WHO: News editors, directors

WHAT: Southern Miss Centennial Celebration Day Media welcomed for interview/video/photo opportunities

WHEN: Tuesday, March 30

WHERE: Southern Miss Hattiesburg campus

SPECIFICS: The University of Southern Mississippi will hold a full day of activities in conjunction with the centennial anniversary of its legislative founding. Special guests scheduled to attend to commemorate the occasion of the university’s 100th anniversary include Gov. Haley Barbour; Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant; State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) Commissioner Hank Bounds; and Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree, among others. A live webcast of the day’s events will be available at www.usm.edu/foundersday.

The schedule of events includes:

• 10:30 a.m. - Founders’ Day Ceremony
              Installation of Student Government Association officers and student awards
              presentations. Location: South lawn of the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building.

• 11:30 a.m. - Dedication of the Centennial Gateway and Time Capsule
       Announcement of the Gateway donor and the Centennial time capsule. Location: 
       Centennial Gateway site, main entrance of campus off of Hardy Street.

• 1:30 p.m. -  Centennial Celebration Day Media Opportunity
       Southern Miss President Martha Saunders; Gov. Haley Barbour; Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant; 
       State Institutions of Higher Learning Commissioner Hank Bounds; Hattiesburg Mayor
       Johnny DuPree; and Southern Miss President Emeritus Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas will be
       available for interviews at this time. Location: Vice President for Advancement Office,        
       Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building.

• 2:30 p.m. Centennial Convocation
             Presentation of Centennial Legacy Circle; faculty and staff recognitions; salutations      
                   from Gov. Barbour, Lt. Gov. Bryant and State IHL Commissioner Bounds; reading of
                   proclamations; and presentation of keynote address by University Historian Dr. 
                   Chester “Bo” Morgan.

• 4 p.m. Centennial Community Celebration
Picnic meal, musical entertainment and sale of commemorative Centennial Coca-Cola bottles. Location: Shoemaker Square, West Memorial Plaza and Weathersby Lawn. Centennial Exhibit tours will also be held at Cook Library at this time.

• 5:30 p.m. Founders’ Day Finale and “100” formation photo
             Location: M.M. Roberts Stadium.

CONTACT: Southern Miss Centennial Coordinator Jennifer Payne, 601.266.4095; or Southern Miss Office of University Communications, 601.266.4491