Browsing: People

With flags waving above the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s newest long-term care facility, veterans, state leaders and community members recently gathered…

Aliyah’s journey into healthcare started when she was just a little girl, watching her grandmother make a positive difference in people’s lives as a nurse. At the time, she didn’t fully grasp the impact. But over the years, that quiet inspiration grew into something bigger—a calling she could no longer ignore. When it was all said and done, Aliyah decided to follow the legacy of her grandmother. 

On Tuesday, April 8, the third annual Mississippi Pinnacle Awards Gala took place at the Lake Terrace Convention Center. Hosted by Hattiesburg’s Sales & Marketing Professionals, the gala honored the talents and achievements of ten of our state’s businesses, events, humanitarians, individuals, and organizations. 

Season 23 of American Idol featured two Mississippi contestants, Jamal Roberts of Meridian and Lillie Z. Rhoden of Stonewall, earning golden tickets that advanced them to Hollywood. Jamal Roberts is a schoolteacher who sang “Her Heart” by Anthony Hamilton. Lillie Z. Rhoden also impressed two judges and earned her way to Hollywood by singing a cover of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell.”

Maxim van Norden, a University of Southern Mississippi (USM) hydrography adjunct professor was recently inducted into the Hydrographer Hall of Fame by the Board Trustees of the Hydrographic Society of America at the U.S. Hydro Conference in Wilmington, N.C. Van Norden’s 53 years of dedication have provided a pathway for students to explore hydrography and be a part of a growing field along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

University of Southern Mississippi freshman Molly Collins was recognized earlier this semester with the Congressional Award Program’s Silver Medal, an honor that acknowledges achievements in voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration.

Leah Ann Peavey relishes being a role model for young women considering studies and careers in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) discipline. A 1984 graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) polymer science program, Peavey remains passionate about her field more than 40 years later. 

Two-time College Football National Champion, Heisman trophy winner and first-round NFL draft pick Tim Tebow will make an appearance in the Hump at Mississippi State on Monday [April 7]. Students, employees, alumni and the surrounding community are invited to hear from the five-time New York Times bestselling author and television football analyst at 7 p.m.

Mississippi State’s Joseph M. Thompson, an assistant professor in the Department of History, has been named a finalist for the 45th annual Los Angeles Times book prize in the history category.

The 2nd Annual Casey Jones Blues Fest takes place Saturday, March 22, in downtown Water Valley, Mississippi. The festival celebrates the life of Water Valley resident John Luther “Casey” Jones, a legendary engineer with Illinois Central Railroad. 

Aubri Sparkman is Hattiesburg’s youngest muralist and possibly the youngest muralist in the state of Mississippi. The 19-year-old artist has certainly made a name for herself in the Magnolia State’s public art scene. Her passion for art was instilled in her from a young age, with her great-grandfather being a renowned street artist in New Orleans. This artistic lineage, coupled with her mother and sister also being artists, has deeply influenced Sparkman’s artistic journey. 

Dr. Joe Paul, president of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), has received the Service Member Patriot Award, presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) to patriotic employers during a ceremony on March 14 at the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families on the Southern Miss Hattiesburg campus.

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Foundation proudly announces a significant milestone in the legacy of Oseola McCarty: the scholarship…

Making waves in marine research is what motivates Dr. Jerry Wiggert of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) to pursue his passions. Wiggert was appointed to the Ocean Studies Board (OSB), a unit of the Division on Earth and Life Studies of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. OSB explores the science, policies and infrastructure needed to understand, manage and conserve coastal and marine environments and resources.

Rare 78-rpm records from legends such as Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, never-released studio recordings and personal letters sent to fans…

Dr. Tristan Clemons continues to solidify his reputation as a rising international research star with The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) School of Polymer Science and Engineering’s faculty.