Southern Miss' Thad Cochran Center Room Named in Honor of Gold Leaf Society
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The anonymous Gold Leaf Society, a group of individuals committed to the betterment of the University of Southern Mississippi, has purchased the first naming opportunity in the Thad Cochran Center on the Hattiesburg campus.
Room 227, a boardroom equipped with a conference table, 16 conference table chairs and 14 side chairs, was officially dedicated today in honor of The Gold Leaf.
Although The Gold Leaf Society has been a supporter of Southern Miss for a number of years, its origin, symbolism, and membership remain a mystery. Represented by an emblem containing a gold leaf and seven stars, The Gold Leaf Society states that its mission is to work for the good of the University of Southern Mississippi.
“We don’t know who they are, we probably will never know,” said Southern Miss Union and Programs Director Barbara Ross. “But we thank them for their commitment to this university and today, for their commitment to the Thad Cochran Center.”
On July 7, 2007, The Gold Leaf gave the first of seven installments totaling $25,000 for the naming opportunity in the Thad Cochran Center. Named in honor of The Gold Leaf, the room will feature and highlight the history and tradition of the University of Southern Mississippi. Two plaques will be displayed in the room. The first will feature the Gold Leaf emblem, and the second will dedicate the room. The Gold Leaf has also requested that seven historic campus photos be displayed throughout the room.
The secretive society has given a number of mysterious gifts to the university in recent years. In November 2005, a rock bearing the emblem of The Gold Leaf appeared on the lawn of Danforth Chapel. On the occasion of the 97th anniversary of Southern Miss, The Gold Leaf selected 21 outstanding faculty and staff, each with a minimum of 7 years of service to the university to be recognized for their efforts to Southern Miss.
Each recipient received a letter, emblem and holder for the emblem to display proudly. The Golf Leaf has also given a number of other gifts to benefit the university, with each donation containing the number seven in the amount.
“Our mission is being accomplished through the making of financial and other gifts to individuals associated with the university whom we believe bring honor to the university through their work and lives,” states The Gold Leaf. “Membership of The Gold Leaf is and always will remain anonymous so that the focus of the gift we bestow will be on the recipient.”
Southern Miss President Dr. Martha Saunders said supportive groups like The Gold Leaf Society is a shining example of what embodies Southern Miss.
“I think we all know the heart and soul of the university lies within groups like The Gold Leaf Society,” she said.
Room 227 was the first naming opportunity purchased in the Thad Cochran Center. Other naming opportunities are still available. For more information on these opportunities, contact the Southern Miss Foundation at 601-266-5602 or Barbara Ross, director of the Union and Programs, at 601-266-4396.
Jewel Tucker, administrative secretary to the president at Southern Miss, poses just outside the Gold Leaf Society Room dedicated Sept. 7 in the Thad Cochran Center at The University of Southern Mississippi. Among its other contributions to the university, the anonymous Gold Leaf Society purchased the first naming opportunity in the Cochran Center. Tucker is one of 21 Southern Miss faculty and staff who have received an award of honor from the society. (Southern Miss Photo by David Tisdale)
Southern Miss President Emeritus Aubrey Lucas cuts a ribbon on the Gold Leaf Society Room in the university’s Thad Cochran Center during the September 7 dedication ceremony. At right is President Martha Saunders. (Southern Miss Photo by David Tisdale)
