Rodney D. Bennett

Dr. Rodney D. Bennett is the current President of the University of Southern Mississippi. Bennett received his Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication, Master of Education, and Education Specialist degrees from Middle Tennessee State University and earned his Ed.D. from Tennessee State University in Educational Administration. Bennett served as Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Georgia, and in 2013 Bennett was appointed the 10th President of the University of Southern Mississippi.[1][2][3] Shortly after his appointment, the Hattiesburg campus of the University of Southern Mississippi was struck by an EF4 tornado, which did not involve any loss of life due to a students' break for Mardi Gras holiday.[4] In 2017, William Carey University, also located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was struck by a tornado, and Bennett's leadership in providing temporary space at the University of Southern Mississippi later resulted in him being honored with a doctor of humane letters, honoris causa, from William Carey.[5]

Rodney D. Bennett
Bennett at the unveiling of the Clyde Kennard Freedom Trail marker, February 2, 2018
10th President of the
University of Southern Mississippi
Assumed office
April 1, 2013
Preceded byMartha Dunagin Saunders
Personal details
Born (1966-08-15) August 15, 1966
Spouse(s)Temple Bennett
ResidenceHattiesburg, Mississippi
Alma materMiddle Tennessee State University (B.S, M.Ed., Ed.S.)
Tennessee State University (Ed.D.)

Bennett is the first African-American president of a historically and predominantly white higher education institution in Mississippi.[6]

References
  1. "Bennett Named President of the University of Southern Mississippi". Mississippi Public Universities. Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  2. Tisdale, David. "Bennett Named 10th President at The University of Southern Mississippi". Southern Miss Now. University of Southern Mississippi. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  3. "USM gets new president with selection of Ga. educator Rodney Bennett". Mississippi Business Journal. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  4. "USM students join tornado cleanup effort". 16 WAPT News. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  5. "University of Southern Mississippi President Rodney Bennett Awarded Honorary Degree from William Carey University". Mississippi Economic Council. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  6. "Rodney D. Bennett". Retrieved 6 February 2018.
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