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Golden Anniversary Events

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Honors College 50th Anniversary Alumni Celebration

Friday, April 17, 2026

Golden Anniversary Reception*
*Invitation only

Saturday, April 18, 2026

9:00 a.m. | Check-In, Trent Lott National Center Rotunda
Receive your name tag and action-packed agenda for the day.

9:00 – 9:30 a.m. | Alumni Breakfast, Trent Lott National Center 103
Catch up with Honors College friends, old and new!
Sponsored by the Southern Miss Alumni Association

9:30 – 11:00 a.m. | Southern Miss Honors College: The First 50 Years, Trent Lott National Center 103
Journey through the rich history of the Honors College and reminisce on your time as an Honors Scholar. Featuring the following special guests:

Byron Glick, ’81 | Honors College alumnus

Paula Mathis, ’89, ’01 | Former Honors College Academic Advisor and Coordinator of Research Initiatives

Maureen Ryan, | Former Honors College Dean, 1991-2003

Andy Wiest, ’82, ’84, | Honors College Faculty Fellow

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Lunch and Keynote Address, Trent Lott National Center 103

Chris Anderson, ‘95, James Hardy Chair in Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center: Undergraduate Symposium on Research and Creative Activity Keynote Speaker and Honors College Alumnus

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. | Honors College Productions Presents: The Prof, Scianna Hall 1003
An exclusive showing of The Prof, a short film written, directed, and produced by Honors College students, starring Dr. Wallace Kay, the first dean of the Honors College. Created nearly 50 years ago, the film explores topics relevant to today’s world.

12:30 – 2:00 p.m. | UGS* Poster Presentations, Scianna Hall 1^st and 2^nd Floors
Browse student posters to learn from the latest cutting-edge Social Science and STEM research.

1:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Honor House Open House, Honor House
One of the five original buildings on campus, the Honor House is now home to the Honors College! Visit with current Honors Scholars and experience a piece of Southern Miss history as you tour our home away from home.

2:10 – 3:20 p.m. | UGS* Oral Presentation Session III, Scianna Hall Classrooms
Choose from several engaging panels that highlight students’ innovative work in Humanities, Social Science, and STEM fields.

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | UGS* Art Showcase, Scianna Hall 1003
Delight in the talent of our students as they present their Visual Art, Dance, Music, Theater, Film, and Creative Writing pieces.

4:45 p.m. | UGS* Awards Ceremony, Scianna Hall 1003
You are welcome to join us as we recognize all our competitors for their hard work and dedication to research and creative activity and as we award prizes to the top presentations of the Symposium.

6:00 p.m. | Honors College After Hours, The Mahogany Bar, 3810 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg
After a day filled with reminiscence, continue the party at one of Hattiesburg’s flagship cocktail establishments. This is a casual, come-and-go gathering where you may purchase food and beverages on your own.

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*Denotes Undergraduate Symposium on Research and Creative Activity (UGS) programming. UGS at Southern Miss is an annual event that showcases the outstanding work being done by undergraduate students across campus. The event is proudly co-hosted by The Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research (DCUR) and the Honors College (HC).

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Honors College Productions Presents: The Prof, Thad Cochran Center, Joe Paul Student Theater
For current Honors Scholars, an exclusive showing of The Prof, a short film written, directed, and produced by Honors College students, starring Dr. Wallace Kay, the first dean of the Honors College. Created nearly 50 years ago, the film explores topics relevant to today’s world.

Other Happenings Throughout the Weekend

Friday, April 17, 2026

5:00 p.m. | Live at Five Featuring Ponchartrain Wrecks, Town Square Park, 100 Main Street, Hattiesburg
Live at five is a free, family-friendly, outdoor live music series held in Downtown Hattiesburg on Fridays every April and October. Bring your own food and beverages or sample the delicious offerings from local food and drink vendors, and enjoy a quintessential springtime Friday afternoon in Hattiesburg!

6:00 p.m. | Southern Miss Baseball vs. Texas State, Pete Taylor Park
Spend Friday night at the Pete cheering on your Golden Eagles! To purchase tickets, click here.

Sunday, April 19, 2026

12:00 p.m. | Southern Miss Baseball vs. Texas State, Pete Taylor Park
Round out your weekend with Southern Miss baseball! To purchase tickets, click here.

1:30 p.m. | 2026 Suzuki Strings Spring Concert, Marsh Auditorium
This recital, sponsored by the School of Music, will feature performances from pre-college students and adults in the community.