After serving in the role of President of The University of Southern Mississippi over the past six weeks, I have been affirmed of our university’s many strengths and unlimited potential. I have focused much of my energy in speaking to alumni groups across the region and reminding them of the unique Southern Miss culture and the opportunities before us. Southern Miss exudes a culture that is defined by grit, which I define as an unrivaled passion around audacious goals combined with an unwavering perseverance toward accomplishing those goals and then reaching for others. At Southern Miss we never give up, and we never give in on our quest for distinction.
I have received resounding support for my stated desire to get all people who care about Southern Miss and its future under the tent, as we move Southern Miss forward in student recruitment, alumni and community support, student life, private fund raising, funded research and supporting athletics and the arts.
As a Pine Belt resident and/or businessperson, The University of Southern Mississippi is YOUR UNIVERSITY, without regard to where you attended college. Hattiesburg, the Pine Belt and all of south Mississippi benefit in significant ways from the presence of Southern Miss.
As residents of the premier college city in Mississippi, I need your help. I need you to refer outstanding students for recruitment. I need you to share the good news of all that is happening on our campuses. I need you to deck your businesses out in black and gold. And most importantly, I need you to join the Partners for the Arts and the Eagle Club, and to buy season tickets and attend campus athletics and arts events. The Partners for the Arts Gala is coming up September 15. Join today so you can attend! Our internationally renown USM Symphony debuts for its 105th season with a concert on the Hattiesburg campus on September 29, and later this semester you will not want to miss our production of the musical, “Guys and Dolls.”
Our inaugural football season as Sun Belt conference members kicks off at home on September 3 against Liberty, with games at The Rock to follow on September 17 against Northwestern State, Homecoming October 15 against Arkansas State, an exciting nationally televised game Thursday night, October 27 against Louisiana, and concluding with games November 5 against Georgia State and November 19 against new rival South Alabama.
I am determined during my time serving my beloved alma mater as president, to leave Southern Miss better than I found it. I am inviting and challenging all of our neighbors and friends to join me in this effort. SMTTT!
