University of Southern Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi

Type	Public university
Established	1910
Endowment	$100 million
President	Rodney D. Bennett
Students	14,133
Undergraduates	11,794
Postgraduates	2,339
Location	Hattiesburg, Mississippi , Mississippi , United States
Campus	Urban, 300 acres
Colors	Black and Gold
Nickname	Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Affiliations	Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning
Mascot	Seymour d'Campus
Website	usm.edu

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), also known as Southern Miss, is a public university located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It was established in 1910 and is part of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.

History

The University of Southern Mississippi was founded on March 30, 1910, as the Mississippi Normal College, with the primary mission of training teachers. Over the years, the institution expanded its academic offerings and underwent several name changes, becoming the University of Southern Mississippi in 1962.

Campus

The main campus is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and spans 300 acres. The university also operates a satellite campus in Long Beach, Mississippi, known as the Gulf Park campus. The Hattiesburg campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building and the Thad Cochran Center.

Academics

USM is organized into several colleges and schools, including:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business and Economic Development
• College of Education and Human Sciences
• College of Nursing and Health Professions

The university offers over 140 undergraduate degree programs and more than 200 graduate programs, including doctoral degrees in various fields.

Research

The University of Southern Mississippi is classified as a R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The university is known for its research in areas such as polymer science, marine science, and education.

Athletics

USM's athletic teams are known as the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. The university is a member of Conference USA and competes in NCAA Division I. The school's mascot is Seymour d'Campus, and the official colors are black and gold.

Notable Alumni

• Jimmy Buffett – Musician
• Brett Favre – Former NFL quarterback
• Clarence Weatherspoon – Former NBA player

Traditions

USM has several traditions, including the annual Homecoming celebration and the football rivalry with the University of Memphis.

See also

• List of universities in the United States
• Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning
• Hattiesburg, Mississippi

External links

• Official website