The Talon - Spring 2016

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 P R I N G 2 0 1 6

NEW GENERATION OF USM RESEARCHERS

LEADS POLYMER SCIENCE

INTO THE FUTURE

APRIL 1 & 2, 2016 FRIDAY

SATURDAY

• RISE & SHINE EXPO

• RISE & SHINE

Packet pickup and fitness expo at the Southern Miss Payne Center 3:00-8:00 p.m.

• LIVE AT FIVE

Outdoor concert at Town Square Park 5:00 p.m.

Half marathon and 5K benefiting the Arc of Southeast Mississippi 7:00 a.m.

• HUBFEST

Art, music, food and fun in Downtown Hattiesburg 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• OVER THE EDGE FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT HATTIESBURG.ORG

Rappel the Carter Building downtown for Extra Table

Together, we can fly.

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As an alum of Southern Miss, you could receive exclusive savings on auto and home insurance from

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or a free uote, call 1 or visit libertymutual.com southernmissalumni. lient 11 Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. 2 Based on Liberty Mutual Insurance Company’s 2013 Customer Satisfaction Survey in which more than 85% of policyholders reported their interaction with Liberty Mutual service representatives to be “among the best experiences” and “better than average.” 3 Figure reflects average national savings for customers who switched to Liberty Mutual’s group auto and home program. Based on data collected between 9/1/12 and 8/31/13. Individual premiums and savings will vary. 4 For qualifying customers only. Accident Forgiveness is subject to terms and conditions of Liberty Mutual’s underwriting guidelines. Not available in CA and may vary by state. 5 With the purchase of optional Towing & Labor coverage. Applies to mechanical breakdowns and disablements only. Towing related to accidents would be covered under your Collision or Other Than Collision coverage. 6 Optional coverage. Applies to a covered total loss. Deductible applies. Does not apply to leased vehicles and motorcycles. Not available in NC. 1

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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 P R I N G 2 0 1 6

“We can never lose sight of what we are really doing, and that’s the preparation of the next-generation scientist.”

– DR. JEFFREY WIGGINS, DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL OF POLYMERS AND HIGH PERFORMANCE M ATERIALS DEPARTMENTS

7 Notes from Home 8 News Around Campus 15 Calendar of Events 16 Association News 24 Foundation News 46 The Arts 48 Greek 50 Athletics 53 Eagle Club 54 Snapshots 56 Class Notes COVER :

Polymer coating formulations undergoing advanced weathering testing.

ABOVE: Former Polymer Science and Engineering undergraduate student Matthew Sumpter examines a group of solar cells as he prepares to test the material’s performance.

COVER STORY

30 New Generation of USM Researchers Leads Polymer Science into the Future Southern Miss researchers from the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials have taken the foundational studies of polymer science and engineering to new heights as they work in biomedical and medical sciences, as well as nextgeneration aerospace materials. Under the leadership of Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins, polymer science and engineering at Southern Miss fosters a solid focus on research to sustain the University as a premier research institution.

FEATURES

34 Good Friends. Good Fishing. Really Good Beer.

Twin brothers Cam and Cain Roberds, along with fellow alumni Brandon Lewis and Chris Talbot, have combined their passions for fishing and quality craft beer into a successful local brewery located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

38 Making Dreams a Reality One Home at a Time Following his graduation from The University of Southern Mississippi, Marty Williams has grown his business, Chi-Mar Construction, into one of the most respected builders in the south. Specializing in gulf-front custom homes and renovations, Chi-Mar Construction has brought more than 350 dream homes to reality along Florida’s beautiful Emerald Coast.

42 Making the Most of a Perfect Opportunity Recent graduate Alexis Jones took a chance on a video competition and landed the internship of a lifetime. Her hard work, determination and resilient drive has paved the way for a bright future in the field of public relations.

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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 NICOLET HOPPER ‘15

••••• CONTRIBUTING WRITERS VAN ARNOLD ‘79, JESSICA PROFFITT BRACKEN, MEGAN BURKES ‘15, JAY DEAN, SARAH DIXON ‘15, JACK DUGGAN, JEFF HAMMOND, MIKE LOPINTO ’91, ’93, ‘02, SAMANTHA MCCAIN ’09, ‘10, JAMES SKRMETTA ‘13, DAWN SMITH ’95, ‘12, JENNY TATE ‘11, DAVID TISDALE ’90, ‘01 CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JORDAN BURGESS ’14/SOUTHERN MISS ATHLETICS, KELLY DUNN, JACK DUGGAN, PATRICK LOWERY ’08/SOUTHERN MISS ATHLETICS, DANNY RAWLS ’69, ‘80

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS PRESIDENT SEAN MCGEE PRESIDENT-ELECT BECKY MONTAGUE VICE PRESIDENT TRACY POWELL PAST PRESIDENT ANGIE COLLINS FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR ASHLEY READ SECRETARY/TREASURER JERRY DEFATTA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CINDY DUVALL, KEVIN GILBERT, GENE GOUAUX, WREN HOOD, CHRIS LEONARD, CLAY PEACOCK, SUSAN SLAUGHTER, EMBER AHUA, VICKI ADKISON, MARY DAYNE GREGG, LANCE LEFAN, DAVID LEIVA, J.R. ROBINSON, GENE SMITH, KIM BRADLEY, SHONNA BROWN, BRADLEY CHARLESWORTH, CARLEN CHESTANG JR., RICHARD HAARALA, BRANDI HOUGH, SAM SACKLER EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS: RODNEY D. BENNETT, CHAD DRISKELL, REED ALLISON, STACE MERCIER, GRANT DYESS, BILL MCGILLIS, BRADLEY FLOORE 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 Ridgeland, 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

Proud Member of

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NOTES FROM HOME Let me begin by saying what an honor it is to serve the alumni of The University of Southern Mississippi as the new assistant director for communications! As you know, Southern Miss is a special

CLASS NOTES

place, and its effect on me has been profound.

As a student, USM instilled in me the importance of quality work. My instructors not only

SNAPSHOTS

expected it, they also displayed it in their lectures, presentations and experience in the workforce.

Anything less than my best work was never accepted, and I was encouraged to explore new opportunities for personal and professional growth. As an alumna, I have witnessed Southern Miss

ALUMNI AUTHORS

push toward greatness with endurance and stamina, never accepting that “just okay” would be good enough. And now, as the organization’s assistant director for communications, I am surrounded by

a team of very dedicated professionals who take their roles seriously in representing and serving theALUMNI ALMANAC alumni of Southern Miss. As shown within the following pages, the Alumni Association staff takes pride in creating outstanding events and provides countless opportunities for alumni to remain engaged in the life of the University. It is truly a privilege to be a part of this team.

Throughout this magazine are stories of success from across the University community. It is astounding what students, faculty and staff have accomplished and how alumni have continued to build upon their Southern Miss foundation. As I step into this role, I am committed to sharing these stories across our communications platforms and providing quality products that represent our University and alumni well. These are the stories that encourage others to reach for new heights while inspiring the next generation of Golden Eagles to make the most of their time at Southern Miss. As the editor of The Talon, I look forward to sharing the successes of the institution as it works to achieve the goals set forth in the most recent strategic planning process led by Dr. Bennett.

For those of you who may be in a similar situation as I was for a few years, enjoying the success of Southern Miss from afar while knowing the University’s success has laid the foundation for your own, hear me say this: get involved! Renew your membership in the organization, purchase season tickets for the activities that interest you, reconnect with your professors, or choose to accept a Southern Miss student as an intern in your workplace. The ways in which alumni can remain engaged with the University are endless!

As Southern Miss alumni, I believe that we have a responsibility to honor the education we have received, the efforts and energies of the professors and the legacies of those who laid the foundation of success for so many to walk upon. I have committed to serve the alumni of the University from this perspective, and I look forward to what we can do together as we continue to take...

Southern Miss To the Top!

Nicole Ruhnke Assistant Director for Communications

Spring 2016

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EAGLE CLUB

ATHLETIC NEWS

NOTES FROM HOME

CLASS NOTES

SNAPSHOTS

ALUMNI AUTHORS

ALUMNI ALMANAC

Sheila Grogan (right), executive director of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, presents a check for $196,800 to Dr. Steve Miller, vice president for the Gulf Park campus, to support the Health is Golden at Gulf Park initiative.

Health is Golden Campaign Launches at Southern Miss Gulf Park

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A $196,800 grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is helping to extend a culture of wellness on The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. The extension of the Health is Golden campaign, originally launched on USM’s campus in Hattiesburg, is providing recreational activities, wellness programs and educational services to students, faculty and staff.

On Feb. 11, Southern Miss officials launched the Health is Golden Campaign at Gulf Park with a check presentation by the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation to the University. The check presentation included remarks from Dr. Steve Miller, vice president for the Gulf Park campus, and Sheila Grogan, executive director of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation.

The Health is Golden Campaign at Gulf Park aims to provide students, faculty and staff with the education and

resources needed to live a healthy lifestyle. It will also provide an opportunity to partner with community leaders and educators along the Gulf Coast to help promote health and provide education in the community.

In addition to educating the campus community about nutrition and exercise, the grant will provide for the construction of a new outdoor fitness area on the Gulf Park campus. The initiative will also allow for 70 qualifying faculty and staff to obtain a free membership to the Gulf Park Fitness Center. As a member of the center, individuals have access to a variety of group exercise classes and consultations with a dietician. Throughout the grant, this dietician will work closely with dining services to provide nutritious, easy-to-choose food options on the Gulf Park campus.

For more information about the Health is Golden Campaign at Gulf Park, visit USM.edu/GulfCoast/Wellness.

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Gholson Named General Counsel for The University of Southern Mississippi The University of Southern Mississippi has named Robert D. Gholson its new general counsel, effective March 7, 2016. Mr. Gholson will succeed Jon Mark Weathers, who won the post of Circuit Court Judge, Place 2, in last November’s election.

The position of general counsel is part of the Robert D. Gholson University’s senior leadership team and provides proactive professional advice on critical strategic, legal and public policy issues. The position also serves as the lead in all litigation matters for the University and manages the Office of General Counsel, including compliance and Title IX operations.

Gholson comes to the University from Gholson, Burson, Entrekin & Orr, P.A., a defense-oriented law firm that

GCRL Welcomes New 60-Foot Research Vessel to South Mississippi The R/V Jim Franks made its way from New Iberia, La., after a 12-hour journey to the Point Cadet Marina in Biloxi last week. The 60-foot research vessel is the newest addition to The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) fleet and will replace the R/V Tom McIlwain, which is being retired later this year.

The R/V Jim Franks is named after longtime GCRL senior research scientist James S. (Jim) Franks. After a poll of GCRL faculty and staff, the decision was made to immortalize the work and dedication of the still-practicing fisheries biologist.

Franks has been the public face of GCRL at local fishing tournaments

CLUB serves clients in Laurel, Hattiesburg, EAGLE Meridian, Jones County and across South Mississippi. As a shareholder in the firm, Gholson specialized in the areas of insurance defense, workers compensation,ATHLETIC federal litigation, products NEWS liability and malpractice defense among others. He has also represented diverse parties concerning intellectual property, land and title matters, and multi-million-dollar bond issues.

He is a member of The Mississippi Bar, Jones County NOTES FROM HOME Bar Association, the International Association of Defense Counsel and the Defense Research and Trial Lawyers Association; a fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation CLASSBoard NOTES and an associate member of the American of Trial Advocates. Previously, he served in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the Mississippi National Guard and as a judge in the Mississippi Court of Military Appeals.

SNAPSHOTS Gholson has received the highest possible peer rating from Martindale Hubbell, the national directory of attorneys, in recognition of his exceptional legal ability ALUMNI AUTHORS and ethical standards. He holds a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Public Administration from the University of Mississippi, and he is admitted to practice law in the states ALUMNI of Mississippi and Tennessee, as well asALMANAC before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.

for decades and is frequently asked to interpret what’s going on in the marine environment to the general public as a spokesman for the Center of Fisheries Research and Development. He has more than 35 years of experience as a fisheries biologist and 50 publications credited to his name.

During his career, Franks has been a passionate advocate for the conservation of the marine environment. He has used his research work to change the global perception of pelagic sargassum and fight the proposal of burning the free-floating seaweed after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Franks serves on the Mississippi Wildlife Federation’s Board of Directors, the Marine Fisheries Initiative Panel, Highly Migratory Species Panel and is the chairman of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute.

The R/V Jim Franks has a max capacity of 40 passengers, and the primary use of

The R/V Jim Franks is the newest addition to The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) fleet.

the vessel will be to provide a platform for numerous in-house and external research projects. With a berthing of eight, the vessel is equipped for both day cruises and overnight trips for projects, such as water testing, trawling, long-lining, trips to the barrier islands, surveying and fishing. Researchers will also have access to both an interior and exterior wet laboratory and a dry laboratory on board.

GCRL will hold a commissioning ceremony honoring the vessel and its namesake this summer.

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Celebrating 50 Years of Children’s Literature at Southern Miss

Dr. Warren Tracy, Dr. Lena de Grummond, Dr. Frances Ladner Spain and Southern Miss President Dr. William D. McCain at the 1968 Children’s Book Festival.

When Lena de Grummond came to The University of Southern Mississippi to teach children’s literature in the School of Library Science in 1965, she envisioned resources that went beyond the classroom textbook. The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection is the result of one woman’s dream to collect original materials from authors and illustrators of children’s books to use as resources for students in library science. If students could study the creative processes of authors and illustrators by examining the manuscripts and illustrations firsthand, she knew they would better appreciate the literature.

De Grummond became acquainted with a number of authors in her

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Dr. Lena de Grummond shares books from her collection with two children in this 1970s photo.

previous position in Louisiana as state superintendent of Louisiana School Libraries, and to accomplish her goal, she sent handwritten letters to them, as well as to her favorite children’s book authors, requesting original manuscripts and typescripts, illustrations, sketchbooks and any materials related to the publication of a children’s book. At one point, she wrote as many as 100 letters per week. The first to respond were Bertha and Elmer Hader, the husband and wife author-illustrator team, who sent manuscript materials, dummies and illustrations for Ding, Dong, Bell (1957). The contributions from the Haders were soon followed by more from Lois Lenski, Elizabeth Coatsworth and Roger Duvoisin.

Founded in 1966, the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection has grown far beyond its original intent and is now one of the largest repositories of its kind in North America. The library contains the works of more than 1,300 authors and illustrators, including Randolph Caldecott, John Newbery, Kate Greenaway, H.A. and Margret Rey and Ezra Jack Keats. These are some of the most celebrated names in children’s literature with Caldecott, Newbery and Greenaway all having prestigious national awards named in their honor and the Reys being the creators of Curious George. Keats, the man behind

“The Snowy Day,” is one of America’s most groundbreaking authors with his efforts to break the color barrier in children’s publishing, and “The Snowy Day” is considered to be one of the most important American books of the 20th century.

Now 50 years later, de Grummond’s legacy lives on. Her influence remains strong, and she is often quoted in correspondence with potential donors.

While the library is available for use by students at Southern Miss and researchers, Ellen Ruffin, curator of the de Grummond Collection, has pointed her efforts to the development of the assemblage, and to some degree, de Grummond’s unique style can still be found in those efforts. The growth of the collection ensures its longevity and increases its value to the world of children’s literature.

Today, the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection hosts numerous world-class exhibits from some of the industry’s most well-known authors and illustrators, including Rosemary Wells and Tasha Tudor. The collection also plays a significant role in the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival each year by hosting the de Grummond lecturer and the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award, a national award given to newcomers in children’s literature.

Image of Curious George on his way to Hattiesburg, signifying that the work of H.A. and Margret Rey was coming to the de Grummond Collection.

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Southern Miss Luckyday Program Accepts Best Practice Award at Jon C. Dalton Institute

EAGLE CLUB

who are, or have been, on the student-led Executive Leadership The Luckyday Foundation Citizenship Scholars Program at Team attended the conference. The Program staff and students The University of Southern Mississippi was presented with The Jon ATHLETIC NEWS presented a concurrent session detailing the Luckyday Program.

C. Dalton Institute Best Practice in Campus Programming Award The focus of this year’s conference theme was “Student at the annual conference on Feb. 5. Dr. Larry Sparkman, director Activism and Advocacy.” Traveling with the Luckyday of the Luckyday Program, accepted the award on behalf of the Program staff was Dr. Shea Kidd-Houze, director of New Luckyday Foundation and Program at Southern Miss.

NOTES FROM HOME Student and Retention Programs The Best Practice Award is at Southern Miss. Houze given by the Institute annually presented a concurrent session to a program or practice that has CLASS NOTES at the conference on “Centering contributed significantly to the Stories When Voices Are field of college student character Silenced: Experiences of Identity and values development. A panel Negotiation in College,” based on of judges, including practicing SNAPSHOTS her dissertation work. student affairs professionals and Founded by the late Frank preparation program faculty, review Day of Jackson, Miss., The all nominated program materials.

ALUMNI AUTHORS Luckyday Foundation announced The criteria for evaluating best in 2001 it would fund a record practices include: positive impact on number of 400 scholarships student learning related to character ALUMNI annually atALMANAC USM. As the largest and value development, successful Representatives of the Southern Miss Luckyday Citizenship Scholars gift in University history, it demonstration in addressing Program accept The Jon C. Dalton Institute Best Practice in Campus provides more than $1.6 million student and campus needs, Programming Award. annually with $27 million to originality and creativity, evidence date made in gifts and commitments to the USM Foundation. of sustainability and practical use of research and assessment.

There are currently about 450 students in the program. For Along with Dr. Sparkman, the Luckyday Program staff, more information about The Luckyday Citizenship Scholars other Southern Miss faculty and staff partners who assist with Program, visit USM.edu/LuckyDay. aspects of the program and a contingent of Luckyday Scholars

Southern Miss Jump Scholars Program Succeeding by Leaps and Bounds First-year University of Southern Mississippi student Lisa Brackeen credits the head-start she received through the University’s unique Jump Scholars Program with making her transition to college a seamless one.

The Jump Scholars Program, which launched in 2014, is a summer program for select incoming freshmen who want to get a “jump” on their classes and get connected quickly to the Southern Miss

experience. Students who are chosen to participate take three summer courses (nine credit hours) before starting Southern Miss in the fall.

While taking the classes together, students also enjoy field trips, social events and other opportunities not readily available to other incoming students.

Applicants to the Jump Scholars Program must be incoming Southern Miss first-year students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Space is limited, and the selection committee looks for students who are motivated to succeed in college and who have a desire to push themselves with an intensive group experience. The Jump Scholars

Program is housed in the Office of New Student and Retention Programs. Plans call for selection of 75 students for this summer’s program from the applicant pool. Applications are due by March 18.

As part of the program, students can select from four groups of classes – all of which can be applied to any undergraduate degree track. Students do not register for individual classes, but rather sign up for a “cluster” of three classes that are interconnected.

To learn more about the Jump Scholars Program at Southern Miss contact Alesha Knox in New Student and Retention Programs at 601.266.4697 or visit ArtsandLettersNow.USM.edu/Jump.

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2015 University Research Awards Day EAGLE CLUB

Student and faculty researchers shared their work with colleagues and community members during the annual University Research Awards Day on The University of Southern Mississippi’s Hattiesburg campus in November. The following top scholars were honored for their contributions in their respective fields: ATHLETIC NEWS MR. BROOKS ABEL

GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD

Abel, a graduate student HOME in NOTES FROM the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, has also earned a NIST and NSF fellowship for his CLASS NOTES research developing polymers for targeted drug and gene delivery.

MS. LISA JONES SNAPSHOTS

College of Science and Technology share responsibility for founding and sustaining a statewide initiative, called “MSINBRE” (Missisipppi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence), which recruits and develops students from Mississippi for medical professions.

DR. SARAH MORGAN

RESEARCH ADVOCATE AWARD

MULTIDISCIPLINARY AWARD

Jones, who serves as the assistant to the dean for finance and technology ALUMNI AUTHORS in University Libraries, was honored for her commitment to facilitating research at the University through her ALUMNI ALMANAC work with The University of Southern Mississippi’s Digital Collections, the institutional repository Aquila and the statewide collaborative digital library, the Mississippi Digital Library (MDL).

Dr. Morgan is a professor in the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials and has brought fresh ideas to the academy to combine the efforts of different disciplines to solve scientific problems and approach research projects in innovative ways.

DR. GLENMORE SHEARER AND DR. MOHAMED ELASRI

ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP AWARDS

These two professors from the department of biological sciences and

DR. SERGEI NAZRENKO BASIC RESEARCH AWARD

A winner of major science awards from China and Russia, Dr. Nazerenko is an associate professor in the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials and serves as executive editor for the Journal of Polymer Science.

DR. FENGWEI BAI

APPLIED RESEARCH AWARD

Dr. Bai is an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and was recognized for his collaborations with the State Department of Health, Jackson State University and the University of Mississippi to combat mosquito-borne illnesses.

MEREDITH EARLY

CREATIVE ACTIVITY AWARD

Early is an assistant professor in the department of dance and was recognized for her award-winning choreography that has brought national attention to the Southern Miss Dance department.

DR. ROBERT LOCHHEAD

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Dr. Lochhead joined the Southern Miss faculty in 1990 after a distinguished career in the private sector. He is internationally recognized for his research in polymer science.

Author-Cartoonist Ramsey Visits The Children’s Center at Southern Miss

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Marshall Ramsey, author and nationally-syndicated editorial cartoonist, visited The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi to read his book “Banjo’s Dream: an A-Z children’s book starring a little brown Border Terrier who taught his owner how to dream.”

NEWS AROUND CAMPUS

Jazz and Blues Festival Saturday, March 26, 2016 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Gulf Park Campus, Long Beach 11 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt Children’s Activities Arts and Crafts Vendors HEADLINER: Stooges

Brass Band

For more information, visit usm.edu/jazz-blues.

AA/EOE/ADAI UC 73918.5128 2.16

Mississippi Humanities Council Partners with Southern Miss and Overby Center to Celebrate Pulitzer Centennial To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the most prestigious award in journalism, The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park campus hosted several Pulitzer Prize winners for a panel discussion on Jan. 21.

The program of a series titled “The Pulitzer Prize and Mississippi Journalism” was presented by the Mississippi Humanities Council in partnership with the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics at the University of Mississippi and the Pulitzer Board. The College of Arts and Letters at Southern Miss served as a partner in the event.

The panel discussion, titled “The Pulitzer Prize in Mississippi: Responding to Natural Disasters,” featured Stan Tiner, former editor of the Sun Herald and winner of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of Hurricane Katrina; Natasha Trethewey, Gulfport native and winner of the 2007 Pulitzer

Prize for Poetry and 2012-14 United States Poet Laureate and Charlie Mitchell, professor of journalism at the University of Mississippi and former editor of the The Vicksburg Post, which won a Pulitzer in 1954 for its coverage after a devastating tornado.

Charles Overby, former director of the Newseum in Washington, D.C., and former executive editor of the The Clarion-Ledger, which won a Pulitzer for its coverage of education reform in 1983, moderated the discussion.

The panel discussion was the first event in a series of Pulitzer Campfire Initiative programs planned for Mississippi in 2016. To mark the centennial of the Pulitzer Prizes, the Pulitzer Board announced the Campfires Initiative, which aims to ignite broad engagement with the journalistic, literary and artistic values the Prizes represent.

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With 66 Years of Combined Military EAGLE CLUB Service, a Family Continues to Give Hattiesburg residents Master Sergeant (Retired) Joe ’85 and BarbaraATHLETIC Niezgoda have lived and lovingly nurtured the NEWS military family tradition of service and sacrifice, overseas duty and family separation. Throughout 20 years of active duty with the U.S. Air Force, Joe and Barbara protected our nation, cared for airmen and their families and found time to NOTES FROM HOME raise a remarkable service-oriented family. Beginning with Joe’s initial enlistment in 1954, the Niezgoda family, which now includes two sons with wives, seven grandchildren and CLASS NOTES two great-grandchildren, has served a collective 66 years of active duty with the U.S. Air Force.

The couple met while Joe was on active duty with the U.S. Air Force stationed in North Hampton, England, and were SNAPSHOTS married in March 1959. Joe ultimately served 20 years with the Air Force. Their eldest son, Michael, was born at Edwards Air Force Base in California and served 28 years before retiring ALUMNI AUTHORS as a commissioned officer at the grade of colonel. Michael’s wife, Traci, also served with the Air Force for eight years as a systems administrator, earning recognition as the Outstanding ALUMNI Airman of the Year for ALMANAC U.S. Transportation Command and Scott Air Force Base. The Niezgoda’s second son, David, was born at Wheelus Air Force Base in Tripoli, North Africa, and served four years of active duty as a sergeant and lab technician specializing in maintaining metrology equipment. His wife,

Southern Miss Receives Top Rating for Diversified Veterans Services

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Victory Media Inc. has named The University of Southern Mississippi to its listing of the Top 50 colleges and universities in the United States with outstanding diversified services for veterans.

This recognition follows two significant designations the University received last year. In December, Military Advanced Education and Transition (MAE&T) awarded Southern Miss the designation of a Top School in its 2016 Guide to Colleges

Sandy, was also a non-commissioned officer who served with the Air Force for six years, ultimately earning degrees from Florida State and Troy University. Sandy’s time in the military was fueled by a family legacy of service that includes her father James Weber (Air Force) and grandfather Homer (Army Air Corps), who was a fighter pilot in World Wars I/II and the Korean War. Joe and Barbara continue to serve future generations with the American spirit of giving back so that others might prosper. To this end, they recently established a StudentVeterans Scholarship at The University of Southern Mississippi through the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families. This scholarship serves to provide financial assistance to an Air Force military veteran or family member for the advancement of their respective studies. The Joseph and Barbara Niezgoda Veterans Scholarship represents 66 years of love for our nation and the desire to continue in service to others long into the future.

“We thank the Niezgoda family and so many others like them for caring to make a difference,” said Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond (U.S. Army, retired), director of the center. “And, to all our USM and Hattiesburg-area military veterans, service members and families, thank you for your selfless service and protecting each of us.”

and Universities, while Victory Media designated Southern Miss a Military Friendly School.

Victory Media is a veteran-owned ratings entity whose work includes identifying organizations, including schools, which engage in practices supportive of active-duty military, veterans and their families.

Southern Miss offers support and academic guidance to student-veterans through the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families.

Since the center opened, it has created 14 scholarships for veteran students and has been successful in attracting more veterans and active-duty military students to Southern Miss. Maj. Gen.

Jeff Hammond (U.S. Army, retired) serves as the center’s director and estimates that approximately 1,200 student veterans (and family members) have utilized the center. By his calculations, the center has seen an increase of 174 enrolled students this year.

The center’s mission is to offer sustainable conditions for a militaryfriendly education support program that provides veterans, service members (active duty, reserve component and National Guard), dependents (family members) and survivors (VSDS) the opportunity to pursue a degree at Southern Miss. For more information about the center, call 601.264.4629 or visit USM.edu/ Military-Veterans.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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.

March 22 Nashville Alumni Happy Hour 25 Good Friday Holiday 26 Jazz and Blues Festival Gulf Park Campus | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Free and open to the public, this event features an Easter egg hunt for children ages 12 and under, local artists and craftsmen, food vendors and activities for the entire family. For more information, visit USM.edu/Jazz-Blues.

30 Founders’ Day For more information, visit USM.edu/FoundersDay.

April 23 Black and Gold Spring Football Game 26 Gulf Park Campus Awards Day Ceremony Hardy Hall Ballroom | 4 - 6 p.m.

28 Grads and Crawdads: Senior Send-Off Ogletree House | 3 - 5:30 p.m.

May 13 Commencement Hattiesburg 14 Commencement Gulf Park

June 11 Mississippi Picnic in Central Park New York City 12 Mobile Bay 5th Annual Alumni Crawfish Boil Malbis Community Center, Daphne, Ala. 18 Mississippi on the Mall Washington, D.C.

Now

THEN

AND

THEN As quarterback for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles from 1987-90, Brett Favre ranks third at the school in passing yards (7,695), tied for third in touchdown passes (52) and third in total offensive yards (7,606). Hailing from Hancock North Central High School in Kiln, Miss., Favre became a household name in Golden Eagle land after starting as a 17-year-old freshman and becoming one of the school’s all-time greatest players, leading the Golden Eagles to road victories over the likes of Alabama, Auburn and Florida State.

Check out the latest news from Brett Favre on page 63!

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.

24 Mississippi Night at the Braves Game Atlanta, Ga.

To recommend a student to The University of Southern Mississippi, visit

25 Mississippi Society of Georgia Picnic Atlanta, Ga.

SouthernMissAlumni.com/USMLegacy.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Members of The Legacy and Student Government Association enjoy a lunch hosted by Southern Miss alumni in the Jackson area.

The Legacy Participates in Legislative Day

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The day was capped off with a lunch at the Capitol Current Southern Miss student leaders from the Student Club, where students enjoyed great food while getting to Government Association and The Legacy, the student chapter network with Southern Miss alumni from the Jackson area. of the alumni association, traveled to Jackson for Legislative Alumnus J.R. Robinson, Day on Feb. 17. a Government Affairs The students arrived at Representative for Mississippi the State Capitol and were Power, shared his story with welcomed by Southern Miss students and encouraged them alumni Senators John Polk and that “success is a process” and Sean Tindell, as well as District “to never give up.”

102 Representative Toby Barker.

Each year, Legislative Day Each visitor walked the students provides a unique opportunity through a day as a legislator and for students to experience a shared inspiring stories of their day in the life of those serving journey from Southern Miss to in our legislature. Student their current careers.

Government Association Students also sat in on the President Jeffrey George morning Senate Session followed commented on the trip, “It was by a tour of the historic State great to have the opportunity Capitol, where students were able Students from Southern Miss heard from Governor Phil Bryant on the steps of the Capitol Building in Jackson. to visit the Mississippi State to meet Southern Miss alumnus Capitol and visit with Southern Miss alumni that are making a Governor Phil Bryant for a photo. Governor Bryant shared with difference in the legislature and the Jackson area.” the students his excitement for the bright future of Southern Miss.

We hope to see you for

Founders’ Day

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS NOON

9 A.M.

STENNIS SPACE CENTER TEACHING AND RESEARCH SITE CEREMONY George A. Knauer Marine Science Building, Room 101

GULF PARK CEREMONY AND RECEPTION Hardy Hall Ballroom

9 A.M.

GULF COAST RESEARCH LABORATORY CEREMONY Dining Hall

3 P.M.

HATTIESBURG CEREMONY Mannoni Performing Arts Center

4 P.M.

HATTIESBURG RECEPTION North Lawn of the Mannoni Performing Arts Center Rain Site: Intermezzo at Woods Gallery

UC 74136.5013 2.16

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

AA/EOE/ADAI

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2016

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Ogletree House Offers a Unique Setting for Events The historic Ogletree House on the Hattiesburg campus of The University of Southern Mississippi offers a beautiful space for events of all styles and sizes. Originally built as the President’s Home for Mississippi Normal College, the Ogletree House 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 Alumni Association, utilizing a campaign chaired by Hattiesburg physician Lamar Gillespie and with the faithful service of then Alumni Director Powell Ogletree, launched an effort to raise $200,000 to build a new home for the University’s president. Given that the Alumni Association would generate the funding for a new president’s home, the University allocated the existing structure to the Alumni Association for use as the new Alumni House.

The Ogletree House boasts three beautiful spaces that may be rented for events – the Poynter Room, Phalen Courtyard and the Carlisle Room.

The Poynter Room is the largest room in the Ogletree House at 1,300 square feet. Options for room layout include a board room table, a dining/banquet layout, a

theater/general assembly layout or a classroom design. The Poynter Room is equipped with a podium, microphone and sound system, LCD projector, screen, DVD and CD capabilities and LED television. Rental of the Poynter Room includes access to the Simmons Kitchen and the USM Foundation Atrium.

The Phalen Courtyard is a 1,700 square foot brick courtyard that proudly features the Waites Fountain with a bronze eagle sculpture. Rental of the Phalen Courtyard also includes access to the Simmons Kitchen and the USM Foundation Atrium. Combined with rental of the Poynter Room, the Phalen Courtyard provides a perfect space for weddings, receptions or other parties.

The Carlisle Conference Room is a 380-square-foot meeting room on the first floor of the Ogletree House.

Featuring a conference table and equipped with an LCD projector and screen, this space is available to rent for up to four hours during business hours only.

To inquire about Ogletree House availability, contact BayLee Long at 601.266.5013 or visit SouthernMissAlumni.com/OgletreeHouse.

Located on the campus of The University of Southern Mississippi, the historic Ogletree House offers a unique setting for the wedding of your dreams!

SouthernMissAlumni.com/OgletreeHouse SouthernMissAlumni.com/OgletreeHouse 601.266.5013 601.266.5013 Members of the Southern Miss Alumni Association are eligible Members of the Southern Miss Alumni Association are eligible for discounted rates.

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A A/EOE/ADAI UC A73961.5013 A/EOE/ADAI1.16 UC 73961.5013 1.16

for discounted rates.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Calling for

Nominations

Each year at Homecoming, the Alumni Association honors distinguished alumni and its most faithful servants at the Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet and the Annual Awards Brunch.

While nominations are accepted year-round, submissions must be received by May 30 for the 2016 Homecoming ceremonies.

To learn more about the annual awards or to make a nomination, visit SouthernMissAlumni.com/AlumniRecognition or call 601.266.5013.

BUY A BRICK

LEAVE A

LEGACY DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAVE A LEGACY AT SOUTHERN MISS. ORDER YOUR PERSONALIZED BRICK NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 13 FOR INSTALLATION PRIOR TO HOMECOMING 2016.

SouthernMissAlumni.com/LeaveALegacy • 601.266.5013

Spring 2016

19

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Annual Alumni Chapter Award Recipients Honored FOUNDATION NEWS The Southern Miss Alumni Association annually awards chapters for leadership, service and excellence. Given to select chapters, chapter presidents and ambassadors, these awards recognize success, leadership and a willingness to go above and beyond. The Association is proud to announce the following recipients of the 2015 awards:

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Alumni Ambassador of the Year: ARTS MeghanTHE Authement, Nashville, Tenn.

Scott Caldwell Award for Outstanding Chapter President: Christy Barbee, Gulf Coast Metro

Meghan Authement was recognized as NEWS AROUND CAMPUS the top alumni ambassador for her overall EAGLE CLUB excellence and leadership of the Nashville Ambassador ATHLETIC NEWS Group. She graduated from Southern Miss Jerry DeFatta, executive director; Meghan in 2011 with NOTES FROM HOME Authement, alumni ambassador of the year; and Lauren Richards, manager of constituent relations. a bachelor’s degree in marketing and in 2012 with a Master of Business Administration. She has served as the CLASSambassador NOTES since moving to Nashville Nashville alumni in August 2012 and also assists the Eagle Club in Nashville. Under Authement’s leadership, the Nashville chapter has hosted many events, including a football SNAPSHOTS tailgate for the USM vs. MTSU game, basketball pre-game socials, and multiple happy hour events for alumni in the area.

The Scott Caldwell Award is given in honor of Southern Miss alumnus Scott Caldwell, who passed away after a long battle with cancer during his term as president of the Mobile Alumni Chapter in 1992. This award is presented annually to an outstanding alumni Jerry DeFatta, executive director; Christy Barbee, president of the Gulf Coast Metro alumni chapter; Lauren chapter president.

Richards, manager of constituent relations.

This year, Christy Barbee of the Gulf Coast Metro chapter received this award for her work in planning the 17th Annual Gulf Coast Beach Bash held on the Southern Miss Gulf Park campus last July. The event raised more than $2,200 for the Gulf Coast Metro Endowed Scholarship Fund benefitting Gulf Coast area students attending Southern Miss both in Hattiesburg and on the Gulf Park campus. Christy has served on the Gulf Coast alumni chapter’s board for more than four years and has served as president since 2014. She is a 2008 graduate of the University with a bachelor’s degree in finance.

ALUMNI AUTHORS

2015 Alumni Chapter of the Year: Mobile Bay ALUMNI ALMANAC

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Mobile Bay Alumni Board Members Brent Greenwald, Linsey Mingo and John Erwin accept the award for Alumni Chapter of the Year.

The Alumni Chapter of the Year award recognizes the top alumni chapter based on overall success in a variety of categories. The Mobile Bay chapter hosted eight events in 2015, including a baseball pre-game social where a meal was provided to the Southern Miss baseball team; a golf tournament with more than 20 participating teams; a crawfish boil; and multiple football game-viewing parties. The fourth annual Mobile Bay Crawfish Boil had more than 300 attendees and generated revenue for the Mickey Marshall Endowed Scholarship, awarded to a Mobile area senior planning to attend Southern Miss in the fall. The Mobile Bay chapter continues to set a great example of how an alumni group can positively support the University through events in their region. The Mobile Bay Alumni Board members include John Erwin ‘01, president; Linsey Mingo ‘08, president-elect; Joe Sullivan ‘92, Jamie Loris ‘85, Mickey Marshall ‘83, Brent Greenwald ’99, ‘02, Kelly Greenwald ‘02 and Tim Finnigan ‘10.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Fans meet with Golden Eagle football players at the 2015 Jackson All-Star Party.

Alumni Association Announces Big Three Summer Party Dates Each year, the Southern Miss Alumni Association, in conjunction with the department of athletics and local chapter volunteers, hosts three summer parties.

Southern Miss coaches, administrators, athletes, cheerleaders and Seymour are all on hand to visit with attendees during these highly anticipated events. The Annual Jackson All-Star Party will be held on July 21, followed by the Annual Gulf Coast Beach Bash on July 29. The summer parties will conclude with the Annual Eagle Fanfare in Hattiesburg on August 13. Hosted by the Central Mississippi, Gulf Coast Metro and South Central Mississippi chapters of the Alumni Association, these events kick off the excitement and anticipation for another successful season of Golden Eagle football!

“Everyone involved anticipates large crowds at each of these parties,” said Lauren Richards, manager of constituent relations. “As we welcome the new head football coach back into the Southern Miss family, these summer parties will provide an exciting way for our alumni to join in on the celebration.”

During these parties, each hosting chapter will also recognize their local scholarship recipients, who will begin their freshman year at Southern Miss in the fall. Additionally, Golden Eagle merchandise will be available for purchase, and silent auctions will be held to raise money for scholarship funds and Eagle Club support. Further information on these summer parties, including locations and times, can be found online at SouthernMissAlumni.com/UpcomingEvents.

BIG THREE SUMMER PARTIES T H U RS DAY, J U LY 21

Jackson All-Star Party Jackson FRI DAY, J U LY 29

Gulf Coast Beach Bash Mississippi Gulf Coast SAT U RDAY, AU G US T 13

Eagle Fanfare Hattiesburg

Spring 2016

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Alumni in the New Orleans area visit with Southern Miss Athletic Director Bill McGillis during a 2015 spring event.

Spring Alumni Events Scheduled to Share Southern Miss Spirit Throughout the spring, the Southern Miss Alumni Association, along with various alumni chapters and the Eagle Club, will host nearly 40 events to celebrate Southern Miss across the country.

“These events bring the Southern Miss spirit directly to alumni,” said Lauren Richards, manager of constituent relations. “We have worked hard to plan events that appeal to a wide range of alumni and look forward to engaging with Southern Miss supporters in a variety of settings. From sporting events

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Clois and Mary Aycock Paul Bieda Standish and Karen Bradford James Buntyn Bradley and Eleanor Byrne Wayne and Cheryl Canipe Alan and Jeanne Carlson Cheyenne Causey Ashley Causey Glen and Judy Davis Brian and Renee Dozier

to happy hour socials – we have an event for everyone!”

With events ranging from pre-baseball game socials to alumni dinners and golf tournaments, Southern Miss alumni across the country will have the opportunity to engage with fellow alumni and support their alma mater. Cities hosting events range from Nashville, Tenn., Atlanta, Ga., Houston, Texas, Pensacola, Fla., New York City, N.Y. and many more.

“As an Alumni Association we excitedly anticipate having the

Blake Feldman Patrick and Sara Fries Liz Gonzales Judy Grimes Jeff Harbison Randall and Pam Harless Lesley Harrison Mark and Nicki Haulman Ché Helfrich Robert L. Johnson Capt. Joseph W. Johnson

opportunity to gather our alumni each spring to celebrate what unites us all – our love for our alma mater,” said Jenny Boudreaux, associate director for external affairs. “With a few new events on the schedule this year, particularly those geared towards young alumni, we look forward to visiting, engaging and growing our loyal alumni base with each city we visit.”

For a complete list of events hosted by the Alumni Association, visit SouthernMissAlumni.com/ UpcomingEvents.

Ricky Kestner Christopher and Tracey Logan Shirley Mays Angela McCullum Madeleine Michelli Karen Moore Thomas and Peggy Norwood Jaime Orejan George Parson William Peebles Connie Pierpont

WELCOME NEW LIFE MEMBERS James Robertson Glenn Schulenberg Beshara Sharin James and Janis Simpson Clint and Brenda Walker

YOUR OFFICIAL DESTINATION FOR GOLDEN EAGLES GEAR

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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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ASSOCIATION NEWS

FOUNDATION NEWS

FROM THE ARCHIVES Retired physics professor, Dr. Grayson Rayborn, recently visited with students during their lab work.

THE ARTS

NEWS AROUND CAMPUS

EAGLE CLUB

ATHLETIC NEWS

NOTES FROM HOME

CLASS NOTES

SNAPSHOTS ALUMNI AUTHORS Retired Physics Professor, Wife Establish Lecture Series with Transformational Gift

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Signal ALUMNI processing,ALMANAC experimental atomic physics and underwater acoustics might seem mind-boggling to the average thinker. What does it mean?

How does it work? Who can explain it?

At The University of Southern Mississippi, one won’t have to travel far to meet the man who spent a distinguished career teaching and researching those very disciplines.

Long-time Southern Miss Professor Grayson H. Rayborn, Ph.D. received a bachelor’s degree in physics from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Florida. In 1970, Rayborn joined the faculty at Southern Miss where, except for one sabbatical year, he remained until he retired from the University as

professor of physics and astronomy.

During his career, Rayborn reflects on the things he loved most at Southern Miss. “What I really enjoyed was the students,” Rayborn said. “As I finished my career and thought back, while I have a modest number of refereed papers and patents, I realized how my students had become such a part of my life. I enjoyed seeing many of them become successful.”

In the summer of 2015, Rayborn and his wife, Jane, made a $100,000 gift to establish the Grayson H. and Jane Dishong Rayborn Physics and Astronomy Lecture Series. The couple had been considering making a gift to the department for many years, and after speaking to the department

chair, Dr. Chris Winstead, they decided to establish this lecture series.” The endowment supports bringing prominent researchers to speak with Southern Miss students and interact with them in seminars and through other platforms. “We think it’s important for students to have access to some of the prime thinkers in their field,” said Jane.

The lecture series begins April 7 with renowned physicist Sylvester James “Jim” Gates, a John S. Toll professor of physics and director of the String and Particle Theory Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. Gates is known for his work on supersymmetry, supergravity and superstring theory. He may also be known for his recent Turbo Tax commercial.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

FOUNDATION NEWS

FROM THE ARCHIVES In 1984, working with M.T. Grisaru, M. Rocek and W. Siegel, Gates coauthored “Superspace, or One Thousand and One Lessons in Supersymmetry,” the first comprehensive book on the topic of supersymmetry. He currently continues his research in supersymmetry in systems of particles, fields and strings at the University of Maryland. Supersymmetry is an extension of the so-called Standard Model Theory in physics which describes the fundamental particles that comprise all matter in the universe. The existence

of these supersymmetric partners, if confirmed by future experiments, may address a number of open questions in physics including the composition of the dark matter and the unification of fundamental forces.

There is great excitement around the department and throughout the College of Science and Technology regarding the establishment of a lecture series of this kind. “Without the Rayborns’ generous gift, this event, and all of those to follow, simply wouldn’t happen,” said Winstead.

Megan Burkes Named Associate Director for Public Relations and Donor Programs Megan Burkes was recently named associate director for public relations and donor programs for The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation. This is a newly created position that is responsible for the oversight of the Foundation’s comprehensive annual giving and communication programming, as well as donor relations strategies focused on shaping a sustainable tradition of support for Southern Miss.

“To say I am excited about this new position would be an understatement. Our department’s role comes with great responsibility. It will be our job to create a new vision for communications and stewardship for our Southern Miss donors, and I don’t take that lightly,” said Burkes. “Our Foundation staff is outstanding — rock solid, and in the near future we are creating new positions to bring bright ideas to the team. These things make us poised to launch new platforms in annual giving, communications and stewardship.

I’m most looking forward to where we are headed!”

Burkes has spent three years as manager of annual giving at the Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation staff, Burkes worked as a development and communication officer for the South Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross and was the membership and marketing director for Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi.

“Megan is an incredible young professional with boundless energy,” said Stace Mercier, executive director of the USM Foundation. “She has been a thoughtful leader for our organization for some time now, and I am pleased that she will be serving in this new role. Her experience,

The endowment will help to bridge the gap between theories studied in textbooks and the brilliant scientists THE ARTS that research them. “So often we place famous scientists on pedestals that make them seem larger than life. So, NEWStoAROUND CAMPUS in addition our students learning about leading-edge research in the field, this series will allow them to see these scientists as people,” said Winstead. “We EAGLE CLUB want our students to know that there is no limit to what they can do in their own careers.”

ATHLETIC NEWS

NOTES FROM HOME

CLASS NOTES

SNAPSHOTS

ALUMNI AUTHORS

ALUMNI ALMANAC

Megan Burkes

education and talents made her the perfect choice to lead this new division of the USM Foundation.”

Burkes earned her Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Memphis in 2005. She earned a Master of Science in public relations from Southern Miss in 2015.

Burkes serves as past chair of Coast Young Professionals and is an active member and volunteer of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. She serves as an Advisory Board member for the American Red Cross – Southeast Mississippi Chapter, is a graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast in 2013 and was recently selected by the “One Coast” initiative as one of the “2015 One Coast Top 10 under 40” recipients.

Spring 2016

25

ASSOCIATION NEWS

FOUNDATION NEWS

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Memorial Scholarship Established to Assist Single Parents The legacy of distinguished educator Dorothy “Dot” Swiatek will liveTHE on through ARTS an endowed scholarship established with The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation through a generous trust which yielded an excess of $1 million. The Helen Arendale Single Parents Memorial Scholarship Term NEWSwill AROUND Endowment provide CAMPUS scholarships to students in any major who are single parents. Dot’s son, Glenn, described her as a pioneer in the field of special education and learning disabilities. “She taught reading and later moved into the area EAGLE CLUB of special education and learning disabilities,” said Swiatek.

“Her passion for educating children and her love of the english language were her driving forces.”

NEWSArk. in 1924 to schoolteachers Dot ATHLETIC was born in Amity, Vernon and Helen Arendale. While Dot was still a toddler, the family moved to Logtown where her mother’s family had settled in the mid-1800s. Her parents both taught at the NOTES FROM HOME Logtown School where Dot was also educated. During The Great Depression, the Arendales were paid with a cow and chickens rather than money. Dot’s love of learning and helping others was surelyNOTES a product of her parent’s example.

CLASS Upon receiving her degree in history and English from The University of Southern Mississippi, known as Mississippi Southern College during her studies, she accepted a teaching positionSNAPSHOTS at the Columbia City School in Columbia. Having little confidence in herself, Swiatek has been quoted as saying she cried nearly every night, convinced she was the worst teacher in the world who didn’t deserve her meager salary of $1,300 per year.

ALUMNI AUTHORS Later in her career, however, she would be honored for her work.

After teaching in several locations, including the Eaton School in Hattiesburg, the Isadore Newman School in New Orleans, La., and the Betts Reading Clinic in Philadelphia, Pa., her true passion was discovered — teaching reading, on an individual basis, to students who had extreme learning disabilities.

Dot earned her master’s from Temple University in 1955.

Upon graduation, she took a position as a reading instructor at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. While there, she met MAJ. E.A. “Swi” Swiatek, who was stationed there, and upon their return to the United States, they were married. The Swiateks settled in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. In 1981, she was named Teacher of the Year for Wright Elementary School in Fort Walton Beach and was one of Okaloosa County’s pioneer teachers of the learning disabled. She remained at Wright Elementary School until her retirement in 1991.

Dot Swiatek and her mother, Helen Arendale, recognized the extreme challenges facing single parents who often juggle raising their family with earning a degree. A desire to make college education a reality for single parents led Dot Swiatek to make this generous gift in her mother’s honor.

By including the USM Foundation in her estate plans, Swiatek became a member of the McCarty Legacy Society at the Foundation. The society is named after philanthropist Oseola McCarty who forever changed The University of Southern Mississippi in 1995, when she announced a $150,000 planned gift to the institution. As McCarty’s legacy as a selfless benefactor lives on at Southern Miss through her generous deeds and spirit, so will the legacy of the generosity of Dot Swiatek.

ALUMNI ALMANAC

Minimum for Endowment Level and Honor Club Admittance Set to Change in July 2016

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With the cost of education on the rise, the USM Foundation is making a concerted effort to ease the burden of tuition costs and enhance the student experience by providing more scholarship dollars and support for programs at Southern Miss.

The USM Foundation Board of Directors has approved two changes to aid in this effort that will take effect July 1, 2016.

The minimum amount required to establish an endowment with The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation will increase from $15,000 to $25,000. The $15,000 minimum will be honored for endowments initiated prior to the end of June 2016.

The philanthropy of the USM Foundation’s most generous benefactors is recognized with membership in the Honor Club.

Since 1985, membership has been achieved when a donor reaches $10,000 or more in charitable contributions. Donors are

acknowledged for giving at various levels. Beginning July 1, 2016, the minimum for admitting new members into the Honor Club will increase from $10,000 to $25,000 for individual members and from $50,000 to $125,000 for corporate members. Admittance will be at the Society of 1910 level. Existing individual members at the Associates for Excellence level (donors with cumulative gifts ranging from $10,000 to $24,999) will remain members of the Honor Club, as will corporate members (donors with cumulative gifts ranging from $50,000 to $124,999).

Honor Club members enjoy a variety of benefits, including an invitation to the exclusive Honor Club Black Tie Gala, as well as on-campus parking decals and discounted memberships to the Payne Center.

For more information on establishing an endowment with the USM Foundation, please call 601.266.5210.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

FOUNDATION NEWS

THE JOE PAUL PAUL STUDENT STUDENT THEATER THEATER AND THE THE JOE JOE PAUL PAUL STUDENT STUDENT LEADERS LEADERSSCHOLARSHIP SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT ENDOWMENT FROM THE ARCHIVES THE ARTS

NEWS AROUND CAMPUS

EAGLE CLUB

ATHLETIC NEWS

NOTES FROM HOME

CLASS NOTES Vice Vice President President Emeritus Emeritus Joe Joe Paul Paul spent spentnearly nearlyfour fourdecades decades impacting impacting the the lives lives of of Southern Southern Miss Miss students studentsin inhis hisrole roleas as vice vice president president of of Student Student Affairs.

Affairs.

SNAPSHOTS

Dr. Paul Paul officially officiallyretired retiredin inJune Juneof of2015, 2015,University UniversityPresident PresidentRodney Rodney When When Dr. D. D. Bennett Bennett announced announced that thatthe theStudent StudentTheater, Theater,still stillunfinished unfinishedininthe the Thad Thad AUTHORS ALUMNI Cochran Cochran Center Center on on the the Hattiesburg Hattiesburgcampus, campus,would wouldbe benamed namedininhis hishonor honor- -

The The Joe Joe Paul Paul Student Student Theater.

Theater.

ALUMNI ALMANAC While While funding funding for for the the completion completionof ofthe thetheater theateralready alreadyexists, exists,aanew new fundraising fundraising initiative initiative through through The TheUSM USMFoundation Foundationseeks seeksto toestablish establish aa scholarship scholarship endowment endowment to to honor honorDr. Dr.Paul Pauland andmeet meethis hischallenge challengetoto “leave “leave Southern Southern Miss Miss better better than thanyou youfound foundit!” it!”The TheJoe JoePaul PaulStudent Student Leaders Leaders Scholarship Scholarship Endowment Endowmentwill willbenefit benefitthose thosestudents studentswho whoare are significantly significantly engaged engaged at at Southern SouthernMiss Missserving servingininleadership leadershiproles. roles.This This fundraising fundraising initiative initiative also also serves serves as asaaway wayfor forour ouralumni alumnito tocommemorate commemorate their their involvement involvement as as aa student student leader leaderat atSouthern SouthernMiss Missthrough throughnaming naming opportunities opportunities in in the the Joe Joe Paul Paul Theater.

Theater.

To To learn learn more more about abouthow howyou youcan canleave leaveyour yourmark markon onone oneofof the the 300 300 theater theater chairs chairsor oron onaa“Wall “Wallof ofFame” Fame”located locatedjust just outside outside the the theater, theater,visit visitusmfoundation.com/joepaultheater. usmfoundation.com/joepaultheater.

AA/EOE/ADAI AA/EOE/ADAI74057 740572.16 2.16

FOUNDATION NEWS

G O L D E N E A G L E I M PA C T MR. THOMAS BARRON of Boulder, Colo., made a gift of $10,000 to the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection Endowment. His gift will support the purchase, maintenance and enhancement of the collection.

MELANIE AND MICHAEL BLANTON ‘92 of Petal made a $10,000 gift to the Paint Research Development Fund. Their giving supports research within the School of Polymers and High Performance Material in the area of polymers, coatings and composites.

DR. DORIS BRADLEY ’53 of Hattiesburg made a $20,000 gift to establish the Emma Katherine Parker Brumfield Nursing Scholarship Endowment.

DR. PEGGY CARLIN of Hattiesburg made a gift of stock for nearly $28,000 to the Dr. Margaret F. Carlin British Studies Program Scholarship Endowment to support students participating in the British Studies Program.

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MR. JOHN J. HANNON, faculty in the School of Construction at Southern Miss, and his wife made a gift commitment of $15,000 to create the Mary Anne Wallace Memorial Scholarship Endowment.

MS. JULIE K. LAMMEL ‘70 of Nashville, Tenn., made a $15,000 gift to support the Julie Katherine Lammel Speech Pathology Scholarship Endowment which provides scholarships for an upper-class student majoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology.

MR. THOMAS L. MANNING of Atlanta, Ga., made a gift of $20,000 to create the Wynema Blunt-Manning Nursing Scholarship Endowment.

MR. RICHARD W. PECK of New York, N.Y., made a gift of stock at approximately $100,000 to support both the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection and the Children’s Book Festival.

SUZANNE AND JOSEPH QUINLAN ‘73 of Miramar Beach, Fla., made a $25,000 gift to the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families Development Fund. Their giving will support scholarships for military-students at Southern Miss.

KATHY AND JOE SANDERSON of Laurel made a gift of Sanderson Farms stock in of just over $96,000 to the DuBard School for Language Disorders Fund which can be used for the enhancement and maintenance of the school.

MR. CHARLES B. SCARBOROUGH III ‘69 and his wife, Ellen, of Stamford, Conn., made a gift of $100,000 to the School of Mass Communication and Journalism Building Fund to support the renovation, furnishing and maintenance of College Hall on the Hattiesburg campus. The Television Production Suite in that building will be named in their honor.

RHONDA ‘83 AND DOUGLAS ‘82 SEIDENBURG of Laurel made a gift commitment of $20,000 to the Seidenburg Family Business Scholarship Endowment which supports students within the college of business who are majoring in Accounting and/or from Jones County.

DR. JUSTUS WILLIAM THOMAS ‘94 of Houston, Texas, made a gift commitment of $15,000 to establish the Charlotte J. Thomas Scholarship Endowment in honor of his mother.

MR. WILLIAM A. WARD of Mobile, Ala., made a gift of stock for more than $10,000 to the College of Business Building Fund.

DR. CLINTON & MRS. KATHERINE WHITE of Hattiesburg made a gift of $10,000 to support the Moffitt Health Center programs and facility.

FOUNDATION NEWS

MR. RUSS WILLIS ’89, faculty in the College of Business, made a gift commitment of $15,000 to create the Russ Willis British Studies Scholarship Endowment.

COMCAST FINANCIAL AGENCY CORPORATION of Philadelphia, Pa., made a gift of $10,000 to support the Student Affairs Golf Classic which provides funding for student and staff development.

THE EZRA JACK KEATS FOUNDATION of Brooklyn, N.Y., made a gift of $32,000 to support the University Libraries. The de Grummond Collection, which can be found in the Cook Library, is the sole repository for the Ezra Jack Keats Archive.

FORREST GENERAL HOSPITAL of Hattiesburg made a gift of $10,000 to support The Children’s Center for Communication and Development.

THE LETTIE PATE WHITEHEAD FOUNDATION, INC. of Atlanta, Ga., made a donation of $70,000 to the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Scholarship to provide scholarship funds for female nursing students.

SANDERSON FARMS, INC. of Laurel made a gift of $30,000 to support The Children’s Center for Communication and Development, the DuBard School for Language Disorders and the President’s Fund for Excellence.

SEI of Oaks, Pa., made a gift of $10,000 to sponsor the 2016 USM Foundation Honor Club Gala.

SIGMA THETA TAU - GAMMA LAMBDA CHAPTER of Hattiesburg made a gift of $25,000 to name a conference room in Asbury Hall, the future home of the College of Nursing.

THE SOUTHERN MISS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION of Hattiesburg made a gift of $10,000 to the Robert D. Pierce II Legacy Scholarship Endowment which awards one-time $1,000 scholarships to entering freshmen who are children and/or grandchildren of Southern Miss graduates.

STRUCTURAL STEEL SERVICES, INC. of Meridian made a gift of $15,000 to the Structural Steel Services, Inc. Art Endowment to provide funds for a graduate scholarship and continued maintenance of the 3-D Art Building, tools and supplies.

THE JI & LI FAMILY FOUNDATION, INC. of Greenville, N.C., made a donation of $10,000 to support the Institute for Disability Studies.

THE FOUNTAIN FAMILY FOUNDATION of Jackson made a $25,000 gift to support both the Fountain Family School of Construction Endowment and Southern Miss Athletics.

THE JACK AND BETTY DEMETREE FAMILY FOUNDATION, INC. of Jacksonville, Fla., made a gift of $10,000 to support The Children’s Center for Communication and Development.

Spring 2016

29

NEW GENERATION OF USM RESEARCHERS

LEADS POLYMER SCIENCE

INTO THE FUTURE

By Jim Coll ’99, ’06

S

uccess is hard to come by — it isn’t a given in any field. Harder, perhaps, is continuing an elevated level of success. In football, for instance, only a few quarterbacks have followed Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks with a Super Bowl victory of their own. More often than not, replacing a legend in the field is a difficult and almost impossible task.

Such is the challenge facing Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins, director of The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Polymers and High Performance Materials. Wiggins and fellow faculty members follow in the footsteps of academic giants who built USM polymer science and engineering into one of the world’s best. The football analogy is not as odd as one might suspect — the program has maintained a level of success even the Green Bay Packers would envy, and more than two dozen players in the 2015 Super Bowl wore helmets that had incorporated technology developed in Southern Miss research laboratories.

With a commitment to excellence that would make USM alumnus Ray Guy’s Oakland Raiders proud, Southern Miss polymer science and engineering has not stopped there. The United States Army announced last May the awarding of a $4.9 million research contract to Southern Miss for the development and evaluation of a helmet liner designed to provide enhanced head protection for warfighters — an important extension of the football helmet research.

Southern Miss researchers “Southern Miss researchers have an opportunity to accelerate technology that might better protect our men and women in the military have an opportunity to from head injuries and brain trauma,” said U.S. Senator Thad Cochran. accelerate technology “Advances in this area have the potential to be life-changing for American that might better protect service members, who are too often exposed to the debilitating aftereffects of severe brain injuries. I have great hope for this research.” our men and women in the Wiggins stresses that the Southern Miss Pneumatic Cushion liner military from head injuries system is radically different from traditional foam pads that have been and brain trauma. the basis of energy absorption in helmets for decades.

“It’s important to note that commercialization of our helmet —U.S. SENATOR THAD COCHRAN cushioning has proven the technology is manufacturing-ready and reproducible in high volumes, the economics are in the same range as foams, and cushioning levels can be ‘tuned’ where foams generally cannot,” said Wiggins. “This two-year program has the potential to yield substantial improvements in energy-absorbing capabilities leading to new standards for military and civilian protection.”

CONTINUING A LEGACY OF SUCCESS For faculty, staff and students in the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, the work for the U.S. Army is only part of a story that dates back 45 years, when Dr. Shelby Thames convinced then University President, Dr. William D. McCain, to allow for the start of a polymer science research program. Back then, and even today, some did not understand the significance of the field, which combines chemistry, physics, mathematics, computational sciences and engineering. Polymers are found in everyday products like shampoos and conditioners, but Southern Miss researchers have also worked in biomedical and medical sciences to control drug delivery and implant medical devices, as well as in advanced composites for high-strength, lightweight, next-generation aerospace materials.

The scope of the research is broad and has become so in a relatively short time. Over the period of just a few decades, Thames and others like long-time director, Dr. Robert Lochhead built the program from a humble start into a nationally ranked outfit that now offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, robust research opportunities and a great partner for businesses and corporations. Thames, who later served as University President from 2002 to 2007, alone produced 169 scientific publications, 169 presentations, 31 issued patents and three filed patents.

Wiggins became director in 2014, and a new generation of faculty and students are continuing an amazing legacy of success. For starters, here are a few recent accomplishments: In March 2015, Dr. Sarah Morgan was presented the Fred E. Schwab Education Award of the Society of Plastics Engineers — one of only four such awards. She also won the American Chemical Society Division of Polymer Chemistry Distinguished Service Award for Excellence in Programming and Undergraduate Education.

Polymer Science and Engineering graduate student Stephen Wand prepares a draw down bar to create a film of precisely controlled thickness for examination.

In May 2015, the University fortified its long-term relationship with The Boeing Company by signing a new master agreement to serve as the technology incubator of next-generation composite material systems. The new agreement builds on a decade-long working relationship between USM and Boeing, which currently has a research contract to utilize the assets of the Accelerator — the University’s business incubator located in Hattiesburg. In addition, Boeing has recognized the University’s scientific contributions by presenting Southern Miss with the prestigious Silver Level Supplier of the Year Award each of the past three years.

Professor Dr. Derek Patton placed the University among an elite group of awardees in the inaugural National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program. The $2.8 million award covers five years and is designed to encourage the development of potentially transformative models for science, technology, education and math (STEM) graduate training.

Dahlia Amato, a doctoral student, was selected as a finalist for one of the prestigious Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans. She was one of 77 applicants chosen as finalists from approximately 1,200 applicants nationwide.

Abagail Williams, a second-year graduate student working with the Lott Research Group, has been named a National Science Foundation (NSF) Fellow. Her graduate work focuses on fabricating glassy, mechanically robust materials capable of up-conversion.

Cassandra Reese, a second-year graduate student working with the Patton research group, was also named an NSF Fellow. In July 2014, she co-authored a paper in the Journal of Macromolecules.

Katrina Knauer, a doctoral student in the program, took home a third-place award in the 2015 Conference of Southern Graduate Schools Regional Three- Minute Thesis® (3MT®) competition, defeating opponents from Florida State, Auburn, Alabama and more.

Professor Dr. Sarah Morgan was recently announced as an American Chemical Society (ACS) Polymer Division Fellow — a prestigious international recognition received by less than 0.10% of Society members.

The program’s founder is among those who have taken notice.

“I’m extremely proud of the success our students and professors are having and the cutting-edge research that’s taking place here,” Thames said, while also noting the prestigious national and

international grants and awards earned by the school’s faculty in recent years. “They’re the best in the country at what they do.”

“I’m also very impressed with the phenomenal job Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins has done in the short amount of time he’s been on board as director of the school, while also continuing to conduct his research and teaching,” he added. “He’s a great leader, extremely intelligent, wise beyond his years and the perfect person for the job.”

Wiggins says an important aspect of a Southern Miss polymer science and engineering education is the opportunity to engage students with major corporations like GE Aviation, which has two plants in Mississippi, including one near the Hattiesburg campus in Ellisville. Teams have worked in polymer science labs at Southern Miss creating composite materials such as fan blades for the global marketplace. These advanced materials are lightweight and durable, which translates to fuel savings, lower energy costs and reduced maintenance for sophisticated jet engines.

The work with GE Aviation “is one example of many where we integrate research and interaction with the professionals at these great corporations,” Wiggins said. “As the professionals really get to know our students over time through the research A polymer science and that we do, it is not unusual engineering student that students leave here prepares a sample for examination at very with jobs and positions low temperatures in the through those research transmission electron collaborations.” microscope.

Mary Moore is one such student who earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from USM and is now employed by GE Aviation.

“The polymer science and engineering program at USM teaches you the fundamental concepts of polymer science and how to be a critical and analytical thinker,” Moore said. “Those are some things that I found when I got out into the world and started working and dealing with different engineering majors.

That’s not a skill that many programs teach you — how to analytically think and dissect problems to come to a solution.”

Moore says the partnership works well.

“I think it’s vital because GE always seeks to stay on the cutting edge of technology,” she said. “How can you stay on the cutting edge of technology if you’re not on the forefront of research? We’re always aware of what’s new. We are inquiring as to ‘what are you working on? How can we use that to benefit what we’re doing at the plant?’ The mutual beneficial relationship part of it is that we’re talking to the students and selling them on coming to work with us.”

While some Southern Miss graduates like Moore are finding success in south Mississippi, others are spreading their wings across the country and around the world.

“Most of our undergraduates and all of our graduates are recruited by our country’s most prominent corporations or go on to professional schools and graduate programs,” Wiggins said. “Preparation of our undergraduate students is focused upon the next steps in their lives and careers to ensure that they have a lifetime of productivity and contribution in the sciences.”

“We can never lose sight of what we are really doing, and that’s the preparation of the next-generation scientist,” he added. “I look at the students that are starting with us today and will start their professional work sometime around 2020. They will have careers that will last until 2050. Obviously, it is a big challenge to anticipate what is going to make that individual a marketable and valuable employee in that time frame. We do not have to focus so much on our experience and what has happened in the past, but what society needs in the future.”

While Wiggins and the School’s faculty are focused on the present and the future, they remain committed to maintaining some aspects of the program.

“For more than 40 years, the school has focused on our curriculum and assured that the courses that are being taught and the education being delivered is of the highest quality,” Wiggins said.

Good Friends.

Good Fishing.

Really Good Beer.

By Nicole Ruhnke ’08

T

win brothers Cammac “Cam” ’03 and Cain ’02 Roberds grew up fishing the barrier islands off the coast of Mississippi.

The uninhabited island chain is approximately 50 miles long and is home to some of the best redfish and speckled trout fishing on the planet.

Born and raised in Gulfport, the brothers have a true passion for the water and for their home away from home — the Chandeleur Islands. Their unquenchable thirst for adventures on the water eventually met its match with another unsatisfied thirst — good beer. When the passion for fishing collided with the desire to bring a unique craft beer to the coast, the result was Chandeleur Island Brewing Company.

Several years ago, Cain led a construction project for a brewery in Alabama through the brothers’ construction company, C. Roberds General Contractors, LLC. During that process, the idea for combining their two passions of beer and fishing began to take shape. In 2013, the brothers purchased a historic building in downtown Gulfport, broke ground on what is now Chandeleur Island Brewing Company, and began to build a dynamic team to help launch the business into a successful microbrewery.

The talents of local tattoo artist Matt Stebly are featured in Chandeleur’s logo.

Chris Talbot, Cain and Cam Roberds and Brandon Lewis outside Chandeleur Island Brewing Company in Downtown Gulfport.

Chandeleur Island Brewing Company currently has eight Cam and Cain, along with General Manager Brandon beers that are distributed throughout Mississippi, Alabama Lewis ’05 and Chris Talbot ’01, who leads the marketing and and Louisiana and several new beers coming soon. With sales efforts, were all members of Kappa Sigma fraternity at names such as Surfside Pineapple Wheat, Lil’ Smack IPA and Southern Miss during the late 90s. “In college, we never really Freemason Golden Ale, these drinks have attracted quite a thought about business, but we had a passion for beer, having loyal consumer base. And a good time and fishing,” each beer is uniquely named said Lewis. “Thankfully, our after a favorite fishing spot or palates have matured, and barrier island. now we like good beer!”

“We had the first taste of With Dave Reese of our beer during an overnight Milwakee, Wis., leading fishing trip to Freemason the charge as brew master, Island,” Chris said. “Cain the team has a vision to had Dave brew some beer to handcraft some of the most sample and we drank it on excellent ales on the Gulf the boat watching the sun Coast using only the finest set. It was the beginning of and freshest malted barley, something special, a love for hops and local ingredients. fishing and the gulf waters Over the last few years, that now had a great beer to Chandeleur Island Brewing go along with all the trips Company has overcome the First as friends and now as business partners, these Southern Miss alumni have and experiences. Good beer many challenges that face makes good fishing trips microbreweries in Mississippi brought their passions together. even better, and that’s what we have tried so hard to create and and continues to see growth and expansion on the horizon. provide to others.”

“The beer industry is much different than it was 80 years ago,” “When people come in and say, ‘I’ll never drink another porter said Cain. “We are excited to be a part of this industry growth than yours,’ it always makes the hard work worthwhile,” Cain in Mississippi.”

said. “Part of what we want to do is expand the palates of our patrons and let people experience the difference in our quality.”

“We take a lot of pride in what we do,” said Cam. “From the quality of our beer, to the atmosphere inside the building, to our awesome graphics and marketing, we make sure that we are only producing the best.” Chandeleur Island Brewing Company utilized the talents of tattoo artist Matt Stebly to develop the brewery’s logo and local artist Craig Brumfield designs the artwork for Chandeleur’s beer cans.

“Craft beer plus fishing calls for really cool branding, especially here in the Gulf South,” Cam added. “Matt Stebly, local tattoo artist and the greatgrandson of watercolor artist Walter Anderson, brought his amazing talent to the table to give an iconic coastal look to our logo that combines a redfish, which is native to the islands, the lighthouse and a beer mug. The Chandeleur Islands are part of the logo along the right side to bring it all together. The barrier islands are the gem of the Gulf Coast; it’s paradise down here.”

While good beer and good fishing are the ultimate passions of the Chandeleur team, the guys also want their work to be a part of a greater purpose. In the near future, Chandeleur Island Brewing Company will be teaming up with Dauphin Island Sea Lab to raise money for tarpon transponder tags for increased research opportunities. Information on this research project will be printed on their 12-pack packaging, and a donation of each sale will benefit the Sea Lab. “At the end of the day, we want the community to be a part of supporting local businesses, supporting craft beer and educating themselves on the barrier islands,” Cam said. “When tourists come, we want them to look for local products and to explore everything this place has to offer. If we can play a part in that, we have been successful.”

The atmosphere inside Chandeleur Island Brewing Company is purely coastal and perfectly comfortable.

Information on the Chandeleur Islands can be found on each beer can.

MAKING DREAMS A REALITY One Home at a Time

Chi-Mar Construction, owned by Marty Williams, specializes in building gulf-front homes along Florida’s Emerald Coast.

O

ver the past 16 years, Marty Williams ‘89 has combined determination, skill and a little luck to develop Chi-Mar Construction, LLC into one of the Emerald Coast’s most respected custom home builders.

When he left his hometown of Eufaula, Ala., to relocate to Destin, Fla., Williams had a successful foundation built by his varied athletic, sales and construction backgrounds.

Williams stands proud as a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi, having played football for the Golden Eagles as center alongside quarterback Brett Favre while working toward a degree in general business. In 1988, William’s senior year, he was selected team captain and led the Golden Eagles to a 10-2 winning season. After graduating from Southern Miss, Williams embarked on a sales career that took him to Sacramento, Calif., San Diego, Calif., Charlotte, N.C., and Orlando, Fla., working in markets across the country selling electronics and metal buildings.

Williams’ introduction to the construction business began while working for American Buildings, Inc., a Eufaula-based company, which allowed him to work with clients nationwide.

At American Buildings, he learned the value of providing a quality product, as well as catering to the needs of his customers.

But it was advice given to him early in life that made the biggest impact. At the age of 16, while working in a hometown sawmill, Williams recalls receiving a great piece of advice. An older gentleman told him “When you grow up, you need to be signing the FRONT of checks, not the back of them.” Since that day, Williams knew he wanted to be a business owner and has applied his knowledge of business and construction to start Chi-Mar Construction.

Chi-Mar (pronounced Kai-mar) is the melding of two names: Chip (Chi) and Marty (Mar) Williams. Chip, Marty’s older brother, was a huge supporter of Marty and urged him to go into the homebuilding business. The Chi-Mar name is a constant reminder of Chip and the positive energy he embodied. Williams also tributes his dedicated work ethic to his father, Horace Williams, whom he considers the most influential person in his life.

Chi-Mar Construction specializes in building custom homes, as well as residential and commercial renovation. Having constructed more than 350 homes along Florida’s Emerald Coast, Chi-Mar Construction provides an unprecedented level of service and attention to clients by walking them through the building process from beginning

to end — from preliminary visions to selecting vendors and putting the final touches on a project.

An important piece of the Chi-Mar Construction foundation is community involvement and philanthropic support.

Chi-Mar Construction lends its support to charities such as Lighthouse Family Retreat and Food for Thought Outreach, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides backpacks filled with healthy food for students who are dependent on free school meals. “One of the closest organizations to my heart is Lighthouse Family Retreat,” Williams said. “It is an organization dedicated to serving children with cancer and their families through providing them with a seaside retreat.

Through this process, it is always our goal to help them to laugh, restore family relationships, and find hope in God during a difficult season in their life.”

With Williams’ strong leadership skills, demand for excellence and ability to create value, Chi-Mar has thrived in the scenic region surrounding 30A. Chi-Mar Construction has proudly been named “Best Construction Company” for three consecutive years (2014/2015/2016) by the readers of Destin Magazine, voted “Best Builder/Contractor” by the readers of Emerald Coast Magazine in 2016 and was the 2006 Parade of Homes Winner.

“Ninety percent of the houses we build are vacation homes.

To me, the thought of waking up every day knowing that I am

Photos by Tim Kramer Photography

Marty Williams

literally building someone’s dream home is an indescribable feeling.

I love the process of seeing a vision come to life,” Williams said. “It starts off as one simple meeting with sketches on a napkin, and then before you know it, you have a million-dollar dream home.”

At home, Williams enjoys making life-long memories with his wife, Catherine, and daughters, Mary Hannah and Anna Haisten.

Together, they enjoy attending USM football games, worshiping at Destin United Methodist Church, deep-sea fishing, boating, hunting and golfing.

More information on Chi-Mar Construction can be found on their website, ChiMarConstruction.com, or on their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Houzz and Pinterest.

SIGHTING SOUTHERN STARS

MAKING THE MOST of a

PERFECT OPPORTUNITY

By Nicole Ruhnke ’08

F

42

THE

took care of me throughout my time at Southern Miss, or many, it was just a video competition. For and I could not have asked for better instructors!”

Alexis Jones, it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

In the spring of 2015, Jones read about a video Recent Southern Miss graduate Alexis Jones has competition in the Mass Communication and Journalism the ability to turn everyday encounters into lasting weekly email newsletter and decided to apply. The impressions. This ability, along with unprecedented competition, sponsored by PR Council, required public hard work and dedication, landed Jones a summer relations students from across the country to create and internship in New York City with a bright future in submit a video about their “dream PR assignment,” and the field of public relations. the winner would receive an invitation to the council’s Jones joined the Southern Miss family as a transfer annual banquet in New York City. Jones’ animated video, student from Hinds Community College after taking two “Dreaming Is Believing,” received the highest number of years off from school during her grandmother’s illness. votes in the initial online voting contest As the first person from her family to and ultimately placed second in the earn a bachelor’s degree, Jones knew “The personal experiences national competition. The real victory, that her time at Southern Miss had the with the teachers made however, came with a phone call. potential to change her entire family. me feel like they cared for “I received a personal phone “It was tough to work and provide me as if they were call from Rob Flaherty, CEO for my family for two years while my parents. They took and president of Ketchum Public I wanted to be in school,” Jones Relations Agency, who also served said. “It was a struggle for sure care of me throughout my as a judge in the video competition. but definitely worth it. After my time at Southern Miss, and He said, ‘You didn’t win first place, grandmother passed away, I decided I could not have asked for but we are flying you to New York to to dedicate my education to her and better instructors!” attend the banquet as our guest!’ work really hard to make her proud.”

— ALEXIS JONES — I was speechless!”

In Jones’ own words, the University In April 2015, Jones enjoyed an “took a chance” on her, accepting her all-expense paid trip to New York City as the guest of during the middle of a fall semester. Jones could not wait to Ketchum’s top leadership team, attended the banquet begin classes, so she enrolled in an eight-week course that and visited various firms throughout the city. While her began mid-semester while she continued her on-campus video was being shown to banquet attendees, Flaherty job at Starbucks. During her time at Southern Miss, Jones hired her on the spot for a summer internship in their participated in the Public Relations Student Society of New York City office. With a signed business card America (PRSSA), worked as the social media manager as a guarantee that read, “Good for one internship at and producer for WUSM Southern Miss Today, served as Ketchum,” Jones returned to Hattiesburg to finish the a College of Arts and Letters ambassador and mentor in semester and prepare for a summer in the Big Apple.

Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity.

“I began my internship at Ketchum in June 2015 and “The entire faculty and staff in the Mass enjoyed every minute of the two-month experience,” said Communication and Journalism department made a Jones, who did not put her coursework on hold during tremendous impact on my journey,” Jones added. “The that time. “I completed 12 hours of coursework online personal experiences with the teachers made me feel over the summer, including my final French class. like they cared for me as if they were my parents. They

Alexis Jones graduated from Southern Miss in December 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations.

Jones dreams of working full-time in a major public relations agency.

Ketchum CEO and President Rob Flaherty and Mike Doyle, partner and director, guaranteed Jones a summer internship during the PR Council Awards Banquet in NYC.

Dawn Speed, vice president of internal communications and employee engagement at Ketchum, along with her husband, flew to Hattiesburg to attend Jones’ graduation from Southern Miss.

“So few students take these types of opportunities, but Alexis always does.

She is resourceful, resilient and has an amazing drive about her. Those qualities alone will get her far.”

— CINDY BL ACKWELL—

44

THE

AS SISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL OF MAS S COMMUNICATION AND JOURNALISM

My hour-and-a-half commute on the subway ended up being valuable time for practicing my French!”

While working with clients such as Michelin, Kohler, Booking.com, Waterford, Hershey and Fubu, Jones had a few days that left her star struck. “One of the highlights of the summer was meeting Archie and Eli Manning during a Father’s Day promotion for Gillette. And then on another day, I wrote a thank-you note to Kevin Hart! The entire experience was simply amazing.”

The end of the internship did not end Jones’ relationships with the leadership team at Ketchum.

In fact, Dawn Speed, vice president of internal communications and employee engagement at Ketchum, flew down to Hattiesburg with her husband to attend Jones’ December 2015 graduation ceremony at Southern Miss. This relationship, among countless others, is part of what sets Jones apart from the crowd.

“Alexis takes advantage of opportunities and can see an opportunity where others will not,” said Dr. Cindy Blackwell, assistant director of the School of Mass Communication and Journalism at Southern Miss. “She first caught my attention even before I met her by submitting her video to the national competition. So few students take these types of opportunities, but Alexis always does. She is resourceful, resilient and has an amazing drive about her. Those qualities alone will get her far.”

I’m taking on a lot of things from an academic standpoint, but if I can do this,

I CAN DO ANYTHING.

Choose.USM.edu

AA/EOE/ADAI UC 74275.5016 2.16

Bianca Stewart Major: Geography Gulf Park Campus

THE ARTS

Hub City Players will present Rock of Ages June 9-11 at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center on the Southern Miss campus.

Hub City Players Presents Regional Premiere of Rock of Ages

46

THE

When the Broadway smash musical Rock of Ages takes the stage of the Mannoni Performing Arts Center this summer during FestivalSouth, it will be helmed on and off stage by a strong contingent of Southern Miss alumni, who seek to bring a professional theatre company to Hattiesburg — and are having a very successful start.

Hub City Players was formed for a one-night-only performance in 2012.

The overflow crowd to a production titled LOL: A Showtune Cabaret spawned several more incarnations and steadily larger venues. Each year, the talented troupe of singing actors is hand-picked by founding director/producers, Mike Lopinto ’91, ’93, ’02, Tammy Mansfield ’93, ’09 and Jennifer Hart ’10.

“I am fortunate to have some of the most talented friends,” said Lopinto.

“Putting together shows is as normal for us as it was for Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. It’s what we do.”

Their reputation, along with FestivalSouth’s growing international acclaim, allowed them to pursue advance rights to perform Rock of Ages prior to its public release – and, therefore, its regional premiere in

Mississippi. The rock/jukebox musical, with a book by Chris D’Arienzo, is built around classic rock hits from the 1980s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of the decade. It features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison and Europe, among other well-known rock bands. Set in L.A.’s infamous Sunset Strip in 1987, Rock of Ages tells the story of Drew, a boy from South Detroit, and Sherrie, a small-town girl, both in L.A. to chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love. The New York Times called it “Absurdly enjoyable! About as guilty as pleasures get!”

This production will feature many familiar faces from the Hattiesburg theatre scene, as well as a few newcomers, many of whom are Southern Miss alumni or current students. The cast includes Paul VanZandt ’73, ’82, Miles Doleac ’05, Dalton Russell ’15, Lindsay Williams ’15, Joe VanZandt, Lauren Rainey, Daniel Lewis, Lauren Cate Leake, Patricia Garner, Jacob Lloyd, Michaela Moore, Alanna Hall, Michael Boyte, Latisha Hamilton, Jackson Bounds, Austin Querns and Jennie Bounds.

The show is directed by Lopinto,

music directed by Mansfield and choreographed by Chris Word ’97, all of whom were part of the “supercalifragilistic” production team of Disney’s Mary Poppins.

“We set out to cast this exciting and demanding show with the best and most collegial talent in the area. It just so happens that with the exceptional arts programs at the University, many are current students or alumni.” said Mansfield.

The Hub City Players are planning several fun events surrounding Rock of Ages, including multiple public appearances by cast members leading up to the show, an ’80s costume contest, and an after-party following the Friday performance. Rock of Ages is a fun-filled, audience participation event that will surely prove to be one of Hattiesburg’s most exciting events for FestivalSouth 2016. Audiences should note that the program includes some adult content and language.

Rock of Ages limited engagement runs June 9 - 11 at 7:30 p.m. with a special matinee performance on June 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets go on sale in April at FestivalSouth.org. More information on the Hub City Players may be found at HubCityPlayers.com.

THE ARTS

The Galways Return to Southern Miss In 1992, a lecturer pointed out at a conference in New York City that there were only five internationally known classical music celebrities in the world — Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and Sir James Galway.

Over the last decade, The University of Southern Mississippi has hosted four of those five for their only performances in the state of Mississippi.

According to Jay Dean, director of orchestral activities and professor of music at Southern Miss, that statement still holds true. “Sir James Galway is still, without question, the premier flutist in the world and has been known as that for the last 40 years. He is a household name around the world.”

On March 31, Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway will return to Hattiesburg for their third performance with the USM Symphony Orchestra as a 10-year anniversary concert following their previous visit for a Hurricane Katrina benefit concert in 2006.

Sir James and “Sir James is the Lady Jeanne Galway supreme interpreter of the classical flute repertoire,” adds Dean. “He is a consummate performer whose appeal transcends all musical boundaries and has sold over 30 million recordings worldwide. He maintains an extensive international touring schedule, makes numerous television appearances and is a passionate promoter of the arts and music education.”

Galway’s musical interpretations cover everything from classical masterpieces to commissions, and his performances have set the standard for flutists all over the world for decades. He has played on movie soundtracks, such as Lord of the Rings, and played with popular musicians like Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell and Sir Elton John. The variety of Galway’s performances

reflects his extensive musical range and has established him as global personality. Already this year, Sir James Galway opened the season at London’s Royal Albert Hall with a sold-out concert and has concert tours scheduled in Asia, Europe and throughout the United States.

In 1979 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire, and in 2001 he was knighted for Services to Music.

He has received many honors and awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gramophone (2014), the Classic Brits Award (2005), the National Concert Hall Dublin Award (2013), the Grammy President’s Merit Award (2004) and he has been added to The Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame (2008).

In addition to commissioning new works for flute, Sir James has published articles, flute studies and books. He has worked with Nagahara Flutes of Boston to create the James Galway Nagahara Flute Series. As part of their 125th anniversary, the William S. Haynes Company also produced a James Galway flute — one of which is a new 18-carat gold Nagahara flute played by his wife, Lady Jeanne, who continues to grace the international stages with her virtuosity as one of the leading female flute soloists of the decade.

“Having internationally known artists of this caliber perform with our orchestra at The University of Southern Mississippi is another in a long list of life-changing opportunities that we are able to provide to our students,” said Dean. “Ultimately, performances of this caliber uplift our entire University, community and state, and we are honored to host such incredible musical events.”

Spring 2016

47

Representatives from the College Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council participated in the second annual Greek Retreat in January.

The Alpha Omicron chapter of Phi Mu held their third annual Bonnamu event in September 2015. The music festival and carnival was held on Centennial Lawn and garnered more than $37,000 to benefit the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson.

Annual Greek Retreat Held at Gulf Park Campus The second annual Greek Retreat was held on The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus Jan. 12-14. The purpose of Greek Retreat is for chapter and council leaders to build upon existing leadership skills, cultivate new leadership skills and create a healthy environment for tri-council interaction.

More than 70 Greek leaders from the College Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council participated in the retreat. Two representatives from each of the 25 chapters, as well as all three councils’ Executive Board members, traveled to the Gulf Coast for the three-day workshop.

At the retreat, the leaders learned new ways to keep their chapters engaged in working toward success, held open discussions about the current state of their councils and established new goals for their chapters, councils and all of Greek Life at Southern Miss.

The Mu Xi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. recently traveled to Jackson to attend the Mississippi Alpha Network District Conference.

President Lorenzo Spencer was named the Mississippi District College Brother of the Year. Jaylen Hackett was announced as the winner of the Oratorical Contest. Chapter Advisor Christopher Ferrell was named the Mississippi District Chapter Advisor of the Year, and the chapter was also recognized as the Mississippi District Chapter of the Year for the second time in three years.

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The Epsilon Delta chapter of Chi Omega hosted the 64th Annual Songfest in Reed Green Coliseum in December 2015. More than $44,000 was raised for the organization’s official philanthropy, Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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EAGLE CLUB

ATHLETIC NEWS

NOTES FROM HOME

CLASS NOTES

SNAPSHOTS

ALUMNI AUTHORS

ALUMNI ALMANAC

Jay Hopson

Jay Hopson Welcomed as New Head Football Coach

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nationally in pass efficiency defense in 2002. Southern Miss led Jay Hopson, a 24-year coaching veteran on the collegiate C-USA and finished fifth nationally in pass defense during the level and twice previously a member of the Golden Eagle 2003 season, and each year during that stretch, Southern Miss coaching staff, has taken the reigns as the new head football ranked in the Top 15 nationally in scoring defense. coach for Southern Miss.

Hopson’s coaching experience also includes positions at Hopson, who accepted the position on Jan. 31, becomes the Marshall (1996-2000) and Delta State school’s 21st head football coach as the (1993) as defensive backs coach. He program embarks on its 100th playing was a member of the Herds’ 1996 season this fall.

NCAA I-AA National Championship A native of Vicksburg, Hopson staff and coached the team to four returns to Southern Miss after a straight Mid-American Conference successful four-year stint as the head championships. Hopson also held coach at Alcorn State. He worked as an defensive graduate assistant positions assistant coach for the Golden Eagles at Florida (1995), LSU (1994) and from 2001-03 (defensive backs) and Tulane (1992). then again from 2005-07 (linebackers, “It truly is a special honor and defensive coordinator). privilege to be the head coach at Hopson’s defensive units led Southern Miss,” said Hopson. “This is a Conference USA in scoring defense Hopson receives a jersey representing his role as the 21st dream job for me, a destination job for each of his three seasons as defensive head football coach at Southern Miss. me. I have spent six wonderful years coordinator. In 2006, the Golden Eagles here and hope to spend the rest of my coaching career here at led C-USA in third down defense and red zone defense, while Southern Miss, and I am blessed as this is a University that I love his 2005 unit led the league in turnovers forced per game, from the bottom of my heart. I’m just ready to get to work.” as well as led the nation in fumbles gained. During his first Hopson and his wife, Michelle, have two daughters, stint with the Golden Eagles, the defensive unit led the nation Virginia and Hannah. in fewest passing touchdowns allowed and finished fourth

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ATHLETIC NEWS

Weatherspoon holds the record as Southern Miss’ second all-time leading scorer.

Clarence Weatherspoon

Clarence Weatherspoon was honored during the USM vs.

UTSA game on Jan. 30.

Clarence Weatherspoon Day in Reed Green Coliseum On Jan. 31, Southern Miss honored one of the greatest athletes in its men’s basketball history with the declaration of Clarence Weatherspoon Day. Weatherspoon, affectionately known as Spoon, stands as the school’s all-time rebounding and blocks leader, as well as Southern Miss’ second all-time leading

scorer. He earned All-Metro Conference honors four times during his career at Southern Miss (1988-92) and was a three-time Player of the Year in the league.

Weatherspoon was taken ninth overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and played 13 seasons in the league for six NBA teams, including the Sixers,

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Remaining softball home Schedule

March 16 March 19 March 20 March 29 April 2 April 3

Golden State, Miami, Cleveland, New York and Houston.

The Crawford native earned induction into the Southern Miss M-Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006, the University’s Hall of Fame in 2007 and, most recently, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

South Alabama UAB UAB McNeese State Western Kentucky Western Kentucky

April 12 April 16 April 17 April 27 May 7 May 8

Alabama North Texas North Texas UL Monroe UTEP UTEP

EAGLE CLUB

Catching Up with Lauren Judson Former Southern Miss Lady Eagles Golf Team Member Lauren Judson came to The University of Southern Mississippi on an athletic scholarship for the Lady Eagles Golf Team. During her time at Southern Miss, Lauren excelled on the course and in the classroom despite experiencing the tragic loss of her parents during her second year of college. As a student-athlete and now as an alumna of Southern Miss, Lauren is a proud Golden Eagle.

What brought you to The University of Southern Mississippi as a student-athlete?

When I was going through the recruiting process, I had a list of criteria — a school that had a forensic science program, Division I athletics, the ability to red-shirt my freshman year and a quality coach. When I came on my official visit, I felt at home on campus and was greatly impressed with the academic and athletic side of the University. My final decision was between two schools, and needless to say, USM won by a landslide!

As you excelled in your sport, how did it feel to be a part of the Southern Miss family?

I absolutely loved (and still love) being a part of the Southern Miss family. I had a very unique and memorable experience as a student-athlete, as I had to balance school, golf and the loss of my parents when I was in my second year.

After that tragic loss, the Southern Miss community wrapped their arms around me and provided the support and tools to help me succeed in the classroom and on the golf course.

Where are you now and what are your future plans and goals?

I am currently the graduate assistant for the women’s golf team at the University of Central Arkansas and am pursuing my Master of Business Administration degree. I work under Natasha Vincent, who was a graduate assistant while I was a player at USM. I am very passionate about intercollegiate athletics and plan to pursue coaching or academic advising for student-athletes. Being a graduate assistant for the golf team allows me to continue my love for the game while learning business skills to help run my family’s foundation, the JCI Foundation. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to inspiring, mentoring and empowering young women to be leaders both personally and professionally. We are currently fulfilling this mission through the Judson Collegiate Invitational, a college golf tournament held in the summer, and the Judson Women’s Leadership Conference. The Foundation has expanded from reaching 40 players in our first year, to hosting 800 young women during a full-day leadership conference this past summer.

More information on Judson’s family foundation can be found at JCIFoundation.org.

Lauren Judson

What was your most memorable experience as a studentathlete at Southern Miss?

I had many memorable experiences as a student-athlete at Southern Miss, but two stand out to me in particular. The first was in the fall of 2011, a year after my parents passed away. Former head coach Julie Gallup nominated me for the Women’s Golf Coaches Association’s Kim Moore Spirit Award for spirit, attitude, mental toughness and being a strong role model for others. I was recognized at half-time during one of the home football games for being chosen to receive this award. The other memorable moment was when the men’s and women’s golf teams dedicated the short-game practice facility at Hattiesburg Country Club in honor of my parents.

Who has made a significant impact on you, as a studentathlete and as a young professional?

Julie Gallup has had a profound impact on my life, not only during my time at Southern Miss, but also since graduation.

She cared for the team much more deeply than the scores we shot at tournaments. The lessons she shared with me taught me to be caring, giving, thankful and understanding of people and situations.

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CLASS NOTES

SNAPSHOTS Take a little Southern Miss with you on all your adventures! As you sport the black and gold, be sure to capture those memories and send them our way.

Send usAUTHORS photos of yourself, your family and friends representing Southern Miss, and we will print as many as space allows in ALUMNI a future edition of Snapshots. Email photos* to alumni@usm.edu.

ALUMNI ALMANAC

Top Left: Christian Parrish, son of Paul ‘00 and Julie Parrish ‘07, at the Omni Hotel in Dallas, Texas with Southern Miss football players Reid Rials and Gabe Green.

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Top Right: Liam Taylor Scott, son of Jason Scott, University Police Officer, and Kristi Bruiser Scott ’13, is growing up gold!

Middle Left: David, son of Stacy Busby ’90, poses with a Southern Miss cheerleader at the USM vs.

LA Tech football game on Nov. 28.

Center: Left to right: Robert Lesley ’85, Butch Stagg ’64, Paulette Stagg, Lynda Lesley ’85, Alex Lesley and future Southern Miss student Jonathan Channell representing Southern Miss at Epcot in Disney World.

Middle Right: John ‘07 and Kimberly Huffman met Guy Harvey on their honeymoon to Grand Cayman.

Bottom Left: Bryant Medders ’90 and his nieces, Southern Miss students Maddi Cox and Callie Cox, at the Ocoee River in Tennessee.

Bottom Right: Glynn Robinson ’88 and current USM students Chris Hill and Mollie Robinson showing Golden Eagle love on a medical and vacation Bible school mission trip to a village in Northern Uganda.

CLASS NOTES

SNAPSHOTS Below: Southern Miss fans cheer on their Golden Eagles at various events, including the 2015 Zaxbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Heart of Dallas Bowl, the Caerus Mardi Gras Parade in Hattiesburg and the 2016 National Signing Day socials!

ALUMNI AUTHORS

ALUMNI ALMANAC

*For printing purposes, please save or scan your photos at a resolution of 300 dpi. If you have any questions, contact the Alumni Association at 601.266.5013.

Spring 2016

55

CLASS NOTES Now is your chance to catch up on the news and accomplishments of your fellow Golden Eagles. To submit your 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.

1960s

JOHN E. LAZENBY ’69 has been elected president of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.

1970s

JOHN MCKAY ’71 was presented with a key to the city and a proclamation declaring Jan. 19, 2016 “John McKay Day” in Ocean Springs in recognition of his long-time service as a public official.

DONNIE WILLIAMSON ’73 has been named to the Pearl River Community College Board of Trustees.

HARRY JOE THORNHILL ’75 has been recognized by Distribution NOW for 40 years of continuous employment that began with Jones and Laughlin Steel and has lasted through several mergers and acquisitions that include Smith International, Schlumberger and National Oilwell Varco.

SAM TINGLE ’77 was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 34th annual conference of the Louisiana Association of School Psychologists in Lafayette, La. Sam is completing his 30th year of providing diagnostic, educational and mental health services to students and families in the Ouachita Parish School District.

MARSHA GREEN KING ’79, ’99 married Jim King on Oct. 30, 2015, in Sevierville, Tenn.

1980s

VIRGINIA KENNY ‘80, was named chief nursing officer at Hancock Medical Center.

R. BEN YOUNG, CPA ’80 was named a partner of Alexander, Van Loon, Sloan, Levens and Favre, an accounting and business consulting firm in Gulfport.

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CLASS NOTES

ALUMNI BOOKSHELF

Sacrifice and Survival: Identity, Mission, and Jesuit Higher Education in the American South Dr. Eric Platt ’04, ’06 University of Alabama Press, 2014

ANDY MERCIER ’83, ’84 of Hattiesburg was named one of the top CEOs in the state of Mississippi at the CEO Awards of Mississippi.

KATHY GRIFFIN LADNER ‘84 has been promoted to vice president of patient care/quality at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport.

CHECK OUT THESE BOOKS BY ALUMNI AUTHORS 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.

Behind the Lectern Hal J. Daniel III Chiron Review Press, 2015

It Was the Bottom of the Fifth and the Bassist was Loaded Timothy C. Lockley ’75 Merry Blacksmith Publishing, 2015

John Lewis ‘50 recently celebrated his 91st birthday and is enjoying his retirement in Florida after a fulfilling career and happy family life with five children and his late wife, Dorothy. John received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from The University of Southern Mississippi and worked with the U.S. government for many years — most notably for the USDA, where his research on resins and polyurethanes earned five U.S. patents. A life-long advocate for environmental protection, John plans to donate to USM’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory for their work in marsh preservation and gulf restoration. John resides at Willowbrook Assisted Living in Lake City, Fla., and enjoys a quality, carefree lifestyle.

CURT HÉBERT ’85 was named a 2015 Mississippi Business Journal “Top Ten” Leadership in Law recipient.

DR. JOHN B. ROBERSON ’86, boardcertified oral and maxillofacial surgeon of Hattiesburg, was inducted into the American College of Dentists on Nov. 5, 2015, in Washington, D.C.

Spring 2016

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CLASS NOTES

Kerri Green Gregory ‘99 was named Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015 by the Women’s Business Alliance for the State of Alabama. She is the owner and operator of Diversified Healthcare, a private home health care business in Fairhope, Ala. Kerri started the business six years ago to meet a need in her community and now her business has grown to employ more than 47 people and serves the Mobile and Baldwin County areas.

DR. CHRISTY THORNTON ‘88, a native of Jackson, was named the district health officer for the Mississippi Department of Health’s Coastal Plains Public Health District IX. JIM WARREN ‘88 of Jackson was recently elected by the presidents of nine southern state tennis associations to act as chair and representative on the USTA Southern Board of Directors during 2016.

JOHN DAVIS ‘89 has been named executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services by Gov. Phil Bryant.

1990s Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College has hired ROBIN JEFFRIES ’90 as the college’s new athletic director.

DR. LYNN TINCHERLADNER ’90 was named CEO and president of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

TOM ANDERSON ‘91 will assume the role of chief executive officer and president of GuideWell Allegiance while retaining his current responsibilities of vice president, chief legal counsel, compliance officer and secretary at GuideWell Source.

YVONNE FRY ’91 of Plant City, Fla., is named one of four Women of Distinction

by The Girl Scouts of West Central Florida.

WENDY BRACEY ’92 will serve on the Pearl River Community College Board of Trustees as superintendent of Marion County Schools.

CHRISTINA SUMRALL ‘92 of Poplarville was named College Counselor of the Year by the Mississippi Counseling Association.

G. GARY THIEL ’96, ‘98 is a special agent with the federal government in Atlanta, Ga., and has been working in federal law enforcement since 2010.

ANGELA THORNTON ‘96 has been named director for the Corporate Center at The College of Southern Maryland.

BYRON MCCAULEY ‘98 has been named engagement editor at Enquirer Media in Cincinnati, Ohio.

P. LYNN BELL, DO ‘99 a Hattiesburg Clinic physician, has been awarded the President’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service in the area of pain management.

ADELLE REGISTER ‘99, principal of Ocean Springs Middle School, was chosen as the district’s 2016 Administrator of the Year.

2000s

REBECCA BOUDREAUX, PH.D. ’01, president of Oberon Fuels Inc., has been named chair of the International Dimethyl Ether (DME) Association (IDA).

DAVID AURICH ’02, ’06 has accepted a position at the College of Charleston to serve as the associate dean of students.

JESSICA ROGERS ’02, ’04 has been named associate vice president for advancement and associate director of the Foundation at New College of Florida.

Merit Health Medical Group is proud to welcome pediatrician ASTRID COMPTON, M.D. ’03 to Hattiesburg.

DAVID JACKSON ’03 has joined Citizens National Bank as a relationship banker at the Castlewoods office in Brandon.

JOSHUA RODGERS ’03 graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law on May 17, 2015.

PAMELA WEAVER ‘03 has been named

by Mississippi Development Authority to serve as chief marketing officer.

Dr. Margaret Ferguson ’90 was appointed by Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis as interim senior associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. In her previous role of assistant vice president for statewide academic relations, she coordinated processes across the university for degree and program approvals and represented new degree programs and academic policies before the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. In her new position, she will provide leadership and vision for the direction of faculty affairs and faculty life at IUPUI, as well as provide significant leadership in shaping programs and events that develop faculty talent and leadership at all stages of career advancement.

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NOTES FROM HOME

CLASS NOTES LISA BYRD ‘06, Family Nurse Practitioner-Board SNAPSHOTS Certified and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified, has joined the ALUMNI AUTHORS primary care clinic on the campus of Merit Health Rankin.

ALUMNI ALMANAC ERIN WALLER ‘06 was named Daviess County Public Library director.

ADAM ’06, ’07 and ASHTON MYERS HURST ’11 welcomed daughter Harlow Grace on Jan. 21, 2016.

Glenda MacMullin ’76, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of the Consumer Technology Association, received the Women in Consumer Technology 2016 Legacy Award in Las Vegas, Nev. MacMullin was recognized for her service and accomplishments in the consumer technology industry, as well as her leadership skills and commitment to the advancement for women.

DON LOEHR ‘07, and wife Kellie, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Lucas Daniel Loehr, born March 31, 2015. The Loehr family resides in Baltimore, Md., where Don is a service manager with the Cintas Corporation.

CHAD HILL ‘08 has joined The Citizen’s Bank as vice president and Hattiesburg Branch manager.

Gov. Phil Bryant has appointed Joey Songy ‘07 as chief of staff, replacing Lucien Smith, who plans to return to private law practice. Songy has served as policy adviser, counsel and, more recently, policy director for Bryant’s administration. He assumed the chief of staff position Jan. 13. Songy is a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a bachelor’s degree in health care administration. He earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi. Songy and his wife, Kate, live in Jackson and have one child, Joseph.

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Judge Dawn Beam was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant to the Mississippi Supreme Court effective Jan. 31. Beam’s appointment will run until the position is filled by the November 2016 elections. “I am pleased to appoint Judge Beam to the Mississippi Supreme Court,” Gov. Bryant said. “Her experience as a Chancery Judge, prosecutor and a private practice attorney will be valuable in this role. Her work earlier in her career at the Mississippi Department of Human Services dealing with federal compliance and protecting the children of Mississippi will be beneficial to the Court, and I know she will serve the citizens of Mississippi well.” Since 2010, Beam has been a Mississippi Chancery Judge for the 10th District, presiding over cases in Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Pearl River counties. Beam holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from the University of Mississippi and earned her juris doctor degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law. She and her husband, Stephen ’77, are Life Members of the Southern Miss Alumni Association.

PATRICK ’08 and LISA KNIGHT LOWERY ’08, ’10 welcomed daughter Harper Anne on Jan. 11, 2016 MACAULAY WHITAKER ’08 received the 2016 Ray and Jimmy Heidel Economic Development Leadership Award from the Mississippi Economic Development Council.

KATE RUDZKI UHLE ’08, and husband, Jack, welcomed daughter Ava Elizabeth on Dec. 15, 2015.

JAN STROHMEYER BRIEN, PH.D. ’09 was named by East Jefferson General Hospital as the institution’s senior vice president of human resources and chief human resources officer.

CHRISTOPHER DUNN ‘09 of Magee has been promoted to senior vice president of People’s Bank.

SAMANTHA MCCAIN ’09, ’10 recently joined The Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi as the new communications coordinator.

2010s

TIFFANY R. PAIGE ‘10 was named director of admissions and diversity initiatives of the Mississippi College School of Law.

NOTES FROM HOME

CLASS NOTES

Ashley Edwards ’14, who has served as CEO of the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission since 2013, was named director of the Gulf Coast Business Council Dec. 1, 2015.

Edwards is the third director of the organization that gave coast businesses a unified voice following Hurricane Katrina. Notable accomplishments of the group include working to bring down insurance rates following the storm and serving as leadership to create Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast to promote tourism across the three counties.

APRILLE A. WILLIAMS ’10 is currently in graduate school at the University of Memphis majoring in environmental nutrition and is an independent consultant for Ava Anderson Non-Toxic Company.

BLAKE FELDMAN ’11 recently graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law and accepted a position with ACLU of Mississippi as the advocacy coordinator for criminal justice reform.

In Memoriam

LINDA R. SARTOR ’38 of Quitman died November 21, 2015.

MARY P. MORGAN ’40 of Smithdale died January 8, 2016.

JEAN J. DEGGES ’41 of Baton Rouge, La., died November 14, 2015.

WILMER S. BOND ’42 of Hattiesburg died October 25, 2015.

HATTIE P. DECELL ’42 of Port St. Lucie, Fla., died November 11, 2015.

BERNICE F. PATIN ’45 of Groves, Texas, died December 16, 2015.

WARREN E. PITTMAN ’46 of Southaven died November 4, 2015.

JOY D. MCGREGOR ’47 of Pascagoula died October 20, 2015.

FRANK G. BEAM ’48 of Ocean Springs died November 24, 2015.

AUSTIN Z. HANNER ’49 of Percy, Ark., died October 18, 2015.

ARLINE M. WOLVERTON ’50 of Pensacola, Fla., died December 19, 2015.

BEN DONALD ’12 has joined Keesler Federal Credit Union as the branch manager for the Hattiesburg location.

JOE HERNANDEZ ’12 married Shannon M. Hernandez in March 2015, completed his mid-tenure review process at Catawba College, and was approved to join the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

JAMES JONES ’13 is working SNAPSHOTS as a quality engineering manager, ALUMNI AUTHORS and his wife KYANTA ’12 is working as a litigationALUMNI paralegalALMANAC for a defense firm.

LYDIA WINDHAM ’13 was promoted to senior associate of BBK LLP in Jackson.

JOSEPH ODENWALD ’15 married Laura Juengling on Oct. 3, 2015.

NICOLET HOPPER ’15 was engaged to Preston Bell on Oct. 11, 2015. The couple is to wed on July 16, 2016, in Hattiesburg.

KELLY ELIZABETH LOTT ’13 was married to Dr. Donald Sacco on Jan. 9, 2016.

HARRY W. BARBER ’51 of Baton Rouge, La., died December 20, 2015.

HAZEL M. BENSON ’51 of Texarkana, Texas, died October 30, 2015.

JOY B. GILLESPIE ’51 of Hattiesburg died December 31, 2015.

HERBERT W. HOLDER ‘52 of Gulfport died November 29, 2015.

LOUIS WALSH ’53 of Clinton died October 31, 2015.

MARY L. ADAMS ’54 of Gulfport died November 20, 2015.

SARAH E. STEELMAN ’56 of Meridian died November 20, 2015.

EVELYN WELLONS ’56 of Columbia died January 16, 2016.

RAYMOND H. BONONES ’57 of Hattiesburg died February 4, 2016.

KAY MCINNIS ’57, ’61 of Ocean Springs died December 7, 2015.

JAMES W. HAMRICK JR. ’58 of Daphne, Ala., died October 30, 2015.

PEGGY R. KING ’58, ’59 of Amory died November 2, 2015.

J. T. PALMER ’43 passed away Dec. 27, 2015, at the age of 94. He was a professor and administrator at USM in the 1940s and 1950s. He was the founder and first initiate of the Epsilon Upsilon chapter of Alpha Tau Omega at Southern Miss and stayed actively involved with the chapter throughout his life, attending Homecoming as recently as fall of 2014. His legacy is honored and remembered by the J. T. Palmer ATO Scholarship C/O USM Foundation.

PEGGY R. LEE ’58 of Carson died October 28, 2015.

STEVE W. HARTZOG ’60 of Silver Creek died October 20, 2015.

ABBIE FRANCES THOMAS ’60 of Ellisville died January 6, 2016.

JOSEPH H. CREWS ’61 of Fallbrook, Calif., died October 26, 2015.

Spring 2016

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NOTES FROM HOME

CLASS NOTES

ESTON CAIN “SONNY” BASKIN SNAPSHOTS ’49 of Jackson passed away Jan. 31, 2015. At Southern Miss, Baskin served as the grand master ALUMNI AUTHORS for Kappa Sigma Fraternity, president of the lnterfraternity Council and was a member of the ALMANAC StudentALUMNI Body Council.

He was a charter member of the Big Gold Club, a former member of the Board of Directors and Advisory Committee of the Eagle Club and the Board of Directors of the M-Club.

Baskin was inducted into the USM Alumni Hall of Fame in 1990.

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SCOTT HAND ’61 of Corinth died December 9, 2015.

JOE B. THOMPSON ’61 of Bassfield died January 20, 2016.

JERRY VAUGHN ’61, ’67 of Milton, Fla., died November 24, 2015.

NELDA R. BISHOP ’62 of Clinton died November 10, 2015.

ROBERT J. KUEHN JR. ’62 of Brandon died November 8, 2015.

ADAM J. ORTIZ ’62, ’65 of Gulfport died December 19, 2015.

ROBERT E. BLACK ’63 died November 4, 2015.

OLA I. SAUL ’63, ’74 of Lumberton died January 5, 2016.

PATRICIA A. CARRUTH ’64, ’70 of Summit died December 21, 2015.

STEVEN C. ERWIN ’66 of Shreveport, La., died October 28, 2015.

KATHLEEN V. SMITH ’66, ’77 of Gulfport died October 28, 2015.

NEIL HONAN ’66 of Hazelhurst died February 4, 2016.

JOHN T. JACKS ’68 of Madison died January 24, 2016.

ALBERT S. MCKENZIE ’68 of Lakeland, Fla., died December 18, 2015.

BETTY TOPP CALAHAN ’69 of Slidell, La., died on January 1, 2016.

DAVID J. ELLISON ’69 of Omaha, Neb., died December 31, 2015.

JOHN E. SIMMONS ’69 of Stringer died October 17, 2015.

CAROLYN D. SMITH ’69 of Hermanville died December 31, 2015.

ANTHONY CALLIA ’70 of Pensacola, Fla., died December 9, 2015.

COLLEEN O. DALTON ’70 of Oxford died December 20, 2015.

RUTH ANDREWS-PHILLIPS ’70, ’73 of Wiggins died November 13, 2015.

JERRY A. LOTT ’70 of Cocoa, Fla., died January 19, 2016.

LINDA W. PATRICK ’70, ’74 of Columbus died January 7, 2016.

SHERRY W. RASCO ’70 of Hattiesburg died November 1, 2015.

JUDITH B. HARPER ’71 of Covington, La., died November 20, 2015.

BILLIE S. MCRAE ’71 of Leesville, La., died December 27, 2015.

LORRAINE OTT ’71 of Hattiesburg died November 9, 2015.

JAMES M. BROWN ’72 of Laurel died October 28, 2015.

MARIAN E. CURRY ’72, ’80 of New Orleans, La., died October 3, 2015.

CHARLES N. HUGHES ’72 of Morton died January 1, 2016.

JANELLE I. JONES ’72 of Laurel died December 22, 2015.

RONALD E. WARD ‘72 of Hattiesburg died September 10, 2015.

BARBARA J. CLARK ’73 of Hattiesburg died November 14, 2015.

JANIS M. MAY ’74 of Hattiesburg died October 21, 2015.

ALVIS L. DYE ‘75 of Sardis died October 30, 2015.

ROBERT H. MAXWELL ’75 of Pascagoula, Fla., died November 6, 2015.

WILLIAM C. COLKET ’76 of Bradenton, Fla., died December 23, 2015.

LENARD S. FISHMAN ’76 of Biloxi died October 18, 2015.

THOMAS V. FLAIR ’76 of Folsom, La., died November 18, 2015.

BENTON GORDON ’77 of McMinnville, Ore., died November 22, 2015.

SHIRLEY M. KNEALE ’79 of Covington, La., died December 28, 2015.

RAYMOND L. SCARBROUGH ’79 of Soso died November 18, 2015.

BARBARA J. ROCHE ’80 of Edgewater, Fla., died January 6, 2016.

CELESTINE AKER ’82 of Ridgeland died November 22, 2015.

DAVID SUTTON ’82 of Big Spring, Texas, died January 9, 2016.

REBECCA A. WEBSTER ’83, ’84 of Madison died December 31, 2015.

JOHN W. COURSEY JR. ’84 of Madison died January 2, 2016.

DONALD M. PATERSON JR. ’84 of Brookhaven died October 22, 2015.

EDWIN L. PITTMAN ’85 of Hattiesburg died January 2, 2016.

MICHAEL R. SCHAEFER ’85 of Diamondhead died January 7, 2016.

MICHAEL R. STAINAKER ’86 of Columbia, S.C., died November 15, 2015.

JAMES M. CALCOTE JR. ’89 of Gulfport died November 14, 2015.

CURTIS E. BLOODWORTH ’90 of Biloxi died January 5, 2016.

JEWELL S. NAYLOR ’90 of Helena, Ark., died December 7, 2015.

TERRY MILLER ‘91 of Ocean Springs died December 31, 2015.

DAVID W. BUTTS ’92 of Hattiesburg died January 3, 2016.

STACEY J. WALKER ’93 of Hattiesburg died January 5, 2016.

ALBERT GROB ’95, ’03 of Wiggins died December 9, 2015.

JEFFREY HOLLAND ’97 of Ocean Springs died November 7, 2015.

JANELLE O. CLAY ‘98 of Gulfport died October 16, 2015.

DAVID K. BATES ’99 of Liberty died November 20, 2015.

LEWIS E. EVERETT JR. ’99 of Meridian died November 28, 2015.

AUTUMN B. FURY ’99 of Patuxent River, Md., died November 21, 2015.

BRIAN A. JENNINGS ’99 of Franklin, N.C., died January 2, 2016.

HEATHER R. MOAK ’00 of Madison died January 17, 2016.

CHRISTOPHER MONTIFORTE ‘01 of Biloxi died November 25, 2015.

TANYA L. BASS ’02 of McComb died December 30, 2015.

BON P. SUAREZ ’02 of Hammond, La., died November 27, 2015.

MELISSA S. HAMMONS ’04 of Raleigh died December 28, 2015.

PATRICK M. ARROYO ’11 of Ocean Springs died December 9, 2015.

JOSHUA CLAVERIE died on November 28, 2015.

DAVID M. SUSSUMS of Jackson died March 13, 2014.

ONT B 32059 FR

BLACK,

CLASS NOTES E EGE DRIV 118 COLL BOX 5013 URG, MS 39406 HATTIESB R HIP YEA MEMBERS HIP 2010-2011 TIVE MEMBERS AC 50 YEARS 032687

This listing contains current participants in The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association’s C.A.R.D. Program. By presenting either your Southern Miss Alumni Association annual dues membership card or your Life Membership card, you will receive the discount noted by each participant. The program is designed to bring added value to your membership in the Alumni Association and to thank you for your support of Southern Miss.

Aaron’s Sales and Lease

50% discount on first month’s payment on any new lease agreement Anderson’s Rug Market 10% discount on any rug purchase Bourne Brothers Printing 10% discount on any service Chesterfield’s* 10% off entrée Classic Concepts/ACE Home Center 10% discount on purchases or rentals Comfort Inn-The Lodge* 10% off rack rate Comfort Suites* 10% off rack rate Command Spanish, Inc 20% discount on online language courses at commandspanishonline.com when applying USMAA20 promotional code Community Bank of MS (mortgage) $200 discount on select services Firehouse Subs Free drink with purchase of sandwich The First, A Natl. Banking Assoc. $200 discount on closing costs on mortgage loans Golden Eagle Storage 5% discount on rental Grand Bank $100 discount on mortgage loan closing costs Hattiesburg Zoo $1 off admission Heritage Vision Center 10% discount on all eyeglasses and sunglasses for regular members and 20% discount for Life Members Holiday Inn 10% off rack rate Holiday Inn Express, Lucedale 15% off standard room rate Hopson Law Firm, PLLC Free initial consultation on any contingency fee case, 10% discount on consultation fee on non-contingency cases Kitchen Table 10% discount on cooking classes Lance Computer Systems 20% discount on normal labor charges Leatha’s Bar-B-Que Inn 10% discount on all purchases McLeod & Associates, P.A. 10% discount on estate planning, business entity formation and other legal services Mike’s Tire and Wheel 10% discount on all sales Mosquito Defense Solutions $150 discount on system installation Newk’s Express Café 10% discount on purchases, excluding alcohol Oak Grove Plaza Package Store 10% discount on purchases Oak Grove Rental 10% discount on rental items / not valid with other offer O’Charley’s* 10% discount on all purchases, excluding alcohol Owen’s Business Machines 10% discount on selected items Parris Jewelers 10% discount on all items Pine Belt Promos 10% discount on any purchase Pine Burr Country Club $5 off one 18-hole round of golf Priceless Rent-a-Car 10% discount on rental cars, trucks and passenger vans Prime Mortgage, Inc. $250 closing cost discount Signs First* 15% discount on Southern Miss-related signs Simmons Furniture 10% discount on all items Sonic Drive Inn on Hwy 11 Free 20 oz. drink or slush with purchase of #1 or #2 burger Southern Interiors 5% discount on flooring Southern Oaks Catering 10% discount on takeout orders (weddings excluded) Southern Oaks Florist 15% discount on funeral, hospital and home arrangements (weddings excluded) Southern Oaks House and Gardens 20% discount on facility and room rentals Tall Pines Farm 10% discount on gift baskets and catering University Florist 10% discount on all purchases (excluding holiday’s and wire outs) Weekender $10 off purchase of $50 or more ^ All discounts subject to change or termination without prior notice. Please verify discount with provider before making purchase. *Hattiesburg locations only.

SOUTHERN MISS ALUMNI MARKETING PARTNERS Continue your support of The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association by doing business with the Association’s Marketing Partners. By utilizing the goods and services of these marketing partners, you will be generating additional revenue to support the programming and operations of the Association.

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 1.866.418.0320.

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).

Liberty Mutual Liberty Mutual is the official home and auto insurer of the Southern Miss Alumni Association.

For more information, call 1.800.981.2372.

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.

Barnes and Noble Your school. Your bookstore. Located on the Hattiesburg campus of The University of Southern Mississippi. For more information, call 601.266.4381.

Now

THEN

AND

NOW

Brett Favre received the ultimate accolade on Feb. 6 by earning election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first time on the ballot. As the second Golden Eagle to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame following Ray Guy, Favre will be enshrined in August in Canton, Ohio.

Look for even more news on Brett Favre, including his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in the Fall 2016 issue of The Talon!

Spring 2016

63

Southern S C E N E S T HE PE T E

Pete Taylor and Hill Denson are legends among Southern Miss baseball fans and are immortalized as the namesakes of the Golden Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; home stadium. Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field has been the home of Southern Miss baseball since 1984 when the facility was opened. The Pete, as it is nicknamed, has seated more than one million fans who have entered its gates, placing the Southern Miss Golden Eagles among the top teams in the nation in game attendance.

As the 2016 season kicked off in February, fans and players both enjoyed the addition of padding to the entire outfield fence. New padding was also installed along the wall that a separates the playing field from the bullpen and batting cage area. This new padding not only adds an aesthetic enhancement to the park, but also adds a great safety benefit to the players during practice and games.

With more than half of the season left to play, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still plenty of time to watch your Golden Eagles at the Pete!

REMAINING HOME GAMES O F T H E 2016 S E A S O N: March 15 March 24-26 April 8-10 April 22-24 April 26 May 6-8 May 13-15 May 25-29

Alabama UTSA Middle Tennessee State Rice UL Lafayette Western Kentucky Louisiana Tech Conference USA Tournament

For a full schedule, visit SouthernMiss.com.

STUDENTS

Mississippi's most important investment

Today’s economy. Jobs of tomorrow. The future prosperity of our communities is built on the success of our state’s university students. That’s why investing in higher education is critical.

leaders, Mississippi’s public universities are committed to our students’ success. Our graduates are prepared for any career, and they’re proving they'll make a difference in moving our state forward.

From providing opportunities for first-generation and nontraditional students to developing skills for a new generation of business, government, and community

The return on investing in higher education?

Mississippi’s future.

Alcorn State University | Delta State University | Jackson State University Mississippi State University | Mississippi University for Women | Mississippi Valley State University The University of Mississippi | The University of Southern Mississippi

W W W. M I S S I S S I P PI . ED U

VI S I T

601.268.3220

HATTIESBURG.ORG

The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association 118 College Drive, #5013 Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5013 PERIODICAL

Hattiesburg Country Club EVENTS

DINE

TENNIS

RELAX

HATTIESBURG COUNTRY CLUB…THE PERFECT VENUE FOR: + + + +

GOLFING EVENTS WEDDING EVENTS BUSINESS MEETINGS RECEPTIONS

+ + + +

SOCIAL OCCASIONS LUNCHEONS / DINNERS REUNIONS PRIVATE MEETINGS

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING EVENT BOOKING, CONTACT T HARRIS DUPREATAT(601) (601)264-5076.

264-5076.

EAMMY LIZABETH FOREMAN 61 Classic Drive • Hattiesburg, MS 39402 Phone: (601) 264-5076 • www.hattiesburgcountryclub.com