THE S O U T H E R N M I S S A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N • S U M M E R 2 0 1 7
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THE S O U T H E R N M I S S A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N • S U M M E R 2 0 1 7
The Ogletree House was originally built as the President’s Home for Mississippi Normal College. It opened in 1912 and is one of the five original buildings on the Hattiesburg campus. The building served as the home for the first five presidents of the institution until 1975. In 1976, the Ogletree House – named in honor of longtime Alumni Director Powell Ogletree – became home to the Alumni Association and a new home for the University’s presidents was constructed off campus.
DEPARTMENTS
COVER STORY
7 Notes from Home
33 100 Years from A to Z
8 News Around Campus
15 Calendar of Events 16 Association News 28 Foundation News
Celebrating 100 years of the Southern Miss Alumni Association calls for a celebration of the beloved University of Southern Mississippi. With noteworthy success from A to Z, Southern Miss has reached new heights, accomplished historic achievements and sent out graduates destined for greatness.
FEATURES
48 Athletic News
42 Southern Miss Alumni Association: A Century of Service
52 Snapshots
53 Class Notes cover:
100 years of tradition, pride, loyalty and excellence – from A to Z!
The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association began on May 4, 1917. Today, as the Alumni Association reflects on its rich 100-year history, there is much to celebrate. Tradition, pride, loyalty and excellence have marked each milestone and advancement, along with the desire to serve as a unified voice on behalf of the University. Although the organization today hardly resembles its humble beginnings, the leadership is excited about the continued role the Association plays in helping our University reach its potential.
44 Pierce Legacy Scholars Program: Paving the Way for Future Golden Eagles
Established in 1999 with a $10,000 contribution from the Alumni Association to the USM Foundation, the Legacy Scholars Endowment began a new era for encouraging children and grandchildren of Southern Miss Alumni to attend the University. As the Association marks its 100-year anniversary, a record number of Pierce Legacy Scholarships have been awarded to incoming 2017 freshmen who are children and grandchildren of alumni, furthering the Association’s commitment to student success and private giving.
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ALUMNI STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JERRY DEFATTA ’00, ‘10 ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR INTERNAL OPERATIONS DANE REITER ‘06, ‘07, ‘10 ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS JENNY BOUDREAUX ’08, ‘14 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNICATIONS NICOLE RUHNKE ‘08 MANAGER OF CONSTITUENT RELATIONS LAUREN RICHARDS ‘11 MANAGER OF PROGRAMS BAYLEE LONG COORDINATOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES MELISSA MCDANIEL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT RENÉ TRIGG DATA ENTRY SPECIALIST SHARON ANDERSON RECEPTIONIST RENÉ KENT MAIL CLERK EDWARD WALLACE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT KAISHA BROWN ‘16 STUDENT GRAPHIC DESIGN ASSISTANT GABRIELLE GRAHAM
••••• CONTRIBUTING WRITERS VAN ARNOLD ’79, JESSICA BUNALES, JIM COLL ’99, ’06, JACK DUGGAN, SARAH EGERER, COURTNEY LANGE, MIKE LOPINTO ’91, ’93, ’02, KARELIA PITTS ’14, JAMES SKRMETTA ’13, JENNY TATE ’11, DAVID TISDALE ’90, ‘01 CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS KELLY DUNN, DANNY RAWLS ’69, ’80, J. RYAN, SOUTHERN MISS ATHLETICS
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS PRESIDENT BECKY MONTAGUE PRESIDENT ELECT TRACY POWELL VICE PRESIDENT KIM BRADLEY
On the Hattiesburg campus, the plaza between Shoemaker Square and Cook Library is paved with bricks incribed with the names of alumni, family and friends.
PAST PRESIDENT SEAN MCGEE FINANCE COMMITTEE BRETT CASSELL SECRETARY/TREASURER JERRY DEFATTA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS VICKI ADKISON, EMBER AHUA, MARY DAYNE GREGG, LANCE LEFAN, DAVID LEIVA, J.R. ROBINSON, GENE SMITH, ALAN BLAKENEY, SHONNA BROWN, BRADLEY CHARLESWORTH, CARLEN CHESTANG JR., RICHARD HAARALA, BRANDI HOUGH, SAM SACKLER, LORI BRECHTEL, BRYAN CALDWELL, REGGIE COLLIER, BRENT GREENWALD, RICKEY JONES, CHRISTY MYERS, TOM PEARSON EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS: RODNEY D. BENNETT,
pa of the Associationʼs 100-year anniversary, As part donʼt miss the opportunity to join or upgrade your membership to Life Member status and receive a complimentary 4” x 8” brick that will be permanently installed on campus.
CHAD DRISKELL, SHANE LOPER, STACE MERCIER, GRANT DYESS, JON GILBERT, AUTUMN SOBEL For advertising information, contact Jenny Boudreaux by phone at 601.266.5761 or email jenny.boudreaux@usm.edu. The Talon (USPS 652-240) is published quarterly by The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association, 118 College Drive #5013, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001 Active membership dues of $45 (single membership) or $55 (couple) includes subscription
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Hederman Brothers Printing in Gluckstadt, Miss., and the staff of the Southern Miss Alumni Association. Periodical postage paid at Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001 and at additional mailing offices (Approved January 20, 1955)
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 118 College Drive #5013, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5013 PHONE: 601.266.5013 | EMAIL: alumni@usm.edu WEBSITE: www.SouthernMissAlumni.com
Offer is valid through September 15, 2017. Join and order by this date and visit your installed brick during Homecoming weekend!
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NOTES FROM HOME As the Southern Miss Alumni Association celebrates its 100th anniversary, it is my honor to reflect upon the significant contributions this organization has made in the life of The University of Southern Mississippi. CLASS NOTES One hundred years ago, Mississippi Normal College alumni developed an organized Alumni Association to serve an institution still in infancy. Even in those early days, the leadership of the college understood the important role that former students could play in the growth and development of the institution. On May 4, SNAPSHOTS 1917, the work of the Association began primarily as a placement service for new teachers; however, in a few short years, the organization would begin to evolve into an entity that would advocate for the advancement of the institution, develop many of the traditions we hold dear and generate much-needed public and private funding for the University – three invaluable contributions toward the ongoing success of Southern Miss. ALUMNI AUTHORS The Association’s earliest contribution to the growth of the institution was in working to change our founding legislation which did not authorize granting degrees. Many of our alumni found their road to advancement blocked as more and more Mississippi schools required principals to hold ALUMNI ALMANAC degrees. The Alumni Association launched a successful effort to change legislation to allow the college to offer a baccalaureate degree, and this change was signed into law in 1922. Later that year, the first Bachelor of Science degree was awarded to Kathryn Swetman of Biloxi. Perhaps the largest and most successful advocacy project ever undertaken by the Association was its effort to secure university status for Mississippi Southern College. Under the leadership of Executive Secretary Powell Ogletree, legislators in approximately 75 of Mississippi’s 82 counties were contacted and polled as to how they would vote on the issue. The bills sailed through both houses without a dissenting vote. On February 27, 1962, Governor Ross Barnett signed the bill changing the name of Mississippi Southern College to The University of Southern Mississippi. While advocating on behalf of the institution has long been important to the Association, some of the most recognizable aspects of our University’s identity have been created through the work of the organization. In 1972, the Association appointed an ad hoc committee to solicit alumni participation in selecting a new nickname for USM’s athletic teams. The effort led to the popular Golden Eagles moniker, a name which is now synonymous with Southern Miss. In addition to playing a key role in the development of the institution’s on-field persona, the Association has been engaged in the development of traditions that surround many of our University’s most notable events. From the Painting of the Eagle Walk by each incoming freshman class to the Founders’ Day celebration each spring, the efforts of our Association have been woven into the fabric of our University over the past century. Another key component of the organization’s involvement can be seen in its efforts to generate additional funding for Southern Miss. The Association from its beginning has been an effective force in keeping legislators and other state officials informed about the University’s potential and its need for state funding. The Association has also been a key contributor to the success of the institution financially through private gifts. Many may not be aware of the organization’s involvement in generating private funding for the campus’ first Student Union and the President’s Home on Jamestown Road. The Association also donated $100,000 to the Campus Beautification effort following the 2013 tornado that caused significant damage to the Hardy Street entrance to the Hattiesburg campus. In addition to nearly $50,000 in annual support to campus programs ranging from arts to athletics, the Association has invested in students in a special way. At Homecoming in 1955, the organization announced its intent to generate funding for student scholarships. In just one year, six new scholarships were developed, which led to the establishment of the USM Foundation. In 1999, the Association created the Legacy Scholars Endowment, which was designed to provide one-time, $1,000 scholarships for incoming freshmen who are children or grandchildren of Life Members or long-time active members of the Association. Through 2016, 95 students benefited from the program, now named the Pierce Legacy Scholars Program in honor of Bob Pierce, long-time executive director. The Association’s recent announcement to award a record number of 100 Pierce Legacy Scholarships, which is explained fully throughout this magazine, is yet another example of the Association’s commitment to increasing student scholarships while contributing to the success of private giving at Southern Miss. Alumni of Southern Miss, we are grateful for your support of our University and our Alumni Association. Please renew or join and encourage your alumni friends to join. Let us build on this rich 100-year history an Association whose strength and influence will move our University on to even greater distinction. Southern Miss to the Top!
Aubrey K. Lucas President Emeritus Summer 2017
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EAGLE CLUB
ATHLETIC NEWS
NOTES FROM HOME
CLASS NOTES Russ Willis
SNAPSHOTS
Southern Miss Business Faculty ALUMNI AUTHORS Contribute to Knowledge on ALUMNI ALMANAC Global Scale
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Russ Willis, a management and human resources professor of practice at The University of Southern Mississippi, spent his spring break as a guest lecturer at Keele University, located just outside Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England. Willis offered instruction to Keele students who are majoring in human resources management. In addition to being in the classroom, he visited with students informally. The trip was planned through USM’s Center for International Education and its counterparts at Keele University. Willis’ invitation to lecture served to further the relationship between USM and Keele, as the two universities have an established exchange program. USM is one of 49 universities worldwide with which Keele University has partnered to provide their students with an international experience.
DiCamillo Receives Southern Miss Medallion at 50th Annual Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival Kate DiCamillo was the recipient of the Southern Miss Medallion at the 50th annual Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival at The University of Southern Mississippi, held in April on the Hattiesburg campus. The winner of two Newberry Medals and a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, DiCamillo has had 12 titles make the New York Times Bestseller list. She’s arguably best-known for her book Because of Winn-Dixie, which was made into a successful feature film. To learn more about the Southern Miss President Rodney D. Bennett presents Kate DiCamillo with the Southern Miss Medallion. Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival and the Ezra Jack Keats Book Awards Ceremony, visit USM.edu/Childrens-Book-Festival.
Gaudet Receives Recognition for Leadership Dr. Cyndi Gaudet, professor and chair of the Department of Human Capital Development at USM, was recently recognized for her leadership at the 2017 Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) International Research Conference of the Americas in San Antonio, Texas. Gaudet, a member of the Program Excellence Network (PEN), was recognized for her leadership as chair of the group, which is made up of college and university human resource development leaders. Gaudet was appointed by the AHRD Board of Directors and served as chair Dr. Cyndi Gaudet from 2014-16. Gaudet joined Southern Miss in 1997 to develop innovative programs focusing on human capital development. Graduate programs designed and developed under her leadership include the doctoral degree in human capital development and the master’s degree in human capital development. Gaudet earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southern Miss, and her PhD in human resource education and workforce development from Louisiana State University.
THE ARTS
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USM Hosts Hackathon to Find New “Hidden Figures” in Computer Science Last year’s hit movie, Hidden Figures, told the inspiring story of three female African-American mathematicians who worked as “computers” for NASA, helping the U.S. win the Space Race and put the first man on the moon. Today, despite the accomplishments of these early trailblazers, women of color are among the least represented minorities in the technology sector, especially in computing fields. In an effort to increase interest and diversity in computer science and ensure future generations of black women are no longer the “hidden figures” of tech, USM organized and hosted the first-ever iD 8 Hackathon, held in April on the University’s Hattiesburg campus. During the Hackathon, nearly 50 female African-American students representing six Mississippi high schools, worked in teams to design and build a mobile application. They were challenged with developing a social media app designed to bring about a positive change in the world. The Hackathon was kicked off with a warm welcome from USM President Rodney D. Bennett, whose bold words encouraged the girls to take advantage of this event to change their lives. Throughout the Hackathon weekend, participants heard from a number of
EAGLE CLUB
ATHLETIC NEWS
NOTES FROM HOME
CLASS NOTES
SNAPSHOTS The Petal High School team JAM Inc. captured first place in the inaugural Hackathon competition held in April at The University of Southern Mississippi. ALUMNI AUTHORS
accomplished women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Speakers included Sheena Allen, the founder and CEO of Sheena Allen Apps; Dr. Mary Moore, an aviation engineer at GE and founder of STEM Discoveries; Yetunde Adewunmi, a doctoral candidate in biological sciences at USM; Deidra Minor, director of the Applied Technology program at USM; Dr. SherRhonda Gibbs, associate professor of management at USM; and Dr. Julie Cwikla, the iD 8 lead organizer and USM director of creativity and innovation in STEM. At the Hackathon’s conclusion, each team presented their app to judges
Henry Jones, PhD, the co-founder and CEO of Kopis Mobile; Thomas ALMANAC Avery,ALUMNI PhD, a senior electrical engineer at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems; and Jennifer Sequeira, PhD, associate professor of management and international business at USM. JAM Inc., a team from Petal High School, was honored as the Hackathon’s winner. Their app, called Fishhook, is designed to protect social media users from online predators that use fake profiles. Team members included Myla Cox, Jasmine Gibbs and Abbey Gallager, and Dr. SherRonda Gibbs served as the team’s mentor.
President Gives State of the University Address In 2017, University President Rodney D. Bennett initiated a new Founders’ Day tradition, delivering a State of the University address. The address focused on several key themes that are particularly and currently important to the institution. “I am increasingly excited about what our future holds,” Bennett said. “Regardless of the category that you may be reviewing, our University is stronger now than it has been in the past four years, whether you are looking at our finances, whether you are looking at enrollment, whether you are looking at academic programs, whether you are looking at faculty engagement, relationships with alumni and friends – and the list goes on. We are a stronger University than we were four years ago. But I ask you to consider that we are just getting started.” The speech was delivered at the University’s Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach, and plans are for the location to alternate with the Hattiesburg Campus in future years. To view the 2017 State of the University Address, visit USM.edu.
Summer 2017
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EAGLE CLUB
ATHLETIC NEWS
NOTES FROM HOME
CLASS NOTES
SNAPSHOTS
ALUMNI AUTHORS
Dr. Bill Rayburn, left, is presented a soaring eagle statue by Dr. Faye Gilbert, dean of the USM College of Business.
ALUMNI ALMANAC
USM College of Business Honors Rayburn as Entrepreneur of Year The University of Southern Mississippi College of Business honored one of its own as mortgage industry expert Dr. Bill Rayburn received the 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year award. Rayburn, a 1981 Southern Miss business administration graduate, became the co-founder of FNC Inc., a financial technology company that focused on scoring appraisals for the
mortgage industry. Rayburn and his partners sold FNC Inc. in 2016 and started mTrade.com. Rayburn was honored during a luncheon at the Trent Lott Center on USM’s Hattiesburg campus, sponsored by Joe Boardman Jr. In his acceptance speech, Rayburn stressed that Southern Miss provided him with the education to be successful. He shared tips for
students, faculty, administration and business leaders, all of whom were present in the packed ballroom. Rayburn, a former finance professor at USM, also addressed a full classroom of students and faculty earlier in the day, motivating them to think outside the box while striving to solve everyday problems.
Southern Miss Staff Members Win 12 Awards at Annual CPRAM Conference
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The Office of University Communications, along with staff members from various offices at The University of Southern Mississippi, recently captured 12 awards – including a Grand Award in electronic media – at the annual College Public Relations Association of Mississippi (CPRAM) conference recently held in Ocean Springs. CPRAM is a consortium of public relations professionals employed at Mississippi’s public and private colleges and universities. University Communications staff members won awards in the senior division of the annual CPRAM awards
competition, which includes entries from the state’s four-year public and private universities and colleges. During the 2017 Awards Luncheon, University Communications was presented with one of the competition’s highest honors, the Grand Award in electronic media, for its “My Southern Miss Story Video Series,” a series of 11 videos featuring University students. Additional awards received by USM staff were in the areas of public relations innovation, public relations campaign, brochure, annual report, news story and artwork.
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Alumni Association EAGLE CLUB Director Honored by Mississippi Business Journal ATHLETIC NEWS
Jerry B. DeFatta Jr.
Jerry B. DeFatta Jr., executive director of the Southern Miss Alumni Association, has been named to the prestigious Top 50 Under 40 list for 2017 by the Mississippi Business Journal. Honorees NOTES FROM HOME were recognized during a ceremony held in April at the Old Capitol Inn in Downtown Jackson. As executive director, DeFatta leads the association’s CLASS NOTES 11-person staff, manages the overall administration of the organization and serves as secretary and treasurer of the Association’s Board of Directors. Among the notable accomplishments during his tenure as SNAPSHOTS executive director, DeFatta oversaw the restoration of the Ogletree House following the February 2013 tornado and the development of the Growing up Gold legacy recruitment initiative. ALUMNI AUTHORS DeFatta, 39, points out the MBJ award not only brings personal satisfaction, but also communicates how strongly people outside the Southern Miss community believe the programs and initiatives ALUMNI ALMANAC developed within the Alumni Association are having a positive impact on the University. Prior to joining the staff of the Alumni Association, DeFatta was employed with the Cintas Corporation, an Ohio-based uniform and facility service company, where he held various positions serving as a sales representative, service manager and plant manager.
Navy Unmanned Certification Classes Begin at The University of Southern Mississippi The University of Southern Mississippi made history on June 1 with 15 students completing a first-of-its-kind certification in Unmanned Maritime Systems (UMS). The UMS program spanned over an intensive five weeks with students studying nautical science, 3-D positioning, ocean policy and autonomous systems. The program’s goal is to offer training in the safe and effective use of mission critical UMS. It will also provide leverage between federal agencies, private industry and academic research, all in support of the Gulf of Mexico real-world environment. Designed to provide a rigorous, hands-on academic program to introduce the students to unmanned maritime systems and the decision processes needed to operate them, this program allows students to develop skills in disciplines such as electronics, programming, policy and application.
The inaugural class includes civilian and military personnel from the Naval Oceanographic Office, Fleet Survey Team and Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center based at the John C. Stennis Space Center; Submarine Development Squadron 5 based in Bangor, Wash.; Naval Oceanography Special Warfare Center based in San Diego, Calif.; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in based in Norfolk, Va.; and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center based in Newport, R.I. During the five weeks, students learned core fundamentals of using gliders, powered unmanned underwater vehicles and autonomous surface vehicles. Not only were students responsible for learning how to chart and pilot these vessels, but they also learned how to build them. The UMS class is the first tier in a 3-tier program. Students going through the entire tier structure will graduate with a full graduate degree. Summer 2017
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USM President Awarded EAGLE CLUB Honorary Degree from William Carey University ATHLETIC NEWS
William Carey University has presented University of Southern Mississippi President Rodney D. Bennett with an honorary degree for his work in NOTES communities across south Mississippi, FROM HOME including his leadership of USM’s response to a January 2017 tornado that struck William Carey. Among other assistance, USM has provided CLASS NOTES classroom and laboratory space, as well as residential facilities for William Carey students, as that university, located just a few miles south of USM in Hattiesburg,SNAPSHOTS continues its recovery. William Carey President Dr. Tommy King presented Bennett with the honor, a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, as conferred by the ALUMNI AUTHORS William Carey Board of Trustees. A related William Carey resolution not only highlighted Bennett’s role in USM’s recovery from ALUMNI ALMANAC the 2013 tornado, but also his leadership of USM’s investments in new faculty positions and Coastal operations, and his work to provide access to highquality education for all students.
Southern Miss President Rodney D. Bennett received an honorary degree from William Carey University. Pictured with Bennett are Dr. Scott Hummel, executive vice president and provost at William Carey University (left), and Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas, president emeritus at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Boisseau 2017 Student HEADWAE Award Recipient
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Brooke Boisseau
A recent Honors College graduate is heading to one of the country’s top law schools as USM’s student recipient of the state’s annual Higher Education Appreciation Day, Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) award. Brooke Boisseau, who received degrees in international studies, French and religion as a Presidential Scholar at USM, has been accepted to the University of Virginia Law School. She was among HEADWAE honorees from public and private colleges and universities welcomed and recognized by the State Senate and House of Representatives for their achievements. The HEADWAE award was established in 1988 by legislative resolution to honor academically talented students and faculty members who promote academic excellence at the state’s public and private institutions of higher learning. Additionally, Boisseau earned the University’s most prestigious academic award, the Phi Kappa Phi Silver Bowl. Her other honors and achievements include the USM Scholar-Athlete Award, the Clayton Sullivan Scholarship and the Order of Omega Membership Award. A USM cheerleader and member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, Boisseau served the University in a variety of capacities, including as an ambassador for the College of Arts and Letters and Department of History, a studyabroad peer advisor and a tutor in the USM Athletics department.
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College of Business Earns Re-Accreditation from AACSB EAGLE CLUB The College of Business at The University of Southern Mississippi has maintained elite status internationally with re-accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). The accreditation covers a five-year period. The University’s graduate and undergraduate business and accounting programs are all accredited by AACSB International. Southern Miss offers the only on-campus AACSB-accredited business programs in south Mississippi, with classes offered at the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses. The business programs at Southern Miss have been accredited by AACSB since 1976 and have held separate accreditation in accounting since 1982, among the first programs nationwide to achieve that distinction. The USM College of Business includes five
degree-granting areas of study: School of Accountancy; Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Sport Management; Department of Finance, Real Estate and ATHLETIC NEWS Business Law; Department of Management and International Business; Department of Marketing and Merchandising. AACSB-accredited schools have the highest-quality faculty, deliver relevant and NOTES challenging curriculum, FROM HOME and provide educational and career opportunities that are not found at other business schools. AACSB accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business CLASSofNOTES schools worldwide. Less than five percent the more than 16,000 schools worldwide granting business degrees have earned AACSB accreditation. To learn more about the USM College of Business, visit SNAPSHOTS USM.edu/Business.
ALUMNI AUTHORS
Southern Miss Ranked as Nation’s No. 1 Military-Friendly Online College The University of Southern Mississippi has been ranked as the nation’s Top Military-Friendly Online College, as determined by AffordableCollegesOnline.org in its 2017 ratings. Researchers and higher education experts collected and analyzed data from every accredited postsecondary institution in the United States to find the online colleges with the most notable balance of academic rigor, military student services, program variety and affordability. Through its Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families, USM provides several educational options for veterans, service members and their dependents, including more than 45 online degree and certificate programs. USM has Army and Air Force ROTC programs, plus a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) pathway degree for military veterans, with a curriculum designed for former and
ALUMNI ALMANAC
The University of Southern Mississippi has been ranked as the nation’s top “Military-Friendly Online College” by AffordableCollegesOnline.org.
active-duty service members. The University participates in the Leadership Scholar Program, which works to expedite admission to nonprofit, four-year colleges for Marines.
USM also provides work-study jobs for veteran student workers, and connects veterans with other scholarship opportunities. To learn more, visit USM.edu/Military-Veterans. Summer 2017
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College of CLUB Nursing Dean Inducted into MNA Hall of Fame EAGLE Dr. Katherine Nugent, dean of the College of Nursing ATHLETIC NEWS at The University of Southern Mississippi, has added another NOTES FROM HOME honor to her illustrious career with induction in the Mississippi Nurses’ Association CLASS NOTES Hall of Fame. Nugent was recognized during the 11th Nightingale SNAPSHOTS Awards Gala hosted by the Mississippi Nurses’ Association and the Dr. Katherine Nugent ALUMNI AUTHORS Mississippi Nurses’ Foundation in Jackson. Nurses throughout the state were nominated in 18 award categories, and four inductions into the ALUMNI ALMANAC distinguished Hall of Fame were announced. A New Orleans native, Nugent became a registered nurse
in 1970 after earning her BSN from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. Seven years later, she earned her MSN from Texas Woman’s University before receiving her doctorate in 1987 from Texas A&M University. She spent many years as a pediatric nurse and later worked as a clinical specialist in pediatrics. In 1985, Nugent began teaching as a faculty member in nursing programs, and in 1987 she began her career in administrative positions within schools of nursing. She joined the USM faculty in 2004 as director of the School of Nursing and served in that capacity until being named dean. During Nugent’s tenure as dean, the USM College of Nursing has experienced significant growth and success, including increased enrollment in all levels of programs and degrees, retention rates consistently above 95 percent and the launch of both the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and the state’s only accredited Nurse Anesthesia program. Earlier this year, the University celebrated the official dedication of Asbury Hall, the College of Nursing’s new $31 million home, while marking the 50th anniversary of the nursing program at Southern Miss. To learn more about the College of Nursing, visit USM.edu/Nursing.
104 Southern Miss Graduates Among Hospital Staff Recognized with Nation’s Highest Nursing Designation
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The University of Southern Mississippi has 104 graduates on the nursing staff at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, which recently received the nation’s top honor for nursing excellence. The Magnet designation is granted by the credentialing center of the American Nurses Association and considered worldwide as the “ultimate seal of quality.” Only seven percent of hospitals in America have earned Magnet recognition, and Baptist Medical Center is the only hospital in Mississippi to receive this designation. The Magnet Recognition Program® is administered by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC), an affiliate of the American Nurses Association, to hospitals satisfying a set of criteria designed to measure quality patient care and professional nursing practice. ANCC defines a Magnet hospital as one where nursing care results in excellent patient outcomes and where nurses maintain high levels of job satisfaction. Magnet status includes various departments throughout the medical center being involved in the evaluation of outcomes and decision-making in patient care delivery. Further, it recognizes that the organization provides resources for nurses to continue lifelong learning and shows a low staff nurse turnover rate. Receiving Magnet designation requires evidence of high standards of care achieved by the entire organization. It also requires providing a safe environment and fostering a strong, collaborative work effort with physicians and others on the healthcare team.
DID YOU
KNOW
The 2017 graduating class from The University of Southern Mississippi brings the number of Luckyday Citizenship Scholars Program alumni to more than 1,000. The Luckyday Program began in the fall of 2002 with an initial class of 94 students. Since then, the program has grown each year, adding 100-130 students each fall as new classes entered the University.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
RECOMMEND FUTURE GOLDEN EAGLES! Southern Miss alumni contribute to the University’s tradition of success. One way alumni can best support their alma mater’s continuing legacy of excellence is by recommending future students. To recommend a student to The University of Southern Mississippi, visit
SouthernMissAlumni.com/USMLegacy. A A / E O E /A DA I U C 74 1 2 9. 5 0 1 3 2 . 1 6
Upcoming Events Calendar All events are subject to change and should be confirmed. Visit SouthernMissAlumni.com/UpcomingEvents for a full list of events hosted by the Alumni Association. Athletic schedules can be found at SouthernMiss.com.
July 20 34th Annual Jackson All-Star Party Mississippi Trade Mart | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 21 19th Annual Gulf Coast Beach Bash Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi | 6 – 8 p.m.
August 12 22nd Annual Eagle Fanfare Thad Cochran Center Ballrooms | 2 – 4 p.m.
September 2 Membership Appreciation Tailgate Ogletree House | 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Members of the Southern Miss Alumni Association are invited to a membership appreciation tailgate prior to the Southern Miss vs. Kentucky football game. To register, visit SouthernMissAlumni.com/AlumniTailgate17. 8-10 African-American Alumni Engagement Weekend 9 USM vs. Southern University The Rock 16 Eagle Landing Tailgate University of Louisiana – Monroe 30 USM vs. North Texas The Rock
October 7 Eagle Landing Tailgate University of Texas at San Antonio 13 19th Annual Southern Miss Alumni Homecoming Golf Tournament Hattiesburg Country Club | 8:30 a.m. 13 Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet Thad Cochran Center Ballrooms | 6:30 p.m.
For information on renting the Ogletree House for your next event, contact BayLee Long at 601.266.5013 or visit SouthernMissAlumni.com/OgletreeHouse.
14 USM Homecoming Game vs. UTEP The Rock | 6 p.m. 21 Eagle Landing Tailgate Louisiana Tech University Summer 2017
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
Student Alumni Association FOUNDATION NEWS Celebrates Founders’ Week
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During the week of March 27, the Student Alumni Association (SAA)THE hosted events to engage students in FROM ARCHIVES recognizing the 107th anniversary of the University’s founding, which was celebrated across both USM campuses on March 30. Founders’ Week activities began with a Founders’ Day THE ARTS Face-off challenge between newly elected Student Body President Cameron Cloud and Seymour. As students walked through Spirit Park on their way across campus, they had the opportunity to snap a photo with either, using the NEWS AROUND CAMPUS hashtags #PicswiththePrez or #SelfieswithSeymour. After a 45-minute competition, more than 100 photos were taken and shared, and Seymour was named the champion! EAGLE CLUB SAA also sponsored the student favorite “Cash Cab,” which offered students rides to class and Southern Miss prizes for correct answers to University trivia questions. Additionally, the SAA hosted a Thank-You Station in the ATHLETIC NEWS Thad Cochran Center for students to write encouraging notes of appreciation to faculty and staff. Concluding the week was an alumni networking event, Mingle Like You Mean It, inHOME RC’s Lounge. Samantha McCain of NOTES FROM The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi; Melanie McDonald and Maley Haro of Merit Health Wesley; Jared Carlson of London and Stetelman CLASS Realtors; NOTES Brooke Ann McWilliams of Lamar County Schools; and Richard Carlisle of Oak Grove Credit mingled with students and provided tips on successfully entering the workforce. “We have all been challenged by Dr. Joe Paul, at some SNAPSHOTS point, to leave Southern Miss better than we found it,” said Samantha McCain, communications coordinator for The Children’s Center for Communication and Development. ALUMNI AUTHORS “To me, a part of that means creating a legacy of giving back through mentoring, class visits and more. I would not be where I am without the alumni that came before me, and who ALUMNI ALMANAC took the time to invest in me and my future. My participation in the Mingle Like You Mean It event was just a small part of me being able to pay it forward and a beneficial experience for both the students and myself. They are the leaders of tomorrow. Because of such, I am able to grow my own business network - just as they are learning to do the same.” “As an advisor, I’m very proud of the Student Alumni Association for hosting an entire week of Founders’ Day’ events for the third consecutive year,” said Lauren Richards, SAA Advisor and manager of constituent relations for the Southern Miss Alumni Association. “The SAA Board worked hard to execute five different events over the course of four days, and each event celebrated our University and its rich history. These events bring awareness to our University’s founding, encourage students to connect with alumni and promote USM spirit across campus.”
ASSOCIATION NEWS
FOUNDATION NEWS
FROM THE ARCHIVES
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
Student Alumni Association Members FOUNDATION NEWS Enjoy Dinner with a Dozen Eagles Dinner with a Dozen Eagles is a student-focused event hosted by the Student Alumni Association in the Ogletree House on the FROM THE ARCHIVES Hattiesburg campus. Prominent alumni were invited back to campus on March 2, 2017, to enjoy dinner with students interested in particular fields of study. This year’s event hosted April Bullock of Eve Marie’s Boutique, Dr. Melanie Hall of Hattiesburg Clinic, Sean McGee of BancorpSouth, Marcus Coleman of the Southern Miss Department of Communication Studies, Marie Parker of THE ARTS Gulfport Public Schools and Ronald Parker of Land Shaper Inc.
NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
EAGLE CLUB
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Ronald Parker
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Dr. Marcus Coleman ‘04
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Dr. Melanie Hall ‘05
Marie Parker ‘93
Sean McGee ‘90
April Bullock ‘05
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
FOUNDATION NEWS
New Life Members
Join the record number of new Life Members taking advantage of our FROM THE ARCHIVES 100th Anniversary special offer! Visit SouthernMissAlumni.com/100Years and take $100 off the Life Member rate! THE ARTS Alan Andrews
Lauren Dutton
Maxine Jones
Eric Quiroga
NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
Anna Anokbonggo
Janet Eaton
Chris Keene
Carshena Bailey
Christopher and Olivia Estrade
Peggy King
Stephanie Richards
Devita King
James Ridgway EAGLE CLUB
Gary Kirkland
Willie Robinson
Howard Beasley Richard Bentley-Smith Jerry and Ruth Broome Eric Broome Hugh and Kevan Brown Shannon and Maria Brown Nancy Bryant Glen and Soni Buckalew Daryl Bush Peepsie Butler Emma Caldwell Amanda Cameron Sissy Carter Sara Cawthorn Lauren Christovich
Thomas and Kim Evans Jerry Evans Jacob Fitzgerald Bertha Fitzpatrick James Folks William and Rebecca Fron Ariel Gardner Cynthia Gaudet Pam Gibbs Cheryl Giordano Xuejing Li Gomez Shirley Goodman Luke Goss Christopher and Lisa Guice
Lorinda Krhut Lasonia Landry Lou Anne Lea John Lesley Kendall Lewis Joy Lightsey Amanda Lizana William and Kerri Lofton Rita Lott Laverne Lowery Kristi Mackenzie James Mackie
La Toya Hart
Stephen and Megan McCay
Stuart Hartfield
Jacqueline McGee
William Harvison
Shelia McRae
Dixie Hill
Teresa Montgomery
Scott Cooley
Cary and Lisa Hilton
Carrie Moulds
Gene and Lea Ann Coxwell
Larry and Judith Hinton
Stacy Necaise
Kenneth Crawley
Richard Jeffries
Kent Newman
Kimberly Davis
James Jones
Mark Noe
Clyde and Peggy Dease
Andrew Jones
Anthony and Betty Parker
Nancy Domagala
Jessica Jones
Jason and Kelcie Phillips
Travis Clem Tiffany Cloninger Christopher and Tiffany Collier
Elizabeth Raley
Donna Runnels
ATHLETIC NEWS Kendra Shell
Terry and Wanda Shoemake
NOTES FROM HOME Tracy Silver
Donna Smith Brandon andNOTES Sarah Smith CLASS Greg and Susan Strahan John Theobald
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Ricky Thompson Marc Turnage
ALUMNI AUTHORS Annie Ulmer William and Deborah Watts
ALUMNI ALMANAC Joshua West
Shirley Whigham Alesia White David and Erin Willcutt Stephen and Connie Worrel Amy Yeates Eliza Zonn
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
Association Hosts Annual Grads and Crawdads: Senior Send-off FOUNDATION NEWS On April 27, the Southern Miss Alumni Association held the third annual Grads and Crawdads event as the official senior send-off for 2017 graduates. More than 300 graduating FROM THE ARCHIVES seniors enjoyed a complimentary crawfish boil, complete with live music, a photo booth, games and the opportunity to visit with President Bennett. THE ARTS The event was hosted by the Association with support from Barnes and Noble at Southern Miss, the Eagle Club, Hattiesburg Coca-Cola, Aramark, the Office of Leadership and Student Involvement, Career Services, the Honors College, the Department NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
EAGLE CLUB
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of Housing and Residence Life, Insomnia Cookies, Yuengling and Southern Beverage Company, Newk’s and the USM Foundation. “This year’s Grads and Crawdads event was another great success,” said BayLee Long, manager of programs for the Southern Miss Alumni Association. “We are thankful for the support from on-campus organizations, as well as businesses around the community who helped us celebrate the graduates’ transition from students to alumni of The University of Southern Mississippi. We look forward to continuing this event for many years to come!” South Mississippi Crawfish Company boiled and served more than 1,000 pounds of crawfish for the event.
ASSOCIATION NEWS
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
Alumni Association and Eagle Club Hosts FOUNDATION NEWS Alumni Events Throughout Spring and Summer The Southern Miss Alumni Association and Eagle Club once again teamed up to host events throughout the state and FROM THE ARCHIVES across the country. In cities such as New Orleans, La., Jackson, Biloxi, Tupelo, Pensacola, Fla., Birmingham, Al., Nashville, Tenn., Huntsville, Al. and more, alumni have rallied the THE spirit ARTSin the cities where they live and work. Southern Miss “We had great turnouts for each of our alumni events this spring,” said Jerry DeFatta, executive director of the Alumni NEWS Association. “FromCAMPUS happy hours to alumni dinners AROUND and pre-game socials, our alumni and fans have proven their enthusiasm for Southern Miss continues to grow. We
EAGLE CLUB
BIRMINGHAM ATHLETIC NEWS
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appreciate their dedication and support for the University, Southern Miss Athletics and to the Alumni Association.” On May 4, happy hour events were held in Jackson, Hattiesburg, Ocean Springs and Fairhope, Ala., to commemorate the Association’s 100th anniversary. “To celebrate this milestone for the Association, we were excited to bring alumni together in four of our most populated areas for events held on the same night under the same Southern Miss spirit,” said DeFatta. For an up-to-date list of all events hosted by the Southern Miss Alumni Association, including upcoming summer parties, visit SouthernMisssAlumni.com/UpcomingEvents.
ASSOCIATION NEWS
JACKSON
FOUNDATION NEWS
FROM THE ARCHIVES
THE ARTS
MEMPHIS
NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
EAGLE CLUB
ATHLETIC NEWS
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NASHVILLE
MOBILE
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WAYNESBORO
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
NEW ORLEANS FOUNDATION NEWS
FROM THE ARCHIVES
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NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
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NORTHSHORE
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TUPELO
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MAY 4
FOUNDATION NEWS
FROM THE ARCHIVES
THE ARTS FAIRHOPE
HAT TIESBURG
NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
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OCEAN SPRINGS
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
FOUNDATION NEWS
FROM THE ARCHIVES
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Alumni Association Awards Record Number of Scholarships NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
As part of its 100-year anniversary celebration on May 4, the Alumni Association announced the awarding of a record number of 100 Pierce Legacy Scholarships to incoming 2017 freshmen EAGLEand CLUB who are children grandchildren of Southern Miss alumni. The Southern Miss Alumni Association began on May 4, 1917, and served primarily as a placement service for new teachers in its early days. Although the organization today hardly resembles ATHLETIC NEWS its humble beginnings, the Association leadership is dedicated to playing a significant role in helping the University reach its potential. Over the coming year, the Association will place an increased focus on national membership and volunteer NOTES FROM engagement, HOME development, as it celebrates a century of service to the institution. “As an Association, we cannot think of a better way to celebrate our century of service to the University than by contributing to the CLASS NOTES success of future Golden Eagles,” said Jerry DeFatta, executive director
SNAPSHOTS
2017 Chapter Scholarship Recipients
BATON ROUGE ALUMNI CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP ALUMNI AUTHORS Shelby Bourgeois BIRMINGHAM ALUMNI CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP Julia Baker ALUMNI ALMANAC CENTRAL MS ALUMNI CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP John Coxwell Lanie Leach LAUREL METRO ALUMNI CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP Tanner Hughes MOBILE BAY ALUMNI CHAPTER MICKEY MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIP Carrie Sullivan Bradley Warren
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SOUTHEAST MS ALUMNI CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP Charles Latady Teresa Tran Brittney Wiggins
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of the Southern Miss Alumni Association. “Since its establishment in 1999, more than 95 students have been named Pierce Legacy Scholars, with 13 students being honored with the award last year. This $100,000 investment illustrates the Association’s continued focus on the importance of student scholarships.” A total of 100 congratulatory letters were mailed on May 4 to incoming freshmen, offering each student a one-time, $1,000 scholarship. These legacies will also be recognized during a special awards luncheon during the 2017 Homecoming weekend. For more information on the Pierce Legacy Scholars program, or to make a contribution to scholarships for future children and grandchildren of Southern Miss alumni, please contact the Southern Miss Alumni Association at 601.266.5013 or alumni@usm.edu.
SOUTH CENTRAL MS ALUMNI CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP Abigail Authement Brennen Roberts John Chapman Carrington Stuart Erin Cox Sarah Sumrall Madison Crider Keaton Ware Kelli Hicks Gillian Williford POWELL AND FRANCES OGLETREE SCHOLARSHIP Kayla Hubbard ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PAST PRESIDENTS COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP Brooks Rahaim CLYDE KENNARD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Rickeya Brown Laterrica Moore Lakesha Pittman Asia McCoy Hannah Scott
US JOIN
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JOIN THE SOUTHERN MISS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION FOR A FREE TAILGATE FOR ALL ACTIVE MEMBERS!
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OGLETREE HOUSE FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE, VISIT SOUTHERNMISSALUMNI.COM/ALUMNITAILGATE17
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FOUNDATION NEWS
FROM THE ARCHIVES
USM Foundation Hosts 2017 Honor THE ARTS Club Black Tie Gala
On March 31, 2017, The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation NEWS AROUND CAMPUS hosted its annual Honor Club Black Tie Gala at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg. The Honor Club is the University’s major gift EAGLE CLUB recognition society, honoring the most generous benefactors whose passion for Southern Miss led them to support the ATHLETIC University with significantNEWS financial gifts. This year’s Gala marks the first time donors to both academics and athletics were recognized. NOTES FROM HOME During this spectacular night of celebration, new members were recognized, along with current members who ascended CLASS a level due to an increase NOTES in their giving. To view more pictures from this year’s event, visit the USM Foundation Honor Club Black Tie Gala 2017 album onSNAPSHOTS Facebook.
HONOR CLUB
GI V ING LEV EL S I N D I V I D UA L S | O RGA N I Z AT I O N S
GALLERY OF BENEFACTORS GOLD: $10 MILLION AND ABOVE | $50 MILLION AND ABOVE SILVER: $5 MILLION – $9.99 MILLION | $25 MILLION – $49.99 MILLION BRONZE: $1 MILLION – $4.99 MILLION | $5 MILLION – $24.99 MILLION SOUTHERN MISS SOCIETY $500,000 – $999,999 | $2.5 MILLION – $4.99 MILLION BLACK AND GOLD SOCIETY $250,000 – $499,999 | $1.25 MILLION – $2.49 MILLION PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE $100,000 – $249,999 | $500,000 – $1.24 MILLION JOSEPH COOK FELLOWSHIP $50,000 – $99,999 | $250,000 – $499,999 PATRONS OF 1910 $25,000 – $49,999 | $125,000 – $249,999
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The Mason family
Bonnie and Lawrence Warren after the unveiling of their Gallery of Benefactors portrait
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
Benny and Kimberly Hubbard
Doug and Pam Rouse receiving their Southern Miss Society recognition gift from University President Rodney D. Bennett and his wife, Temple
ASSOCIATION NEWS
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THE ARTS
NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
EAGLE CLUB
ATHLETIC NEWS From left: Dr. David T. Hayhurst, Barbara Lauren, Jim Geiger, Dr. Shelby F. Thames, Dr. Robson FROM F. Storey, George NOTES HOMESchmitz, David Lauren and Stace Mercier
School of Polymers and High Performance Materials Attracts Major Support from CIEF To assure the coating industry’s future through the encouragement and financial support of talented undergraduate students desiring careers in coatings science and technology, the Coatings Industry Education Foundation (CIEF) contributed nearly $800,000 to support The University of Southern Mississippi School of Polymers and High Performance Materials. This substantial gift established the CIEF Polymers and High Performance Materials Scholarship Endowment, providing six annual scholarships for undergraduates in the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, which is a leading educational and research entity in the coatings industry. The scholarships memorialize four influential scientists, inventors, educators and leaders in the coatings industry: Joseph A. Vasta, A.L. Hendry, Sidney Lauren and Frank Borrelle. “This generous gift from the coatings industry and its scientific leaders speaks to their confidence in our program,” said USM faculty member, Dr. Robson Storey, Bennett Distinguished Professor and chairman of the Waterborne Symposium. “These scholarships will provide our students with abundant support to thrive in their studies and give back to the industry upon completion of their degrees.” Formed as a subsidiary of the American Coatings Association (ACA) in 1957, CIEF was created to support educational programs and curriculums at universities devoted to the application and advancement of the sciences of coatings technology, especially through the granting of undergraduate scholarships. Since then,
CLASS NOTES
CIEF has served as a catalyst for boosting coatings science and technology education in the United StatesSNAPSHOTS and increasing the number of scientists choosing careers in the coatings industry. The paint and coatings industry leads research and development of cutting-edge products that protect and preserve ALUMNI AUTHORS the country’s infrastructure. From cars and homes to bridges and tunnels, coatings are used to prolong usefulness and provide protection for a myriad of objects. With the help of scholarship ALUMNI ALMANAC support, graduates of the Southern Miss School of Polymers and High Performance Materials go on to pursue careers in the coatings industry as product development and research scientists, marketing and sales specialists, technical service representatives and coatings formulators. Additionally, many continue their education by enrolling in graduate or professional school. When the decision was made to donate the assets of CIEF to a qualified institution in 2016, their Board of Trustees searched for a place to carry on the legacy they started. The long-term relationship between CIEF’s Board, Professor Emeritus Dr. Shelby Thames and Southern Miss made the decision easier. “Asking the CIEF Board of Trustees and members of the ACA to approve our gift to USM was supported with open arms,” said George Schmitz, chairman and president of CIEF. “By assuring future generations of polymer scientists have the opportunity to further their education in coatings science and technology, CIEF’s mission will remain alive at Southern Miss.” Summer 2017
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
FOUNDATION NEWS
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SGA Utilizes Eagle Fever to Save Eaglepalooza
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Soon after The University of Southern CLASS NOTES Mississippi Foundation launched Eagle Fever - Southern Miss Crowdfunding in February 2017, the Student Government SNAPSHOTS Association (SGA) harnessed the power of this online fundraising platform to generate over $30,000 in 30 days toward saving Eaglepalooza. ALUMNI AUTHORS Since 2004, Eaglepalooza has been one of the most memorable student activities at The University ofALUMNI Southern Mississippi. This ALMANAC free, annual event sponsored by SGA draws crowds of approximately 10,000 to the Hub City for a night of music, uniting the University and greater Pine Belt community. Over the years, SGA has expanded student and community collaboration to make this event a success, while maintaining a high level of musical diversity within the entertainment provided. Past acts include Keri Hilson, Echosmith, Icona Pop, Phillip Phillips and Needtobreathe. This year, state-wide budget cuts forced SGA leadership to cancel Eaglepalooza after 13 successful runs. Seeking an avenue to raise funds and awareness about this campus need, SGA teamed up with the USM Foundation in hopes of saving the Southern Miss tradition.
Eagle Fever is an online fundraising tool used to generate support for Southern Miss by connecting the power of social media, peer-to-peer relationships and collective giving. This new platform allows donors the opportunity to support a variety of projects created by those within the Golden Eagle community. “Eaglepalooza presented a perfect opportunity for the Southern Miss community to directly impact students through philanthropy,” said Kelly Ellis, manager of annual giving. “Through this form of grassroots fundraising, students were able to share with alumni and friends the impact Eaglepalooza has had on their student experiences and garner support to keep the event going.” With the growing popularity of online crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, Eagle Fever harnesses the potential of social media and the generosity of Southern Miss alumni and friends to bring about real change on USM’s campuses. Unlike other crowdfunding platforms, 100 percent of Eagle Fever gifts directly impact student initiatives because the USM Foundation pays for credit card processing fees on
the site. Eagle Fever allows supporters to make gifts of any size and track the overall progress of projects, which typically run for 30 days. Gifts made through Eagle Fever are tax-deductible to the extent of current IRS regulations. “Eaglepalooza is one of the best parts of the Southern Miss experience, so I cannot say thank you enough to those who have donated to help save it,” said SGA President Cameron Cloud. “Growing up in Hattiesburg, I know how important Eaglepalooza is to our community. This event serves as a powerful recruitment tool for attracting students and a great way for current students to get involved on campus and in the community. With additional funding needed to meet our goal, every gift helps, no matter the size. Together, we can save Eaglepalooza!” The “Save Eaglepalooza” initiative is one of many Eagle Fever projects managed by the USM Foundation and run by academic departments, student groups and other members of the University community in need of support. To learn more about Eagle Fever - Southern Miss Crowdfunding or make a gift to save Eaglepalooza, visit eaglefever.usm.edu.
ASSOCIATION NEWS
FOUNDATION NEWS
FROM THE ARCHIVES
THE ARTS
NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
EAGLE CLUB
ATHLETIC NEWS
NOTES FROM HOME
EAGLE FEVER IS THE ONLINE FUNDRAISING TOOL USED TO GENERATE SUPPORT FOR SOUTHERN MISS BY CONNECTING THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA, PEER-TO-PEER RELATIONSHIPS AND COLLECTIVE GIVING.
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eaglefever.usm.edu SNAPSHOTS
G O L D E N E A G L E I M PAALUMNI C TAUTHORS S U M M E R 2 0 17
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SU PPORT I NG ST U DEN T SUCCE SS
LARRY ’67 AND LIZ PAYNE THROUGH THE LARRY PAYNE FOUNDATION • $61,014 ESTATE OF RALPH T. SIMMONS ’54 • $50,000
S U PP ORT I NG V I TA L PRO GR A M M I NG WINIFRED AND KEVIN P. REILLY JR. THROUGH THE BATON ROUGE AREA FOUNDATION • $25,000 MERIT HEALTH WESLEY • $25,000 ANNA REILLY AND MATTHEW CULLINAN THROUGH THE WINSTON-SALEM FOUNDATION • $25,000 DRS. CHARLIE AND SUSAN ’81 BURCHELL • $25,000 CHUCK ’75 AND RITA SCIANNA • $450,000
For more information about the impact of these gifts, please visit usmfoundation.com/goldeneagleimpact.
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We know Golden Eagle fans love to “Go Gold” at the game. So when it’s time to gear up, we’re right where you are with the Southern Miss Mastercard® debit card from BancorpSouth. Every swipe is proof of your Golden Eagle pride. Learn more at: BancorpSouth.com/SouthernMiss
PROUD PARTNER OF SOUTHERN MISS ATHLETICS The University of Southern Mississippi Affinity Debit Card has a $5.00 annual fee.
© 2017 BancorpSouth. All Rights Reserved.
100 YEARS FROM
A Z TO
By Kaisha Brown ‘16
SOUTHERN MISS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
A
The Southern Miss Alumni Association strives to build a feeling of pride and loyalty among the alumni of The University of Southern Mississippi. While working to strengthen participation in alumni and University programs, the Association coordinates the efforts of alumni on behalf of the University and provides a unified voice in the affairs of the University. At home in the Ogletree House on the Hattiesburg campus, the Southern Miss Alumni Association acts on behalf of alumni to strengthen and maintain the greatness of the University, while pushing the institution forward to new levels of accomplishment. On May 4, the Association reached its 100-year anniversary. In celebration of its century of service to the University, the Association is offering unique membership opportunities. Visit SouthernMissAlumni.com to learn more!
BEACHFRONT CAMPUS Located along the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast is the University’s Gulf Park campus, Mississippi’s only beachfront college campus. The Gulf Park campus houses all six of the University’s academic colleges, offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs, and boasts the historic Friendship Oak – a sprawling 500-year-old live oak tree, which serves as a symbol of strength and resilience.
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CENTENNIAL GATEWAY
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Since 1910, the Hardy Street entrance to the Hattiesburg campus has served as the front door of the University. From the 1921 creation of a World War Memorial Streetcar Station to the evolution of the grand gateway entrance present today, the gateway’s unique landscape warmly welcomes all visitors to campus. In 2009, the Ed Langton family donated $200,000 to fund the construction of the gateway, in addition to a $17,777.77 contribution from The Gold Leaf Society. The 125-foot-wide, brick-andcast-stone structure was completed and dedicated on March 30, 2010, as part of the University’s 100th anniversary celebration.
DESEGREGATION
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In 1965, Gwendolyn Armstrong-Chamberlain and Raylawni Branch became the first African-American students to enroll in the University, marking the start of desegregation at Southern Miss. In 2013, the ArmstrongBranch Lecture Series was established, and the Armstrong-Branch Pedestrian Plaza was created on campus. September 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of desegregation at Southern Miss, and the University celebrated these 50 years of progress with a week of special events. Today, the University continues to see consistent growth in minority enrollment and takes great pride in the diversity of its student body.
EAGLE WALK
FIGHT SONG
Not only is the Eagle Walk a walkway under the east side of The Rock that recognizes the rich history of the Golden Eagle football team, it is also a deep-rooted tradition, which brings out the strongest Southern Miss pride in both students and fans. A blast of the cannon by the ROTC signals the start of this unrivaled parade in which The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, Dixie Darlings, Southern Miss cheerleaders and the football team march from the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building to The Rock two hours before each home football game. At the start of each fall semester, incoming freshmen have the opportunity to participate in a time-honored tradition of painting the Eagle Walk, an event hosted by the Student Alumni Association.
Southern Mississippi to the top, to the top! So lift your voices high, show them the reason why, That Southern spirit never will stop.
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Fight Fight Fight
Southern Mississippi all the way, banners high And we will
Fight Fight Fight
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Hear our battle cry!
THE GOLD LEAF SOCIETY It all began in the fall of 2005 when then-vice president for Student Affairs, Joe Paul, received an anonymous letter that led him to the seventh floor in the Johnson Science Tower where he found a check designated for a deserving student affected by Hurricane Katrina. Shortly afterward, a mysterious rock bearing the emblem of a leaf surrounded by seven stars and the date 1877 appeared on the lawn of Danforth Chapel. Believing it to be a prank, then-Union and Programs Director Barbara Ross conducted an investigation and discovered an organization calling itself The Gold Leaf Society. According to the society, “membership in The Gold Leaf is and will always remain anonymous so that the focus of the gift will be on the recipient.� The Gold Leaf has given numerous gifts to benefit the University, with each donation containing the number seven in the amount. The secret society has annually recognized faculty and staff and created the Barbara Ross Gold Leaf Scholarship Endowment, awarded annually to a member of a Greek organization.
to victory,
Created by Robert Hays in 1955
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HALL OF FAME In addition to producing top-tier athletes who have led in basketball, baseball and Olympic sports, the Southern Miss Athletics program also boasts two members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame – Ray Guy and Brett Favre. Ray Guy is considered by many as the greatest punter of all time and was the first punter selected in the first round of the draft and the first punter ever enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 2014. Guy was also named an NFL Team of the Century member. Brett Favre was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016 and is considered one of the all-time legends of the NFL with three straight NFL MVP honors from 1995-97, one Super Bowl title and the honor of retiring as the NFL’s all-time leading passer.
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INTERNATIONAL STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES
With more than 25 faculty-led, exchange and internship programs to more than 20 countries, Southern Miss students have the opportunity to earn academic credit while gaining international experience through the University’s study-abroad programs. The British Studies Program, established in 1976, is the University’s flagship program, which allows students to earn six credit hours during a month in London. The Château Program offers students the opportunity to earn credits in French and other academic courses, all while living in an 18th-century château in Strasbourg, France, with USM faculty. Additional opportunities are available through partnerships with international universities around the world. In 2016, the Office of Study Abroad, in partnership with academic departments at Southern Miss, sent more than 300 students abroad to study.
R/V JIM FRANKS The 60-foot research vessel (R/V) Jim Franks is the newest addition to The University of Southern Mississippi’s fleet. Equipped for both day cruises and overnight trips, the R/V Jim Franks enhances and expands the high-quality education and research opportunities the University provides as a leading marine science institution. The vessel also provides valuable benefits to our community and associated marine economy. The vessel features both wet and dry laboratories and allows University researchers to conduct projects such as water testing, trawling, long-lining, surveying and research trips to the Mississippi barrier islands. The vessel is named in honor of James S. “Jim” Franks, a senior research scientist at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and internationally recognized marine life expert.
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HURRICANE KATRINA
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina blew onto the Mississippi Gulf Coast with 100-mile-per-hour winds and storm surges as high as 30 feet. The University suffered an estimated $290 million in losses and damages from the storm, and more than 120 faculty and staff members completely lost their homes. Refusing to be marked only by the remains, the Southern Miss family exhibited the resilience we’ve come to be known for. Following the storm, the Hattiesburg campus reopened in midSeptember, and classes reopened on the Gulf Coast in only six weeks.
MACE AND MEDALLION
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Carried at the head of the Commencement procession by the grand marshal, the University mace symbolizes the authority of the Office of the President of the University. The mace features an eagle, encased in an open orb of sterling silver, pointing with uplifted wings to a crown of laurel, signifying honor and distinction with “Southern Mississippi” embossed at its base. The medallion is suspended on a ribbon of black velvet and is worn by the president of the University. The medallion, like the mace, also features an eagle with uplifted wings to a crown of laurel, clutching a quill and scroll, but engraved on the reverse side are the names of past Southern Miss presidents and the dates of their administrations. The mace and medallion were designed by Southern Miss alumnus Ronlin Foreman.
L LOFTY RETURN Lofty Return, a sculpture gifted to the University from alumnus Chuck Scianna and designed by artist and sculptor David Anderson, stands at the front of the Hattiesburg campus and welcomes back alumni to their alma mater. A smaller replica can also be found on the Gulf Park campus.
NIT CHAMPIONS 1987
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On Thursday, March 26, 1987, Southern Miss basketball soared to an improbable championship in the 50th annual National Invitation Tournament and marked the most successful era of Golden Eagle basketball.
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OFFICIAL SOUTHERN MISS RING The official ring has grown to become one of the most important traditions at Southern Miss. Adorned with images from both the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses, the ring is treated much like a wearable diploma and is awarded each fall during the Official Ring Ceremony. Students who receive their rings wear them with the University seal facing them until graduation, when they turn the rings around so that the University seal faces outward, signifying that they are no longer students, but alumni. Alumni of the University may also purchase an official ring at SouthernMissAlumni.com/OfficialRing.
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
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From the team that produced the muchacclaimed Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, The University of Southern Mississippi School of Music will present Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera on the stage of the Mannoni Performing Arts Center October 26 through November 4. Phantom of the Opera will be directed by Dr. Mike Lopinto, with music direction by Dr. Jay Dean and Dr. Michael Miles. The production will feature a cast of talented music, theatre and dance students from Southern Miss and the venerable Symphony Orchestra in an elaborate spectacle. Tickets are available exclusively as part of the Symphony season package through July 15, when individual tickets will go on sale. Both are available at 800.844.TICK, 601.266.5418 and USM.edu/Music/Phantom.
FIFTH-QUARTER CONCERT Immediately following each home football game, The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band performs a miniconcert featuring the University’s alma mater.
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R RIGHT FIELD ROOST The Right Field Roost is the place to be on baseball game day! With 40 reserved parking spaces and equipped with barbeque grills, the area is perfect for cheering on the Golden Eagle baseball team!
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SEYMOUR In 1972, alumni, faculty, students and staff were asked to submit new names for the athletic teams, and an ad hoc committee appointed by the Alumni Association voted on submissions. The Golden Eagles was chosen as the athletic teams’ name, with a new mascot – Seymour d’Campus. It is a Southern Miss tradition for the identity of Seymour to remain anonymous until spring Commencement, when the feet of the costume may be worn by the student who has served as the mascot.
TORNADO RECOVERY On February 10, 2013, a destructive EF-4 tornado struck the Hattiesburg campus, damaging buildings and destroying more than 75 mature oak trees and the famed All-American Rose Garden. Immediately following the tornado, students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends began working to restore campus to its former glory. The recovery process consisted of 40 months of work and included a Campus Beautification Day of Giving, which raised $130, 243.76 in just 24 hours. In addition, more than 3,000 donors contributed $2 million to aid in tornado relief efforts. The Mississippi Legislature provided $1.1 million to the School of Music for instrument repair and replacement. All landmarks have since been restored, including the expansion of Lake Byron and the addition of an Honor Wall recognizing those who helped to restore the front porch of the Hattiesburg campus.
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UNIVERSITY SEAL The current University seal was created and implemented in 1997. It features an image of The Dome and the year of the University’s founding, 1910, inscribed below.
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CENTER FOR MILITARY VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS AND FAMILIES
The Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families at Southern Miss provides support for student-veterans, military service members and their family members, who are pursuing an academic degree from the University.
W WEST MEMORIAL PLAZA Located in the historic heart of campus and covered by a beautiful canopy of oak trees, the West Memorial Plaza connects Shoemaker Square to the University’s main entrance. Since its creation in 2003, a number of engraved bricks have been installed along the plaza in honor of various individuals and campus groups. In 2012, the Southern Miss Alumni Association introduced the Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy program that encourages the purchase of engraved bricks by Southern Miss alumni, friends and fans with proceeds benefitting the Pierce Legacy Scholarship Program. To buy a brick and leave a legacy at Southern Miss, visit SouthernMissAlumni.com/LeaveALegacy.
X MARKS THE SPOT The University of Southern Mississippi is home to one of America’s greatest musical collaborations. In the early 1970s Jimmy Buffett, who was then a recent USM graduate, and Greg “Fingers” Taylor, a Southern Miss student, met on the steps of The Hub. It all started when Buffett was playing his guitar for students on break from night class, and Taylor asked if he could join in with his harmonica. The immediate bond led Buffet and Taylor to form the famed Coral Reefer Band, which produced hit songs, including “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” In 2015, the legacies of Buffett and Taylor were honored with a bronze marker to commemorate their first meeting outside The Hub.
Y
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YELLOWJACKETS As one of the University’s early service clubs, whose primary service initially provided oversight for freshman hazing, the group, known then as the Yellowjackets, eventually evolved into what is now Southern Style.
Z HATTIESBURG ZOO The effort to bring a golden eagle to Hattiesburg was initiated by the Southern Miss Alumni Association and supported by the Student Government Association and the USM Foundation. Together, the groups contributed $70,000 to fund the construction of a habitat for the golden eagle at the Hattiesburg Zoo, which was unveiled November 2013. The exhibit is now home to two golden eagles – Nugget and Talon.
1917
2017
SOUTHERN MISS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
A Century of Service 1962
Governor Ross Barnett signed the bill changing the name of Mississippi Southern College to The University Southern Mississippi. Powell Ogletree re-wrote the words of the Alma Mater to reflect the name change, and the Association began working to establish a doctoral program at USM.
MAY 4, 1917
The Alumni Association was organized under T. A. Sewell, a 1917 graduate of Mississippi Normal College.
1953
Powell G. Ogletree ’48, ’51 became the Association’s first full-time executive secretary.
910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1945
The first issue of Alumni News, the Association’s alumni magazine, was published.
1922
The Association initiated a movement to change the school’s name to State Teachers College. In May of that year, the institution granted its first bachelor’s degree to Miss Kathryn Swetman of Biloxi.
1951
The Association announced a plan to raise $300,000 for a student union building, which was completed in 1956 and named The R.C. Cook College Union.
1955
The Association inaugurated observance of March 30 as Mississippi Southern College Day, which is now known as Founders’ Day. Also in 1955, the Association’s membership exceeded 1,000 paid members.
2013
In February 2013, the University was hit by an EF-4 tornado. The Ogletree House was significantly damaged. That same year, the Association launched the Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy campaign.
1971
The Student Alumni Association was launched and students from each of Mississippi’s 82 counties were selected as members.
2010
Active Association membership reached more than 21,000 in conjunction with the University’s Centennial Celebration
1975
The former USM Presidents Home was turned over to the Alumni Association to be used as its headquarters. Shortly after, the Association initiated a campaign to raise funds for a new President’s Home, which was completed in 1979 on Jamestown Road.
2009
A full restoration and renovation of the Ogletree House was completed.
1999
The Legacy Scholarship Endowment was created to provide one-time, $1,000 scholarships to children and grandchildren of Southern Miss alumni.
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 202 1987
1972
The Association solicited alumni participation in selecting a new nickname for USM’s athletic teams. Michael W. Ferrell of Hattiesburg was the first to suggest Golden Eagles and was awarded $100 for his efforts.
Powell Ogletree retired after 34 years of service. At the time of his retirement, the Association had more than 17,000 paid members and 61 organized alumni chapters. The Alumni House was officially named the Ogletree House in his honor.
2013
In conjunction with the Student Government Association and the USM Foundation, the Alumni Association initiated the effort to bring a golden eagle to Hattiesburg. Together, the groups contributed $70,000 to fund the construction of a habitat at the Hattiesburg Zoo which now houses two eagles – Nugget and Talon.
2013
The Association presented $100,000 to the University’s campus beautification campaign.
2014
The Ogletree House was once again restored following the 2013 tornado.
1990
The Association recorded 19,000 paid members. The Student Alumni Association boasted 785 members, which was purported to be the largest in the nation.
2017
A record number of 100 Pierce Legacy Scholarships were awarded to commemorate the Association’s 100th anniversary.
PIERCE LEGACY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Paving the Way for Future Golden Eagles By Nicole Ruhnke ‘08
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stablished in 1999 with a $10,000 contribution to the USM Foundation, the Legacy Scholars Endowment not only solidified the Southern Miss Alumni Association’s commitment to student success and scholarships, but also
served as an avenue for increased alumni engagement and private giving. ThenExecutive Director Bob Pierce worked to create the endowment with the intent of providing additional encouragement to Southern Miss alumni to send their children to USM. Since then, the endowment has grown, been renamed in Pierce’s honor and stands as the Association’s primary fundraising initiative.
“We knew the program would take a slow and steady approach and the endowment would grow gradually over time,” said Bob Pierce, former executive director of the Southern Miss Alumni Association for whom the program is now named. “The corpus of the endowment was small in its early days, resulting in pretty meager scholarships. Now, almost two decades later, the endowment has grown to a respectable level and is generating a good number of $1,000 scholarships.” In 2016, the Association awarded 13 Pierce Legacy Scholarships to incoming freshmen who are children and grandchildren of Southern Miss alumni. David “Patton” Little, son of David ‘88 and Patricia Little, was one of the 2016 Pierce Legacy Scholars. “I would like to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to come to USM, to learn and study here, and to be a part of the Golden Eagle family,” Little said. And that Golden Eagle family is precisely the vision behind the Pierce Legacy Scholars Program. “One of the most influential ways to build tradition at any institution of higher learning is to encourage offspring of alumni to continue the history of excellence at that institution,” Pierce added. “The University of Southern Mississippi is no different. I have always said, and still say to this day, that the first thing a graduate of any university needs to do is pay his or her alumni dues. It is the first step to remaining connected to the institution. It is vital for alumni to introduce their kids to Southern Miss and lay that groundwork for the important decisions they will be making later in life.” Tristen Miller, a 2015 scholarship recipient and the daughter of Warren ’87 and Tracey Wright Miller ’91, credits her choice of Southern Miss with her family’s active involvement with the university – a common feeling among Pierce Legacy Scholars. “Choosing Southern Miss wasn’t hard at all because my parents graduated from here, my sister goes here and I have a love for Southern Miss,” Miller said. “I’ve been here. I’ve also come to every Homecoming that I could. I just love it; it’s like my second home.” Reserved for children and grandchildren of Southern Miss alumni, Pierce Legacy Scholarship recipients are among an esteemed group of students. To be eligible, incoming freshmen must enroll full-time for the upcoming fall semester. At least one parent or
Executive Director Jerry DeFatta presents a scholarship plaque to 2015 Pierce Legacy Scholar Benjamin Ficken.
Former Alumni Association President Sean McGee ‘90 with his family – wife, Missy Warren McGee ’90, and sons, Jackson and Patrick, a 2016 Pierce Legacy Scholar.
grandparent of the candidate must hold a degree from the University and must either be an active member of the Alumni Association for the immediate past 10 years or be a Life Member. Prior to 2017, a total of 95 students had received the scholarship since its creation in 1999. The initial $10,000 contribution in 1999 was made possible by proceeds from the Alumni Association Homecoming Golf Tournament, and proceeds from that annual tournament, along with support raised through the Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy Campaign, have been directed to the endowment ever since. In May, the Association celebrated its 100-year anniversary
and announced the awarding of a record number of 100 Pierce Legacy Scholarships to incoming 2017 freshmen. This $100,000 investment in student scholarships advances the program to new heights, and hopefully closer to the organization’s ultimate goal. “It is our desire for every child of a Southern Miss alumnus to receive this prestigious one-time scholarship,” said Jerry DeFatta, executive director of the Southern Miss Alumni Association. “We realize there is much work left to be done for this goal to become a reality, but we look forward to the longterm results of this commemorative gift.”
BUY A BRICK, LEAVE A LEGACY “On the Hattiesburg campus, the plaza between Shoemaker Square and Cook Library is paved with bricks inscribed with the names of alumni, family and friends,” DeFatta said. “The Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy program was created in 2013 as an initiative to assist in raising funds for the Pierce Legacy Scholars Program, and has been very successful. Buying a brick not only leaves your legacy at Southern Miss, but provides the opportunity for future Golden Eagles to do the same.” “While this year’s contribution by the Association provides a one-time opportunity for incoming 2017 freshmen,” Pierce states, “the gift provides a glimpse of what the Pierce Legacy Scholarships can become. We simply need to grow the corpus of the endowment so more scholarships can be awarded. It is important that we continue the family tradition of prospective students following their parents and grandparents to Southern Miss. With more scholarships available, there will be incentive for more alumni to encourage their children to attend Southern Miss.” Between now and September 15, 2017, all new or upgraded Life Memberships will be accompanied by a complimentary brick permanently installed on campus. Full details of this limited offer can be found at SouthernMissAlumni.com/100YearBrickPromo. Also, see page 6 of this magazine for additional details. “We look forward to filling the West Memorial Plaza with new bricks honoring the commitments of our alumni to leave their legacy at Southern Miss,” DeFatta added. “Homecoming 2017 will be a special time for alumni to see their impact during a special awards luncheon honoring our 2017 Pierce Legacy Scholars, as well as see their newly installed bricks on campus.
BE A PART OF FUTURE SCHOLARSHIP GROWTH Alumni and friends of the University who are interested in contributing to the future of the Pierce Legacy Scholars Program may contact the Alumni Association at 601.266.5013. “I am excited about the continued growth and success of this program and look forward to partnering with our alumni to ensure the traditions of Southern Miss are enjoyed by many more Golden Eagle generations,” DeFatta said. Information on the Pierce Legacy Scholars Program, as well as updated deadlines for future scholarships, is available at SouthernMissAlumni.com/PierceLegacy.
As a licensed social worker, I enjoy serving the most vulnerable populations to offer support and help individuals locate resources within their communities. I know what my purpose is, and I’m excited that I’m going to get to fulfill it every day. I earned a bachelor’s degree here at the Southern Miss Gulf Park campus. I chose to come back here to earn a master’s degree because I really like the atmosphere and can get to know faculty and other students on a personal level.
BINESHA FAIRLEY GRADUATE STUDENT | GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI
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EAGLE CLUB
ATHLETIC NEWS
NOTES FROM HOME
CLASS NOTES
SNAPSHOTS
ALUMNI AUTHORS Sandlin
Wallner
Burdeaux
ALUMNI ALMANAC
Southern Miss Baseball Enjoys Record-Setting Season in 2017
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It was a season of many outstanding efforts that led Southern Miss to its most victories for a campaign and the opportunity to host a postseason tournament for only the second time in the school’s history. The 2017 Golden Eagle baseball team completed a season that encompassed a 50-16 record and a 25-5 Conference USA mark, which helped the program win its fourth regular-season league title, besting its nearest competitor by six games. Southern Miss then almost captured the C-USA Tournament title. After dropping the opening game of the event, the Golden Eagles won four-straight contests and looked to defeat Rice for the second consecutive year in the title game, but the Owls came up with a run in the ninth to defeat Scott Berry’s club. Still, Southern Miss had entered the league’s tournament with a school-record 14 game winning streak behind some solid play from its team, some of which were cited for their great play during the year. Dylan Burdeaux led the Golden Eagles as he garnered the school’s first C-USA Player of the Year honor, which resulted in him having a .337 batting average with 24 doubles, 12 home runs, 67 runs scored and 69 runs batted in. In addition, the senior from West Monroe, La., added 21 stolen bases. For his efforts, Burdeaux earned a semifinalist spot for the Dick Howser Trophy for the nation’s top player, a finalist spot for the Ferriss Trophy for the top collegiate player in the state of Mississippi and a third-team All-America nod by Collegiate Baseball. He wasn’t the only Golden Eagle to be lauded for his play during the year. Junior Taylor Braley of Hattiesburg, who played both third base and pitched, boasted a .313 average with 17 home runs and 61 RBI, while also setting a single-season school record with 63 walks. On the mound, Braley added a 7-2 record with a 3.40 earned run average and 78 strikeouts with only 22 walks over 82 innings of work.
Braley, another Ferriss Trophy finalist, earned first-team C-USA honors as well as all-tournament accolades for C-USA and the NCAA Regional, before being honored as a secondteam All-American by Baseball America. Freshman Matt Wallner, who will get a chance to play for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team this summer, ended his first year with the Golden Eagles with a .336 batting mark and school freshman records for home runs (19) and RBI (63). For his efforts, Wallner earned Freshman All-America honors by Collegiate Baseball, but also garnered a second-team overall All-America nod by Baseball America. Junior left-handed starting pitcher Kirk McCarty also highlighted a pitching staff that lost 315 innings from the previous season, by notching a 10-2 record and 3.52 ERA. McCarty became the first Golden Eagle to strikeout at least 100 batters in a season with his 103, since Shea Douglas had 108 in 2002. McCarty, who also was a first-team Conference USA selection, earned C-USA All-Academic Team as well as second team Academic All-America honors. Joining McCarty as a C-USA All-Academic Team and third team Academic All-America was sophomore Nick Sandlin, who posted a 10-2 season of his own with eight saves and a team low 2.38 ERA. Sandlin registered 80 strikeouts and walked just 29 in 56 2/3 innings of work. For his on the field exploits, Sandlin registered Collegiate Baseball third team All-America accolades. It was with the leadership of that group, as well as a deep roster, which helped propel the Golden Eagles to their first regional hosting spot in 14 years and just the second overall. While the team lost in the regional final, the memories of an exciting 2017 season will live on for many years to come. And while some of this group may be gone in 2018, there is still enough talent to allow this program to reach these heights again and bring back that Pete Taylor Park magic.
WE’RE TAKING TAILGATING
TO THE TOP!
SEPT. 16
OCT. 7
OCT. 21
MONROE, LA
SAN ANTONIO, TX
RUSTON, LA
ULM
UTSA
Louisiana Tech
NOV. 4
NOV. 11
KNOXVILLE, TN
HOUSTON, TX
University of Tennessee
Rice
Members of the Southern Miss Alumni Association and Eagle Club receive complimentary admission to all Eagle Landing tailgates, which begin two-and-a-half hours prior to kickoff. Visit SouthernMissAlumni.com/UpcomingEvents to register!
NOT A MEMBER? Visit SouthernMissAlumni.com/JoinToday!
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Eagles Explore
Journey
to new places or rediscover favorite destinations in the company of fellow Southern Miss
alumni. Let our trusted travel partners, Go Next, Collette and Contiki, handle all the details for a hassle-free experience. Below, a snapshot of where the Eagles Explore Alumni Travel program is going in 2018. For more information and for a full list of travel opportunities offered for alumni of all ages through our travel partners in 2017 and 2018, visit SouthernMissAlumni.com/Travel.
Cuban Cultural Awakening MIAMI to MIAMI
MAY 11 – 20, 2018 Open the doors to island culture on this weeklong luxury cruise through the heart of the Caribbean, stopping in Cuba and The Bahamas, and go beyond the tourist destinations during your two days in Havana.
Isles of Enchantment
LONDON to DUBLIN
JUNE 7 – 18, 2018
Experience the depth and breadth of culture in the United Kingdom and beyond as you cruise through the British Isles. Explore cosmopolitan capitals from Edinburgh to Dublin; immerse yourself in the medieval history of Newcastle and Douglas and the pristine countryside of Wales; and let loose in vibrant cultural centers from Glasgow to Liverpool.
SOUTHERN MISS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TRAVEL Breathtaking Bordeaux – Scenic River Cruises BORDEAUX to BORDEAUX
JULY 16 – 24, 2018
On this luxury cruise around the Bordeaux region, you’ll have the opportunity to not only taste some of the world’s greatest wines, but also explore the underground catacombs in Saint-Émilion, tour the Château de Roquetaillade in Cadillac and much more.
Majestic Frontier
SEATTLE to SEATTLE
AUGUST 16 – 27, 2018 Stand in awe of massive glaciers and all-enveloping scenery as you cruise up the Alaskan coast. Explore Alaska’s breathtaking natural beauty, unique native culture, famous gold fields and more on this 10-day trip starting and ending in Seattle.
Ancient Vignettes – Oceania Cruises BARCELONA to ATHENS
OCTOBER 3 – 14, 2018 Classical cultures come to life as you explore the art and history of Southern Europe. From the Renaissance art of Florence and Rome to the ancient walled cities of Valletta and Rhodes, you’ll explore it all aboard the luxurious Riviera.
CLASS NOTES
SNAPSHOTS Take a little Southern Miss with you wherever you go! As you sport the black and gold this summer, be sure to capture the memories and send themALUMNI our way. Send us photos of yourself, your family and friends representing Southern Miss, and we will print as many as space AUTHORS allows in a future edition of Snapshots. Email photos* to alumni@usm.edu.
ALUMNI ALMANAC
Top Row Left: Former USM Cheerleader Randy McWilliams, husband of Brooke Ann ’09, stunts with their daughter Ella Kate. Top Row Right: Russ Willis ‘89 (second from left), a faculty member in the USM College of Business, is pictured with Nina Bellipanni, daughter of Larry ‘88 and Monica Bellipanni ‘91; Ben Waddle, son of Benny ‘82 and Pam Waddle ‘83, ‘96; and Erik Hansson, son of Michael ‘87 and Desiree Hansson ‘86, at the recent College of Business Awards Ceremony. Willis attended Southern Miss with these students’ parents and had the opportunity to teach them in the classroom as they completed their own Southern Miss degrees. Second Row Left: Courtney Robertson ‘98 cheering on the Golden Eagles with her family, including her father, Mark Solomon ‘73. Second Row Right: A group of USM students proudly holds a Southern Miss flag with the owners of the Château program, Harrald and Uli Leibrecht, during their recent study abroad experience. Third Row Left: Celeste ‘16 and Wade Saucier ‘15 on their honeymoon at Zion National Park in Utah. Third Row Right: Chris and Tonya Williams ’14 on their honeymoon in the Grand Cayman islands. Bottom Row Left: Mark and Martha Stevens ‘76 celebrated their retirement with daughter, Anna Swain ‘02, ’06, and grandchildren, Grady and Sadie. Bottom Row Right: Jourdan Green, daughter of Adina Green ’96 and recent graduate of Oak Grove High School, is pictured with Grand Bank CEO Ed Langton ’70 as she is presented with the Edward J. “Ed” Langton Scholarship. Jourdan will begin as a freshman at Southern Miss in the fall.
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*For printing purposes, please email your photos at a resolution of 300 dpi. If you have any questions, contact the Alumni Association at 601.266.5013.
NOTES FROM HOME
CLASS NOTES
SNAPSHOTS Now is your chance to catch up on the news and accomplishments of your fellow Golden Eagles. To submit news to The Talon, please send your information to the Southern Miss Alumni Association, 118 College Drive #5013, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001, email alumni@usm.edu or post it online at SouthernMissAlumni.com. All cities are in Mississippi unless otherwise noted. ALUMNI AUTHORS
1970
JIMMY HEIDELBERG ‘75 has been appointed to serve a third term on the Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board.
CYNTHIA POLK ‘72 retired from teaching after 31 years of service.
GARY CARMICHAEL ’77, ’89 is the recipient of the 2017 Small Business Leadership Award presented by William Carey University and the Area Development Partnership.
SAMUEL POLK ‘72, ‘80 retired in electronics manufacturing for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Grand Prairie, Texas. RAY HAIR ‘75 was reelected as international president of the American Federation of Musicians.
1980
SUSAN MARQUEZ ’80 has been named president of the Mississippi Writers Guild, a state-wide organization of writers and aspiring writers.
NEW LOCATION NEW EQUIPMENT We have hit 2017 with greater efficiency coupled with the same high quality and customer service you have come to expect from Hederman Brothers. Give us a call and
DR. A. JAY BINDER joined Crescent ALUMNI’81 ALMANAC City Orthopedics in Metairie, La., continuing to practice orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. He serves as the Chair of the Medical Task Force and is a National Team Physician for USA Gymnastics, where he has also been elected to serve as vice-chairman of the organization’s Board of Directors. Binder has served on the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Medical Commission for the past 12 years and was recently named vice president of the new FIG Medical/Scientific Commission.
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Visit Sumrall Framing and Accessories for all your framing needs in the Pine Belt. 4870 MS-589 | Sumrall, Sum MS 601.758.4499 Summer 2017
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SNAPSHOTS The Alabama Trucking Association has presented Ward International Trucks President BILL WARD ’68 of Mobile, Ala., with its 2017 H. Chester Webb Award for outstanding service to the state’s trucking industry and beyond. ALUMNI AUTHORS For decades, Ward has dedicated himself and his dealership’s resources to the Association’s various committees, events and initiatives. In 2010, the Association elected him vice chairman with responsibilities that included spearheading fundraising and ALUMNI ALMANAC planning efforts for the group’s 2010 convention. That effort began a seven-year term as an ATA officer, including serving as chairman of the Board in 2011. Since then, he has remained involved as Policy and Finance Committee chairman, a member of the ATA Nominating Committee and a member-at-large for the Policy and Finance Committee. Prior to the trucking industry, Ward served in the U.S. Army Reserve, and upon completion of active duty, went to work for International Harvester Co., now Navistar. During his tenure, he was moved and promoted eight times. In 1985, he and his wife, Penne, moved their family to Mobile, Ala., where he partnered with International for a dealership there, eventually acquiring sole ownership a decade later. More recently, his business has grown to include operations in Florida and Mississippi. His company now serves customers in the Gulf Coast Region from the Mississippi-Louisiana state line through Alabama’s Gulf Coast and Florida’s panhandle. The organization has received numerous accolades, including the Dealer of the Year award by the American Truck Division of the American Automobile Dealers Association in 2001.
RICHARD J. VIVENZIO ‘83 has rejoined Thornton Tomasetti, the international engineering firm, as a senior vice president in the New York, Madison Avenue office. Vivenzio will be supporting the Property Loss Consulting and Forensics practices in the U.S. East region. Prior to joining Thornton Tomasetti, Vivenzio was a director with Navigant Consulting. He also served as assistant director of architecture at Chester, Ploussas, Lisowsky Partnership, LLC in Matawan, N.J. Working on behalf of insurance companies and attorneys, Vivenzio has served as an expert in matters involving complex construction disputes, construction means and methods, water infiltration, building envelope and construction failures. During his career, Vivenzio has led water intrusion investigations at notable structures, such as Yankee Stadium, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, and the BNY Mellon Center in Pittsburgh, Penn. Vivenzio is a registered architect in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and a LEED-accredited professional. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the New York Building Congress, South Jersey Claims Association and the New York chapter of the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose, a fraternal organization for those working in insurancerelated industries. Vivenzio is also an associate member of the American Bar Association.
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JACKIE GROARK ’84, ’90 has joined Veristor Systems, Inc. as director of security and chief information security officer.
TAMMY BOWEN ‘85 has been hired as agency media director at GodwinGroup in Jackson.
MARY WATKINS ‘89, ‘96 joins Lumberton Family Medicine as a family nurse practitioner.
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SNAPSHOTS Judge MICHAEL W. MCPHAIL ‘74 (left) received the Bar Foundation’s Law Related Public Education Award by the Mississippi Bar Foundation. The Law-Related Public Education Award is presented to a ALUMNIannually AUTHORS lawyer who has demonstrated excellence in advancing the public’s understanding of the law and the legal system. Judge McPhail was recognized for his passionate advocacy for children, his tireless work in ALUMNI ALMANAC the field of juvenile justice and for more than 25 years of volunteer work as a judge of high school mock trial competitions. For more than 30 years, Judge McPhail has served as Forrest County and Youth Court judge. In November 2005, he started the Forrest County Safe Babies program and helped Rankin County begin a similar program in 2015. The Safe Babies program targets infants and toddlers up to three years of age, who enter the court as a result of abuse and neglect and are headed for the foster care system. The Forrest County pilot program, recognized as a model, was among the first four sites in the nation. Judge McPhail served briefly as an assistant district attorney for Forrest and Perry counties before he was appointed to the bench. He also has taught criminal justice courses at The University of Southern Mississippi for approximately 25 years.
1990
ERIC BONEY ‘90, ‘03 was chosen as the new principal for Hattiesburg High School.
MARGARET FERGUSON ‘90 was promoted to senior associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis.
VERNON HARTLEY SR. ‘94 traveled to Hong Kong to serve as a liaison on behalf of the Airports Council International of North America’s 35th annual World Environment Standing Committee.
JOHN HARRINGTON ‘90 has been announced as a member of the Board of Directors for the Georgia Construction Aggregate Association. HENRY SANDELL III ‘91 has been named chief financial officer for United Methodist Bank. EDDIE PEASANT ‘93, ‘05, ‘06 has been selected as superintendent at the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District in Starkville.
GENE FANT ‘95 has been named president at North Greenville University in South Carolina. DARLA BURNETT ‘96, ‘99 joins NeuroMedical Center as a clinical psychologist.
SEAN JOHNSON ‘97 has been named interim chief executive officer of the Baptist Medical Center - Attala in Kosciusko. SCOTT WALKER ‘97 won his second EMMY award for a 30-minute documentary he wrote and produced titled, Steve Gleason: The Journey, which chronicles former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason’s battle with ALS. His documentary also took first place honors at the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters Awards in 2017. Scott was recently named Best TV Talent by the Press Club of New Orleans. SCOTT WHITE ’97 has celebrated his 20th year of service to Coast Electric Power Association in Picayune. White serves as the senior residential energy management representative for the western division.
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SNAPSHOTS
ALUMNI AUTHORS
ALUMNI BOOKSHELF
ALUMNI ALMANAC
If you wish to be considered for coverage, please email alumni@usm.edu the title of your book, class year, publisher, year published and electronic image of the book’s cover in a jpg, tif or pdf at 300 dpi.
The Gospel According to the Universe: Six Days and Counting Edward J. Harvey ‘71 CreateSpace Publishing, 2016
Predestined: A Young Lady Who Went Through Trials & Tribulations to Fulfill a Life Predestined by God Courtney Jones ‘14 Self Published, 2016
Desk Reference Handbook for Christian School Administrators Kathryn J. Perry ‘82 Newburgh Press, 2014
Unspeakable Things: A Novel Jackie Warren Tatum Mill City Press, 2016
A Year in Mississippi Edited by Charline R McCord ’05 and Judy H. Tucker University Press of Mississippi, 2017
Right to Revolt: The Crusade for Racial Justice in Mississippi’s Central Piney Woods Patricia Michelle Boyett ‘02 University Press of Mississippi, 2017
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CHECK OUT THESE BOOKS BY ALUMNI AUTHORS
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CLASS NOTES
SNAPSHOTS RON BARNES ‘86 has been named the president and CEO of Coast Electric Power Association, headquartered in Hancock County. Barnes will lead the cooperative that serves 80,000 meters in PearlALUMNI River, Hancock and AUTHORS Harrison counties. While Barnes is new to the role, he is no stranger to Coast Electric members or Gulf Coast residents. For the past 21 years, he has served as the company’s ALUMNI ALMANAC vice president of marketing, member services and public relations. Barnes is also an active leader in the community and has served in such positions as Gulf Coast Community Foundation Board chairman, Gulf Coast Chamber Board member, Leadership Gulf Coast Board chairman and United Way of South Mississippi Board chairman, among many others. His service to others and his desire to make the quality of life better for his fellow south Mississippians has not gone unnoticed. Barnes has been inducted into the Roland Weeks Community Leaders Hall of Fame, was named a Top 10 Business Leader Under 40 and is a recipient of our country’s Gold Medal Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Ron and his wife, Angela, have four children – Amy, Hayley, Emily and Taylor, and are active leaders at Heritage United Methodist Church.
TERRI “COOKIE” SMITH, DBH, MSW ‘05, ’07 is the recipient of the 2017 Woman of the Year award from the Jasper County chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. Smith is a licensed master social worker with more than 20 years of experience in disability-related services for families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As an activist for individuals with developmental disabilities, Smith advocates on the local, state and national levels to assist legislators in policy change and social justice issues as it relates to disability policy and law. Since 2005, she has served as a family support coordinator, social worker and adjunct faculty member in The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi. In 2016, Smith established her own consulting firm, Behavioral Health and Education Consulting, LLC. Through her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., she has assisted in establishing mentorship programs in high schools. Currently, she serves as president of the STARS (Sisters Teaching and Rendering Service), president of Family Voices of Mississippi, as a Board member for Life of Mississippi and secretary of NEEDS Inc. Smith was also one of the instrumental forces for establishing and implementing The STEP UP Leadership Council, a council initially formed to give students with disabilities the opportunity to volunteer and receive peer support on a college campus.
MICHAEL BATTLE ‘98, ‘01, ‘04 has been chosen as the assistant superintendent for Hattiesburg Public School District.
ANDREW JOHNSON ‘99 has joined First Bank in Hattiesburg as vice president of construction lending.
JACQUELINE RHODES ‘99 has been named inaugural director of the Consortium for Critical Diversity in Digital Age Research at Michigan State University.
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ALUMNI ALMANAC
JAKE NICKENS ‘16 has joined the St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation as an economic development specialist. Nickens’ role will include implementing strategies to support and retain existing businesses in St. Tammany Parish. Before joining the foundation, Nickens worked as an intern for an economic development agency in Mississippi, where he conducted research and engaged in marketing and business retention efforts. He also served as a data specialist for Forrest General Hospital, where he monitored and updated budgets for every department and projected financial expenditures. While in graduate school at The University of Southern Mississippi, Nickens assisted the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, conducting research on trade, transportation and logistics, including economic impact analyses and regional industry overview reports.
CHAD STEED ’99, ’04 has been inducted into the Petal School District Academic Hall of Fame.
2000
MICHELLE HARPER ‘03, ‘08 was promoted to assistant athletics director for academic and student-athlete development at Alcorn State University BRAD BAILEY ‘04, ‘09, ‘12 was elected to serve as president of the Mississippi Communication Association. JESSICA RUSSELL HILTON ‘05 was promoted to associate creative director by GodwinGroup.
ROSHUN STEELE ‘00 is a professor of military science and the first AfricanAmerican commander of the ROTC program at Auburn University. SHONNA BROWN ‘01 has been named deputy commissioner for the America East Conference. BRANDON LINDLEY ‘01 has been named director of facilities management at Redmond Regional Medical Center.
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GABRIEL MORLEY ‘02, ‘04, ‘12 has been appointed director of the Atlanta-Fulton County Library System in Atlanta, Ga.
KEITH ‘06 and Tabitha HEMBREE were married Dec. 28, 2016, at Southern Oaks Plantation in New Orleans, La. STEPHANIE HUGHES ‘06, ‘09 has been selected as principal at Lumberton High School. KATE MACARTHUR ‘06 has been named president and chief executive officer of the Ascension Economic Development Corp.
MANDI MAGILL ‘06 has been hired as director of programs and events at St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce. MATTHEW MARSHALL ‘06 has been hired as a solutions consultant by LBA Ware™, a leading provider of automated compensation software and systems integration solutions for mortgage lending and retail banking, LAUREN MIDDLETON ‘06 has been named executive vice president/ chief financial officer for United Methodist Bank. Jordan and ELIZABETH WILLIAMS ‘06, ‘08 were married May 13, 2017, on the beach in San Pedro, Belize. REGINA GEORGE ‘07 has been named director of the Office of Immigration and International Admissions at the University of South Alabama. SETH AND ALLISON GARRETT ‘09 were married Feb. 25, 2017, at The Cotton Market in Pearl.
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GILES ‘09 and Carley LANGSTON were married May 20, 2017, at First Baptist Church in Oxford.
2010
WILLIAM ‘10 and Claire THAMES were married May 20, 2017, at First Christian Church in Meridian. SCOTT ‘12, ‘16 and Kristie FOWLER were married April 22, 2017, at First Baptist Church in Clinton. JAMAL PORTER ‘12 joins First Bank in Hattiesburg as branch manager.
BRYAN ‘13 and Mary PARKER were married May 6, 2017, at First Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala. AUDRA RUSSELL ‘13 has been hired as director of operations for the Office of Advancement at Belhaven University. PRISCILLA HOUSTON ’15 has been accepted to the online graduate school at Walden University. HECTOR RIVERA ‘15, ‘16 has been named director of human resources at the Virginia Department of Forestry. ANDREW ‘15 and Emily WALL were married May 20, 2017, at the Starkville Church of Christ.
WADE ‘15 and CELESTE SNAPSHOTS SAUCIER ‘16 were married February 24, 2017, at Saint John the ALUMNI AUTHORS Baptist Catholic Church in Folsom, La. KRISTENALUMNI ALMANAC DUPARD ‘16 has completed a semester-long internship in U.S. Senator Thad Cochran’s Washington office. JOHN PAYNE ‘16 has been hired as marketing manager for the City of Gulfport - Department of Leisure Services.
ANDY GILLENTINE ‘95, professor and associate dean at University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, received the Sport Management Lifetime Achievement Award from the Applied Sport Management Association. The award, established in 2008, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the academic field of sport management. Gillentine earned his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University, his master’s from Northeastern Oklahoma State University and his PhD from Southern Miss. His research interests include sport marketing, professional development and management issues in sports. Gillentine is recognized as one of the leading experts in the study of the legal, managerial and marketing aspects of tailgating at sport and entertainment events. Prior to his time at the University of South Carolina, Gillentine was the associate dean, associate professor and director of the Sport Administration programs at the University of Miami and graduate program director at Mississippi State University. He has conducted research projects for numerous sport organizations that have resulted in more than 50 publications, four books and more than 100 national and international presentations. His textbook, Foundations of Sport Management, co-edited with Brian Crow, is widely used in sport management programs throughout the country and is currently entering its third edition.
In Memoriam BERTA MAE ETHERIDGE ‘37 of Gulfport died March 15, 2017.
JIMMIE C. NICHOLSON ‘49, ‘75 of Mendenhall died February 1, 2017.
SARAH JOHNSON ‘50 of Collins died February 20, 2015.
MORAN MCLELLAND POPE ‘44 of Hattiesburg died March 2, 2017.
WILLIAM HERMES HAMILTON ‘50 of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died February 2, 2017.
JEAN HATCHER PAYNE ‘50 of St. Petersburg, Fla., died April 9, 2017.
KATIE RUTH ANDERSON ‘47 of Stockton, Calif., died February 23, 2017. JUANITA SKINNER ‘47 of Frenchtown, N.J., died April 22, 2017.
RHODA FORTENBERRY HERRING ‘50 of Tylertown died January 29, 2017. ROBERT R. HERRINGTON ‘50, ‘65 of Columbia died March 1, 2017.
JON DORIS ALLEY ‘51 of Burnsville, N.C., died February 9, 2017. CHESTER HERSHEL BLALOCK ‘51, ‘61 of Gautier died April 9, 2017.
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SNAPSHOTS EARLINE L. HART ‘51 of Wiggins died April 5, 2017.
BEN H. TULLOS ‘59 of Madison died April 19, 2017.
JOHN PAUL TAYLOR ‘66, ‘70 of Mobile, Ala., died February 7, 2017.
MAXINE ALUMNI NAIL ‘51 AUTHORS of Brandon died February 23, 2017.
VIRGIE MAE BEECH ‘60, ‘67 of Brookhaven died February 3, 2017.
WILLIAM JOSEPH BUCK ‘67 of Fairhope, Ala., died May 22, 2016.
MARY FAYE BLACKWELL ‘52 of Hattiesburg died April 21, 2017. ALUMNI ALMANAC
THELMA JEAN DAMICO ‘60 of Collierville, Tenn., died February 23, 2017.
FREDERICK E. HAWKINS ‘67 of Jackson died April 14, 2017.
MARY FRANCES COMFORT ‘52 of Brandon died January 31, 2017. EMILY ELOUISE WAKEFIELD ‘52 of Pensacola, Fla., died March 20, 2017. ALCYONE BASS ‘53 of Huntington Beach, Calif., died January 13, 2015.
JACK D. HAMMACK ‘60 of Ruston, La., died March 30, 2017. GENE D. RATCLIFF ‘60 of Pocatello, Idaho, died March 1, 2017. ALBERT ELVIN ROWELL ‘60 of Long Beach died April 5, 2017.
JAMES FINLEY HEWES ‘67 of Gulfport died February 22, 2017. JOSEPH A. JANCZEWSKI ’67 of Lucedale died June 22, 2015. EDWARD BOWEN STOLLENWERCK ‘67 of Macon, Ga., died February 12, 2017. BETTY A. STEADMAN ‘67, ‘69 of Hattiesburg died March 23, 2017.
MILDRED MARIE BILBO ‘53 of Rock Hill, S.C., died January 28, 2017.
JAMES DONALD CLINTON ’61, ’67 of Pascagoula died May 5, 2017.
ALBERT LOUIS BREELAND ‘53 of D’Iberville died February 5, 2017.
PHILIP EDWARD JAMES ‘61 of Moselle died March 16, 2017.
MARILYN PITTMAN MORGAN ‘53 of Hattiesburg died April 19, 2017.
JANE ELLEN LAYTON ‘61 of Mendenhall died March 19, 2017.
ROBERT MORGAN ’53 of Hattiesburg died May 12, 2017.
CAROLYN SUE BABB ‘62, ‘63 of Monroe, La., died March 27, 2017.
ROYCE BENFORD LUKE ‘54, ‘55 of Gautier died February 17, 2017.
OPAL M. YOUNG ‘62 of Jayess died February 2, 2017.
EDITH JOYCE MAGEE ‘54, ‘59 of Collins died March 28, 2017.
JAMES MARTIN BARBAREE ‘63, ‘64 of Dadeville, Ala., died March 27, 2017.
THOMAS JASPER WILSON ‘54, ‘74 of Ocean Springs died March 17, 2017.
MARGARET JANE ROGERS ‘63 of Brandon died February 11, 2017.
JOHN M. BREWER ‘55 of Canton died April 22, 2017.
JEFF PORTER TRULY ‘63 of Flowood died March 9, 2017.
BILLIE RUTH CARMICHALL ‘55 of Wiggins died April 11, 2017.
DOROTHY DAY THORNTON ‘64 of Jackson died February 21, 2017.
DORIS ANN HUTCHINSON ‘55 of Covington, La., died April 1, 2017.
JOHN EUGENE WHITE ‘64, ‘74 of Ocean Springs died February 2, 2017.
MACKIE EDWARD ODOM ‘72, ‘75 of Las Cruces, N.M., died February 17, 2017.
PATTY LOU MYRICK ‘55 of Covington, La., died April 18, 2017.
JIM EDWARD TERRY ‘65 of Clinton died December 6, 2016.
TERRE THAGARD GUTHRIE ‘73, ‘76 of Hattiesburg died January 5, 2017.
WILLIAM M. RICH ‘57 of Fairhope, Ala., died April 8, 2017.
FRED ALBERT WHITE ’65 of Sumrall died March 3, 2017.
DAVID W. LEVINE ‘73 of Willcox, Ariz., died February 19, 2017.
MARTHA DEE BARLOW ‘58 of Gulfport died March 7, 2017.
JEAN BUCKALEW BLOUNT ‘66 of Hattiesburg died February 21, 2017.
GARY WAYNE MICHIELS ‘73 of Biloxi died February 11, 2017.
PAUL DAVID COTTON ‘58, ‘60, ‘68 of Ellisville died April 15, 2017.
BOYKIN THOMAS DANIELS ‘66 of Texarkana, Texas, died February 24, 2017.
SAM M. MILTON ‘58 of Raymond died February 20, 2017.
GERALDINE YARBOROUGH LAMBRIGHT ’66 of Ruston, La., died February 21, 2017.
JIMMIE MATTHEWS PHILLIPS ‘73, ‘86, ’94 of Asheville, N.C., died April 15, 2017.
PHILLIP STRONG PARKER ‘58 of Alpharetta, Ga., died March 25, 2017.
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OLIVER WENDELL CATCHINGS ‘59 of Jackson died April 15, 2017.
PAUL CALVIN JENT ‘68 of Mount Olive died March 14, 2017. DONALD EUGENE JOHNSON ‘68 of Wesson died March 23, 2017. OLON EDWARD RAY ‘68, ‘75 of Saucier died March 3, 2017. ROY WILLIAM BULLOCK ‘69 of Gulfport died March 7, 2017. HAL JEFFERSON DANIEL ‘69 of Falkland, N.C., died February 5, 2017. LOUIE WALSTEIN ODOM ‘70 of Jackson died February 16, 2017. TERRY GRANT MONTGOMERY ‘71 of Madison died February 24, 2017. BETTY JANE MUNSELL ‘71 of Blacksburg, Va., died May 5, 2017.
HOWARD K. RATCLIFF ‘73, ‘76 of Van Alstyne, Texas, died May 15, 2017.
JOHNNY MACK LANE ‘66 of Chickasaw, Ala., died April 15, 2017.
COPELAND RUSSELL RATCLIFFE ‘73 of Conway, Ariz., died February 21, 2017.
ROBERT MARION MITCHELL ‘66, ‘67 of Gautier died April 21, 2017.
GALE V. TANNER ‘73 of Forsyth, Ga., died April 9, 2017.
NOTES FROM HOME
CLASS NOTES
SNAPSHOTS ALSON ALAN YOUNG ‘73 of Mount Juliet, Tenn., died January 28, 2017.
RUDOLPH KEITH DEAN ‘80, ‘81 of Biloxi died March 26, 2017.
HOLLIS JOSEPH COWEN ‘94 of Wesson died March 10, 2017.
BILLY SPRUGEON MADDEN ‘74 of Walnut Grove died March 16, 2017.
RICHARD R. GRUETZEMACHER ‘81 of Chickamauga, Ga., died January 20, 2017.
ALUMNI KRISTI LYNNE CUPIAUTHORS ‘96 of Murfreesboro, Tenn., died July 15, 2016.
JAMES CHRISTOPHER MCGUIRE ‘74 of Ponchatoula, La., died March 20, 2017.
CYNTHIA JEAN JOHNSON ‘80 of Gulfport died April 23, 2017.
BETTY JOYCE SELLERS ‘74 of Shreveport, La., died March 18, 2017.
JOHN H. KENNARD MINER ‘80 of Ocean Springs died February 18, 2017.
ELAINE FROTHINGHAM FISH ‘75 of Slidell, La., died April 7, 2017.
JIMMY MOBLEY MORGAN ‘80 of Petal died February 24, 2017.
BARBARA SMITH POWELL ‘75 of Purvis died March 20, 2017.
SHIRLEY ELAINE ALFORD ‘82 of Magnolia died January 24, 2017.
PATRICIA BETH ROBERTSON ‘75 of Hattiesburg died February 25, 2017.
AARON HARRISON CROSBY ‘83 of Seminary died April 5, 2017.
JOHN M. FOSTER ‘08 of Panama City, Fla., died October 12, 2016.
GLORIA JEAN SIMS ‘75 of Vicksburg died February 18, 2017.
CLARA KAREN GINN ‘83 of Hattiesburg died March 15, 2017.
JULIAN B. MORGAN ‘08 of Long Beach died February 15, 2017.
JANET ELIZABETH VERNO ‘75 of Littleton, Colo., died March 24, 2017.
RENEE BARBARA SALSBERG ‘83 of Long Beach died April 5, 2017.
JESSE BYRNE JONES ‘11 of Natchez died March 14, 2017.
CAROLE BELL WHITE ‘75, ‘97 of Long Beach died March 9, 2017.
JAMES ALTON BERRY ‘85 of Pensacola, Fla., died March 26, 2017.
MICHELLE LYNN KALIFEH ‘10 of Mobile, Ala., died February 19, 2017.
MARIE FLORINE RAWLS ‘76 of Gulfport died March 2, 2017.
DANNY DALE BUFORD ‘87 of Gautier died March 12, 2017.
SCOTT AUSTIN REESE ‘15 of Brandon died March 18, 2017.
ROBERT W. “RUSTY” MCKINLEY ’76, ’77 of Baton Rouge, La., died April 27, 2017.
CRISTY LEE DILLARD ‘87 of Hattiesburg died March 23, 2017.
MARJORIE BOLEWARE ALBRYCHT ‘77 of Ocean Springs died April 5, 2017.
JO-ANN COLE GASTON ‘87 of Mobile, Ala., died March 5, 2017.
ANN FRANCES COLEMAN ‘77, ‘81 of Wiggins died April 10, 2017.
PLES WILKERSON ‘87 of Jackson died April 17, 2017.
LAURIE A. CROWSON ‘77, ‘85 of Hattiesburg died March 22, 2017.
LARRY E. COLEMAN ‘88 of Ocean Springs died March 15, 2017.
ALLEN EDWARD MORRIS ‘77 of Ellisville died February 10, 2017.
JOHN EDWARD GREEN ‘88, ‘91 of Petal died January 9, 2017.
JAMES FREDERICK WALKER ‘77 of Long Beach died June 2, 2016.
CLARENCE WHITING HUNTER ‘89 of Jackson died April 3, 2017.
CRISLER BUCKLEY CANTERBURY ‘78 of Brandon died December 3, 2016.
LINDA LOUISE MANN ‘90 of Fort Myers, Fla., died February 22, 2017.
SHERWOOD LEON KOLBY ‘78 of Fredericksburg, Va., died July 11, 2015. DAVID A. BRITT ‘79, ‘81 of Biloxi died March 4, 2017. WALLACE GORDON COX ‘79 of Crowder died February 11, 2017. JAMES RICHARD MURPHY ‘79 of Jamestown, Mo., died February 6, 2017. GEORGE DARRELL PITTS ‘79 of Madison died April 16, 2017.
JERRY GLEN BURNETT ‘91 of Pearl died February 3, 2017. G. TERRY BRELAND ‘92 of Moss Point diedApril 3, 2017. RICHARD ALBERT CUDD ‘92 of Picayune died January 15, 2017. TODD A. MONROE ‘92 of Pensacola, Fla., died March 22, 2017. LINDA ANN SCHERER ‘92 of Long Beach died March 26, 2017.
TERRANCE LARANCE WILLIAMS ‘96 of Cary died December 10, 2014. ALUMNI ALMANAC JOHN DAVID CURRIE ‘97 of Gulfport died April 15, 2017. LINDA H. FOIL ‘99 of Jackson died March 24, 2017. JAMIE L. CANTRELL ’05 of Tyler, Texas, died February 20, 2017.
IN MEMORIAM
Moran McLelland Pope CL ASS OF 1943
Yvonne Hamilton Pope CL ASS OF 1943
“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” – Isaiah 61:3
Summer 2017
61
Southern S C E N E S PRIDE FIELD Upgrades to the practice facilities at Pride Field have struck a harmonious chord for everyone affiliated with The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band. The newly constructed band tower features a 34-foot-tall tubular steel tower with two observation decks. The 1,600-square-foot facility also includes space for instrument storage, as well as equipment storage for Recreational Sports. The renovation project also included the installation of synthetic turf for two, eightyyard intramural fields.
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Visit WelcomeBackAlumni.com to join and receive this exclusive offer. By joining the Alumni Loyalty Program, you will receive a coupon code for 25% off one school logoed apparel item delivered to the email you used to sign up. Offer not valid on textbooks. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount. Coupon is not redeemable for cash. Exclusions may apply.
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Bank Of America® Special offer for Southern Miss alumni and friends! Announcing a special No-Annual-Fee MasterCard® credit card now conveniently available to Southern Miss alumni. Simply call 1.800.932.2775 for details about the costs and terms of this offer or to apply for the credit card.
Printing and Framing. For more information, call 601.758.4499.
Campus Book Mart Southern Miss Apparel and Gifts. For more information, call 1.888.712.5083.
Balfour Official Southern Miss Ring. For more information or to order, call 1.866.BALFOUR and ask for reference code 2315.
Mercer Health & Benefits Administration LLC Whether it is life, health, or long-term care insurance, you can obtain important financial protection for your family at an affordable rate through Mercer Health & Benefits Administration LLC. For more information, call 1.888.560.ALUM (2586).
Members of the Southern Miss Alumni Association have access to over 289,000 local and national discounts at work, home or on the go! Save on thousands of hotels, restaurants, movie tickets, florists, car dealers, theme parks, national attractions, concert and events.
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Nationwide Insurance The Southern Miss Alumni Association has entered into a new affinity relationship with Nationwide Insurance beginning July 1, 2017.
Specially Designed Southern Miss Degree Frames Order your custom Southern Miss diploma frame and preserve your achievement for a lifetime with Diploma Display. To order, visit www.diplomadisplay.com/usm.
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REGISTER TODAY! 19TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN MISS ALUMNI HOMECOMING GOLF TOURNAMENT
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HATTIESBURG COUNTRY CLUB Friday, October 13 | 8:30 a.m. Join Seymour and Southern Miss alumni and friends as we kickoff the 2017 Homecoming weekend. For more information, including sponsorship opportunities and registration information, visit the website below. Space is limited. Be sure to register your team today!
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