http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/newsstory.asp?ID=445

IHL PRESS RELEASE
BOARD DEDICATES UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI BUILDING IN HONOR OF DR. R. GERALD TURNER

Media Contact: Annie Mitchell
Phone Number: (601) 432-6493

11/15/2006 ( )

Jackson, Miss. – During its regular monthly meeting, the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) approved the dedication of the University of Mississippi’s National Food Service Management Building in honor of Dr. R. Gerald Turner, Chancellor at the University of Mississippi from 1984 through 1995. The Board also approved new degree programs throughout the System, including the following:

· Mississippi State University: Master of Engineering

· Mississippi University for Women: Master of Education in Educational Leadership

· University of Mississippi: Bachelor of Arts in Chinese; Master of Education in Literacy Education

· University of Mississippi Medical Center: Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience

· University of Southern Mississippi: Bachelor of Science in Coaching Education; Bachelor of Science in Sports and High Performance Materials; Bachelor of Science in Marine Science; Bachelor of Science in Applied Technology



In other news, Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Thomas C. Meredith presented the winners of the Board’s 2006 Best Practices Competition. The Board implemented the annual Best Practices competition to promote accountability, efficiency, productivity and the effective use of technology among its institutions. The program highlights efficient and effective practices in the categories of academics; finance, business or administration; student services; and technology. The Best Practices submitted by the institutions are judged by institutional peer groups. First-place institutions in each category receive $10,000 and second-place winners receive $5,000, paid from the Board’s incentive pool. Detailed information on each winning entry can be found here: http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/best_practices/2006_winners.html.



The 2006 Best Practices Competition Winners include:

Category: ACADEMICS

First Place: The University of Southern Mississippi’s “Finding a Voice: Improving Written and Oral Competencies”

Second Place: The University of Southern Mississippi’s “Community College Partnerships”



Category: FINANCE, BUSINESS OR ADMINISTRATION

First Place: The University of Southern Mississippi’s “Relocation, Recovery and Rebirth: Successfully Moving a University Campus”

Second Place: Jackson State University’s “iServiceDesk Automation”



Category: STUDENT SERVICES

First Place: The University of Mississippi’s “Student Financial Services Help-Line”

Second Place: Mississippi University for Women’s “The Balanced Way”



Category: TECHNOLOGY

First Place: The University of Mississippi’s “Graduate Admissions Workflow with Digital Imaging”

Second Place: Mississippi State University’s “Mississippi State University Extension Service Distance Education Network”