Now that spring semester has ended, I've turned much of my attention to planning for next year. In the past two days we've worked on articles and designs for the college's alumni magazine ("Storyline" which is mailed in late summer/early fall to our alums and friends). I had a great meeting today with the volunteer board that is helping us plan our big Arts Gala (to be held in September--I'll write more about that later). I spent an hour or so planning the audience development and arts promotion schedule (we are resurrecting a former tradition of featuring an "Event of the Week"). I'm also continuing to work on plans for our fall meeting of the Dean's Leadership Circle, planning for budget cuts, and plans for expanding key programs to enhance retention and graduation for our majors. It's a very different pace compared with those last few weeks of class, and it's nice to have some time to actually think!
May 2009 Archives
Graduation on the Hattiesburg campus Friday afternoon was uplifting. Several students I knew personally were graduating (yes, I do still get to interact with students!) and I felt so priviledged to shake their hands and give them their diplomas. Also on Friday afternoon, our own Assistant Professor Ann Marie Kinnell was presented the University Service award for her outreach through American Humanics and the service learning faculty fellows initiative. An alum of our Mass Communications program, Mr. Bill Phalen, served as commencement speaker.
Then this morning at the Colesium in Biloxi, I participated in the Gulf Coast graduation ceremony. The USM Steel Pan orchestra provided "mood" music for the reception afterward, and then I was on my way with our Gulf Coast faculty to our annual faculty appreciation lunch. The weather, the food, the company and the events were all terrific.
Today I was honored to participate in the commissioning ceremonies for a fine crop of new Army and Air Force 2nd Lieutenants. It is always a touching scene, as parents, spouses, and other significant members of our cadet's lives "pin them on" to signify their transition from student and cadet to military officer.
We have also had a number of retirement parties for departing faculty members. These, too, are bittersweet occasions where we applaud the incredible careers of persons who have devoted 25, 30, or more years to our students and to research and creative activities.
Graduation ceremonies tomorrow and Saturday will wrap up the week.