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The Early Years
A visit to the Southern Miss Honors College, as a Bay High School senior, sealed the deal for Dr. Joe Paul to join the Golden Eagle family.
As a member of the Student Printz, intramural sports, campus radio station and Sigma Nu Fraternity, he was actively involved on campus and still cherishes the memories from his undergraduate days.
A Love for Southern Miss
Dr. Paul graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication in 1975 and a master’s in communication and management in 1978. In 1
986, he earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Alabama. One of his many honors includes induction into the Southern Miss Alumni Hall of Fame in 2000.
The Bay St. Louis native has held a variety of positions at Southern Miss in his 40 years of service, including assistant director of student activities, assistant vice president, dean of student development and vice president for student affairs. He also holds faculty rank in USM’s College of Education and Psychology, teaching in the graduate program in educational leadership.
Leave it Better Than You Found It
Throughout his leadership role, Dr. Paul found that students foster a greater love for Southern Miss through acts of giving and service rather than receiving, and began to challenge Golden Eagles to “Leave Southern Miss Better than You Found It.”
The Joe Paul Student Leaders Scholarship Endowment
This scholarship will benefit students who are significantly engaged at Southern Miss and serving in leadership roles. This fundraising initiative also serves as a way for alumni to commemorate their involvement as student leaders during their time at Southern Miss through naming opportunities in the Joe Paul Student Theater. Located in the heart of the Thad Cochran Center, construction of the 300 seat theater is currently underway. Upon completion, the theater will accommodate student entertainment and activity programs. While funding for the completion of the Joe Paul Student Theater already exists, a new fundraising initiative seeks to establish a scholarship endowment to honor Dr. Paul and sustain his legacy for years to come.
Joe Paul began his career at Southern Miss in 1976, just 18 months after graduating from the institution. Support his legacy with a gift today!
Dr. Joe Paul dedicated 40 years to student success at Southern Miss. Join Joe Paul and show your dedication to student leadership by making a gift in support of their success!
Joe Paul made many life-long friends during his undergraduate years at Southern Miss. He graduated with a degree in communication in 1975. Commemorate your time at Southern Miss by supporting future student leaders!
Your gift shows the love and loyalty you have for Southern Miss and will help continue the tradition of strong student leadership for many years to come!
Let’s demonstrate to Dr. Paul that we echo his message to “Leave Southern Miss Better than You Found It," and make a gift today!
Join Dr. Paul and assist future student leaders as they soar to new heights at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Your Servant Leader gift provides the opportunity for your name, class year and affiliation of your choice to be displayed on the back of one of the 300 chairs in the Joe Paul Student Theater.
Your Legacy Leader gift provides the opportunity for your name, class year and accomplishments prominently displayed on the “Wall of Fame” outside the Joe Paul Student Theater.