Released November 26, 2003

NOV. 26, 2003

MEMORIAL TO BE HELD FOR DECEASED SOUTHERN MISS STUDENTS

HATTIESBURG - The Southern Miss Student Government Association will hold a memorial service on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at the flag pole at the front of the Southern Miss campus for all students who have passed away during the fall 2003 semester. For more information, contact Southern Miss Student Activities at (601) 266-4403.

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SOUTHERN MISS TO HOST HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL

HATTIESBURG - The Southern Miss campus in Hattiesburg will be the site of the annual High School Drama Festival Dec. 5 from 8:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center. For more information, contact Debroah Boss at the Southern Miss Center for International and Continuing Education at (601) 266-6984 or visit the center's Web site at www.usm.edu/cice/ce/youth/dramafest/index.html.

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NOAA FISHERIES AWARDS SOUTHERN MISS
$2.6 MILLION TO CONTINUE SNAPPER RESEARCH

OCEAN SPRINGS - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries has awarded $2.6 million to The University of Southern Mississippi to continue red snapper stock enhancement research through a consortium of institutions. The NOAA Fisheries grant will support research and development activities of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Marine Stock Enhancement Program headquartered at the Southern Miss Gulf Coast Research Laboratory here. A $1,094,400 share of the grant will fund GCRL red snapper research. Red snapper is the experimental species in the program's development of technology and procedures for using hatchery-raised fish to supplement depleted stocks of marine fish. Consortium coordinator is Dr. William E. Hawkins, professor in the Department of Coastal Sciences. Leading the research at the lab are Hawkins and Drs. Jeffrey M. Lotz and Robin Overstreet, professors of coastal sciences. The grant is also supporting stock enhancement research at other consortium member campuses: the Oceanic Institute, Waimanalo, Hawaii, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Fla., and Jackson State University.

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COASTAL BIRDS, LIGHTHOUSES FEATURED IN
NEW ART EXHIBIT AT SCOTT AQUARIUM

BILOXI - Coastal birds and lighthouses are the focus of a new show by coast artist Geri Dendis at The University of Southern Mississippi Scott Aquarium now through January. Dendis, a Pass Christian resident, works mainly in oils, acrylics and watercolors. Her style, termed "representational expressionism," can be seen in her recent "Ghosts of the Coast" series on historical lighthouses. She exhibits in group and individual shows and is a member of the Gulf Coast, Ocean Springs, Pass Christian and Biloxi art associations. The J.L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is charged.

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SCOTT AQUARIUM OPEN HOUSE SET FOR DEC. 6

BILOXI - A full schedule of live entertainment and Christmas crafts with a marine theme are on the agenda at the free holiday open house at The University of Southern Mississippi's Scott Aquarium from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The annual event is the Scott Aquarium's gift to the community. Refreshments and visits with Santa and live coastal animals are also scheduled. Members of the Great Scott! membership program are invited to call (228) 374-5550 by Dec. 2 to make reservations for a free members-only brunch from 10 a.m.-noon during the open house. The J.L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium is the public education and outreach operation of the Southern Miss Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.

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