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 Allyson Easterwood being named Vice President for Finance and Administration; Macken'z Smith capturing the title of Miss University of Southern Mississippi and an upcoming concert by the USM Wind Ensemble. In addition, USM history Professor Andrew Wiest is available to discuss the legacy created by Marvel Comics patriarch Stan Lee, who passed away Monday.

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

Easterwood Named USM Vice President for Finance and Administration

The University of Southern Mississippi has named Allyson Easterwood as Vice President for Finance and Administration, effective January 1, 2019, pending approval by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

Easterwood has served as interim vice president since April of 2017. Over the past 18 months, she led efforts to improve the University's financial position through the implementation of necessary budget reductions and new strategies to meet the requirements of State Institutions of Higher Learning Board Policy 713: Institutional Financial Sustainability.

http://news.usm.edu/article/easterwood-named-usm-vice-president-finance-and-administration

Additional News Releases

Smith Crowned Miss University of Southern Mississippi

Macken'z Smith, a senior speech pathology/audiology major from Philadelphia, Miss., was crowned Miss University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Nov. 10 at Mannoni Performing Arts Center (PAC) on the Hattiesburg campus, during the annual Miss University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship Pageant.

http://news.usm.edu/article/smith-crowned-miss-university-southern-mississippi

USM Wind Ensemble Concert Set for November 16

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) presents the Wind Ensemble Concert on Friday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus. The concert is free and open to the public.

http://news.usm.edu/article/usm-wind-ensemble-concert-set-november-16

Photo/Video Opportunity

The Gulf Coast Library at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach is hosting “The Gulf of America,” an art exhibit featuring the work of award-winning Bay St. Louis artist Herb Willey. Sixty original transparent watercolor paintings, set on the Gulf Coast, will be on display until Nov. 22. This exhibit, based on Willey's project, “Along Beach Boulevard,” depicts everyday scenes along Mississippi's Highway 90. To schedule coverage, contact Jenny Tate at 228.865.4574 orjenny.tateFREEMississippi

Expert Availability

USM history Professor Andrew Wiest is available today to discuss the impacts that Marvel Comics patriarch Stan Lee made to U.S. entertainment. Creator of such iconic cartoon figures such as Spiderman, Iron Man, and the Hulk, Lee, 95, passed away on Monday. To schedule an interview, emailmediaexpertsFREEMississippi. 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?

USM's Center for Fisheries Research and Development has been conducting continuous fisheries monitoring of the Mississippi Sound since the 1970s. CFRD members sit on state, regional, and federal management panels to promote sustainable fisheries measures in policy. 

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.