Southern Miss News - Monday, July 9, 2018
Welcome to the daily email for media members that includes news and notes from The University of Southern Mississippi. Today's email includes a story about Southern Miss alumna Jasmine Whiteside, who is pursuing a doctorate from Ohio State University after health challenges threatened to derail her dreams.
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.
Today's Top Story
USM Alumna Overcomes Incredible Adversity to Pursue Doctoral Degree
Jasmine Whiteside still struggles to articulate all of the amazing aspects of her story. That's understandable—she only recalls pieces of it.
Today, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) alumna and Hattiesburg native is a successful graduate student at The Ohio State University, well on her way to a doctoral degree and a career in a field that will benefit communities across the country. But as she progressed toward her USM graduation in 2013, she contracted a rare and life-threatening illness that left her in a coma. And when she awoke six months later, before she could think about the graduation stage, she needed to learn to speak and walk again, to read and write again, and to take care of herself again.
She's done all that and more. This is her amazing story.
https://news.usm.edu/article/usm-alumna-overcomes-incredible-adversity-pursue-doctoral-degree.
Media Expert Availability
Director of Legal Studies Angela Burton is available to discuss the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court, and President Trump's expected announcement today of a replacement for retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. Burton may be reached at Angela.M.BurtonFREEMississippi.
To schedule an interview, email mediaexpertsFREEMississippi. For a full list of USM media experts visit: http://news.usm.edu/resource/usm-faculty-experts-media-requests
Photo and/or Video Opportunities
USM will host the Midsummer Musical Theatre Experience in the Department of Theatre July 9-20 on the Hattiesburg campus. For more than a decade, the Midsummer Musical Theatre Experience has provided programming for developing acting, singing and dancing skills for ages 8-15. The campers will perform the 2017 winner of the New York Children's Musical Theatre Festival “Giants in the Sky.” Camp times are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily. Contact Professor Robin Aronson at robin.aronsonFREEMississippi for more information. Read more about the camp here: https://news.usm.edu/article/usm-summer-camp-will-help-kids-develop-singing-dancing-acting-skills
To schedule coverage, contact Van Arnold or David Tisdale.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
Founded in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive doctoral and research-driven university with a proud history and an eye on the future. A dual-campus university, Southern Miss serves students on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, in addition to five teaching and research sites in Mississippi and through Online at Southern Miss. Since 2006, our students have collected three Truman Scholarships and 18 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. USM students also lead Mississippi with 21 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Our Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research affords our students meaningful research opportunities, and as a proven leader in innovation, we conduct transformative research that translates into real-world solutions. As one of only 36 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music, we are a haven for creativity and artistic expression. In the classroom or lab, on the playing field, or in the performance hall, we strive to have a positive impact not only on our students, but also the world around us. Further information is found at usm.edu.