Founders' Day Thursday

Somebody's got a birthday coming up March 30.

You can join USM for punch and birthday cake when the college will celebrate its 96th anniversary with a full day of Founder's Day activities on the Hattiesburg and Gulf Coast campuses.

"The focus of Founder's Day is to remember the history and traditions of this great university while honoring some of our most outstanding students," Bob Pierce, executive director of the Southern Miss Alumni Association said in a press release by the Department of Marketing and Public Relations. "The Alumni Association has long recognized the importance of this occasion, but this year several university departments have come together to make the day bigger and better than ever before."

At 11 a.m., President Shelby Thames will host The Hall of Fame Recognition Brunch at his home to honor Hall of Fame inductees.

Hattiesburg campus events will begin with the Founder's Day ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on the north side of the Lucas Administration Building.

Emcee of the ceremony will be Vice President for Student Affairs Joe Paul and President Shelby Thames deliver a reflection of Southern Miss' past, present and future.

Managing his fourth Founder's Day, Marcus Nause with the Alumni Association said they have incorporated the Award's Day program with the SGA inauguration of new officers. Faculty and staff who have been with the university for 10, 20, or 30 years will also be honored at the ceremony.

Dr. Kimberley Davis, associate professor in the department of music will sing the university's alma mater to conclude the ceremony.

Founder's Day activities will continue throughout the day with a reception at the Power House Courtyard at 3 p.m., where punch and birthday cake will be served in honor of the 96th anniversary. In recognition, campus offices will be closed from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Student honor organizations will hold their initiation ceremonies for Southern Miss freshmen and sophomore honor societies from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Nause said the third annual presentation of the official ring will be held at the alumni house at 6 p.m.

The day of events will conclude with a free presentation of Tchaikovsky, presented by the Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra at Bennett Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

"The University of Southern Mississippi has a proud tradition of delivering quality academic services, both in Hattiesburg and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and as we approach our 100th anniversary and recover from Hurricane Katrina, we are daily maintaining and building on that commitment," said associate provost for Southern Miss Gulf Coast Dr. Pat Joachim in a press release for USM Marketing and Public Relations.

Refreshments will be served throughout the day on the Gulf Coast, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Pierce said the Alumni Association coordinates Founder's Day, but they have worked with Marketing and Public Relations, Student Affairs, Southern Miss Dining, the USM Foundation and Staff Council who have all played prominent roles.

"By coming together, it's a more enhanced, enjoyable event and we expect it to be a huge success," said Pierce.