Why Join?
Why should you join
the Association? The short answer is that your membership helps to
strengthen The University of Southern Mississippi. But also consider
the Association’s numerous initiatives and programs that your
membership helps to fund. We hope the list below serves both as a
reminder to its members that their investment in the organization is
being used effectively and as a catalyst for nonmembers to become a
part of this important membership campaign.
Treasuring Our Traditions
The Association recognizes the rich history of The University of
Southern Mississippi, and preserving the institution’s most important
traditions is an important function of the organization. The
University’s traditions are now protected by a resolution, signed by
University President Dr. Martha Saunders and Alumni Association
President  Lou Ann Poynter, which establishes the Association’s
Traditions Committee as a clearinghouse for proposed additions,
deletions or alterations to the University’s recognized traditions.
Whether it is Eagle Walk or the All-American Rose Garden, the Alumni
Association works to advance these celebrations of Southern Miss as
they were originally intended.
Our work in regard to traditions
would not be complete, however, without an educational component. The
Association ensures that the traditions of the University are regularly
practiced in a number of ways, most notably through the distribution of
The Drawl, a 64-page publication distributed to incoming freshmen and
new employees.
The Association released the Centennial Edition of
this history and traditions manual on Founders’ Day in 2008. The
publication includes sections titled “School Spirit,” “Traditions,”
“Athletics” and “Prominent Alumni.” Readers can also take a trivia
quiz, which tests their knowledge of Southern Miss.
The Ogletree House: Your Home on the Hattiesburg Campus
Perhaps the most important special initiative of the organization since
2005 has been the restoration and expansion of the Ogletree House. When
complete, the Albert & Associates Architects’ design, which is being constructed by DC General
Contractors
of Hattiesburg, will completely restore and greatly expand the size of
the  nearly 100-year-old existing structure from 6,500 square feet to
almost 12,800. Honoring the legacy of one man while serving 100,000
others, the Ogletree House is a landmark on the Hattiesburg Campus.
When you return to campus for an event or if you are just passing
through, the Ogletree House, named for former director of the
Association, Powell Ogletree, will once again be an inviting place
where you are always welcomed with a smile and a cool drink of water or
a hot cup of coffee.
On Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m., the Association will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly expanded and restored facility. We invite you to attend.
Chapters, Constituent Societies, Ambassadors
Staff support for alumni chapters, constituent societies and alumni
ambassadors are an important way the Association helps to organize
Southern Miss alumni across the country.
Located throughout the
Southeast, alumni chapters participate in various events to support the
University. Most chapters host social events for alumni in their
geographic area. Events include dinners with University guest speakers,
events centered around athletic or arts events, community service or
recruiting activities. Alumni chapters allow alumni a chance to meet
new friends, reconnect and support the University, and enjoy a social
connection with fellow Golden Eagles.
Constituent societies are
a recent initiative of the Association. These groups are based on
professional (former students of a particular profession) or special
interest (former students with a common interest or goal).
Alumni ambassadors serve as a liaison for the University and the Alumni
Association with individual alumni, friends, parents and students in
select geographic areas not covered by an alumni chapter.
Publications
Perhaps one of the most important functions of the Association is to ensure
Southern
Miss alumni are informed about current events and achievements of their
alma mater. The organization does this regularly through a number of
communication  vehicles, most notably through publication of The Talon
and Southern Miss Connections, and electronically through
SouthernMissAlumni.com and the monthly electronic newsletter, Alumni Mail.
While all alumni can stay connected to Southern Miss through the Alumni
Association, it is Association members who receive the greatest
benefits. The Talon is mailed to members of the Association four times
each year, and the publication has recently been expanded to 64 pages,
further improving the award-winning magazine. Also available solely to
members is the online directory of alumni, available at
SouthernMissAlumni.com. All alumni are eligible to receive the Southern
Miss Connections newsletter, mailed semi-annually; Alumni Mail,
delivered by e-mail monthly; notifications about upcoming events in
their area; and more.
Homecoming Weekend/EagleFest/Golden Grad Reunion
While anytime is the perfect time for Southern Miss alumni to return to
campus for a visit, on Homecoming weekend each fall, we take the lead
in rolling out the welcome mat. Highlighted by the Alumni Hall of Fame
Banquet, the Homecoming Golf Tournament, the Awards Brunch and Business
Meeting (not to mention a Golden Eagle football win), the weekend is
full of activities. Each year, the Hall of Fame Banquet welcomes seven
new members, the Association honors some of its most active volunteers
at the awards brunch, and the golf tournament helps to raise money for
the Pierce Legacy Scholars Program, which provides scholarships to select
children and grandchildren of Southern Miss alumni.
Each
spring, EagleFest provides another ideal opportunity for alumni to
return to campus. A home baseball series and the spring football game
highlight EagleFest activities each year.
Also each spring, the
Association welcomes alumni who graduated 50 or more years previously
for the Golden Grad Reunion, an event featuring campus tours, a visit
to the University Archives and more.
Not Convinced?
Should the items mentioned not persuade you to join, consider the
benefits of membership.
In addition to
the annual subscription to The Talon magazine, members have access to
the Alumni Association database as a locator service to reconnect to
classmates through SouthernMissAlumni.com. Thousands of alumni have
found each other through the service years after graduation.
Furthermore, the children and grandchildren of longtime and Life
Members of the Association may be eligible for an out-of-state tuition scholarship, saving thousands of dollars on their college educations. As
mentioned earlier, the Pierce Legacy Scholars Program and local chapter
scholarships are additional options that are available to select
children and grandchildren of alumni. While not offering the thousands
of dollars in savings of an out-of-state tuition scholarship, car and hotel discounts are also available to Association members. Finally,
our Current Alumni Retailers Discounts (C.A.R.D.) features dozens of
businesses offering reduced rates on goods and services to paid members.
And those are just a few of the benefits.
Perhaps most importantly, for a minimal investment Southern Miss alumni
can remain connected to the University, which as the Centennial’s motto
states, has “A Treasured Past,” and “A Golden Future.”
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