Dr. Stanley Hauer

In my two years at the University of Southern Mississippi, I, like every other student, have encountered numerous professors along the way. Some have been great. Some have been less than great. However, even fewer have had the ability to really speak to me as a student. Dr. Stanley Hauer has been one of the few who has taught me much more than the works of Shakespeare and other great writers of early British literature. This semester has been my first encounter with Dr. Hauer, and I hope it is not my last. Although he announced his retirement early in the semester, Dr. Hauer promises to come back to USM occasionally to teach a class or two. I cannot fathom the wait list for anything he decides to teach. I first heard of Dr. Hauer when I changed my major to English last year. He was recommended from every peer that I spoke with. I can honestly say I have never heard a foul word about Dr. Hauer. That in itself is a great accomplishment. Having Dr. Hauer for my first section of British literature has been nothing short of fantastic. I'm thankful for all that he has done for the sake of education. Dr. Hauer, you will be missed, not by myself alone but by all of the students you have inspired throughout the years.

Photo courtesy of The Student Printz

Here's a link to an article written by Michelle Holowach, a coworker of mine, wrote about Dr. Hauer's retirement. 

http://www.studentprintz.com/a-valediction-forbidding-mourning-1.2133627

The Student Printz

With the school year drawing to a close, I have been looking back and reflecting on my time working as a journalist for The Student Printz. I was first hired in July of 2010, and I began writing in August of the same year. I have learned a lot about journalism since my beginnings at The Student Printz. Writing in journalistic style is quite different than writing as I typically do in my English classes. However, the challenge has been greatly beneficial to my writing skills overall. With my story assignments each week, I have learned a lot about things occurring in and through the university. However, throughout the year I have discovered that entertainment writing is my strong suit. I wrote a series of stories on Charlie Sheen recently that received a lot of positive reception from readers. Incorporating humor with factual information is what I enjoy most in the journalistic writing process.

Next year, I have been chosen to act as "Managing Editor." This new title requires me to manage the writing staff as well as write stories for the paper as I did this year. I will be a member of the overall editorial board for The Student Printz. The editorial board acts as the brain of the newspaper. We decide what stories to cover as well as what direction we would like The Student Printz to follow over the course of the next academic year. Mary Margaret Halford, a good friend of mine, will be "Executive Editor." Knowing her has been a pleasure. She is a highly qualified individual for the job. I look forward to working with her as well as seeing her thrive in her position of leadership directing The Student Printz. 

Southern Miss to the top!

Here is a link the The Student Printz's website. The Student Printz homepage


Here's a few links to some of my favorite articles I enjoyed writing.

http://www.studentprintz.com/black-swan-brings-darkness-to-dance-1.1903757

http://www.studentprintz.com/adele-s-21-from-heartbreak-to-hope-1.2044882

http://www.studentprintz.com/sheen-and-his-bitchin-rockstar-life-1.2107387

http://www.studentprintz.com/sheen-and-his-ego-take-stage-1.2146858

http://www.studentprintz.com/nba-star-and-big-mouthed-bigot-1.2206844

Glogging!

I created this glog for my library science class. I centered my glog around my recent visit to William Faulkner's grave while I was visiting friends in Oxford, Mississippi. I thoroughly enjoyed by trip. Being an English major, seeing the same surroundings as one of my favorite authors is quite an enlightening experience. The glog features various pictures I personally took as well as a borrowed image, many links to a few websites pertaining to William Faulkner, and a link to his Nobel Prize acceptance speech from 1950.

Would you like more information on glogging? Here is a free presentation created by a user on Slide Share that further explains the ins and out of glogging. Glogging Presentation, "Glog On"

You can check out my glog on William Faulkner's grave site here: http://jones5452.glogster.com/false/

Image courtesy of Millsaps College (www.millsaps.edu)

The Legacy

     As a student at the University of Southern Mississippi, I take much pride in being a member of this institution. To express my gratitude for having the opportunity to be a member of the golden eagle family, I joined the student alumni association, The Legacy.  I am quickly approaching my junior year, and I intend to continue my involvement with The Legacy. It has proven to be a vital organization on campus, inspiring students to strive for excellence and to always commemorate their time at Southern Miss.

USM Special Collections

     Last week my LIS class visited McCain Library's special achieves. Upon arriving, the host librarian had already chosen various pieces to show the class. The pieces ranged from numerous versions of "Little Red Riding Hood" from the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection to Civil Rights era artifacts to cultural documents from the Mississippia Collection. 

     My favorite pieces shown were from the collection of documents pertaining to former Mississippi senator and governor Theodore Bilbo. The librarian shared with the class that special collections hosts over 2,500 boxes of documents pertaining to Gov. Bilbo and his affairs. Though I most certainly do not agree with the principles, or lack there of, that Gov. Bilbo stood for, he was without doubt, an interesting character. The host librarian read various documents donated by Gov. Bilbo's children back in the 1960s. The pieces ranged from official government documents about everything from war to Italians to personal "hate mail" he received as well as their bold replies from Gov. Bilbo himself. One example of a "hate letter" was sent from a Northern couple. Apparently Gov. Bilbo appeared in an article for Time magazine sometime earlier that and the Northern couple had a few disparaging words for Gov. Bilbo. Attached with the letter was the photo that appeared alongside of the article. It pictured Gov. Bilbo standing near a donkey in front of what appeared to be a barn. The couple wittily asked which of the two pictured was the "jackass." I just thought that was hysterical. 

   I throughly enjoyed visiting the special collections here at USM. I will most definitely revisit to read more on Bilbo's antics when I need a good laugh. 


http://www.lib.usm.edu/about_us/libraries_collections.html

USM’s Centennial Exhibit

     http://www.usm.edu/centennial/

The University of Southern Mississippi had the pleasure of celebrating its centennial birthday in March of 2010. Upon such a joyful celebration, the university set up an exhibit in the R.C. Cook Library to display various donations given to the university to celebrate 100 years. 


Within the exhibit USM’s rich history is recorded and proudly displayed. At the entrance, an aerial view of campus hangs on the wall. This design was created by Chattanooga architect, R.H. Hunt, in 1910. On July 25, 1911 the design for the construction of College Hall, Hattiesburg Hall, Forrest County Hall, the Honor House, and the Ogletree House was approved.

A few steps away from the campus’s blueprint is a display of a red band coat worn by a Pride band member during the 1960s and 1970s. Though red is not traditionally one of USM’s school colors, red coats wore worn to honor then president, William D. McCain, and his Scottish heritage. Also at that time, The Pride was accompanied by a bagpipe ensemble to additionally honor McCain’s Scottish ancestry.

Perhaps the most recognizable building on campus is what students and faculty refer to as “The Dome.” However, the legitimate name of “The Dome” is the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building, named after USM’s sixth president.  Yet another staple in USM’s history is the establishment of the Dixie Darlings. The Dixie Darlings were established in 1952 as an accompaniment to The Pride of Mississippi. Even in the 1950s the Darlings sported the famous white boots and gloves along with a black velvet top and shorts adorned with gold embellishments, much like the uniform worn by present day Darlings.

Though the Dixie Darlings are a symbol of USM, perhaps an even bigger symbol is Eagle athletics. USM’s first football team can be traced back to 1912 consisting of thirteen men total. The first football team played their premiere football game at Kamper Park against a local Boy Scout troop although later games were played against various opponents such as Mississippi College, Southwestern Louisiana, and long-time rival, Ole Miss. Since its premiere in 1912, USM athletics have gone through various mascot changes, about six total. Some past mascots include the Tigers, Normalties, Yellow Jackets, Confederates, Southerners, and finally the Golden Eagles.

Though Southern Miss experienced various changes with what symbol should represent the university, one symbol has stood the test of time. Black and gold have acted as USM’s colors since its opening. Inspiration for the colors came from a student, Florence Burrow Pope, who after seeing Black Eyed Susan flowers became inspired to propose black and gold as a contender for the school’s colors.  After a student-wide vote, black and gold became the official colors of the University of Southern Mississippi. However, black and gold act as more than just representative colors. Black and gold are the colors of every Eagle’s heart, both past and present.