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's high national ranking for producing certified teachers, the next Science Café on the Coast focusing on earthquakes, and a reminder that registration is open for USM's annual Midsummer Musical Theatre Experience.

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

USM Ranked 13th in the nation; First in Mississippi in Producing Certified Teachers in 2018

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards ranked The University of Southern Mississippi 13th in the country in producing new National Board-Certified Teachers in 2018 with more than 1,000 teachers certified.

USM also ranked No. 13 in the 2017 Top 50 Alma Maters by Total Number of NBCTs with 1,001 teachers certified.

https://news.usm.edu/article/usm-ranked-13th-nation-first-mississippi-producing-certified-teachers-2018

Additional News Releases

March Science Café on the Coast to Focus on Earthquakes and New Madrid Seismic Zone

Science Café on the Coast will present “Earthquakes: There's a Whole Lot of Shaking Going On” on Tuesday, March 26 at 6 p.m. at the Bay St. Louis-Hancock County Library.

Dr. David Holt, associate professor of geography, will discuss the New Madrid Seismic Zone that could affect eight states, including Mississippi. This fault system has the potential to produce powerful earthquakes (6-plus on the Richter scale), in addition to the minor earthquakes recorded yearly.

http://news.usm.edu/article/march-science-caf-coast-focus-earthquakes-and-new-madrid-seismic-zone

Registration Underway for USM Midsummer Musical Theatre Experience

The University of Southern Mississippi Theatre program will host the 14^th annual Midsummer Musical Theatre Experience July 8-19 on the Hattiesburg campus, and applications are now being accepted. The program is specifically designed to develop acting, singing and dancing skills for youth ages 8-15.

Photo/Video Opportunity

The de Grummond Children's Literature Collection is one of North America's leading research centers in the field of children's literature. The Collection holds the original manuscripts and illustrations of more than 1,300 authors and illustrators, as well as 180,000+ published books dating from 1530 to the present. The collection is located on the second floor of Cook Library on the Hattiesburg campus. To schedule coverage, call Van Arnold or David Tisdale.

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 is home to North America's flagship hydrographic science program, where students learn the science of measuring and depicting the parameters necessary to describe the precise nature and configuration of the seabed, its geographical relationship to the land mass, and the characteristics and dynamics of the sea.

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.