The following events are being held at various locations in Hattiesburg and present both interview and photo opportunities for the media. You may also want to include some of these in your community or entertainment calendars. For news media who may have questions about interviews or photo opportunities, contact the Department of Marketing and Public Relations at 601.266.4491.

THIS WEEK

• University of Southern Mississippi students will take their final exams Dec. 8-11. Commencement will be held at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at Reed Green Coliseum. For more information, call 601.266.4497.

• Graduating seniors of the Department of Art and Design at The University of Southern Mississippi will celebrate their academic achievements through Dec. 12 with an exhibition of their works at the university’s Museum of Art. The show will feature the works of four graduating graphics communication students and three fine arts students. Special hours for this show are Tues.-Wed., 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Thurs., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Fri., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission to the museum and reception is free and open to the public. School and community groups are welcome. For more information, call the Museum of Art at 601.266.5200; visit the Web at www.usm.edu/arts; or contact Angela Kilcrease at 601.266.4988.

THURSDAY, DEC. 11
Legislative Forum
Time: 4 p.m. Location: Thad Cochran Center, room 214
The Southern Miss Staff Council and Faculty Senate are co-sponsoring a Legislative Forum; open to all faculty and staff. This event will provide a time for Southern Miss to bring important issues and concerns to the attention of elected officials. Visiting guests will be Reps. Toby Barker, Harvey Fillingane, and Percy Watson; and Sens. Joey Fillingane Billy Hudson and Tom King. For more information, call Michael Giles at 601.266.5405.

Commissioning of Army and Air Force Officers
Time: 3 p.m. Location: R.C. Cook Union, rooms A,B,C
The Department of Military Science will hold its pinning ceremony for commissioning of Army and Air Force officers. For more information, call 601.266.4491

FRIDAY, DEC. 12
2008 Fall Commencement
Time: 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Location: Reed Green Coliseum
Commencement at Southern Miss for fall 2008 graduating students. For more information, call 601.266.4497.

Medical Technology Certificate Ceremony
Time: Noon Location: R.C. Cook Union Hall of Honors
The Department of Medical Technology will hold its 72nd certificate ceremony. For more information, call 601.266.5568.

Civic Chorale Holiday Concert
Time: 7 p.m. Location: Advanced Education Center Auditorium, Gulf Park campus, Long Beach
The Christmas Cantata by K. Lee Scott will be featured with brass in the evening celebrating the holiday season. The renovated campus auditorium is a wonderful performance room for this exciting evening of music. For more information, call 228.865.4573 or 601.266.4092.

SATURDAY, DEC. 13
Southern Miss Women’s Basketball
Time: 4 p.m. Location: Reed Green Coliseum
Lady Eagles vs. Southeast Missouri State. For more information, call 601.266.5017.

Student Art Show: Oddfellows Gallery
Time: 4-9 p.m. Location: Oddfellows Gallery in downtown Hattiesburg
The new Oddfellows Gallery in downtown Hattiesburg will host a Student Art Show during the upcoming Holiday Art Walk.  The show will be open from 4-9 p.m., with a reception and opportunity to meet the artists from 4-7 p.m.  This event is coordinated by Susan Fitzsimmons and students from the Department of Art and Design at The University of Southern Mississippi.  For more information, call 601.266.4973.

Rhythms of Christmas
Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Mannoni Performing Arts Center
The Southern Miss School of Music presents this Christmas program, featuring the university’s Percussion Studio. For more information, call 601.266.5543.

SUNDAY, DEC. 14
Civic Chorale Holiday Concert
Time: 2 p.m. Location: Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biloxi
The Christmas Cantata by K. Lee Scott will be featured with brass in the evening celebrating the holiday season. The renovated campus auditorium is a wonderful performance room for this exciting evening of music. For more information, call 228.865.4573 or 601.266.4092.

IN THE NEWS TODAY
• Working on a story about the holiday economy? Call 601.266.4497 to speak with a Southern Miss business expert as a source on holiday projections.
• Many may feel the need to extend a helping hand during this holiday season. Find out the various options for community service and the benefits a person gains when he or she extends a helping hand.  Call 601.266.5568 to speak with a Southern Miss service-learning expert.
• Plenty of great food will be on American tables this month, but such abundance can also severely reverse a person’s diet. Call 601.266.5568 to interview a Southern Miss nutrition expert on how to choose the healthier holiday foods this season.