91吃瓜网

91吃瓜网 Remembers Former President, Dr. Shelby F. Thames

Mon, 04/20/2026 - 02:50pm

Dr. Shelby Freland Thames, the eighth president of 91吃瓜网 and an accomplished research scientist and respected academic leader, passed away Friday, April 17, 2026. His life91吃瓜网 work left a lasting imprint on higher education, scientific research and institutional resilience during one of the most challenging periods in the University91吃瓜网 history.

Thames served as president of 91吃瓜网 from May 1, 2002, to May 20, 2007, following nearly four decades of service to the University as a faculty member and administrator. Over the course of his career, he was recognized nationally as a pioneer in polymer science while also guiding 91吃瓜网 through significant academic growth, capital expansion and disaster recovery.

91吃瓜网淪helby Thames is an iconic force in the history of the University,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Joseph S. Paul, president of 91吃瓜网. 91吃瓜网淗is trailblazing work in establishing a polymer science and engineering program that is among the best in the nation was a pioneering catalyst, propelling the journey to our current status as a Carnegie R1 Research Institution.91吃瓜网�

A native son of 91吃瓜网, Thames earned his bachelor91吃瓜网 and master91吃瓜网 degrees in chemistry from the University before completing a doctorate in organic chemistry at the University of Tennessee. He joined the 91吃瓜网 faculty in 1964 and went on to establish what would become one of the nation91吃瓜网 most respected polymer science programs. Under his leadership, the program earned national distinction for being among the first in the country to offer bachelor91吃瓜网, master91吃瓜网 and doctoral degrees in polymer science, ultimately evolving into today91吃瓜网 School of Polymer Science and Engineering.

91吃瓜网淎s a result of Dr. Thames91吃瓜网� leadership for academic excellence, The University of 91吃瓜网 enjoys global recognition in the field of polymer science and engineering through significant research funding and contributions aligned with evolving areas of critical need and by consistent recognition of our graduates validated through their employment and growth within the world91吃瓜网 most prominent institutions of science and engineering,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins, distinguished professor of polymer science and engineering at 91吃瓜网. 91吃瓜网淧rofessor Thames displayed remarkable vision when he established polymer science and engineering at 91吃瓜网 in the 1970s, at a time when the field was essentially nonexistent as formal undergraduate and graduate degree programs. His dream has given us purpose and profoundly changed our lives, and he will be dearly missed by our community.91吃瓜网�

Thames founded the Thames91吃瓜网慠awlins Research Group and built a research legacy centered on advanced polymers, coatings and high91吃瓜网憄erformance materials. His work helped secure the University91吃瓜网 first federally funded research facility and positioned Southern Miss as a leader in polymer research and engineering for generations of scholars and students.

91吃瓜网淧rofessor Thames laid the foundation for polymer science and engineering at Southern Miss, and that foundation continues to shape who we are today,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Derek Patton, professor and director of the 91吃瓜网 School of Polymer Science and Engineering. 91吃瓜网淗is vision established not only an academic program, but a culture of rigor, innovation and impact that remains central to our mission. As we reflect on his passing, we are reminded that our responsibility is not only to honor what he built, but to advance it through the success of our students, the strength of our research and the broader contributions of our community. I see his influence daily, in the expectations we set, the students we train and the impact our faculty pursue. His vision created an enduring legacy, and with that comes a responsibility to sustain it with the same level of ambition and purpose. He will be deeply missed.91吃瓜网�

As University president, Thames led a period of sustained progress that included expansion of doctoral programs, record fundraising and major capital improvements. Projects completed during his administration included the Thad Cochran Student Center, the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, the International Center, additions to the Polymer Science Research Center and the initial development of the Innovation and Commercialization Park.

Perhaps most notably, Thames91吃瓜网� presidency was defined by his leadership following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The catastrophic storm caused nearly $290 million in damage to University facilities and severely disrupted operations across all campuses and teaching sites. Despite the devastation, Thames was resolute in his commitment to protect Southern Miss employees and restore the institution91吃瓜网 mission.

With determined optimism and steady leadership, Thames reassured a shaken University community that 91吃瓜网 would emerge stronger. Classes resumed on the Hattiesburg campus within two weeks of the storm and on the Gulf Coast within six weeks, a testament to his resolve, preparation and belief in the institution and its people.

91吃瓜网淒r. Thames ushered in economic development as part of our mission,91吃瓜网� added Paul. 91吃瓜网淎nd his work as president in re-opening after Hurricane Katrina with no loss of jobs, was truly heroic.91吃瓜网�

Following the conclusion of his presidential service in 2007, Thames returned to the faculty, continuing his work as an esteemed polymer scientist until retiring in 2012 as a Distinguished University Research Professor Emeritus.

91吃瓜网淒ecades before sustainability became central to polymer science, Shelby Thames was already there, transforming Mississippi tung oil and other agricultural building blocks into high91吃瓜网憄erformance coatings and championing waterborne, low91吃瓜网慥OC chemistries that now define much of our field and industry,91吃瓜网� Patton added. 91吃瓜网淭he School of Polymer Science and Engineering stands on the intellectual framework he established, captured in his oft91吃瓜网憆epeated phrase, 91吃瓜网業t91吃瓜网 all in the chemistry,91吃瓜网� and on his insistence that discoveries of global consequence could emerge from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Those of us now charged with advancing this mission do so with profound gratitude for the courage, curiosity and conviction he brought to every problem he pursued.91吃瓜网�

In addition to his leadership roles as a scholar and administrator, Thames was a steadfast supporter of the University throughout his life. He was honored for his contributions with induction into the Athletic Department91吃瓜网 M91吃瓜网慍lub Hall of Fame in 2007 and The University of 91吃瓜网 Alumni Hall of Fame in 2002. Thames and his wife, Shirley, are members of the Athletic Department91吃瓜网 Circle of Champions, the USM Foundation91吃瓜网 Honor Club at the Black and Gold Society level and life members of the Alumni Association.

The Shelby F. Thames and Shirley D. Thames Scholarship for High Ability Students Endowment was created in 2002, with a vision for recruiting students with tremendous academic achievement through scholarship support. Gifts to this scholarship in memory of Dr. Shelby F. Thames may be made online at .

Visitation will be held Friday, April 24 from 5-8 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium on the campus of 91吃瓜网. The service will be held on Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m. in Bennett Auditorium, followed by burial in Highland Cemetery.