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 USM online nutrition program receiving a No. 1 national ranking by OnlineCollege.com and the College of Business and Economic Development recognizing Joy Lightsey as the 2018 Boardman Alumna of the Year.

SPECIAL NOTE: The Office of University Communications will be closed on Thursday-Friday, Nov. 22-23 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. All other offices on the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses will be closed during that period. Normal operation hours will resume on Monday, Nov. 26.

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

Today's Top Story

USM Online Nutrition Program Receives Top National Ranking

The online nutrition degree program at The University of Southern Mississippi has received a No. 1 ranking nationwide by higher education resource guide OnlineColleges.com.

The guide's 2018-19 list of the best online colleges for nutrition degrees was compiled using data provided by the National Center on Education Statistics' Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Researchers analyzed data points such as in-state tuition costs, graduation rates and admissions rates with unique methodology, considering what might be most important to nontraditional online students to determine the weighting for each point.

http://news.usm.edu/article/usm-online-nutrition-program-receives-top-national-ranking

Additional News Release

USM Honors Lightsey as 2018 Boardman Alumna of Year

The Business Advisory Council and the College of Business and Economic Development at The University of Southern Mississippi has selected Joy Lightsey as the 2018 Boardman Alumna of the Year. She was honored during the annual Alumna of the Year Luncheon last week at the Trent Lott National Center on the Hattiesburg campus. 

https://news.usm.edu/article/usm-honors-lightsey-2018-boardman-alumna-year

Photo/Video Opportunity

The University of Southern Mississippi invites members of local communities to its Hattiesburg campus to celebrate the holiday season with its annual “Lighting the Way for the Holidays” Tuesday, Nov. 27 beginning at 6 p.m. at the front lawn of the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building. The event is presented by the USM Student Government Association. Madeline Laurendine, who serves as student co-director for Lighting the Way, said the event will include refreshments, arts and crafts, cookie decorating, caroling and the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus for photos and share your wish list with him, among other activities, culminating with the lighting of the campus Christmas tree.

Expert Availability

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

Did You Know?

Winning national scholarships is a proud tradition at USM. 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. 

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.