Welcome to the daily email for media members that includes news and notes from The University of Southern Mississippi. Today's message includes a coverage opportunity for the finals of the popular Three-Minute Thesis competition. News releases include a Paws for Patriots program that is helping military veterans deal with stress and anxiety, and a preview of the upcoming Miss University of Southern Mississippi Pageant.

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

Photo/Video Opportunity

Three-Minute Thesis Finals Today

Final presentations in the 5^th Annual Three-Minute Thesis competition will be made today from 2-4 p.m. at USM's Trent Lott National Center on the Hattiesburg campus. Graduate students are showcasing their research while competing for a Grand Champion prize of $1,000. The competition invites graduate students to describe the significance of their thesis or dissertation to a general audience in three minutes or less. Participants are required to follow a spoken word format (no poems, raps, or songs permitted). A single static PowerPoint slide was permitted, but no additional electronic media or props were allowed. To schedule coverage, contact Van Arnold.

News Releases

Paws for Patriots: Army Vet with PTSD Says Comfort Dog Eases Anxiety

Living in the country in Picayune, Miss., Anthony Cefalu can get transported back to Iraq in a split second. The 11-year Army veteran, now a senior social work student at The University of Southern Mississippi, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and health issues after close-proximity blasts from improvised explosive devices and rocket propelled grenades during two tours in Iraq as an infantry staff sergeant.

Since August, though, he has had a new way of dealing with his anxiety, in the form of a furry bundle of energy named Stella, a 5-month-old German shepherd puppy.

http://news.usm.edu/article/paws-patriots-army-vet-ptsd-says-comfort-dog-eases-anxiety

Miss University of Southern Mississippi Pageant set for Nov. 10

The annual Miss University of Southern Mississippi Pageant, a qualifying event for the Miss Mississippi Pageant, will be held at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center (PAC) on the Hattiesburg campus Saturday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for students with identification, and $7 for non-students.

http://news.usm.edu/article/miss-university-southern-mississippi-pageant-set-nov-10

Expert Availability

The University of Southern Mississippi provides a wide range of faculty experts who might offer perspectives on a variety of newsworthy topics. For a full list of University of Southern Mississippi media experts visit: http://news.usm.edu/resource/usm-faculty-experts-media-requests.

Did You Know?

Recognized with the prestigious Carnegie Community Engagement classification, Southern Miss continues its commitment to cultivate and sustain stronger communities through the work of the Center for Community Engagement. 

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's 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.