Those of us who live and work on "university time" often get some strange looks when we speak of May as the end of the year. Of course, we are referring to the academic year that begins with the fall term in August and ends in May. For us, the month of May is joyous because it's a time of celebration and reflection.
Several of my esteemed colleagues will be retiring from the University in May or June, and it is always sad to say good-bye. The dedication and service that so many provide to this University add that special touch to the Southern Miss experience. I extend my thanks and my very best wishes to each of the faculty and staff members who will be retiring soon.
As I near my first anniversary as president here, I think it's safe to say it has been quite a year. Looking back, we have much to celebrate. We reopened our Gulf Park campus that was wrecked by Hurricane Katrina. We initiated an important inclusive strategic planning process, approved a master plan for the Hattiesburg campus and are beginning our planning for our new campus at Cross Creek. We have hired a new provost and filled key academic leadership positions. Our new vice president for advancement has enthusiastically embraced his charge to create a model for support for our university.
Along the way, we helped shape the lives of more than 15,000 students. Our Spring 2008 Commencement will celebrate the accomplishments of almost 1,300 undergraduate students and 370 graduate students. In particular, I am proud to say that we will be awarding 48 doctoral degrees at this commencement.
Immediately following commencement, our mini-sessions will begin. Southern Miss will offer more than 40 mini-session classes between spring and summer semesters. One-week mini-session classes will meet either May 12-16 or May 19-23, and two- week mini-session classes will be meeting May 12-23, 2008.
Regular summer semester classes begin on Tuesday, May 27. The University continues to strive to offer classes at a variety of times and in a variety of formats to address the needs of both our traditional and non-traditional students.
On behalf of all the administrative staff at Southern Miss, have a great summer.
Dr. Martha Saunders
President
Several of my esteemed colleagues will be retiring from the University in May or June, and it is always sad to say good-bye. The dedication and service that so many provide to this University add that special touch to the Southern Miss experience. I extend my thanks and my very best wishes to each of the faculty and staff members who will be retiring soon.
As I near my first anniversary as president here, I think it's safe to say it has been quite a year. Looking back, we have much to celebrate. We reopened our Gulf Park campus that was wrecked by Hurricane Katrina. We initiated an important inclusive strategic planning process, approved a master plan for the Hattiesburg campus and are beginning our planning for our new campus at Cross Creek. We have hired a new provost and filled key academic leadership positions. Our new vice president for advancement has enthusiastically embraced his charge to create a model for support for our university.
Along the way, we helped shape the lives of more than 15,000 students. Our Spring 2008 Commencement will celebrate the accomplishments of almost 1,300 undergraduate students and 370 graduate students. In particular, I am proud to say that we will be awarding 48 doctoral degrees at this commencement.
Immediately following commencement, our mini-sessions will begin. Southern Miss will offer more than 40 mini-session classes between spring and summer semesters. One-week mini-session classes will meet either May 12-16 or May 19-23, and two- week mini-session classes will be meeting May 12-23, 2008.
Regular summer semester classes begin on Tuesday, May 27. The University continues to strive to offer classes at a variety of times and in a variety of formats to address the needs of both our traditional and non-traditional students.
On behalf of all the administrative staff at Southern Miss, have a great summer.
Dr. Martha Saunders
President