Welcome to the daily email for media members that includes news and notes from The University of Southern Mississippi. Today's message includes news release about the Mississippi Polymer Institute celebrating its 25^th anniversary with a special open house and USM music ensembles set to participate in a Thanksgiving service on Nov. 18. In addition, worth noting is a photography/video opportunity today as Students in the Bachelor's of Social Work Club at USM's Gulf Park campus present Thanksgiving Golden Baskets to 12 needy Coast families.

Media inquiries can be directed to Van Arnold at 601.266.5568 or van.arnoldFREEMississippi or David Tisdale at 601.266.4499 or d.g.tisdaleFREEMississippi.

Special Coverage Opportunity

Students to Hand Out Golden Baskets
Students in the Bachelor's of Social Work Club at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park campus will present Thanksgiving Golden Baskets to 12 needy Coast families today, Nov. 16. Golden Basket recipients are deemed to be among the least food secure by social workers at Head Start agencies and school districts located in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties. Teams consisting of USM students, faculty and staff provide all of the items for a Thanksgiving dinner, as well as holiday presents and other essential items for their designated family, such as furniture, clothing, shoes and personal hygiene items. Media are invited to view this year's Golden Basket items and speak to participating students in the Hardy Hall Ballroom on the Gulf Park campus (730 East Beach Blvd.) from 9:30-10:30 a.m. today. To schedule coverage, contact Karen Aderer at 228.671.9557.

News Releases

Mississippi Polymer Institute Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Open House

Visitors to the Mississippi Polymer Institute's (MPI) 25^thanniversary open house were treated to a fun-filled agenda packed with interactive workshops, company demonstrations, facility tours and more. The day-long open house was held on Thursday, Nov. 15 at MPI's headquarters in The University of Southern Mississippi's Accelerator.

Established in 1993, MPI was originally housed within USM's Department of Polymer Science with the goal of assisting polymer and advanced-material businesses and entrepreneurs in their growth efforts.

http://news.usm.edu/article/mississippi-polymer-institute-celebrates-25th-anniversary-open-house

Bread Basket Thanksgiving Service Set for Nov. 18

The Southern Chorale, Concert Choir, Southern Miss Men's Choir, Women's Chorus, and Hattiesburg Choral Union will participate in the annual Bread Basket Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, Nov. 18. The service will be held at 6 p.m. at Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg. 

http://news.usm.edu/article/bread-basket-thanksgiving-service-set-nov-18

Expert Availability

The University of Southern Mississippi offers a wide range of faculty experts who can provide insights on newsworthy topics. For a full list of USM media experts visit:http://news.usm.edu/resource/usm-faculty-experts-media-requests.

Did You Know?

USM has received a No. 15 national ranking by Military Times in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2019 survey. No other Mississippi college or university is ranked among the top 100. This marks the third consecutive year in which USM has been ranked nationally in the top 20 of all four-year colleges across the United States. 

About The University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 76 public universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Foundation's "higher research activity" designation for doctoral universities, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 35 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 21 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 16 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.