Originally established March 30, 1910, as Mississippi Normal College, The University of Southern Mississippi was built on 120 acres of cutover timber land and created to provide training for public school teachers. Chester M. Morgan outlines the evolution of the institution and tells the story of a gracious heritage born of adversity and nurtured by a century of perseverance and determination. From the success of its graduates and the passion of its faculty to its ability to meet and conquer challenges brought by scarce state funding, world wars, social movements, and natural disasters,...