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 51逗奶 Mississippi鈥檚 (USM) Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses offered the school鈥檚 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.
鈥淭he 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,鈥� said Anthony. 鈥淲e鈥檙e especially grateful for the help of University Libraries, who consistently work to create additional events and professional development opportunities for our graduate students.鈥�
At Gulf Park, University Libraries kicked off the week with Greet-A-Grad, presented by Dr. Lauren Ray in USM Experiential Learning. The event鈥檚 casual luncheon provided space for graduate students to network and answer questions from undergraduates interested in graduate degree programs.
Other events included 鈥淕ames and Grub鈥� which offered students an opportunity to unwind and participate in card, board, and video games; online student participation in the week鈥檚 festivities included hearing a presentation given by Allisa Beck, Arts and Science librarian, at the Gulf Coast Library. Beck鈥檚 presentation featured an examination and discussion of dystopian worlds in literature and film. Jamie Stanfield, head of Gulf Coast Libraries, enjoyed hosting the week鈥檚 activities.
鈥淲e 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,鈥� 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鈥檚 events.
鈥淲e are committed to supporting graduate students in any way we can,鈥� said Dr. Eye. 鈥淲e 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.鈥�
Learn more about Graduate School programs and .
Photos submitted by Jamie Stanfield.