As we move forward to select members of the university's administrative team, I want to keep you informed as developments occur during this process. Our searches to fill these positions are transparent and focused on selecting qualified individuals committed to the highest ideals of academic excellence and service to students. This information will also be released to area media via a news release from our Marketing and Public Relations Office.

Southern Miss Begins National Search for Top Academic Officer

Hattiesburg -- University of Southern Mississippi President Martha Saunders
has announced the formation of a search committee and timeline for replacing
the university's provost, its top academic officer.

"This is a significant position. The University Provost has overarching
responsibility for the academic enterprise and is responsible for the quality
of our programs.  It's important to find a good fit," said Dr. Saunders.

Dr. Bobby Middlebrooks is serving as interim provost following the resignation
of Dr. Jay Grimes who had served in the position since July 2002.

The search begins in September with Dr. Joe Paul, vice president for Student
Affairs, as chair of the 22-member campus committee.

"The president has crafted a diverse and talented search committee. Given this fact and the great promise of this university, we expect tremendous interest in this position," said Paul.

The search committee had an organizational meeting on Aug. 21 and will spend most of the fall semester promoting the position nationally with plans to bring finalists to campus as early as January 2008. The projected start date
for the new provost is July 1, 2008.

The university has selected Academic Search, a Washington, D.C.-based firm, to assist in identifying possible candidates. Senior consultant and president
emeritus of the University of Tulsa Dr. Robert W. Lawless, will work with the
Southern Miss search committee throughout the process.

Lawless has served as president and chief executive officer of Texas Tech
University and Texas Tech University Health Science Center from 1989 to 1996. He was the first vice president of finance and CFO then served as Executive Vice President and COO for Southwest Airlines in Dallas.

"We have engaged one of the top search firms in the country," said Paul.
"Using the search firm will enable us to do a much wider search and should
enhance our pool of applicants significantly."

Committee members are: Dr. Patsy Anderson, Mary Beth Applin, Dr. Pat Biesiot, Dr. Ann Blackwell, Dr. Cecil Burge, Mr. Ken Busby, Dr. Donna Davis, Dr. Clifton Dixon, Ms. Allyson Easterwood, Mr. John Hayman, Dr. Stephen Judd, Dr. Jeff Lotz, Dr. Joe Olmi, Dr. Dennis Phillips, Dr. Rod Posey, Ms. Kerri Quinn, Dr. Dana Ragsdale, Dr. Ray Scurfield, Dr. Susan Steen, Dr. Dense von Herrmann, Dr. Eddie Holloway, Dr. Alvin Williams