"The ability of our top-notch faculty to attract this type of external funding translates into quality academic experiences for our students," said Southern Miss President Martha Saunders in a prepared statement. "This is one of the building blocks that has helped transform Southern Miss from a good regional college to a national university."

Southern Miss President Emeritus Shelby Thames was instrumental in reaching the 2006 goal for external research grants. That year, the university netted $102 million in outside funds."