Welcome to the daily email for media members that includes news and notes from The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Today's message includes special coverage opportunities regarding the annual Jazz and Blues Festival set for Saturday at the Gulf Park campus and an International Food Fair going on today at the Hattiesburg campus. News releases include Dr. Julie Cwikla being winning an Ada Lovelace Award as STEM Educator of the Year, the announcement of an upcoming lecture on the Hattiesburg campus by MPB Executive Director Ronnie Agnew, and a preview of “Translation: An Evening of Artistic Collaboration” featuring USM art and design students.

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

International Food Fair Today on Hattiesburg Campus

The International Student and Scholar Services and the English-Language Institute at USM are sponsoring an International Food Fair today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Baptist Student Union on the Hattiesburg campus. Cuisine from around the globe will be featured at various booths. To schedule coverage, contact Van Arnold or David Tisdale.

Jazz and Blues Festival Set for Saturday at Gulf Park Campus

The smooth sounds of local jazz and blues musicians will fill the coastal air as The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Gulf Park Campus hosts its 11^th Annual Jazz and Blues Festival on Saturday, March 30, 2019. From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., on the South Lawn of the University's Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, festival attendees can expect to enjoy live music performances; art, products and food; and family- and child-friendly activities during this year's festivities. To schedule coverage, contact Jenny Tate, Gulf Park Campus Communication Officer, 228.865.4574 or jenny.tateFREEMississippi

News Releases

USM Professor Cwikla Honored as Top STEM Educator in Region

Dr. Julie Cwikla, Director of Creativity & Innovation in STEM at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), experienced a day like no other in her career earlier this week. At 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, Cwikla walked on stage to receive the 2019 Ada Lovelace Award in New Orleans. Cwikla was honored with the 2019 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Educator Award. She was the only Mississippi educator to be nominated.

http://news.usm.edu/article/usm-professor-cwikla-honored-top-stem-educator-region

Media and Business Expert to Speak April 10 on Hattiesburg Campus

An accomplished and highly regarded media and business professional will speak at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Wednesday, April 10, about his 35-year career, focusing on diversity, public education, and the Mississippi economy. Ronnie Agnew, executive director of Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB), will present “Tales from the Field: From Sharecropper's Son to News Executive” from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Thames Polymer Science Research Center, room 101 on the Hattiesburg campus.

http://news.usm.edu/article/media-and-business-expert-speak-april-10-hattiesburg-campus

“Translation: An Evening of Artistic Collaboration” Set for April 4

For one night only, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) students from Art, Music, Creative Writing, and Media & Entertainment present “Translation: An Evening of Artistic Collaboration” on April 4, in the Gallery of Art and Design. This free event begins at 6 p.m. and is open to the public. “Translation: An Evening of Artistic Collaboration” is a celebration of USM's dedication to excellence in the arts.

.http://news.usm.edu/article/translation-evening-artistic-collaboration-set-april-4

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?

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 ensure effective management strategies are in place to promote sustainable fisheries. 

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.