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Southern Miss News Thursday, February 28, 2019

Welcome to the daily email for media members that includes news and notes from The University of Southern Mississippi. Today's message includes a special coverage opportunity regarding the VEX Robotics State Championship set for Friday and Saturday at USM's Payne Center. News releases include a new core course being taught as part of the University's Quality Enhancement Plan and the School of Social Work sending a large contingent of presenters to the state conference next month in Natchez. In addition, history Professor Heather Stur is available to discuss the recent summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un as well as the testimony from Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen to a House Oversight Committee.

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 Opportunity

USM to host Robotics State Championship Friday-Saturday

More than 700 young innovators from across the state will converge at The University of Southern Mississippi Friday-Saturday, March 1-2, for the annual Mississippi VEX Robotics State Championship. The competition will showcase elementary, middle and high school students from approximately 50 Mississippi schools in an educational competitive robotics program to be held at USM's Payne Center on the Hattiesburg campus. The competition also focuses on teamwork, communication, and keeping students engaged in hands-on technology challenges that build their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). To schedule coverage, contact Van Arnold or David Tisdale.

News Releases

Quality Enhancement Plan for Core Course in History Focuses on Student Success

Three years ago, University of Southern Mississippi (USM) faculty members teaching select core courses embarked on a major effort to strengthen student success and student learning as part of the University Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP, a component of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. 

http://news.usm.edu/article/quality-enhancement-plan-core-course-history-focuses-student-success

USM School of Social Work Sending Large Group of Presenters to State Conference

The National Association of Social Workers-Mississippi state conference in March couldn't have a more perfect theme for the University of Southern Mississippi: Elevate Social Work. The university's School of Social Work will be taking it to the top with a large number of presenters who are faculty, staff, students, alumni or former adjunct professors – the most of any university or college. The conference is March 6-8 in Natchez.

http://news.usm.edu/article/usm-school-social-work-top-its-game-state-conference

Expert Availability

President Donald Trump has wrapped up his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, while his former personal attorney Michael Cohen is testifying before a House Oversight Committee in Washington, D.C. USM history Professor Heather Stur is available today to discuss potential outcomes from the summit and Cohen's testimony. 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

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. 

Did You Know?

USM has received a No. 15 national ranking by Military Times in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2019 survey. No other Mississippi college or university is ranked among the top 100. This marks the third consecutive year in which USM has been ranked nationally in the top 20 of all four-year colleges across the United States.

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.