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

• Students may register for a University of Southern Mississippi intramural sports team today-Thursday at the Payne Center. Sports include basketball, bowling and table tennis. For more information, call 601.266.5409.

• Registration deadline for Session II of the Learn To Swim program at The University of Southern Mississippi is Feb. 17. This session will be held March 3 – 26 for participants ages 6 - adult and all skill levels. For more information, call 601.266.5405.
 
THURSDAY, JAN. 22
“Cross Connections Exhibit”
Time: Special hours Tuesday-Wednesday Location: Southern Miss Museum of Art
The Southern Miss Museum of Art will present its first exhibition of the spring semester Jan. 22-March 3, featuring "Cross Connections 2009," an international graphic design exhibition. The exhibition will represent a significant overview of international graphic design trends, featuring work by professors and students, from four institutions that are making their mark in the graphic design field within their respective countries. Special hours for this show are Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 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. Call the Museum of Art at 601.266.5200 for more information.

First Priority 10-Year Anniversary Featuring Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich
Time: 6 p.m. Location: Thad Cochran Center
The local chapter of First Priority will host a celebration with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich as guest speaker in honor of the organization’s 10th anniversary. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., followed by Gingrich at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call John Buys at 601.606.4142 or First Priority at 601.268.9666.

Lady Eagles Basketball
Time: 7 p.m. Location: Reed Green Coliseum
Lady Eagles vs. Houston. For more information, call 601.266.5017.

Dr. Lawrence Gwozdz Faculty Recital
Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium
Dr. Lawrence Gwozdz will perform playing the saxophone during this free School of Music faculty recital. For more information, call 601.266.5543.

FRIDAY, JAN. 23
Biological Sciences Seminar
Time: 11 a.m. Location: Polymer Science Auditorium
The Department of Biological Sciences at Southern Miss presents this free seminar “The novelty of being a generalist among herbivores and academics." For more information, call 601.266.4928.

Conference on Psychosocial Support for Cancer Patients
Time: All Day Location: Thad Cochran Center
The Southern Mississippi Area Health Education Center at The University of Southern Mississippi will host a conference to address the need for improvement in psychosocial support for cancer patients. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. For more information, call 601.266.4839. For a list of sessions, visit http://www.usm.edu/pr/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2219&Itemid=2.

SATURDAY, JAN. 24
Euphonium Recital
Time: 6 p.m. Location: Marsh Auditorium
Brian Joyce will perform on euphonium during this free School of Music recital. For more information, call 601.266.5543.

Golden Eagles Basketball
Time: 7 p.m. Location: Reed Green Coliseum
Golden Eagles vs. Montana State. For more information, call 601.266.5017.

SUNDAY, JAN. 25
Lady Eagles Basketball
Time: 3 p.m. Location: Reed Green Coliseum
Lady Eagles vs. Rice. For more information, call 601.266.5017.

Dr. Richard Perry Faculty Recital
Time: 4 p.m. Location: Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium
Dr. Richard Perry will perform playing the tuba during this free School of Music faculty recital. For more information, call 601.266.5543.

Voice Recital
Time: 6 p.m. Location: Marsh Auditorium
Shanika Frontz will sing a performance piece during this free School of Music recital. For more information, call 601.266.5543.

IN THE NEWS TODAY

• Inauguration Day is here as the country welcomes the 44th President of the United States. Listen to what political science experts have to say about President Barack Obama’s first speech. Call 601.266.4499 to set up an interview.

• Community service is on the minds of the many in Washington as President Barack Obama urges citizens to take a proactive step in helping communities across the nation. The Southern Miss Office of Community Service Learning has encouraged students to volunteer more than 40,000 hours annually across South Mississippi. Call 601.266.5568 for an interview with a service-learning expert on the importance of volunteering and its role on future generations.

• The possibility of a new stimulus package is making headlines. Could it make a positive impact on the failing economy? Call 601.266.4497 for an interview with an expert from the Southern Miss College of Business.

• Each year brings an increase in the number of people turning age 65 and older. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts a 100 percent increase over the next 30 years. Learn how Mississippi can prepare to meet the needs of this particular group of people. Call 601.266.5568 to speak with a gerontology expert.