UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
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Southern Miss Fall Convocation Signals New Beginning for University

Saunders: Strategic Planning, Funding Priorities

Hattiesburg The University of Southern Mississippi is on solid footing as it continues serving as an educational and economic development leader for the state and nation, said President Dr. Martha Saunders today in her first State of the University address.

I am happy to report that the state of the university is good. It is healthy. It is growing. It is changing, Saunders said to faculty, staff, students and community members during 2007 Fall Convocation at Bennett Auditorium.

Saunders, an alumna of Southern Miss who took office in May, said the university community should celebrate its past, especially as it approaches its centennial year, and design its future to position it for growth and keep it strong in order to continue providing its students with quality educational experiences.

She cited multiple achievements that have marked the past year at the university, including a record number of Presidential Scholars, a freshman class whose average ACT score topped the previous years, continued record levels of research funding and the implementation of the master campus facility plan, among others.

While citing these achievements, Saunders also urged unity among the campus community to face challenges, such as declining public dollars for higher education, making college tuition more affordable, and the need to continue identifying funding sources to support the universitys mission.

Fortunately, our problems have solutions but were going to have to get creative and were going to have to pull together, she said.

She urged participating by the university community in a series of campus dialogues beginning this month, which will include small groups of faculty, staff, students, alums and community leaders focusing on the universitys strengths. Saunders said she planned to give an update on the progress of the meetings at their midpoint, followed by a final report in mid-November.

At that point, we will move into more traditional planning with an anticipated result of measurable goals a compass if you will for more detailed tactical decision-making, she said.

Also during convocation, awards and recognition of the work of faculty and staff were made in a variety of categories, including the following:

*Aubrey Keith Lucas and Ella Ginn Lucas Endowment for Faculty Excellence Awards

Dr. Yanlin Guo, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences:
Differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells to smooth muscle cells

Dr. Gary Krebs, Associate Professor, Human Performance and Recreation:
Dartfish technologya tool for enhancing the analysis of human motion

Dr. Virgil Zeigler-Hill, Assistant Professor, Psychology:
Fragile high self-esteem and psychological adjustment

Dr. Youping Deng, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences:
Lipid profiling of breast cancer

Dr. Dana Fennell, Assistant Professor, Anthropology and Sociology:
Talking about healthpeoples perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine

Dr. Mac Alford, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences:
Ferns and fern allies of Mississippi

Dr. Alvin Holder, Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry:
Development of some novel photodynamic therapeutic agents

Dr. Steve Yuen, Professor, Technology Education:
Integrating podcasting and vodcasting technology and a mobile Web course into the instructional technology curriculum

Dr. David Cochran, Assistant Professor, Geography and Geology:
Hurricane hazards, human response and vulnerability among coastal peoples in the Mosquitia region of eastern Honduras

Dr. David Echevarria, Assistant Professor, Psychology:
Stress, alcohol consumption and cognitive impairments their interactions and related biological underpinnings


*Office of the President and
Faculty Senate Awards

Junior Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award
Dr. Linda Pierce, English, Junior Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award

Junior Faculty Creative Activity Award
Dr. Bruce Tychinski, Music, Junior Faculty Outstanding Creative Activity Award

Junior Faculty Research Award
Dr. Steven Stevensen, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Junior Faculty Research Award

Mentoring Award
Dr. Evadna Lyons, Nursing, Mentoring Award

Community Service Award
Dr. Denise Brown, Nutrition and Food Systems, Community Service Award


*Summer grants for Improvement
of Instruction

Dr. Jon Beedle
Department of Technology Education

Dr. Susan Hubble Burchell
Department of Human Performance and Recreation

Dr. David Duhon
Department of Management and Marketing

Dr. David Echevarria
Department of Psychology

Dr. Susan Hrostowski
Department of Social Work

Dr. Amy Chasteen Miller
Department of Anthropology and Sociology

Dr. Jennifer Torres
Department of Art and Design


*Staff Excellence Awards

Skilled Crafts/Service Maintenance/Technical
Lisa Carter and Patience Wise

Office Personnel
Kathy Oliver

Professional
Suzy Hebert

Jessie Hagler Morrison Award
Maureen Martin