SERVING SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SINCE 1927 • WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM • NOVEMBER 2, 2022 | VOLUME 107 | ISSUE 10
FENTANYL PG 3
PARKING PG 4
VOLLEYBALL PG 7
Editorial: Dr. Joe Paul becomes 11th Southern Miss President but how?
SM2 STAFF
O
n Oct. 24, excitement spread on campus as Dr. Joe Paul was named the 11th President of the University of Southern Mississippi. Students, faculty and administration expressed their joy at this announcement, coming together to celebrate and open a widely spread conversation about how this happened. The Board of Trustees and the Faculty Senate started their search for a president earlier on into the Fall 2022 Semester. In July, Dr. Joe Paul was elected as interim President of the University. In most situations, interim presidents are only elected to serve for a short period of time. Yet in this surprising turn of events, USM’s interim president was elected as the actual president. It was a surprise, but a welcome one in the eyes of the campus. Many, however, are wondering why the decision was made so quickly after USM’s Listening Sessions during the search for the president. Candidates for the presidency included Christy Myers, Brian Caldwell, David Ishee, Heather Miller, Brett Blackman, Jill Hendon, Mickey Anderson, and Alan Eichelman. Each candidate had seasoned experience and presented what they desired as president well, but in the end, they were not chosen for the president. Instead, USM stuck with what they already had. Now, no one is saying that Dr. Paul isn’t experienced or not worthy of this position. He was an alumnus, former administrator in student affairs, and
Dr. Joe Paul at the official announcement of his presidency Thursday, Oct. 26, 2022.
was a faculty member for USM’s School of Education and Psychology. And Dr. Paul is obviously a beloved figure on campus. He can be seen frequently in the Thad Cochran Center, at football games, tailgates, speaking at on-campus events for different organizations and simply sharing his love of Southern Miss with the people in the community. There was an outcry of love and happiness at his selection. He was selected for a reason. But many still wonder why the decision was made so quickly. Why host a listening session if they were going to keep Dr. Paul as the president? “During the Listening Sessions held on the campuses in
Hattiesburg and Long Beach, the campus community spoke clearly and passionately about why Dr. Joe Paul is unquestionably the right person to fill the role on a permanent basis,” Co-chair of the Board Search Committee Trustee Gee Ogletree said. “I have known and witnessed Dr. Paul’s exceptional contributions to the University for over four decades. I recognize Dr. Paul’s energy, relationships, affection and years of service to Southern Miss have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the right person to guide the University into its next chapter of leadership and excellence in teaching, service and research in the state and nation.”
Loren Jones | Printz Executive Editor
The question was asked multiple times: Was anyone unhappy with Dr. Paul’s election? There was nothing but support for the president. No one (publicly) said they were unhappy. Everyone celebrated at the official announcement before last Thursday’s televised football game, and campus has made it quickly obvious that Dr. Joe Paul is loved at USM. There’s a reason he became president, and the campus is grateful for it. One thing is clear—Dr. Joe Paul bleeds black and gold. The man is a Golden Eagle through and through, and we officially welcome him to Southern Miss as our President.