University of Southern Mississippi - Southerner Yearbook (Hattiesburg, MS)

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Th Q- 4-- A D de of 'uul 8 80,32 if 803. Distinction On a national level and on a local level, we have gone through many transitions since the year 1970. Now, in 1980, it is for us to decide what the fu- ture will be. With the progress of our nation and the growth of our university, it seems that we are headed toward a point of criti- cal decision. The questions are simple. The answers are for us to decide. Can we emerge a stronger country from the problems which confront us on a national plane? And on a local plane, can we continue to improve our university? Can we become the most distinguished school in the South? Can we as citizens of the United States and as students at U.S.M. prove that Wil- liam Faulkner was right when he said, Man will not merely endure. I-Ie will prevail. The next ten years may be the decisive factor. Opening 17

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Growing in Character and Fame Over the Years General Nat, the Southerners, Pie Vann , MSC, and the rock may not ring a bell at first in the minds of all Southern students but they should be- cause they are just as important as the Colden Eagles, Bobby Collins, USM and M.M. Roberts Stadium, They are all pages out of the University of Southern Mississippi's colorful history book. We haven't always been USM. Estab- lished by an act of the legislature in 1910, Mississippi Normal College was founded with the intent to train teach- ers for the rural schools of Mississippi. Then, the school consisted of five buildings, College Hall, Forrest County Hall, Hattiesburg Hall, The President's Home fnow the Alumni House, and Mississippi Hall. No, the administra- tion building has not always been here. At one time the Hub, as we know it today, was the dining hall, Hattiesburg Hall was a girls dormitory, the Honors House was a hospital, the business of- fice was a dorm and the student ser- vices building was a library. Not only have changes taken place in the physical aspects of the university but in all others as well. It was in 1924 that the name was changed to State Teachers College. In 1940 it became Mississippi Southern College and the University of Southern Mississippi in 1962. Prior to then, the football team was refered to as the Southerners and our mascot was not the Colden Eagles but General Nat. Often refered to as the Son of Dixie , the name comes from General Nathan Bedford Forrest, for which Forrest County gets it name. The stadium at the time was called the rock and Pie Vann was the suc- cessful head football coach, With a faculty of 13 and a student body of 200 in 1910, USM has contin- ued to grow to a student enrollment of 10,000 in the fall of 1979. The faculty members number over 600 today with over half of those holding doctorates. In 1910 only one faculty member had a masters degree. The university is fairly young in terms of presidents. Dr. Aubrey Keith Lucas became the sixth president of the Uni- versity of Southern Mississippi when he was inaugurated on july 1, 1975. Students, with their attitudes, fashions and activities have changed drastically over the years. Observers of the late seventies may compare them with the carefree students of the 50's and the controversial students of the 60's. But at USM, the sock hops and jalopies of the 50's are gone with the protests and peace demonstrations of the riotous 60's.