Summer 2010
How to get involved on Campus
Social Networking finds a place at USM The Magazine of The Student Printz
Wynde Fitts GEWW
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Content:
The Magazine of The Student Printz
Volume III
Page 4.
Studying vs. Partying Hit the books or hit the town? Students give their views on time management decisions between school and socializing.
Page 14.
Centennial Celebrations USM is spending the entire 2010 calendar year looking back on accomplishments during its first 100 years.
Page 16.
Campus Guide Map Getting around campus is as easy as recognizing a few landmarks. This map can help during those first confusing days as a Golden Eagle.
Page 22.
Top Hangout Spots The USM campus is full of places to find some fun with very little effort between classes and during study breaks.
Page 28.
Summer 2010
Managing editor: Christopher Bostick Assistant managing editors: Sherri Barker; Charmel Brown Staff: Sicily Axton, Jesse Bass, David Byrd, Heather Dent, John Glorioso, Sylvia Graham, Divah Griffin, Amber Grubbs, Earvin Hopkins, Madison Mount, Samantha Schott, Alden Ward and Laura Williams Photos: Gillian Borden, Casey Clingan, Roy Green, Jordan Moore, Samantha M. Light, Samantha Stanford and Danny Rawls Ad manager: Lou Ellen Williams Publications manager: Maggie Williams Printed by Signature Offset, Hattiesburg, MS Reaching us: Newsroom: 601-266-4266 printz@usm.edu Advertising: 601-266-5188 printzad@usm.edu
www.studentprintz.com
Friends on every corner Students find friends in many different places across the Southern Miss campus. Check out these scenes from 2009-2010. ON THE COVER: Photo by Jordan Moore
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W y n d e
Stories by John Glorioso
Wynde Fitts is not just the director of USM’s First Year Experience office. She is also a mother, teacher, counselor, mentor and friend. Her passion for serving others combined with the joy she gets from seeing others succeed allow her to leave every student she encounters feeling important. The close relationships Fitts forms with those she meets stem from the time and attention she willingly gives of herself. As a graduate student working in the First Year Experience office, Ronnie Hebert has worked with Fitts and benefited from her selflessness. “Wynde has a willingness to invest in each and every person she interacts with. Even when she is slammed with work she always makes time for people and really listens,”
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F i t t s
Hebert said. As a child Fitts knew she wanted to work in a field that allowed her to be around people. “I didn’t want to be a princess or anything like that. I just wanted to be grown up,” said Fitts. Being the youngest of four children always gave Fitts someone to look up to, including her mother who she says was the most influential person in her early life. “My mother took me everywhere. She treated me as if there were no difference between us. I wanted to go everywhere she went and she always took me along,” said Fitts. The experiences she had as a child helped prepare her for life on her own, she said.
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Fitts did not always know she would end up working with students. She majored in journalism and after graduation began working for a public relations firm. She heard about a job opening at Southern Miss and decided she wanted a change from public relations. She applied and got the job. She soon realized working with students was what she loved. “I went into journalism because I loved to write stories that moved people. When I began working in student affairs, I realized I would have the chance to do things that could move people every day,” she said. As director of the First Year Experience office, Fitts oversees the group Southern Style, who serve as orientation leaders for incoming students to the university. She also plans and runs the university orientation for all incoming students and Golden Eagle Welcome Week, a pre-school orientation designed to help students get started on campus. Additionally, she coordinates activities associated with retention of first year students. Samone Falkner, a senior public relations major from Hattiesburg, believes Fitts is a true representative of everything Southern Miss stands for. Falkner describes Fitts as a “superwoman.” “Wynde goes above and beyond to help you. She has an open door policy for all students,” said Falkner. Students are not the only people who notice Fitts’ accompishments. Vrita Delaine, assistant to the vice president for student affairs, first met Fitts as a student at USM. “Wynde understands the role students play in what makes up this institution. She has a true respect for students and a true understanding that all students have certain needs and discerns what those needs are,” said Delaine. In 2008, Fitts was honored with the Wesley Medical Center Strong Women award for mentors. Former USM student Cherie Kay Triffley nominated Fitts for the award. Thriffley, now the director of Greek Life at Southerneastern Louisiana University, said she uses skills learned from Fitts daily. “Wynde embodies everything the award stands for. She is a role model to me as well as many others,” said Thriffley. Fitts continues to invest in the students of her alma mater. She said she has a true love for Southern Miss. “There is not a single place that has formed me more than this place,” said Fitts of USM. “There are days where I will just be walking across campus and think ‘God, it is good to work here’.”
GEWW
One of the earliest memories many Southern Miss students have is time spent a week before school kicks off participating in Golden Eagle Welcome Week. GEWW takes place the week before classes begin each fall. It is run by USM’s First Year Experience office. “GEWW is a fun week where students learn everything they need to know about being a student at Southern Miss,” said Emily Holmes, manager of transition programs for FYE. During GEWW, students can ask questions and interact with upper classmen as well as peers, which allows them to get to know future classmates. Southern Miss 2010 SGA President Kasey Mitchell, of Picayune, said as a freshman, she was nervous about finding classes the first day of school. “During GEWW, an older student took the time to take me around campus and show me exactly where my classes would be,” Mitchell said. While there are structured activities during GEWW, students can choose freely how they spend their first few days. Students who live in campus residence halls will not have a curfew and will be able to do whatever activities they choose. FYE staff stay on call throughout a student’s first year at USM to help with the transition to college life. “The FYE office is open to help students but we cannot help if students do not come to us for help,” said Holmes. “Each student situation is unique and if a student feels like they are in trouble, please come by and ask for help.”
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Freshman participate in painting Eagle Walk at M.M. Roberts Stadium, an annual tradition during Golden Eagle Welcome Week each fall. Photo by Christopher Bostick
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Story by Amber Grubbs and Alden Ward One of the most difficult decisions college students tend to face is how to divide time between study time and a social life. Time management skills aside, sometimes deciding whether to stay home and hit the books or head out with friends comes right down to just picking one over the other. Amanda Howard, a junior photojournalism major at USM, said it is really easy to make this tough decision. “If it’s an assignment that’s due tomorrow and I know it won’t affect my overall grade in the class, then, yeah, I’m going out,” said Howard. Hattiesburg offers nightlife filled with fun and excitement for students. The city is home to bars, clubs, and restaurants that cater to a variety of tastes. There are also bowling alleys, movies, coffee shops and shopping centers to explore. With that many things to choose from, sometimes it’s hard to quiet the need for friends and frivolity. “I’m really into music and the whole indie rock scene and local bands,” said Kayla Lalley, a sophomore majoring art. Lalley enjoys going to see friends playing in local bands at the Thirty Hippo. “The Hunt Club -- that’s the place to go dance,” Lalley said. “Get totally obliterated and just dance.” Howard, 22, said, “I’m young, and I want to live it up. Sure, some people will save all of the fun for after they graduate; I choose to do it now.” Members of USM Greek organizations have to find a balance between studying and socializing because membership in these organizations brings with it the requirement to attend a certain number of events each semester. To many students enjoying the Greek life, this sometimes gets in the way of class and studying. “Yeah, we are required to go to a certain number of parties, but I really decide in the end which is more important -- school or partying. I generally choose school,” said Leslie Todd, a 20-year-old nursing student at USM. “It really all just depends on what I have due the next day. If I have an exam tomorrow, I’m probably not going to go out.” Some students just choose to not party on a regular basis. Shane Mason, a 26-year-old English major, happily stays home in order to study. “I only party maybe three to four hours a month. I’m trying to get my bachelor’s degree in two and a half years. Partying constantly just isn’t really an option,” Mason said. Junior English major Meryl Dakin sits outside Southern Hall studying in the nice weather. Photo by Kristi Bruister/The Southerner The Benjy Davis Project plays in downtown Hattiesburg at the Bottling Company, a popular spot for students. Photo by Christopher Bostick
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Studyin
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So, what’s your major?
Story by Laura Williams USM offers prospective students many choices of courses with more than 90 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Among the majors to choose from are nationally known studies in fields like polymer science, full-scale education preparation courses and well-respected studies in the arts -- theater, dance, music and art -- as well as others. Graduate students can choose a degree in almost 75 different master’s, specialist’s and doctoral programs from five different colleges -- business, health, arts and letters, education and psychology, and science and technology. The Honors College gives academically gifted students an excellent chance to excel. USM’s Honors College is the sixth oldest in the nation among public universities. International study offers students a chance to take classes while living abroad, choosing from more than 30 countries worldwide. During the fall 2009 semester, top enrollment was reported in interdisciplinary studies, with 524 students, music with 503 students; and mass communication and journalism with 500 students. USM student Charlette Seals said she thought the most common major on campus would be psychology because of people’s “interest in human behavior.” She also said forensic science should be a popular major because of the popularity of television shows like “CSI.” Shaterrica Walker, a broadcast journalism major, said students she knows lean toward public relations as a major because it is new and different. Some students said free services and the ability to study abroad and earn credit hours in almost every major available at USM are big recruiting tools for for the university. Many said university recruiters do a good job telling prospective students about available fields of study at USM. “Some students don’t know their options,” said Walker. “I think each school should advertise more.”
Luke Smitherman looks into the bleachers for family and friends during the second graduation ceremony in May 2009. Photo by Christopher Bostick
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Where should we eat? Story by Sicily Axton For Southern Miss students with a meal plan, the convenience of eating on campus does not mean sacrificing great taste. The Fresh Food Company, located in the Thad Cochran Center, is the central dining area for all residential students. With 11 stations, it provides a wide variety of foods, most of which are prepared right in front of you. And unlike other areas on campus, the Fresh Food Company remains open all weekend. Other campus dining units provide even more food options for students. Seymour’s houses Chic-fil-A and Subway restaurants, which share a Students eat on campus in the Fresh Food Company and use lunch time as a dining area located in the Union. social break from school. Photo by Roy Green/The Southerner
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The Agora, located in the International Center, features a fresh sushi bar, Greek Eatz gyros and Einstein Brothers Bagels. “I usually go to the Agora because they have a decent selection of food, and it is right beside Joseph Greene Hall, where most of my classes are,” said Brittany Clement, a junior fashion merchandising major at USM. “I don’t have a meal plan though, so it is a little expensive for me to afford often.” For a real restaurant feel featuring a menu and décor based on Southern Miss tradition, the Power House features Southern and Cajun cuisine served right to the table. According to information found on the Eagle Dining website, every campus resident is required to purchase a meal plan. These start at $1,219 per semester and can be upgraded upon request. Commuters may also purchase a meal plan, which start at $300 per semester. “As a resident, I don’t mind purchasing a meal plan because I like eating most of my meals on campus. It’s nice to take a break and sit down to eat with friends,” said junior marketing major Kasey Merchant. Even students with a meal plan sometimes have to venture off campus for other dining experiences. One option for students is Caliente Grill, a modern Mexican restaurant on the western edge of campus, featuring burritos, quesadillas, tacos, salads and more, all made to order. According to information on the Caliente Grill website, all college students, faculty and staff with a valid school ID can receive food specials on certain days each week. “After a long day of classes, half priced Caliente ( food) makes my (day),” said junior history major Scott Harrison. Also offering a student discount is Newk’s Express Café. According to information found on Newk’s website, the restaurant features fresh tossed salads, oven-baked sandwiches, California-style pizzas, made-from-scratch soups and homemade cakes from Newk’s open kitchen. “Newk’s is my all-time favorite restaurant, and I try to eat there at least once a week,” said junior elementary education major Lauren Richards. If looking for a special meal with that even more special someone, Sake Café’s quiet, subdued atmosphere is a great place for a romantic date. This modern Japanese restaurant’s menu consists of sushi, teriyaki, tempura and more. From fast food to white tablecloth restaurants, USM students won’t go hungry and should be able to satisfy whatever cuisine craving that strikes. Check the debit card balance or your pocketbook before venturing out to make sure you have the cost of the meal and any applicable gratuities.
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Academics abroad mean ADVENTURE
From Special Reports Most USM students who study abroad – for a semester, a summer or a full academic year – use words like “life changing” to describe their experiences. Heather Murray, a junior English major from Flowood, returned from a semester at Keele University in England in spring 2009 ready to take on anything. Murray said it’s hard to find the right words to talk about her study abroad experience and what it did for her. “Doing a semester exchange stretches you,” she said. “… I am so thankful I chose to study abroad, and I’m so proud of the person I became through it.” Susan L. Steen, director of International Programs at USM, said Murray’s reaction is not unusual. “… Perhaps the greatest reward you’ll reap is the personal satisfaction that comes from having successfully navigated new cultural and geographic terrain, and the newfound assurance that no matter what comes your way, you’re well equipped to cope,” said Steen. USM offers semester and year-long exchange programs with universities and colleges in seven countries and 16 short-term summer programs of varied lengths around the world. With courses available in many disciplines, students can earn credit in their degree program or take electives to satisfy personal and academic degree needs, Steen said. Dane Moreaux took part in the British Studies Program in 2007 and spent 2009-2010 at the University of Orleans in France. Moreaux said both experiences contributed to more than just earning a degree. “I am truly and forever grateful to this year-long experience and all those who have believed in me and allowed me to do it,” Moreaux said. Patrick Murray spent three months in Granada, Spain as a freshman and, though nervous about his abilities with the language and the culture, soon felt right at home. “… I look back now at my adventure abroad with such admiration and pride in myself at having dared to leave my home and venture into a world unknown to me for three months and return a truly better person,” Murray said. “No two adventures are the same … and every day is a new adventure.”
provides it
Story by Earvin Hopkins and Alden Ward There is nothing like enjoying some form of a Southern Miss game. It’s a good way to socialize, a good way to make friends and a good way to support your school. Football games are played at M. M. Roberts Stadium, aka The Rock, located near the freshman quads. Whitney Tanner, a USM student, looks Intramural dodgeball in the Payne Center is forward to football a popular pasttime. Photo by Christopher Bostick season every fall. “My friends and I are always excited about home football games.” Tanner said. “We stand in lines waiting until the gates open to get great seats on the 10-yard line!” Mary-Kate Burkett, a USM student and assistant to the football recruiting coordinator, said for her, football takes a different point of view. “For the general public, game day is a blast. The football team goes out and puts on a show for them. With each new season brings excitement for the public,” Burkett said. Burkett said everyone should come and enjoy Southern Miss football games. “Come out and have fun with us,” she said. “Southern Miss is part of C-USA, but we can hang with the best. Our history proves it.” Football is not the only sport to watch on campus. According to information on the Southern Miss athletics website, fans can enjoy baseball, softball, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, golf and tennis. There are a host of intramural sports as well. The best part for Golden Eagle fans is what fans give the athletes on the field: support and unbelievable energy. Athletes at USM work hard and sacrifice a lot to entertain their fans with a good game. “As an athlete, you don’t have a social life. You’re always training or thinking about your performance,” said Zuna Portillo, a junior track team member. “But the staff cares about their athletes. It’s like family.”
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Southern Miss takes stock of first 100 years Story by Jesse Bass Southern Miss is halfway through a year-long 100th birthday celebration and as organizers look to the fall, there is plenty left on the schedule to enjoy. “It’s important to reflect, and that’s what this year is about: looking at who we are and where we come from by looking at both our mistakes and our achievements,” said Jennifer Payne, USM centennial celebration coordinator. Founded as Mississippi Normal College in 1910 as a teachers’ college, USM now boasts more than 90 undergraduate and more than 90 graduate degree programs. Approximately 16,000 students are enrolled in the university. In its first 100 years, USM has graduated approximately 120,000 alumni. The spring semester included much of the year’s 100th birthday festivities, culminating in the Centennial Founders’ Day celebration March 30. After
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recognizing outstanding student achievements and inaugurating new student government officers on the south lawn of the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration building, a ceremony dedicated Southern Miss’ new Centennial Gateway, an ornamental structure on the Hardy Street entrance to campus. This part of the celebration included burying a time capsule behind the gateway. “The capsule will be opened in 2060, which will mark the 150th anniversary,” 2009 Student Government Association President J.R. Robinson said following the ceremony. Founders’ Day also included the Centennial Convocation, a formal gathering hosted by USM President Martha Saunders and including special guests Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree. The day’s activities wrapped up with the Centennial
Community Celebration in Shoemaker Square, an informal event that included a picnic-style buffet and USM birthday cake. Student Government Association President for 2010-2011 Kasey Mitchell said the festivities were enjoyed by all. “We got so much positive feedback – we had students asking us why we couldn’t do that every year on Founders’ Day,” she said. As a member of the Student Centennial Programming Committee, Mitchell also helped plan the celebration. “It was really exciting to be a part of that and get my ideas across,” she said. Also held during the spring semester were the Centennial Coca-Cola Classic Southern Miss Rodeo, the “Voice of the Century Concert,” featuring Renee Fleming, and the opening of the Centennial Museum in Cook Library. The museum will remain open until January 2011, and contains relics from Southern Miss’ past, including Story continues on page 32 Above, the USM community gather on the field in M.M. Roberts Stadium on Founders’ Day to take part in school photo celebrating 100 years. Photo by Danny Rawls/Photo Services At right, Southern Miss President Martha Saunders is all smiles on Founders’ Day as she walks into Bennett Auditorium for the Centennial Convocation March 30. Photo by Casey Clingan/Student Printz
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An Eagle’s eye view of campus Places to eat:
Fresh Food Company - Thad Cochran Center Seymour’s - Union Power House - Next to Cook Library Starbucks Coffee - Inside Cook Library A Stone’s Throw - Freshman Quad Agora - International Building
Places to know:
Writing Center: Located on the first floor of Cook Library, the Writing Center provides students free help with preparation of papers for any level class.
Health Clinic: Located next to Pulley and Kennard Washington halls, the Health Clinic is a place to get affordable medical treatment on campus.
Math Zone: Located next to Cook Library and the Power House, the Math Zone provides students with tutors and place to work on online math homework.
Counseling Center: Located in Kennard Washington Hall, second floor, the Counseling Center provides someone to talk to when you need some some help.
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Safety stays a top priority Story by Samantha Schott
University Police Chief Bob Hopkins believes most moms and dads of Southern Miss students will worry about a lot of things when their children begin college. But safety on the USM campus really shouldn’t be one of those worries. Hopkins said the campus has sustained a decrease in the overall crime rate for the last 10 years. And, he said, UPD officers are working to keep it that way. “We think we provide a level of service comparable to any other university in the area,” he said. To promote awareness on campus, UPD officers talk to incoming students about safety. They visit sorority houses to talk about date rape drugs. UPD officers offer educational programs aimed at increasing student safety. These include 24-hour escort service on campus and night security, among others, Hopkins said. The escort service is available to all students who have a legitimate reason for requesting a ride. Using two golf carts, security guards can transport students quickly and keep them from walking alone at night, Hopkins said. Many students say they feel safe on USM’s campus. “We have approximately 10,000 students living in a single square mile radius with almost zero violent crime,” junior Bob Pruett said. “Compared to most other areas with that kind of density, that’s a pretty impressive feat, and I think this is owed to the fact that this campus is relatively well lit, well-patrolled, and there are blue emergency buttons for security scattered throughout the campus.” But Hopkins said despite the services offered by the UPD, students must be aware of their surroundings, as freshman Jody Balius is. “I feel perfectly safe on campus during the daytime,” she said. “I’m a little more worried in the dark, but I always either walk with someone or talk on the phone. It’s a good time to talk to my parents on the phone because they know that I got in safely for the night once I get back to the dorm.” Hopkins also said parents should check up on their children often as well. “We encourage families to keep up with their kids, to remember that they’re here,” he said. Hopkins said parents need not worry, because officials from the department will call if there is a serious issue.
University Police Officer Lee Ducksworth surveys the campus as part of the UPD Bike Patrol. Photo by Jordan Moore
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Activities for all students Photo by Casey Clingan
Story by Earvin Hopkins Being a new student on campus can be stressful if you can’t find a place where you feel like you fit. So a good first stop on the USM campus is the Student Activities Hub just inside the doors of The Hub. Joining an organization can be the best way to socialize and meet positive people on campus. A lot of USM students start their personal success story by joining an organization that corresponds with an interest. Sarah Ray, a USM senior, coped with life at Southern Miss by being involved in a plethora of activities. Ray graduated this spring knowing she made a difference in her college community. Ray says there are some major things that are essential in the growth and development of a college freshman. “One, find your balance,” Ray said. “College is very different than high school and can seem overwhelming.” Finding people and places that can help you stay focused really helps, she said. Ray’s second suggestion is to always strive for A’s in your classes. “The farther you go in education, the harder the classes will be,” she said. “Pulling your grade point average up as an upper classman is much harder than doing it as a freshman.” “Three, take care of yourself; there are wonderful resources on campus available from working out at the Payne Center, to
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sessions at the Counseling Center” to help you stay grounded in college, she said. Sometimes, Ray said, it’s important to step back and slow down. “Remember you are not alone so keep positive thoughts,” she said. Lastly, “get involved on campus,” Ray said. “There are over 260 student organizations on campus, so there is an organization for you.” An orientation fair is usually part of each orientation, she said, which gives a close-up view of each organization. “Take this opportunity to talk with representatives from organizations and get all the information you can about each one. The USM website and Student Activities Office are great resources if a student is looking to getting involved on campus,” she said. “Since being involved in activities, there has been many doors of opportunity open for me.” Ray said. “I have been able to attend conferences, sit in on meetings with Student Affairs professionals, meet celebrities, and learn more about professionalism, which has helped me in the interview process for graduate school. I have also been able to use my mentors in Student Activities for job and graduate school references.” USM student Tashia Jennings enjoys events put on by the Southern Miss Activities Council because they are “good clean fun around campus.” Call 601-266-4403 for more information.
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Outside the Hub
Throughout the day students gather outside the Hub, giving themselves a break from classes and the chance to catch up with friends. Shoemaker Square is a prime location for student organizations to set up tables. Photo by Chris Knox
New Green Space
In the fall 2009, the J.B. George Commons building was torn down and a green field was created in its place. Since the spring, students fill the the field to relax and study or just hang out with friends. Photo by Gillan Borden/The Southerner
Students find campus Story by David Byrd
Students with extra time on their hands can find plenty of activities on campus to help them relax. Students and employees can stop by the Payne Center, USM’s recreational sports headquarters, seven days a week to help reduce stress. With tuition paid or payroll-deducted fees, members can enjoy recreational swimming, weight lifting, aerobics, racquetball and many other indoor sporting activities. For those who enjoy fresh air, there is a track outside the building. “My intent is to go every day,” said University Police Lt. Charles Chandler, whose goal is to stay healthy and fit.
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The Locker Room
Power House
For those students who find themselves wanting to engage their time with interactive games, the Locker Room in the Union provides students with video games and pool tables. Photo by Casey Clingan/Student Printz
Outside the Power House is a courtyard that provides students with tables, chairs and benches and a relaxing atmosphere where students can eat, sit or study. Photo by Jordan Moore
Another place on campus that provides some great down time distraction is the Locker Room and R.C.’s Lounge, located in the Union. “Our busiest time is between noon and 2 p.m.,” said student employee Curtis Weathers. “Mostly, people just come for the pool tables and the music.” Strategically placed in the first floor corridor that runs between the R. C. Cook Union and the Thad Cochran Center, the game room provides billiards, video games, TVs and a relaxing atmosphere. Here students can unwind with a friendly game of pool or test driving skills at the race car video game. If students are looking for live entertainment, the Southern Miss Activities Council hosts outdoor and indoor events
throughout the fall and spring semesters. “We provide programs and entertainment for the campus community,” said SMAC receptionist Melissa Carpenter. “Occasionally, however, we sponsor off campus activities like the ‘Battle of the Bands,’ which took place at the annual Hub Fest in downtown Hattiesburg, but most of our stuff is kept on campus.” SMAC sponsors the annual Crawfish Fest every spring as a way to end the school year, she said. Other functions sponsored by SMAC include pep rallies, outdoor concerts such as Eagle Palooza, carnivals, bingos and steps shows. For more information on student activities, SMAC provides a complete calendar of activities at the Student Activities Hub.
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Facebook finds place in the classroom
Story by Divah Griffin Social networking sites have blossomed from a way to pass time to a full evolution of technology. Scott Thornburg, a senior public relations major and the president of the Southern Miss chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, said, “I think people thought it was just a fad. What we’re finding out is that it’s not going anywhere.” Not only can sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace keep people in touch with friends but new sites like
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LinkedIn have evolved to help employers find qualified and experienced job applicants. Thornburg said 53 percent of employers screen potential employees before an interview. “Because they’re screening candidates based on their Facebook page, it’s like a first impression,” said Thornburg. PRSSA held a spring seminar called Navigating Social Media to help students and professionals learn to navigate social media in a professional manner, said Thornburg. Students at the University of Southern Mississippi
Need Wireless? E-mail Questions? Want to Stay Connected?
Call iTech Illustration by Samantha M. Light also find social networking sites help them become more familiar with student organizations and better acquainted with classmates and new found friends. “The students today do not use traditional communication with each other,” said Jeff May, USM’s director of technological advancement and innovation. “I think it’s benefited the students because they don’t have to have their phone. (The technology) is there waiting for them.” Story continues on page 26
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Story continued from page 25.
The university is also keeping up with the students through social networking scene, May said. “Email is the official communication of the university,” he said. “We also put posts on our website as well as Twitter posts and Facebook posts.” Eagle Apps and Mobile Eagle are two other communication tools used on campus. Eagle Apps replaced student webmail earlier this semester, May said. “Eagle Apps is provided through the partnership of Southern Miss and Google,” said May. Mobile Eagle is still in its infancy but, when applied, will send mobile emails, updates on classes and grades directly to students’ iPhones and Blackberries, said May. These sites have also expanded methods of communication and learning between teachers and students. What was once an in-class relationship has expanded its reach through the World Wide Web. Leyla Goodsell, a public relations professor of practice in USM’s School of Mass Communication and Journalism, has seen social media increase its presence in the classroom.
Illustration by Christopher Bostick
“Five years ago, nobody would have been talking about social media in the classroom. Two years ago, people started to look at it as a serious business tool that needed to be incorporated into the classroom,” said Goodsell. Goodsell and other teachers in the school are now using social media in the classroom. “I think that in mass communication and journalism, it’s definitely going to be a staple. We are now having to consider social media as a vehicle for our messages,” said Goodsell. “The question is, I think, are we going to start incorporating social media classes.” Goodsell has students in her writing and design classes using social networking by writing mock blogs and doing group projects. Adewunmi Oke, a junior theater major from Atlanta, Ga., said social networking sites did not come in handy until the first semester of her junior year. “It took a while to help. I’m not as committed to it as some people are,” said Oke. But she said she began to find it useful in group projects. “I was doing a literacy project with the children at Hopkins Elementary. It was really helpful,” she said. Oke said she had friends and classmates join her Facebook group to support and find time to work on the project. 37172
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Coast campus plans progress Story by Sherri Barker Plans are moving forward to build the Southern Miss Cross Creek Campus in Harrison County on the Gulf Coast. Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Southern Miss Gulf Coast campus in Long Beach has been in a state of rebuilding and renovation. In April 2007, the state College Board “selected the Cross Creek site as the preferred location for an additional campus of Southern Miss.,” according to information on the USM Gulf Coast website. Bryan Billings, director of project planning for Southern Miss Gulf Coast, said the new campus will be built “out of harm’s way” north of I-10 between County Farm and Canal roads and extending north to Landon Road. The building site consists of around 1,600 acres as well as about 300 acres south of the interstate. Additional acreage was purchased to build a highway interchange that will run through the middle of the property, allowing easy access to the campus. Billings said the campus will be surrounded by a residential and commercial area. “There will be residential houses and commercial business offices. There won’t be anything industrial,” Billings said. “It will look like a downtown area; it will be a planned community.” Billings said the residential area will provide apartments or condos, and single family housing. “There will be everything from small garden type properties to estate type properties.” Housing will be within walking distance of the town center, which will consist of the Southern Miss Cross Creek Campus and commercial businesses. Billings also said the parking garages for the new campus will look just like regular buildings, not traditional garages. Billings said, “It’s a three-story building and you pull in from the side. You go up three levels or even park on the top; but from the street when you look up at the building, there will be windows. It doesn’t look like an ugly concrete garage.” “The mass parking will blend in with the community,” Billings said. USM President Martha Saunders said on the Gulf Coast website the “facilities at the new campus will be state-of-the-art and will be designed to use renewable resources.“ Saunders also said the new campus will be “a great opportunity for Southern Miss to engage in economic growth in the areas of tourism, technology, business development and research.”
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Performance – a collaboration between alumni and current students. On Sept. 16, Southern Miss dancers will join forces with theater and music students to deliver the Arts Gala, a ticketed event which benefits the College of Arts and Letters with its proceeds. “The Arts gala is an annual event,” Payne said. “This one will have a centennial theme – 100 years of the arts.” October will bring a 100-year-themed homecoming celebration, including a parade through downtown Hattiesburg and a special fifth quarter concert following the game. “The plan is to take things we already do and take them to the next level,” Payne said. December will end the centennial year with a Centennial Finale, a Gulf Coast event still being planned. The full schedule of centennial events and updates on those listed above as they become available can be found at http://www.usm.edu/ centennial/ 2009-10 SGA president J.R. Robinson speaks at the Founders’ Day ceremony March 30 and reflects on his year as SGA president and his life as a Southern Miss student. Photo by Christopher Bostick
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jerseys, cheerleader uniforms and editions of The Student Printz from years past and much more. “This is an amazing project, and I’m surprised about the turnout we’ve received. One thing that meant so much to this museum are the items that have been donated by our alumni,” Payne said. The Centennial Commencement May 15 united graduates from the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses at M.M. Roberts Stadium, where former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani delivered a commencement address. “I think Mississippians, perhaps more than others, can appreciate a hero. Strong leadership in the midst of chaos changes lives and gives people reason to hope and work and endure,” said Southern Miss President Martha Saunders in an e-mail. “Rudy Giuliani earned the country’s admiration for his role in the aftermath of 9/11.” But centennial festivities didn’t end this spring, Payne said. On Aug. 27 and 28, the USM Department of Theater and Dance will hold the Evening-Length Centennial Dance
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Our scientists and students are exploring new ways to protect and restore valuable habitats along the warm coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. We are mapping its uncharted depths right here at home, advancing ways to end world hunger through innovative technologies in aquaculture, and participating in global research as far away as the Antarctic.
the journey to the top MAy not ALWAyS Be up.
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