Skip navigation

Founders' Day

March 30, 1910

The University's Official Birthday

In 1955, the Alumni Association designated March 30 as Mississippi Southern College Day. The day was to be observed wherever former students resided, and its purpose was “to build up a little more custom and tradition concerning the college.” The day, since re-named Founders’ Day, has been observed in some fashion ever since.


Southern Miss Founder's Week Calendar of Events 2023

FOUNDERS’ DAY

Thursday, March 30

INSPIRED LEADERS SERIES WITH JAN LARSEN
9:30 a.m. | Scianna Hall 1003
STUDENT AWARDS CEREMONY
3 p.m. | Bennett Auditorium
CELEBRATION RECEPTION
4:15 p.m. | Bennett Auditorium, South Lawn
Join us for cake and refreshments to celebrate Founders’ Day!
SPRING REPERTORY DANCE CONCERT
7 p.m. | Theatre and Dance Building, Studio 115
Additional performances on March 31 and April 1
SOUTHERN OPERA AND MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS COSI FAN TUTTE
7:30 p.m. | Mannoni PAC
Additional performance on April 1
THEATRE PERFORMANCE - THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA
7:30 p.m. | Theatre and Dance Building, Hartwig Theatre
Additional performances on March 31, April 1-2
CAMPUS PHOTO OPS
All Day | Various Locations
Share your pictures on social media
using the hashtag #USMfoundersday.
• THROW WHAT YOU KNOW THURSDAY
Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
• CARD MY YARD
Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building, South Lawn
(Sponsored by the Southern Miss Alumni Association)

Other events during Founders' Week

FRI.
3/24

SOUTHERN MISS BASEBALL VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN
6 p.m. | Pete Taylor Park

SAT.
3/25

SOUTHERN MISS BASEBALL VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN
2 p.m. | Pete Taylor Park

SUN.
3/26

SPRING FAMILY DAY
11:30 a.m. | Spirit Park
Registration required at bit.ly/3YkFw66. Baseball game will be livestreamed at 1 p.m.
SOUTHERN MISS BASEBALL VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN
1 p.m. | Pete Taylor Park

MON.
3/27

SAA T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY AND DONATION DRIVE
Noon - 2 p.m. | Shoemaker Square

TUES.
3/28

DINNER WITH A DOZEN EAGLES NETWORKING EVENT
5:30 p.m. | Ogletree House
Registration required at SouthernMissAlumni.com/DWDE2023.

WED.
3/29

PIE AN SAA AMBASSADOR DONATION DRIVE
Noon - 2 p.m. | Shoemaker Square
THE AMBASSADOR SERIES: A MUSICAL KALEIDOSCOPE
7 p.m. | FEC Auditorium, Gulf Park Campus

FRI.
3/31

BEACH VOLLEYBALL INVITATIONAL
10 a.m., Noon, 6 p.m. | Beach Volleyball Complex
EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION EVENT
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Union Plaza
Rain Location: Touchdown Terrace
TRACK AND FIELD INVITATIONAL
3:30 p.m. | Track and Field Complex
SOUTHERN MISS SOFTBALL VS. TROY
5 p.m. | Softball Complex

SAT.
4/1

WOMEN’S TENNIS VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN
10 a.m. | Tennis Complex
TRACK AND FIELD INVITATIONAL
10 a.m. | Track and Field Complex