Released July 3, 2003

For the week of July 1-4

ESTES NAMED NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL
AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AT Southern MissGC

LONG BEACH - Dr. Lynn Estes, former assistant vice president for administrative and financial services at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, has been named as Southern MissGC's new chief financial and administrative officer.

In addition to her existing administrative duties, Estes' new position will incorporate new responsibilities involving continuing education, the Gulf Coast Conference Center, food service administration, physical plant, security and technology resources. Estes began her career with The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1980 as a financial aid/VA/admissions counselor. From 1984-1998, she served as Southern MissGC's director of student services, and was named assistant vice president for administrative and financial services in 1998. Her new title went into effect July 1. Estes was named 1991's Administrator of the Year at Southern Miss and has been named to Who's Who lists honoring American educators, American Women and Emerging Leaders in the South. She has also been named as one of 2,000 Notable American Women and an Outstanding Young Woman of America. She is married to Jimmy Estes and they have two daughters, Leslie and Kelley.

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STEDNITZ RECEIVES ADVANCED CERTIFICATION

HATTIESBURG - Bryan Stednitz, manager of the Work Out Zone in the Payne Center at The University of Southern Mississippi, recently completed the Health/Fitness Instructor (HFI) certification offered through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The ACSM is the benchmark organization for exercise physiology, and health and fitness professionals; this organization sets the guidelines for exercise testing, and program design and implementation in both laboratory and fitness facility settings. In addition to managing the personal fitness instructor program in the Payne Center,
Stednitz is also available as a guest speaker on fitness and wellness topics.

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REY RECEIVES BASKETBALL AWARD

HATTIESBURG - Steve Rey, associate director of recreational sports at The University of Southern Mississippi, has received the 2002-2003 Official of the Year award for basketball. The award is presented by the Mississippi High School Activities Association Incorporated (MHSAA) and is based on dedication to the game and contribution made to the local and state association. Rey's photograph will be displayed on the Wall of Champions at the MHSAA office in Clinton. A formal presentation of the award will be made during the State Interpretation Meeting and at the 2002-2003 State Basketball Championship. Rey is married to Von Rey of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

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SOUTHERN MISS HUMANICS STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN CONFERENCE

HATTIESBURG -- Five University of Southern Mississippi American Humanics students recently attended the Mississippi Center for Non-Profits Annual Non-Profit Management Conference in Jackson. The students, along with Americorps*VISTA representative Jennifer Delmas lead a roundtable discussion about the American Humanics program at Southern Miss and statewide. American Humanics is a national nonprofit management certification program dedicated to preparing students for careers in the nonprofit sector. It is an alliance of more than 80 colleges and universities, 18 national nonprofit organizations, and numerous collaborating professional organizations across the United States. Due to a partnership between the Center for Community and Civic Engagement and the Office of Community Service Learning, Southern Miss became the first postsecondary institution in Mississippi to affiliate with this national organization. American Humanics will provide students at Southern Miss the opportunity to learn the skills needed to become successful nonprofit professionals, while simultaneously providing local nonprofit organizations valuable resources through professional development opportunities and skilled interns and graduates. The University of Southern Mississippi is the only site of an American Humanics program in the state.

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