NEWS

Higher ed. briefs: USM, MSU, MC, William Carey

The Clarion-Ledger

USM

Foundation exceeds goal for Dale Center

The fund-raising campaign for the Dale Center for the Study of War & Society, launched Feb. 6, 2014, has exceeded its $2 million goal.

The Dale Center, located at the University of Southern Mississippi, focuses on the study of war and society in the United States and is also a hub for the study of leadership.

Long-time university supporters Beverly Dale and retired Army Maj. Gen. Buff Blount spearheaded the campaign by leading a 10-member steering committee. Dale jump-started the campaign by making the lead contribution to establish a support endowment. In recognition of her gift, the Dale Center is named in honor of her family. Dale’s late father, Lt. Col. John H. Dale Sr., served as a professor of military science, head of the Department of Military Science and head of the ROTC Program at Southern Miss from 1957-61 and 1964-66.

The funds raised during the Campaign, which totaled more than $2.02 million, will allow the Dale Center to expand to include:

•Establishment of a $1 million general support endowment, as well as the $150,000 Margaret Boone Dale “Women in War” Support Endowment, the $100,000 Scianna Dale Center Research Support Endowment, and the Craig Howard Military History Research Endowment;

•Enrichment of the Major General Buford “Buff” Blount Endowed Professorship in Military History;

•Enhancement of the Richard F. McCarthy Lecture Series and the Lt. Col. John H. Dale Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series;

•Creation of endowments for the Lamar Powell History Graduate Scholarship, the Carroll Warren and Parker History Scholarship and the Virginia Culpepper Dale Center Research Award.

•Formation of the Colonel W. Wayde Benson (USMC, Ret.) Graduate Fellowships for Research in War and Society and the Margaret Boone Dale Graduate Fellowship for the Study of Women and War.

MSU

Online high school credit offered

Mississippi State University is offering online high school courses for credit, giving a helping hand to students trying to get ahead or catch up on graduation requirements.

Health, economics, geometry, Mississippi studies, U.S. government, U.S. history, advanced world geography and two English classes are available through the MSU Center for Continuing Education. Costs are $150 for a half credit and $300 for a full credit.

Approved by the Mississippi Department of Education, these courses were developed and are taught by licensed Mississippi teachers. Students have one year from the date of enrollment to complete the coursework and must have approval from their high schools and parents or guardians.

Although the format is an online class, students will interact with teachers through email and discussion boards. All tests must be taken in an approved testing facility and officially proctored. Upon completion of online courses, the students’ grades will be sent to their home schools for credit. Completion of these courses does not earn the student any MSU college or continuing education credits.

For more information, contact Amber Shultice at (662) 325-1457 or ams257@msstate.edu or visit http://ce.msucares.com/highschool_online.php for more information.

MC Law School

Investiture set for dean

Members of the state’s legal community and Mississippi College leaders are expected to attend the investiture of Wendy Scott as dean of the MC School of Law.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at First Baptist Church Jackson.

On Aug. 11, 2014, Scott became the eighth dean of the MC School of Law and the institution’s first African-American leader.

A graduate of Harvard University and the New York University School of Law, she succeeded Jim Rosenblatt, who served for 11 years. The Natchez native helped build MC Law’s regional and national reputation. Rosenblatt continues to serve as a professor at the law school in downtown Jackson.

Ceremonies spotlighting Dean Scott are among major events of MC Law’s 40th anniversary celebration. Mississippi College purchased the old Jackson School of Law in 1975 and held its first classes on the Clinton campus.

The keynote speaker at the investiture will be Blake D. Morant, dean of the George Washington University Law School. Morant serves as president of the Association of American Law Schools.

Before coming to MC Law, Scott taught at the North Carolina Central University School of Law for eight years. She served as a professor at the Tulane Law School in New Orleans for 17 years. And she worked as the school’s vice dean for academic affairs.

Mississippi College

Pilot focuses on patients’ quality of life

Improved health and a better quality of life are among the key benefits for cancer patients stepping up their physical activity levels.

That’s the conclusion of Mississippi College kinesiology professor Suzanne McDonough, who recently completed a pilot program with her students at Merit Health Central hospital in Jackson.

The August issue of “Mississippi Medical News” examines the research project between Merit Health Central (formerly Central Mississippi Medical Center) and Mississippi College. The study highlights the importance of introducing some type of exercise into the lives of cancer patients.

McDonough and several recent MC graduates John Phillips, Travis Twilbeck and Zack Villarubia logged many hours on the year-long project.

“This research project stemmed from our firm belief that the effects of cancer and all related treatments can be mediated by planned exercise,” McDonough said.

The Mississippi College research program began with four patients. In a twelve-week program, participants were measured in areas such as muscular strength, endurance and cardio fitness/balance, says the article in “Mississippi Medical News.”

The participants reported a decrease in fatigue and depression and an improvement in their quality of life.

In the article, McDonough believes the results of the pilot program “could potentially benefit countless cancer patients in the future.”

The MC professor developed the idea for the program after one of her closest friends was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013.

William Carey University

Physical therapy program to host information session

An information session for prospective students interested in the William Carey University Doctor of Physical Therapy program will be held in the Kresge Room of the Thomas Building on the Hattiesburg campus from 2-4 p.m. Sept. 11.

During the session, Cynthia Scott, program director, and Judy Prehn, clinical education director, will discuss program curriculum and admission requirements. The program, the second of its kind in Mississippi, will admit its first class of 30 students in fall 2016. Students with the appropriate bachelor’s degree will be able to complete the classroom and clinical education courses in three years.

The program was established by the Carey board of trustees last September to help fill the need for more physical therapists in Mississippi. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has noted the demand for physical therapists will grow 36 percent from 2012 to 2022 because of the aging baby boomer population.

The event is free of charge, but pre-registration is requested. For more information or to register, call (601) 318-6584 or visit www.wmcarey.edu/schools/physical-therapy.