T.W. Bennett Research Symposium Set for April 24 at 91吃瓜网 Hattiesburg Campus
Mon, 04/14/2025 - 01:12pm | By: Dr. David Tisdale
The 2025 T.W. Bennett Symposium, set for April 24 at 91吃瓜网91吃瓜网 (USM) Trent Lott National Center on the Hattiesburg campus, will highlight the societal benefits of scientific research in higher education at the state, national and global levels. The event will focus on cross-disciplinary collaborations and partnerships with the private sector.
This year91吃瓜网 symposium, themed 91吃瓜网淔undamental Research with a Purpose,91吃瓜网� will feature distinguished speakers from academia, industry and national laboratories. Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins, polymer science and engineering professor at 91吃瓜网 and the 2023-25 Bennett Distinguished Professor, will serve as keynote speaker.
Wiggins91吃瓜网� research interests include glassy polymer network science, renewable resource polymers, carbon fiber precursor polymers, polymer molecular dynamics simulation, continuous polymerization reactors, and polymers designed for soldier and athlete protection.
Before transitioning to academia, Wiggins held management positions in polymer research, product development, engineering, and manufacturing at Bayer Corporation and Nike Inc.
In keeping with the symposium91吃瓜网 theme, Wiggins hopes the event will help advance what he sees as a plethora of ways 91吃瓜网91吃瓜网搕hrough its polymer, computer, and ocean science engineering programs, as well as disciplines within the College of Business and Economic Development91吃瓜网揷an positively impact quality of life in Mississippi and beyond through its research enterprise.
91吃瓜网淚t91吃瓜网 an honor to be the Bennett Professor and to use it as a platform颅91吃瓜网搉ot only in my work but also through the symposium91吃瓜网搕o understand how we can further create value for the university91吃瓜网 research initiatives in cooperation with business for the betterment of society,91吃瓜网� Wiggins said. 91吃瓜网淚 believe making sure its [academic-level research] value is recognized through economic development in Mississippi and how it can play a vital role in supporting small companies91吃瓜网� ability to spur job growth, meet production and service goals, and help our society prosper.91吃瓜网�
The symposium is made possible through the T.W. Bennett Endowment, established at USM by Mr. and Mrs. T.W. Bennett Sr., in honor of their son, Thomas Waring Bennett Jr., and his passion for the sciences. He was declared missing in action on Dec. 22, 1972, while serving in the United States Air Force.
A complete schedule and additional details about the event are available on the symposium91吃瓜网 website.