[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 137 (Friday, August 19, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 HONORING DR. RODNEY BENNETT, PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN 
                              MISSISSIPPI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN M. PALAZZO

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 19, 2022

  Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Rodney 
Bennett for his outstanding service as President of the University of 
Southern Mississippi.
  A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Dr. Bennett, and his wife Temple 
have two adult daughters, Colby, and Logan. He holds a Doctor of 
Education in Educational Administration from Tennessee State University 
in Nashville and Specialist, Master, and bachelor's degrees from Middle 
Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. He served as Vice President 
for Student Affairs at the University of Georgia before being appointed 
as the 10th President of the University of Southern Mississippi (USM).
  President Bennett established his vision for The University of 
Southern Mississippi to become the model for public higher education 
across the country, with six key institutional priorities; ensuring 
student success; expanding enrollment strategies; enhancing academic 
instruction; fostering a greater focus on research; bolstering economic 
and community partnerships; and maximizing human potential.
  During his Presidency, USM achieved R1 status for research. 
Concurrently, USM reached significant fundraising milestones while 
enhancing community partnerships. The university expanded operations 
along the Mississippi Gulf Coast supported innovations in healthcare 
and invested in new faculty positions. His achievements include student 
success programming and executing nearly $300 million in capital 
improvements.
  Under President Bennett's leadership, USM became one of only 14 R1 
institutions in the nation that competed at the NCAA Division I level 
and maintained accreditation in all four primary areas of the Arts. He 
worked diligently to position USM as a Top Ten Military Friendly 
institution that was ranked first in the southeast and third in the 
nation by Military Times (2021) by expanding programs and services for 
military veterans and service members.
  He was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa in 2019 and made history by 
becoming the first black president of a predominantly white Mississippi 
university and the first in USM's presidential lineage.
  Madam Speaker, I recognize Dr. Bennett today for his exceptional work 
and dedication to the USM Golden Eagle Community, my very own alma 
mater, and the institution of higher learning. May God Bless Dr. 
Bennett and his family as they begin their next chapter of outstanding 
service. ``Southern Miss to The Top!!!''