USM to Award Honorary Degree to Renowned Country Music Songwriter

Tue, 12/10/2024 - 10:27am | By: Jennifer Rigney

Renowned songwriter Craig Wiseman will be presented with an honorary degree during The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) fall 2024 commencement ceremony set for 2 p.m. Friday, December 13, on the Hattiesburg campus.

Wiseman, one of country music’s most prolific songwriters, will be awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. He began his music career by playing drums in his hometown of Hattiesburg, where he graduated from Hattiesburg High School and attended Southern Miss for a few semesters before moving to Nashville in 1985 to hone his craft.

At 24, Wiseman had his first chart success, “The Only One” from Roy Orbison’s 1989 album, Mystery Girl. He signed his first publishing deal with Almo/Irving Music in 1990, where he remained for 10 years until signing with BMG Music Publishing. With hits like Brooks and Dunn’s “Believe,” Blake Shelton’s “Boys ‘Round Here,” Morgan Wallen’s “Chasin’ You” and more, his catalog spans over 400 cuts, 150 singles and 30 No. 1 hits.

Wiseman founded Big Loud Shirt Publishing in 2003, an independent publishing company that aimed to elevate bold, hardworking standout songwriters and creatives. Within its first year of operation, he solidified the company’s reputation with its first single, Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” which peaked at the top of the charts for 10 weeks; was named the NSAI, CMA and ACM Song of the Year; and won a GRAMMY Award for Best Country Song. He expanded his empire by co-founding the company’s management division, Big Loud Mountain, serving as the launchpad for Florida Georgia Line, and in 2015 became a partner in Big Loud Records.

Wiseman has been recognized for his many achievements by industry peers, being named by NSAI and MusicRow as Writer of the Year in 1997 and ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 2003, 2005 and 2007. He was recognized as NSAI’s Songwriter of the Decade in 2009 and won the 2014 Heritage Award from ASCAP as the most performed country songwriter of the century. In October 2015, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. 

“It’s an honor to recognize Craig Wiseman, whose talent has shaped the heart and soul of country music,” said University President Dr. Joe Paul. “His lyrics and storytelling have left an indelible mark on the industry, and we are thrilled to celebrate his success by awarding this honorary degree.”

Wiseman has been committed to giving back through philanthropic work, hosting The Stars for Second Harvest Benefit Concert at the Ryman for 18 consecutive years and raising over $2 million for the Second Harvest Food Bank and Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. 

Jerry DeFatta, Honorary Degree committee member and Southern Miss Alumni Association executive director, expressed that the university’s Honorary Degree policy provides for a nominee’s achievements to be placed in a framework of high personal integrity and concern for the public good.

“With almost 100 million albums sold, over 400 recordings, 150 singles and 30 No. 1 hits on the country music charts, Wiseman’s excellence in his profession is clear, said DeFatta. “Combining his professional success with his efforts to utilize his network and influence to generate resources needed to ensure the less fortunate receive the food needed for survival, Craig Wiseman is very deserving of this prestigious recognition.”

The honorary doctorate is among the highest forms of recognition at the university. Nominees for the honorary degree should have demonstrated, in their life and work, high standards of excellence as evidenced by criteria of scholarship, creative activity or service. Nominations are reviewed by the institution’s Honorary Degree committee, whose recommendation is transmitted to the university provost, who then makes a recommendation to the university president. All honorary degree recommendations are submitted to the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees for final review and approval.