System Review Volume 1, Issue 8 December 15, 2006 News from the System

The Phil Hardin Foundation of Meridian, Mississippi, recently awarded a grant to Dr. Tom Burnham, dean of the School of Education at the University of Mississippi, and his staff to develop a new strategy and process for the university to prepare K-12 school administrators. As part of the grant, Dr. Burnham led a team of education leaders to Massachusetts for a three-day visit with faculty and graduates of Harvard University. The visiting team was comprised of Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Thomas Meredith; Assistant Commissioner of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Lynn House; State Superintendent of Education Dr. Hank Bounds; Executive to the Superintendent of Education Steve Williams; Director of Educational Programs at the Barksdale Reading Institute Dr. Richard Boyd; Senator Mike Chaney; and representatives from six of Mississippi’s eight public universities. The group heard presentations from Harvard’s faculty about their experience in training school leaders, participated in a panel discussion with Harvard graduates about their successes and setbacks as school leaders, and engaged in dialogue about applying what they have learned to more effectively train school leaders in Mississippi. The collaborative efforts of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, K-12, state legislators, and the Hardin Foundation on this initiative demonstrate an aggressive commitment by all groups to move Mississippi forward through education.

The December 2006 issue of the Mississippi Economic Review and Outlook, which is published biannually by the Center for Policy Research and Planning of the Institutions of Higher Learning, is now available online at http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/urc/economic/review/outlook_dec06.pdf. According to Dr. Marianne Hill, senior economist and editor of the Outlook, the remarkable comeback of the casino industry on the Mississippi Gulf Coast was just one of the positive developments in the state’s economy in 2006. She forecasts that, following the slow pace of Coastal reconstruction this year, housing construction will pick up in 2007. The article “Rebuilding Housing along the Gulf Coast” summarizes policy recommendations of the recent RAND Institute study. Other articles of interest in the Outlook include “National Economic Outlook: A Pause that Refreshes,” “Mississippi Economic Outlook: A Count-down to Takeoff,” “Mississippi Wage Gap Persists,” and “Hispanic Population in Mississippi.”   The Economics Department of the Center for Policy Research and Planning also offers other economic and demographic information on their website, http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/urc/planning/econdept.htm.

The IHL Board Executive office will close for the holiday season at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2006, and will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2007, at 8:00 a.m. The System Review will take a holiday publication break as well. Expect to receive the next issue on Friday, January 12, 2007.

 
University News

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS

Delta teachers test water samples using new equipment provided by MVSU through a National Science Foundation grant.

Delta State University senior Travis Chamblee’s photography work is currently featured in this week’s edition of Sports Illustrated, on stands now. An image of Statesmen quarterback Scott Eyster, captured by Chamblee during the 2006 season, was used by the SI staff in its “Week Ahead” section. A sports information major from Vicksburg, Chamblee is credited for the work. He first began shooting athletic events last fall as part of his photojournalism class work, under the direction of University photographer, Bill Moses. A natural talent and quick study, Chamblee’s work has since been featured in area newspapers, including the Delta Democrat Times, the Cleveland News Leader and the University’s school newspaper, The Statement. His camera work can also be regularly viewed on the Delta State athletic website, http://www.gostatesmen.com, as Chamblee currently serves as a student assistant in the Athletic Media Relations Office, under the direction of Matt Jones. Of his first appearance in the sports magazine, Chamblee offered, “Every young athlete dreams of being in Sports Illustrated. This is unbelievable and I am honored. I just thank Sports Illustrated for not only making my dream come true, but Scott’s too.”

 

Delta State Celebrates Fall Commencement

 

Delta State Unveils ‘Health and Wellness in the Delta’ Logo, Continues to Celebrate Year’s Theme

 
JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS

Five students who are members of Jackson State University’s U.S. Air Force ROTC program enlisted in the Air Force Reserve on Thursday, December 7. The students were recognized during a ceremony at the John A. Peoples Science Building on the main campus. Jackson State is the only historically black college or university in the state of Mississippi with an Air Force ROTC program. Col. Joseph L. Brown, commander of Air Force ROTC Detachment 006, said he wants to help the students develop into superior officers and let others know what outstanding candidates they are. “These candidates are just as sharp as any candidate I’ve ever seen,” said

Brown, who has been on active duty for 29 years. The five enlistees include three from Jackson State and two from Belhaven College. They all are receiving Air Force ROTC scholarships. Read more, http://www.jsums.edu/~announcements/12.8.AFROTC.pdf.

Jackson State University U.S. Air Force ROTC program members (left to right) Daniel Paul Bond, Joel Johnson, Ethan Samuel Rodgers, Brandan Ward, and Ashley Michelle Stewart are sworn into the Air Force Reserve on Thursday, Dec. 7. Bond and Rodgers are Belhaven College students.

Mississippi State graduates received warm send-offs from two successful MSU alumni this past weekend. Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck spoke at the fall semester's Friday night commencement, while former Tupelo mayor Glenn L. McCullough, Jr. addressed the university's Saturday morning program. Tuck, a Maben native, took a moment in the early part of her address to express the state's special thanks to 16 fall graduates who have served in the military during the Iraq war. She later urged all in caps and gowns, to "never stop seeking knowledge," adding, "remember that a good education remains constant, no matter how the world changes. It cannot be lost in the stock market, be eliminated in a corporate downsizing or be taken away in trying economic times." McCullough, now serving as a partner in a Jackson-based executive counsel and development firm, focused his remarks around the four Fs--family, faith, freedom, and future. Students in the Bagley College of Engineering and the colleges of Veterinary Medicine; Agriculture and Life Sciences, including the School of Human Sciences; Forest Resources; and Education received diplomas Friday. Degrees from the colleges of Arts and Sciences; Architecture, Art and Design; and Business and Industry, including the School of Accountancy, were awarded Saturday. Read more, http://www.msstate.edu/web/media/detail.php?id=3690.

Mississippi University for Women recently announced Dr. Sandra Jordan from Murray State University in Kentucky as its new vice president for academic affairs and provost. Pending IHL Board approval, she will join MUW July 1, 2007. “Dr. Jordan will be a wonderful addition to our team,” said MUW President Claudia A. Limbert. “I look forward to working with her as she takes on this very important position to our university.” She currently serves as associate provost at Murray State and has nearly 18 years of experience in higher education administration. In addition to Murray State, she has worked at Eastern New Mexico University, the University of Montevallo (Alabama), Lander University (South Carolina), and Auburn University (Alabama). Jordan earned her masters and doctorate in art history, both with honors, from the University of Georgia in Athens. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Jordan will oversee the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education and Human Sciences, College of Nursing and Speech Language Pathology, Culinary Arts Institute, Library, Registrar, Academic Support Services, Governor’s School, Graduate Studies, Honors College, Southern Women’s Institute, Study Abroad, Wicker Center for Creative Learning and the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship. Read more, http://www.muw.edu/publicaffairs/2006_prnews/061208_Jordan.html.

On Saturday, Jan. 6 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., the Southern Miss Mardi Gras Madness will kick off the weekend at Martini’s Fine Food and Spirits at 250 Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile. On Sunday, Jan.7, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and ending just prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff, the P.O.D.S. / Southern Miss Pregame Buffet will be located on the east side of the stadium. Read More.