Report Shows States Improving College Readiness The report, "Closing the Expectations Gap 2007," released in April by Achieve, Inc. , indicates that states are doing a better job of preparing students for college and the workplace. The expectations gap is the void between what is expected of high school graduates and what is expected of college freshmen. Twelve states, five more than last year, have aligned high-school graduation requirements with postsecondary expectations, and 32 states are in the planning or implementation phases of aligning their standards. Although Mississippi has already aligned high school graduation requirements with college requirements, the standards do not align. Therefore, Mississippi currently has plans to align high school standards with college and workplace standards. According to the authors of the report, the nation has not seen such momentum towards improving secondary education since the seminal study "A Nation at Risk" was released in 1983. Achieve, Inc. is a Washington-based nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to help states improve college and workforce readiness. Read the report, "Closing the Expectations Gap 2007". National Non-profit to Honor Late Alcorn President The Board of Trustees of the College Board, the non-profit association that facilitates the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program (AP), voted unanimously to establish an AP Summer Institute in honor of the late Alcorn State University President Dr. Clinton Bristow, Jr., who also served on the Board of Trustees of the College Board. The Board's decision will make available more than 100 scholarships for teachers and administrators from southwestern Mississippi and northeastern Louisiana to enroll in the AP Summer Institute for Administrators. The College Board is also planning a series of one-day AP workshops to be held at Alcorn State University in the fall, as well as a series of Pre-AP® professional development days. Learn more about the College Board. Claiborne County High School student Steve Turner hides his team's "cache" during a geocaching activity. Enterprise High School students show off the poster they created to explain their MARS project. “Mission to MARS” Accomplished This spring, student teams from select high schools have been working with university and community college partners to design and complete a Geospatial Information Systems and Technology (GIS&T) project to meet a specific community need. The teams met today to celebrate the completion of their projects and give updates on their "Missions to MARS" (Mississippi Area Remapping Strategies). Students from Water Valley High School, with the aid of the University of Mississippi, worked with the Water Valley Water and Fire Departments to map fire hydrants in Water Valley. The South Panola High School Technology Student Association team, mentored by Northwest Mississippi Community College, tested the prototype of a real-time tracking device to map bus routes to improve bus safety and route efficiency. Cleveland High School students worked with Delta State University, the Delta Music Institute, and the local Chamber of Commerce to create content for an Internet-based interactive experience focused on local tourist attractions. The team from Claiborne County Vocational Center worked with Alcorn State University on the Community Atlas program, which maps points of interest within a given community. Forestry students from Enterprise High School partnered with Jones County Junior College to help the Mississippi Forestry Commission remap Sixteenth Section land in Clark County. The participating high schools received computer hardware and software, technical support and training, global positioning system (GPS) units, and resource books to support their projects. This year's pilot program, which kicked off in January, was co-sponsored by the Geospatial Education Council of IHL, the Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS), and the State Board of Community and Junior Colleges. Mississippi Automated Resource Information Systems (MARIS), which operates under the auspices of IHL; the Mississippi Department of Education; and the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) provided additional support for the project. Contact Steve Walker, Geographic Information Systems Operations Manager, MARIS, at (601) 432-6149, for more information about the program. Tips for Surviving a Hostage Situation The recent tragedy at Virginia Tech has reminded everyone in higher education of the importance of crisis planning and preparation, with the hope, of course, that a crisis communication or emergency management plan will never be needed. In addition to the executive plans put in place by institutions, it is important to have a personal plan as well. IHL Safety and Loss Control Director Andrew Taylor offers some tips for how to survive a hostage situation. It is important to first assess the situation and the intentions of the hostage-taker. If the intent is to kill, potential victims should either "get out" (escape through any means possible) or "take out" (disarm or disable the intruder). If it appears that the hostage-taker intends to use the hostages as leverage for negotiation, then the victims should remember the three Cs. Stay calm, try to connect with the perpetrator, and capitalize on opportunities for rescue or escape. Read more and be prepared.  For more information, contact Safety and Loss Control Director Andrew Taylor at (601) 432-6659.

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.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
MVSU Honors Five with Its Prestigious Preeminence Awards
Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) presented its prestigious James Herbert White Preeminence Awards Friday to five honorees at the eighth annual awards and scholarship gala.  President Lester C. Newman presented the Preeminence Award for Education and Academics to Frank Yates of Jackson, executive director of the Mississippi Association of Educators. The Preeminence Award for Leadership, Community Service, and Civic Endeavors was presented to MVSU graduate Shirley Cartledge of Greenville. IHL Board of Trustee member Dr. Bettye Henderson Neely of Grenada received the Preeminence Award for Achievement in Excellence. Mississippi legislator Reecy L. Dickson of Macon received the MVSU Preeminence Award for Government, Politics, and Advocacy. Dr. Walter Robinson of Chicago received the Preeminence Award for Philanthropy. He currently serves as the comptroller for Christ Universal Temple, one of the nation’s largest New Thought religious institutions. Also honored at the gala was Johnathan Rodgers, president and CEO of TV One, the new entertainment and lifestyle cable television network targeting adult African American viewers that was launched in January 2004 by Radio One. The gala is the primary fund-raising event for scholarships. President Newman established the event to recognize outstanding supporters of higher education and to promote scholarships for deserving students.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI NEWS
Croft Institute, Honors Student Earns Fulbright Fellowship to Germany
A University of Mississippi (UM) student - who as a youngster lived in Germany during that country's reunification and remembers hammering at the Berlin Wall - has the opportunity to teach there as a Fulbright Fellow. William Sharman, a senior international studies major from Greensboro, N.C., has been selected to receive a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Germany. Sharman, who is enrolled in both the Croft Institute for International Studies and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, is among some 1,000 U.S. students recently selected to travel to more than 140 countries. "Having a student selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Award is a high honor and an affirmation of our efforts to attract, support, and then send into the world students who are willing to put their hearts and minds toward a larger vision of what they can contribute and where they can make a difference," said Debra Brown Young, assistant dean of the honors college. "William will be a great Fulbrighter - he's open, intelligent, super nice, and clearly committed to teaching as a career." The fifth Fulbright scholar that UM has produced in the last eight years, Sharman may be placed in Giessen, Germany, during the 2007-08 academic year. He studied in that region in 2006. He and his family previously lived in Bonn, Germany. Upon his return to the U.S., Sharman said he plans to teach school, either at the secondary or post-secondary level. Read more.

Attorneys General, Assistants from 20 States Meet, Discuss Combating Cybercrime

Living Blues Magazine Publishes 'Mississippi Hill Country Blues' Issue

ATO Adopts New Philanthropy, Funds this Year Support Langley Family

Physics Students Receive Outstanding SPS Chapter Award

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER NEWS
Teamwork, Training Help UMMC Anesthesiologists Treat Rare Condition
All the anesthesiology staff at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) knew about malignant hyperthermia, they knew from textbooks. They heard about it in lectures. They even had a crash cart, inspected weekly, dedicated to this uncommon, but potentially deadly condition – anesthesiology’s worst nightmare. Luckily for Evan Rhodus, UMMC nurse anesthetist Ann Hobson had paid close attention in class. She recognized the first signs, even though neither she nor any other member of the team had ever seen malignant hyperthermia in a patient. Read more.

Former State Health Officer Named Preventive Medicine Chair

Guyton Lecturer Describes Challenges of Civil War-era Physicians

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI NEWS
Southern Miss Chemistry Major Wins Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship
A University of Southern Mississippi sophomore has received recognition as a Goldwater Scholar, a prestigious national scholarship program established for future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Jessica Shackleford, a chemistry major from Senatobia, is among 317 undergraduate sophomores and juniors across the United States who will receive a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for the 2007-08 academic year. Shackleford is the 16th Southern Miss recipient since the scholarship program’s inception in 1986 and is one of only two winners from Mississippi this year. The one- and two-year Goldwater scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 per year. “After the initial shock (of learning I had won), I just wanted to call home and tell my mom. I am really excited and happy,” said Shackleford who will be working this summer at North Dakota State University with Dr. Mukund Sibi’s research group. In addition, two other Southern Miss students were among 100 who received honorable mention from the program. They are Lauren N. Caviezel, a junior biological science major from Southaven and Andrea G. Marshall, a chemistry/biochemistry major from Hattiesburg. Learn more.

National Nurses Week Kicks off School of Nursing 40th Anniversary

Luckyday Foundation Awards Study Abroad Scholarships

More Seats Added for United in Song Tribute Concert

Natchez News Publisher Wins Southern Miss Award

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI - GULF COAST NEWS
Southern Miss Gulf Coast College of Business Awards Outstanding Students for 2006-2007
The University of Southern Mississippi - Gulf Coast College of Business held their ChevronTexaco Excellence in Business Awards Luncheon at Mary Mahoney’s on April 28. The event recognized outstanding students from the Gulf Coast campus with various awards sponsored by local businesses and industries. The ChevronTexaco Senior Awards were given to three students in the College of Business. Erica Hoban of Gulfport received the Excellence in Management Award, Paula Chastain of Long Beach received the Excellence in Business Administration Award and Cherie Purl of Pass Christian received the Excellence in Management Information Systems Award. The Munro Petroleum Scholarship in Management Award was given to Vanessa Benedict of Ocean Springs. Kendrick Kennedy of Biloxi received The Sun Herald Scholarship in Business Administration Award. Melia Sexton of Gautier was awarded the Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Scholarship in Management Information Systems Award. The Alexander, van Loon, Sloan, Levens, and Favre Outstanding Senior in Accounting Award was presented to LaShae Snider of Gulfport. The Piltz, Williams, LaRosa, and Company Outstanding Junior in Accounting Award was given to Sarah Lyons of Gulfport. William Crump of Ocean Springs received the Mississippi Gulf Coast Society of CPAs Scholarship Award. Genevieve Caswell of Gulfport received the Rex Distributing Outstanding Senior in Tourism Management Award. The Wachovia Bank MBA Excellence Award was presented to Michael Hallal of Slidell, La.

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Alcorn School of Business Graduates Significantly Improve Exit Exam Rates
The Alcorn State University School of Business administered the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Major Field Examination (exit exam) on Friday, April 13, at the Tanner Hall computer lab. Results of the exam reveal that 94.4 percent of the 35 students taking the exam passed. The group overall scored at the 43rd percentile nationally, this is a significant move upward from the 26th national percentile scored a year earlier. Students' exit exam scores have been improving over the last five years from a low at the 6th percentile nationally. This year's increase is the most dramatic since the exam results have been tracked. The School of Business faculty are strongly committed to student learning and the students' ability to apply the primary objectives to business situations that are also tested on the exit exam. Learn more. (scroll down)

Alcorn Holds Third Annual Multicultural Festival

DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Alums Rogers, Thrash to be Awarded Honorary Degrees at DSU Graduation
Delta State University will be celebrating its 80th Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 12, at 10 a.m. inside Walter Sillers Coliseum on campus. As part of the exercises, the University will be awarding honorary degrees to two leaders in the field of higher education – Dr. James (Jim) T. Rogers and Dr. Patricia (Patsy) A. Thrash. Both Delta State graduates, Rogers and Thrash will be receiving the fourth- and fifth-ever honorary degrees presented by Delta State. Each will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, for which they were unanimously approved by the Institutions of Higher Learning’s Board of Trustees. The pair has dedicated nearly their entire lives to the advancement of higher education, having served a combined 96 years. Until their retirements, they sat atop two of the nation’s six accrediting agencies in higher education. “It is amazing that one institution produced two of the most important higher education leaders in the nation,” said Dr. John M. Hilpert, Delta State University President. “Regional accreditation is the critical certification of quality that a university must achieve. At one time, these two Delta State graduates led regional associations that accredit institutions in 30 of the 50 states. We are proud of these two successful alumni and thrilled that we can honor them at our Spring Commencement. Furthermore, we are proud of the history of quality education at Delta State University,” he concluded. Learn more.

Delta Music Institute to Offer Summer Camp for Aspiring Musicians, Application Deadline June 1

CIS Department to Feature New Offerings this Fall at Delta State

Delta State Seeded No. 3 in Upcoming Gulf South Conference Tournament

JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
 JSU Announces Commencement Speaker, Honorary Degree Recipients
Jackson State University officials announced today that Melphine Evans, controller for BP’s Global Refining business, will be the speaker for the 2007 Spring Commencement Exercises scheduled for 8 a.m., Saturday, May 12 at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson. Evans, who attended Jackson State in 1980, holds a master of science degree from Carnegie-Mellon University. She is responsible for all finance, accounting, and control activities for the refining business, which has approximately 12,000 employees and 15 refineries across the globe. Evans and Leland R. Speed, chair of EastGroup Properties, will both receive honorary degrees during the May commencement. As chairman of JSU’s Development Foundation, Speed has contributed to the growth of the university as well as its students. Most recently, Speed was executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, the state’s lead economic development agency. Learn more.

College of Public Service Graduation Celebration

Center of Excellence in Minority Health to Host ‘Data Management’ Workshop

College of Business Connections Luncheon

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
MSU Research Pioneer Creates First Endowed Chair in Agriculture
A major gift announced Tuesday [May 1] by a Starkville couple is establishing the first fully endowed faculty position in Mississippi State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In campus ceremonies, university officials announced a significant outright contribution to one of the university's oldest academic units. The Dr. Glover B. Triplett Endowed Chair in Agronomy in the department of plant and soil sciences is designed to provide leadership in agronomy education and research, as well as outreach to agronomy-based industries. Triplett, a longtime MSU faculty member, is a Crawford native, while his wife Imogene was raised in nearby Brooksville. Proceeds from the sale of 1,063 acres of Noxubee County timberland that was given to the MSU Foundation by the Tripletts will be used to fund the endowment. "We are getting older and decided it was time to make these plans," Imogene Triplett said. "I told Glover he would enjoy meeting the first holder of the chair and exchanging ideas with him so it needed to be done in our lifetime." Learn more.

MSU Reviews, Improves Emergency Response Strategies

NSF Grant to MSU Encourages Undergraduate Research

MSU Business Honor Society Spotlights Adams, Winston Students

Vet Researcher Ed Couvillion Remembered with MSU Scholarship

MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN NEWS
Sen. Lott to Address MUW Graduates on Saturday
U.S. Sen. Trent Lott will speak at Mississippi University for Women’s commencement on Saturday, May 5. He will speak at both services, which will be held in Rent Auditorium, Whitfield Hall. The conferring of degrees for the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Education and Human Sciences will be at 10 a.m. The ceremony for the College of Business, College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology, and Culinary Arts Institute will start at 1:30 p.m. The time-honored Mag Chain ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. Lott, who serves as Senate Republican Whip, is entering his 33rd year of service in the United States Congress. A champion of a strong national defense, he remains dedicated to encouraging economic growth and protecting Americans’ economic security. As the House Republican Whip in 1981, he forged the bipartisan alliance that enacted President Ronald Reagan’s economic recovery program and his national security initiatives. Elected to the Senate in 1988, he was a member of the group who opposed a tax increase. When he became the Senate’s 16th Majority Leader in 1996, he and House Speaker Newt Gingrich enacted the historic welfare reform bill of 1996. Learn more.

Apr. 10 - June 18 - The "History of the Delta State Nursing Program" exhibit is open. This exhibit explores the establishment of the program, how it has succeeded, and what its future looks like. Former nurse's uniforms, caps, capes, text books, and other memorabilia are on display. Learn more.

May 4 - 5 - Mississippi State presents well-known married couples, all MSU graduates, as featured speakers May 4 and 5 for the university's spring commencement. In addition, the land-grant university will award honorary degrees to two equally well-known state residents. Learn more.

May 4 - 5 - The Oxford branch of the American Association of University Women is hosting the group's statewide spring convention at the University of Mississippi. The meeting is themed "Honoring Our Legacy, Embracing Our Future." Learn more.

May 5 - The Southern Miss Symphony and guests Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick, and others will present United in Song, a Tribute to Tena Clark and her music. Limited general admission tickets are available at 1-800-844-TICK, (601) 266-5418, or at www.southernmisstickets.com. Learn more.

May 5 - 26 - Alcorn State University Extension Program will be holding the following special events: May 5, Trinity Crawfish Boil; May 12, Art in the Park; May 19 and 26, Blueberry Season Blueberry Sale; May 26, Fresh Produce. The events will take place at the Natchez Farmers Market at 613 Main Street from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Learn more.

May 6 - The 85-member Memphis Symphony Orchestra performs an Artist Series concert at the University of Mississippi's Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $12 to $27 and are available through the UM Box Office at 662-915-7411. Learn more.

May 12 - U.S. Senator Thad Cochran will deliver the commencement address to Mississippi Valley State University seniors. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in the R.W. Harrison Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Complex. President Lester C. Newman will confer degrees to more than 480 graduates. Learn more.

May 12 - The founder, president, and CEO of FedEx Corp., Frederick W. Smith, delivers the University of Mississippi's commencement address during ceremonies at 9 a.m. in the Grove. There are 2,076 candidates for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Learn more.

May 15 - Mississippi State's Mitchell Memorial Library presents a workshop covering basics on finding books and journals in the library. The free workshop in the Giles Room begins at 3 p.m. and lasts one hour. For more information, call Brad Brazzeal at 662-325-3834. Learn more.

May 17 - 18 - Mississippi State presents an economic development forum at the Wise Center, showcasing many areas where the university can assist communities and others with economic development opportunities. For more info, contact the university's Industrial Outreach Service at (662) 325-0513. Learn more.

May 19 - University of Mississippi Medical Center Sports Medicine will offer free athletic physicals for students in grades 8-12 from 8:30 a.m. until noon at the UMC Pavilion. Parent/guardian authorization is required. For more information, call (601) 984-6519. Learn more.

June 11 - 14 - The Annual Church Music Workshop of America is celebrating its 31st year with nationally acclaimed musical artists and consultants Byron Cage and the Rev. Dr. Raymond Wise. The workshop will be June 11-14 at Jackson State University’s F.D. Hall Music Center on the main campus. Learn more.

June 15 - Program coordinators of Delta State University's third annual Reaching Out to Mississippi: Education in Action (ROMEA) conference, to be held September 25-26, are soliciting submissions of abstracts for papers, workshops, and posters for possible inclusion in the program. All submissions received by June 15 will be considered, and presenters will be notified by July 15 as to whether their presentations have been accepted. For more information, contact the program committee.