Released August 1, 2003

AUGUST 1, 2003

MCNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM RECEIVES GRANT RENEWAL

HATTIESBURG - The University of Southern Mississippi will continue its federally funded Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program with a new grant award from the U.S. Department of Education. The McNair Scholars Program is aimed at helping low-income, first-generation college students attain a doctorate degree and pursue a career in higher education. Southern Miss was awarded a four-year, $881,708 grant to implement the program - providing $220,427 a year to prepare promising juniors and seniors for graduate study leading to doctorates and faculty positions. The program is named for astronaut and laser physicist, Dr. Ronald E. McNair, who was killed in the 1986 space shuttle Challenger explosion. The mission of the program is to identify students who have potential for success in graduate study, but who need support and preparation-academically, financially, and socially-during their undergraduate years to prepare for a doctoral program.

-30-

USMGC EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER HAS IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

LONG BEACH - The Early Childhood Center (ECC) at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast has immediate enrollment openings for its school start date of Aug. 4. The ECC is a comprehensive preschool emphasizing emergent literacy, mathematics, science, social studies and the arts. There is one opening in the 18-24-month-old class, three openings in the 2-year-old class and three openings in the 3-year-old class. The current enrollment at the ECC is 41 children, with the capacity set at 48. The center has a year-round open enrollment policy. For more information on the Early Childhood Center and to enroll, call (228) 867-8781.

-30-