From its earliest days in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has grown through shared belief and steady commitment. What began with modest means and bold aspiration has become a nationally recognized research university — shaped over time by people who understood that meaningful progress is never accidental.
Through the USM Foundation, every gift becomes part of something larger. Each investment supports learning, discovery and leadership, creating space for students and faculty to reach higher and imagine further.
This year’s Impact Report celebrates the generosity of you — our alumni, donors and friends — whose investments continue to shape Southern Miss, not in a single moment, but across generations.
As you turn the page, we invite you to explore how Southern Miss is built — thoughtfully, collectively and with care — one branch at a time.
Letter from the University President
We often talk about momentum at Southern Miss; honoring where we’ve been, recognizing where we are and confidently building toward what’s next. This year’s Impact Report tells that story, and it begins with a simple but powerful question: How does an eagle build its nest?
Simply put: not all at once, and never alone.
An eagle builds its nest one branch at a time — with intention, patience and purpose. In much the same way, Southern Miss has been built by generations of people who believed in this institution and invested in its future. Each gift and each act of support have strengthened the foundation that allows our Golden Eagles to take flight.
Our legacy is one of grit, the resolve to set bold goals and pursue them with uncommon passion and relentless persistence. That defining trait lives in our students, faculty, staff and in you: the alumni and friends who continue to show up for this University year after year. Together, we have navigated challenges, seized opportunities and built meaningful momentum in an increasingly competitive landscape.
But grit alone does not build a nest. Collective strength does.
The progress highlighted in this report is the result of many hands working together — alumni opening doors for students through scholarship and program investments and friends who believe deeply in the mission of Southern Miss. No single contribution stands alone; each one is part of something larger, stronger and enduring.
That is how generations of impact take shape. The support you provide is not only transforming lives but also shaping opportunities for students who have yet to step onto our campuses. It is fueling discovery, expanding access, strengthening communities and ensuring that Southern Miss continues to deliver value well beyond the classroom.
At the heart of it all is our shared purpose. Thank you for loving Southern Miss, for believing in our work and for helping build this nest. Because of you, our future is strong, our momentum is real and our Golden Eagles are becoming future oriented and ready for life.
Dr. Joseph S. Paul
Southern Miss to the Top!
Letter from the Executive Director
In my role as Executive Director of the USM Foundation, I have a distinctive vantage point on campus. I have the privilege of watching and interacting with our students and seeing what they are accomplishing every day. Their drive, resilience and determination are made possible, in large part, because of you and your belief in their potential and investment in their futures.
Students thrive when they are supported, encouraged and given the tools they need to succeed. Much like an eagle carefully builds its nest — strong, intentional and designed to help its young grow and take flight — your generosity helps create an environment where students feel grounded, confident and prepared for what lies ahead. Because of you, students are not only able to pursue their education, but to do so with the resources, mentorship and opportunities that allow them to truly flourish.
Your support touches students at every stage of their journey. It helps remove financial barriers, strengthens academic experiences, provides world-class facilities and opens doors to hands-on learning that prepares them for life beyond graduation. More importantly, it sends a powerful message to our students: they are seen, they are supported and they are believed in.
Philanthropic support of faculty, particularly through endowed professorships, plays a vital role in strengthening this nest. These investments allow the university to attract and retain exceptional educators, scholars and mentors who are deeply committed to student success. Endowed faculty bring innovation into the classroom, expand research opportunities and provide personalized guidance that challenges students to think critically and reach higher. Through these relationships, students gain not only knowledge, but inspiration and confidence that help them prepare for leadership beyond the campus.
As you explore this year’s Impact Report, I hope you feel proud of the role you play in shaping student success. You will see how philanthropy helps our students build confidence and discover their purpose, preparing them to make meaningful contributions to their communities — all because caring individuals like you helped build the nest that supports their growth.
We are deeply grateful for your commitment to the students we serve, the faculty that teach, advise and guide them and the facilities that provide a superior learning environment. Your generosity continues to transform lives and create pathways for students to rise, reach and soar toward their goals.
Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Your investment in students today is shaping the leaders, innovators and professionals of tomorrow.
SMTTT!
Stace Mercier ’89, ’96 Executive Director
The
University
of Southern Mississippi Foundation
Letter from the Board President
Quite remarkable! These are the words that come to mind when I think about the tremendous momentum building at Southern Miss. Because of so many loyal supporters like you dedicated to forward thinking, the Foundation remains on an upward trajectory ensuring that our students are not only Ready for Life, but also that our beloved institution is firmly planted in the ground of exceptionalism.
At Southern Miss, we take great pride in being Golden Eagles. As I reflect on that identity, I am reminded that the eagle is no ordinary bird. It is revered as a symbol of freedom, courage and vision. It soars above the clouds, riding the wind, scanning the horizon with highly observant eyes and a fearless heart.
But what’s often forgotten about an eagle is that it doesn’t fly alone. It relies on rising winds, air currents and the support of the environment around it. And before it ever soars, it must first be nurtured in the nest.
Likewise, that is the role each of us plays.
Our students are perched on the edge of that nest. Some are first-generation college students. Some are working multiple jobs while carrying a full course load. Others are navigating challenges we may never see, yet they continue showing up each day in classrooms, labs, studios and on fields with the hope that their hard work will lift them to new heights.
But no eagle can fly by willpower alone.
It takes opportunity. It takes support. It takes a community that believes in the power of education and the promise of potential.
This progress would not be possible without the generosity and commitment you have shown. Your belief in Southern Miss and its students makes a lasting impact every day. When you give through scholarships, programs or facilities, you are not simply funding a need — you are creating a launchpad. You are telling students their dreams matter and helping provide the lift they need to soar.
It is because of the combined efforts of the University community, alumni investment, donors with a zeal to create a platform for student success and partners who believe that investing in Southern Miss expands opportunity, that our students are able to attend, succeed and thrive within our campus community.
When you advocate for Southern Miss in your communities, wear black and gold with pride and share the story of this university, you extend our reach. When you mentor a student, open a door or make a connection, you become the wind beneath their wings. Together, we form the collective lift that raises not only individual students, but the entire university.
As you review this edition of the Impact Report, you will see firsthand what happens when donors, alumni, friends and partners work together to build the nest and create future legacies. You will see how generous support fuels student success, strengthens academic programs and advances the mission of Southern Miss. I am confident you will be as proud and inspired as I am.
We are deeply grateful for your unyielding generosity and engagement. The growing support we have witnessed is transforming opportunities and positioning Southern Miss to expand its impact even further. As board president, I am grateful for your continued belief in this university. You are an indelible part of this community and an integral player in our continuous effort to soar with upward momentum.
Together, we lift one another. Together, we build opportunity. Together, we ensure that the next generation of Golden Eagles has the wind they need to rise.
SMTTT!
President,
Board of Directors
Board Leadership
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Cindy Gaddis ’85 Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Retired Vice President Finance Global Downstream Controller – Shell PLC
Mary Glenn Bradley CPA - Voss and Associates, PLLC
Chris Anderson ’95 Immediate Past President Chair; Department of Surgery – University of Mississippi Medical Center
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carlen Chestang ’84 Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 (Human Resources Director) U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command
Alan Coats ’78 Director – BlackHorn Partners, LLC & Retired Senior Director – Halliburton
Beverly Dale ’68 Retired Health Industry Professional, Philanthropist & Social Advocate
Partner - TMH
Robert Donnell ’92
Omar Nelson ’94 President Attorney – Gibbs Travis, PLLC
Scott Lanehart ’99 Vice President Owner & President –Lanehart Incorporated
Stace Mercier ’89, ’96 Secretary & Executive Director The USM Foundation
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Board Leadership
Kidd
Vice President for Campus LifeWake Forest University
Vice President of Communications and Community RelationsPayne Companies
Lightsey ’73 Retired Business Owner – SunTech
– St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Retired Accounting Professor –The University of Southern Mississippi & Alabama A&M University
George Edwards ’81 Chairman of the BoardEnergy Capital Credit Union
Louie Ehrlich ’81 President - Ehrlich Capital, LLC and Retired CIO - Chevron
Debra Hendricks Gibbs ’79 Judge - Hinds County Circuit Court
Kevin Gilbert ’94, ’96 Assistant Superintendent –South Orange- Maplewood School District, Maplewood, N.J.
Nancy Nause Horton ’73 Independent Practice Psychologist and Health Services Consultant
Shea
Brown ’02
Joy
Vickie Lock ’08 Registered Nurse
Adele Lyons ’86, ’88 Former Chief Executive Officer – Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Gerald Mumford ’00, ’02 Owner and AttorneyThe Mumford Law Firm, PLLC
Jennifer Payne ’04
Rhonda Phillips ’83, ’86 President
Roderick Posey ’74, ’75
DeMario Smith ’97 Executive Strategic Partner –American Fidelity Assurance Company
Edward Taylor ’87 Chief Customer Officer - Ferrara
Adalius Thomas ’99 Chief Executive Officer –FSV Tech, LLC
Raymond VanNorman ’87, ’89 Executive Vice President and South Mississippi President, Renasant Bank
Susan Williams ’78,’80 Vice President - Kalalou, Inc
Branch by Branch: The Enduring Legacy of Paul H. “Bud” Holmes
Paul H. “Bud” Holmes built his life in places where decisions mattered and consequences lingered — military bases, courtrooms, public office and locker rooms — never confusing service with comfort or conviction with applause.
From military service and the practice of law to politics and professional sports, Holmes moved through systems of power, order and accountability with a hard-earned understanding of how they work and where they fall short.
He believed in showing up, standing firm and serving something larger than himself, including The University of Southern Mississippi, a place that helped shape his path.
The road that led there, however, was neither simple nor assured.
Rooted in Family, Forged by Loss
A lifelong resident of the Pine Belt, Holmes’ calling to the law was deeply rooted in family. His father, D.W. Holmes Sr., was a respected prosecutor and municipal judge who was elected mayor of Hattiesburg in 1948. His mother, Mary Lee Harden Holmes, would later serve as mayor herself after D.W. was killed in a head-on collision in 1950, an event that reshaped the family and altered the course of Bud’s life.
The youngest of three children, Holmes grew up surrounded by examples of service. His brother, D.W. Holmes Jr., served at Guadalcanal during World War II, while his sister, Margaret, worked in Washington, D.C., and earned her law degree from Villanova.
A young man when his father’s life was tragically cut short, he was left to suddenly navigate a future without his father. “I remember, like it was yesterday, when the chief policeman knocked on the door,” he shared softly. “They asked to see mother. I knew then, you know. It must be about my daddy.”
At his father’s graveside, Dr. R.C. Cook, then president of Southern Miss, offered quiet counsel
that would prove decisive, encouraging Holmes to take a job on campus. In the absence of his father, that moment of support became a steadying hand — an early branch tying him to Southern Miss, placed when the ground beneath him was still unsteady.
Following that advice, Holmes began his journey at Southern Miss (then Mississippi Southern College) working in the campus bookstore. It was a formative season marked by long hours, responsibility and resolve.
“Every day, around midnight, I would come in from the bookstore — then, I’d be out there at six to unload the books into the store and be in class by eight. I was there more than class,” he admitted.
He graduated two semesters early in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in history and an ROTC commission. Encouraged by a commanding officer, Holmes planned to take his commission and join the Army Reserve while attending law school, an arrangement that allowed him to serve while preparing for his profession.
Yet when the time came to leave, the bond he shared with his mother nearly kept him home.
When he told her he planned not to go, she refused to hear it.
“Boy, she just got so mad. Just furious,” he remembered. “So, I said, ‘Yes ma’am,’ and left for law school.” He later reflected, “She loved me enough to make me go, just like a mother eagle takes a baby and pushes it out of the nest to make it fly.”
A Calling to Serve and the Courage to Stand Firm
Carrying forward his family’s commitment to the fields of law and service, Holmes earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi in 1958 after serving two years in the military.
In Oxford, his extra time was spent immersed in activities and organizations that helped build a sturdy foundation for a legal career: law journal, moot court and holding leadership positions in student organizations.
After law school, he went back to Hattiesburg and opened a law practice with Jim Dukes, stepping fully into a life of service through politics and the legal profession. “I was enamored with the politics,” he shared.
While practicing law, he worked on congressional campaigns and eventually ran for mayor in 1961. While the race did not result in a victory, it reinforced his belief that leadership takes many forms — and that influence doesn’t always come from holding office.
Throughout the 1970s and ‘80s, he became one of Mississippi’s most recognized attorneys. He worked in and around several high-profile cases, including the prosecution of those charged with murdering Vernon Dahmer. Later, he was elected as district attorney for the 12th District (Forrest–Perry) Circuit Court, earning statewide respect for his leadership in the legal profession.
“I knew I was only going to run for one term, so I was determined to do the right thing no matter who I made mad,” said Holmes.
Strengthening the Nest Through Belief and Commitment
Beyond the courtroom, Holmes built a remarkable career as a businessman and sports agent, with ventures and interests that
spanned the country and reached well beyond it. That work, however, was never disconnected from his love for Southern Miss.
Throughout the 1960s, Holmes helped establish the Century Club, a precursor to today’s Eagle Club, working closely with former star athlete and tireless advocate for the University, Bubba Phillips. At a time when recruiting relied heavily on trust and personal relationships, Holmes helped connect coaches with a broader network of supporters who believed in the program and its student-athletes.
These efforts reflected an era when building a program meant placing one piece at a time, making introductions and standing behind the University, quietly helping Southern Miss compete and endure. This work continued as his career evolved.
His professional reach continued to expand as he went on to represent legendary athletes such as Walter Payton and Ray Guy, at one point serving as agent for as many as 44 active NFL players and later working as a representative for the New Orleans Saints.
When asked about the principles that guided his career and ultimately his life, Holmes pointed to four simple truths: “Be honest and be yourself; don’t be boastful; do the right thing, even if it means stepping on toes; and above all, be true to yourself.”
Today, the Holmes family’s dedication to the law spans three generations, with attorneys still actively practicing — a living testament to a legacy rooted in grit, integrity and
Legacy Made Permanent
Through generous support of Southern Miss Athletics and the USM Foundation, Holmes has consistently found ways to invest in the people, places and programs that define the Golden Eagle experience, including the expansion of M. M. Roberts Stadium, supporting student-athletes and numerous campus
improvements. A member of the Honor Club at the Gallery of Benefactors level, he has given much more than dollars and cents. Holmes has given tirelessly of his time to support Southern Miss. He was a founding director of the USM Athletic Foundation and continues to serve today as an honorary lifetime member of the Board. He has also hosted numerous fundraisers to support athletes and athletic programs.
Today, that commitment takes on a renewed meaning through a gift that names the newly renovated Criminal Justice Building and supports the School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science and Security in perpetuity.
The facility adjacent to the stadium he once helped expand stands tall as the Paul H. “Bud” Holmes Criminal Justice Building — a testament to the legacy of his family and to the generations of students who will pass through its halls.
This recognition is more than letters that adorn the building. It’s the result of a life lived with purpose and of service to others.
As the home of the Criminal Justice and Forensic Science programs, it will play a vital role
in preparing students for careers in law, forensics and public service.
“People want a good name, a good legacy. Throughout my career, people saying I helped them meant more to me than them ever paying the bill. And now, when my children walk by, they can point with pride to this building (and know) their daddy gave back to the university that gave so much to him.”
He continued, “No matter how much I give USM, I will never be able to repay all that USM has given me.”
Holmes’ legacy of excellence, service and unwavering commitment to The University of Southern Mississippi is forever intertwined into the nest that is this campus and the lives it will continue to shape.
From unloading textbooks before dawn to a namesake building preparing future leaders, the arc of Holmes’ life mirrors the very promise Southern Miss represents; lasting strength is built deliberately through shared purpose and sustained generosity — one branch at a time.
Building a Firm Foundation: Providing Support for Students, Faculty and Programs
Some gifts arrive quietly, yet they change everything.
A contribution made through the USM Foundation by a donor wishing to remain anonymous has strengthened the very framework that supports learning, discovery and leadership at The University of Southern Mississippi.
This $1 million gift made by a transfer of stock spans four academic areas — Nursing and Health Professions, Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Sciences and University Libraries — and creates a lasting impact for students and faculty that will extend far beyond a single generation.
For the donor, this investment is both deeply personal and intentionally forward-looking.
“I count my experiences and education at The University of Southern Mississippi as among the greatest blessings of my life,” the donor shared. “Scholarships and fellowships assisted me then, and I hope to share these gifts with future students.”
That reflection captures the essence of how an eagle builds its nest — thoughtfully, with gratitude for what has been received and a clear commitment to what lies ahead. Each element of this gift is intended to provide support where it matters most, for our students and the faculty who teach, mentor and guide them.
Across multiple colleges, new scholarship endowments now stand in tribute to lives defined by service, scholarship and leadership. One honors groundbreaking contributions in women’s literature. Another recognizes a nursing professional remembered for compassion in patient care. Additional scholarships celebrate educators and advocates in Exercise Science
whose leadership, research and devotion to students elevated the field. A scholarship in history commemorates a longtime educator, genealogist and writer whose commitment to teaching and community left a lasting mark.
Together, these scholarships tell a unified story — one of gratitude passed forward. They reflect the donor’s desire to honor mentors and role models while ensuring that future students can pursue their education with the same encouragement and support once bestowed on the donor.
The gift also invests powerfully in faculty excellence through the establishment of a distinguished professorship in Exercise Science. Designed to advance research, strengthen academic distinction and attract outstanding faculty leaders, the professorship represents a strategic investment in the long-term vitality of the School of Kinesiology and Nutrition.
Distinguished faculty roles do more than recognize achievement. They elevate entire programs — drawing national attention, strengthening recruitment efforts and creating environments where students learn alongside leaders who are actively shaping their fields. By establishing this professorship, the donor is helping ensure that teaching, research and student success work together to strengthen Southern Miss’ academic reputation and competitive standing.
Though the donor has chosen to remain anonymous, the impact of this generous gift will be both visible and deeply felt across disciplines. It expands access, fuels discovery and honors the individuals and experiences that shaped one Southern Miss journey, now multiplied across countless others.
10 Years of Collective Impact at Scianna Hall
Spaces are defined not only by their walls, but by the people they bring together.
As the College of Business and Economic Development marks the 10th anniversary of Scianna Hall, the building stands as a testament to collective generosity. Named for lead donors Chuck and Rita Scianna, the facility also honors supporters throughout its corridors — from the Mississippi Power Foyer and Lock Commons to the Renasant Financial Services Center and classrooms named for the Hewes Family, Alfred and Doris Breeland, Larry and Liz Payne and Hancock Bank, to name a few. In total, more than 320 donors contributed over $10 million to bring this 93,000-square-foot hub for learning, leadership and collaboration to life.
At the core of the building is McDonnell Auditorium, named in recognition of a $1 million gift from Tom and Jana McDonnell during the College’s Building Better Business Campaign. As campaign co-chairman and a board member for the USM Foundation, Tom and his wife, Jana, made the initial commitment due to the role Southern Miss played in their own lives.
“Southern Miss played a formative role in shaping who we are personally, professionally and spiritually. We’ve been committed to the University since we met on the steps of the Hub in 1983,” the couple shared. “Making a meaningful investment and naming the auditorium was less about recognition and more about stewardship — giving back in a way that would have a lasting impact.”
create an environment where students from across the University can gather, share ideas and take meaningful steps toward their futures.”
In addition to serving as a classroom, it is a central gathering place for signature programs and milestone moments — from the Golden Idea Pitch Competition and the Inspired Leaders Series to celebratory ceremonies, faculty meetings and community events, not only for the College but the entire University.
“Seeing the auditorium filled with students, guest speakers, alumni and community members affirms the purpose behind the gift,” stated the McDonnells. “Knowing that relationships are being developed, conversations are happening and leaders are being created — it is precisely what we hoped to achieve. If our gift helps create moments that encourage students to think bigger, lead with integrity and pursue excellence, then it has fulfilled its purpose.
The 285-seat auditorium, featuring two levels of seating and state-of-the-art audio and visual capabilities, was built to be flexible, accessible and forward-looking, a space where ideas could be shared and futures could take shape.
“For the past decade, Scianna Hall and McDonnell Auditorium have been spaces where our students grow into confident leaders and professionals,” said Dr. Bret Becton, dean of the College of Business and Economic Development. “These spaces bring learning to life and create a sense of community that extends well beyond our College. The McDonnells’ generosity helped
Ten years in, Scianna Hall continues to stand as a testament to what is possible when vision and generosity align with collective support.
“We hope McDonnell Auditorium continues to serve as a vibrant space for connection, collaboration and endless possibilities,” shared the husband-and-wife duo. “Ultimately, we hope this space strengthens the College of Business by fostering community, creating strong business leaders, inspiring entrepreneurial mindsets and serving as a visible reminder that investing in people and education has enduring value to both the individual and to our state.”
With the support of donors and through scholarships, faculty and program support, the College has grown into a true center of excellence with innovative programs that have transformed the lives of future leaders.
Built with intention and sustained through shared purpose, McDonnell Auditorium and Scianna Hall reflect how an eagle builds its nest — not alone, but together — creating a foundation strong enough to support generations of Golden Eagles as they rise.
Jana and Tom McDonnell
A Home Built Together: Collective Strength Lifted the Center for Military Veterans
Some nests are built not just to shelter, but to restore strength — places of renewal where futures take shape.
At The University of Southern Mississippi, Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor, home of the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families, stands as a powerful testament to what is possible when a community comes together with shared purpose. Made possible solely through philanthropic support, it is more than a building. It is a promise kept to those who have served and to those who continue serving in new ways. Now, more than four years since the facility was opened in February of 2022, we reflect on the impact made when we come together to support a common cause.
“This project was fully funded by private citizens,” said Major General Jeff Hammond (U.S. Army, Retired), director of military and veterans affairs and the Center’s founding director. “No federal dollars, no state dollars — it was people who gave with their heart.”
The collective generosity of 240 donors, including lead benefactors Joe and Suzanne Quinlan, totaled more than $3.1 million and transformed a long-held vision into reality. What was once a small, inadequate space has become a welcoming, purpose-built home — complete with study areas, a computer lab and places to pause, breathe and reconnect.
The turning point came when Quinlan witnessed the need firsthand.
“He drove by the old house we were in one day, and there were about 15 students standing in the rain, waiting to get help,” Hammond recalled. “Joe got emotional. He said, ‘We’re going to do something about this. We’re going to build a new center.’ And so we have.”
Today, that resolve has taken physical form named in honor of Quinlan and Hammond — a place Hammond describes as “a home away from home,”
built branch by branch through belief, generosity and perseverance.
Southern Miss continues to be recognized as one of the country’s top institutions of higher learning for supporting military-affiliated students, most recently ranking No. 3 in the nation as a Tier 1 Military Friendly School. Southern Miss also secured the No. 1 spot as a Tier 1 Military Spouse Friendly School. The Center serves between 1,300 and 2,000 military students annually.
But the true impact of the Center is measured not in square footage or rankings — it’s found in people.
For Ethan Rizzotte, a U.S. Air Force veteran and student who now works at the Center, Southern Miss offered something both grounding and transformative.
“Community. If there’s one thing I’ve found at Southern Miss, it’s community,” Rizzotte shared. “Everyone takes care of each other.”
That sense of belonging is matched by opportunity. Rizzotte knows firsthand how donor support creates stability at a pivotal moment in life.
“College is a steppingstone to your next chapter,” he said. “Knowing that steppingstone is solid — you can’t get that anywhere else.”
Ethan Rizzotte
navigate benefits, paperwork and uncertainty — especially during the overwhelming start of a semester.
“When someone calls or walks in and you’re able to help them, you drive home knowing you made an impact on someone’s life,” he said. “That’s meaningful.”
The Center’s reach continues to grow. New initiatives like the SkillBridge program allow service members in the final months of active duty to work at Southern Miss while preparing for civilian careers.
“I met a young Marine corporal last week,” Hammond shared. “A month ago, he was in Okinawa. Now he’s here every morning waiting for the doors to open, fired up and ready to learn.
That’s an investment in the future, not just for the University, but for that individual.”
For Lt. Commander Stacey Hall (U.S. Navy, Retired), a student veteran and Center staff member, the building represents both continuity and renewal.
“Coming back as a retired military officer and having the accessibility and support means a lot,” Hall said. “I’m continuing to grow and serve in a different capacity.”
Hall describes the Center as a place where everyone under its umbrella feels at home.
“That’s the biggest joy. Being able to serve other veterans,” she said. “People walk in here and they can exhale.”
Hall provides something just as vital as academic guidance. She provides human connection.
For Hall, that sense of belonging was lifechanging. “When I retired, I felt like I didn’t have a purpose,” she shared. “Finding the Center gave me one again. This is my job. This is what I do.”
Her gratitude toward those who made Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor possible is simple and sincere.
“Thank you,” she said. “Thank you for believing in a cause. Thank you for serving those who have served you. Your support allows veterans like me to get back in the fight — even when the uniform is off.”
In addition to private support to make Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor a reality, investors support student veterans through annual and endowed scholarships and by providing programming support.
At its core, the Center for Military Veterans reflects the essence of collective strength: donors who saw a need, leaders who acted with resolve and individuals whose lives are being reshaped through care and community.
“Donor support means everything,” Hammond said. “We are totally accountable for what they’ve trusted us with. Not a penny goes to anything other than supporting the goodness and future of the people who walk through these doors.”
This is how an eagle builds its nest. Together. With grit.
And with the unwavering belief that when people are supported, they rise.
Lt. Cmdr. Stacey Hall
AAn Enduring Ascent: 50 Years of Honors, Built for What Comes Next
n eagle does not build its nest for a single season. It builds with foresight — creating a place strong enough to support those who will one day take flight.
For 50 years, the Honors College at The University of Southern Mississippi has done just that.
The first in Mississippi and the sixth oldest of its kind in the nation, the Honors College began as a bold experiment in academic distinction and has continued to build on a tradition of supporting students to ensure they have the resources they need to take their education to the next level. Since the earliest honors classes were offered in 1965 and the College’s formal establishment in 1976, generations of students have been invited into what an early pamphlet once called “an adventure in learning.”
Across decades, honors students have done more than excel. They have explored ideas, questioned assumptions, conducted original research and pursued lives of leadership and service. Their stories — thousands of them — form a living testament to the University’s belief in intellectual ambition and the power of education to shape lives across time.
At the center of that legacy stands Dr. Wallace G. Kay.
When Kay arrived at Southern Miss, he carried a clear vision: a program that would challenge ambitious students, foster
creativity and curiosity, and prepare them to lead in any field they chose. In 1976, that vision took shape with the founding of the Honors Program, soon formalized into the Honors College, with Kay serving as its first dean from 1977 to 1985.
Students remember him as a dynamic educator with a relentless belief in their potential.
“My first day in the Honors College was colloquium,” recalled alumnus Dick Cowart. “Dr. Kay was the moderator of our group discussion. It taught you how to listen actively, how to see perspective.”
For Dorothy McCarthy Little, one of Kay’s earliest students, the impact was life changing. “I had never even heard of an honors program when Dr. Kay invited me to talk,” she said. “Looking back, I realized the enormity of what he built. Dr. Kay saw what could be — and I’m glad he found me, my brother and all the kids who went through.”
Those early foundations, built with resolve and strengthened by perseverance, have supported generations of growth. Under successive leaders, the Honors College expanded its reach, introduced experiential and interdisciplinary learning, established honors living-learning communities, secured scholarship support for students and continually reaffirmed its place at the heart of the University’s academic mission.
Today, the Honors College serves nearly 500 students and stewards four cornerstone programs that extend its impact across campus: University Forum, The Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research, Nationally Competitive Programs and Awards and the USM Beckman Scholars Program. Together, they ensure that students are not only high achievers, but thinkers, researchers and leaders ready for what comes next.
As the Honors College celebrates its 50th anniversary, the milestone is marked not only by
Dr. Wallace G. Kay
reflecting on the past, but also by an initiative to boldly invest in the future.
An anonymous $300,000 lead gift has established the Dr. Wallace G. Kay Honors College Professorship Endowment, honoring the founding dean whose vision shaped the College’s earliest ascent. With a $500,000 goal, the professorship will provide long-term support for faculty excellence — ensuring that the values Kay championed remain central to honors education at Southern Miss. To date, over $350,000 has been committed.
“Dr. Kay’s legacy is woven into the fabric of the Honors College,” said Dr. Joyce Inman, dean of the Honors College. “This professorship ensures that his commitment to academic rigor, interdisciplinary inquiry and student engagement will continue to shape the future.”
Alongside this investment in faculty, Dick and Becky Cowart have crafted a matching gift challenge to provide programmatic support for the Honors College. Seeking to spur current investment in this area and raise $50,000 in total support, the Cowarts will match gifts to the Honors College Development Fund of $1,000 or more, contributing up to $25,000. Further, these donors along with others who give $1,000 or more to any Honors College fund will be recognized in the Laureate Circle.
“We thought it appropriate that past graduates and friends of the Honors College have a vehicle to support current programs — much like the Eagle Club supports USM Athletics,” Cowart said.
The Cowarts’ challenge reflects their belief that lasting strength comes from shared participation.
“We hope to create a community of recurring givers, not merely solicit one-time anniversary gifts,” he explained. “The match approach encourages donors to get started and to make the Laureate Circle part of their annual giving plans.”
“Today’s Honors College students benefit from Laureate Circle donations,” Cowart added. “As their careers mature, we hope they will likewise become Laureate Circle contributors and pay it forward to future generations.”
Together, the Dr. Wallace G. Kay Professorship Endowment and the Laureate Circle reflect a shared belief in the Honors College community, honoring those who built the nest and those who are strengthening it for future Honors scholars.
As the Honors College enters its next chapter, the measure of its success will not be found only in anniversaries or numbers, but in the students and scholars who carry its values forward — prepared to think deeply, lead thoughtfully and contribute meaningfully to the world they inherit.
Honors College Alum Dr. Richard McCarthy visits with student in a research lab while on campus to see the current Honors College curriculum in action.
Stewards of Something Greater: Celebrating the Generational Impact of the Aubrey K. Lucas Society
With a steady hand and a servant’s heart, President Emeritus Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas, led The University of Southern Mississippi believing deeply that institutions endure not because of any one individual, but because of the people who choose — again and again — to invest in their future.
Often deflecting credit and insisting the University’s progress was the result of collective resolve, his legacy on campus and throughout the Hattiesburg community bears quiet witness to how an eagle builds its nest: deliberately, patiently and
with an eye toward those who will one day rise from it.
For more than two decades as president — and in the years he willingly returned to serve when the University needed him most — Dr. Lucas embodied loyalty, optimism and bold leadership. He was known for his approachable manner, his genuine interest in people and his confidence in Southern Miss’s capacity to persevere through challenge. His vision was never short-term. Instead, he focused on building relationships, traditions and structures that would sustain the institution long after any
single chapter had closed. That same long view guides the spirit of the Aubrey K. Lucas (AKL) Society.
Established in 2013, the AKL Society recognizes alumni and friends of Southern Miss who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to supporting the University with consistent giving through the USM Foundation. Membership is obtained upon three or more consecutive years of giving and is maintained with an annual gift thereafter. These members reinforce with action the belief that lasting impact is shaped not by a single moment, but by steady, faithful participation over time.
For Valencia Walls, director of Student Life at Southern Miss and a member of the AKL Society for more than a decade, that belief was rooted early in her own student experience.
As an undergraduate at Southern Miss, she was inspired by the story of Oseola McCarty and remembers vividly when students petitioned for McCarty Residence Hall to bear her name — a moment that revealed how one life, thoughtfully lived, could shape generations.
“While I knew I could not give what Ms. McCarty gave,” Walls says, “I also knew I could give something.” Today, her sustained support of the Oseola McCarty Scholarship is fueled by her daily interactions with students striving to overcome financial barriers.
For Walls, the measure of impact is clear and deeply personal: “Graduation day best affirms every investment I have made. Knowing a student’s journey and then witnessing them walk across the graduation stage is the ultimate reward.”
That same generational perspective resonates with Father Tommy Conway, Pastor of St. Fabian Catholic Church. Though not an alumnus, Fr. Tommy has supported Southern Miss since 1986 — the year he arrived in Mississippi from Ireland.
Drawn first by athletics and school spirit, his connection quickly deepened into a lasting commitment to education and opportunity.
“I believe education is the key to success,” Conway says, “and Southern Miss gives great opportunities for learning — especially for the underdog.”
A longtime admirer of Dr. Lucas, Fr. Tommy echoes his sentiments: “You have to always have an eye on the future.”
His hope is simple and enduring — that future generations will benefit from expanded scholarship support, ensuring that “people who just need to be given a chance” can access a college education.
For Louise “Weezie” Myers, her family’s relationship with the University took root long ago — shaped in no small part by the personal encouragement of Dr. Lucas himself — and has only grown deeper with time.
“Our commitment and support has grown and expanded over the years — from providing vehicles for the athletic staff to establishing a dance scholarship at the personal encouragement of Dr. Lucas himself,” she shared. “Because I minored in dance during my college years, that scholarship has always felt deeply personal to us, and we have proudly continued to support it for more than 30 years. When the college later allowed scholarship recipients to share their personal backgrounds and their passion for dance, it made our commitment even more meaningful.”
Together, stories like these illustrate how an eagle builds its nest — not in a single season, but across decades.
Through perseverance and trust in a shared belief in what Southern Miss can mean for generations to come, members of the Aubrey K. Lucas Society continue to strengthen a foundation built to endure, lifting students today and those yet to come toward their own moment of flight.
Valencia Walls
Fr. Tommy Conway
Louise “Weezie” Myers
Shared Purpose is Shaping the Next Generation of Golden Eagles
Leadership is built in layers. It takes time. It takes return. It takes people willing to strengthen what others began.
Just as an eagle’s nest is reinforced season after season, so too are students strengthened by those who choose to invest in their journeys.
Shaped by tradition and ambition, this work is sustained by individuals who believe in potential before it is fully realized. These are alumni and friends who choose, time and again, to lift others, to mentor with intention and to open doors for those who follow.
At Southern Miss, that spirit lives in those who carry with them the conviction that taking this University to the top is more than a metaphor. It is a shared responsibility.
The Joe Paul Leadership Scholarship Program is a clear expression of that commitment.
A Scholarship Program That is More Than Tuition
Named in honor of the University’s 11th President, Dr. Joe Paul, this program equips students with skills, confidence and community so that they are ready for life when they graduate.
More than financial support, it is a deliberate investment in students prepared to lead in classrooms, on campus and eventually in communities that will depend on them.
It reflects Dr. Paul’s enduring belief that leadership is not positional, it is purposeful. It does not emerge by chance; it is cultivated with intention and strengthened through generosity.
Leadership Scholars are selected not only for academic achievement, but for character, initiative and a demonstrated desire to serve their peers and
communities through a variety of student activities and service opportunities.
Designed to attract students with exceptional potential and a passion for involvement, each recipient is awarded a $6,000 scholarship annually for four years — removing a financial barrier that can often limit campus involvement and potential.
For Madison Butler, a freshman Leadership Scholar from Ocean Springs, it has established belonging without burdens. “This scholarship has lessened the weight of tuition on me and my family, and it has afforded me opportunities to get involved on campus and to truly soak in the experience. It immediately gave me clarity of mind that I belong here at Southern Miss.”
For Owen Hatten, a freshman Leadership Scholar from Sumrall, the impact has been immediate, practical and life changing.
“[Without this program,] I would not be here on campus. I would not be involved in all these organizations, and I would not have these new experiences or opportunities to meet new people. The donors of this program have single-handedly changed the outcome of my life.”
Shortly after Dr. Paul was named president, he reinstated the Leadership Scholarship
He shared, “These promising high school students are our future leaders. Not only that, but other students in their class will likely follow them to Southern Miss, where they will engage in organizations across campus.”
This is philanthropy in action, strengthening both the student and the institution.
Leadership in Motion: Impact Taking Shape
Before they ever graduate, Leadership Scholars are not simply participating in campus life — they are shaping it.
The inaugural class in the 2024-2025 academic year set a remarkable standard for what leadership at Southern Miss can look like. Their accomplishments reflect engagement, excellence and momentum.
• Nine now serve as student ambassadors for Eagle Connection, welcoming future Golden Eagles to campus.
• Seven are members of the Honors College.
• Two studied abroad, as freshmen, in France and Belize.
• Five earned “Most Outstanding” designations, the highest freshman honor awarded at Southern Miss.
• Three represent some of Southern Miss’s most visible ambassadors of spirit and enthusiasm — The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, the Dixie Darlings and the Southern Misses.
• Six have been selected to guide incoming students as members of the 2026 Southern Style Orientation Team.
Their presence stretches across campus — in Greek Life, in classrooms and in service initiatives — embedded in the traditions that define the
Madison Butler
Owen Hatten
As the second cohort ends their freshman year on campus, they are establishing their own stories and continuing a pattern of leadership that is both visible and measurable.
Momentum Built by Generosity
As Southern Miss continues to elevate its profile, the Joe Paul Leadership Scholarship Program remains committed to its mission of attracting and supporting student leaders that embody the true Southern Miss spirit. Simultaneously, alumni and friends continue to contribute to this mission through gifts of all sizes.
Alumnae Jennifer Payne and Missy McGee recently joined the list of named endowments, each representing a shared commitment to investing in future leaders. Payne, an alumna of the program’s first iteration and a former student leader, describes her undergraduate experience as “full,” shaped by the opportunities provided through the Leadership Scholarship. By graduation, she had served as president of Chi Omega and as a Southern Style orientation leader.
Beyond graduation, Payne has continued to serve the University in meaningful ways, coordinating the University’s Centennial Celebration, serving as associate director of external affairs for the Alumni Association and now contributing as a member of the USM Foundation Board of Directors. Her named endowment, established by her husband, Abb, and her father-in-law and fellow alum, W.A. Payne, reflects a long-held desire to invest in future students.
She added, “The now named Joe Paul Leadership Scholarship Program shaped the trajectory of my life. I am eternally grateful for that.” Today, she views the endowment not only as a tribute, but as a way to pay forward the mentorship and encouragement that influenced her own journey.
McGee’s Southern Miss story reflects a similar path of engagement and service. As a student, she served in Southern Style, the Student Government Association and Chi Omega — experiences that launched her continued involvement as an engaged alumna, volunteer and donor. Most recently, McGee served in multiple leadership roles on the Southern Miss Alumni Association Board of Directors, including president, and now continues her service as past president.
“Southern Miss cultivated a sense of purpose and belonging in my life,” McGee shared. “I believe in investing in students who are willing to lead with both character and conviction, and I know this scholarship will open doors for them the way Southern Miss opened doors for me.”
As the newest named endowment for the Joe Paul Leadership Scholarship Program, her gift signals confidence in the program, its leadership and the students it serves. She added, “As my mentor and friend, Dr. Paul taught me that real influence begins with integrity, engagement and purpose. To give back to a program that carries his name is both a joy and an honor.”
Named endowments do more than provide financial support for a student’s undergraduate journey — they create a perpetual source of opportunity.
Alumnae Jennifer Payne (left photo) and Missy McGee (right photo) join Dr. Joe Paul in leaving lasting legacies through Named Endowments for the Joe Paul Leadership Scholarship Program.
Payne and McGee join Joe and Meg Paul, Joe and Suzanne Quinlan, Chuck and Rita Scianna, Mollie Van Devender and Stace Mercier in establishing Leadership Scholarship Endowments, strengthening the program’s reach for future students.
Shared purpose also thrives through participation at every level. That belief inspired Founders of the Future, a giving level designed to broaden support for the program. With a commitment of $6,000 — structured as $100 per month for five years — donors become part of a growing collective investing directly in student leadership.
For Nicole Ruhnke, also an alumna of the program’s first iteration, giving back is a natural extension of her experience. “Receiving the Leadership Scholarship in 2005 set me on a path of discovering my true leadership potential,” she shared. “The way I live and lead today can be traced back to those early days of leadership formation.”
Year after year, Leadership Scholars will rise because of individuals who saw the promise of this program and chose to invest in the future of its students.
Since its inception, the Joe Paul Leadership Scholarship Program has steadily expanded its impact, with philanthropically funded support strengthening each new cohort of student leaders.
In its first year (2024–25), 26 students received $156,000 in donor-funded scholarships made possible through private gifts. In its second year (2025-26), $228,000 in philanthropic support was awarded to 38 emerging leaders. With the incoming third cohort (2026–27), 53 students will receive $318,000 in philanthropically funded scholarships — a powerful reflection of growing donor investment and a deepening commitment to developing future leaders at Southern Miss.
Leadership That Ripples Outward
In measurable ways, Leadership Scholars strengthen institutional outcomes — improving academic performance, retention and postgraduate readiness.
The spirit of the program, however, is seen in the lives of the students.
“This program made my transition to college a lot easier. I immediately had a place to go and people I knew I could connect with. Mentors in class provide advice and teachers share their own networks and resources. It’s been a very comforting and supportive place to be,”
said Allie McGehee, a freshman Leadership Scholar from Covington, Louisiana.
The shared purpose that makes this program a reality for Southern Miss is not abstract. It is visible in the leadership lived out daily across campus. It is shaping the character and direction of the University itself.
And as Southern Miss looks ahead, one truth remains clear:
When a community commits together, with
Nicole Ruhnke
Allie McGehee
... and that is how an eagle builds its nest.
SCAN to hear alumni and friends reflect on this powerful question.
Facts & Figures FY 2024-25
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the University’s endowment has grown steadily over the past decade, creating sustainable support that empowers Golden Eagles to be ready for life.
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI FOUNDATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION JUNE 30, 2025 AND 2024
As of June 30, 2025 and 2024
ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Accrued Earnings
Prepaid and Other Assets
Property Held for Sale
Pledges Receivable, Net
Investments
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance
Amounts Due from Externally Managed Trusts
Property, Equipment, and Construction in Progress, Net
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025 Without DonorWith Donor
Year Ended June 30, 2025
REVENUES, GAINS, AND OTHER SUPPORT
Contributions
Nonfinancial Contributions
Gain on Externally Managed Trusts
Change in Value of Split Interest Agreements
Change in Value - Other
CHANGES IN RESTRICTIONS
Consolidated Statement of Activities
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI FOUNDATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
Year Ended June 30, 2024
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024 Without DonorWith Donor RestrictionsRestrictions
REVENUES, GAINS, AND OTHER SUPPORT
Contributions
Nonfinancial Contributions
Net Investment Gain
Gain on Externally Managed Trusts
Change in Value of Split Interest Agreements Change in Value - Other
CHANGES IN RESTRICTIONS
Change in Restriction by Donors
EXPENSES
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI FOUNDATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2025 AND 2024
Years Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Change
Adjustments to Reconcile Change in Net Assets to Net Cash
and Unrealized Gain on
Gain on Disposal of Property, Equipment, and Construction in
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Chartered in 1959, The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to serving the University community by overseeing fundraising efforts to raise private support for scholarships and other academic needs at Southern Miss. The Foundation manages donor contributions from alumni and friends of Southern Miss to provide our students with the most advanced educational opportunities. The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, whose members serve as advocates for the University, its colleges and programs. Foundation Board members are committed to building successful partnerships with Southern Miss and its many generous supporters.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation 118 College Drive #5210 Hattiesburg, MS 39406
