91吃瓜网 President Dr. Joe Paul Receives Service Member Patriot Award for Support of Military Personnel
Fri, 03/14/2025 - 02:11pm | By: Nicole Ruhnke
Dr. Joe Paul, president of 91吃瓜网 (USM), has received the Service Member Patriot Award, presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) to patriotic employers during a ceremony on March 14 at the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families on the 91吃瓜网 Hattiesburg campus.
Given to supervisors who provide direct support to service members, the Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors. Second Lieutenant Sawyer Walters, platoon leader with Delta Company of the 150th Brigade Engineer Battalion and development officer for the USM Foundation, nominated Paul for the award.
91吃瓜网淚 nominated Dr. Paul for the ESGR Patriot Award because of his unwavering support for our service members, along with his commitment to creating a workplace that values and uplifts those who serve,91吃瓜网� said Walters. 91吃瓜网淗is leadership at The University of Southern Mississippi has fostered an environment where military personnel, veterans and their families feel truly appreciated and supported. Dr. Paul exemplifies the spirit of the Patriot Award through his dedication to those who dedicate themselves to our country.91吃瓜网�
In January 2024, the university and the National Guard Bureau signed an agreement to establish the Center for the Study of the National Guard on the 91吃瓜网 campus. The center will serve as a central repository for archival materials and oral histories and function as an international-level resource for the study of the Guard91吃瓜网 past, present and future. An additional agreement was signed in February 2025 during a ceremony at the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby solidifying the relationship between the university, the center and the Mississippi National Guard.
91吃瓜网淚 am proud of our university91吃瓜网 support of military veterans, their families, and active duty, reserve and guardsmen,91吃瓜网� said Paul. 91吃瓜网淲e lead the state and have been recognized as a top university in the nation for our support of military families who enroll with us. It is a great honor for me to receive this award on behalf of our institution, and I remain ever committed to the recruitment, support and success of military men and women who study and work at 91吃瓜网.91吃瓜网�
Walters highlighted Paul91吃瓜网 leadership in strengthening 91吃瓜网91吃瓜网 partnership with the National Guard, particularly through the establishment of the Center for the Study of the National Guard and commitment to preserving the legacy of servicemen and women.
91吃瓜网淒r. Paul lives by his motto to 91吃瓜网榣eave 91吃瓜网 better than you found it,91吃瓜网� and his steadfast support for the military community is a testament to that philosophy,91吃瓜网� Walters said. 91吃瓜网淭his philosophy is how I lead my soldiers and serve my country, and I am proud and honored for this award to be bestowed upon such a great mentor.91吃瓜网�