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Office of the Vice President for Research

University of Southern Mississippi Research Foundation

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The University of Southern Mississippi Research Foundation supports and enhances the research mission of The University of Southern Mississippi by promoting the increase of useful knowledge and encourages the development of intellectual properties owned by the University.

The USM Research Foundation is a Mississippi non-profit corporation, organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi and incorporated in 1998 and recognized as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In accordance with its Articles of Incorporation, the Research Foundation is administered and operated exclusively for the benefit of the University.

The business affairs of the corporation are managed by its three- seven member board of directors who are appointed by the President of The University of Southern Mississippi. Officers of the board are a president, vice president, and treasurer. In addition to the voting directors, the USM Vice President for Research and the Executive Assistant to the President serve as ex-officio non-voting members. The day-to-day operations are managed by an Executive Director.

The USM Research Foundation has an agreement with the University to manage and promote its intellectual property and to provide support for industrial contracts to the University. The Foundation also provides support to the University in negotiating corporate and private research contracts. The values of new industrial contracts amanged by the Foundation range from $1.5 million to $2.0 million per year.

The University also has a development agreement with the USM Research Foundation that allows the Foundation to expedite the process of entering into and executing leases with private sector companies who wish to lease property in the USM Research and Innovation Park known as The Garden, located off Classic Drive in Hattiesburg.

Pinion Properties, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the USM Research Foundation created in 2005 as a for-profit entity for the investment, acquisition, management, operation and disposition of property. The Foundation transferred title to its Garden Park property in Gulfport to Pinion in 2005. Pinion borrowed funds and refurbished the property into the Southern Miss Gulf Coast Student Service Center and for other purposes. The property is leased to the University and to other entities. The rent revenue is sufficient to pay loan cost, building operation and maintenance and yield a small annual profit for Pinion.

For further information, contact:

Dr. Gordon C. Cannon
Executive Director
USM Research Foundation
118 College Drive #5116
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
Tel: 601.266.5116
E-mail: Gordon.CannonFREEMississippi

Contact Us

Office of the Vice President for Research
Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building, Room 202
118 College Drive, #5116
Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Hattiesburg Campus

Campus Map

Email
researchFREEMississippi

Phone
601.266.5116