2018-19 Annual Report

NNUAL

EPORT

018-19

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

HOMECOMING

It is my distinct privilege to serve as the next dean of

the College of Business and Economic Development

at The University of Southern Mississippi.

As an alumnus of Southern Miss, I know the business school has a long

and proud history of developing the business leaders of South Mississippi

and beyond, and it is an honor to be chosen to carry on its great tradition.

The commitment and spirit of our students, faculty and staff make this a

special place, and I am elated to be the new leader of such an important and

inspiring group of people.

As dean of the College of Business and Economic Development, I am proud

to look back with you on a successful 2018-19 academic year. I hope

you’ll take the time to look through this annual report containing the

impressive accomplishments of the past year, including impactful research

contributions, notable program rankings, critical real-world connections,

and the impressive successes and accolades of our students and faculty.

We have much to be proud of, and the future promises to be even greater!

I am incredibly grateful to serve as dean of such a dedicated community

of faculty and staff, who are so committed to building future business

leaders and positively impacting the lives of our students. I hope you enjoy

this annual report, and if you have any questions or feedback, feel free to

contact me at bret.becton@usm.edu.

Kind Regards,

J. Bret Becton, Ph.D.

Dean

ISION

ISSION

VISION

WE INSPIRE POSITIVE CHANGE

AS WE CULTIVATE TALENT AND

CONNECT WITH ORGANIZATIONS.

MISSION

WE CREATE EXCELLENCE IN THE USE OF CORE

BUSINESS CONCEPTS, BUILD KNOWLEDGE

THROUGH SCHOLARSHIP, PROMOTE PROGRESS

IN OUR PEOPLE, AND SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

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IN THE SOUTHERN MISS COLLEGE

OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT, OUR VALUES

EMPHASIZE THAT WE ARE

GENUINE

EMPHASIZING

THE INTEGRITY OF OUR

INTERACTIONS AS WE VALUE AUTHENTICITY

RELEVANT

SYNC WITH CHANGING TIMES, RESEARCHING AND

TEACHING CONCEPTS THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO BUSINESS

INCLUSIVE

WELCOMING

AND SUPPORTIVE FOR ALL WHO WANT

TO ENHANCE THEIR BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE

TENACIOUS

PERSISTENT, DETERMINED, STEADFAST, TIRELESS AND FIRM,

HOLDING FAST TO OUR GOALS AND DREAMS FOR OURSELVES,

OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITIES

OUR GRIT AND

DETERMINATION SHOW.

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ABLE OF

ONTENTS

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Homecoming

Vision and Mission

By the Numbers

Business Engagement

Connecting With

Real-world Leaders

Affiliated

Center Contributions

Immersed in the Field

Preparing

Students to Lead

MBA at a Glance

Mississippi Defense

Diversification Initiative

International

Business Program

Experiential Learning in

the School of Marketing

Analytics Initiative

The Study Abroad

Experience

Hard Work Pays Off

Serving Love on a Plate

Breaking the Mold

Where Do They Go

After Graduation?

New Courses

and Certificates

Traveling to

Success

Faculty Intellectual

Contributions and Impact

In Memoriam

Recognizing Extraordinary

Student Efforts

Student Outcomes

The Internship Experience

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BY THE NUMBERS

For the first time in history, USM welcomed MORE THAN 2,000 first-time, fulltime

freshman students to the university for the 2018-19 academic year.

THIS IS AN 11% INCREASE OF ENROLLED FROM FALL 2017.

2,221

TOTAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STUDENTS

“When you offer something of exceptional quality, you get noticed. When you offer something that is

both unique and of the highest quality, you win awards. Nowhere is this truer than with University

of Southern Mississippi’s MBA in Sport Event Security Management, the only MBA concentration of

its kind available anywhere in the world.” - Quote from onlinembapage.com

Top Online MBA Programs in Sport Management recognizing our MBA with Sport Event Security Management emphasis, Online MBA Page, 2019-20

of student-athletes are from the College

27% of Business and Economic Development

#36 Best Online Undergraduate Business School in the nation by College

Consensus, 2019

#36 Best Online Business School in the nation by SuccessfulStudent.org, 2019

Top Universities for Professional Sales Education in the

Nation, Sales Education Foundation Annual Report, 2019

#119 Best Online MBA Program, U.S. News & World Report, 2019

#17 Best Online MBA Program, Affordable Colleges Online, 2018-19

#41 Best MBA Degree Program Online, Best College Reviews, 2018

#136 Best Online MBA Program, U.S. News & World Report, 2018

#188 in the Top 200 Best Part-Time MBA Program, U.S. News and World Report, 2018

#1 BEST ONLINE BUSINESS

SCHOOL IN MISSISSIPPI BY

SUCCESSFULSTUDENT.ORG, 2019

#8 BEST ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE

IN SPORT MANAGEMENT BY

BESTCOLLEGEREVIEWS.ORG, 2019

#18 Most Affordable Online Master’s Degree in Sport Management, OnlineU.org, 2019

#26 Top International Business program in the country by study.com, 2019

#16 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Business

for the Business program by OnlineU.org, 2019

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BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT

ACC Advisory Board – During the 2018-19 academic year, the School

of Accountancy Advisory Board has experienced an 85% increase in

membership, welcoming 11 new members to the group. Dr. Marvin

Bouillon, director of the School of Accountancy, has worked to increase

membership and participation in the school's Advisory Board since he

began in July 2018.

"The School of Accountancy Advisory Board members’ input and

contributions are critical to the success of the school. We hope to

expand the board to include members from governmental organizations,

corporations and junior colleges. We are looking for successful

accounting executives interested in being a part of something great,"

said Bouillon. "Additionally, we have invited the president of Beta Alpha

Psi to join, as a student member."

Members of the Partner’s

Advisory Council (PAC)

Members of the Business

Advisory Council (BAC)

Friends of the BAC

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CONNECTING WITH

REAL-WORLD LEADERS

ALUMNA OF THE YEAR

Joy Lightsey at

Alumna of the Year

Joy Lightsey was selected as the 2018 Alumna of the Year by the

College of Business and Economic Development. Lightsey earned her

business administration degree in accounting from Southern Miss

in 1973. She worked as the senior vice president of operations for

SunTech Inc. and served in that capacity for over 10 years before the

company was sold, and she began consulting with the new owners

over the next two years before retiring. Since retiring, she has been

actively involved with the Southern Miss community, as she currently

serves on the Board of Directors for the USM Foundation. Additionally,

Lightsey established an endowment for accounting students and

served as the chair of the Building Better Business campaign in 2015,

supporting the completion of what we now know as Scianna Hall.

Left to Right, President Rodney D. Bennett,

Robert St. John, Dr. Stacey A. Hall

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Robert St. John, restaurateur and author, was recognized as the 2019

Entrepreneur of the Year. St. John has spent almost 40 years in the

restaurant business, 30 of which have been as the owner of the Purple

Parrot, Crescent City Grill, Mahogany Bar, Branch, Tabella, Ed’s Burger

Joint, The Midtowner and Midtown Donut in Hattiesburg, Miss. In 2009,

St. John founded Extra Table, a statewide non-profit organization that

ships over 14 tons of healthy food to over 39 Mississippi soup kitchens

and mission pantries every month. St. John is the author of 11 books

with the 12th book, Palate to Palette: An Italian Travel Journal, in the

works. Additionally, he has written a weekly syndicated newspaper

column for over 20 years.

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CONNECTING WITH REAL-WORLD LEADERS

EXPERIENCE

BUSINESS CASUALLY

The college hosted its annual Experience Business

Casually event this fall, allowing students to interact

with business professionals from the community.

The event encourages students to network with

professionals in a casual, comfortable environment

by visiting stations that highlight particular topics,

such as handshake tips, résumé and cover letter

critique, financial tips, graduate school information

and internships.

ARE YOU A BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL

INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING? EMAIL

BAILEY.HARRIS@USM.EDU TO SIGN UP!

Over 300 College of Business and Economic

Development students were in attendance.

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CONNECTING WITH REAL-WORLD LEADERS

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FORUM

Experts from banking, finance, economics and academia came together

to explore research related to the economic outlook for 2019. Dr. Darrin

Webb, state economist for Mississippi, and Adrienne Slack, VP and

regional executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, spoke about

economic trends and forecasts for 2019.

Sponsored by the College of Business and Economic Development, the

Trent Lott National Center and The First, A National Banking Association

“THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

FORUM CONTINUES TO GROW EVERY YEAR.

IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH

PEOPLE FROM THE GULF SOUTH REGION, TO

FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON AND HOW OUR

COMPANY CAN BE OF SERVICE. WE BELIEVE THE

CONFERENCE GIVES THOSE IN ATTENDANCE A

SOLID FOUNDATION OF ECONOMIC EXPECTATIONS

UPON WHICH TO PLAN THE UPCOMING YEAR.”

Quote from M. Ray “Hoppy” Cole, President and CEO of The First,

A National Banking Association

From left to right: M Ray “Hoppy” Cole, Adrienne Slack, Dr. Darrin Webb,

President Rodney D. Bennett

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CONNECTING WITH REAL-WORLD LEADERS

INSPIRED LEADERS SERIES

The goal of the Inspired Leaders Series is to invite industry leaders to

answer the question, “What inspires you?” Over the 2018-19 academic

year, we have had the honor of hosting two executives, Ms. Maxine

Coleman and Mr. Duane Lock. During each of their visits, they were

able to engage students in large- and small-group settings through

conversations about what has inspired them in their lives and careers.

Ms. Maxine Coleman, a retired executive from Mars Inc., was chosen

as the fall 2018 Inspired Leader. Ms. Coleman served as vice president,

personnel and organization for Mars Inc., as well as an instructor

at several universities as part of the National Urban League's Black

Executive Exchange Program. Prior to working for Mars, Ms. Coleman

worked in several management positions in personnel and marketing.

Spring 2019 Inspired Leader and alumnus, Mr. Duane Lock, currently

serves as the founder and president of River Oaks Energy in Dallas,

Texas. Lock earned his undergraduate degree from Southern Miss

in 1983. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, he worked in corporate

America for nearly 20 years. Lock used his extensive experience

from holding senior management positions for publicly traded energy

companies to become an entrepreneur and launch his own electricity

brokering and consulting company in 2003.

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CONNECTING WITH REAL-WORLD LEADERS

Companies and students turned out in record

numbers for this year’s event. A total of 81

representatives from 30 companies and 147

students participated in the 2018 Meet The Firms.

MEET THE FIRMS

Meet the Firms is an annual career fair designed to benefit

both accounting students and recruiting firms. Accounting

firms from all over the nation are invited to showcase their

organization’s attributes to undergraduate and graduate

students in the School of Accountancy. This venue provides

the business professionals an outlet to meet and connect

with potential candidates from Southern Miss to fill positions

within their companies, whether that be internships or fulltime

career positions.

Hosted by College of Business and Economic Development,

School of Accountancy

100% PLACEMENT FOR

USM STUDENTS IN THE

MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL

ACCOUNTANCY PROGRAM

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CONNECTING WITH REAL-WORLD LEADERS

EAGLES ENGAGED IN

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

With the guidance of Dr. SherRhonda Gibbs, students in the

Entrepreneurship program hosted an event to provide a venue for students

to learn more about how to succeed as an entrepreneur. Welcoming

students of all majors who aspire to be entrepreneurs, the event included

creative activities, a “shark tank” challenge, and short presentations by local

entrepreneurs on topics such as startup funding, human resources and

marketing. Additionally, they were provided information on the resources

available to them on campus and were given an opportunity to network

with seasoned entrepreneurs and business owners.

Students enrolled in the New Venture Creation

course also had the opportunity to earn

certificates in ETHICAL

LEADERSHIP, GOOGLE

ANALYTICS and ADVANCED

GOOGLE ANALYTICS.

The event is the first of its kind to be held at Southern Miss and is part

of a class project for students in the New Venture Creation course in the

School of Management.

Over 100 participants!

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AFFILIATED CENTER

CONTRIBUTIONS

CENTER FOR ECONOMIC AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION

In addition to curriculum development and teacher training in entrepreneurship, economics and financial literacy,

the Southern Entrepreneurship Program (SEP) serves as the center’s flagship initiative.

SEP at a Glance The Southern Entrepreneurship Program provides Mississippi youth a head start in becoming our state’s future business

leaders and innovators through a hands-on approach to opportunity recognition and real solution development.

During the 2018-19 school year, the SEP engaged

around 700 students, hosted 8 events, coordinated

44 volunteers, and awarded $6,750 to winners.

Since 2007, the SEP has provided engaging high school

programs to over 5,500 students through a growing

statewide network of 66 schools and 110 educators.

Among SEP students interested in Southern Miss, 100%

stated SEP participation played a role in the university's

appeal, with 75% reporting this influence to be significant.

"THE SEP COMPETITION IS ONE OF THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES AND CONTRIBUTIONS EVER MADE TO OUR YOUTH AND TO

OUR COMMUNITIES. THIS PROGRAM REMINDS OUR STUDENTS THAT THEIR TALENTS ARE WORTHY OF FINANCIAL GAIN AND ARE

VALUABLE TO OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH. WHEN THEY WIN, WE AS A SOCIETY WIN. FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA

(FBLA) AT BILOXI HIGH SCHOOL BELIEVES SO MUCH IN THIS PROGRAM THAT WE STARTED TO SUPPORT IT FINANCIALLY THIS YEAR,

AND I PERSONALLY PLAN TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM AFTER RETIREMENT!"

- Clementine Fantroy (Instructor, Biloxi High School)

More than 500 students and

educators attended the 2018-19

statewide kickoff event, SEP ARRIVE!

Pictured, from left to right, are young

entrepreneurs sharing their startup stories:

JJ Townsend, Citizenville.org; Nick Wallace,

Nick Wallace Culinary; Chelsey Jones,

Makeup by Chels; Josh Frazier, Torrus;

Christopher Lomax, Pearlbend; Leslie Saucier,

Leslie Saucier Art; James Wilcox, director

of the SEP and the Southern Miss Center for

Economic and Entrepreneurship Education.

(photo by Greg Campbell)

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AFFILIATED CENTER CONTRIBUTIONS

Concept division winner at the 2019 SEP

state competition, Garrett Johnson,

Madison Central High School, presents a

prototype of his new product designed

to assist amputees. (photo by Kelly Dunn)

"THIS OPPORTUNITY GAVE MY SENIORS A NEW

PERSPECTIVE ON THEIR ENGINEERING DESIGN AND

DEVELOPMENT CAPSTONE PROJECTS. INSTEAD OF

JUST DEVELOPING AND BUILDING A PRODUCT THAT

WORKS, THEY HAD TO DEVELOP SOMETHING THAT WAS

MARKETABLE. THEY QUICKLY LEARNED THAT THESE ARE

TWO VERY DIFFERENT DISTINCTIONS. SEVERAL WERE

INSPIRED TO THINK ABOUT PATENTING OR MARKETING

THEIR PRODUCTS IN THE FUTURE. WE DEFINITELY WANT

TO BE INVOLVED IN THE SEP AGAIN NEXT YEAR."

- Michelle Robinson (Instructor, Madison Central High School)

Student winners at the 2019 SEP state competition

Front row, from left: Harrison Welch, Madison Central High School; Mark Troyer, Madison Central High School;

Malcolm Bell, Gulfport High School; Second row: Erica Gates, Biloxi High School; Yasmin Colon, Leland High

School; Garrett Johnson, Madison Central High School; Rotrik Morris, New Hope High School (photo by Kelly Dunn)

Students at the 2018-19 statewide kickoff event, SEP

ARRIVE! worked in teams to identify and promote

strategies to reduce brain drain in Mississippi. Pictured

is a student team from Harrison Central High School

showcasing their campaign. (photo by Greg Campbell)

James Wilcox, the director of the Center for Economic

and Entrepreneurship Education, was selected for the 2019

Young Scholars Program awarded by the Association of Private

Enterprise Education, an association of teachers and scholars

with a common interest in studying and supporting the system of

private enterprise. The purpose of the monetary sponsorship was

to offset young scholars’ expenses while they attend and present

at the annual meeting in Nassau, Bahamas. The meeting allows

members to share their scholarly finds with one another. Wilcox

served as a discussion panelist on “Perspectives on Financial

Literacy in Economics Education.”

In March 2019, CEEE received an award from the Jimmy A.

Payne Foundation to create THE HATCHERY—a universitywide

initiative to support entrepreneurship. This strategic investment in the startup culture at

Southern Miss will ultimately help prepare students, regardless of college or degree program,

as emerging leaders and career-ready entrepreneurs who will positively impact the state

of Mississippi. The first objective of The Hatchery is to serve as the hub for the university’s

entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting resources and identifying gaps. As additional support

is identified, The Hatchery’s services are anticipated to include student scholarships, seed funds

to assist student startups with necessary research and prototype development, and a business

residency program to offer advanced services and personalized mentorship.

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AFFILIATED CENTER CONTRIBUTIONS

SMALL BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Four years ago, The University of Southern Mississippi launched a Small

Business Development Center (SBDC) focused on providing comprehensive

assistance to startup companies, growing businesses and struggling

businesses, and the success of this center has been monumental.

Southern Miss created its Small Business Development Center through

a partnership with the Small Business Administration, the Mississippi

Small Business Development Center Network, the University of

Mississippi, the Trent Lott National Center and the College of Business

and Economic Development.

In its most recent fiscal year alone (Oct. 1, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2018),

the SBDC assisted approximately 200 clients,

continued to coach 74 long-term clients,

submitted applications for 17 loans totaling

$4.6 million, and achieved actual capital

infusion of $2.5 million in client projects,

beginning 12 businesses from the ground up.

In addition, over the course of this academic

year, the SBDC has offered over 40 workshops.

To say the SBDC has been an invaluable resource to the region would

be a significant understatement. What’s more, the center’s services

come free of charge.

“The combination of building better, more educated small business

owners, building more sustainable small business, providing confidential

assistance to our entrepreneurial community from sidelines to multi-milliondollar

businesses and franchises would be sterling value propositions

by themselves,” said SBDC counselor, Rita Mitchell. “Yet, we also add the

vital element of preventing an unsustainable business plan and model

from rolling out and evaporating savings, homesteads, time and effort, by

encouraging those pre-venture clients to ‘hit the pause button,’ based on

our time-honored system, databases and research analyses.”

Original story by Van Arnold, Assistant Director for News and Media

Relations, University Communications

THE USM SBDC HAD A NEW ADDITION IN 2018

OF A FULLY CREDENTIALED MS SBDC COUNSELOR,

JOMA SHELBY (USM HONOR GRADUATE).

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IMMERSED

IN THE FIELD

Dr. Brandon Allen took a select group of students to Jackson for the

Sanderson Farms Championship PGA Tournament during the fall

semester. The students from his Introduction to Sport Management

class had the opportunity to meet with Jonah Beck, the director of

operations, and Kacie Towles, the volunteer coordinator, to discuss

sponsorship strategies, facility management and event logistics.

“For the past four years, our program has brought students to

volunteer at Sanderson Farms Championship. Students are able to

visualize the magnitude of operating a mega event while being able to

make connections with business leaders from all over the world. This

trip brings their academic studies to life,” said Dr. Allen.

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PREPARING STUDENTS TO LEAD

STUDENT ORGANIZATION HIGHLIGHTS

BETA ALPHA PSI

Twelve members of the Southern Miss Beta Alpha Psi chapter attended the

annual meeting in Washington, D.C., this year. Students had the opportunity

to tour and explore the country’s capitol, participate in a community

service project with Reading Across America, attend several seminars

given by professionals on a diverse number of topics, and network with

other chapters across the country.

Beta Alpha Psi members on a visit to Ingalls Shipbuilding,

which included a tour and short presentation given by

the vice president of finance and controller, Frank Martin.

Additionally, a mixture of members…

• attended the 2019 regional meeting in Jacksonville, Fla.;

• completed parts of the CPA Exam;

• studied abroad; and

• participated in a team-building retreat at Lake Sehoy

Challenge Course.

“THE BETA ALPHA PSI ANNUAL MEETING HEAVILY IMPACTED ME, AS AN

ACCOUNTING MAJOR AND AS A DEVELOPING YOUNG PROFESSIONAL.

BECAUSE OF THIS EVENT, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH

FELLOW CHAPTER PRESIDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND

DISCUSS OUR CHAPTER’S SUCCESSES, SHARE ADVICE AND BRING BACK

IDEAS TO SOUTHERN MISS ON HOW TO IMPROVE OUR CHAPTER.”

- Sayle Sanson, President of Beta Alpha Psi

GUEST SPEAKERS

Ashley Foley with RSM

Ray Ruiz with Surgent

Ryan Hirsch with NASBA CPT

Julie Uher with Holt & Associates

Autumn Brown and Cliff Jackson with Smith, Dukes & Bucklew

Jennifer Hilliard with Haddox, Reid, Eubanks & Betts

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PREPARING STUDENTS TO LEAD

BETA GAMMA SIGMA

Nishu Gupta and John “Trey” Haire represented our Beta Gamma Sigma chapter

at the 2018 Beta Gamma Sigma Global Leadership Summit in Chicago, Ill. The

summit is a premier annual event where hundreds of the highest achieving

students from the top five percent of business schools around the world

will gather for a unique learning experience. This year, the event focused

on “Innovative Leadership.” The students participated in activities, such as

discovering strengths and enhancing skills in teamwork, networking, ethical

leadership, time-management and communication.

FASHION

MERCHANDISING

ORGANIZATION

In fall 2018, the organization hosted a clothing

drive for gently used clothing. The clothing

was donated to a local women’s shelter. The

organization is currently planning a fashion

show for fall 2019.

INDUCTED 96

STUDENTS INTO THE

CHAPTER IN 2018-19

THE SOUTHERN MISS CHAPTER OF BETA GAMMA SIGMA

EARNED HIGHEST HONORS FROM BETA GAMMA SIGMA

INTERNATIONAL FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR.

SPORT MANAGEMENT CLUB

The Sport Management Club hosted the Sport

Management Symposium as a means for undergraduate

and graduate students to receive advice from sport

professionals. The overall theme of the symposium was

"Getting a Foot in the Door: Entering the Sports Industry."

A panel of professionals from a variety of areas within

the sports industry were asked questions by students.

From left to right: DJ Pulley (Athletic Director, William

Carey University), Deven Matthews (Director of Ticket

Sales, Southern Miss Athletics), Bryan Caldwell (Athletic

Director, Gulfport High School), Jonah Beck (Director of

Operations, Sanderson Farms PGA Championship)

In addition, approximately 10 students attended part of the National Center for

Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS 4 ) conference, titled Managing Crowds

at Sport and Entertainment Events Workshop. The students heard from a variety

of keynote speakers, including William Evans, the executive director of public

safety and chief of police from Boston College, and Abigail Williams, the team lead

for critical infrastructure and special events at the DHS Counterterrorism Mission

Center. The students also networked with many sport security professionals and

toured the Fallen Oaks Golf Course to gain an insight on the security measures

used for events, such as the Rapiscan Systems Classic.

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PREPARING STUDENTS TO LEAD

STUDENT ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

The Student Economic Development Association attended a roundtable

discussion hosted by the Golden Triangle Development Link. In addition, the

Golden Triangle facilitated tours of PACCAR Engine, Steel Dynamics Inc. and

Columbus Brick Company, allowing students to see the impact that these

industries have on the Golden Triangle region.

“I enjoyed seeing real-life applications for what we have learned in the classroom.

Each location was unique,” said Caleb Prine, Master of Economic Development

student and member of the SEDA.

SEDA touring PACCAR Engine

Each year, the Mississippi

Forestry Association (MFA)

hosts the SEDA students for

a tour of the GP Leaf River

Cellulose plant in Perry County.

ACCOUNTING SOCIETY OF GULF PARK

The ASGP hosted a number of local accounting professionals, who shared their

stories, information on unconventional career options available to those in

business, and opportunities for internships at their firms. Although the society

consists of accountants, a number of members and visiting supporters from

all studies of business enjoyed meeting and networking with the organization.

They hosted a representative from Wiley’s CPA review course, who raffled off

a review course, courtesy of Wiley, worth $1,800. Members also volunteered at

the MSCPA's “CPA Day of Service,” Warrior Dash for St. Jude, and USM's very own

Jazz and Blues Festival.

ETA SIGMA DELTA

Hospitality and tourism management

students attended the American Hotel

and Lodging Association HX Hotel

Experience Conference in New York.

AMERICAN MARKETING

ASSOCIATION (GULF PARK)

The Gulf Park chapter of AMA held a variety of educational events for students,

including a branding seminar with Lance Hopkins, a success seminar with

Sadie Anderson, and introduction to the Graduate School and MBA Program

with Heather Sison and Lauren Agnew. The chapter also participated in the

university’s Welcome Week Student Involvement Fair and the Homecoming

Week Lawn Banner Competition.

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MBA AT A GLANCE

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is

in the top 5 master’s degrees awarded at Southern Miss

and has been for the last 5 years (IHL 2018 Degree Book).

In 5 years, MBA enrollment

has almost TRIPLED.

USM OFFERS THE ONLY MBA WITH A SPORT EVENT SECURITY EMPHASIS IN THE NATION.

2018-19 GRADUATES

35% COMPLETED

THE DEGREE IN

ONE CALENDAR YEAR.

58% OF THESE

STUDENTS WERE WORKING

PROFESSIONALS, ENROLLED

AS PART-TIME STUDENTS.

45 MBA STUDENTS COMPLETED THE MBA PROGRAM DURING THE 2018-19 ACADEMIC YEAR.

AVERAGE GPA AT GRADUATION:

3.70

THEY HAVE 7 YEARS

OF PROFESSIONAL

WORK EXPERIENCE,

ON AVERAGE.

42%

WERE ONLINE STUDENTS.

33%

HAVE A NON-BUSINESS

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE.

44%

FEMALES

MALES

56%

AGE RANGE: 21–49 YEARS OLD

94 STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY PURSUING AN MBA AT SOUTHERN MISS

43%

FEMALES

MALES

57%

AGE RANGE: 21–54 YEARS OLD

47%

HAVE A NON-BUSINESS

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE.

53%

OF CURRENT MBA

STUDENTS ARE ONLINE.

70% ARE WORKING

PROFESSIONALS, ENROLLED

AS PART-TIME STUDENTS.

THEY HAVE

MORE THAN 8 YEARS

OF PROFESSIONAL WORK

EXPERIENCE, ON AVERAGE.

7% ARE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

FROM 6 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

(BRAZIL, INDIA, MOROCCO, NEPAL, RUSSIA, THAILAND).

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 21

MISSISSIPPI DEFENSE

DIVERSIFICATION INITIATIVE

The United States Department of Defense (DoD), Office of Economic

Adjustment awarded The University of Southern Mississippi (USM)

a Phase I grant in 2016 to support national security technology

acceleration and economic diversification efforts for defense

contractor communities in Mississippi. Over the last three years, this

Mississippi Defense Diversification Initiative (MDDI), made up of the

College of Business and Economic Development and Trent Lott National

Center, developed three pilot models to aid regions whose economic

health is dependent on defense programs.

1. Goal: Incorporate defense community topics into the Master of

Science in Economic Development (MSED) program at Southern Miss.

Accomplishment: Launched in summer 2017, the Economic Development

for Defense Communities (ED 711) course educates economic developers

on how to help communities adapt to DoD program changes. The same

year, the MDDI supported USM efforts to launch a Hacking for Defense

(H4D) course that allows student groups to work on Department of

Defense (DoD)-provided problem sets. The current DoD provided problem

sets that are matched to the state’s military footprint, and the student

groups are interacting with military personnel stationed in Mississippi.

2. Goal: Provide economic diversification technical assistance for

Mississippi-based defense companies and communities.

Accomplishment: The MDDI team identified and targeted companies

likely to be innovative and technology-focused and built a network

of interrelated companies. The network is growing into a business

ecosystem capable of short- and long-term economic strategies that

advance the state’s opportunities. The network has now been expanded

to include supply chain companies, defense-dependent communities,

military installations and assets, and other defense stakeholders.

In addition, Governor Phil Bryant signed Executive Order 1401, recognizing

the need for the state to become more strategic and proactive with the

defense economy to protect, grow and diversify defense and national

security assets as an economic driver for the state. The Executive Order

created a task force to develop a statewide defense plan.

3. Goal: Create an online platform to build defense-related businessto-business

relationships and assist technology transfer and

commercialization of defense intellectual property.

Accomplishment: The team developed the MDDI website, launched

two social media platforms, and produced three videos for descriptive

communication in advancements of technology transfer and to provide

examples of partnership efforts that will continue after the OEA grant is

complete. Housed on the MDDI website are many resources to support

defense business, such as an entrepreneurial “playbook.”

Fall 2018, Southern Miss secured continued funding for Phase II,

outlining the following objectives:

• Objective 1 - Continue to incorporate defense diversification

assistance into the business development ecosystem and create

defense industry networks in Mississippi.

• Objective 2 - Continue to incorporate defense diversification into

the academic curriculum.

• Objective 3 - Develop a strategic plan for Mississippi’s Defense and

Homeland Security Economy to synchronize Mississippi’s existing

defense-related economic assets and programs in support of a

statewide defense plan for the governor.

• Objective 4 - Lead Mississippi’s MEP network in building a DFARS

Cybersecurity Requirement assistance tool for Mississippi companies.

MDDI continues to be recognized statewide as a champion for defense

diversification. The network of private sector companies, non-profits

and public-sector partners is continuing to grow.

At the 2019 International Homeland Defense and Security Summit in

March 2019, Governor Phil Bryant announced the Mississippi Defense

Strategic Plan.

Dr. Chad Miller, along with fellow

members of the Mississippi Defense

Initiative Task Force and the Governor,

at the Homeland Defense and Security

Summit in Biloxi as they unveiled the

state’s defense strategic plan.

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INTERNATIONAL

BUSINESS PROGRAM

The Southern Miss International Business program, housed in

the School of Management, was recently ranked among the

nation's Top 50 by online resource guide by Study.com.

Dr. John Lambert, associate professor of international business, has worked diligently

to increase awareness and engagement in the program. One of many ways he has done

so is by beginning the International Business Speakers Series, welcoming three guests

during the spring semester to campus to share their expertise with students, faculty and

the community.

In addition, Dr. Lambert’s International Business capstone students immersed themselves

into a semester-long applied learning project in collaboration with community partners.

In groups of four, students worked closely with their assigned businesses to create and

present plans to resolve their partners’ export issues. Sanderson Farms, SumaGrow and

the French American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) Gulf Coast chapter were the three

organizations to work with the students throughout the semester as they developed

international business plans.

Shelly Reboul, international sales manager, represented Sanderson Farms, while SumaGrow

was represented by Aimee Murry, public relations and marketing communications manager.

Both attended and took part in critiquing the students’ final presentations.

Students working with Sanderson Farms discussed how they could better leverage their

product in Asia. Students working with SumaGrow presented plans to break into the

Brazilian market.

“The students were eager to investigate ways to expand our

products into Brazil and dedicated to ensuring the culture

of our company was reflected throughout the report,” said

Aimee Murry. “When I showed our company president

the business plan developed by these students, he was

impressed and asked about their availability for hire.”

Aimee Murry, International

Business Series speaker

Shelly Reboul and International

Business Capstone students

Students working with the FACC Gulf Coast chapter received the opportunity to travel

to the company’s location in New Orleans to present their project, which focused on

revising the trade brochure the FACC uses to engage potential new members.

Dr. Lambert serves as the vice president for trade with the French American Chamber of

Commerce, Gulf Coast chapter, in addition to serving on the Mississippi District Export Council.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 23

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

IN THE SCHOOL OF MARKETING

The College of Business and Economic Development School of Marketing faculty incorporate client-based projects

into their curriculum, allowing the students to solve real-world problems as they prepare to begin their careers.

Organizations nationwide have become clients for 300- and 400-level

courses across the curriculum in the school. To begin, companies introduce

real problems they face to the students. Students apply the skills that they

are learning in the classroom to present marketing and implementation

plans, business plans and innovative solutions to the clients.

While the organization is receiving the benefit of cost-free consulting,

the students are provided with (1) a networking opportunity and (2)

hands-on experience in developing and presenting strategic plans,

better preparing them for their future careers.

Paige Whiting

PROFESSIONAL SELLING PROGRAM

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

Professor Chris Balaski has integrated multiple experiential learning opportunities

into his Professional Selling course curriculum in an effort to better prepare his

students for their careers in the sales field after graduation. Students in Advanced

Professional Selling had the opportunity to present mock sales pitches to Frito-Lay

representatives Katie Frederick, Jamil Murray, Cody Self and Rachel Anthony. The

students played the role of a Frito-Lay salesman selling products and displays, while

the representatives played the role of a store owner. Following the presentations, the

students received detailed feedback from the guests on their pitch. Paige Whiting

was chosen by Frito-Lay as having the best pitch.

LISTED IN THE TOP UNIVERSITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL

SALES EDUCATION IN THE NATION, ACCORDING TO THE

2019 SALES EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

This class also partnered with an improvisational course and put one another

to the test through role-play scenarios. The theatre students acted as potential

customers, while the professional selling students pitched their product,

Federated Insurance. This allowed both groups of students to practice the skills

they are learning in their respective courses.

SOUTHERN MISS IS THE ONLY UNIVERSITY

TO OFFER A PROFESSIONAL SELLING

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN THE STATE.

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EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

MARKETING PROGRAM

CLASSROOM CONSULTANTS

During the fall 2018 semester, Dr. Joanne Cao's Integrated

Marketing Communications class worked with three clients

in an effort to deliver innovative solutions to marketing and

communication problems.

The clients included Fourth Street CrossFit, two of the

owners being Southern Miss alumni, Heather Graham and

Daryl Bosarge; Petal Excel by 5, alumna Nadine Coleman

being a board member for the organization; and Boys and

Girls Country of Houston.

The Boys and Girls Country of Houston is a nonprofit

organization licensed by the state of Texas as a residential

home. Boys and Girls Country addresses a child's wellbeing,

helping to break the cycle of poverty for children by

providing a secure, stable, Christian home environment with

an emphasis on education, building healthy relationships,

and setting goals for the future. They do this with broadbased

financial support and hundreds of volunteers.

Charles "Chuck" Scianna, a member of the Board of Directors

for Boys and Girls Country, connected the school with

the organization. Scianna is an alumnus of Southern Miss,

the College of Business and Economic Development 2018

Entrepreneur of the Year, and the namesake for Scianna

Hall, the building that houses the College of Business and

Economic Development on the Hattiesburg campus.

Sasha Smith, communications and marketing manager,

represented the Boys and Girls Country of Houston during

the presentation as students pitched ideas to increase

brand awareness, financial support and volunteers.

Boys and Girls Country of Houston has also partnered

with Dr. Gallayanee Yaoyuneyong's Apparel Product

Development course to develop welcome packages for a

new monthly donation campaign and her Digital Media

Merchandising course to work on their website, blog and

other digital presence.

THIS STORY WAS ALSO FEATURED IN THE HATTIESBURG AMERICAN.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 25

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

SPORT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

COLLABORATING WITH

SOUTHERN MISS ATHLETICS

Dr. Chris Croft led efforts to connect his undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in

sports marketing courses with Southern Miss Athletics. His students worked with Southern

Miss basketball, baseball, volleyball and the Southern Miss Athletics Marketing team.

Collaborating closely with Murray Littlepage, director of marketing for Southern Miss

Athletics, Dr. Croft’s students assisted with marketing and promotional ideas for a variety

of sports and went on facility tours of the Reed Green Coliseum and the Payne Center.

DURING DR. BRANDON ALLEN’S SPORT SALES METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

COURSE, STUDENTS PRACTICED THEIR SKILLS BY ASSISTING THE SOUTHERN

MISS ATHLETICS TICKET OFFICE IN CONTACTING OVER 3,700 CUSTOMERS ABOUT

BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS. THE STUDENTS LOGGED OVER 400

HOURS OF PHONE CALLS, SELLING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS’ WORTH OF TICKETS.

Other clients that the school’s faculty and students have

partnered with this year include the following:

Randy Price and Company

The DREAM of Hattiesburg

K Pavoloni and Company

Courtyard by Marriott

Hattiesburg Clinic

Reach Unlimited

Dance 4 Life Academy

Trupanion Pet Insurance

Eagle Maker Hub

Max Draughn, president of Heartwood

Capital Inc., presented to Dr. Kelli King's

Healthcare Marketing class about

keys to success in the pharmaceutical

industry. We are very grateful for

Mr. Draughn and his wife, Susan, for

their endowment that supports our

Healthcare Marketing program.

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ANALYTICS INITIATIVE

GAZELLE/MSED

The University of Southern Mississippi became the first

institution of higher education to deploy the advanced AIenabled

economic data analytics platform, Gazelle.ai, within

its curriculum in the College of Business and Economic

Development. Both graduate and undergraduate students

have access to the platform that mines and curates data

collected from millions of business establishments and uses

trained algorithms to forecast growth.

“The ability to harness and interpret the ever-increasing

amount of data available to decision-makers has become

an increasingly important differentiator in the business

world,” said Steven Jast, president of Gazelle.ai. “We’re

thrilled that The University of Southern Mississippi will be

using our tool to help equip students and prepare them

for a rapidly evolving business environment.”

ANALYTICS IN THE MPA PROGRAM

Master of Professional Accountancy courses such as Advanced Auditing,

Audit Analytics & IT Auditing and Advanced Cost/Managerial Accounting have

integrated analytics tools, such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Sage 50

2018, General Ledger Software, CaseWare IDEA Data Analysis Software, and

Tableau Data Analytics and Visualization Software into the curriculum.

100% of MPA students achieved both

Specialist and Expert Certification in

Microsoft Excel during spring 2019.

Named for “gazelles,” a term

used to denote rapidly

growing companies, the

platform was created for

economic development

professionals whose role

is to identify and attract

growing companies that bring jobs and investment to

communities. Gazelle.ai are being integrated into courses

focusing on economic development, entrepreneurship,

marketing, marketing research and management.

Dr. Chad Miller, professor of economic development,

added, “In keeping with our mandate to innovate and

encourage fresh thinking, we are looking forward to

becoming the first college to use Gazelle.ai. I’m very

confident that our students and faculty will come to find

the platform to be an indispensable resource.”

Mr. Mike Skinner, with Horne Cyber in Memphis, spoke to MPA students during the

spring semester about data analytics, cybersecurity, big data, artificial intelligence and

automation, and other technological initiatives impacting the future of the accounting

profession. Mike was joined by Blake Pittman, a cyber risk analyst with Horne Cyber

and a 2015 graduate of the MPA program at Southern Miss.

Other guest speakers include Kyle Stoner with PWC New Orleans and Mario Perez

with Audimation Services.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 27

THE INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

ELI LILLY

Eli Lilly once again selected two interns from the Southern Miss

Healthcare Marketing program for the 2019 Summer Sales Internship.

Seth Nash and Jenny Hamilton were two of 60 interns this summer.

This is the third year in a row to have two interns selected for the

internship. Currently, five Southern Miss graduates work for Lilly.

“I FEEL THAT THIS IS OUR BEST ACCOMPLISHMENT YET WITH

THIS INTERNSHIP. BECAUSE THERE WERE MORE ‘TARGET’

SCHOOLS THIS YEAR, THERE WAS A VERY HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF

ONLY GETTING ONE INTERN SELECTED FOR SOUTHERN MISS. WE

ARE BEYOND THRILLED TO HAVE TWO REPRESENTING US.”

Quote from Dr. Kelli King, professor of healthcare marketing

KPMG

Paige Dillistone (accounting) was accepted into the Global Internship Program through KPMG,

one of the Big Four Accounting Firms, in Jackson, Miss. Over 200 applicants were reviewed

for the internship, and Paige was one of 20 to receive the honor. During her internship, Paige

completed a four-week rotation in Sydney, Australia.

“DURING MY INTERNSHIP, I WAS ABLE TO EXPERIENCE AUDITING FOR BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE

COMPANIES IN THREE DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES. IN ADDITION TO WORK, I TRAVELED WITH OTHER INTERNS

TO THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, THE TARONGA ZOO AND BONDI BEACH. WE HELD

KOALA BEARS, GOT TANS IN FEBRUARY, AND ENJOYED THE CITY AS MUCH AS WE COULD, ALL WHILE

WORKING FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMS IN THE WORLD. PARTICIPATING IN AN

INTERNSHIP HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BEST CHOICES I HAVE MADE AS A STUDENT, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE

ANYONE LOOKING INTO AN INTERNSHIP TO MAKE THE LEAP AND GET THE EXPERIENCE NOW!”

Quote from Paige Dillistone

In addition, Jonathan Brent (accounting) accepted a 10-week internship with KPMG in Dallas, Texas.

“MY INTERNSHIP WAS SUCH AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE AND GAVE ME THE CHANCE TO IMPLEMENT THE FOUNDATION OF SKILLS AND LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED

HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI. HATTIESBURG HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY HOME, AND INTERNING IN SUCH A BIG CITY SO FAR AWAY WAS QUITE

CHALLENGING BUT COMPLETELY WORTH IT. NOT ONLY DID I LEARN SO MUCH IN MY FIELD OF WORK, BUT I ALSO GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET SO MANY NEW

PEOPLE IN AN EXCITING CITY. AT THE END OF MY INTERNSHIP, I WAS OFFERED A FULL-TIME JOB IN THE DALLAS OFFICE AND WILL PLAN TO START IN SEPTEMBER OF

2020 AFTER MY YEAR OF GRADUATE SCHOOL IN THE MPA PROGRAM HERE AT SOUTHERN MISS.”

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YMCA - WORKING ON WALL STREET

Cole Engle (accounting) interned this summer in the Finance department with the YMCA Retirement

Fund in Manhattan. The fund is located at the Equitable Building in the Financial District. During

the previous semester, Cole worked for the USM Foundation Office as a student worker in

Financial Services. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the vice president of scholarship and

educational programming for the Interfraternity Council at Southern Miss, and the 2018-19 Dr.

Joe Paul Male Participant of the Year for Intramural Sports. Additionally, he has served as the

recruitment chairman, fundraising chairman and vice president for his fraternity, Kappa Sigma.

“WHILE INTERNING THIS SUMMER, I LEARNED HOW THE FUND OPERATES, THE PLAN REGULATIONS, AND HOW THE REPORTING IS

ACCOMPLISHED. THE COURSES THAT I HAVE TAKEN AT SOUTHERN MISS PREPARED ME FOR THIS CHALLENGE, NOT ONLY IN CONTENT,

BUT I WAS ALSO TRAINED TO PERSEVERE WHEN SOLVING PROBLEMS. THIS EXPERIENCE ALLOWED ME TO PRACTICE LEARNED SKILLS

FROM THE CLASSROOM WHILE OBTAINING NEW ONES.” – COLE ENGLE

FDIC

“I WILL BE INTERNING WITH FDIC IN THE DIVISION OF RISK

MANAGEMENT SUPERVISION IN JACKSON, MISS., FOLLOWING

ORIENTATION IN DALLAS, TEXAS. I HOPE TO GAIN WORK

EXPERIENCE AND INSIGHT INTO THE WORLD OF ACCOUNTING AND

BANK EXAMINATION. THIS IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO

EXPLORE MY LIKES AND DISLIKES IN ACCOUNTING AND ULTIMATELY

LAND A GREAT JOB AND JUMPSTART MY FUTURE CAREER!”

Quote from Matthew Odom, Intern for FDIC, Anticipated Graduation – May 2020

Other companies who hired accounting

interns in 2019 include:

Robert E Donnell III, CPA

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Clinton CPA Firm

Coast Electric Power Association

FDIC

Haddox Reid Eubank Betts, PLLC

Hieronymus CPAs, LLC

Holt & Associates, PLLC

Horne, LLP

Topp McWhorter Harvey, PLLC

Ultradent Products

Wm F. Horne & Company, PLLC

Wyndham Destinations

NOVA IVICA

Jon Ryan Fennell (general business) will be participating in an

internship with Nova Ivica, a small business consulting agency

in Bar, Montenegro. His focus is to revitalize the image of their

business by producing a range of digital media content for the

firm. In addition, he will be assisting with business workshops

on topics ranging from simple business success to advanced

video-graphic techniques and marketing.

“MY GOAL IS TO HELP BUSINESSES LIKE NOVA IVICA PRODUCE

INCREDIBLE MARKETING CONTENT THAT TRANSFORMS THE IMAGE

OF THEIR PRODUCT, SERVICE, MISSION AND GOALS. THE UNIVERSITY

OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI HAS BROUGHT ME TO A STATE OF WELL-

ROUNDEDNESS IN MY UNDERSTANDING OF BUSINESS. WITH THIS WELL-

ROUNDEDNESS, I AM ABLE TO BE AN EFFECTIVE AND IMPACTFUL PART

OF A BUSINESS TEAM, WHICH IS, PERSONALLY, THE BEST FEELING IN

THE WORLD. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE FACULTY MEMBERS WHO HAVE

HELPED ME GET TO THE POINT WHERE I AM NOW.” – JON RYAN FENNELL

MBLUE

Jessica Foreman (accounting) is

interning with mBlue, a human

resource outsourcing company

located in Prague, Czech Republic.

Using digital marketing and

professional social media platforms,

Jessica assists their clients in finding

the perfect, qualified individual for

an open position.

“MY EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES AT SOUTHERN MISS HAVE HELPED PREPARE ME

FOR THIS INTERNSHIP IN MORE SUBTLE WAYS THAN I HAD ORIGINALLY THOUGHT.

THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOES SUCH A GOOD

JOB OF GIVING ITS STUDENTS A WELL-ROUNDED BUSINESS EDUCATION. ALTHOUGH

I AM AN ACCOUNTING MAJOR, MY MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

CLASSES HAVE PREPARED ME IMMENSELY BY GIVING ME A SOLID FOUNDATION

THAT I'M ABLE TO BUILD OFF OF AT WORK.” – JESSICA FOREMAN

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 29

THE STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE

Some of our students went from finals to flights just days after the semester ended as they began to study abroad

on one of our three business study-abroad programs: Italian Studies, British Studies and Asian Studies.

ITALIAN STUDIES

While in Milan and Florence, students had the opportunity

to meet with executives from local companies and immerse

themselves in the professional culture of Italy. Some of

the businesses they interacted with included the oldest

chocolate company in Italy (Guido Gobino), one of the most

prestigious gold leaf companies in the world (Manetti

Battiloro), and an international paper company with ties

to Hattiesburg (Sofidel). Their experiences also included

spending a day in the Tuscan countryside to learn about how

some of the highest quality olive oil and wine in the world is

created (Frantoio dei Colli Toscani) and attending a cooking

class where they made pasta from scratch! Students were

also taught how to make an authentic cappuccino at a local

barista school in Florence (Mokaflor Espresso Academy).

While at the espresso academy, Mr. Russ Willis placed a

pin on their map of visitors, making Southern Miss the first

official visitors from Mississippi! Students took advantage

of their free weekends by exploring places such as Rome,

Pisa, Cinque Terre and Venice.

22% OF STUDENTS WHO STUDY ABROAD

ARE FROM THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

British Studies

20 students

Asian Studies

15 students

Italian Studies

12 students

Total

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ASIAN STUDIES

This summer, students on the Asian Studies program got to experience business

and culture in Tokyo and Hong Kong. In Japan, they visited the Tokyo Development

Authority, Nissan Global Headquarters, Uchida Yoko and the Mississippi Development

Authority. The students got a big welcome during their tour of the Tokyo Stock

Exchange. They also visited the Meiji Palace and Imperial Gardens and Epson Digital

Arts museum and got to try sushi at the fish market in Tokyo. In Hong Kong, students

saw the Hong Kong Trade Development Center and Hong Kong Science Park and tried

traditional Chinese food. One of the highlights of the trip was visiting students at

Kaetsu University in Japan. Southern Miss Business students assisted in a few English

language classes, dressed in yukuta, tried traditional Japanese calligraphy, and

played video games with Japanese college students. Students from Kaetsu University

will be visiting Southern Miss in spring 2020.

BRITISH STUDIES

While in London, students were able to visit some of the most iconic businesses in

Britain, including Lloyd’s of London, the oldest and largest insurance brokerage firm in

the world; Jaguar, the world-renowned auto luxury maker; Twinings Tea, the oldest tea

purveyor in England, having occupied the same premises on the Strand since 1706; and

a behind-the-scenes look at arguably the most well-known sporting event in the world—

The Championships at the All England Club—more commonly known as Wimbledon.

Additionally, students visited smaller, family-owned business, including both

a winery and cheese maker in Kent, the agricultural belt of England.

Students immersed themselves in British history and culture,

including a river cruise down the River Thames to Greenwich,

England, home to Royal Naval Observatory and the Prime

Meridian, a private meeting with Charles Walker, a member of

Parliament inside the Palace of Westminster, and attendance

at musical shows in London’s famed theatre district of the

West End. Of course, no visit to London would be complete

without visiting Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden,

Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral. During the

students’ mini-break, they were able to travel to the

continent to such cities as Paris, Rome, Amsterdam,

Barcelona and Madrid.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 31

HARD WORK PAYS OFF

EAGLE SCHOLARS PROGRAM

This year, David Jones, Jeremiah Willis, Elizabeth Rivera-Vega and Hayes Thompson joined the Eagle Scholars Program.

“I HAVE ALWAYS WORKED HARD, AND THANKS TO SOUTHERN MISS AND THE FOUNDATION, I HAVE AN

OPPORTUNITY TO WORK SMART. I REMAIN GRATEFUL FOR EVERY OPPORTUNITY AFFORDED TO ME. THE EAGLE

SCHOLARS PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE THE SAFETY, FREEDOM AND PROTECTION I NEED TO REACH GRADUATION

BY PROVIDING FUNDS FOR MY EDUCATION NOW AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR MY CAREER AHEAD.”

C. David Jones, Accounting | Biloxi, Miss.

“AS A THIRD-GENERATION GRADUATE OF SOUTHERN MISS, THE EAGLE SCHOLARS PROGRAM

SCHOLARSHIP HAS ALLOWED ME TO GROW AND DEVELOP AS A STUDENT, BUSINESS PERSON

AND INDIVIDUAL. THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN A TRUE BLESSING TO MY FAMILY

AND ME, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THE KNOWLEDGE SHARED WILL LAST A LIFETIME.”

S. Hayes Thompson, General Business | Summit, Miss.

“BEING CHOSEN AS AN EAGLE SCHOLAR HAS OPENED MANY DOORS AND CONTINUES TO OPEN DOORS

TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR ME. IT HAS HELPED ME GROW PROFESSIONALLY, AND IT HAS CHALLENGED ME

ACADEMICALLY. I AM TRULY GRATEFUL AND PROUD TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AS AN EAGLE SCHOLAR.”

Elizabeth Rivera-Vega, Finance | Biloxi, Miss.

“TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE IN ME ENOUGH

TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE EAGLE SCHOLARS

PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP HAS ENCOURAGED

ME EVEN MORE TO MAKE MY DREAM OF

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT A REALITY.”

Jeremiah Willis, Marketing | Jackson, Miss.

Interested in

being a part of

this program?

We have an endowment fund where you can make your

gift, of any amount, to support the Eagle Scholars. If

you are interested in leaving a lasting legacy, consider

changing lives by establishing an Eagle Scholars Program

Scholarship. For more information about contributing,

contact J.T. Tisdale at 601.266.6824.

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HARD WORK PAYS OFF

RHYNE E. NEUBERT SCHOLARSHIP

Aubrey Sanders (MPA, Hattiesburg, Miss.) and Jenna VanDan (Accounting,

Summit, Miss.) were awarded the Rhyne E. Neubert Scholarship by the

Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA) Foundation. The

$2,500 scholarship was established in 2016 to honor Neubert, who had served

as a trustee of the MSCPA Education Foundation since its inception.

“I WAS AT A LOSS FOR THE ADEQUATE WORDS TO THANK THE SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY

AT USM, NOT ONLY FOR THE NOMINATION, BUT ALSO FOR ITS INVESTMENT IN ME.

MOREOVER, I WAS AND STILL AM INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR THE MSPCA, MR. NEUBERT

AND THE SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THIS HONOR.” – AUBREY SANDERS

VanDan echoed those sentiments. “I was ecstatic and honestly in disbelief that

I was being awarded this scholarship,” she said. “Receiving this scholarship

reaffirmed that hard work and determination will be recognized and rewarded.”

MISSISSIPPI YOUNG BANKERS

LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

Brandon Cade (Finance, Brookhaven, Miss.) was awarded the 2018 Mississippi

Young Bankers (MYB) Leadership Scholarship. Only one student in the state is

chosen to receive the scholarship. Cade is the sixth USM student to win the

$2,000 scholarship in the last eight years.

"I AM EXTREMELY HONORED TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD FROM THE MISSISSIPPI BANKING

ASSOCIATION AND THE MISSISSIPPI YOUNG BANKERS. THIS AWARD IS IMPORTANT TO

ME BECAUSE IT WILL HELP TO CONTINUE MY EDUCATION AT SOUTHERN MISS. I WOULD

LIKE TO THANK DR. (MARVIN) BOUILLON FOR SEEING ENOUGH POTENTIAL IN ME TO

NOMINATE ME FOR THE AWARD.” – BRANDON CADE

In addition, John Trey Haire was recognized as an MYB Scholar at the

Mississippi Young Bankers Scholar Study Conference and Convention. As a

finalist for the 2019 Mississippi Young Bankers Swayze Scholarship, he was

awarded a $1,500 scholarship.

PUBLIC COMPANY ACCOUNTING OVERSIGHT BOARD SCHOLARSHIP

Kameshia Mays (MPA, Greenville, Miss.) was awarded the $10,000 merit-based scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)

for 2018-19. A single student is chosen from 332 colleges and universities nationwide. Mays is the first USM student to earn the honor in six years.

“I WAS ELATED WHEN I LEARNED THAT I HAD WON THE SCHOLARSHIP. USM HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT PART OF MY SUCCESS. THE UNIVERSITY ALWAYS GOES BEYOND TO ENSURE

THAT EACH STUDENT HAS WHAT IS NEEDED TO SUCCEED, AND FOR ME THAT INCLUDES MAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN AN EDUCATION AFFORDABLE.” – KAMESHIA MAYS

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 33

SERVING LOVE

ON A PLATE

LOVE. NOURISH. INSPIRE.

This is the vision alumna Katie Dixon has for her restaurant,

Birdhouse Café in Hattiesburg. Miss. Dixon, a 2005 graduate from our

BSBA Marketing program, desires to serve nutrient-rich food to the South. She

does so through her diverse and healthy menu.

When entering her restaurant, it is far from a

traditional dining experience. Instead, it feels as

though you are walking right into a home. The

“kitchen” is actually an island in the center of the

room with fresh tea brewing on the stovetop. “We

want to show people it is not as complicated as

people make it, that healthy eating can be easy

and fun,” said Katie as we explored the layout of

her restaurant. Each meal is cooked to order right

in front of the guests’ eyes.

Katie’s passions are far greater than just adding nutritional value to food. In addition, she wants

to add value in the lives of those around her. She has personal relationships with each of her

seven employees, five of which are Southern Miss students or alumni. “I want to know what

their vision is, where they want to see themselves in a year,” Katie said thoughtfully.

She invests in her employees, empowering them to be creative within the business. She

encouraged her restaurant manager, Lydia, to use her talent for design and art. “I asked her,

while you are here, what can we do to make your work environment more fun? You’re creative,

and you are not getting to use that talent. This summer, she will sew aprons, and we will use all

of our excess fruits and vegetables, like avocado cores and strawberries, to naturally tie-dye

the aprons to give to children while we teach them a cooking class.” She also encouraged her

former head chef, who had dreams of traveling, to accept a position as a chef in New York City.

Katie’s love for food was inspired by her grandmother. “My grandmother and grandfather had a

farmhouse with chickens and cows and a fresh vegetable garden. My grandmother cooked every

day for a large family. On the weekends, my family and I spent a lot of time at the farm. I learned

from my grandmother. Both of our hearts wanted to serve love on a plate, food for the soul. I can

still vividly see the flour on my grandmother’s hands as she was making fresh biscuits.”

I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME THAT WE ARE SOME OF THE LUCKIEST PEOPLE IN THE

WORLD LIVING IN MISSISSIPPI, WITH ALL OF THE FARM LAND WE HAVE. WE HAVE

SOME OF THE FRESHEST AND BEST PRODUCE RIGHT HERE AT OUR DOORSTEP.”

34 | C O L L E G E O F B U S I N E S S A N D E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

CONTESTANT ON MASTERCHEF

In 2016, Katie appeared as a contestant on MasterChef. After applying on a whim, she was

immediately asked to audition in Jackson, Miss. Katie is self-taught and has no formal

training;however, she does enjoy taking cooking classes while traveling, learning to cook

international dishes, and putting her own healthy, Southern spin on them.

“For my audition, I made a salmon burger with a sweet potato mash. I brought along one of my

raw desserts for each judge, and they loved it! I swear that is what sealed the deal that day.”

Out of 22,000 applicants nationwide, Katie ultimately finished in the Top 6. She describes her

experience on MasterChef “like living in a dream. I still have a great relationship with Gordon

[Ramsey] and his team.” While on MasterChef, Katie made lamb curry for one of her challenges.

One of the judges was Edward Lee, a chef out of Louisville, Kentucky. “Chef Edward Lee told me

that my curry was one of the best he had ever had!”

In 2018, she competed once again, this time on Food Network Star and is currently under a

signed contract with Food Network.

I THINK THE NUMBER ONE THING I ATTRIBUTE

A LOT OF MY SUCCESS TO IS MY PROFESSORS.”

COMING HOME TO SOUTHERN MISS

During Katie’s collegiate career, she was very involved in campus life. She was a member of

Greek life, Southern Style and a cheerleader, while holding a full-time job as a waitress.

When asked who her favorite professor was, she stated that former marketing professor, Dr.

Bill Smith, and his wife, Ginger, are still close friends of hers. She explained that the principles

she learned throughout college have proven useful in owning her own business. While taking

his class, Dr. Smith told her, “If you meet the need of your customer, you will succeed.” She has

lived up to this advice by providing nutrient-rich food to Hattiesburg.

The Dixon family stays engaged with Southern Miss. “At USM, there is something for

everyone.” Coming back to campus as a family has become a bonding experience. She and

her husband Todd, who also graduated from USM, enjoy cheering for the Southern Miss

football team during the fall. The family attends beach volleyball games regularly because

of her 13-year-old daughter, Stevee Kate’s, interest in volleyball, and they enjoy coming to

plays performed by the Theatre department because of her seven-year-old daughter, Risi’s,

passion for theatre and dance. “We recently went and saw The Three Musketeers two nights

in a row on Southern Miss’ campus.”

Katie also visited Scianna Hall this spring to speak at the USM School of Marketing Major

Confidential, sharing her story with the students and encouraging them to follow their passions.

Katie’s future looks bright as she writes her first cookbook, travels for international catering

jobs, and searches for her second restaurant location.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 35

BREAKING

THE MOLD

THE COLLEGE’S FIRST FEMALE

ACCOUNTING STUDENT

In 1952, Miriam Moore Adamson became the first woman to graduate from the Accounting program at

The University of Southern Mississippi. In addition to her undergraduate degree in accounting, Miriam

also received a minor in business administration.

Born in House, Mississippi, she led a life full of adventure as she often

moved to new cities. Miriam rarely stayed in one place for long due

to her father’s position in the Navy. Little did she know, she would

continue to move frequently until retirement.

After graduating high school in a class of only 13, Miriam later attended

East Central Junior College in Decatur, Mississippi. Majoring in secretarial

studies, she explained that at that time, women normally prepared

to be a secretary/bookkeeper, teacher or nurse. Upon completion at

East Central, she began working for Mississippi Paint and Glass as a

secretary and bookkeeper. There, she realized that bookkeeping was

much more enjoyable for her than secretarial work, and that began her

pursuit of an accounting degree. She saved up her money, bought a car,

and drove it down to Hattiesburg.

When asked about her college experience, she described Southern

Miss as a supportive, friendly campus. She and her friends would often

attend football games, go see plays put on by the Theatre department,

36 | C O L L E G E O F B U S I N E S S A N D E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

and go to the beach for the day. She and her roommate, Bernice

Snowden, who had also attended East Central with Miriam, remained

friends until Bernice passed away a few years ago.

While reminiscing on her time in the Accounting program, Miriam

told stories about her favorite professors and classes. “Mr. Scott

would put a copy of our exam, turned upside down, on each student’s

desk. There were a couple times in Cost Accounting that Mr. Scott

said, ‘Thanks to Miss Moore, I had to change this exam.’ He would

say it with a grin.” Mr. Scott was making changes to the exam so

that the questions were also relatable for Miriam, as all were geared

specifically toward men at the time.

“I LOVED MY ACCOUNTING CLASSES AND TOOK EVERY

ADVANCED CLASS THAT THEY TAUGHT IN MY TWO YEARS AT

SOUTHERN MISS. EVEN THOUGH I WAS THE ONLY FEMALE

IN MY CLASSES, MY MALE CLASSMATES WERE VERY

SUPPORTIVE AND ALWAYS TREATED ME WITH RESPECT.”

“When I was about ready to graduate, Dr. Joe Greene, the dean of the

Business School, said he had checked the records back as far as he

could, and as far as he could tell, I was the first female to graduate from

[Southern Miss] in accounting.”

Once she graduated from Southern Miss, Miriam followed in her father’s

footsteps and joined the Navy in 1953. She was the only female in her

company of 30. “They took good care of me, treated me like they would

have their little sister. One of the guys in my company gave me the

nickname, Mim.”

Mim worked as a disbursing officer for two years in San Diego before leaving

to marry her husband, Don Adamson. A few years later, Don secured a

position at IBM, which they jokingly said stood for “I’ve Been Moved.” The

Adamson family moved 15 times over a 30-year period, living in places such

as Michigan, Louisiana, New York, Connecticut, Georgia and Mississippi.

In each new location, Mim would quickly find an accounting position

and begin work again. Due to these frequent moves, Mim had the

opportunity to work for quite a few interesting companies.

While the family lived in New York during the late ‘60s, Mim worked

as a bookkeeper for Mr. Ed Jurist, who owned Vintage Car Store, and

the name says it all. “At the time, it was the largest vintage car dealer

in the country. He always had a showroom filled with cars that men

drooled over.” Mim mentions Jurist owning and selling vehicles, such as

Phantom IV Rolls and Excalibur cars.

When the family moved to Boca Raton, Florida, in the mid ‘70s, Mim

accepted a position at Creative Ceramics working for Elliott Mackle.

The company was transitioning into a ceramics manufacturer, building

a factory, hiring employees and starting production, and Mim was

hired to set up and run an accounting system for the growing business.

In Connecticut, Mim secured a job as an accountant for Mr. Scott Savage,

the owner of Savage Eye Wear and other businesses. Scott invented certain

swim goggles and nylon frames for eye glasses and different types of ski

goggles. “His goggles were used in the Winter Olympics at least one year.”

Miriam also secured jobs through various CPA firms, being assigned

to work temporarily for companies in need. “Without my degree

in accounting from USM, I could never have held the jobs that I did.

Professor Robert Scott did a great job of preparing the accounting

majors for life outside of college.” She described her courses as being

taught by professors that cared about and assisted with her success.

In addition to Mim’s career, she has always been very involved in volunteer

work. She set the books up for Boca Raton Methodist Church in Florida

while living there. She was elected president of the Board of Trustees at

Long Ridge Methodist Church in Connecticut, where she led the initiative

to renovate their Fellowship Hall. She was on the Finance Committee at the

First Methodist Church in Greensboro. She started a coffee club of 10 ladies,

which grew to over 350 members who lead many volunteer projects. She

joined the Missions Committee at her church in Hattiesburg.

Mim and her husband of 65 years have three children (Debbie, Doug and

Cindy), six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is known by the

family as a “self-taught technology whiz.” In fact, while her granddaughter

was in graduate school a few years ago, Mim was called for assistance

with a group project involving Excel. Shocking the fellow group members,

Mim immediately knew how to solve the problem they were experiencing!

Mim and Don retired in Georgia

before moving to Hattiesburg

in 1997. “We just decided we

wanted to be some place with a

college campus and in a city that

has what Hattiesburg has.”

They have travelled the world

to places, such as Hong Kong,

Australia, Switzerland, Ireland,

China, Scandinavia, Thailand,

England, Italy, Austria, Russia

and many, many more.

3 + 2 = ?

FEMALE ACCOUNTANT, DOG MATHEMATICIAN

Miriam owned a dog that could do simple addition problems. Kuddles, the peek-a-poo, could be asked to add two

single-digit numbers together and tap out the correct answer with her paw in the palm of your hand. She eventually

got so good, she could tap out the family’s zip code. She was featured in multiple newspaper articles, performed for

schools and churches, and became a sensation in each of the towns the Adamson family moved to.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 37

WHERE DO THEY GO AFTER GRADUATION?

OREGON

WASHINGTON

IDAHO

MONTANA

WYOMING

Three Master of Science in Economic

Development alumni were recognized in

the 2019 Mississippi Business Journal Top 50

under 40. Congratulations to Chelsey Everett,

research director for economic development

of the ADP of Hattiesburg; Matthew Harrison,

executive director of the Grenada County

Economic Development District and Grenada

Area Chamber of Commerce; Blaine LaFontaine,

candidate for the Mississippi State Senate

District 46 and president of the Hancock

County Board of Supervisors.

306

CALIFORNIA

NEVADA

UTAH

151

COLORADO

106

ARIZONA

NEW MEXICO

GUAM

ALASKA

HAWAII

EAGLES ABROAD

OUR GRADUATES LIVE IN

MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

Albania 1 • Aruba 1 • Australia 4 • Bangladesh 2 • Belarus 1 • Bolivia 3 • Botswana 1 • Brazil 15 • Canada 24 • Chile 1 • China 19

Colombia 12 • Cyprus 2 • Denmark 1 • Dominican Republic 1 • Ecuador 10 • El Salvador 11 • Finland 1 • France 3 • Germany 11 • Ghana 2

Guatemala 2 • Guinea 1 • Honduras 7 • Hong Kong 8 • India 26 • Indonesia 1 • Ireland 1 • Italy 2 • Jamaica 3 • Japan 31 • Jordan 1

Kenya 1 • Republic of Korea 4 • Kuwait 2 • Kyrgyzstan 1 • Lebanon 1 • Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic 1 • Madagascar 1

38 | C O L L E G E O F B U S I N E S S A N D E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

A T

NORTH DAKOTA

SOUTH DAKOTA

NEBRASKA

KANSAS

OKLAHOMA

TOTAL OF 26,197 LIVING BUSINESS ALUMNI.

MINNESOTA

IOWA

101

MISSOURI

170

ARKANSAS

1,451

TEXAS

1,561

LOUISIANA

WISCONSIN

118

ILLINOIS

INDIANA

MICHIGAN

628

TENNESSEE

KENTUCKY

OHIO

PENNSYLVANIA

WEST VIRGINIA

234

VIRGINIA

VERMONT

307

NORTH CAROLINA

158

SOUTH CAROLINA

NEW YORK

NEW HAMPSHIRE

903

15,757 1,335

GEORGIA

MISSISSIPPI

ALABAMA

PUERTO RICO

1,148

FLORIDA

NEW JERSEY

MARYLAND

DISTRICT OF

COLUMBIA

MAINE

MASSACHUSETTS

RHODE ISLAND

DELAWARE

CONNECTICUT

VIRGIN ISLANDS

P A C I F I C

A T

Malaysia 54 • Mexico 4 • Nepal 5 • Netherlands 2 • New Zealand 2 • Nicaragua 5 • Nigeria 3

Panama 7 • Peru 5 • Poland 1 • Romania 1 • Russian Federation 6 • Saudi Arabia 6 • Singapore 10

Slovakia 3 • Spain 2 • Sweden 6 • Syrian Arab Republic 2 • Taiwan, Province of China 23

Thailand 13 • Trinidad and Tobago 1 • Turkey 1 • United Kingdom 9 • United Arab Emirates 1

P A C I F

I C O C E A N

L A N T

I C O C E A N

L A N T

I C O C E A N

I N D I A N

O C E A N

I N D I A N

O C E A N

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 39

NEW COURSES AND CERTIFICATES

CURRENT ISSUES IN PROFESSIONAL

ACCOUNTANCY (ACC 690)

The Current Issues in Professional Accountancy graduate course has

formally gained approval from the Graduate Council and is officially being

taught in summer 2019. The School of Accountancy has been pilot-testing

the course with great success, as many MPA students have successfully

completed parts or all of the CPA exam during the MPA program. The

course was developed to support the process of students beginning

their CPA exam while still in the master’s program. During the course,

students review issues related to professional accountancy, including

financial accounting and reporting, regulation, auditing and attestation,

and business environment and concepts.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

FOR ACCOUNTING (BA 211)

The Professional Business Standards of Accounting course, taught

by Ms. Amber Hatten and Ms. Valerie Simmons, was pilot-tested

during the spring 2019 semester with great results. The course

focuses on preparing accounting students for entering the

accounting profession, with topics including interviews, recruiting

for internships and full-time positions, graduate school, the CPA

exam, etc. A variety of guest speakers and members from the

accounting profession joined class each week to discuss topics, such

as appropriate professional dress, résumés, and the importance of

academic and professional organization involvement.

EVAN PEELER, DECEMBER 2018 MPA GRADUATE, SUCCESSFULLY

COMPLETED ALL FOUR PARTS OF THE CPA EXAM DURING HIS YEAR

IN THE MPA PROGRAM, PASSING EACH SECTION ON HIS FIRST

ATTEMPT. UPON GRADUATION, HE BEGAN HIS PROFESSIONAL

CAREER WITH KPMG LLP IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Karen Moody and Lydia Windam

from the Mississippi Society of CPAs

Amber Hatten invited Dr. Holly Syrdal and her Social Media Marketing and Merchandising students

to lead a workshop focused on teaching the Professional Business Standards for Accounting

students how to optimize their LinkedIn profiles for personal branding. Dr. Syrdal's students

have been working on a semester-long task to optimize their own personal LinkedIn profiles and

provided many expert tips on how to network effectively through the social media platform.

SOCIAL MEDIA

MARKETING AND

MERCHANDISING (MKT 478)

Dr. Holly Syrdal taught a new course titled Social

Media Marketing and Merchandising during spring

2019. The course takes a practical approach by

gaining hands-on experiences using social media

strategically when developing a social media

plan. One of the group projects allowed students

to assist an assigned non-profit community

partner by creating social media marketing plans

and presenting their successful execution results.

Students also earned a social media certification,

providing tangible evidence of the digital skills

acquired during the course.

UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS ESSENTIALS CERTIFICATE

A new undergraduate Certificate in Business Essentials will launch fall 2019. The 12- hour program was created specifically for non-business students,

allowing those pursuing their dreams in other fields of study the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of business skills valued in every industry.

40 | C O L L E G E O F B U S I N E S S A N D E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

CHICK-FIL-A

Two of our accounting students, Rachel

Green and Tyler Pittman, received the

opportunity to attend a three-day event

held by Chick-fil-A Corporate in Atlanta,

Ga. Fifty-eight students from all over

the country were selected to attend the

leadership program, designed for those

pursuing careers in accounting and IT.

TRAVELING TO

SUCCESS

AICPA

Dr. Megan Leach is a graduate of our MPA program and

recently became a visiting assistant faculty member in the

School of Accountancy in Hattiesburg. While earning her

Master of Professional Accountancy degree, Dr. Leach was

selected to attend the AICPA Accounting Scholars Leadership

Workshop, a prestigious and competitive program for minority

accounting students pursuing the CPA designation. The event,

hosted in Atlanta, helps to strengthen students’ professional

skills and provide guidance for understanding the possibilities

and benefits of earning the CPA credential. Speakers, panel

discussions and interactive programs provide participants

an opportunity to gain confidence, improve leadership skills,

develop tools to pass the CPA exam, and enhance understanding

of a career path within the accounting profession.

While working on completing her MPA degree, Dr. Leach also

completed the University of Florida's Post-Doctoral Bridge to

Business Program (PDBP). The PDBP is an AACSB-endorsed

program aimed at bridging the gap of doctoral faculty

shortages faced by many business schools. The program

provides a bridge for non-business disciplines to teach in areas

of business, including accounting and finance. By completing

the PDBP, Dr. Leach was able to successfully make the

transition from student to faculty member and join our team

in the School of Accountancy in fall 2018.

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE SALES COMPETITION

Gabriela Alongia and Trey Pittman, students from Professor Chris Balaski’s

professional sales course, represented our college at the National Collegiate

Sales Competition in Kennesaw, Georgia. Over 140 students participated in

the undergraduate competition. Each team had 20 minutes to close a sale for

Gartner with a fictitious CIO from a university. Each role play was judged by

both academics and corporate sponsors. Mr. Balaski served as a judge and

coach for the competition.

“The NCSC Sales Competition was an

amazing experience that I am honored I

was able to participate in! At first, I was

very nervous to do this competition,

by then I thought to myself, ‘Nothing

good will ever happen if I don’t take a

chance.’ Now I can say that I am glad I

stepped out of my comfort zone and

took that chance. The competition

was beneficial because we used our

‘SPIN’ selling skills that we learned

in MKT 400 to handle each role play

we participated in,” said Pittman,

who is currently working toward a

professional selling certificate.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 41

TRAVELING TO SUCCESS

HONORS COLLEGE UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Seven of our College of Business and Economic Development honors students

presented at the 2019 Undergraduate Symposium. Additionally, Dr. John Miller, Dr.

Wei Wang, Dr. Joanne Cao and Dr. Gallayanee Yaoyuneyong volunteered as judges

for the presentations.

PARTICIPANTS

• CAMERON KENNEY – Marketing

Does It Just Mean More? An Investigation Into the Involvement and Motivations

of College Football Fans at The University of Southern Mississippi

• TREVOR TERRY – Marketing

Integrated Marketing Communications: Boys and Girls Country of Houston

• AUDREY KELLY – Accounting

The Impact of State Political Party Association on the Gender Pay Gap

• MATTHEW KELLER – Finance

What Community Bank Ads Are Actually Saying: A Content Analysis of Community

Banking Advertisement Materials in Southern Mississippi and Southern Louisiana

• BEN MILAM – Finance

Exploring Financial Literacy of Independent Musicians in the Gig Economy

• EVELYN LAWSON – Marketing

Integrated Marketing Communications Plan for Boys and Girls Country of Houston

• PARKER WILKINS – Marketing

4th Street Crossfit: An Integrated Marketing Plan

HONORS THESIS ADVISORS INCLUDED DR. JAMYE FOSTER, DR. MELINDA

MCLELLAND, DR. REGINALD WILSON AND DR. JOANNE CAO.

Cameron Kenney won the $500 prize for first place in his

category, “Local/Regional Topics.” Trevor Terry also won the

first place prize in his category, “Business or Public Policy.”

Aubrey Kelly was selected to present her honors thesis

research at the annual Society of Business, Industry

and Economics (SOBIE) Conference in Sandestin, Florida.

Aubrey’s research focused on the correlation between

political party association by state on the gender wage

gap in that respective state.

Matthew Keller and Ben Milam

also presented their thesis

research at the Association of

Marketing Theory and Practice

Conference in Charleston,

South Carolina. Presenting at

an academic conference is uncommon for business

undergraduate students, as most presenters are

professors and Ph.D. students. Both students

worked with Dr. Jamye Foster, associate professor

of marketing, as their thesis advisor during their

interdisciplinary research, both of which brought

together marketing and finance concepts.

Two recent marketing graduates also presented

at the conference. Alumna Michelle Le presented

her interdisciplinary research on “The Impact of

Brand Love, Brand Attachment and Electronic

Shopping Experiences Satisfaction on Consumer

Willingness to Write Reviews.” Her thesis advisors

were Dr. Joanne T. Cao, assistant professor of

marketing, and Dr. Gallayanee Yaoyuneyong,

professor of merchandising. Alumnus Tally Shaw

examined social media likes/shares impact on key

marketing outcomes with the help of his thesis

advisor, Dr. Melinda McLelland, associate professor

of marketing. Through an experimental design, he

compared the outcomes in both a local/small market

and a large/national market. Tally is currently

employed as an account representative with Howard

Technology Solutions.

42 | C O L L E G E O F B U S I N E S S A N D E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

FACULTY INTELLECTUAL

CONTRIBUTIONS AND IMPACT

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES - 2018-19

Abdurakhmonov, M., Bolton, J. F., & Ridge, J.

W. (In press). When the Cat’s Away, the Mice

Will Play: A Model of Corporate Regulatory

Compliance. Journal of Managerial Issues.

B. F., Y. Q., & Collins, B. J. (2018). A dynamic

model of electric vehicle adoption: The role

of social commerce in new transportation.

Information & Management.

Cao, J. T., Foster, J. K., Yaoyuneyong, G., & Krey,

N. (In press). Hedonic and Utilitarian Value:

The Role of Shared Responsibility in Higher

Education Services. Journal of Marketing for

Higher Education.

Chen, L., Wu, F.-M., Feng, F., Lai, F., & Wang,

Y.-M. (2018). A Common Set of Weights

for Ranking Decision-Making Units with

Undesirable Outputs: A Double Frontiers Data

Envelopment Analysis Approach. Asia-Pacific

Journal of Operational Research, 35(6), 1-25.

Chen, L., Lai, F., Wang, Y.-M., Huang, Y., &

Wu, F.-M. (2018). A two-stage network data

envelopment analysis approach for measuring

and decomposing environmental efficiency.

Computer & Industrial Engineering, 119, 388-403.

Chu, Z., Xu, J., Lai, F., & Collins, B. J. (2018).

Institutional Theory and Environmental

Pressures: The Moderating Effect of Market

Uncertainty on Innovation and Firm

Performance. IEEE Transactions on Engineering

Management, 65(3), 392-403.

Chu, Z., Feng, B., & Lai, F. (2018). Logistics

service innovation by third party logistics

providers in China: Aligning guanxi and

organizational structure. Transportation

Research Part E-Logistics and Transportation

Review, 118(10), 291-307.

Cole, S., Zhang, Y., Wang, W., & Hu, C. (2019).

The influence of accessibility and motivation

on travel participation of people with mobility

impairment. Journal of Travel and Tourism

Marketing. 36(1). 119-130.

Collins, B. J., Galvin, B. M., & Meyer, R. D.

(2019). Situational Strength as a Moderator

of the Relationship Between Organizational

Identification and Work Outcomes. Journal of

Leadership & Organizational Studies, 26(1), 87-97.

Davis, M. & Miller, J. J. (2019). A conceptual

analysis of the theory of consumer choice

on NBA attendance. Journal of Applied Sport

Management, 11(2), 1-10.

Davis, M. & Miller, J. J. (2019). A fan’s choice: The

application of the theory of consumer choice

to Major League Baseball. Applied Research in

Coaching and Athletics Annuals, 34, 146-175.

Dogru, A. K. & Melouk, S. H. (2018). Adaptive

appointment scheduling for patient-centered

medical homes. Omega: The International

Journal of Management Science, 85, 166-181.

Ehoff, Jr., C. & Bouillon, M. (In press). Accounting

for Goodwill: Still Crazy after All These Years.

Journal of Accounting, Ethics and Public Policy.

Galvin, B. M., Randel, A. E., Collins, B. J., &

Johnson, R. E. (2018). Changing the focus of

locus (of control): A targeted review of the

locus of control literature and agenda for future

research. Journal of Organizational Behavior.

Goodwin, K. R., Waller, B., & Weeks, S. (2018).

Connotation and Textual Analysis in Real

Estate Listings. Journal of Housing Research.

Dr. Fujun Lai was a guest editor

for the March 2019 special issue of

Information and Management (impact

factor = 3.890; acceptance rate = 8%).

In addition, Dr. Lai and Dr. Brian Collins

each contributed an article to the issue.

Dr. SherRhonda Gibbs was the

managing guest editor for the special

issue of the New England Journal of

Entrepreneurship (acceptance rate =

20%) and became associate editor of

Management Decision (impact factor =

1.53; acceptance rate = 12%). Dr. Gibbs

also had a published paper in the Journal

of Small Business Strategy (acceptance

rate = 18%) that was later featured by

Society for Industrial and Organizational

Psychology (SIOP) News online.

Dr. Kimberly Goodwin had an

acceptance in the Journal of Housing

Research for her paper, titled “Measures

of Real Estate Market Sentiment and

Their Relationship with U.S. Home

Prices.” Dr. Goodwin presented this work

at the Asian Real Estate Society meeting

in Incheon, South Korea. Additionally,

Dr. Goodwin was interviewed for two

separate online articles: The Mississippi

Business Journal, discussing how climate

change and changing weather patterns

could impact insurance rates; and the

LendingTree, discussing how gender may

affect one’s credit score.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 43

FACULTY INTELLECTUAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND IMPACT

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES - CONTINUED

Goodwin, K. R. (In press). Measures of Real Estate Market Sentiment and

Their Relationship with U.S. Home Prices. Journal of Housing Research.

Hall, S., Manning, D., Keiper, M., Jenny, S., & Allen, B. (2019). Stakeholders’

Perception of Critical Risks and Challenges Hosting Marathon Events:

An Exploratory Study. Journal of Contemporary Athletics, 13(1), 11-22.

Hubbard, J., Mitra, S., & Miller, C. R. (2019). Analyzing Human Capital

as a Component of the Aerotropolis Model. Journal of Air Transport

Management, 78, 63-70.

Kanuri, S. & Malm, J. (2018). Performance of Female CEOs. Journal of

Investing, 27(1), 135-142.

Kanuri, S. & Johnson, W. (2018). Is Target Date Mutual Fund

Underperformance Rational? Journal of Investing, 27(1), 87-97.

Lai, F. & Luo, X. (2019). Social Commerce and Social Media: Behaviors in

the New Service Economy. Information & Management, 56(2), 141-142.

Lambert, J. T., Weber, M. J., Conrad, K. A., & Jennings, S. S. (In press).

Consumer Ethnocentrism in the USA and Wine Choice. Journal of

Business Management and Change.

Lambert, J. T., Weber, M. J., Conrad, K. A., & Jennings, S. S. (2018).

Managing Amid Perception: Wine Price-Point Considerations in Several

States in the USA. Journal of Business Management and Change, 12-30.

Leach, M. A., Leach, M. M., & Lee, E. (2019). Culture Convergence of

Manufacturing Managers in Mexico, Korea, Hong Kong, and USA.

Journal of Research in Emerging Markets 1(2), 16-32.

Leach, M. A., Lee, E., & Leach, M. M. (2019). Is There a Relationship

between VARK Learning Styles and the Perceived Usefulness of Online

Learning Tools in Accounting Principles Courses? Korean Accounting

Review, 44(2), 133-163.

Leach, M. A., Stammerjohan, C. A., Stammerjohan, W. W., & Leach,

M. M. (2018). Ethical Decision Making of Future Mexican Managers.

International Review of Advances in Business, Management, and Law,

1(1), 85-94.

Lewis, S. X., Magruder, J. S., Mitchell, D. S., Smolinski, C., & Burks, E.

J. (2018). Redefining ‘Useful Life’ -- An Energy Consumption Method

Emerges from the CC/DS Environment. Journal of Accounting and

Finance, 18(5), 105-112.

Li, X., Lai, F., & Yuan, Y. (In press). Understanding Adoption and

Continuance of Online Direct Sales Channel. Journal of Computer

Information Systems.

Miller, J., Gillentine, A., Olinger, A., & Vogt, S. (2019). A content analysis

of the Journal of Legal Aspects of Sport: 1992-2016. Journal of Legal

Aspects of Sport, 29, 139-151.

2019 DIANA

CHANGEMAKER AWARD

Dr. SherRhonda Gibbs was awarded the

Educator’s Changemaker Award at the 2019

Diana International Research Institute Impact

Day at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. One

award from six categories is given out each

year. The awards are granted to individuals

whose efforts in the entrepreneurial ecosystem,

through research, advocacy and other essential forms

of support, have advanced women’s access to resources

that are critical to launching and scaling successful ventures.

Dr. Gibbs serves as the interim director of the School of Management

and senior vice president of membership on the board of the United

States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

USM RECENTLY ACHIEVED

“R1: DOCTORAL UNIVERSITIES –

VERY HIGH RESEARCH ACTIVITY”

STATUS IN THE CARNEGIE CLASSIFICATION

OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

Only 130 institutions in the nation are classified as R1.

USM’s inclusion in this elite group of universities recognizes the

quality research enterprise created by our faculty, staff and students.

44 | C O L L E G E O F B U S I N E S S A N D E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

FACULTY INTELLECTUAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND IMPACT

Miller, J., Vogt, S., Scroggins, C., & Gillentine, A. (2019). A content analysis of

tailgating alcohol policies at NCAA Division I football games. International Journal

of Sport Management, 20, 1-16.

Parker, P. D. & Swanson, N. J. (2018). Black and Green Vehicle Dealership, LLP - Fraud

Case. The South East Case Research Association, 15(1), 91-100.

Ritz, W., Wolf, M., & McQuitty, S. (2019). Digital Marketing Adoption and Success for

Small Businesses: The Application of the Do-it-Yourself and Technology Acceptance

Models. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing.

Sequeira, J., Weeks, K., Bell, M., & Gibbs, S. (2018). Making the case for diversity as a

strategic business tool in small firm survival and success. Journal of Small Business

Strategy, 28(3), 31-47.

Stelk, S. J., Park, S.-H., Medcalfe, S., & Dugan, M. T. (2018). An additional analysis

of estimation techniques for the degree of financial leverage. Review of Financial

Economics, 36(3), 220—231.

Syrdal, H. A. & Briggs, E. (2018). Engagement with Social Media Content: A Qualitative

Exploration. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 26(2-1), 4-22.

VanMeter, R., Syrdal, H. A., Powell-Mantel, S., Grisaffe, D. B., & Nesson, E. T. (2018).

Don’t Just ‘Like’ Me, Promote Me: How Attachment and Attitude Influence Brandrelated

Behaviors on Social Media. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 43, 83-97.

Van Mullem, P. & Croft, J. C. (2018). Developing Under the Guidance of a Mentor: Five

Strategies for Coaches. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 31(6), 16-25.

Wang, L., Chu, Z., & Lai, F. (2019). Customer pressure and green innovations at third

party logistics providers in China: The moderation effect of organizational culture.

International Journal of Logistics Management, 30(1), 57-75.

Wang, S., Wang, W., & Lee, S. (2018). Interactive roles of social identity and

evaluative attitudes in sports events participation. Journal of Convention & Event

Tourism. 19(4-5), 327-346.

ACUE

USM’s Association of College and University

Educators (ACUE) Faculty Development

Institute is an innovative initiative focused

on expanding the use of effective teaching

practices in higher education. Southern Miss

began its partnership with ACUE, which was

founded in 2016 by leaders in higher education

to advance instruction, support college

educators, and promote student success.

The program consists of three courses over

three semesters, beginning with Active

Learning, followed by Assessment of

Teaching and Learning, and culminating with

Effective Course Design. Each intensive, 10-

week program focuses on research-based

techniques for promoting active learning,

improving assessment techniques and

designing effective courses.

Five of our very own, Dr. Reginald Wilson,

Dr. Joanne Cao, Chris Croft, Russ Willis

and Chris Balaski, are one course away

from earning the Certificate in Effective

College Instruction and the title of “ACUE

Distinguished Teaching Scholar.”

Currently, we have three professors that

have already earned the title: Dr. Gallayanee

Yaoyuneyong, Dr. Steven Stelk and Dr.

Sungsoo Kim.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 45

FACULTY INTELLECTUAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND IMPACT

GRENADA SPORTS COMPLEX

FEASIBILITY STUDY

The University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Business and

Economic Development collaborated across three business programs

-- Economic Development, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and

Sport Management -- to assist the city of Grenada on a sport’s complex

feasibility study.

Matthew Harrison, the economic developer from Grenada County and

a Master of Science Economic Development program alumnus, initiated

the study in conjunction with Southern Miss, saying he was confident

that our expert faculty could provide him with valuable knowledge and

resources to create a well-developed feasibility study. Dr. Sungsoo Kim,

Dr. Brandon Allen, Dr. Chris Croft and Dr. Chad Miller traveled to Grenada

County multiple times throughout the summer to collect primary data

through intercept surveys and secondary data from a variety of sources.

Upon completion of their research, the team gave a presentation to

community leaders and citizens showcasing their ideas for the city. The

collaboration resulted in two reports: Sports Complex Feasibility Study

for Grenada County, Miss., and a Preliminary Economic Impact Study.

These reports made it possible for local leaders to make more informed

decisions concerning their investment of the new sports complex.

Harrison stated that the feasibility study ultimately became the

foundation for their success. “We used the data to build awareness and

educate the community about the economic impact, which allowed our

support to gain in momentum. The vote was held on October 2 and passed

with a whopping 86 percent. We could not have had this type of success

without the feasibility study prepared by Dr. Sungsoo Kim and his expert

team at the USM College of Business and Economic Development."

The new, 170-acre complex is currently in the engineering design phase,

with indoor and outdoor developments. The completed complex will

include 12 baseball/softball fields and five multi-use fields, along with

an indoor track, bowling lanes, fitness and training areas, basketball/

volleyball courts and a natatorium.

THE GRENADA SPORT COMPLEX WON THE 2018

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD,

GIVEN BY THE MISSISSIPPI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

The award is intended to recognize exceptional contributions of communities in

the state of Mississippi for efforts, such as business retention and expansion,

business recruitment, community development and community involvement.

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL

ARTICLES - CONTINUED

Wang, T., Wang, W., Wu, Z., Su, C., & Chen, M., (2019).

Understanding farm household’s participation in “Nong jia

le” in China. Sustainability, 11(5), 1282.

Wang, W. (2019). The influence of perceived technological

congruence on consumers’ attitudes toward price change

and adoption of smartphone application in air travel.

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 10(2). 122-135.

Wang, W. & Wang, S. (2019). Urban Residents’ Place-Based

Perceptions and Attitudes toward Tourism Development: A

Comparison between the United States and China. Journal

of Quality Assurance in Hospitality and Tourism, 20(2).

Wang, W., Yaoyuneyong, G., Sullivan, P., & Burgess, B. (2018). A

model for perceived destination value and tourists’ souvenir

intentions. Journal of Applied Marketing Theory, 8(2), 1-23.

Wang, W., Chen, J. S., & Prebensen, N. K. (2018). Market

analysis of value-minded tourists: Nature-based tourism

in the Arctic. Journal of Destination Marketing and

Management, 8(June), 82-89.

Wang, W., Cole, S., & Chen, J. S. (2018). Tourist innovation in

air travel. Journal of Travel Research, 57(2), 164-177.

Weber, M. J., Lambert, J. T., Conrad, K. A., Jennings, S. S.,

& Adams, Jennifer R. M. (2018). Discovering a Cultural

System Using Consumer Ethnocentrism Theory. Systemic

Practice and Action Research, 31(6), 617-636.

Wilson, R. (2018). Juror Bias and Auditor Negligence:

Evidence Using the Social Identity Theory. Journal of

Business, Industry, and Economics, 23.

Yang, Y., Lai, F., & Chu, Z. (In press). Continuous Usage

Intention of Internet Banking: A Commitment-Trust Model.

Information Systems and e-Business Management.

Yuan, Y., Feng, B., Lai, F., & Collins, B. J. (2018). The role of trust,

commitment, and learning orientation on logistic service

effectiveness. Journal of Business Research, 93(12), 37-50.

Zaplac, R., Miller, J., & Miller, K. (In press). A case when you

can’t fool Mother Nature: Understanding and addressing

stakeholder reactions linked to organizational decisions

stemming from a natural disaster. Journal of Case Studies

in Sport Management.

I M

46 | C O L L E G E O F B U S I N E S S A N D E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

EMORIAM

JACOB MATTHEW MEEK

(1999 – 2019) ETHEL, LA.

LAUREN ANN LONGINO

(1991 – 2019) BILOXI, MISS.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 47

RECOGNIZING

EXTRAORDINARY

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

HONORS AND AWARDS

FALL 2018 AND SPRING 2019

COMMUNITY AND FACULTY AWARDS

BOARDMAN ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Robert St. John

Restaurateur and Author

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA OF THE YEAR

Joy Lightsey

Senior VP of Operations, SunTech Inc. (Retired)

LOUIS K. BRANDT PUBLICATION AWARD

Dr. Srinidhi Kanuri

Assistant Professor, School of Finance

JOSEPH A. GREENE EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD

Dr. Brigitte Burgess

Associate Professor, School of Marketing

BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL (BAC) RESEARCH AWARD

Dr. Reginald Wilson

Assistant Professor, School of Accountancy

Dr. Wei Wang

Assistant Professor, School of Marketing

Dr. Fujun Lai

Professor

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICE AWARD

Dr. Gallayanee Yaoyuneyong

Associate Professor, School of Marketing

Dr. Jacob Breland

Associate Professor, School of Management

SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY AWARDS

OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTING STUDENT

Kirkland McCarty, Hattiesburg, MS

POSEY-MUNN BOOK AWARDS (SPONSORED BY MCGRAW HILL PUBLISHING)

Ryan Sherrer, Picayune, MS

Charles Overby, Brandon, MS

Joseph Kirkland, West Monroe, LA

Lainey Aenchbacher, Savannah, GA

48 | C O L L E G E O F B U S I N E S S A N D E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

RECOGNIZING EXTRAORDINARY STUDENT EFFORTS

JARVIS MAXEY AWARD

Keiyanna Gaskin, Vicksburg, MS

CHARLES JORDAN AWARD

Mahum Caudhry, Lahore, Pakistan

MISSISSIPPI SOCIETY OF CPAS AWARD

Paige Dillistone, Hattiesburg, MS

HADDOX REID EUBANK BETTS AWARD

Brady Anderson, Purvis, MS

BKD AWARD

Jenna Van Dan, Summit, MS

Brooke Hodges, Clinton, MS

Sayle Sanson, Gonzales, LA

BETA ALPHA PSI AWARD

Erin Howell, Gulfport, MS

FEDERATION OF SCHOOLS OF ACCOUNTANCY AWARD

Josh Spivey, Lake, MS

SCHOOL OF FINANCE AWARDS

FINANCE FACULTY AWARDS

Faiyaz Hussain, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Matthew Keller, Metairie, LA

John Haire, Clarksdale, MS

OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN FINANCE

Gregory Anderson, Perkinston, MS

Ronald Tyler Russel, Niceville, FL

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AWARDS

MOST ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT STUDENT

Gabrielle Morgan, Laurel, MS

OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Christian Mason, Seminary, MS

Chandler Bingham, Pascagoula, MS

OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN HUMAN RESOURCES

Emily Johnson, Carriere, MS

OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Lauren Haley Brown, Petal, MS

Loida Ventura Paz, Lempira, Honduras

OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Tjasa Jerse, Medvode, Slovenia

OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN MANAGEMENT

Sharon Hughes, Moselle, MS

Clayton Franklin, Jackson, LA

STANLEY BROOKING MEMORIAL AWARD IN PRODUCTION AND

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Robert Norsworthy, Florence, MS

HONORING DR. JOSEPH A. GREENE

During the spring semester, the late Dr. Joseph A. Greene was honored by a

reception for his children, Kathy, Jackie, Mike and Alan. Dr. Greene was the first

dean of the College of Business and served in that role for 36 years, upholding

principles that still serve as a driving force behind our college today. Additionally,

Dr. Greene is the namesake for Joseph Greene Hall, an academic building on the

Hattiesburg campus. To find out more about the legacy of Dr. Joseph A. Greene,

visit our website: usm.edu/business/legacy-dr-joseph-greene.

The Greene children (Alan, Jackie, Kathy, Mike) posing with Dr. Greene's portrait,

which proudly hangs in the Scianna Hall business building.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 49

RECOGNIZING EXTRAORDINARY STUDENT EFFORTS

MARTIN STEGENGA ACADEMIC AWARD IN MANAGEMENT AND

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Christopher Reeves, Laurel, MS

SCHOOL OF MARKETING AWARDS

OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN SALES AWARDS

Josh Sullivan, Laurel, MS

Gabriela Alongia, Metairie, LA

DOLLY LOYD SPIRIT OF MARKETING AWARD

Rebekah Besselman, New Orleans, LA

OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN MARKETING

Michelle Le, Biloxi, MS

Elizabeth Snyder, Waveland, MS

DAVID E. FORD MARKETING LEADERSHIP AWARD

Cameron Kenny, Mobile, AL

MERCHANDISING FACULTY AWARD

KiAndre McMillian, Picayune, MS

PASSION FOR FASHION AWARD

Quadriyyah Russell, Jackson, MS

OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN MERCHANDISING

Crystal Toole, Merdian, MS

OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN HEALTHCARE MARKETING

Caitlin Halsey, Gulfport, MS

Alexandria Nguyen, Hattiesburg, MS

SPIRIT OF HOSPITALITY

Shelby Vibbert, West Lafayette, IN

OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM

Ashley Duncan, Lexington, KY

Sabrina Darby, Slidell, LA

LEADERSHIP IN SPORT MANAGEMENT AWARD

Valentia Haupt, Santiago, Chile

OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN SPORT MANAGEMENT

Andrew O’Dell, Columbia City, IN

Rikeetha Pereira, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

GULF PARK CAMPUS STUDENT AWARDS

OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTING STUDENT

Nhiem Nguyen, Ocean Springs, MS

OUTSTANDING BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION STUDENT

Orlando Bradford, Gautier, MS

OUTSTANDING MANAGEMENT STUDENT

Dejan Duric, Biloxi, MS

OUTSTANDING MARKETING STUDENT

Elizabeth Snyder, Waveland, MS

OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT

David Domonkos, D’Iberville, MS

GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS

OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT IN PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANCY

Sheri Lowery, Sumrall, MS

Aubrey Sanders, Hattiesburg, MS

OUTSTANDING MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SPORT MANAGEMENT AWARD

Carly Della Sala, Mcungie, PA

Adam Boardman, Sun Prairie, WI

GRADUATE SPORT MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP AWARD

Leah Williams, Waynesboro, MS

OUTSTANDING MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Dr. J. Reid Cummings, Mobile, AL

Jennifer Hooper, Mobile, AL

OUTSTANDING MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AWARD

Charles “Alden” Bennett, Hattiesburg, MS

Susan O’Basuyi, Saint Louis, MO

COLLEGE AWARDS

OUTSTANDING COAST BUSINESS STUDENT AWARD

Elizabeth Snyder, Waveland, MS

50 | C O L L E G E O F B U S I N E S S A N D E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

RECOGNIZING EXTRAORDINARY STUDENT EFFORTS

OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (UNDERGRADUATE)

Lakesha Pittman, Byram, MS

Brooke Hodges, Clinton, MS

Kirkland McCarty, Hattiesburg, MS

OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (GRADUATE)

Nishu Gupta, Punjab, India

Joshua Dove, Louisville, KY

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP AWARD

Matthew Keller, Metairie, LA

DELTA SIGMA PI SCHOLARSHIP KEY AWARD

Ronald Tyler Russell, Niceville, FL

CITIZEN SCHOLAR AWARD

Ronald Tyler Russell, Niceville, FL

SPIRIT OF BUSINESS AWARD

Kirkland McCarty, Hattiesburg, MS

Michelle Le, Biloxi, MS

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR THESE

GOLDEN EAGLE GRADUATES

TOP (LEFT TO RIGHT)

Jenna Van Dan – BKD Award Recipient; Accounting; Accepted position

with HORNE LLP

Trey Haire – Finance Faculty Student Award Recipient; Finance; Accepted

position as a bank examiner for the Mississippi Department of Banking and

Consumer Finance

BOTTOM (LEFT TO RIGHT)

Joshua Spivey – Federation of Schools of Accountancy Award Recipient;

MPA; Accepted position with Ernst and Young

Paige Dillistone – Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants Award

Recipient; Accounting; Accepted position with KPMG upon completion of MPA

Brady Anderson – Haddox Reid Eubank Betts Award Recipient; MPA;

Accepted auditing position with Haddox Reid Eubanks Betts PLLC

Cameron Kenny – David E. Ford Marketing Award Recipient; Marketing;

Accepted management trainee position with Cintas

LEAVING SOUTHERN MISS

BETTER THAN THEY FOUND IT

Joshua Spivey and Leah Williams were two of 13 students inducted into

the 2019 Graduate Student Hall of Fame. Joshua Spivey is in the Master

of Professional Accountancy program and will graduate in summer 2019.

During his last semester, he traveled abroad with the Southern Miss Asian

Studies Program to Tokyo, Japan, and Hong Kong. Upon graduation and

completion of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, Spivey will be

a tax associate with Ernst and Young, one of the “Big 4” accounting firms.

Leah Williams is currently in the Master of Science in Sport Management

program and plans to pursue a career in collegiate sports marketing

within a university athletic marketing department.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 51

TUDENT

UTCOMES

52 | C O L L E G E O F B U S I N E S S A N D E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

ENROLLMENT FALL 2014 FALL 2015 FALL 2016 FALL 2017 FALL 2018

UNDERGRADUATE

PROGRAMS

Accounting 420 373 394 347 367

Finance 141 127 125 120 110

Entrepreneurship 156 145 116 146 155

General Business 372 520 625 666 726

International Business 64 62 68 61 41

Management 296 259 218 188 141

Healthcare Marketing 40 39 35 41 45

Marketing 221 209 212 231 237

Hospitality and Tourism Management 113 103 112 89 63

Merchandising 67 79 54 47 35

Sport Management 105 98 92 109 116

TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT 1,995 2,014 2,051 2,045 2,036

GRADUATE

PROGRAMS

Sport Management MS 55 58 54 48 55

Economic Development MS 17 17 16 16 13

MPA 25 25 32 34 21

MBA 73 95 110 104 105

TOTAL GRADUATE ENROLLMENT 170 195 212 202 194

CERTIFICATE

PROGRAMS

Casino Management 2 3 2 2 1

Sport Security Management 3 4 5 3 3

Business Foundations 7 10 9 11 5

Source: USM Institutional Research, Enrollment Dashboards

DEGREES CONFERRED 2013 - 14 2014 - 15 2015 - 16 2016 - 17 2017 - 18

UNDERGRADUATE

PROGRAMS

Accounting 77 89 97 82 75

Finance 18 30 33 31 25

Entrepreneurship 19 17 16 26 15

General Business 81 70 82 100 131

International Business 14 12 11 12 15

Management 83 72 72 57 66

Healthcare Marketing 6 9 12 7 11

Marketing 47 58 54 55 55

Hospitality and Tourism Management 28 22 19 26 27

Merchandising 8 9 13 10 15

Sport Management 19 11 18 23 19

TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES AWARDED 400 399 427 429 454

GRADUATE

PROGRAMS

Sport Management MS 35 17 37 20 30

Economic Development MS 8 10 12 12 14

MPA 20 22 26 25 23

MBA 19 25 38 49 45

TOTAL GRADUATE DEGREES AWARDED 82 74 113 106 112

TOTAL DEGREES AWARDED 482 473 540 535 566

Source: USM Institutional Research, Degrees Awarded Dashboards

EOE/F/M/VETS/DISABILITY UC80716

NNUAL

EPORT

018-19

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

USM.EDU/BUSINESS

2018-19 Annual Report

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