Talon, The

56 Pages·2003·6.6 MB·English

by  University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association

SOUTHERN MISS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2003
• Fall
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Walk-on alumni discover Southern Miss
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SOUTHERN MISS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION • Fall 2003
Departments
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
With wise eyes and a sweet, shysmile, Miss Oseola McCarty
6 News Around Campus looked more like the grandmotheryou'd visit on Sunday than a
major philanthropistwho would donate a large sum ofmoney to a
10 Calendar of Events university. But Stephanie BullockFerguson '01 knows that a giving
heart and good fortune come in many forms.
11 Admissions Update
LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!
12 From the Archives
Walk-on alumni, or supporters who did not attend Southern Miss
14 Foundation News but love the Golden Eagles and want to support the university,
comprise an ever-increasing fanbase.
17 Sighting Southern Stars
33 Association News ONE UNIVERSITY, ONE RING
The AlumniAssociation, in conjunction with the University
40 Athletic News Bookstore, unveiled the university's official ringin a ceremony on
October 30 at theAubrey Keith LucasAdministration Building.
42 Eagle Club The creationofthe official ringis an integral part ofthe Alumni
Association's plan forbuildingand recording traditions.
43 Snapshots
45 Class Notes 29 HELP KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES
54 Southern Miss Traditions Faculty and students from the School ofNursingheaded offto
opposite points on the globe in October, but theyshared the same
humanitarian focus.
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
SouthernMiss' International Student and ScholarServicesand
English Language Institute are dedicated to recruiting and serving
the university's foreign student population and play an important
role in their lives.
FRONTCOVER: IllustrationbyRickyNobile
I
EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR BOBPIERCE '91
ASSOCIATEDIRECTOR MARKBOYLES73
MANAGEROFCOMMUNICATIONS BONNIEGIBBS'97
MANAGEROFPROGRAMS MARCUSNAUSE 99,'00
COORDINATOROFCHAPTERSERVICES DAWNSMITH'95
ADMINISTRATIVEASSISTANT MONAREEVES
COORDINATOROFINFORMATIONSERVICES
MELISSABLACKBURN
MAILCLERK EDWARDWALLACE
RECEPTIONISTMIKEDANIELS
INFORMATIONSERVICESSPECIALIST DONNACLOY
EDITORIALASSISTANT KRISTENPREAU
THELEGACYGRADUATEASSISTANT DANALUQUIRE 02
CONSULTANTINRESIDENCE RICHARDCRAIG'86
DIRECTOREMERITUS POWELLOGLETREE'48,'51
CONTRIBUTINGWRITER DONNAMCGUYER'95
CONTRIBUTINGWRITER YVONNEARNOLD'90
CONTRIBUTINGWRITER MATHEWCOX'93 Make a Permanent Connection
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
PRESIDENT DR.EUGENEOWENS Forge alifelong linktoyouralma mater by becominga Life Member
PRESIDENT-ELECT REXKELLY
VICEPRESIDENT DANNYMITCHELL ofthe Alumni Association. In addition to assuring your connection
PASTPRESIDENT EDLANGTON
FINANCECOMMITTEECHAIR MORGANMCCARTY with the University, a Life Membership qualifies your USM-bound
SECRETARY/TREASURER BOBPIERCE childrenforanout-of-statetuitionwaiver(subjecttoUniversityguide-
lines), entitlesyou to a Life Membership plaque, and helps fund pro-
TREYBOBINGER,KIMGALLASPY,ELIJAHJONES, grams that benefitthe Universityandthe Southern Miss community.
MICHAELRATLIFF,ROBINROBINSON,DONSMITH,
DR.WAYNEADKISON,ROSEMARYAULTMAN,
MICHAELCALLAHAN,THOMASGIBBENS,
STEVEHOLIFIELD,LEONARDVANSLYKE,BRYANTWALLACE,
WALTERDENTON,BERNARDGREEN,
CURTHEBERT,BILLYHEWES,SCOTTLESLIE, AS REFLECT ON THE INSTITUTIONS
REBECCAMONTAGUE,BENNYWADDLE I
AND INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE HELPED ME
EX-OFFICIOBOARDMEMBERS:DR.SHELBYTHAMES,
TIMRYAN,RICHARDGIANNINI,MELANIEHUNSBERGER, TO SUCCEED IN MY CAREER, I CANNOT
BOBBYDEWS,MARGIEHELTZEL HELP BUT PLACE THE UNIVERSITY OF
Southern Mississippi at the top.
I
77)eTalon(USPS652-240)ispublishedquarterlyby WAS GIVEN AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION,
TheUniversityofSouthernMississippiAlumniAssociation,
Box5013,Hattiesburg,MS39406 WHICH BUILT A BASE FOR ME TO MOVE ON
Activemembershipduesof$35 TO LAW SCHOOL. I THEN TOOK TO MY
(singlemembership)or$40(couple) YOUNGEST SON AARON, WHO WILL
includesubscription OBTAIN HIS UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:MarketingandPublicRelations, from USM in December, and he too has had a very positive
CenterforEducationandLearningTechnology,AthleticMediaRelations, experience at the university of southern mississippi.
HedermanBrothersPrintinginRidgeland,Miss.,andthestaffofthe These reasons and many more instill in me a desire to
SouthernMissAlumniAssociation give back to my university. one of the greatest ways of
PeriodicalpostagepaidatHattiesburg,MS39406 giving back and helping usm is to become a life member
andatadditionalmailingoffices of the Alumni Association."
(ApprovedJanuary20,1955)
POSTMASTER:
Sendaddresschangesto IRA J. MlDDLEBERG '70
Box5013,Hattiesburg,MS39406 Attorney, Middleberg, Riddle & Gianna
[phone]
[email protected]
website:www.southernmissalumni.com
For more information, contactthe
AlumniAssociation office, 601-266-5013.
ProudMemberof
SOUTHERN
MISSISSIPPI
•ALUMNI-
AA/EOE/ADAI
—
HOME
DearAlumniandFriends,
AsIrushedthroughthe frontdooroftheHonorHouseonedayrecently, 1 quicklyscoopedupmydailystackofmailfrom
the Foundation's executive secretary, Pamela Brewer. In the pile were memos and reminders ofearly aft—ernoon meetings,
phonemessages,voicemailmessagesande-mailsthatneededtobereviewedandprioritized. Nosurprises soI thought
asImademywaytothemailIhadplacedonmydeskearlier.AsIopenedoneletter,severalguessescametomindastoits
contents. Perhapsitwasaletterfrom one ofourHonorClub membersrequestinginformation, or froman alumnus seek-
ingwaysinwhichtoendowascholarship. Perhapsitconcernedanynumberofbusinesses-relatedissuesthatcomethrough
here onaweeklybasis.
HadIbeenmorefocusedonobservingthehandwrittenenvelope,Iwouldhavenoticedthereturnaddresswasfromoncam-
pus.Enclosed,Ifoundaone-pagehandwrittenletteraddressedtotheFoundation. Simpleinitsmessage,theletterwaspro-
foundlymovinginwhatitrepresentedregardingthe veryessence ofthe Foundationsexistence. With permission fromthe
author, theletterfollowsforallourreadersofTheTalon. Ihope ittouchesyou asdeeplyasit didme.
DearMr. Ryan,
MynameisDanielle Prejean, andIamaBurnsPresidentialScholarfromSulphur, La. Iwouldlike to take this
opportunityto thankyouformakingmyscholarshippossible. Irealize that theHonorsCollegewasonlyable to
offermethisamazingopportunitybecausepeoplelikeyousupportacademicexcellenceatSouthernMiss. Iwould
like to tellyoualittle abouttheimpactmyscholarshiphashadonme.
Iamcurrentlyaseniorsociologyandjournalismmajor. I plantograduateinMayandcontinueontograduate
schoolinsociology. Rightnow, I amapplyingto graduate schoolsandseriouslythinkingabout the cost ofatten-
dance. IttakesagreatloadoffmymindtoknowthatIhavenostudentloansfrommyundergraduate education
becauseofthePresidentialScholarship. IamfreetoattendanygraduateschoolthatIchoosewithoutmajorcon-
cernsassociatedwithcostbecause the onlydebtIwillhave toworryaboutisthe debt fromgraduate school.
Secondly,withoutthisscholarship Iwouldprobablynothave attendedUSMinthe firstplace. Mymothertold
meearlyinhighschool that I had tobe financiallyindependentwhere collegewasconcerned. Withthe T.O.PS.
programinLouisiana, 1hadcollege paid fornearmyhometownat McNeese StateUniversity. While McNeese is
a good school, there were many more academic opportunities available to me at Southern Miss. The Honors
College has given me a valuable, well-rounded education and some inspirational faculty at Southern Miss have
shownme thatsociologyiswhatI ammeantto do. Iamverygratefulthatmyscholarship allowedme to attend
college here.
Thirdly, myPresidential Scholarship allowedme to spend asemesterinEngland studyingat Keele University.
MyscholarshippaidformytuitionandroomandboardatKeele, andtheadditional financialaidI receivedpaid
formyotherexpense, includingtravel. Withoutthisscholarship, myfamilycouldnothave paid forme to study
abroad.While Iwasgone, Ilearnedtoadapttoadifferenteducationalenvironment, Ibegantobetterunderstand
and appreciate the American culture, and I was allowed to visit four different countries and see things I only
dreamedof.TheimpactofthisexperienceonmylifehasbeengreatandwillbegreaterasIcontinuethroughlife.
Once again I would like to thankyou formakingthis scholarship available to me and to otherstudentsin
the future. Ireallycannotexpressinwordsthelife alteringeffectthescholarshiphashadonme. Thankyou.
Sincerely,
Danielle Prejean
EverytimeIreadthislettersomethingnewgrabsmyattention.Whatisconsistentistheimportanceofourdonorswhostep
uptohelp financiallychallengedandstrugglingSouthernMissstudents. So manystudentswhoprecededMs. Prejeanhave
beenhelpedbythe generosityofalumni, friendandsuppo—rters ofendowmentsnowinexistence. Although the past three
yearshave—negativelyimpacted ourcountryinmanyways includingfoundationsatvirtuallyeveryuniversitythroughout
ournation SouthernMissstudentsare fortunate thatmanycanstillbenefitbyexistingscholarshipsatyourFoundation.
WhatcontinuestodriveyourstaffattheUSMFoundationandtheAdministrative LeadershipTeamatSouthernMissisour
understanding ofhow manymore Danielle Prejeans, now and in years to come, might not be able to attend ourbeloved
SouthernMissbecause ofourinabilityto financiallyassistthem. Studentsare ourreasonforbeing. Iconsidermyselffortu-
natetoworkaroundsuchdedicatedfacultyandstaffwho are committed tohelpingallofouryoungadults.
Given thiswonderful opportunity to addressyou aswe approach the final weeks ofthe 2003 year, I would be remiss not
asking you to consider making end-of-year contributions focused for tax deductions to the USM Foundation. Donations
made throughDecember31 willberecordedforthe2003 taxyear.Yourgiftismorecntical thaneverasweneartheendof
the comprehensive campaign onJune 30, 2004. Initiate a gift or explore giving options by contacting us at the USM
Foundation,Box 10026,Hattiesburg,MS39406,phone[phone] [email protected]. Yourgiftwill
literallychangelives.
/
tilt
Tim Ryan
Executive director, USM Foundation
2
NEWS
Nursing Student Gets Support from Fellow Classmates
Life was going along as planned for 39- In order to help her with medical expenses, her friends and class-
year-old LisaMeredithuntilshe found out mates of the Southern Miss Gulf Coast Student Nurses' Association
she had breast cancer. have stepped up to the plate.
Meredith, who would have been a sen- Ayard sale fund-raiserwasheld atthe BiloxiTown Green. Allpro-
ior nursing student this year at The ceeds benefited Meredith.
University of Southern Mississippi Gulf The Student Nurses' Association has also set up an account at the
Coast, was diagnosed with stage-3 breast USM Federal Credit Union in Merediths name for those who would
cancer m July and started treatment in like tomake adonation. Thecreditunionislocatedat 730EastBeach
\
/ August Blvd., Long Beach, Miss., 39560. Donors can also contact the Credit
\ "Thedevastatingdiagnosisofbreastcancer Union by calling [phone] to transfer funds.
I I
has hit one of our own nursing students," One ofthenursingstudentsaidinginthisprocessisJenniferGood,
said Dr. Linda Mignor, former coordinator of the Southern Miss Gulf a seniornursing major ofBiloxi.
Coastnursingprogramandassociateprofessorwhorecentlyretired. "I have had the pleasure ofattending school with Lisa for the past
Meredith, a student in the 2004 graduating class, will not be able year," said Good. "Lisa is a hardworking, dedicated and intelligent
to attend classes this academic year. Instead, she will be undergoing individual with a passion for nursing. Lisa loves helping people,
radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. which isjust one ofthe many reasons why I and everyone else who
"We fully expect Lisa to return to school next fall with the class knows Lisawant to help herinhertime ofneed. I cansay for myself
of 2005," said Mignor. 'Many college students fall within the 53 andonbehalfofthose Iattendschoolwiththatweare thankfultothe
million people in the United States who are uninsured, and Lisa is community for theirsupport and prayers."
no exception." Meredith lives in Biloxi with her husband, Rick; daughter,
In herplan to become a registered nurse, Meredith chose to make Shawnda, 20; sons, Harley, 18; andVincent, 16; 2-month-old grand-
studying her primary focus duringnursing school and therefore was son, Dominick; and her mother-in-law, Bobby.
not employed full time. This choice left her without medical insur- "Idon'tknowhowI amevergoingto repay everyone fortheirlove
ance, and due to other roadblocks, she is currently unable to secure and generosity," Meredith said. "Ijust hope that this experience will
state assistance. help me be a betternurse and help others. Thankyou to all."
University Administrates Grant to Create 'Digital Library' of Civil Rights History
Southern Miss will administer a $463,322 grant awarded to schools, community colleges and universities as well as on a
USM Libraries for a collaborative project that will result in the global scale.
world's largest online educational resource on the African- The program plans to deliver digital reproductions of original
American civil rights movement. documents to classrooms, libraries and desktops via the Internet
In a collaboration with Delta State University, Jackson State and will create the raw material from which educators can build
University, Tougaloo College, the Mississippi Department of lesson plans and activities, college and university students can
Archives and History and the University of Mississippi, the research term papers, and citizens in Mississippi and elsewhere
Mississippi Digital LibraryProgramwillresultinthe digitizationof may engage in lifelong learning in more informal settings. The
at least 10,000 pages/images over two years ofproduction. finding aid component ofthe project will provide comprehensive
The project, funded with a grant from the Institute of Museum intellectual control for Mississippi's civil rights collections for the
andLibraryServices(IMLS),willcreateresearch-qualitydigitalcol- first time.
lections of letters, diaries, photographs, state and organizational "This is another example of our library staff's ingenuity," said
records, oralhistories andotherprimarysources thatprovide first- Southern Miss HattiesburgProvostDr. TimHudson. "The digitiza-
hand documentation ofone ofthe most far-reaching social move- tion ofthese resources will ultimately enhance the ability of edu-
ments in United States historyin a state thatbecame a focal point cators andstudents to access informationandconductresearch on
in the struggle overAmerica's racial dilemma. animportant aspect ofMississippihistory."
"This more extensive collaboration among some of the states TheprojectbuildsonthesuccessoftheCivilRightsinMississippi
academic institutions gives us an opportunityto form lastingpart- Digital Archive project at Southern Miss (supported by IMLS in
nerships that will pave the wayfor anexpansion ofaccess to other 2001) and the CivilRights Erain Mississippi digitalaudio preserva-
cultural materials as well," said Diane DeCesare Ross, digitization tion project, a collaboration among the Mississippi Department of
librarian at Southern Miss. Archives and History, Tougaloo College, and the Southern Miss
Currently, collections of civil rights materials in Mississippi Centerfor Oral Historyand Cultural Heritage. "These projectshave
are dispersed in archives separated by as much as 250 miles. alreadyshownusthatthereisalarge,potentiallyglobal,audiencefor
Digital technology offers Mississippi an opportunity to bring Mississippi's civil rightsmaterials," Ross said.
these important resources together in a statewide digital The Civil Rights in Mississippi Digital Archive can be accessed
archive to support education and research in Mississippi's K-12 online at www.lib.usm.edu/~spcol/crda/index.html.
THE TALON
k^
CAMPUS
Center for Community and Economic Development Plays Key Role in Job Creation
Research conducted by the university's Center for Community CCED representatives worked with local and state economic
and Economic Development (CCED) recently played an integral development officialsin makingpresentations to the companyasit
role in bringing a newmajor employer to the town ofLeakesville. was being courted.
Leakesville is the county seat ofGreene County, and has a pop- Goodman said when Southern Miss is involved in a project like
ulation ofapproximately 1,200. The town will soon be home to a this, the support services the university makes available are always
newValue Line Industries furniture manufacturing facility thanks appealing to the business in question.
to a team recruitment effort inwhich the CCED participated. "It comforts them when the university is behind it, because we
The CCED's role in helping bring Arkansas-based Value Line offer so many resources," Goodman said, "especially since
Industries to this small town on the edge ofthe Hattiesburg trade Southern Miss tends to place as much focus as it does on econom-
areawas providing employment and tax revenue projections.
ic development."
CCEDDirectorMarkGoodmansaidthatshowinglocalandstate
Another Southern Miss resource, the Lean Enterprise Center
officials the potential impact ofthis new employer helped them in
(LEC), is also played a role in the Value Line recruitment. Located
their efforts to recruitValue Line to the area.
"Wewere able toputsomethingtogetherthatshowed themhow on Southern Miss' Gulf Park campus, the LEC specializes in Lean
many jobs would be created, and that in turn allowed them to Manufacturing, which is sometimes referred to as the Toyota
Production System.
decide on the benefits and incentives they could offer Value Line
Industries to move to Leakesville. The purpose here was to show This systemis an operations management strategy that strivesto
the worth ofthe company to the area." eliminate waste throughout the production stream, thus reducing
The CCED study projected that Value Line Industries will cre- cost and overhead.
ate approximately 125 jobs directly, and up to another 110 jobs For the CCED, the recent activities in Leakesville are part of a
indirectly, through its impact on the Leakesville area and sur- continuing focus on providing decision-making support to eco-
rounding communities. nomic development entities.
University Receives $250K Grant to Fund
Thamesto Spend One-on-OneTimewith Students
Deaf-Blind Training
Tuesdays at 2 with Thames
The university received a $250,000 grant from the U.S.
President Dr. Shelby Thames will spend Department ofEducation to trampersonnel fromacross the state to
one Tuesday of every month listening and workwith deaf-blind students.
talkingwithstudentsintheirownenviron- The grant, announced recently by U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor CD-
ment. Since September, Dr. Thames has Miss.), will help fund the five-year statewide project, which will
been spendingsome one-on-one time with
prepare up to 60 people through a master's degree program in
students at Seymours Grill, fielding ques- severe disabilities with emphasis in dual sensor}- impairment. The
tions, listening to student issues and talk-
master'swillsatisfystateagencycertificationrequirementsforwork-
ing about opportunities at Southern Miss.
ingdirectlywith orsupervisingpersonnelworkingwithindividuals
"I hope our students will take advantage ofthis opportunity,"
with multiple disabilities. These personnel will also be qualified to
saidVice President for Student Affairs Dr.Joe Paul.
Student Body PresidentJaredLoftus talkedwithDr. Thames lead future training of paraeducators at one ol the state's 15 com-
about finding a way to bringhim into the students' territory. "I munity colleges.
wanted other students to feel comfortable interacting with Dr. "The need is tremendous," said Dr. Linda McDowell, administra-
Thames, and I thought it would be received better ifhe came tive director ofthe Mississippi Deaf-Blind Project, which is housed
to them rather than them making an appointment to come to in the Southern Miss Department ot Curriculum. Instruction and
his office," Loftus said. "Some students can be intimidated in Special Education. "Students in Mississippi identified as deaf-blind
that setting, and I want students to get to know Dr. Thames are scattered throughout the state, and often are the only (deaf-
like I do." blind) child in a particular count}-. Their teachers need the special-
"Our students are the No. 1 reason we're here," Thames ized training and support proposed in this project in order to be
explained. "I need theirinput so thatwe make decisions in their able to best serve these children."
bestinterest. Todothat,weneedtotalktothemabouttheircon- The 60 personnel completing the master's degree will work in a
cerns, answer their questions and listen to their needs." variety ofcapacities, includingproviding direct and related services
"I'm excited about this opportunity," he added. "Our students tor school and transition age students and families, as well as con-
shouldbe focused onacademics ratherthanmakingan appoint- sultation to parents and other professionals associated with state
ment to meetwith me. This makes it easy forthem and forme." agencies, private providers and the Choctaw Nation.
FAI
NEWS
NASA Awards $3 million to Geospatial Center
NASAhas awarded a $3 milliongrant to build the university's capability forapplyingremote sensing
technologies to coastal zone research and management.
President ShelbyThames announced that the two-year grantwill fund continued development ofthe
GulfCoast Geospatial Center, a researchprogramand datawarehouse establishedlastyearwiththesup-
port ofthe NASA Earth Science Applications Directorate at Stennis Space Center.
The geospatial centeris located at the GulfCoast Research Laboratoryin Ocean Springs.
"A major component ofthe center's mission is to train students and researchers in the use ofgeospa-
tial technologies," Thames said. "This opportunity ensures that our students and faculty will remain on
the cutting edge ofthis rapidly evolving field."
With physical facilities, hardware and personnel now in place, the center will focus on acquiring
geospatialdataprimarilyrelatedtoMississippi'scoastalregion,startinguptheresearchcomponentofthe
program and expandingefforts to equip researchers, students, resource managers and plannerswith the
tools available through geospatial sciences.
Principal investigators for the program are Dr. William E. Hawkins, professor ofcoastal sciences and executive director ofthe GCRL,
and Dr. Cecil Burge, associate vice president ofresearch and technology transfer.
Hawkinssaid scientific personnelat the geospatial centerwillcontinue developmentand teachingofSouthernMiss coursesinapplied
geospatial sciences this fall.
The center and NASA are also organizing a conference that will bring to the coast the latest information on geographical information
technologies.
Karnes Honored at State and National Levels
New Chief Financial Officer Announced
Dr. Frances Karnes, director of the Frances Karnes
PresidentThameshasannouncedthe appointment
Center for Gifted Studies, has recently been honored at
of Gregg Lassen as the chief financial officer for the
the state and national levels for her expertise and contri-
university.
butions to gifted education. "Gregg has extensive work experience in financial
Karnes was named one of the 50 leading business-
positions, making him ideally suited for this role,"
women in the state for 2003 by the Mississippi Business Thames said. "He is highly energetic, articulate, and
Journal. In addition to serving as director of the center, passionate about his work."
she is a professor of curriculum, instruction and special Lassen holds a bachelor's degree and a master of
educationat Southern Miss, and herworkin gifted education is nationally and businessadministrationdegree fromtheUniversityof
internationally recognized. Wisconsin. He also holds a doctor ofjurisprudence
Karnessaid the designationfrom thejournalcame on the 31stanniversaryof from the University ofHouston. He has been admit-
her family's arrival in Hattiesburg. "I'm honored by this award and want to tedto thestatebars ofbothTexasandUtah. Lassenis
thank all those who helped make it possible, including the excellent staff I've currently pursuing his doctorate in international
been fortunate to work with at the center, alongwith everyone at the universi- development at Southern Miss.
ty, area businesses who help us in our efforts to delivergifted education servic- Lassen worked for BP Amoco for 17 years, serving
es, and the thousands ofsupportive people across ourgreatstate," Karnes said. in a variety ofpositions including assistant controller,
In addition, Karnes was recently named to the editorial board of the Duke senior auditor, regulatoryaffairs attorney, special proj-
Gifted Letter. The quarterly newsletter for parents of gifted children provides ect negotiator and chieffinancial officer for a division
wide-ranging feature stories, summaries of recent research, critical reviews of of the company. In addition to his work with BP
educationalmaterials, articles addressingsocial and emotional issues and other Amoco, he has served as both the college chair for
compelling topics. The newsletter, which has 6,000 subscribers, also provides Graduate BusinessandManagementfortheUniversity
resources and guides to help parents navigating the educational and develop- of Phoenix, Utah Campus, and as associate dean for
mental challenges and opportunities facinggifted children and youth. the College ofGraduate Business and Management.
Dr. Kristen Stephens, one of Karnes' former doctoral students, is editor-in- Lassen has served as director and member of the
chiefofthe newsletter. "We are very pleased to have her on the board because executive committee of Children First Utah. He has
she isone ofthe mostrenowned expertsinthe field ofgifted studies," Stephens servedasatrustee andmemberoftheexecutivecom-
said. "She's always had the ability to see the gaps in research and identify the mittee oftheSoutherlandInstitute. Hewasamember
needs ofgifted children and their families. Herinsight, ideas and directionwill ofLeadership Utahin 1998 and president ofthe Oak
be crucial to our publication." Ridge Elementary Community Council.
8
THE TALON
CAMPUS
'Flying Boat' to Aid Gulf of Mexico Research University Featured on Discovery Channel
Broadcast
What looks like a
cross between a hang "ChampionsofIndustry: Spotlight onEducation" featured
glider and an inflatable The University of Southern Mississippi as a part of a 30-
boatwillsoonbehelping minute paid program, produced by Pat Summerall
university researchers Productions, to be broadcast on The Discover)' Channel
learn more about off- Network.
shore game fish in the "Champions of Industry" has featured excellence in busi-
GulfofMexico. ness practices for the last eight years. Hundreds of compa-
University oceanog- nies have attained "Champions" status because of their
rapher Dr. Vernon integrity, ingenuityand proven leadership in their respective
Asper recently demon- industries.
strated a new flying Southern Miss was chosen by Pat Summerall Productions
boat intended to sup- to be the first segment to be profiled in this education-
focused "Champions ofIndustry" program.
port fisheries research
aswellasotherprojects "Wewent throughaninterviewprocessbeforebeingselect-
ed," said President Shelby Thames.
that require aerial
observation. A veteran According to a spokesperson for the company, Pat
pilot, researcher and Summerall Productions selected the university because of
professor of marine science, Asper put the craft through its "the energy and drive it devotes to its researchand economic
development effort."
paces near the Southern Miss GulfCoast Research Laboratory,
"The results have brought significant benefit to the univer-
headquarters forthe researchtobe the first tobenefit from the
newapparatus. sity's and the states economic growth. Additionally we were
Asper will use the flying boat initially to help GCRL delighted to find their marine sciencesprogramhas a nation-
researchers locate masses of sargassum, a species of brown al and international reputation far beyond that which our
own research uncovered," said a spokesperson for Pat
algae that floats in the open gulf and serves as critical habitat
Summerall Productions.
forjuveniles of many important species such as marlin, dol-
The show featuring Southern Miss aired as a paid program
phin fish and tuna.
in October on The Discovery Channel.
"Fisheriesbiologists at thelab studythese seaweedmats and
"This is great exposure for Southern Miss with a man who
the fish that live there in order to learn about the fishes' life
has a great national and international recognition and repu-
cycles, feeding habits and abundances in various places and
tation," Thames said. "In addition to the national exposure
seasons,"Asper said.
for the university through the broadcast, we will be able to
Asper and colleagues will transport the aircraft to gulf
use the piece for recruitment oftop quality faculty, staffand
study sites on the deckofthe researchvesselTommy Munro. students. We expect that it will also be a great tool for us to
Asper will search an area within 10-15 miles of the ship,
use when talking with businesses interested in partnering
determine the exact position of the seaweed by Global
with us for economic development opportunities."
Positioning System (GPS) and transmit the positions to the
ship using a marine radio.
The flyinginflatableboat(FIB) isacommercialproductbuilt
by Polaris Motor in Italy. Asper said that although more than
1,300 are in use worldwide, only a few are used for research.
"One is used for coral reef surveys in Aldabra, an island
group in the Indian Ocean north of Madagascar, and they've
been used for releasing sea turtles offshore," he said. "Like
small boats, they are mostly used for recreation, although I
don't find it all that recreational."
Aspers research group acquired the $23,000 boat through
self-generated funds.
"No state fundswere used," he said. "This is an example of
an excellent use of self-generated funds to support research
in the gulf."
fall 200:
CALENDAR
Alleventsaresubjecttochangeandshouldbeconfirmed.AnyquestionsregardingtheseeventscanbedirectedtotheSouthernMissAlumni
[email protected],orcall [phone]. Pleasevisitwww.SouthernMissAlumni.com/events.htmforthemostup-to-date
calendar. AlleventsarelocatedontheSouthernMisscampusunlessotherwisenoted.
29 Greenville,N.C. 6-7 Hattiesburg 10 SouthernMissbasketballvs.
SouthernMissfootball Rhythmsof Memphis
13-28 MuseumofArtpresents vs.EastCarolina ChristmasConcert, 4p.m./ReedGreenColiseum
featuringSouthern
"DepartmentofArtFaculty 1 p.m. Misspercussion 10 2004USMAAChapter
LeadershipConference
ensembles
Exhibition" 29 LadyEaglebasketballvs. 9a.m./PayneCenter
Fortickets,call(601)266-5418
Freeadmission McNeeseState 7:30p.m./SaengerTheatre 11 SouthernMissbasketballvs.UAB
7p.m./ReedGreenColiseum 7p.m./ReedGreenColiseum
25 Hattiesburg 17 Southern Missbasketballvs.
GeorgiaSouthern 16 LadyEaglebasketballvs.Charlotte
SouthernArtsBass 7p.m./ReedGreenColiseum 7p.m./ReedGreenColiseum
QuintetConcert 4 SymphonyOrchestraSeason
Concert,Handel'sMessiah 18 LadyEaglebasketballvs.
Freeadmission Fortickets,call(601)266-5418 EastCarolina
6p.m./TrinityEpiscopalChurch 7:30p.m./BennettAuditorium 2:30p.m./ReedGreenColiseum
4 SouthernMissbasketballvs.
18 SouthernMissbasketballvs.
25 ChoralConcert 4-16 M"2u0s03euSmenioforArSthporwe"sents 2Nep.wm.Or/lReeaensdGreenColiseum 7Hopu.smt.o/nReedGreenColiseum
Freeadmission
Opening reception:
7:30p.m./MannoniPerforming December4,4-6p.m. 7 LNaedwyOEralgelaensbasketballvs. 21 CShoaurtlhoetrtne Missbasketballvs.
ArtsCenterAuditorium Freeadmission 7p.m./ReedGreenColiseum 4p.m./ReedGreenColiseum
24 AlumniAssociation
25 LadyEaglebasketballvs. 4-6 Studio 115DanceConcert 10 LadyEaglebasketball Boardof
Fortickets,call(601)266-5418 vs.Tulane Directorsmeeting SOUTHERN
Louisiana-Monroe 7:30p.m./TheatreandDance 7p.m./ReedGreen TimeTBA/ MISSISSIPPI
•ALUMNI-
5:30p.m./ReedGreenColiseum BuildingStudio Coliseum PayneCenter
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
SOUTHERNMISSTRIVIA
How well do you know your alma mater? 7Ae ffrttte &4JWfczizzippi
Test your USM knowledge to find out.
MARCHING BAND
1. What football game has been coined "The Adopt-A-Uniform Campaign 2003
Battle for the Bell?"
j^St^-gif-,^ Your financial support
2. What former Southern Miss punter was the ^^|J - by adopting a uniform
^\, mi
first punter taken in the first round ofthe ;>•- W ^ f°r $300 will ensure
draft, was selected to the Pro Bowl seven mk&/F proper maintenance of Formore
your uniform, support the
times, and won three Super Bowls? ^^^ purchase of complementary ainbfoourtmaatdioopnt-
d
3. In what year was the Payne Center, Southern ^^^B uDnixiifeorDmasrlfionrgst,heancodloorthgeurarndecaensd- ninegwonPreidofeour
Miss' fitness and recreation facility, built? ' uniforms call
sary aspects of maintaining a theCollegeof
4. To whom was Southern Miss' first athletic H top-notch marchinq band. Artsand
H Lettersat
field dedicated? (601)266-
Yournamewill beembroidered 5922.
Answerson page 45 into youradopted uniform. AA/EOE/ADAI
10 THE TALON