Dr. Bob Press
Dr. Bob Press, assistant professor of political science at Southern Miss, has amassed a considerable repository of research on human rights movements in developing countries.
And through a Fulbright Scholar grant, Press will make his third expedition to Africa, in hopes of not only broadening that repository, but also of leaving something behind that will benefit the community.
The Fulbright grant will help fund Press's 10-month residency in Sierra Leone, a country that is still reconciling from a decade-long civil war that ignited in 1991.
During his residency in the country, Press will join the University of Sierra Leone as a visiting professor. In addition to teaching courses in comparative politics, methodology and international studies, he will also help the university's administration launch the Peace and Conflict Studies Center.
Press is among 800 United States faculty and professionals chosen to lecture, do research or participate in seminars in 140 countries as part of the Fulbright Scholars Program. Scholars are selected for academic achievement and leadership qualities.
He has been a member of the department faculty since 2003. His area of concentration is Africa and Latin America, including human rights, social movements, development and democratization.
Press served as Bureau Chief of the Christian Science Monitor in Kenya from 1987-1995.
He has recently published a book entitled Peaceful Resistance: Advancing Human Rights and Democratic Freedoms (Ashgate 2006).
Dr. Michael DeArmey, professor of philosophy and religion at the University of Southern Mississippi, was named the Charles W. Moorman Distinguished Alumni Professor in the Humanities by the College of Arts and Letters.
Leon Contavesprie recently earned Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for The Pillowman by the 20th Annual Big Easy Entertainment Awards (held March 24, 2008) at Harrah’s Casino Theatre.