Briefs and Events

USM Professor Offers Perspective on ‘Cancel Culture’ in Online Discussion

Dr. Katie Howie, Assistant Professor of Marketing at The University of Southern Mississippi, served as one of the featured experts in an article titled, “What is Cancel Culture and Who Benefits?” published by Divided We Fall.

MOU Signed by USM and Hinds Community College for Honors Students Transfer

The University of Southern Mississippi and Hinds Community College came together recently to ease the student transfer process for those transitioning into USM’s Honors College during the completion of their degrees. Both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which will grant HCC students in good standing automatic admission into the two-year Keystone program in USM’s Honor College. Admitted students must maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher, pursue an independent research project for an Honors thesis, and make satisfactory degree progression.

“We’re excited to be formalizing this relationship,” HCC’s President Dr. Stephen Vacik stated.

USM’s President Dr. Joe Paul, who happens to be a graduate of USM’s Honor College, agreed, ecstatic to bridge the gap between the schools and work together for the benefit of the students. “We have a rich tradition of Hinds students transferring to USM, where they continue to be successful students and then graduate and go on to do great things in the world, so to now solidify this agreement makes it a joyful day for us,” Dr. Paul said.

The dean of USM’s Honor College, Dr. Sabine Heinhorst, shared these sentiments, noting how the partnership is “a win—win situation” for everyone involved.

The University of Mississippi gladly welcomes those transferring from Hinds Community College and wishes them well on their academic endeav-

Divided We Fall is a non-profit news publication working to provide bipartisan dialogue for the politically engaged. The site publishes written debates between individuals who disagree in order to expose readers to different viewpoints and demonstrate productive civil discourse.

In the article, Dr. Howie discussed the topic with two professors from Monash University and the University of Melbourne, sharing opposing views while agreeing with others. The open nature of Divided We Fall encourages such open-minded conversation and allows readers to engage in the discussion by considering the strengths and weaknesses of each argument and weighing the stakes on their own.

Alpha Phi Alpha USM Chapter, Graduate Chapter Award Scholarships, Honor Community Members at MLK Jr. Event

Several area high school students were awarded scholarships, and individuals with stellar records of service to the Hattiesburg area were honored, during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast held Jan. 16 on The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Hattiesburg campus.

The event was hosted by the Mu Xi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at USM, along with the fraternity’s local Mu Gamma Lambda graduate chapter.

The fraternity’s “Go to High School, Go to College” program awards textbook scholarships to deserving high school seniors who plan to attend college in the fall.

“Our dear fraternity is pleased to recognize these outstanding members of our community, as well as support the dreams of our treasured young people as they prepare to take the next big step of their lives in readying for college this coming fall,” Dr. Holloway said.

For information on how to support Alpha Phi Alpha’s “Go to High School, Go to College” textbook scholarship, as well as the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast, contact Dr. Holloway at eddie. holloway@usm.edu.

USM Plants Live Oak Trees for Arbor Day

On Feb. 10, The University of Southern Mississippi celebrated Arbor Day by planting three oak trees at the front lawn of the Hattiesburg campus. The planting took place during the 10th anniversary of the destructive F-4 tornado that tore through the campus in 2013 and symbolized the resilience of USM to overcome such disasters. Of the 75 lost trees, three from the front of the campus, where the recent planting took place, were estimated to be at least 90 years old.

Michael Scully, Superintendent of Campus Landscape, explained that although much was lost, the rebuild was a successful one. “Since the tornado, we have planted about 130 trees and also added a significant irrigation system to the campus. All of this has helped to complete the vision of 2013,” he said.

Arbor Day is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees.

Meistersingers Civic Chorus

Presents an American Portrait March 5

The Meistersingers, Hattiesburg's Civic Chorus, will be performing “An American Portrait” on March 5 at 3 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

The Meistersingers is an accomplished ensemble, having showcased its talents in Mississippi, New York, and London. The Chorus recently celebrated its 25th anniversary last summer with the Brahms Requiem, which was a farewell concert led by conductor Joeseph Wilkinson.

New Artistic Director Dr. Joel Dunlap is excited to lead the choral program and conduct this semester’s concert. “We are excited to offer the first concert of the 2023 season to our Hattiesburg community,” he said. “This program is a collection of choral works by some of our country’s most beloved composers and arrangers.”

The concert features a broad range of musical settings, from the rollicking Nelly Bly to the inspiring Spiritual Ride On, King Jesus, and ending with Homeland, a glorious tribute to patriotism.

The Meistersingers, Hattiesburg’s Civic Chorus, is an all-volunteer, community group of musicians that has offered concerts for local audiences since its founding in 1996. In addition, the choir has performed at Lincoln Center in New York City, at Cadogan Hall in London, and at Canterbury Cathedral.