This briefs package highlights timely news and events from The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast. For more information on any of the stories below or for assistance in arranging interviews, contact the Department of Marketing and Public Relations at 228.865.4573.

• School of Nursing to host Blood Drive April 21
• Lansford Serves as Associate Editor for Political Handbook

Southern Miss Gulf Coast School of Nursing to Host Blood Drive April 21

LONG BEACH, Miss. – The University of Southern Mississippi School of Nursing and Mississippi Blood Services will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 21 in the Advanced Education Center rotunda at the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach.

The School of Nursing encourages students, university employees and community members to donate blood in the first blood drive held at the Gulf Park campus in four years.

For more information, contact Southern Miss Marketing and Public Relations at 228.865.4573.

Lansford Serves as Associate Editor for 2009 Edition of Political Handbook

LONG BEACH, Miss. – Dr. Tom Lansford, academic dean for The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, served as an associate editor for the 2009 edition of the “Political Handbook of the World.”

With more than 1700 pages, the handbook, published by CQ Press, contains entries on more than 200 countries and 75 intergovernmental organizations. Lansford has been an associate editor for the publication since 2005. 

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/gulfcoast .