This briefs package highlights timely news and events from The University of Southern Mississippi. For more information on any of the stories below or for assistance in arranging interviews, contact the Office of University Communications at 601.266.4491.

Heritage Vision Center to Donate Proceeds to Children’s Center

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Once again, Heritage Vision Center of Hattiesburg plans to donate a portion of prescription eyeglass sales during the month of July to the Children’s Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi.

The annual promotion has led to significant financial contributions to the Children’s Center by Heritage Vision owners Kevin Harrison, a Southern Miss alumnus, and his wife, Wanda Harrison. Heritage Vision Center is located on U.S. 98 West in front of Sam’s Discount Club.

The Children’s Center, a clinical division in the Southern Miss Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, serves infants, toddlers and preschoolers with disabilities while providing training for university students.

For more information contact Children’s Center Director Margaret Buttross-Brinegar at 601-266-5222 or e-mail at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

DuBard School to Assist in Deaf-Blind Awareness Week

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Representatives from the DuBard School for Language Disorders at The University of Southern Mississippi will lend a hand in a special event on Thursday, July 1 at Turtle Creek Mall in Hattiesburg in conjunction with Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week (June 27-July 3).

The event, designated as Connecting with Community Partners/Disability Awareness Activity, will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. near the mall’s Food Court. Children can learn some sign language and also write their names in Braille as part of the activities. The event is being coordinated through the Mississippi Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Services for the Deafblind program.

For more information about the event call 228-249-9668.

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.  In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world.  Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.