Welcome to the daily email for media members that includes news and notes from The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Today's message includes a special coverage opportunity regarding the annual Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival which begins today and continues through Friday on the Hattiesburg campus. News releases include the announcement of Dr. Missy Schraeder as the new director of the DuBard School for Language Disorders and a preview of an upcoming book talk by USM alumnus Julian Walker.

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

Annual Children's Book Festival Begins
Today on Hattiesburg Campus

An award-winning author considered among the best in the fantasy genre will be honored at the 52nd annual Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival, set for today through Friday, April 3-5 at The University of Southern Mississippi's (USM) Hattiesburg campus.

Tamora Pierce, renowned for her young adult fantasy books and who breaks norms by featuring female heroines in her work, will be presented with the Southern Miss Medallion, the festival's top award, during its Medallion Session from 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Thursday, April 4. The festival, which also includes presentation of the Ezra Jack Keats Awards, is presented annually by the USM School of Library and Information Science.

To schedule coverage, contact Van Arnold or David Tisdale.

To see a schedule of events, visit: http://news.usm.edu/article/fay-b-kaigler-children-s-book-festival-keats-awards-presentation-april-3-5-hattiesburg-campu

News Releases

Schraeder Named Director of DuBard School

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has named Dr. Missy Schraeder as director of the DuBard School for Language Disorders, effective August 1. Schraeder has served as interim director of the DuBard School since July 2017, following the retirement of former director Dr. Maureen Martin.

Schraeder obtained her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from USM in 1995, and began working for DuBard School as a speech-language pathologist in 1996.

http://news.usm.edu/article/schraeder-named-director-dubard-school

School of Education to host Book Talk by Southern Miss Alumnus

The School of Education at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will host a free book talk by USM alumnus Julian Walker Thursday, April 4 from 6-8 p.m. in the Shelby Thames Polymer Science Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus. A local actor, author and activist, Walker will discuss the collection of poems in his work “A Year Without You,” in which he chronicles his journey toward personal healing.

http://news.usm.edu/article/school-education-host-book-talk-southern-miss-alumnus

Photo/Video Opportunities

- Longtime economic development professional William “Skip” Scaggs will be the featured guest as part of the International Business Speaker Series on Thursday, April 4 at The University of Southern Mississippi's Hattiesburg campus. Scaggs' address is set for 11 a.m. in Scianna Hall's McDonnell Auditorium. A native of Meridian, Miss., Scaggs current serves as Executive Director of the North Mississippi Industrial Development Association, a regional economic development organization covering 30 counties in Northeast Mississippi. To schedule coverage, contact Van Arnold or David Tisdale.

- One of the top criminal activities in the world, human trafficking, will be the focus of The University of Southern Mississippi Center for Human Rights and Civil Liberties' 4^th conference, “Human Trafficking: Awareness and Action” set for Friday April 5 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in rooms 101-102 of the Liberal Arts Building on the USM Hattiesburg campus. This free event is open to the public. Co-sponsors for this event are USM's College of Arts and Sciences, The School of Social Sciences and Global Studies, and the Honors College. USM's University Forum is co-sponsoring Friday's keynote talk by Jeanette Westbrook, a human rights advocate who serves on United Nations panels working to combat trafficking. 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?

Southern Miss ranked as the nation's top PhD program in counseling psychology according to CounselingPsychology.org.

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.