The ladies of Delta Gamma wow'ed the judges with their rendition of Boogie Woogie Santa Claus. Congratulations!
November 2007 Archives
Chi O's pose after hosting the 56th annual songfest.
Saturday's game gave me a chance to meet a promising prospect for our women's basketball team. Robin Murphy, a student at George Washington University, chatted with me at halftime.
After a nice long holiday weekend, I nearly hyperventilated when I checked my calendar this morning. "Tis the season" for meetings, interviews, campus events and parties. This week I'll be attending budget meetings with the commissioner and IHL staff, speaking at two civic clubs, interviewing VP/Advancement candidates and attending an alumni dinner. I'd say sensible shoes are definitely in order.
On Thursday and Friday Mona Amodeo, the facilitator for our Campus Dialogues, will be presenting her findings to participants and interested campus members. I'm eager to hear her comments.
"If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice."
---Meister Eckhart
One of the nicest things about my return to Mississippi is being able to share the joy of my homecoming with members of my family. Last night's reception at The Galleria in Collins was special. My mother and sister joined me in the receiving line. Southern Miss students were on hand to entertain the group (string quartet) and mingle with the guests (Dixie Darlings.)
Some of our fans found time to do a little shopping in Mexico before Saturday's game with UTEP.
The Golden Eagles football team won last night. We traveled with the athletes and arrived home, happy but tired, around 3 a.m. The women's basketball team kicked off the weekend right with a sound victory over Mercer, 82-48.
Today is a day for list-making -- Thanksgiving menu items, holiday events, and semester wrap-up. I'm glad it's rainy...helps me avoid the temptation to go outside and play.
I was feeling kind of anxious about my very busy day today until I read about the woman who just won the race to the top of the Sears tower for the sixth year in a row! She climbed 2,109 steps in 15 minutes, 1 second. What an inspiration! I can at least make it to the Cochran Center from the Dome in the same amount of time.
The Luckyday Board of Managers will be visiting campus today. I've been looking forward to meeting them for a long time. Their gift of $5 million is making a real difference in the lives of our students, and through them making Southern Miss a better place. More importantly, the Luckyday Citizenship Scholars program is one that works in stunning fashion (92% freshman retention and more than 70% graduation rate.)
Yesterday's fine weather brought lots of folks to the Military Appreciation Day tailgating party. The Lady Eagles Basketball Team served lunch and two new members were inducted into the ROTC Hall of Fame.
Women's basketball coach, Joye Lee-McNelis made an impressive appearance at last night's game. Her team followed suit with a win over Sam Houston State.
Coach Larry Eustachy seems to have attracted a cadre of loyal fans.
Ronnie Agnew, Executive Editor of the Clarion Ledger, spoke to the crowd at Friday's Mass Communication and Journalism Induction Ceremony. He thanked the inductees for "doing their part" and invited students to join him in continuing their legacy of truth.
I got back from Dallas yesterday just in time to attend the induction of new members of the Mass Communication & Journalism Hall of Fame. The event was preceded by a compelling symposium on the role of journalism and social justice. An emotional reunion of two men who played a key role in that era sealed the day. John Frazier, an African-American who was refused admission to USM in 1964, met Chuck Kershner, who was the Student Printz editor at the time who was censored for reporting on the events. They were joined by others who faced real threats just for doing their jobs during that era -- reporting the news. What amazing role models for our J-students.
The elections are over (hooray) and things should be getting back to normal. At least the television ads have ended. I called the winners yesterday and congratulated them. It was good to hear the spirit in their voices. All positive. All looking forward to a great future.
I'll be in Dallas today (returning tomorrow) visiting some alumni there. I should be back in time to celebrate the induction of three legendary Mississippi journalists and seven alumni into our Mass Communication and Journalism Hall of Fame.
We're hosting Legislative Weekend this weekend. Lots of elected officials will be here for the Memphis game and will be seeing, up close and personal, what Southern Miss is all about.
I voted first thing this morning and Joe was on his way as I was leaving. My sister took our 89- year-old mother with her when the polls opened.
Please vote and make sure all eligible family members do also. It's a good thing!
The Golden Eagles came home victorious with a 37-7 win over UAB.
First Lady, Laura Bush, attended the CELC Dedication on Friday, November 2.
Here I am, last Friday, signing the Memorandum of Understanding to make our MEC an official Coastal EcoSystem Learning Center.
My mother was most excited when I told her I was going to be meeting First Lady, Laura Bush last Friday. She launched immediately into Mom Mode reminding me to mind my manners, sit up straight, etc. Some things never change...and I'm glad.
The weekend has been a triumph so far and there's more to come. The event at the Gulf Coast Research Lab on Friday was pretty amazing. It's not everyday the First Lady, Secretary of the Interior and big time dignitaries from around the country come to visit. The occasion marked the dedication of our MEC as a Coastal Eco-System Learning Center, one of only 21 centers in the country. The designation is the result of years of hard work by the staff of the center and is well-deserved.
The Golden Eagles enjoyed a resounding victory last night at UAB. The score was 37-7. Very nice. I was able to spend some quality time with some of our most dedicated fans during the pre-game social events. It felt like a family reunion -- lots of laughing and swapping of tales (and yarns.)
I was away for three days and the folks in The Dome got a little...well...freaky. I'm going to have to remember to call in more often.