Released October 9, 2003

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PAT SUMMERALL PRODUCTIONS FEATURES
SOUTHERN MISS ON DISCOVERY CHANNEL BROADCAST

HATTIESBURG - "Champions of Industry: Spotlight on Education" will feature The University of Southern Mississippi as a part of a 30-minute paid program, produced by Pat Summerall Productions, to be broadcast on The Discovery Channel Network. "Champions of Industry" has featured excellence in business practices for the last eight years. Hundreds of companies have attained "Champions" status because of their integrity, ingenuity and proven leadership in their respective industries.

The University of Southern Mississippi has been chosen by Pat Summerall Productions to be the first segment to be profiled in this education-focused "Champions of Industry" program.

"We went through an interview process before being selected," said Southern Miss President Dr. Shelby Thames.

According to a spokesperson for the company, Pat Summerall Productions selected Southern Miss because of "the energy and drive it devotes to its research and economic development effort."

"The results have brought significant benefit to the university's and the state's economic growth. Additionally, we were delighted to find their marine sciences program has a national and international reputation far beyond that which our own research uncovered," the spokesperson for Pat Summerall Productions said.

The show featuring Southern Miss is scheduled to air as a paid program at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, on The Discovery Channel.

"This is great exposure for Southern Miss with a man who has a great national and international recognition and reputation," Thames said. "In addition to the national exposure for the university through the broadcast, we will be able to use the piece for recruitment of top quality faculty, staff and students. We expect that it will also be a great tool for us to use when talking with businesses interested in partnering with us for economic development opportunities."

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