Welcome to the daily email for media members that includes news and notes from The University of Southern Mississippi. Today's message includes news releases about astrophysicist Dr. David Spergel's address as guest speaker of the annual Rayborn Lecture Series and the USM Office of Career Services changing the name and focus of its former Career Fair to the new Career Expo event. In addition, media are invited to cover events today related to sustainability efforts at the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses.

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.

Today's Top Story

Astrophysicist Spergel Shares Insights on NASA Research of Universe as Part of Lecture Series

Simple, yet strange. That's how Princeton astrophysicist Dr. David Nathaniel Spergel characterized the universe during his visit to The University of Southern Mississippi's (USM) Hattiesburg campus to deliver the Oct. 2 University Forum lecture "Our Simple and Strange Universe." The program was co-sponsored by USM's Rayborn Lecture Series in Physics.

A MacArthur Foundation “Genius Award” recipient and cited among the “25 Most Influential People in Space” by Time, Spergel works with NASA to explore the mysterious dark matter and dark energy forming up to 95 percent of the universe.

http://news.usm.edu/article/astrophysicist-spergel-shares-insights-nasa-research-universe

Additional News Release

Career Fair Becomes Career Expo to Better Serve All USM Students

The Office of Career Services at The University of Southern Mississippi seeks to draw more attention and engagement from freshmen and sophomore students with its inaugural Career Expo set for Oct. 9 on the Hattiesburg campus. Formerly designated as a career fair, the re-branded Career Expo will be held from Noon-4 p.m. at the Thad Cochran Center. Paige Jones, marketing specialist with Career Services, notes that the name change was designed to ensure that all students understood the significance of the event.

http://news.usm.edu/article/career-fair-becomes-career-expo-better-serve-all-usm-students

Photo/Video Opportunity

The University of Southern Mississippi's Office of Sustainability has a packed lineup of events on tap in October on its Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses as part of National Campus Sustainability Month. Events schedule for today include:

• Swap Table, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Shoemaker Square, Hattiesburg campus
• Acceptable Plastics Tabling Event, Noon-3 p.m., Lloyd Hall lobby, Gulf Park campus

To schedule coverage, contact the Hattiesburg Office of Sustainability at 601.266.4750 or the Gulf Park Office of Sustainability at 228.214.3483.

Media Expert Availability

The University of Southern Mississippi provides a wide range of faculty experts who can address topics of local, state, national, and international news. For a full list of USM media experts visit: http://news.usm.edu/resource/usm-faculty-experts-media-requests.

Did You Know?

The University of Southern Mississippi has been ranked as the No. 1 "Military-Friendly Online College" in the country by AffordableCollegesOnline.org. The site took into account factors like cost of enrollment, available financial aid and class size.

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.