Mississippi
USM Construction and Design Receives $200K Grant from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors – WXXV News 25
Pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence in the built environment, The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) School of Construction and Design has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC).
This grant will fund several initiatives within USM’s Construction Management program, aiming to enhance outreach activities to spark interest in the construction trades through hands-on learning experiences. The initiatives will also provide insights into career paths in the industry and support scholarships and professional development for both students and faculty.
Expressing his enthusiasm, the School Director Dr. Emre Bayraktar stated, “We are thankful for the unwavering support of the Mississippi State Board of Contractors, which serves as a driving force, propelling us to provide immersive and interactive learning experiences at Southern Miss for those who wish to explore or pursue opportunities in the built environment.”
Dr. Bayraktar noted that the school recently achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the renovation of its cutting-edge construction practices laboratory. Now, his team can focus on engaging with current and prospective construction students by integrating the lab’s use into the curricula and outreach programs, making it the center of attraction.
“Now that we have completed the renovation of our construction practices laboratory, we plan on launching several strategic initiatives, strengthening the recruitment and retention of students and bridging the gap between academia and the construction industry,” said Dr. Bayraktar.
Among some of the projects that will elevate the Construction Management program, are:
- An Immersive Construction Summer Camp:As the outfitting of the laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment and resources reaches completion, the revamped space will host a one-week summer camp for Mississippi high school students. Serving as a gateway for students to acquire practical skills, the camp will also provide a platform for them to discover the various career pathways available at Southern Miss.
- An Interactive Career Outreach and Discovery Program: Providing foundational insights into careers in construction, K-12 students will actively participate in activities within the new laboratory space. By interacting with professors and current students, they will be exposed to the diverse opportunities available in the construction industry.
- Hiring of Lab Supervisor: Playing a pivotal role in integrating the lab into the construction management course curricula, the full-time lab supervisor will ensure that students benefit from hands-on learning experiences by providing them with invaluable skills and insights that extend beyond the classroom.
- Launching Digital Marketing Campaigns: Launching campaigns on digital platforms will increase the visibility of the Construction Management program, attracting more students.
- MSBOC Scholars Internship Program: To seamlessly blend academic teaching expertise with hands-on construction industry experience, a USM Construction Management faculty member will get the opportunity to work for a construction company over the summer. This will enable faculty to apply real-world examples in the classroom and improve their ability to teach theoretical concepts with practical scenarios.
- Construction and Design Career Expos: Hosting a Career Expo each semester provides students with the opportunity to network with companies from the construction and design industry, which benefit from building their employer brand on campus and expanding their pool of qualified candidates.
- The ABC Construction Management Competition:Enriching the educational experience, five construction management students and faculty advisors will attend the 2025 ABC Construction Management Competition. The competition prepares students for life by tasking them with finding solutions to a real-world construction project.
- Scholarship Fund:Dedicated to supporting talented students who demonstrate a passion for the construction field, the scholarship fund ensures that financial limitations do not hinder a student’s pursuit of a quality education.
“We are very grateful for this grant, which will allow us to continue building upon our momentum,” said Dr. Bayraktar. “We look forward to providing both future and current students, as well as our faculty members, with the resources and experiences needed to meet the demands of the construction and design fields.”
Visit the website of the School of Construction and Design to learn more or call 601.266.4895.
MARION COUNTY, Ala. (WTVA) – A 10-year-old Mississippi child is dead and three other passengers, including a 1-year-old, are injured after a single-vehicle crash happened in Alabama.
The crash occurred at 6:55 a.m. on Sunday on Interstate 22 located near Brilliant, Alabama.
A car with four occupants left the road and crashed into a barrier.
The 10-year-old, whose identity was not released, died as a result of the crash at a local hospital.
The driver of the vehicle, 31-year-old Raymoni Gordon, 36-year-old Shuntalisha Metcalf, and a 1-year-old from Mississippi were also injured and taken to a hospital.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division is investigating the crash.
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IDAHO FALLS — The largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi River is returning this year for the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, and organizers says it will “be bigger and better than any other fireworks show in the American West.”
The 31st annual Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is happening July 4 at Snake River Landing in Idaho Falls. Riverfest, presented by Idaho Central Credit Union, Mountain View Hospital and Riverbend Media Group, will feature live music and entertainment all day. There will be vendors and food options available. It will culminate with the fireworks show at 10:03 p.m.
More than 18,500 fireworks will be launched during the 31-minute spectacle. It will be synchronized to music on Classy 97, which will be played over a network of speakers for spectators to hear.
“This free tribute to America averages 597 shells per minute! That’s 9.9 fireworks every second! And it typically draws an audience of over 200,000 spectators,” a news release from the event organizers says.
Western Display Fireworks has fired the Melaleuca fireworks over the years and is returning for this year’s event. Pyrotechnicians have designed this one-of-a-kind show using the best technology in the industry.
Organizers say the “curtains of special effects that blanket the sky” will “create a unifying view at every level” and be “more spectacular than ever.”
“The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is more than just entertainment on the Fourth of July,” Melaleuca Chairman Frank VanderSloot said. “It’s a heartfelt, unifying event for the community. But more importantly, it’s a tribute of gratitude to America’s heroes.”
“Thirty-one minutes of tribute doesn’t seem like enough, but we hope it will create a feeling in our souls that will last all year,” VanderSloot adds.
EastIdahoNews.com will be there giving chopper rides from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Get your tickets at the news website. Stop by and see them at the red tent.
Several agencies have come together to create a master traffic plan. The Idaho Falls Police Department and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office will help direct traffic throughout the day.
Organizers are grateful to Ball Ventures and everyone else who makes this celebration possible. They’re excited for the event and invite the community to attend.
“The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is a wonderful tradition that brings our great community together each year,” Ball Ventures co-managing director and president of real estate Tahri Molifua says in a news release. “Ball Ventures is honored to host another year of festivities at Snake River Landing. Our team is working diligently to ensure the wonderful members of our community have a safe and memorable 4th of July.”
Father’s Day shooting leaves one man dead
Published 1:35 pm Sunday, June 16, 2024
NATCHEZ — One man is dead after what Adams County Sheriff’s Deputies are calling a violent domestic disturbance that took place at multiple locations.
Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said his office received a call in the early hours of Sunday morning about a domestic situation on Carmel Church Road.
Before deputies could arrive, they received 9-1-1 dispatch reports that Calvin Carter forced Tawana Jones into his vehicle at gunpoint and left the residence.
Dispatchers told deputies that Jones and Carter were traveling on Shieldsboro Road and they were being followed by a family member of Jones.
At the end of Shieldsboro Road, an altercation occurred between Carter and the family member of Jones. During that altercation, shots were fired that resulted in the death of Carter, Sheriff Patten said.
Deputies arrived and the scene and secured it.
“A thorough investigation involving multiple crime scenes is taking place. Jones is in stable condition after being transported to Merit Health Hospital because of her injuries,” Patten said.
He said more details will be released after further investigation.
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