JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY 
Jackson Heart Study Partnership Announces Third Exam More than 5,300 participants in the largest single site study of heart disease in African Americans are being urged to come back for their final exam. Jackson Heart Study (JHS) researchers announced the start of the third exam during a recent news conference at the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center in Jackson, Miss. "The third exam is going to be very important," said Dr. Herman Taylor, lead investigator for the JHS. "We do our usual blood drawing and EKGs (electrocardiograms), but we are also doing MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), which will give us new information about the structure and function of the participant's heart." Jackson State University President Ronald Mason Jr., who also attended the kickoff, agrees it is important to get the word out about the final exam. "If you are a black man in Mississippi, you die eight years younger than anybody else in America," Mason said. "We're not sure what the reasons are for that, but it's important that we find out the reasons. This is the third exam and we're trying to track people's progress through this exam to try to understand the long-term issues that are killing black people in Mississippi." The JHS, a local partnership among Jackson State University, Tougaloo College and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities; and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institutes of Health.
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Jackson State University Kicks Off Habitat Home Build 2009
JSU Hosts Hamer and Evers Civil Rights Pioneers Stamp Unveiling
Jackson State Alumna Achieves National Board Certification
Mississippi's only MPH and DrPH Accredited Public Health Program Celebrates Achievement
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY MSU 'State of the Future' Fundraising Campaign Ends with Success Mississippi State is announcing the conclusion of the university's seven-year capital campaign, with more than $462 million received in private gifts and pledges. "State of the Future: The Mississippi State Campaign," which officially closed in December, began with a minimum $400 million goal. That mark was surpassed in late 2007, a full year ahead of schedule. "Mississippi State is tremendously thankful for the great outpouring of support from alumni and friends over the past few years that made the campaign such a resounding success," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. "The investments in scholarships, endowed faculty positions, facilities, and programs already are making this a stronger university and will pay dividends for many years to come," he added. All outright gifts, pledges and deferred gifts, including those to athletics, were counted in campaign totals. Specifically, State of the Future is making possible: $88.2 million for academic scholarships and fellowships; $44.6 million for endowed chairs (or professorships); $42.7 million for new and renovated facilities; $53.3 million for educational and other program enhancements; and $233.5 million for college and other annual supports.
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Nobel Laureate to Lecture and Read Work at Mississippi State
MSU Library Honored by State Historical Society for Grant Papers Acquisition
MSU Ragtime Festival Continues for Third Year
International Business Taps MSU Golf Course Head for Honor
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, & VETERINARY MEDICINE Mississippi State University and China Launch Five-year Agricultural Partnership Two agricultural schools are uniting in their common goals despite being a world apart geographically. A delegation from China's Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences recently visited Mississippi State University, and representatives from both universities discovered interests in many of the same fields of study. Administrators from the universities signed a five-year agreement "to foster international cooperation in education and research." Melissa Mixon, interim vice president for MSU's Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, represented MSU. "We see this as an opportunity to encourage academic and research cooperation with an international institution," Mixon said. "We share interests in many of the same crops including rice, wheat, cotton and sweet potatoes. Both institutions are involved in similar research including food safety and monitoring technologies, animal and veterinary science, environment and resource management, and advancements in biotechnology." Five professors from Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences visited the off-campus sites in Pearl, Crystal Springs, Raymond, and Stoneville. On campus, they visited the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Department of Poultry Science, and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. They also met with representatives of other College of Agriculture and Life Science departments.
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Mississippi State Students Show Can-do Spirit in Food Drive
MSU-organized KIDS COUNT Summit Focuses on Mississippi Children
MSU Scientist Shares USDA Award for Catfish Hatchery Work
Women in Agriculture Learn from MSU Program
MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN MUW Begins Disaster Planning Effort Efforts are under way at Mississippi University for Women to make the campus safer from natural and man-made hazards. The Disaster Resistant University (DRU) Planning Team is in the process of identifying, ranking and profiling risks that could affect the university. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires each plan to identify the following hazards: earthquake, dam failure, drought, flood, hurricane, tornado and wildfire. "In identifying hazards, we have to look at the historical review of hazards that have occurred on campus as well as those that could happen and cause the greatest amount of destruction and potential loss of life while estimating monetary losses," said Angela Jones, project coordinator and MUW assistant to the vice president for finance and administration. She added, "The ultimate goal is a safer campus. This is an in-depth process that will be done in phases and will include public input. The mayor and board of supervisors are aware of this project and will be updated as it progresses. Once the plan is completed, it will be monitored and updated."
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New MUW Campus Initiative No Longer a Secret
Energy Conference to be Held at MUW
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY MVSU ART CONTEST UNDER WAY Mississippi Valley State University is looking for high school seniors and community college students who like to draw, sketch or paint. The annual MVSU Department of Fine Arts Art Contest is open to students who want to develop their artistic abilities. This year's contest is sponsored by Entergy Corporation. Among prizes are four $200 gift certificates toward the purchase of art materials from the MVSU Bookstore, and eligibility for a full academic MVSU Fine Arts scholarship. This competition is open to all high school seniors and community college transfers who plan to major in art at MVSU. Current MVSU freshmen, sophomores and juniors are also eligible. Original works such as ceramic items, drawings, graphic design works, illustrations, paintings, photography and printmaking, may be entered, but only original works may be entered, according to Craig Clifford, MVSU instructor and contest director. Students will submit either digital photographs of the work electronically or on a CD or DVD, which must be received by March 16. Each artist may submit up to three works; works do not have to be the same medium. Digital submissions must be sent to Clifford at crglifford@gmail.com . An official entry form must be attached to the back of each entry. Once notified as a finalist, artists must submit paintings, drawings, graphic works and/or photographs. All must have a hanging attachment and be matted and covered with glass or acetate. For more information, call 662-254-3482.
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Tenth Annual J.H. White Preeminence Award & Scholarship Gala Features the Manhattans
Valley's Gemarion Nolan Nominated for Radio Personality of the Year
Financial Aid Awareness Week Activities Planned for March 23-26
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI Kellogg Foundation Funds UM Winter Institute's 'Welcome Table' Promoting dialogue and community building around improved race relations throughout Mississippi is the goal of "Welcome Table: An Era of Dialogue on Race," an initiative of the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation at the University of Mississippi. The specific goals of the Welcome Table project vary from place to place, depending on what the community's greatest needs are. For example, in Greenwood, a biracial working group was established to discuss the sharing of economic prosperity, excellence in every school, building interracial trust, and improving the internal and external images of Greenwood. The hope is that these conversations will yield a cadre of citizens who can engage in purposeful dialogue and action to improve their communities. The project is funded in part by a $250,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Mich. "We are delighted to partner with the William Winter Institute around the Welcome Table Initiative," said Alice Warner-Mehlhorn, a Kellogg Foundation program director. "We support the work that the Institute is doing to address the healing of race relationships in Mississippi communities and strongly believe that, when people are provided with the necessary tools, they gain the capacity to make significant change." Beginning this summer, the Welcome Table will use the funds from Kellogg to provide more strategic planning and coalition building training sessions to participating communities throughout the state.
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Law School's Moot Court Teams Excel in Regional, National Competitions
Journalism Student Awarded State Public Relations Assn. Scholarship
Geophysics Specialist to Appear on PBS Version of Britain's Hit Show 'Time Team'
Ted Ownby Named Director of Center for Study of Southern Culture
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER ONLINE University of Mississippi Medical Center Online
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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI Record-Setting $6M Gift to Support Scholarships, Strategic Initiatives President Martha Saunders announced Tuesday that The University of Southern Mississippi has received a $6 million gift that will be used for student scholarships and strategic initiatives. The gift, from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, is the largest, single cash gift in the university's history. "This is a transformational gift for our university and one for which we are deeply grateful," Dr. Saunders said to a gathering of students, faculty, staff and friends at the Thad Cochran Center. "We cannot answer any questions about the motivations or interests of the giver, but I would like to think he or she has observed our progress as a university and believes in what Southern Miss is all about," she said. Five million will be used for student scholarships and $1 million is to be applied to further the university's strategic initiatives. "Our work through advancement is aimed at ensuring the long-range success of The University of Southern Mississippi by securing resources to support strategic initiatives," said Dr. David Wolf, vice president for advancement. "This gift gives us a big jumpstart on some of those projects." Incoming Student Government Association president J.R. Robinson was among the students at the announcement. His reaction to the news: "Wow." He continued, "We really appreciate this donation and what it can potentially do for Southern Miss students."
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Southern Miss Students Win First Place Research Awards at Science Symposium
Dr. Michael Forster Selected as Dean for College of Health
Semester Abroad in Granada, Spain Immerses Students in Language, Culture
Dr. Katherine Nugent Honored by Mississippi Nursing Association
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST Southern Miss Gulf Coast Students Preserve, Promote Bay St. Louis History Students majoring in history and marketing at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast were able to use their new skills of recording oral histories and taking surveys recently at the 100 Men Hall in Bay St. Louis. The students and professors who are part of the academic service-learning program at Southern Miss hosted a barbecue for the coast community at the historic venue. During the event, community members were asked to share their stories and recollections of the historic wood frame building on Union Street in Bay St. Louis. In the early 1900s, the 100 Men Hall served as the local death and burial association in Bay St. Louis. Decades later, the hall was converted into a social club on the "Chitlin' Circuit" which spread throughout the eastern and southern United States and brought many famous black rhythm and blues performers to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. History students recorded the local stories which will be used for an oral history project. As the stories and memories were recorded, marketing students surveyed community members to find out what they would like to see in the future for the hall. "The participants were able to tell us of seeing numerous musical legends at the 100 Men Hall, such as B.B. King, James Brown and Chuck Berry," said student Mary Ann Green of Chicago.
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Ledford Named Science and Technology Associate Dean at Gulf Coast
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY Eight ASU Honor Students to Participate in the TMCF Professional Institute Following successful interviews with the representative from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), eight students were invited to attend the TMCF Member Universities Professional Institute and Exhibition in New Orleans, La., March 15-18. ASU students selected to attend the conference are: Edward Anthony, advanced technology; Donovan Booth, business; Jessica Hinton, biology; Timotheus Jones, advanced technology; Inneka Minor, business; Whitnee Ross, business; DwunShae Wells, business. The conference will provide professional development and training for the key decision makers of America's public HBCU's through workshops, plenary sessions, and affiliation forums. The major goals of the conference are to bring together leaders from all departments of the 47 public HBCUs to share "best practices" and lessons learned; foster mutually beneficial partnerships between the academic, corporate, and government arenas; and provide an excellent opportunity for students interested in careers in sales or the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields to learn the key attributes and the necessary skills that will give them a competitive advantage in the global market place. Dr. Donzell Lee, campus liaison for Thurgood Marshall College Fund, will attend the conference with the students.
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ASU Faculty and Scientists Present at the MS Academy of Science 73rd Annual Meeting
ASU Vice President of Development and Marketing Appointed to CASE District III Board
ASU/America Reads-Mississippi March Activities
ASU Student Awarded Third Place at the Mississippi Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting
DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY Nylander Named Dean of Graduate Studies at Delta State University Dr. Albert Nylander has been named Delta State University's dean of graduate studies. A native of Greenwood, Nylander will continue to fulfill his current responsibilities as chair of the Division of Social Sciences, while working in the Office of Graduate Studies on a part-time basis through the remainder of this semester. Effective June 1, 2009, he will assume the responsibilities of dean of graduate studies on a full-time basis. "I am thankful to be able to serve as the dean of graduate studies at Delta State University," said Nylander. "I want to thank our provost, Dr. Ann Lotven, and the search committee for this opportunity. It will be a tremendous honor to represent the respective programs across campus. I will be a strong advocate for all graduate endeavors on campus and will provide leadership and commitment for advancing graduate opportunities at Delta State."
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Delta State's Delta Music Institute Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Delta State's Delta Center Alternative Group to Partner with the University of Southern Mississippi During Spring Break
Lady Statesmen Seeking Second-Straight Region Crown
Statesmen Set for Florida Showdown
Now-June 2 - The local Cafe Boheme will host an exhibition of paintings by Southern Miss Professor Susan Fitzsimmons. Learn more.
Now-April 10 - The Jackson State University Department of Art will hold its annual juried student exhibition in the first floor art gallery of the Dollye M.E. Robinson Building. For information call, (601) 979-2040. Learn more.
March 17 - A patriotic atmosphere and great country music are expected at the University of Mississippi during a performance by the U.S. Air Force Academy Concert Band at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets to the 8 p.m. concert are free and available from the UM Box Office. Call (662) 915-7411. Learn more.
March 17-18 - Alcorn will host Walgreens Internship and Management Trainee Programs on campus. An information session will be held Tuesday, March 17 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in rooms 7 and 8 of the James L. Bolden Campus Union. Interviews will take place on Wednesday, March 18, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in rooms 4 and 6 of the James L. Bolden Campus Union. For more information contact, Mr. Al W. Johnson at (601) 877-6325 or via email at ajohnson@alcorn.edu.
March 19-21 - Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement, in conjunction with Jackson State University, will host a three-day conference designed to inspire and empower today's youth through social activism education. The event will be held at the Mississippi e-Center @ JSU, 1230 Raymond Road in Jackson. Learn more.
March 23 - The National Symphony Orchestra steps out of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for an 8 p.m. concert at the University of Mississippi's Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available for $30 each through the UM Box Office. Call (662) 915-7411.
March 24 - Mississippi State's College of Arts and Science presents military historian, Cornell University professor of history and classics, and author Barry Strauss, speaking at McCool Hall's atrium beginning at 4:30 p.m. The discussion is open to the public and will center around "The Spartacus War." Learn more.
March 24 - Eudora Welty's short story, "Why I Live at the P.O.," will be performed by Jo Ann Robinson as part of Mississippi University for Women's 125th anniversary celebration. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Cromwell on the MUW campus. Learn more.
March 25 - Mississippi Valley State University will observe its annual Honors Day Convocation at 10 a.m. in the H.G. Carpenter auditorium. Dr. Joseph M. Stevenson, the University's new provost and senior vice president, will be the featured speaker. For more information, call (662) 254-3578. Learn more.
March 25-28 - The Ole Miss Department of Theatre Arts presents a production of the American classic "To Kill a Mockingbird" at 8 p.m. nightly and 2 p.m. Sunday in Fulton Chapel. Tickets are $10.50 for adults, $7 for students and $8.50 for senior citizens and children. Tickets are available through the UM Box Office. Call (662) 915-7411.
March 26 - Alcorn Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation will hold a "Prostate Cancer Awareness Day" by Dr. Lionel B. Fraiser. Session 1 will take place from 11:00 - 11:50 a.m.; Session 2 will take place from Noon - 12:50 p.m.; and consultations will occur from 1:00 - 1:50 p.m. All events will take place in the Ray Johnson Auditorium in the Ag Extension Bld. For information, call (601)-877-6506.
March 26 - Alcorn is hosting "High School Senior and Community College Sophomore Day". Attendees should arrive at the Davey L. Whitney HPER Complex by 9:00 a.m. After the information sessions there will be campus tours and opportunities to audition for band and music scholarships. For information, call (800) 222-6790 or email ebarnes@alcorn.edu.
March 30 - Delta State University will present "Celtic Crossroads" in the Delta & Pine Land Theatre of the Bologna Performing Arts Center at 7.30 p.m. For ticket information, please call the Box Office at (662) 846-4626.
April 2 - The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast College of Business and the Sun Herald present a free lecture by Dr. Lance Nail, dean of the Southern Miss College of Business, to discuss the U.S. economy and stock market at 7 p.m. in the auditorium on the Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach. Learn more.
April 3-4 - At the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine Annual Open House, every age group can experience live animal demonstrations and exhibits. Admission is free. Pre-registration, especially for groups, is strongly recommended. To schedule tours call (662) 325-1103. Learn more.
April 7-9 - Author Terrie Williams will speak during the Fourth Mental Health Research Conference at the Jackson Convention Complex, 105 E. Pascagoula St. in Jackson, Miss. The event is sponsored by the Southern Institute for Mental Health Advocacy. For more information about the book signing or the conference, call the SMHART Institute at (601) 979-1530. Learn more.
April 9 - The Pecan Orchard Workshop will be at MSU's Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Contact David Ingram at (601) 857-2284 or davidi@ext.msstate.edu . Learn more.
April 14 - Dr. Malcolm Hunter will bring the MSU College of Forest Resources 2009 Carlton Owen Lecture at 2:00 p.m. in Thompson Hall. Learn more.
April 17-19 - MUW celebrates Homecoming. Learn more.
April 22-23 - Mississippi State University's Peter K. Lutken Chair of Insurance presents former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee speaking as part of the annual program. Registration information can be found by calling (662) 325-2341 or eduett@cobilan.msstate.edu . Learn more.
June 12-19 - Mississippi State University's College of Architecture, Art and Design presents 2009 Discovery camp for prospective students considering the study of architecture and interior design. For more info for the program for incoming freshmen, call (662) 325-2202 or e-mail desdisco@caad.msstate.edu . Learn more.
