Dancing with the Deans Kicks Off Campaign for Southern Miss Feb. 14
Fri, 02/10/2012 - 10:10am | By: David Tisdale
University of Southern Mississippi administrators and members of their staffs are ready to show off their best moves on the dance floor in conjunction with the formal kickoff of the university's 2012 Campaign for Southern Miss.
“Dancing with the Deans,” set for Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. in the Thad Cochran Center Ballroom (third floor), will feature a ballroom dance competition among the academic deans or representatives of their offices. WDAM-TV news director Randy Swan will be the master of ceremonies for the event, with Southern Miss President Emeritus Dr. Aubrey Lucas, alumna Bonnie Warren and former Southern Miss Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Vrita Delaine serving as judges of the competition.
In addition to the entertainment provided by the deans and their professional dance partners, a dessert bar and refreshments will be available. Southern Miss faculty members and staff are invited to attend.
“It's going to be a lot of fun. The word on the street is that some of my deanly colleagues have spent an incredible amount of time in rehearsal,' said Dr. David R. Davies, dean of the Honors College. “I fear that we contestants with two left feet will be at a considerable disadvantage. Let's just say my dancing is not of honors caliber.”
The event is designed to be a celebration of the institution and an opportunity for faculty and staff to learn how they can support the Campaign for Southern Miss, which is geared toward educating employees on the many easy and convenient ways they can provide financial support for the university.
Annual gifts from Southern Miss faculty and staff members provide the necessary resources for programs and services that help the university maintain its margin of excellence in numerous areas, said USM Foundation Officer and campaign coordinator Jessica Cloud.
“A high level of internal support sends a strong message to legislators, business owners, foundations, parents, students and prospective students that we believe in what we do and are willing to put our dollars forward in support of the university's mission,” Cloud said. “The positive effect of private support in the classroom, in the laboratory, in technical services and in student scholarships has already been witnessed firsthand.”
For more information about this event or how to support the campaign, contact Jessica Cloud at 601.266.6429 or e-mail jessica.cloudFREEMississippi.