IHL and College Readiness Mathematics Committee Meet with MDE
On Wednesday, IHL Office of Academic and Student Affairs staff, including Assistant Commissioner Dr. Lynn House, Director of Education and Academic Programs Dr. Dennis Watts, and Director of Academic and Student Affairs Pearl Pennington, joined members of the state's College Readiness Mathematics Committee in a meeting with Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) staff to discuss the state's progress toward improving college readiness. At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. House provided an overview of what is being done nationally to improve high school students' readiness for college, primarily in the areas of mathematics and English. The College Readiness Mathematics Committee, made up of mathematics professors from each of the state's public universities, then presented a recommended list of competencies that students need to be successful in a postsecondary institution. Ensuing discussion revealed that congruence already exists between the high school mathematics curriculum frameworks currently employed by MDE and the competencies outlined by the committee. Despite the breadth of alignment, students continue to enter college-level math courses unprepared, due in part to instructional delivery methods and assessment shortcomings. Next in the process of improving college readiness, the College Readiness Mathematics Committee will meet with a representative sample of high school and two-year college mathematics instructors. For more information, contact Assistant Commissioner of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Lynn House at (601) 432-6501.
|  Dr. George E. Ross | Next Alcorn President Being Treated for Acute Leukemia Dr. George E. Ross, currently the vice president of finance and administrative services at Central Michigan University (CMU) and the Board's selection as the 17th President of Alcorn State University, was diagnosed last week with a form of acute leukemia. He is currently undergoing treatment at University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In a statement issued Tuesday, Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Thomas C. Meredith said, "We are deeply distressed about the news concerning Dr. Ross. We join with the Central Michigan community in offering our prayers for Dr. Ross and his wife Elizabeth for a full recovery." Despite the aggressive nature of acute leukemia, a cancer characterized by the rapid production of highly abnormal white blood cells by the bone marrow, early proper treatment results in remission in a majority of cases. | | MVSU's 'Operation Delta Wind' Brings Together System Planners
On Saturday, June 2, Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) conducted Operation Delta Wind to test the university's incident preparedness plan. The exercise was led by Mr. Tommy Verdell, MVSU director of facilities management and emergency management, but brought together emergency planners from throughout the System. Dr. Bob Neal, IHL emergency and fire safety coordinator; Mr. Curtis Johnson, Jackson State University assistant to the chief of staff; and Dr. Walter Cooper, research and development director with the University of Southern Mississippi Center for Spectator Sports and Security Management, helped facilitate the exercise. A large constituency group from Alcorn State University's police department and emergency planning office also observed the exercise. The simulation involved an F-5 tornado hitting the school's HPER building during a basketball game. According to Dr. Neal, "Even though this was the first full-scale emergency exercise conducted on this campus, it was hugely successful. Tommy Verdell expertly handled the planning and implementation of this important activity. The tremendous participation by outside agencies and organizations demonstrated the importance of both conducting emergency exercises and also developing relationships with other entities in the state and the region to meet the needs of a disaster on campus." Nearly 20 local, state, and federal agencies and volunteer organizations participated in the exercise on the Itta Bena campus.
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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.
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
 Alcorn’s Department of Animal Science Offers New Summer Program
The Alcorn State University Department of Animal Science is embarking on a new summer program and is inviting persons to submit their children’s application to the Amazing Animal Summer Camp. This camp is designed for students between the ages of 10 and 14 years and will focus on animals, animals, and more animals. The cost of participation is $120.00. Those students who have shown an interest in the animal sciences, including veterinary medicine, will benefit the most from this camp. Space is limited, so students not meeting the age requirement will not be considered. For more information, contact Dr. Cassandra Vaughn at (601) 877-6525. Learn more. DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Delta State Announces Administrative Changes
Delta State University recently announced its administrative changes for the upcoming academic year with a blend of both new hires and title changes taking effect across campus. “At the outset of my second four-year contract at Delta State University, I am personally excited by the opportunity we continue to have at this institution,” Delta State President, Dr. John M. Hilpert acknowledged. “The administrative changes set to take effect and the new hires we have already welcomed to campus offer Delta State the prospect of growth and sustained achievement.” At the administration level, Dr. Michelle Roberts will assume a new title next month, along with a shift in her responsibilities. Roberts’ former position as Executive Assistant to the President has been restructured, and she is now Vice President for University Relations. With the advancement, Roberts becomes the first female vice president at Delta State. While still responsible for her previous governmental affairs duties, she will now be charged with marketing the university as a whole. She is set to begin her 16th year of service at Delta State. Learn more. Singer-Songwriters to Tell of Mississippi's Role in the Country Scene Delta State's Tabb Honored with Leadership Award Delta State’s David Voravongsa Tabbed All-American by Intercollegiate Tennis Association JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
 Jackson State University Online
www.jsums.edu MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
MSU Hosts First Leg of Security Competition Leading to $500,000 Prize
Mississippi State University will be the sole American university sponsor for the first part of the Global Security Challenge business plan competition. To begin on September 5, the competition offers entrepreneurs in the security field an opportunity to win a $500,000 grant and mentorship by leading venture capitalists. Based in London, England, the annual worldwide competition seeks to identify the most promising security start-ups, as well as innovators who are developing new technologies that could "make the world a safer place," said Simon Schneider, Global Security Challenge's co-director. The competition is open to individuals and newly established companies offering technology-based security solutions ranging from encryption software to biometric applications, he explained. Schneider said the Technical Support Working Group, a U.S. governmental interagency group usually referred to by the acronym TSWG, will fund the $500,000 grant for the winner of the overall competition. In addition to the grant, the winner will receive a mentorship from venture capitalists such as the Washington, D.C.-based Paladin Capital Group, a private equity firm that launched a $235 million Homeland Security fund in 2004. Learn more. MSU Administrator Honored for Engineering Education Excellence Ridgeland Company Assists with New MSU Degree Program Fooorrre! MSU Announcing Dates of First Golf Academy MSU Announces Dates for 2007 Floral Design Workshop MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN NEWS
MUW Business Week Celebrates 30 Years
Mississippi University for Women will host the 30th annual Business Week Program June 24-29. The program is designed for talented high school students who want to experience what it takes to be successful in the business world. Students are also given the opportunity to learn about several business concepts and network with peers. “Research shows that self-employment is among the fastest-growing segments of American business,” said Louisa Russell, first-year director of the program. “Many look to entrepreneurship as a means of achieving professional freedom and creativity; others seek financial rewards; others want more time for their families; and still others simply want more control over their career path. Regardless of the reason, an increasing number of Americans are opting to start up their own businesses rather than join the ranks of corporate America.” During the program, students will be charged with building their own store in a mock mall from the ground up. The students will pick the product, the story layout and storefront appearance. They will then advertise their business by creating a commercial. “For those who do become entrepreneurs, the skills they learn will give them an advantage over their competitors because they had the opportunity to learn from their mistakes before making any financial investment,” Russell said. Learn more. MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Mississippi Valley State University Online
www.mvsu.edu UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI NEWS
Recent Pharmacy Graduate Completes Rotation with FDA
Rachel Delcambre, a 2007 graduate of the University of Mississippi (UM) School of Pharmacy, recently completed a novel rotation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Office of Special Health Issues (OSHI). Delcambre, a Gulfport native who earned a doctor of pharmacy degree, is the first UM student to complete a rotation with the agency. "We are very proud of Rachel for pursuing the initiative and receiving the invitation for participation in such a distinguished rotation," said Marvin C. Wilson, associate dean for academic and student affairs. "This is further evidence of the national prominence of the school's professional degree program." During her rotation, Delcambre helped revise treatment information charts and worked on a project involving the various organizations with which OSHI corresponds. She was responsible for conducting Internet searches to ensure that those organizations were using information provided to them from OSHI on their websites or in publications. "Rachel served an excellent rotation with the FDA Office of Special Health Issues," said Teresa Toigo, director of OSHI, who also served as Delcambre's preceptor. "She worked hard and productively on OSHI projects. Rachel's cheerful and approachable personality made her easy to work with, and she will be a valuable asset to any organization." "I had such a great time, and it's a fantastic opportunity to learn so much," Delcambre said. "You learn about yourself and what your areas of interest truly are." Learn more. Accountancy Professor Recognized by Leading Technical Publication 92 Luckyday Scholars Among UM's Spring Graduates Physicist Co-Authors Research Paper in Physical Review Letters Honors College Student Takes Second in National Speech Competition UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER NEWS
UMC Genetics Clinics Identify Cardiovascular, Cancer Risks
A healthy teenager is found to have died in his sleep, leading relatives to wonder what could be the cause. They turn to the Cardiac Genetics Clinic at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where investigators determine this sudden death is associated with a cardiac condition. Dr. Christopher Friedrich, associate professor of preventive medicine and director of the clinic, tests the relatives for a mutation in the gene that causes long QT syndrome, a cardiac condition associated with sudden death from arrhythmias. “Some of the relatives who were healthy were found to have that same risk of dying in their sleep,” Friedrich said. “At the clinic, we recommend either lifetime treatment with medication or an implantable cardiac defibrillator.” Learn more. Interim Chief Information Officer Carries Versatility Into Leadership Role UMC Commencement Honors Top Graduates, Celebrates Tradition UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI NEWS
Southern Miss Offering Cutting Edge, Multidisciplinary Degree This Fall
The University of Southern Mississippi's School of Human Performance and Recreation will offer a new multidisciplinary degree program this fall that combines science and sports. The university’s School of Human Performance and Recreation will offer a sports and high performance materials degree, a multidisciplinary program that prepares students for jobs in business or organizations that are associated with materials used in the creation of clothing, apparel, prosthetics, protective equipment, and implements used in sports, the military, or by emergency first-responders. The inspiration for the program came from research indicating that small to mid-sized sporting goods companies need employees that have an understanding of materials science and the unique skills required to study the interface between materials and humans. The program initiative is a joint effort between the Southern Miss College of Health and College of Science and Technology. Learn more. Speakers Urge Girls State Delegates to Consider Public Service Southern Miss Professor Awarded Fulbright Scholar Program Grant Nursing Student Studies Link Between Smoking and Weight Perception Southern Miss Professor Relishes, Nurtures Stereotype With Collection UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST NEWS
Southern Miss Gulf Coast to Offer Spanish Course for Healthcare Workers in Fall
The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast will offer a special foreign language course called Spanish for Healthcare Workers in fall 2007 at the Gulf Coast Student Service Center in Gulfport. The course will be offered during the Mini Session and run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., August 6 through August 17. Students will learn basic linguistics, cultural concepts, and situational practice to better communicate with Spanish-speaking patients and their families. For more information, contact Dora Arana at (228) 867-2633 or Michelle Childres at (228) 865-4572. Learn more. Southern Miss Gulf Coast Promotes Faculty 
June 8 - 10 - Mississippi State hosts Clemson University's baseball team in the NCAA best-of-three Super Regional Tournament at Dudy Noble Field/Polk-Dement Stadium. Each game will broadcast on ESPN. Learn more. June 10 - Blues singer L.C. Ulmer will perform a free concert in the Grove at the University of Mississippi as part of the annual Summer Sunset Series. The free show begins at 7 p.m. In case of rain, the concert will move to Fulton Chapel. Learn more. June 12 - University of Mississippi pharmacy professors Dale G. Nagle and David Pasco discuss how drugs are discovered and later developed for illnesses and diseases in a free community outreach program at 6:30 p.m. in the Oxford Conference Center. Learn more. June 26 - The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies will co-sponsor a Homebuyer Fair in Hattiesburg June 26 from 5 until 7:30 p.m. at the Jackie Dole Sherrill Center in downtown Hattiesburg in conjunction with National Homeownership Month. For more information call (601)266-4097. Learn more. July 12 - The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast will have an Issues + Answers lecture at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Gulfport. The topic of this lecture is "Religion and Violence." The lecture is free and open to the public. June 14 - July 1 - The Oxford Shakespeare Festival presents professional productions of "Romeo and Juliet," "As You Like It," and "The Mikado" in the University of Mississippi's Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $10 for students, seniors, and children and $12 for all others. Learn more. |
