Welcome to the daily email for media members that includes news and notes from The University of Southern Mississippi. Today's message include news releases about the growth and success of USM's Small Business Development Center and an advance notice of the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast set for Jan. 21 on the Hattiesburg 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.

Today's Top Story

USM's Small Business Development Center Sees Extraordinary Growth

Four years ago, The University of Southern Mississippi launched a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) focused on providing comprehensive assistance to start-up companies in the Pine Belt area. The center's growth and success have been eye-popping.

In its most recent fiscal year alone (Oct. 1, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2018), the SBDC assisted approximately 200 clients; continued to coach 74 long-term clients, submitted applications for 17 loans totaling $4.6 million and achieved actual capital infusion of $2.5 million in client projects, beginning 12 businesses from the ground up.

https://news.usm.edu/article/usm-s-small-business-development-center-sees-extraordinary-growth-success

Additional News Release

Mississippi UMC Leader Speaker for MLK Jr. Prayer Breakfast Jan. 21 at USM

The head of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Mississippi will serve as the keynote speaker for the 13^th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Ecumenical and Multicultural Prayer Breakfast Monday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 a.m. in the ballroom of The University of Southern Mississippi's (USM) Thad Cochran Center on the Hattiesburg campus.

Rev. James E. Swanson, Sr., who became the first African-American bishop of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2012, is an internationally recognized preacher and lecturer.

http://news.usm.edu/article/mississippi-umc-leader-speaker-mlk-jr-prayer-breakfast-jan-21-usm

Photo/Video Opportunity

Students in USM's College of Nursing have access to some of the most advanced patient simulators on the market. Earlier this year, the University purchased three new simulators that can replicate certain aspects of human physiology, preparing students in the nursing program for clinical practice experiences. For example, students studying the impact of cardiac disease can hear and feel how this disease affects a patient's heart sounds, lung sounds and cardiac pulses. To schedule coverage, contact Van Arnold at 601.266.5568 or van.arnoldFREEMississippi

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?

As the leading research institution for the Gulf South, The University of Southern Mississippi educates nearly 15,000 students, supports approximately 7,000 jobs, and has an annual economic impact of more than $600 million on the state.

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 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.