Spring Break
Former chancellor's work at USM centers on rebuilding
Sarah Millard
Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: News
Martha Saunders, former UW-Whitewater chancellor and Mississippi native, is away from the snow storms of Wisconsin, but now she deals with the aftermath of a larger weather problem: Hurricane Katrina.
Saunders is the president of her alma mater, University of Southern Mississippi, where she received a bachelor's degree in French. USM has six teaching and research sites, but they are building a new campus because of damage from Hurricane Katrina.
"I've been very comfortable because I've been involved in construction at UW-Whitewater and now I'm involved in construction here," Saunder said.
Hurricane Katrina hit the southern states, including Mississippi and Louisiana, more than two years ago, killing more than 1,300.
One of Saunders' job duties is to increase enrollment strategies, especially with transfer students. Pre-Hurricane Katrina USM enrollment figures were around 16,000 students, but are currently around 15,000 students, Saunders said.
Saunders met with Laura Bush when the first lady visited the USM campus on Nov. 2, because the university had received a national honor for a Coastal Eco-System Learning Center.
"Things are rocking and rolling down here," Saunders said.
While Saunders is also busy hiring for academic positions, including for provost, she said she has been spending time getting to know the students on campus.
"I'm enjoying getting to know the students," she said.
Saunders said she has been following the USM football team. The Golden Eagles, 7-5, will be playing in the Papajohns.com Bowl on Dec. 22. However, that has not stopped her from following the UW-Whitewater Warhawk football teams success.
"We have listened to almost every Warhawk game and we certainly wish them well," Saunders said.
Saunders was chancellor at UW-Whitewater from 2005-07. She was heavily involved with improving city and university relations.
"Please tell everyone I said hello and give them my warmest regards," she said.
Saunders is the president of her alma mater, University of Southern Mississippi, where she received a bachelor's degree in French. USM has six teaching and research sites, but they are building a new campus because of damage from Hurricane Katrina.
"I've been very comfortable because I've been involved in construction at UW-Whitewater and now I'm involved in construction here," Saunder said.
Hurricane Katrina hit the southern states, including Mississippi and Louisiana, more than two years ago, killing more than 1,300.
One of Saunders' job duties is to increase enrollment strategies, especially with transfer students. Pre-Hurricane Katrina USM enrollment figures were around 16,000 students, but are currently around 15,000 students, Saunders said.
Saunders met with Laura Bush when the first lady visited the USM campus on Nov. 2, because the university had received a national honor for a Coastal Eco-System Learning Center.
"Things are rocking and rolling down here," Saunders said.
While Saunders is also busy hiring for academic positions, including for provost, she said she has been spending time getting to know the students on campus.
"I'm enjoying getting to know the students," she said.
Saunders said she has been following the USM football team. The Golden Eagles, 7-5, will be playing in the Papajohns.com Bowl on Dec. 22. However, that has not stopped her from following the UW-Whitewater Warhawk football teams success.
"We have listened to almost every Warhawk game and we certainly wish them well," Saunders said.
Saunders was chancellor at UW-Whitewater from 2005-07. She was heavily involved with improving city and university relations.
"Please tell everyone I said hello and give them my warmest regards," she said.
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