Rowell as USM PR director - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jun 24, 2005

Rowell as USM PR director

Date: Jun 24, 2005

I Need A Job wrote:

A reliable source has stated that failed mayoral candidate Betsy Rowell is on track to replace Lisa Mader as the Public Relations czar. That should solidify community support for USM, don't you think?

Puleeze, tell us you're joking. If not, what PR credentials does she bring to the table?

Date: Jun 24, 2005

It would be vintage Thames to opt for a politico rather than a trained professional in the job. His appointment of LSM revealed his tendencies to use the job as a political plum rather than seeking someone actually qualified for the position by education and experience. I'm sure Betsy Rowell is a fine person. It seems likely she would help Thames cement his ties with the city's white Republican power structure, but I don't see how it could improve university relations with the city administration during Thames's remaining time in the job.

Date: Jun 24, 2005

Roscoe Thorndyke wrote:

It would be vintage Thames to opt for a politico rather than a trained professional in the job. His appointment of LSM revealed his tendencies to use the job as a political plum rather than seeking someone actually qualified for the position by education and experience. I'm sure Betsy Rowell is a fine person. It seems likely she would help Thames cement his ties with the city's white Republican power structure, but I don't see how it could improve university relations with the city administration during Thames's remaining time in the job.

I don't know jack about Ms. Rowell. She could well be a saintly creature but I don't believe she has any formal training or professional experience in journalism, or public relationspublic affairs, or even a tangential field. Reviled figure though she was, at least Mader had some education and experience in the area before coming to USM. I fail to see how Rowell can function as an effective spokesperson for USM, or for that matter, as a credible lackey for Thames. Not to be elitist about credentials, but does she even hold an undergraduate degree, in any field? Ms. Rowell's campaign bio describes her attendance at JCJC and USM, but makes no mention of her having graduated from either institution. Perhaps she'll nail down a quickie on-line Ph.D. in Economic Development before "assuming the position" (pun intended).

Date: Jun 24, 2005

someone told me she worked in marketing and pr at forrest general hospital.

Date: Jun 24, 2005

I'm assuming that this is a joke.

Date: Jun 24, 2005

stinky cheese man wrote:

someone told me she worked in marketing and pr at forrest general hospital.

Betsy Rowell was Community Health Education Coordinator for Forrest General Hospital’s Community Health Department.

Date: Jun 24, 2005

i remember reading that rowell did public relations for ed morgan. i may be mistaken.

Date: Jun 24, 2005

Lazy hazy days of summer wrote:

I'm assuming that this is a joke.

Me too. And not a very good one at that. I'd rather see our old friend W.J. Johnson replace Mader than an out-of-work politician with his or her head up Shelby's you-know-what.

Date: Jun 24, 2005

Incredulous wrote:

Perhaps she'll nail down a quickie on-line Ph.D. in Economic Development before "assuming the position" (pun intended).

BOGUS would be happy to provide an even-quickier Ph.D. in Economic Development Numerology & any of our other high demand programs.

Date: Jun 24, 2005

usm journalism grad wrote:

i remember reading that rowell did public relations for ed morgan. i may be mistaken.

Betsy Rowell was the city's PR coordinator. I cannot remember if she had the job when G.D. Williamson was mayor or if it was during Ed Morgan's tenure. She does not have a college degree, but she has worked in jobs that have a PR/Community Relations focus.

While I am not advocating Ms. Rowell be hired as the next USM PR director, ask yourself this question: could hiring someone as PR director, who has relevant professional experience but no college degree, be any more insane than installing poly sci guy Ken Malone as the chair of economic development?

Date: Jun 24, 2005

Googler, you have a point!!

Date: Jun 27, 2005

Googler wrote:

....ask yourself this question: could hiring someone as PR director, who has relevant professional experience but no college degree, be any more insane than installing poly sci guy Ken Malone as the chair of economic development?

I've been mystified by all of the more notorious Thames hires. How did he get away with hiring both Dvoraks, Hanbury, and Malone, none of whom were qualified for their respective positions? Did the IHL sign off on any of these characters, or does the president have the authority to bring in his own team without oversight or approval?

Date: Jun 27, 2005

Austin Eagle wrote:

Googler wrote: ....ask yourself this question: could hiring someone as PR director, who has relevant professional experience but no college degree, be any more insane than installing poly sci guy Ken Malone as the chair of economic development? I've been mystified by all of the more notorious Thames hires. How did he get away with hiring both Dvoraks, Hanbury, and Malone, none of whom were qualified for their respective positions? Did the IHL sign off on any of these characters, or does the president have the authority to bring in his own team without oversight or approval?

On de plantation de overseer hires de foreman. De overseer don't have to check with de man in de big white house to do dat. Den dat foreman recommends to de overseer de field hands to hire. De man in dat big white house don't want to be bothered with dis stuff. All he pays attention to is de cotton crop. When de number of bales goes down den he speaks to de overseer.

Date: Jun 27, 2005

I think she would be a good choice.Mayor DuPree and the vast majority of the black voters in Hattiesburg hate USM-you only have to look at the recent bond issue vote to confirm this.Put someone in the office who will fight for the university regardless of who is President.

Date: Jun 27, 2005

Austin Eagle wrote:

Did the IHL sign off on any of these characters, or does the president have the authority to bring in his own team without oversight or approval?

When the non-academicians have salaries split over multiple accounts to mask the sum which would otherwise need board approval, you might think something is fishy. Even more fishy is when said non-academicians have oversight for academic affairs -- that's when the fish smell stinks!

Date: Jun 27, 2005

University supporter wrote:

.....Mayor DuPree and the vast majority of the black voters in Hattiesburg hate USM...

Please pardon my ignorance, naivete, obliviousness, whatever, but is this really true? If so, could you please give me a quickie tutorial on the history of and reasons for this hatred of USM? As an aside, taking your statement as factual, what would be gained by hiring Rowell, not exactly a favorite of the black citizenry, to represent USM? To my non-PR savvy brain it seems as though this move would exacerbate the situation.

Date: Jun 27, 2005

University supporter wrote:

I think she would be a good choice.Mayor DuPree and the vast majority of the black voters in Hattiesburg hate USM-you only have to look at the recent bond issue vote to confirm this.Put someone in the office who will fight for the university regardless of who is President.

Even if I didn't hold the highest regard for Mayor DuPree, I just can't agree that "Dupree and the vast majority of the black voter in Hattiesburg hate USM". The recent bond issue vote does not confirm that they hate USM. A few people came out of the bond issue ordeal looking pretty silly (USM's A.D. for certain), but I've never experienced a town and gown difference of racial attitudes in our current century anywhere but here, and I've sent enough children to other universities and I received my 3 degrees from 3 different state (including USM). USM is a huge factor in the Hattiesburg life, but to try to make a difference of opinion a matter of race makes me glad that they handed down the decision in Philadelphia MS last week. I am sick of the race card.

Date: Jun 27, 2005

a DuPree fan and USM alum wrote:

University supporter wrote: I think she would be a good choice.Mayor DuPree and the vast majority of the black voters in Hattiesburg hate USM-you only have to look at the recent bond issue vote to confirm this.Put someone in the office who will fight for the university regardless of who is President. Even if I didn't hold the highest regard for Mayor DuPree, I just can't agree that "Dupree and the vast majority of the black voter in Hattiesburg hate USM". The recent bond issue vote does not confirm that they hate USM. A few people came out of the bond issue ordeal looking pretty silly (USM's A.D. for certain), but I've never experienced a town and gown difference of racial attitudes in our current century anywhere but here, and I've sent enough children to other universities and I received my 3 degrees from 3 different state (including USM). USM is a huge factor in the Hattiesburg life, but to try to make a difference of opinion a matter of race makes me glad that they handed down the decision in Philadelphia MS last week. I am sick of the race card.

I agree. One word to describe Rowell, at least as far as her campaign tactics go: race baitor.

Date: Jun 27, 2005

Angeline wrote:

One word to describe Rowell, at least as far as her campaign tactics go: race baitor.

Sorry Angeline, but that's two words. It's back to remedial math for you.

Date: Jun 28, 2005

Austin Eagle wrote:

Googler wrote:
....ask yourself this question: could hiring someone as PR director, who has relevant professional experience but no college degree, be any more insane than installing poly sci guy Ken Malone as the chair of economic development?
I've been mystified by all of the more notorious Thames hires. How did he get away with hiring both Dvoraks, Hanbury, and Malone, none of whom were qualified for their respective positions? Did the IHL sign off on any of these characters, or does the president have the authority to bring in his own team without oversight or approval?

And the destructive turmoil of the spring of 2004 was around one thing: questioning these hires and their qualifications for the particular jobs they were holding.

Date: Jun 28, 2005

Make that: racebaitor

Date: Jun 28, 2005

Austin Eagle fan wrote:

And the destructive turmoil of the spring of 2004 was around one thing: questioning these hires and their qualifications for the particular jobs they were holding.

And the more things change...

Date: Jun 28, 2005

View from a Distance wrote:

Make that: racebaitor

Thanks VfaD. Math, admittedly, is not my strong suit.

Date: Jun 28, 2005

Austin Eagle fan wrote:

Austin Eagle wrote:
Googler wrote:
....ask yourself this question: could hiring someone as PR director, who has relevant professional experience but no college degree, be any more insane than installing poly sci guy Ken Malone as the chair of economic development?
I've been mystified by all of the more notorious Thames hires. How did he get away with hiring both Dvoraks, Hanbury, and Malone, none of whom were qualified for their respective positions? Did the IHL sign off on any of these characters, or does the president have the authority to bring in his own team without oversight or approval?

And the destructive turmoil of the spring of 2004 was around one thing: questioning these hires and their qualifications for the particular jobs they were holding.

Isn't that (questioning qualifications of hirees and their qualifications) one of the very things that Betsy Rowell did of Johnny Dupree? Hmmm. Very interesting is it not?

Date: Jun 29, 2005

My pleasure, Angeline. It actually gives it that kind of vicious snap it deserves.