,” “Dear Heart” and even “Be My Valentine.” But February also has another way to show your love, by celebrating American Heart Month.

A University of Southern Mississippi faculty member has again been recognized for excellence in student mentoring.

Dr. Brad Dufrene, professor of psychology and director of the School Psychology Service Center at Southern Miss, has earned the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS). The award acknowledges and honors faculty members for outstanding success in mentorship of graduate students through excellent guidance, modeling of integrity and ethical behavior, and preparation for personal and professional success.

Except for a twist of fate, Christopher Grant might have spent the past 10 years studying ecosystems instead of adagios. He might have been examining coral reefs instead of TV scripts. He might have been partnering with scientists, instead of a pretty brunette from New York.

But destiny has a profound way of tapping you on the shoulder at just the right time. And Chris, a University of Southern Mississippi graduate, was keen enough to accept the intervention that helped catapult him to dancing stardom.

“The safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors on our university campuses is a top priority for the Board of Trustees and University leaders.  HB 1083 compromises our ability to protect and ensure the safety of those on our campuses because it nullifies and prohibits any policies and/or authority to designate sensitive areas of campus where weapons should not be allowed.”

-- Dr. Glenn Boyce, Commissioner of Higher Education

The University of Southern Mississippi Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families has launched a new program – the Golden Eagle Veteran Network – designed to create a resourceful bridge between the University’s student-veterans and the Hattiesburg community.

University of Southern Mississippi residential students have an opportunity to donate up to two guest “swipes” from their Eagle Dining meal plans as part of a new campaign to Swipe Out Hunger.

The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies is hosting a free nutrition education workshop for people with disabilities and their families in the Gulf Coast area on Friday, Feb. 16.

A new marker on the Mississippi Freedom Trail memorializes Clyde Kennard, the first African-American student known to apply for admission to The University of Southern Mississippi.

Dr. Katherine Cochran, associate professor of English at The University of Southern Mississippi, has been named editor of The Southern Quarterly, a prestigious independent journal published at Southern Miss since 1962 that focuses on the interdisciplinary study of Southern culture.

The University of Southern Mississippi is once again gearing up to participate in RecycleMania 2018, a national recycling competition that pits colleges and universities against each other for the title of top recycler. The competition will be held Feb. 4 – March 31.

First-year dental students and University of Southern Mississippi alums, Samantha Allen  and Heather Fairley were recently awarded the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship valued at $35,000 per year for their training at the University of Mississippi.

There was a time when Pass Christian (Miss.) High School Principal and University of Southern Mississippi alum Dr. Robyn Killebrew tried running from education. Today, the popular and highly respected educator wholeheartedly embraces the concept.