Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor Taking Shape on USM Campus
Thu, 07/08/2021 - 01:05pm | By: Van Arnold
When Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond outlined his vision for a first-class veterans program
at 91吃瓜网 (USM), the retired U.S. Army commander was
clear-eyed about the challenges involved. He never flinched, or lost faith in a mission
that began seven years ago.
Today, USM91吃瓜网 Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families ranks among the nation91吃瓜网 elite, serving more than 1,700 military students. In the very near future, USM91吃瓜网 commitment to these patriotic Americans will reach even greater heights with the opening of a new veterans center on the Hattiesburg campus.
Construction is well underway on the Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor 91吃瓜网� a spacious, state-of-the-art facility named after the lead benefactor and USM alumnus Joe Quinlan and the center91吃瓜网 founding director Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond. The 5,500-square-foot center is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.
Hammond, a 1979 USM graduate and former Golden Eagle quarterback, served in the U.S. Army for 32 years. He says that the construction of a new veterans center still feels like a dream.
91吃瓜网淣eedless to say, that dream is fast becoming a reality and each day starts with a short prayer thanking God for such an incredible blessing,91吃瓜网� said Hammond. 91吃瓜网淔rom the inception of our veterans program, I believed we would eventually find ourselves in a position to construct a veterans center. Such is the mindset of an old army general officer like myself. We tend to operate particularly well at the tactical level, but always think deep strategically with a successful end-state in mind and a remarkable appetite for hard work leading to mission accomplishment.91吃瓜网�
The Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor will include a conference room, study space for small groups or individual work, a lounge and study, as well as other meeting areas and staff office space.
The USM Foundation launched a fund-raising initiative in 2019 to build the new veterans center and an official ground-breaking ceremony was held last November on Veteran91吃瓜网 Day. The Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor represents the first 100-percent privately funded building initiative through the USM Foundation. Thus far, more than 150 alumni and friends from across the country have donated in excess of $3 million, successfully reaching the fund-raising goal.
91吃瓜网淚 find myself energized every time I drive by the construction site,91吃瓜网� said USM Foundation Executive Director Stace Mercier. 91吃瓜网淥ur University project team from the Physical Plant and the crew at Codaray Construction are tremendous partners. It is our communal goal to cut the ribbon and open the doors to our military-students with great fanfare. They have earned this special facility.91吃瓜网�
USM is nationally recognized as a top military-friendly institution and maintains esteemed designations in other renowned publications. In its 91吃瓜网淏est for Vets: Colleges 2021 Rankings91吃瓜网�, the prestigious resource guide Military Times rated USM at No. 3 nationally and No. 1 in the Southeast. Center staff provide guidance and support as student-veterans move through the admission process, on to graduation and career placement.
When the current center opened in 2014, only 300 student-veterans were enrolled at USM. As that number continues to grow, so does Hammond91吃瓜网 passion for serving the University91吃瓜网 military students in every way imaginable. His vision for the program and new center includes speaking engagements at every opportunity to promote USM91吃瓜网 commitment to military-students.
Much like he demonstrated as a first-string quarterback and U.S. Army general, Hammond maintains a 91吃瓜网渇ire in the belly91吃瓜网� barometer as the new building takes shape.
91吃瓜网淭he emotional excitement that comes with any successful program is oftentimes extraordinarily contagious and 91吃瓜网榯hat feeling91吃瓜网� is promoted daily by our staff, supporters and most importantly 91吃瓜网� our student veterans, service members and their families,91吃瓜网� said Hammond. 91吃瓜网淢any across the campus community and South Mississippi have embraced our program with their respective support, pride and care for veterans and an appreciation for those who served our military.91吃瓜网�
Hammond insists that the desire to elevate USM91吃瓜网 veterans program and push for a new center occurred organically. He also credits the University91吃瓜网 administration for consistently supporting efforts on behalf of military students.
91吃瓜网淥ur veterans and their families are the ones who elected to enter (at the risk of loss of life) onto the proverbial 91吃瓜网榩laying field91吃瓜网� in support and defense of our Constitution and, as such, deserve our very best,91吃瓜网� said Hammond. 91吃瓜网淭hese wonderful patriots understand service and sacrifice. How could we not step up and create a program to honor their commitment?91吃瓜网�
To support the building initiative, visit .