HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Veteran educator Dr. Robert Gene Wiggins, professor and graduate coordinator in the University of Southern Mississippi School of Mass Communication and Journalism, will retire this summer after 35 years of service.

A reception in his honor will be held from 3-5 p.m. May 7 in Room 218 at the Thad Cochran Center.

“We are grateful for Dr. Wiggins’ many years of service to our university and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” said Dr. Denise von Herrmann, dean of the College of Arts and Letters. “He has made an indelible mark at Southern Miss as an educator, researcher and a great friend to those who have had the pleasure to work with him. He will certainly be missed.”

After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southern Miss and a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University, Wiggins became a member of the Southern Miss faculty in 1973, teaching courses in journalism, media law and public relations.

He served as director of the university’s School of Communication from 1983 to 2001, at which time he became graduate coordinator of the School of Mass Communication and Journalism.

“Dr. Wiggins has had a profound impact on the journalism and mass communication industry in Mississippi and across the country,” Chris Campbell, director of the School of Mass Communication and Journalism, said.  “He’s really one of the world’s foremost educators, and he’s had a direct impact on literally thousands of Southern Miss students.

“Plus, he’s such a great guy – funny, smart, committed. He’s been here 35 years without making an enemy.”

Prior to completing his doctorate, Wiggins worked for The Jackson Daily News and for The Hattiesburg American. He also served as a public information officer in the United States Air Force. He has authored numerous publications, including books, book chapters and journal articles in the area of mass communication law. 

In 2006, Wiggins was the first inductee into the School of Mass Communication Hall of Fame. At that time, the school established the Robert Gene Wiggins Endowment, which supports scholarships for deserving mass communication and journalism students. For information about contributing to the endowment, call 601.266.4196.

The retirement reception is sponsored by the Southern Miss College of Arts and Letters and the School of Mass Communication and Journalism.

For additional information, contact Mandy T. Nace in the School of Mass Communication and Journalism at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or 601.266.4196.

For more information, visit the Web at www.usm.edu/arts or contact Angela Kilcrease at 601.266.4988.

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About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss, with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.