Dr. Joseph S. Paul eschewed the spotlight during his presidential inauguration Oct. 5 at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Hattiesburg campus, deflecting the focus instead on the institution where he’s been called to serve as its leader.

A beloved son of the university, Paul was installed as the 11th president of his alma mater during an investiture ceremony in historic Bennett Auditorium as the school also celebrated homecoming week. The 1975 graduate of Southern Miss first served in the post on an interim basis beginning in July 2022 before being picked as president starting Nov. 1 of last year by the State Institutions of Higher Learning.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rbHAnZyrZZOWua16wqikaKaVrMBwscOumpqsmaS7cLzArqNmq6ekv695yKdkmqtdqsCuedJmaGqsmGK9s7HSopuepqRkrrPAyJyjnpdjboBzgsCammZuaWiAbn2QnpxmmZVos259lp1oa25paIanfpdnn62lnA%3D%3D