Hattiesburg, MS
Just four days after an F-4 twister passed through the University of Southern Mississippi, students and faculty members return to find the campus much different than they'd left it.
Damaged buildings on the campus include: the Mannoni Performing Arts Center; the Jazz Station; the Ogletree Alumni House; the Fine Arts Building; Marsh Hall; McLemore Hall and the unoccupied dormitory Elam Arms. Several trees, some which were over 100 years old, were destroyed by the storm leaving the front entrance of campus leveled.
Photo by Kelly Dunn
Because of an upcoming Mardi Gras holiday, fewer students were on university's campus than usual. However, some students, like Stephanie Miles, were on campus. As Miles and the cast of Sweeney Todd rehearsed for an upcoming performance, a faculty member received a call informing him of the powerful tornado that was heading toward the campus. The students sought shelter within the basement of the building just in time. There are no reported injuries from the university's campus.
Governor Phil Bryant, a USM alumnus, declared a State of Emergency for Forrest, Lamar, Lawrence and Marion counties. In reference to the damage at the university, Governor Bryant said "it is difficult to see the damage that is here."
Seeing the damage to campus is still shocking to many students, but for Jordan Garrett, seeing the outpouring of support from the campus community and neighboring communities makes him proud to be Southern Miss Golden Eagle.
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