I wouldn't dismiss so soon.  What we learned yesterday is that the foundation guy in CoB knows how to get $1,000,000 out of people.  If that's so, USM needs his services in the COST.  And, since SFT hates HD and the CoB, let's bring in some schmuck from Gulfport with no development/funds background to replace him, ensuring that the CoB gets very little external support from here on.

It's all so perfect sounding to me.

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Invictus
"I am a USM graduate, too. In fact, I have three degrees from USM. I was told on multiple occaisions not to apply for a faculty position at USM, because it would be "in-breeding," that the faculty needed to have "fresh" viewpoints from outside. So about 15 years ago, I quit looking at job announcements from USM. Gradually, I quit contacting members of my old department, except when I ran across them in social settings. And when Shelby Thames was annointed president, I took the little bit that I had been giving to the Alumni Association & fund-raisers from my old college, along with what I had been spending on ballgame tickets & started donating that money to the Boy Scouts of America. I feel those funds are better managed & put to more effective use in actually improving the quality of life in Mississippi. I'm glad you feel so great about getting a job at your alma mater. It makes me feel like filing a class action on behalf on the hundreds of students who were told, "Your degree from USM isn't really good enough to get you a position at a Tier IV institution." But in retrospect, am I disappointed that I could never work at USM. No, sir! I consider it one of those "blessings in disguise." It's one of the best things that ever happened to me professionally. Good luck. You're gonna need it."

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by: W.J. Johnson
" I have been offered a post with Mississippi Southern, and my wife and I are seriously considering it now.  One of my regrets is having waited so late in life to "give back" to my alma mater, and both my wife and I have been discussing this opportunity for 2 or 3 days now.  I havent made a decision yet, but I am leaning towards saying "yes" at this point. I was offered the position of lecturer-fundraising directly by Dr. Thames.  I have a wealth of prior practical business experience in Mississippi and Tennessee, and Dr. Thames and I both felt that the appropriate location for any appointment of me would be the business school.  I would be available to speak to business administration classes from time to time, while a good bit of my duties would involve statewide fundraising efforts. Before a firestorm begins, let me say that the fundraiser currently in the college of business will be reassigned to the sciences.  He will not be fired, I repeat he will not be fired.  He will assist efforts over there to secure research monies, some of which may help save the physics degree program.  I would also like to say that I insisted to Dr. Thames that I not report directly to the business school dean in any way out of my belief that he would retaliate against me in some way should he get the opportunity.  Dr. Thames assured me that this was his desire as well, and he told me that I would report directly to Dr. Moore in his office complex.  I will most likely be located with Dr. Alvin Williams inside the college. As I said earlier, I have a good bit of practical business experience that Southern business students would benefit from hearing about.  I would bring a USM diploma and an abiding love and affection for the institution, something that I have previously stated is sorely missing among the current faculty ranks.  Dr. Malone also indicated that my presence and practical business knowlege might also turn the culture among business faculty in a more positive direction, one that values services to local business and others in the greater Pine Belt area.   Thanks for listening and taking your time."

---

After reviewing the many questions which have recently arisen concerning Professor Johnson's new position at USM, I was asked to re-post the Professor's original musings on the position, which appear in bold type above.  Professor Johnson has also asked that I remind you all that he was hired by Dr. Thames, not Dean Doty, and that he will report directly to Dr. Thames and Dr. Malone rather than to the department chair or COB dean.  In other words, in addition to being a member of the teaching faculty with the rank of full professor, he will function as the eyes and ears of Drs. Thames and Malone within the COB, which along with the College of Arts and Letters, is viewed as a problem college for the university.

If after reviewing Professor Johnson's thoughts and comments you have additional questions prior to his arrival on campus, please direct them via inter-office mail to Professor W.J. Johnson, c/o Dr. Ken Malone, Chair, Department of Economic Development and Planning, USM Gulf Coast.  Thank you for your cooperation and support in these difficult times. Professor Johnson looks forward to meeting you all at his welcome reception, scheduled for Dr. Thames home on Friday, May 13, 2005.  Formal invitations will be mailed at a later date.