I'm happy to share some of the highlights from today's rededication ceremony.
EVENT:
Stephen Hatten Memorial Grove Rededication
Saturday, March 7, 2009, Noon
Pete Taylor Park
PROGRAM:
Welcome: John Cox
Invocation: Gary B. Shows, Executive Pastor,
Comments: 1) President Saunders
2) Richard Giannini
3) Jimmy Pierce, former Hattiesburg High Baseball Coach
4) Corky Palmer
PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS:
If you walk around our campus these days, you'll see a lot of structures named for people who have left their mark on this university: faculty, alumni, administrators, elected officials. All left a legacy that we celebrate in the form of tangible memorials.
I think it's especially fitting that we are gathered today to rededicate a part of our campus in loving memory of a student, a young man who in his short life grew to embody all that we aspire to be at Southern Miss.
Today, we gather to rededicate this beautiful grove that serves as a living memorial to an outstanding former Golden Eagle, Stephen Lane Hatten. I am very sad that I didn't have the distinct privilege of knowing Stephen personally. Yet so many of my longtime friends did have that privilege, and they tell me wonderful stories of this fine young man. Stephen was both a stellar student and an intensely motivated athlete. But what's even more important is that Stephen was a young man that exemplified such a remarkable character and a loving spirit that his teammates, his classmates, and all that knew him were better people for having known him.
Tragically, Stephen lost his long battle with cancer back in May of 1998, but his legacy here at Southern Miss will live forever. The University is honored to host the Stephen Hatten Premedical Externship program, the Stephen L. Hatten Endowment which funds a coveted baseball scholarship, and this beautiful grove, the Stephen Lane Hatten Memorial Grove. All of these important components of our University serve as living memorials of Stephen's legacy.
Since its inception, this grove has been located directly behind the grandstands. After the recent expansion at Pete Taylor Park, the Stephen Lane Hatten Memorial Grove has been moved to its new permanent home. Having this grove as a memorial to Stephen is both right and fitting for the Southern Miss Baseball program and for our entire University. Stephen's character and his courage provide an indelible role model for our athletes, our student body, and the entire University family. Those who knew Stephen well tell me that he would love to see the children play and the families gather in this grove on game days. It is my privilege as your University President to participate in the rededication of this grove in Stephen's memory. Each time you and I visit this beautiful grove, let us all rededicate ourselves to be the type of Golden Eagles that would make Stephen proud.
Top picture: Betty Bly and Hudi Hatten (Stephen's parents), Athletic Director, Richard Giannini, me, Coach Palmer.
Bottom picture: Coach Palmer introducing scholarship recipient, Todd McInnis.
Pictured above: Dr. Lewis "Hudi" Hatten giving closing remarks.