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The new Nurse Anesthesia Program in the College of Nursing held a reception on Friday, Jan. 25 for the 20 members of the inaugural class. A large crowd gathered for the reception which was held at the Trent Lott Center.

Dr. Scott Blackwell serves as the director of Student Housing Administration at The University of Southern Mississippi. Recently, Blackwell took a few moments to reflect on his current responsibilities and outside interests in a question-and-answer format.

Q: What is your hometown and educational background?

A: I was born in Akron, Ohio but my hometown was Jasper, Indiana. I got my undergraduate degree at DePauw University, a liberal arts major with a history emphasis. I did my graduate and doctoral schooling at Texas A&M University.

Rusty Anderson serves as the director of Career Services at The University of Southern Mississippi. Recently, Anderson took a few moments to reflect on his current responsibilities and outside interests in a question-and-answer format.

Q: What is your hometown and educational background?

A: I am originally from Gideon, Missouri but consider Hattiesburg my hometown now. I have a BS degree from Southern Miss in Social and Rehabilitation Services and a MS from Southern Miss in Counseling Psychology.

Chris Campbell serves as the director of the School of Mass Communication and Journalism at Southern Miss. Recently, Campbell took a few moments to reflect on his current responsibilities and outside interests in a question-and-answer format.

Q: What is your hometown and educational background?

A: I’m from Dayton, Ohio. I have a BA in English from Webster University in St. Louis, an MS in mass communication from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and a Ph.D. in mass communication from Southern Miss.

Dr. Wendy Atkins-Sayre is an assistant professor of communication studies and director of the Speaking Center at The University of Southern Mississippi. Recently, Atkins-Sayre took a few moments to reflect on her current responsibilities and outside interests in a question-and-answer format.

Q: What is your hometown and educational background?

A: I grew up in Portland, Texas. I have a BA and MA from Texas State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia.

Denis Wiesenburg serves as the Vice President for Research at The University of Southern Mississippi. A Pascagoula, Miss., native, Wiesenburg spent seven years teaching in Alaska before returning to his home state. Recently, Wiesenburg took a few moments to reflect on his current responsibilities and outside interests in a question-and-answer format.

Q: What is your hometown and educational background?

Erick Brown serves as the president of the Student Government Association at The University of Southern Mississippi. Brown, a senior sociology major, recently took a few moments to reflect on his current responsibilities and outside interests in a question-and-answer format.

Q: What is your hometown and educational background?

A: I am from Columbus, Mississippi and attended Columbus High School.

Q: What were your dreams and ambitions as a small child?

Dr. Virginia Crawford serves as director of Student Health Services at The University of Southern Mississippi. Crawford, who once dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, took a few moments recently to reflect on her current responsibilities and outside interests in a question-and-answer format.

Q: What is your hometown and educational background?

Ann Blackwell serves as dean of the College of Education and Psychology at The University of Southern Mississippi. A Southern Miss alumna, Blackwell taught in the Hattiesburg Public School System before taking on her current role. She took a few moments recently to reflect on her current responsibilities and outside interests in a question-and-answer format.

Q: What is your hometown and educational background?

Assistant Dean of Students for Greek Life Josh Schutts believes the university’s fraternities and sororities offer invaluable opportunities for leadership and scholarly development, in addition to the chance to make friends that last a lifetime.  Recently, Schutts took a few moments to reflect on his job responsibilities in a question-and-answer format. 

Q: When did you take over as head of Greek Life at Southern Miss? What is your background?

Deena Crawford serves as the director of Student Counseling Services at The University of Southern Mississippi. Recently, Crawford took a few moments to reflect on her current responsibilities and outside interests in a question-and-answer format.

Q: What is your hometown and educational background?

A: I was born in Jackson, Mississippi and I graduated from Jackson Murrah High School. I have an undergraduate degree in English and a master’s degree from Southern Miss.

Dr. Joe Paul serves as the vice president for student affairs at The University of Southern Mississippi. Paul, a Southern Miss alumnus, has been employed at the university in various capacities for almost 35 years. Recently, Paul took a few moments to reflect on his current responsibilities and outside interests in a question-and-answer format.

Q: Where did you grow up and how did you end up attending Southern Miss?