Southern Miss News Friday, April 5, 2019
Welcome to the daily email for media members that includes news and notes from The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Today's message includes coverage opportunities regarding the final day of the annual Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival and a Human Trafficking Conference that begins today and continues through Saturday. News releases include history Professor Heather Stur to present the Sam Barefield Lecture on the U.S. military and civil rights, social work students who were given a chance to showcase their books on grief at this week's Children's Book Festival, and a preview of the next Science Café on the Coast at USM's Gulf Park campus.
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.
Special Coverage Opportunities
Children's Book Festival
The 52nd annual Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival wraps up today at The University of Southern Mississippi's Hattiesburg campus. Today's schedule features renowned children's book authors Javaka Steptoe and Brian Floca. Workshops and related sessions are set for this afternoon with the festival scheduled to conclude at 4 p.m. To schedule coverage, contact Van Arnold or David Tisdale.
Human Trafficking Conference
One of the top criminal activities in the world, human trafficking, is the focus of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Center for Human Rights and Civil Liberties' conference “Human Trafficking: Awareness and Action” set for today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in rooms 101-102 of the Liberal Arts Building on the Hattiesburg campus. This free event is open to the public. USM's University Forum is co-sponsoring Friday's keynote talk by Jeanette Westbrook, a human rights advocate who serves on United Nations panels working to combat trafficking. To schedule coverage, contact Van Arnold or David Tisdale.
News Releases
USM History Professor Stur to Present Sam Barefield Lecture April 11
Though an unintended agent for the advancement civil rights, the U.S. military's acceptance of individuals among its ranks over the last several decades, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation, has made it one of the country's most powerful vehicles for social change.
That phenomena will be the subject of the spring 2019 Sam Barefield Lecture at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) when Dr. Heather Stur, USM's Gen Buford “Buff” Blount Professor in Military History, presents "The U.S. Military and Civil Rights: Pragmatic Progressivism," Thursday, April 11, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Gonzales Auditorium (room 108) of the Liberal Arts Building on the Hattiesburg campus.
http://news.usm.edu/article/usm-history-professor-stur-present-sam-barefield-lecture-april-11
Helping Children Grieve: Social Work Students Become First-Time Authors, Festival Presenters
Even faculty can get tired of their own lesson plans. But a quick fix can be hard – even when you've got a great idea. Rachel Lahasky, a clinical instructor in The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Social Work, understands this quandary firsthand. But she was patient and finally introduced a new, semester-long assignment for her Social Work Grief and Bereavement class in fall 2018.
And the unexpected payoff? An opportunity for her 19 undergraduate students to present their work at a major national conference.
April Science Café on the Coast to Feature the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum
On Tuesday, April 9, at 5:30 p.m., Science Café on the Coast will present a history of the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum at the Long Beach City Hall. Corey Christy, the museum's outreach program director, will discuss interesting facts about the seafood industry on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and what a visit to the museum can teach you.
http://news.usm.edu/article/april-science-caf-coast-feature-maritime-and-seafood-industry-museum
Expert Availability
The University of Southern Mississippi provides a wide range of faculty experts who can offer insights on newsworthy 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
Did You Know?
Two University of Southern Mississippi nursing programs are ranked as the best in Mississippi by U.S. News & World Report. The Master of Science in Nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice were the top programs in the state based on factors such as research activity, student-faculty ratio, faculty credentials and number of faculty active in nursing practice.
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 130 universities in the nation to earn the CarnegieClassification of Institutions of Higher Education's "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation, 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 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.