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Owe You To Yourself It A To Take Advantage Of This Golden Opportunity. College was fun, but you've got What's more, as the Student Loan several student loans to show for it. Consolidation Lender of Choice for Why not consolidate them into one USM Alumni, ESF offers money- manageable monthly payment? saving borrower benefits to those You can still lock in a low fixed who qualify: interest rate, protectyour- • a 1.25% interest rate selffrom rateincreasesand ESF reduction for 36 consecu- lower your monthly note tiveon-time payments; as much as 50%. Or, leave • a .25% interest rate your repayment terms EDUCATIONSERVICES reduction forhavingyour intact, pay your loan off FOUNDATION monthly loan payment ThePlanning-and-Paying-for-Collegi early and pocketthe inter- Company.™ automatically deducted est savings. With no closing fees, from a bank account. You owe it credit checks or income verification to yourself to give us a call at required, all you need to qualify for 1.866.542.8033. To learn more ESF's EZChoice Consolidation Loan is about the advantages of consolidat- one or more student loans in the ingthrough ESF,ortoapply,visitusat grace period orin repaymentstatus. www.esfweb.com/usm.htm The Student Loan Consolidation Lender of Choice for Southern Miss Alumni Thelenderforthisprogram isMississippi HigherEducationAssistanceCorporation. Education ServicesFoundation isyournon-profitresourceforfree collegeplanning,scholarships, low-coststudentloansandstudentloanconsolidation. www.esfweb.com/usm.htm • Toll-free 866.542.8033 )2003-2006EducationServicesFoundation.Allrightsreserved.'BenefitsavailabletoalumnioftheUniversityofSouthernMississippiwhohaveanoutstandingcombinedstudentloandebtof$10,000ormore. SOUTHERN MISS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION • Summer 2006 Departments GOLDEN EAGLES IN GOVERNMENT: "SOUTHERN MISS WAS MY WEST POINT" 6 News Around Campus As the adjutant general of Flonda, Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett 72 is accustomed to planning in great detail He supervises the administration, training and operations of 11 Calendar of Events theFloridaNationalGuard,whichisauthorizedmorethan 10,700Armyand 1,900Air NationalGuardpersonnelwithafull-timeworkforceofmorethan2,000personnel. 14 Association News GIVING BACK: CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS 27 Sighting Southern Stars FIND MOTIVATION FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES Eachcontributorto the Ogletree House Campaign, a $3 millionfund-raisingeffortto 28 Foundation News restore and expand the home ofthe Alumni Association on the Hattiesburgcampus, has his or her own reason for committing significant personal resources toward the 30 From the Archives project. Butwhilemotivationsmayvary,thecontributorshaveacommongoal-tosee thecampaignreachitssuccessfulcompletionbytheendofthecalendaryear. 38 The Arts A CIRCULATION BOOM 39 Athletic News Bill Phalen's name might not be as familiar to Phoenix residents as the name ofnew Arizona Cardinal quarterback Matt Leinart, but his work certainly isjust as, if not more, popular. Phalen is the owner of Cities West Publishing, which produces two 43 Eagle Club of the most popular magazines in the western United States, Phoenix magazir PhoenixHome&Garden. 44 Snapshots A NEW ERA AT SOUTHERN MISS 45 Class Notes TheUniversityisthrowingaweek-longpartySept. 5-9 tocelebrate thecompletionof oneofthelargestundertakingsinSouthernMisshistory-thedevelopmentofthe $30 millionThad CochranCenter. GOLDEN EAGLE FOOTBALL PREVIEW For the first time in three seasons, the Southern Miss football team, which finished 2005witha 7-5 recordandasecond-straight NewOrleans Bowlwin, entersaseason with a newstartingquarterback. DustinAlmond, one ofthe best ever to play forthe GoldenEagles,hasdeparted. EnterJeremyYoung. FRONTCOVER: PicturedarecontributorstotheOgletreeHouseCampaignattheSpecialGift.. above.FromleftareGerryandThadWaites;RalphSimmons'54;Bonnie'63aidL Warren;LouAnn'69,70andLouisPoynter °1 v.i\ «dcom- mitmentandJimmy'59andJoWaites'55. PhotobyDannyRawls'69, SO summer :;:.- EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR BOBPIERCE 91 > ASSOCIATEDIRECTORFORINTERNALOPERATIONS MARKBOYLES73 ASSOCIATEDIRECTORFOREXTERNALAFFAIRSJERRYDEFATTA 00 MANAGEROFCOMMUNICATIONS JIMCOLL 99 MANAGEROFPROGRAMS DAWNSMITH'95 MANAGEROFCONSTITUENTRELATIONS KRISTYMCGEHEE'06 COORDINATOROFINFORMATIONSERVICESMELISSAMcDANIEL ADMINISTRATIVEASSISTANT RENETRIGG DATAENTRYSPECIALIST JUDYBARNES MAILCLERK EDWARDWALLACE southern RECEPTIONISTMIKEDANIELS EDITORIALASSISTANTETHANBRATTON mississippi •alumni- ADVERTISINGREPRESENTATIVE KAYOSHAUGHNESSY'69 CONTRIBUTINGWRITER YVONNEARNOLD'90 ALUM :rs PRESIDENT ROSEMARYAULTMAN make a Permanent PRESIDENT-ELECT LOUANNPOYNTER Connection VICEPRESIDENT JIMPAYNE FINANCECOMMITTEECHAIR BOBJEFCOAT SECRETARY/TREASURER BOBPIERCE Forge a lifelong link to your alma mater by becoming a Life BOARD OF DIRECTORS Member of the Alumni Association. In addition to assuring your TOMANDERSON,LIBBYCONDIA, PATCRUISE,HARRYGOFF.RICKEYJONES, connection with the University, a Life Membership qualifies your JUDIEKOCHENOWER,TONYPALAZZO, ANGELAHILBUNCOGNEVICH,MARCUSKINCAID, USM-bound children for an out-of-state tuition waiver (subject to MARYALICEKIRBYRICKYMATHEWS,MICHAELRATLIFF, LAMARREYNOLDS,DALESHEARER, Universityguidelines), entitlesyou to a Life Membership plaque,and CHERYLCRANFORD,JASONDEAN,IRAMIDDLEBERG, SEANMCGEE,MELISSAMEDLEYSCOTT, helps fund programs that benefit the University and the Southern MARTHATHORNTON,ARNIEWILLIAMS Miss community. EX-OFFICIOBOARDMEMBERS:SHELBYTHAMES, JIMTHOMPSON,TIMRYAN,AUBREYCOLLUM, RICHARDG1ANNINI,ASHLEYCANGELOSI "Southern Miss is about trans- Foradvertisinginformation,contactKayO'Shaghnessybyphone, [email protected]. forming LIVES THROUGH PURPOSEFUL TheTalon(USPS652-240)ispublishedquarterlyby relationships. Life Membership in TheUniversityofSouthernMississippiAlumniAssociation, 118CollegeDrive#5013,Hattiesburg,MS39406-0001 Activemembershipduesof$35 our Alumni Association is one small (singlemembership)or$40(couple) includesubscription way my family and i can affirm the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS immeasurable value this cherished MarketingandPublicRelations,KristyBrown,HazelCole, place has added to our lives." DickVogel,AthleticMediaRelations,AngelaKilcrease, HedermanBrothersPrintinginRidgeland,Miss., andthestaffoftheSouthernMissAlumniAssociation Dr. Joe Paul '75, '78 PeriodicalpostagepaidatHattiesburg,MS39406-0001 andatadditionalmailingoffices (ApprovedJanuary20,1955) POSTMASTER: Sendaddresschangesto 118College Drive#5013, Hattiesburg,MS39406-5013 601.266.5013 For more information, contactthe [email protected] AlumniAssociation office, 601.266.5013. website:www.SouthernMissAlumni.com Proud Member of www.conferenceusa.com AA/EOE/ADAI HOME This summer we were proud to announce that we had surpassed the midpoint of the $3 million Ogletree House Campaign, a fund-raising effort which will fund the complete restoration and expansion ofthe home for alumni on the Hattiesburg campus. Let us be certain, exceeding the $1.5 million mark is no small achievement, especially considering the devastating impact Hurricane Katrina leveled on many of our alumni. Hurricane Katrina forced the campaigns suspension for several months, but when the campaign resumed in January, willing alumni once again offered their support in earnest. The commitment to the Ogletree House, in spite of an obstacle the magnitude of Hurricane Katrina, is remarkable, but notably not in the least bit surprising as Southern Miss alumni have repeatedly shown unwavering loyalty to their Alma Mater over the years. Still, while we have learned to expect such dedication from Southern Miss alumni it does not in any way diminish its impact. Hitting that important milestone was just cause for celebration, and an opportunity to thank our campaign committee and contributors for their efforts. This issue ofThe Talon features several ofthe most generous donors to the campaign. They are truly dedicated to this worthwhile effort and we are grateful for their support. As you will read their reasons for contributing to the campaign are numerous. Some view the Ogletree House as a home away from home, a place that will welcome them with open arms as they return to Hattiesburg years after graduation. Others hold a vision for the future, when this restored and expanded beautiful campus landmark positions the Alumni Association to develop that loyal supportive alumni base that will help carry the University for the next 94 years. Still others were fortunate to have had a personal relationship with the buildings namesake, Powell Ogletree, and his wife Frances. Their contributions honor the Ogletrees for the outstanding work they completed in support of Southern Miss over the years. Obviously, the Alumni Association would not be as successful a catalyst for the University had it not been for Powell Ogletrees faithful and dedicated service as the Associations leader for nearly four decades. This is going to be a magnificent facility that is truly worthy ofhis name. While we celebrate our accomplishments thus far, let us make no mistake - more work is required. This issue ol The Talon also contains information as to how you too can become involved in the campaign. The inserted brochure contains a short summary of campaign opportunities. More detailed information con- cerning the campaign can be found at SouthernMissAlumni.com. As dedicated as the alumni featured in this issue are to The University of Southern Mississippi, this campaign cannot be successfully completed without your support. For many years Southern Miss has helped "Free the Power" ofeach ol its individual graduates. Your unique experience as a student likely contributed to your current success, in both career and in life. We encourage you to discover the reason you share love for Southern Miss with the alumni featured in this issue. Perhaps it is a former professor whose knowledge prepared you for a challenge you would face later in life. Perhaps it is a business education that developed your entrepreneurial spirit. Perhaps it is memories ofa fraternity brother or sorority sister who became a lifelong friend. Whatever the reason, know that supporting the Ogletree House Campaign will help to make similar experiences available for the next generation of Golden Eagles. Know too that the power ofthe individual is magnified exponentially when we gather for a common cause. Time is ticking down to become a part ofthis important campaign. We fully expect to conclude our successful fund-raisingeffortsbyyear's end. There are multiple ways to contribute; ifyou have questions, please do not hesitate to call the Alumni Association at 601.266.5013 or visit the extensive Ogletree House Campaign section at SouthernMissAlumni.com. We encourage you to help prepare Southern Miss for the future as well as honor Powell Ogletrees lifetime ofdedication to the University and the Alumni Association. Southern Miss to the Top! c*^/^~- (ZuUiAi^.Xi***' y^ m> Aubrey Lucas Lou Ann Poynter Campaign Co-Chair Campaign Co-Chair SI MMER 2006 5 NEWS Dance Student Winner of Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship With onlythree years ofdance training, KellyBond tookthebold find difficult to grasp," Bond said step ofmakingithermajor at SouthernMiss. Today, she is a profes- Eventually, Bond plans to devote her time to creatingnewwork, sional dancer, choreographer and teacher ofchildren. She is also a but teachingremains a priority. "I will also continue myworkwith winner ofaJack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship. students, nurturing their creativity in movement, providing them Bond was among 77 recipients chosen from 1,100 nominees. The with insight into the world of dance and helping them to become scholarships cover tuition, board, fees and books - up to $50,000 more intelligent audience members," she said. annually-forup to sixyearsandare amongthe mostgenerous aca- BondgainedassistanceintheapplicationprocessthroughthenewOffice sdeelmeicctioanwacrridtserioaffienrceldudine tahceadUenmiitcedacSthaiteevs.emTehnet JTAl^JV tI/V'tE-/'INt1< /v^A/"Jv/U"vlVE oPfegSgchyolVaarmshaidposastatyhsesUhneivwearssitpyroSfcohuonldalryshiimpprOfefsisceedr and financial need as well as a will to succeed, FOUNDATION with Bond and Sondra Simpson, who also applied leadership and communityinvolvement. forthescholarship(eachinstitutioncannominateup Bond intends to study European dance-theater at the Laban totwostudents). "Bothweredeservingnominees,"Vamadosaid. Centre inLondon. She says dance-theaterappeals to herbecause it The scholarship officer said she was moved to tears whenview- is an amalgamation ofdance, theater, music and other art forms. inga DVD ofone ofBonds performances. "This integrationallowsme to present informationinavarietyof "Kelly Bond is the visual embodiment of a young woman who ways that encourages the audience to formitsownopinions, rather has pulled herselfout ofharsh circumstances to grace us with her thanclosingtheirminds to a single art form orgenre that theymay art," Varnado said. Polymer Science Student Lands 2006 Goldwater Scholarship Award Neil Treat, a in science and mathematics among college College ofScience and Technology Dean Rex junior majonng in sophomores andjuniors. Gandysaid, "Treatisanoutstandingrepresenta- polymer science, "Winning the scholarship is a great honor tiveofthecollegeandtheUniversityandisrichly has been named a becauseitessentiallyletsme knowthatexpe- deserving of this award. This award definitely 2006 Goldwater rienced scientists think I have what it takes speaks to the high quality of students within Scholarshiprecipient. to be at the top of my field in the future," the college, which emphasizes undergraduate The Hattiesburg said Treat, whose work recently appeared in research and community service in addition to nativewasoneof323 Macromolecules, a premierpolymerjournal. academicexcellence, andthesearetheattnbutes students selected out Goldwater nominees, many ofwhom have thatleadtosuccessful Goldwaterapplicants." of 1,081 applicants dual majors, were selected by the faculties Inits 18thyear, the GoldwaterScholarship n^ationwide to receive of their colleges and universities. It was and Excellence in Education Foundation has NeilTreat prestigious award Treats dedication in the areas ofscience and awarded 4,885 scholarships worth approxi- based on academic merit in the fields of math- technology that grabbed the attention of mately $48 million. ematics,scienceandengineering. Hewasaward- Southern Miss polymer science professor Dr. Treat is the 15th Southern Miss student ed $7,500, enough to cover the cost of tuition Charles McCormick. to earn a Goldwater Scholarship. His plans fees,books, androomandboardforayear. "IquicklyrealizedNeilstalentsinthelaborato- include pursuit ofa doctoral degree in either Created to pay tribute to Sen. Barry M. ryandtheclassroomandnominatedhimforthe chemistry or chemical engineering. This Goldwater in 1986, the endowed recogni- prestigious GoldwaterAward,"saidMcCormick. summer, he participated in a polymer sci- tion program was established by the U.S. "Neilseemstoespeciallylovelaboratoryresearch ence undergraduate research program at the Congress to foster and encourage excellence and thrivesonnewchallenges." Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology. New University Office to Assist Students in Scholarship Process Peggy Vamado is convinced Southern Miss students can compete College,VarnadosaysshewillassistanySouthernMissstudentinter- for the top scholarships such as the Goldwater, Marshall and Pdiodes ested in applying forscholarships. awards. Herjob, asthe University'snewscholarship officer, willbe to Todate,VamadosaystheUniversityhasproducedonlyoneTruman identifypotentialwinnersandassisttheminthe applicationprocess. Scholar,anumbersheintendstochange. Theofficesfirstvictorycame "These are among the most competitive scholarships and the inJulywhenstudentKellyBondwasnamedaJackKentCookeScholar. application process must begin early," Varnado said. "We have Bond, adancestudent,willattend the Laban Centre inLondon. amazing students at the University, but it takes staff to help them "Producingscholarship awardwinners hasbecome anearmarkofthe along." Members ofthe faculty have helped to identify candidates qualityofauniversity,"Vamadosaid. 'Withthesupportoftheadministra- and serve as mentors, she said. tion, facultyandstaff,we'reworkingtocreateaclimate atSouthernMiss Varnado, who began her position inJanuary, said more than 50 where the pursuit ofthese scholarships isnurtured. We have wonderful students expressed interested in applying for a variety of scholar- students;eventuallytheawardswillbecomeaby-productoftheclimate." ships after her initial effort to contact all students with 3.5 grade The office is open on Mondays. Students can reach Varnado at point averagesandhigher. While heroffice is housed in the Honors 601.266.4263 [email protected]. THE TALON NEW CAMPUS COMMUNITYCREDITUNION HOPECOMMUNITYCREDITUNION HOPECOMMUNi Secret Societies Emerge on Hattiesburg Campus Two secret societies have emerged at the University, leaving their *Hlin marks across the Hattiesburg campus and making financial contributions to Southern Miss. In recent months, both "The Gold Leaf and the "Society of 1910" have announced their presence but not revealed their identity. The Gold Leafhas on at least five occasions contributed $777.77 to different departmentsand fordifferent causesacrosscampus, including the Ogletree House Campaign. Eachofthe giftshasbeenaccompanied by a letter to a University administrator which references only the group's name and the purpose ofthe contact, occasionally sending the administrator on a scavenger hunt of sorts to collect the contribution. The letter's return address lists only a Hattiesburgpost office box. In one letter, addressed toJoe Paul, the University'svice president of Student Affairs, the group writes, "A group ofindividuals has taken an oath to commit itself to the betterment of The University of Southern Mississippi," and instructs Paul to go to the seventh floor ofthe build- ing with the namesake that has seven letters in his last name. There, under a water foundation, the group had left a contribution to assist a "deserving student affected by Hurricane Katrma." Another letter thankedUniversityofficialsforallowingthe placementofamarkernear The Hub and enclosed with it a contribution for maintenance of the i grounds surrounding the marker. The Society of 1910 (the year ofSouthern Miss' foundingby legisla- tive act) was particularly active as the University celebrated Founders' Call 1-877-654-H0PEtodayto Day in March. That month, the society left its mark on a number of locations across the Hattiesburg campus. The 10-yard-line markers of open an insured Hurricane RebuildingCD. Eagle Walk, located on the east side of M.M. Roberts Stadium, was Ourhomesmaybebroken. Butneverourspirits. Andthenextstep preceded with a "19" written on poster board. Balloons with "1910" is as clearasthe skyaftera storm-rebuild. At HOPE, nourishing handwritten were placed outside the Ogletree House and a banner businesses, homes and distressed communities in Louisiana and hung across the entrance to The Hub for a number ofdays. Mississippi hasbeenourmissionformorethanadecade. While these secret societies have recently emerged, similar organiza- tions are not new to the University. Perhaps the most famous is the In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, that mission has Blackbirds, who first appeared on campus in 1926. Their favorite never been more important. To make a difference in this time pastime was defacing sidewalks, walls and especially the watertower of need, we offerthe Hurricane RebuildingCD and several other with their own peculiar brand of graffiti. At times, faculty members federallyinsuredHOPEproductsthatallowyoutosafelyinvestyour were startled to find notes in the pockets of their sweaters bearing the resourcesin a regionthatisclosetoyourheart Mostimportantly, signature ofthe Blackbirds. your deposit will be used to help survivors rebuild their homes, familiesandcommunities. We urgeyoutojoin inthisgreatmissiontodaybycallingourtoll- free number, or byvisitingwww.hopecu.org and downloadingan application. Community CreditUnion AnECD-SponsoredCreditU mm ThismarkerjustsouthofTheHubisevidenceofTheGoldLeaf'spresenceoncampus. NCUA Workingforyou.Workingforyourcommunity. SUMMER 2006 7 NEWS Record Number of Students Accept Presidential Scholarships ArecordnumberofincomingstudentshaveacceptedPresidential Honors College "active" curriculum, which gives students learning Scholarships from the University's prestigious Honors College, experiencesoutside the classroom,wasastrongsellingpoint forher. accordingto Southern Miss officials. ShesaidthefriendlyatmosphereattheUniversityandtheassistance KenPanton, deanofthe SouthernMissHonors College, saidthat oftheHonorsCollegeAmbassadors(HonorsCollegestudents,includ- 27 students have accepted the coveted scholarships, which pay for ingPresidentialScholarsalreadyenrolledattheUniversity)alsohelped tuition, textbooks, room and board. persuade her to accept the offer. "The ambassadors gave me insight /The University is awarding the largest number of Presidential into the experiencesoffered throughthe HonorsCollege," Maloysaid. Scholarships in its history, and that is a reflection ofthe very high "Everyone greetedmewithasmileandwasbeyondhelpful." quality ofthe studentswho applied," Panton said. "We are delight- In addition to Maloy, the other Presidential Scholars include ed that so many academically talented young people have decided Jennifer Caitlin Bach of Mobile, Ala.; Samuel Paul Bateman of tocometoSouthernMiss, andwelookforwardtowelcomingthem Hattiesburg; CharlesAdam Byrd ofBrandon; Maria Katherine Clapp to the Honors College in the fall." ofHattiesburg; Sarah ColemanofSilverhill;Jesse DiGiacomo ofPass The scholarships are awarded to students based on rigorous Christian;JamesPaulFuquaJr. ofMobile,Ala.;ZacharyjoelGressett entrance requirements, including a score of at least 30 on the of Brandon; Cordelea Ann Haecker of Magee; Corey Alexander American College Test or designation as a national merit semifinal- Higginbotham of Ocean Springs; Kristin Howard ofBiloxi; Andrew ist,andsuccessfulcompletionofanon-campuspanelinterviewand TreloarJonesofHattiesburg;JenniferYasminLambofBrandon;Stuart essay competition. William Lovinggood of Metairie, La.; Duncan Alexander Lutz of The Honors College at Southern Miss is one ofthe oldest in the Ellisville; RobertJ. MaxwellofNewOrleans;WinstonTylerMcCleery nation. The first honors classes were taught in 1965 as part of an of Mobile, Ala.; Samuel Herbert Muller of Lacombe, La.; Jonathan honors program. The college was formally inaugurated in 1976 Stuart Neal of Clinton; William Bradford Nicholson of Clinton; and offersspecial opportunities forstudentswho demonstrate high Kyndal Ann Owens of Hattiesburg; Adam Benjamin Seyfarth of academic potential, intellectual curiosity and ambition. Hattiesburg; EricaJoy Shelton ofMoundville, Ala.; Caitlyne Celeste ElizabethMaloy a Presidential Scholar from LongBeachwho plans Shirley of Clinton; Amanda Jean Trulock of Mountain Brook, Ala. to major in graphic design at Southern Miss, said the appeal of the and MadisonAnne WalkerofPensacola, Fla. University Tops State in Doctoral Production SouthernMissawardsmoredoctoralleveldegreesthananyotherpublic institutioninthe state ofMississippi, accordingto a report releasedbythe NationalOpinionResearchCenter(NORC) attheUniversityofChicago. Overall,357doctorateswereawardedbyMississippi'sStateInstitutions ofHigherLearningin2004,themostrecentyearstudiedbythecenter.Of thattotal, 139 were awardedbyThe University ofSouthern Mississippi. The University's total was more than 50 greater than the second-most awarded inthe state-85byMississippiState University. The survey, conducted under the direction of a number of federal agencies, including the Department ofEducation, reported on doctor- SumrallFraming&Printing,locatedin Sumrall,Mississippi,alongwithits atesgrantedin 16majorfieldsofstudy. Ofnote,SouthernMisswasthe marketingaim,ArtwithFlairhasthe only Mississippi institution to award doctoral degreesinall 16 fields. experienceandexpertisetohandleyoui "The data confirms the world-class stature of The University of framingandfineartprinting. We aretrusted bymuseumsand SouthernMississippi, its faculty, staffandstudents,"UniversityPresident collectorsnationwide. Sumrall ShelbyThamessaid. "To conferPh.D. degreeson 139 individualsinone Framing&Printingalsohasfine yearisanimpressivefeat. Thedoctoraldegreesawardedclearlyshowthe giftsincludingArthurCourtServe breadthofgraduateeducationatSouthernMiss. Furthermore,thesedata Wear,uniquepotterybyMississippi confirm that 20 percent ofengineers earning Ph.D.'sin Mississippiwere artisansandbeautifulphotoframes. SouthernMiss graduates. This intensity ofeducationand the impressive Visitourwebsite, efforts of our faculty to secure external research dollars to support our www.artwithflair.com,toviewsome graduateeducationdefinethecultureofacademicexcellenceatSouthern of thebestartthesouthhasto Miss. IamproudofourgreatUniversity,thedepthofouracademictradi- offer. tionandveryproudofthe studentsweserve." By field, Southern Miss awarded 53 doctorates in education, which matched the combined totals of Mississippi State University and the UniversityofMississippi; 16 doctoratesinpsychology, more thanhalfof Mississippi'stotalof31; 12inchemistry,againmorethanhalfofthestate's total (22); and 10inbiological/biomedicalsciences. SouthernMiss,by percentage, granted40 percent ofthe physics/astronomydoctorates. 8 THE TALON CAMPUS University Reaches $100 Million Milestone The University has reached a significant milestone in efforts to increase support for research activities as it has surpassed the $100- million mark in external funding. As the books were closed on the 2005-06 fiscal year June 30, external research dollars reached $102 million forthe first time in the University's history. "The effort ofourfacultyto secure external research dollars to support our educational enterprise is impressive and defines the culture of academic excellence at Southern Miss. I am proud of our great university the depth ofour academic tradition andvery proud ofthe students we serve," said Shelby Thames, University president. The increase representsa43 percent increase fromthe $71.3 million recorded in 2005. Since 2000, external research fundinghas increased eachyear. Externalresearch fundingamountslistedare recorded atthe endof each fiscal year endingJune 30: 2000 - $40.1 million; 2001 - $50.1 million; 2002-$62.6 million; 2003- $67.1 million; 2004- $69mil- lion; 2005 - $71.3 million; and 2006 - $102 million. Approximately two-thirds of the University's external research Mexotheranmaelldy0f.unEldaesdH,reassesairscthanptrporjeocftessswoirtohfbboitohloggircaadlusactieenacneds,unledfet,rgwroardkusatoensatvuadreinettsy.of funding comes via competitive grants from prestigious agencies like theNationalScience Foundationand the National InstitutesofHealth nies is critical to USM's ability to contribute to the economic well- andmanyothers. Thisprocessisthroughwrittenproposalsandapeer being ofthe state, said Thames. review system. The other portion of this funding is congressionally Byleveragingits expertise in key areas, Thames says the University directed, or earmarked, through line items in the federal budget and isaggressivelyseekingpartnershipswith the privatesector, whichwill must be renewed through the budget process with support of the ultimately contribute to the economic well-being ofMississippi. state's congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. Workisunderwayona$30millionlnnovationandCommercialization "We'vehadsomeverygoodcompetitivehitsthisyear. Thismoneyfunds Park that will capitalize on economic growth by creating laboratories the entire research enterprise that includes equipment, faculty and student forjoint University and industry projects that turn researchinto mar- support,and,overall,helpsushaveaverycompetitiveeducationalprogram," ketable products. The 400-acre site is located near Classic Drive in saidCecilBurge,vicepresidentforresearchandeconomicdevelopment. Hattiesburg. Burge expects ground breaking on the park's first build- The College ofScience andTechnologyled allUniversityunitswith ing sometime next spring. just over $41 million in total external research funding. The college Burge said that the Universityhas talked to nearly40 companiesin comprises 16 departmental areas located in Hattiesburg and on the the past year about potential partnerships. Mississippi GulfCoast. OtherUniversityareasalso are makingstrides Burge adds, "We are trying to build an innovation continuum as well, including biological sciences; anthropology and sociology; where we have a hand in training students to do research, starting and human performance and recreation. companies, and then helping them expand here in Mississippi." Closing the Funding Gap "More research funding allows us to provide a participative learn- Notunlikeuniversitiesacrossthe country, SouthernMisshashad to ingenvironment forstudents, and it serves as a catalyst in making us explore additional fundingavenues in the face ofsmaller state appro- more competitive for the future," said Thames. priations for higher education. External funding currently makes up about 40 percent of the University's income while tuition and state External Research Funding at Southern Miss appropriations make up the remaining 60 percent, said Burge. $102 million I "Twenty-fiveyearsago,thestateofMississippiprovided80percentof Southern Miss funding; today it is less than 25 percent," says Burge. "During the past five years we've tripled the size of our research $71.3 million- enterprise to the point that now our research enterprise provides more $69 million— fundingthan thestate does. Ifthe research enterprise were anindustry $67.1 million— unto itself, it would comprise a payroll of $60 million for more than $62.6 million- 700 people with no pollution, and allwithin a public institution." Burge points to several areas of research in particular which arc $50.1 million- multi-million dollar enterprises - polymers and high performance $40.1 million- materials ($10 million), marine aquaculture at Gulf Coast Research Laboratory ($15 million), and ocean observation systems at Stennis Space Center ($15 million). Making Research and Innovation a Business The ability to create knowledge that leads to innovations in the workplace, and, ultimately, to foster partnerships with new eompa- St'MMr . ixLuiml oil ;11 Finish Line/Southern MissAlumni Go' ^Shadow Ridgp t ShadowRidge GolfClub. > i1 # G$# £ f fc gataaggg Presented by Sponsoredbythe Southern Miss AlumniAssociation Friday, October 3 • 2:30 p.m. I I Visit our web site at www.SouthernMissAlumni.com or call 60 1.266.50 3 for more 1 information and registration. COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM TO: MakethemostofyourHomecoming SouthernMissAlumniAssociation-118CollegeDrive#5013•Hattiesburg,MS39406-0001 2006weekendbyparticipatingin Team Contact: Phone: E-Mail: Fax: theHomecomingScholarship Golf Address: Tournament.This tournamenthas allthe Team Members Address Phone HCP/AVG makings ofaperfectgolfevent: agreat course,fellowshipwithotherGoldenEagle faithful,andaworthycause.Theproceeds willbenefittheUSMAALegacyFund, No.ofPlayers x $ 125=$ .No.ofMulliganPackage x$10=$_ PaymentMethod: Check Cash Credit(MCorVisa) QCash whichhasbeencreatedtoprovidefuture CreditCardNo. Exp.Date:. NameonCard scholarshipsforthechildren ofalumni. MakeChecksPayabletoSouthernMissAlumniAssociation