Welcome to the daily email for media members that includes news and notes from The University of Southern Mississippi. Today's email includes updates on operations along USM's Gulf Coast and Hattiesburg facilities in regards to Tropical Storm Gordon, plus a news release about the progress made over the past four years by USM's Center for Military Veterans, Service Member and Families. In addition, a new exhibit on display at Cook Library, featuring the development of timber and lumber industries in Mississippi offer opportunities for photo/video coverage.

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.

Weather Note

The University of Southern Mississippi's operations along the Gulf Coast, including the Gulf Park Campus and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and the John C. Stennis Space Center, are closed today in preparation of predicted severe weather from Tropical Storm Gordon. All Tuesday day and night classes will not meet along the coast. Operations on the Hattiesburg campus are being conducted as usual but campus will close at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday night classes will not meet. University officials are in contact with local emergency management agencies on the Gulf Coast and in Hattiesburg, and will continue monitoring weather conditions surrounding this system.

News Release

USM Veterans Center Makes Significant Strides in Four Years

What began four years ago as a promising idea in the imagination of Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond has sprouted into a vibrant, prestigious and heralded Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Housed on USM's Hattiesburg campus, the Veterans Center provides a comprehensive "military-friendly" education support program (application, admission, matriculation, graduation and professional placement) that successfully attracts military veterans, service members, dependents (family members) and survivors to pursue academic and professional development interests.

http://news.usm.edu/article/usm-veterans-center-makes-significant-strides-four-years

Photo/Video Opportunity

A new exhibit on display at USM's Cook Library -- Timber and Lumber in Mississippi -- traces the development of the industries, and, in a way, Mississippi itself. Materials highlighted in the exhibit come from the S. G. Thigpen Papers, the Dr. Gilbert H. Hoffman Papers and Research Collection, various photographic collections, and state published documents. The display will be available through September 28 on the first floor of Cook Library during regular library hours. To schedule coverage, contact Van Arnold or David Tisdale.

Did You Know?

Committed to leaving their communities better than they found them, Southern Miss students engaged in over 107,000 hours of volunteer service in 2017.

Media Expert Availability

USM offers a comprehensive list of faculty members with expertise in a wide array of topics. 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.

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.