 (L to R) Barbara Strong, a high school counselor for Greenwood Public Schools; Mary Jane Covington, director of the State Office of Student Financial Aid; Corey Harris, a student at Hinds Community College in Raymond; Linda Phillips, assistant vice president for institutional advancement at Belhaven College; Peggy Shoemake, financial aid director at Pearl River Community College; and B.J. Moncure, director of financial aid at Jackson State University, work on the financial aid section of Mississippi's new college access website. | Website Development Work Team Convened
A group of about 45 educators, guidance counselors, financial aid and other administrators, admissions officers, parents, students, and business leaders gathered in Jackson on Tuesday, January 29, for the first of two Work Team meetings to develop a statewide college access website. The group represented private and public middle and high schools, public two-year and four-year colleges and universities, and private postsecondary institutions. IHL is seeking to simplify the often complicated process of preparing for, choosing, applying to, and paying for college through the development of a college access website. The site will serve as a guide to going to college in Mississippi, and will provide information on all two-year, four-year, public, and private postsecondary institutions in the state. The Development Work Team was created to provide and review content for the website, to participate in the development of tools, and to provide feedback on the functionality and usability of the site as development progresses. For more information about the new website or the Work Team, please contact Jennifer Rogers at (601) 432-6333.
| Legislative Leadership in Place at Capitol Leadership for the 2008 Legislative Session is in place at the Capitol. As the Session progresses, it is important that higher education stakeholders communicate the needs of the public university system to all Mississippi senators and representatives, including these leaders. A summary of IHL's funding needs and the FY 2009 legislative request are available online. In the House of Representatives, committee chairs include: - Appropriations - Johnny W. Stringer, Chairman; Preston E. Sullivan, Vice-Chairman
- Public Property - Mary H. Coleman, Chairman; Jessica Upshaw, Vice-Chairman
- Universities and Colleges - Charles L. Young, Chairman; Kelvin Buck, Vice-Chairman
- Ways and Means - Percy W. Watson, Chairman; David Norquist, Vice-Chairman
In the Senate, committee chairs and vice-chairs include: - Appropriations - Alan Nunnelee, Chairman; Doug E. Davis, Vice-Chairman
- Finance - Dean Kirby, Chairman; Eugene S. Clarke, Vice-Chairman
- Public Property - Jack Gordon, Chairman; Terry C. Burton, Vice-Chairman
- Universities and Colleges - Doug E. Davis, Chairman; Sampson Jackson II, Vice-Chairman
For a complete list of committee assignments, visit the Mississippi State Legislature website. Next week's issue of the System Review will include a discussion of the potential impact of Governor Barbour's recommended budget on higher education. For more information, contact Assistant Commissioner for Governmental Relations and Legislative Liaison Dr. Jim Borsig at (601) 432-7039. | January Issue of Mississippi's Business Released
The January issue of Mississippi's Business has been released by the Economics Department of the IHL Office of Policy Research and Planning. The issue, which can be accessed online as a PDF, provides an overview of the state's economic situation as indicated by the leading and coincident indexes. Both indexes increased in November relative to October, despite the state's economic slowdown and the threat of a national recession. Also in this issue, senior demographer Dr. Barbara J. Logue explores trends, issues, and costs associated with nursing homes in Mississippi. As society ages in coming years, the number of people who need assistance will increase, thus posing significant social and financial challenges for families, communities, and government. While nursing homes are an important component of long-term care, alternatives are also needed. Read Mississippi's Business online. For more information about the economic overview, contact Senior Economist Darrin Webb at (601) 432-6556. For more information about the aging population and nursing homes, contact Dr. Logue at (601) 432-6576. | IHL Is in Motion
The New Year often brings new resolutions. The IHL Executive Office has resolved to be more committed to wellness in 2008. On January 24, Dr. Jane Clary and Pat Owen from Mississippi State University and Teresa Hand from the Hinds County Extension Service held a planning meeting with IHL staff to discuss Mississippi in Motion. Kick-off for the program is slated for February 26. Mississippi in Motion is a wellness initiative coordinated by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The program focuses on educating and motivating individuals in the development of healthy lifestyle behaviors. It consists of 12 weekly sessions, each conducted by a professional on a specific health promotion topic, such as goal setting, diet, exercise, and heart health. Participants are encouraged to form teams for social support, goal-setting, and encouragement. The program has been implemented across the state with great success. If you wish to bring Mississippi in Motion to your workplace or community, contact Martha Catlette at 601-432-6486 or learn more about the program online. | |  Items included in the "University News" section of the System Review are submitted each week by the universities. The news items are listed in rotating alphabetical order by university.UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI NEWS
 Southern Miss Libraries Receive $2.4 Million Gift
While students and faculty were enjoying their holiday break, The University of Southern Mississippi libraries received a gift that will keep on giving for years to come. In March 2002, Mary and Joseph "Chip" Tatum, Jr., of Hattiesburg donated real estate in Woolmarket, Miss., to The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation. Nearly six years later, the property sold for more than $2.4 million, all of which will benefit Southern Miss libraries. "We are tickled to death with the outcome of this sale," said donor Chip Tatum, who also established a library endowment at Southern Miss in 2002. "Libraries change so quickly. It's not just books anymore. They (Southern Miss libraries) do a lot of restorations and preserving of documents and there's a huge amount of labor involved. When this idea was started, we wanted to free up dedicated money so the library could focus on projects like restoration and student programming." Sherry Laughlin, associate university librarian said this is the biggest gift the library has ever received. "This donation will be used to meet the libraries' greatest needs as they relate to students. What's so great about this gift is that it's entirely flexible. The donors set it up that way, so it can be used for books, computers, furniture, or anything that will benefit the students." Learn more. Southern Miss Student Competes For Chance To Perform at The Grammy Awards Home Ownership Program Begins 11th Year of Helping People with Disabilities Camp Invention Program Set for June 9-13 at Southern Miss Southern Miss Bands Hosts High School Musicians for Honor Band Weekend UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST NEWS
Southern Miss Tourism Management Class Uses Las Vegas as Classroom
When thoughts of Las Vegas, Nev., come to mind, they may involve wedding bells, heart-stopping shows and, of course, gaming. However, to the four students of the Casino Enterprise Management course at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, Las Vegas has become their classroom. David Paster, MBA/MUP/CCM, an instructor with the Department of Tourism Management for the College of Business at Southern Miss, made an agreement with the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino to allow his best and brightest students to spend one week in Las Vegas to conduct comprehensive marketing research and analysis both internally and on 14 other competitive properties located downtown. The four students, Lisa Cartwright of Long Beach, Dana Shankland of Biloxi, Erin Schmermund of Gulfport, and Michelle Bruce of Gulfport, spent seven days in January compiling data and insight for the case study, including meeting with Golden Gate Hotel and Casino owner Marc Brandenburg, Heather Sobczak, marketing and promotions manager, and Scott D'Angelo, vice president of marketing and other key staff members. Further, the students had opportunities to tour various hotels, nightclubs, VIP areas, concert venues, surveillance rooms, and also the operations of several industry suppliers. Learn more. Southern Miss Hires New Human Resources Manager for Gulf Coast Operations ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Alcorn School of Education Administrators Serve as Presenters for AAER
Dr. Josephine Posey, dean of the School of Education and Psychology, and Dr. Doris Gary, associate dean, were selected to serve as presenters for the Association for the Advancement of Educational Research (AAER) held November 6-9, 2007, in Hutchinson Island, Florida. They have been invited to present at this conference annually since Alcorn's outstanding 2001 National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) visit. Each year, their presentations have focused on a different aspect of the NCATE Accreditation process that resulted in Alcorn State University passing all standards. The November presentations shifted to the 2006 successful NCATE visit. Their presentations each year are very highly received by the attendees with much dialogue, especially from the institutional representatives with scheduled upcoming NCATE evaluations. The paper presented in November was entitled "The Role of Collaboration on Student Achievement in Effective Teacher Preparation Programs." They captured the research of noted educators and the operational process of Alcorn State University's Professional Education unit in ensuring quality programs. They shared information on the role of collaboration in the unit's day-to-day operation and its contribution to Alcorn's Professional Education programs being nationally recognized. Learn more. Theodora Rowan of Alcorn Passes Certified Internal Auditor Examination DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Statesmen Baseball to Kick Off 2008 Season with John Grisham Event
Delta State University baseball is synonymous with success. Since its inception, Statesmen baseball has become one of the most storied programs in NCAA Division II history. On Monday, Feb. 11, John Grisham, a name synonymous with literary success, will join forces with Delta State baseball for an evening of entertainment and reminiscing at the Bologna Performing Arts Center. The event, entitled "John Grisham on American Treasures: Books, Baseball and Boo," will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception. The program will follow at 7:30 p.m. "Many people do not realize that John (Grisham) actually attended Delta State in the mid-70's," said Mike Kinnison, DSU head baseball coach. "John tried out for the team in 1974 and came up a little short. He has often joked about Coach Ferriss' role in his literary career, and on Feb. 11 he'll be here to discuss how his career was, in fact, influenced by Coach Ferriss." The event hopes to pair the best of the literary world with fans of baseball, not just Statesmen baseball. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Green and White Fund. "We're tremendously excited about this once in a lifetime opportunity to put one of our nation's most beloved authors, John Grisham, on stage with one of baseball's greatest ambassadors, Coach 'Boo' Ferriss," said Jeremy McClain, Director of Athletics. Learn more. Delta State's Small Business Development Center to Offer Free Workshops Delta State Students Volunteer to Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Statesmen Picked to Win GSC Crown; Six Players Named Preseason All-GSC JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Stovall Selected for Statewide Tax Study Commission
Jackson State University's Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations Troy Stovall has been selected to serve on Gov. Haley Barbour's commission to study Mississippi's tax system. The public-private commission, named Jan. 25, will study the state's system on a comprehensive basis, including how federal and local tax structures affect Mississippi residents and businesses. Leland Speed, former executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority and chair of the Jackson State University Development Foundation's Board of Directors, will chair the commission. "I'm honored that the Governor and Mr. Speed thought enough of me to have me be a part of this commission," said Stovall, who has been employed at Jackson State since 2004. "The work that we do will benefit the university as well as make the state a place companies want to be and students want to learn." The committee members represent a wide range of expertise in this important subject matter, Barbour explained in a press release. "They come from business, legal, academic, and legislative backgrounds. They also share a common bond in that they are all Mississippi taxpayers. I appreciate their voluntary service on this commission and know they will do an excellent and thorough job in carrying out this study." Learn more. JSU Hosting Annual 'African American Read-In' JSU Hosting Town Hall Meeting on Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Former Foster Child to Speak at JSU Child Welfare Conference MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
MSU Alumni Awards Banquet, Leadership Conference
The annual Mississippi State University Alumni Association awards banquet and leadership conference will be held Friday and Saturday in the campus' newly reopened Colvard Student Union. During the Friday evening awards ceremony, the organization will announce the 2008 national alumnus of the year, as well as the alumnus or alumna of the year in each of the eight academic colleges, and an overall young alumnus/alumna of the year. Additionally, distinguished service and chapter leadership awards will be presented and former national alumni association presidents honored. The daylong leadership program on Saturday is expected to draw more than 200 officers and volunteers from around the country. MSU President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong, athletic director Larry Templeton and special guest John Fuedo, associate vice president for alumni relations at Boston College and former Council for Alumni Association Executives president, will be among the speakers. In addition to hearing the presentations, participating chapter officers will be sharing ideas for strengthening membership, recruiting students, and better serving the institution's graduates. Joining them will be various university administrators and representatives. Learn more. MSU Faculty Senate President Draws on Half-century of Experience MSU Foundation Announces New, Returning Board Members MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY AND VETERINARY MEDICINE NEWS
MSU Researchers Focus on Impact of State Bird-Watching Revenue
More than 71 million Americans actively participate in bird watching, spending some $45 million annually on the sport. Unfortunately, Mississippi seems to be flying under the bird-watching radar. According to researchers at Mississippi State's Forest and Wildlife Research Center, the Magnolia State ranks 45th in income realized from the recreational activity considered both a hobby and sport. In an effort to help move the state up the list, university scientists are in a three-year study to determine the best methods for increasing state revenues from birding-related activities. Initially, they are giving special attention to areas along the Mississippi River. "The Mississippi River and its 30-million-acre floodplain form a vital flyway for migratory birds and provide opportunities for anyone who enjoys bird watching," said forestry professor Steve Grado. "The Great River Birding Trail, named for the federally designated scenic drive called the Great River Road, consists of more than 2,000 miles along the river from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico." Grado, a natural resource economist, said bird-watching sites have been established for 1,366 miles along both sides of the river from its headwaters at Lake Itasca, Minn., to the confluence with the Ohio River at Cairo, Ill. "The next step in completing the trail is to extend it along both sides of the Lower Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico," he said. Learn more. MSU Profs, Grad Student Honored for Research at Regional Meeting Mississippi Peanut Growers Learn from Industry Experts MSU Workshop Set to Prep 4-H Volunteers for 2008 MSU Veterinary Research Seeks Novel Herpesvirus Vaccine for Ornamental Carp MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN NEWS
MUW Offers Dual Enrollment for High School Students
Mississippi University for Women offers high school students the chance to jump start their college careers by offering dual credit and dual enrollment. Over 160 students are participating in this program at MUW this spring. MUW began offering the program in the early 1990s and has seen a 158 percent increase in participants in the last five years. "The dual credit and enrollment program gives the university an opportunity to showcase our great faculty, staff, and current students in a way that is so interactive," said Cassie Derden, director of admissions. "We in turn get to offer this community service to students in our area to help them start their college education. We feel this program helps us to build relationships with the high schools as well as the students." Dual credit allows students to earn both high school and college credit for courses taken at MUW. Students must have approval from their principal or guidance counselor and have a 2.50 GPA on at least 14 college prep credits or an ACT composite score of 29 or 1280 SAT. With dual enrollment, students earn college credit only for courses taken at MUW. Students must have written approval from their principal or guidance counselor and have an ACT composite score of 25 or 1130 SAT. MUW offers a variety of courses appropriate for high school students, such as English composition, history of civilization, biology and lab, geography, art appreciation, theatre appreciation, music appreciation, and psychology. Learn more. MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Mississippi Valley State University Online
www.mvsu.edu UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI NEWS
Faculty, Staff Give $1.4 Million to MomentUM Campaign
Faculty and staff at the University of Mississippi not only serve in classrooms, offices, and buildings throughout the campus, but they also have contributed more than $1.4 million of their own resources toward the university's MomentUM campaign. More than 700 current faculty and staff have given or pledged $1.46 million since Jan. 1, 2005, according to UM Foundation figures released this week. "It's extraordinary that our employees, who give so much of their time and effort to Ole Miss, also give back in this way," said Gloria Kellum, vice chancellor for university relations. "These gifts illustrate the deep dedication of our faculty and staff and their commitment to our students and their success. It is heartwarming." The gifts are part of the MomentUM campaign, a four-year initiative to raise $200 million. The campaign, which ends in December, already has raised more than $170 million for scholarships, graduate fellowships, faculty support, a basketball practice facility, residential colleges, and a new law school on the Oxford campus. Also in the plan is a cancer center at the Medical Center in Jackson. While the campaign is geared toward specific initiatives, faculty and staff have given to a number of other areas of need on the Oxford campus. To help other UM employees understand how they might make similar gifts, a series of planned-giving seminars are to be offered through the UM Office of Human Resources this spring. Learn more. As Super Bowl Approaches, Fantasy Sports Research Provides Insights Into Consumer Behavior Ten Students Inducted Into UM Hall of Fame for 2007-08 Two Engineering Professors Awarded Nearly $4 Million in Homeland Security Grants Ole Miss Raising $12 Million for Basketball Practice Facility UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER NEWS
Hinds County CAB Makes Plans to Recruit 1,000 for Children's Study
Scientists at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and neighborhood leaders throughout Hinds County took the first tangible step towards engaging the community about the National Children's Study (NCS) during the initial meeting of the Community Advisory Board (CAB) on Jan. 15 in the Norman C. Nelson Student Union. UMMC is one of 22 study centers nationwide for the NCS, the largest study of child and human health ever conducted in the United States to assess the effects of environmental and genetic factors on child and human health in the country. The NCS is a collaboration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (including the National Institute of Children's Health and Disease and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Learn more. Best Friends, Batson Patients Form Support System as Each Battles Cancer New Pediatric Physiatrist Bolsters Social, Functional, Medical Aspects of Patient Care Pancakes Benefit Children's Hospital 
Feb. 2 - "Ring of Fire," a journey into the life and sounds of Johnny Cash by a national touring company, takes the stage at 8 p.m. in the University of Mississippi's Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $35, $32, and $29 and are available by calling the UM Box Office at (662) 915-7411. Learn more. Feb. 4 - Mississippi State University's Campus Activities Board presents MSU Idol in the Colvard Student Union Ballroom beginning at 8 p.m. For more information, contact Sarah Duffy at (662) 325-2930. Learn more. Feb. 4 - An examination of the fundamental beliefs of Christianity kick off the seventh annual World Religions Series at the University of Mississippi. The session is set for 7 p.m. in Paris-Yates Chapel and will be followed in coming weeks by sessions on Buddhism, Vedic, and Sikhism. Learn more. Feb. 5 - Mississippi State University's Lyceum Faculty Chamber Series presents "An Evening of Music for Bassoon with Guest Performers on Guitar and Trumpet." Bassoonist Elaine Peterson is featured in the show. For more information, contact MSU's Music Department at (662) 325-3070. Learn more. Feb. 5 - Teams of Mississippi high and middle school students will compete using gravity-driven catapults (trebuchets) they have designed and constructed to hurl tennis balls inside the Ole Miss Indoor Practice Facility. The competition runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is open to the public. Learn more. Feb. 6 - Jackson State will host a First Book Dr. Rhythm Literacy Event at the Rose Embly McCoy Auditorium. The annual event creates awareness and funds for literacy and positive affective behaviors for children. For more information, call (601) 979-3410. Learn more. Feb. 6 - Mississippi State University's Mississippi Quarterly and Starkville High School present the national touring group, Poetry Alive! at McCool Auditorium at 7 p.m. The show creates high intensity poetry performances, from the classics to popular and contemporary. Learn more. Feb. 6 deadline - The MSU Extension Service 4-H program and Center for Governmental Training and Technology are recruiting youth to serve in the Legislative Page Internship Program March 17-21. The youth will serve as pages in the Mississippi legislature for one week during the 2008 session. Learn more. Feb. 7 - The MSU Extension Service coordinates the 43rd Annual Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions at the fairgrounds in Jackson. The sale generates nearly $300,000 in scholarship money for youth who show the state's champion livestock. Learn more. Feb. 7-8 - The Southern Miss DuBard School for Language Disorders and The International Association Method Task Force presents the annual symposium, Dyslexia and Related Disorders, at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg. For more information, call (601) 266-5223.Learn more. Feb. 8 - The Southern Miss Symphonic Winds Concert will take place at 8 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium in Hattiesburg. This concert is presented in conjunction with the All-South Bands/Instrumental Conductors Conference. Admission is free. Learn more. Feb. 8 and Mar. 3 - A stallion service auction at MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine raises funds for research and to purchase state-of-the-art equipment to definitively diagnose and treat lameness in horses. The public may bid on stud fees, donate a stallion's stud fees, or donate cash for needed equipment. Learn more. Feb. 19 - Jeff Johnson, political activist, journalist and Black Entertainment Television producer, will present "Unclaimed Legacy: Beyond Civil Rights" as part of Black History Month Activities at Southern Miss at 6:30 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium. Admission is free. Learn more. Mar. 27 - Delta State University will present "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" in the Delta and Pine Land Theatre of its Bologna Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, please call the Box Office at (662) 846-4626 or order tickets online. Learn more. |
