Gulf Coast Teacher Resource Initiative receives support from across the globe

GULFPORT -- The University of Southern Mississippi has received assistance from across the country to help the school recover from Hurricane Katrina. And because of the strong relationships forged through the university's international education programs, the international community has also come to the aid of Southern Miss.

A $9,500 donation from Germany's University of Bonn, a Southern Miss international exchange partner, will help the university purchase laptops for the Gulf Coast Teacher Resource Initiative (GCTRI), located at the Southern Miss Gulf Coast campus. Bonn is also awarding a study-abroad scholarship worth $1,050 to a deserving Southern Miss student.

“Bonn’s donation exemplifies what international education teaches us -- that we are indeed living in a global community, and that what affects us here in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama affects our friends around the world,” said Susan Steen, Director of International Education at Southern Miss. “We’re tremendously grateful for the University of Bonn’s generosity in reaching out to us and to South Mississippi.”

An extension of the Southern Miss Department of History’s Social Studies Resource Center on the Hattiesburg campus, the GCTRI provides social studies teachers and Southern Miss students enrolled in the social studies student teacher licensure program with the resources necessary to prepare lesson plans and materials, especially for students in the storm-affected areas. Audio-video equipment is also available through the GCTRI for the same purposes.

An estimated half of all history majors are enrolled in the social studies teacher licensure program, according to Dr. Michael Polushin, director of the GCTRI.

“This generous donation exemplifies the spirit of cooperation our International Programs have produced. Our efforts to forge international partnerships in providing broad experiences to our students are paying off in ways we never imagined,” said Dr Elliott Pood, dean of the College of Arts and Letters at Southern Miss.

In a letter to Southern Miss President Dr. Shelby Thames informing him of the gift, University of Bonn Der Rektor Dr. Matthias Winiger wrote, “With admiration and hope we have followed how determined and solidly united your university and the citizens of your state have since responded to a natural disaster of such magnitude.

“We hope that our offers contribute to your efforts of recovery and relief and look very much forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration with you.”

“We are extremely appreciative of the University of Bonn’s generous donation and expression of solidarity with Southern Miss,” said Alex Kenner, program coordinator for Southern Miss International Education.

Other contributions received related to the development of the GCTRI include a cash donation from the Pearson Foundation for operating expenses and to facilitate the development of the GCTRI; three book donations, including 80 books on military history from Southern Miss history professor Dr. Michael Neiberg that were given to the Southern Miss libraries and are now part of the general collection; a donation from Dr. William B. Taylor, Sonne Professor of History at the University of California; and a donation of books from an international education relief center associated with the U.S. Naval Academy to affected public schools and to Southern Miss libraries.

Frank McKenna, Canadian ambassador to the U.S., also donated 30 slightly used computers, two of which will be used by the GCTRI and the rest to be distributed to public schools hardest hit by the storm.

“These donations serve as a reminder of the importance of forging partnerships between the local and broader international communities,” Dr. Polushin said.

For more information about Southern Miss International Education, call 601.266.4361; for more information about the GCTRI, contact the Southern Miss History Department at 601.266.4333.