Welcome to the daily email for media members that includes news and notes from The University of Southern Mississippi. Today's message include a news about the USM Wind Ensemble being selected to perform at a national conference next month. In addition, history Professor Heather Stur is available to discuss the growing rift between President Donald Trump and top-ranking Democrats over border wall funding.

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

Southern Miss Wind Ensemble Selected to Perform at National Conference

The University of Southern Mississippi Wind Ensemble and its conductor Dr. Catherine Rand will be performing at the College Band Directors National Conference on Wednesday, Feb. 20 in the Temp Center for the Arts, Tempe, Arizona at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Through a rigorous audition process, the USM Wind Ensemble was one of only 10 college ensembles to be chosen to perform at this national conference.

http://news.usm.edu/article/southern-miss-wind-ensemble-selected-perform-national-conference

Expert Availability

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump walked out of a meeting with top democrats invited to the White House to discuss border wall financing. USM history Professor Heather Stur is available today to offer a historical perspective on the growing rift between the president and democratic-controlled House. 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 Accelerator at USM's Technology and Commercialization Park serves business as an innovation center for accelerated technologies development, scale-up, validation, pilot manufacturing, and commercialization--all under the same roof.  The Accelerator's innovative approach involves a unique combination of a full-service 60,000-square-foot facility, including private offices and laboratories; testing, validation, and pilot production capabilities; along with world-class expertise in complete product development and commercialization. Clients have access to state-of-the-art equipment and amenities without tremendous overhead. To schedule coverage, call Van Arnold or David Tisdale.

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 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.