University President Rodney Bennett hosted an informal media roundtable in the Polymer Science building March 5 to discuss campus updates and give recognition to highly achieved individuals in the Southern Miss community.

Bennett said he is looking forward to the completion of Century Park South and Scianna Hall scheduled to be completely in early 2015.
There will be three main events that will happen in the upcoming week:

Southern Miss representatives will join the state’s seven other public institutions in Jackson for a University Day at the Capitol to discuss pressing issues in the state.
March 6 is the kickoff for the “Health is Golden” campaign sponsored by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Bennett said the purpose of the campaign is to promote wellness on our campus by educating faculty, staff and students about nutrition and exercise.

Also, faculty and staff from across the university will compete in the ballroom dance competition “Dancing with the Dean” Thursday, March 6 to begin the annual giving campaign. Bennett encourages the campus community to come out and support the campaign.

Bennett was excited to announce that senior point guard Jamierra Faulkner received the C Spire Gillom Trophy that is awarded to the top women’s collegiate basketball player in Mississippi.

Sophomore criminal justice major and ROTC cadet William Landrum was recognized by the Mississippi National Guard as Soldier of the Year. Landrum represents over 10,000 soldiers in the Mississippi Guard and has received basic combat training and advanced individual training.

After serving as interim director for the past year, associate professor Jeffrey Wiggins has officially been named new director of the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials.

Since joining the school in 2005, Wiggins has developed a high performance football helmet cushioning system, established an aerospace materials development infrastructure at USM and graduated five doctoral candidates.
The next media roundtable hosted by Bennett will take place in April.