USM Celebrates its Graduate Students with Week of Activities

Fri, 04/05/2024 - 11:25am | By: Gabriela Shinskie

Graduate Student Appreciation Week at The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses offered the school’s advanced degree scholars a variety of activities focused on health, wellness, fun, and food, along with opportunities for networking.

Dr. Katie Anthony, interim dean of the USM Graduate School, teamed with Dr. John Eye, dean of USM University Libraries, to put together various fun and informative events for the week that included accommodations for both in-person and online graduate students.

“The USM Graduate School staff always enjoys highlighting the excellent accomplishments of our graduate students during this week, and recognizing the many vital roles graduate students serve in our institution,” said Anthony. “We’re especially grateful for the help of University Libraries, who consistently work to create additional events and professional development opportunities for our graduate students.”

At Gulf Park, University Libraries kicked off the week with Greet-A-Grad, presented by Dr. Lauren Ray in USM Experiential Learning. The event’s casual luncheon provided space for graduate students to network and answer questions from undergraduates interested in graduate degree programs.

Other events included “Games and Grub” which offered students an opportunity to unwind and participate in card, board, and video games; online student participation in the week’s festivities included hearing a presentation given by Allisa Beck, Arts and Science librarian, at the Gulf Coast Library. Beck’s presentation featured an examination and discussion of dystopian worlds in literature and film. Jamie Stanfield, head of Gulf Coast Libraries, enjoyed hosting the week’s activities.

“We had a great Graduate Student Appreciation Week. We rolled out new workshops, including Using Google Scholar, where librarian Justin Easterday showed students how to continue scholarship and research after graduating from the university. We finished with an exciting library treasure hunt, where students took selfies at 25 locations and with library materials to gain a fuller sense of library resources and spaces,” said Stanfield.

The Gulf Coast Library presented creative expression and writing style workshops, while a Library Treasure Hunt gave students the opportunity to scour the library for treasure. Back in Hattiesburg, an ice cream sundae bar concluded the week’s events.

“We are committed to supporting graduate students in any way we can,” said Dr. Eye. “We are happy to work with the Graduate School and others to recognize our graduate students and the fine work they are doing across our campuses.”

Learn more about Graduate School programs and University Libraries.

Photos submitted by Jamie Stanfield.