The University of Southern Mississippi: A Legacy of Education and Research

The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss or USM) stands as a public research university with a rich history and a commitment to providing diverse academic programs. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, USM offers bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees.

A Foundation in Teacher Training (1910-1955)

Founded on March 30, 1910, as Mississippi Normal College, the institution began as a teacher-training school. The Normal College was established to standardize teacher preparation, addressing the previous practice of instructors traveling throughout Mississippi for training. Architect R.H. Hunt designed the original campus plan, featuring seven buildings in the Colonial Revival style.

Joseph Anderson Cook, the college's first president, inaugurated instruction on September 18, 1912. During his tenure, key campus buildings were constructed, including College Hall, Forrest County Hall, Hattiesburg Hall, the Industrial Cottage, and the president's home (now the Ogletree Alumni House).

Expansion and Transition to University Status (1955-1965)

The college's fifth president, William David McCain, assumed leadership in 1955 and spearheaded a period of significant expansion. He oversaw the construction of 17 new buildings and successfully advocated for the school's upgrade to university status, which Governor Ross Barnett approved in recognition of its growing graduate programs.

Navigating Integration

During the Civil Rights Movement, USM faced the challenges of integration.In 1954, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. But when Clyde Kennard, a black Korean War veteran, attempted to enroll at Mississippi Southern College in the late 1950s, USM President William McCain made major efforts with the state political establishment and local black leaders to prevent it. Kennard was turned down three times. McCain's direct involvement in this abuse of the justice system is unclear. He was likely aware that the charges against Kennard were fraudulent, but neither he nor other public officials made any objection.

By the early 1960s, national pressure was growing to integrate Mississippi's institutions of higher learning. McCain was well known to vehemently oppose having any black students at Mississippi Southern. By the fall of 1965 both Ole Miss and Mississippi State University had been integrated-the former violently, the latter peacefully. McCain, USM, and state leaders recognized that the state needed to integrate to appeal to businesses outside the state. They made extensive confidential plans for the admission of USM's first two black students. A faculty guardian and tutor was secretly appointed for each to help with the transition. The campus police department was instructed to prevent or quickly stop any incident against the two black students. As a result, black students Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong and Raylawni Branch were enrolled without incident in September 1965. In 2018, USM unveiled a Freedom Trail Marker in honor of Clyde Kennard in front of Kennard Washington Hall, named after him and the first African-American doctoral student to graduate from USM, Walter Washington.

Between 1955 and 1965, USM and McCain infringed upon gay and lesbian students' civil rights. Gay and lesbian students, especially male homosexuals, were targeted and expelled.

Evolution and Growth (1965-Present)

The transition from the 1960s to the 1970s involved a surge of social activism and major changes at the university. In response to black students' growing concerns, the university ramped up its efforts to hire black faculty. In 1969, the Afro-American Cultural Society (AACS) was founded. Alvin Williams, an early member of the organization and professor emeritus of media at the university, called AACS an "instrumental part of student life for black students" attending the university in the late 1960s. In 1972, "General Nat" (Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest) was discarded in favor of the Golden Eagles. In 1974, standout football player Fred Cook was voted the first black Mr. USM.

The University of Southern Mississippi continued to expand dramatically. In the early 21st century, Southern Miss developed under the presidency of Shelby Thames. His tenure was characterized by a significant increase in the quantity of research conducted at the university. Thames's work to respond to the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina brought praise from the community. The Thames administration gained financing and supervised several campus construction projects, often in partnership with private-sector entities.

On February 10, 2013, an EF4 wedge tornado tore through the Southern Miss campus, causing tens of millions of dollars in damage. In June 2015 Southern Miss released a statement on the removal of the Mississippi state flag from all USM campuses. On October 25, 2015, university president Rodney D. Bennett released another statement announcing that the university would only raise flags that he felt united all students.

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Campus Locations and Facilities

USM is a dual-campus institution, with its main campus in Hattiesburg and its Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. It also has five additional teaching and research sites, including the John C. Stennis Space Center.

Gulf Park Campus

The university's operations on the Mississippi Gulf Coast began in 1947. In March 1972, USM moved its Harrison County Resident Center program from the Jefferson Davis campus of MGCCC to the Gulf Park campus, located on Highway 90 in Long Beach. One of the most prominent landmarks on campus is the Friendship Oak. This huge live oak tree on the lawn of Hardy Hall and the Administration Building, dates from approximately 1487. In July 1972, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning established the USM Gulf Park and Keesler Air Force Base Center as an upper-level degree completion regional campus of the university. University development has continued and on August 19, 2002, Southern Miss admitted its first class of freshmen on its Gulf Park Campus. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused about $115 million in damage to Gulf Park.

Other Locations

Stennis Space Center Teaching and Research Site: Located in Hancock County on the Mississippi-Louisiana border, this is NASA's largest rocket engine test facility.
Point Cadet Teaching Site: Located in Biloxi.
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL): Located in Ocean Springs.
J. L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium: Located on Point Cadet in Biloxi.

Libraries

McCain Library and Archives: Houses the Library's Special Collections and University Archives on the Hattiesburg campus.
Gulf Coast Library: Located on the Long Beach campus, serving the Gulf Coast campuses.
Gunter Library: Located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs.

Campus Landmarks

The District: Located near the intersection of US Highway 49 and Hardy Street, serving as the traditional tailgating site.
Century Gate: A brick and stone wall commemorating the university's centennial.
All-American Rose Garden: A rose garden with many types of hybrid roses in 32 rose beds.
Eagle Walk: The path used by ROTC, the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, university officials, and football players before games.
The Dome: A nickname for the Lucas Administration building, due to its large cupola.
Shoemaker Square: An expanse of land near The Hub and the Walker Science Building Quad.
Little Rock: A rock in the historic district, traditionally painted weekly to promote campus events.
Eagle Statue ("Lofty Return"): A large sculpture of a Golden Eagle.

Academic Programs and Opportunities

Southern Miss offers approximately 189 programs leading to baccalaureate, master's, specialist, and doctorate degrees.

History Department Courses

The History Department provides a range of courses, including:

HIS 202: US History Since 1877: A survey of American history from the late 19th century to the present.
HIS 300: Research Seminar: An apprenticeship in historical research and writing, focusing on critical thinking and oral presentation skills. Students will produce a research paper.
HIS 306: History in the Digital Age: Explores collaborative, data-driven approaches to understanding the past, emphasizing computational and digital skills.
HIS 307: Africa 1500-Present: Examines Africa's development from 1500 to the present, utilizing case studies and class discussions.
HIS 310: Survey of Latin America: A survey of Latin American history.
HIS 331: Later Medieval Europe: An exploration of Later Medieval Europe.
HIS 334: 20th Century Europe: Examines the tumultuous history of 20th-century Europe, including the World Wars, political violence, and the rise and fall of empires.
HIS 374: African American History 1890-Present: Covers African American history from 1890 to the present, including the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Panther Party.
HIS 375: Economic History of the US: Explores the economic development of the United States from its colonial origins to the present.
HIS 400: Senior Capstone: A research-intensive course requiring students to conduct original research and present their findings.
HIS 401: Non-Western World: Explores the development of science and technology in the non-Western world.
HIS 416/516: World War II: An in-depth study of the causes, conduct, and aftermath of World War II.
HIS 423/523: Gay & Lesbian History: Examines the history of homosexuality and changing attitudes toward queer lives since the 19th century.
HIS 477/577: Women in American Society: Explores the roles of women in American society.
HIS 479: American History: An exploration of American history.
HUM 402/502: Digital Humanities Practicum: Provides hands-on experience in digital humanities projects.

Public History Program

Established in 2012, the Public History Graduate Certificate Program is an interdisciplinary program with coursework in Public and Oral History, Library Science and Archives, Economic Development, Political Science (Taxation and Spending), Anthropology, Mass Communication and Journalism (Public Relations), and Non-Profit Studies. Students are required to participate in one 3 credit hour internship and can add another to fulfill 6 of their total hours if they wish. Students arrange the internships with the assistance of the program coordinator.

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Study Abroad

The history program encourages international study and offers summer credit abroad courses (HIS 495, HIS 496, HIS 497, HIS 498 and HIS 499). Scholarships are available to deserving students for Southern Miss summer abroad history courses.

Student Life and Activities

The University of Southern Mississippi offers more than 250 clubs and organizations, as well as intramural athletics and special events. Student organizations include the Student Government Association, The Legacy, The Student Printz (the biweekly student-produced newspaper), The Southerner (the yearbook), and Southern Style.

Rankings and Recognition

The bachelor's program at Southern Miss was ranked #246 on College Factual's Best Schools for history list and #2 in Mississippi. In 2022, 3 students received their master’s degree in history from Southern Miss.

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