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Southern Miss News Thursday, February 21, 2019

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 the University earning the highest free speech rating possible from the Foundation for Individual Rights; Trent Lott Center Director Dr. Shannon Campbell being honored by the Mississippi Development Authority and a preview of the University-produced play “Blues for an Alabama Sky.”

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

University of Southern Mississippi Earns FIRE's Highest Free Speech Rating

The University of Southern Mississippi revised its speech policies to join an elite group of just 47 colleges and universities nationwide that earn the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education's highest rating for free speech.

Roughly 9 in 10 American colleges maintain policies that restrict student or faculty expression, according to FIRE's Spotlight on Speech Codes 2019 report. “Yellow light” institutions maintain policies with vague language that could restrict speech, and “red light” institutions — which make up 30 percent of colleges and universities nationwide — maintain policies that clearly and substantially imperil free speech.

http://news.usm.edu/article/university-southern-mississippi-earns-fire-s-highest-free-speech-rating

Additional News Releases

Trent Lott Center Director Campbell Honored by Mississippi Development Authority

Dr. Shannon Campbell, director of the Trent Lott National Center for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship at The University of Southern Mississippi, has been awarded the Marsha N. Hamilton Spirit Award by the Mississippi Development Authority.

http://news.usm.edu/article/trent-lott-center-director-campbell-honored-mississippi-development-authority

USM to Present “Blues for an Alabama Sky”

The University of Southern Mississippi will present Pearl Cleage's "Blues for an Alabama Sky" at the Hartwig Theatre in the Hattiesburg campus, with performances set for Feb. 21, 22, and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and on Feb. 23 and 24 at 2 p.m. "Blues for an Alabama Sky" takes place in an apartment building in Harlem, over an eight-week period during the summer of 1930.

http://news.usm.edu/article/usm-present-blues-alabama-sky

Photo/Video Opportunity

The University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Library at its Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach is presenting the exhibit “Fun-Da-Mental Adventure in Art, Studies from the Last Three Years,” by Gulf Coast artist Milton Williams. The exhibit is on display on the first and second floors of the Gulf Coast Library through April. The exhibit includes landscapes, historical sites, imaginative wood grains, islands, fish, crabs and flowers, and shows the various techniques Williams uses to get the texture effects that make his work unique. To schedule coverage, contact 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 offers the only ocean engineering degree in Mississippi, providing students with a pathway to careers in shipbuilding, maritime industry, offshore exploration, environmental monitoring, and port operations, as well as with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.

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 Carnegie Classification 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.