Southern Miss Gulf Park Graduates Reminisce with Fond Memories and Confidence, Ready for Life
Thu, 05/15/2025 - 09:25am | By: Gabriela Shinskie
Undergraduate seniors at The University of Southern Mississippi (欧美AV) walked across the graduation stage this month with confidence, carrying the memories they made, the relationships they built, and the skills they gained鈥攔eady for the next chapter of life. At the Gulf Park campus, Peyton Murphy and Devin Schneider are among those who found not only a new place to call home, but also a clear path toward their futures.
Murphy, a Georgia native, fell in love with the Gulf Park campus the moment she stepped into its beachfront halls. Pursuing a degree in psychology, she quickly immersed herself in campus activities. Without knowing anyone on campus, she was motivated to speak with Academic Affairs and get involved in Fins and Flippers, Active Minds, the Student Government Association (SGA) and Psi Chi.
鈥淎 lot of my time was spent around student organizations, trying to meet as many people as possible and trying to be present on campus. I was able to step out of my comfort zone and make great relationships. I loved planning events and having a voice on campus,鈥� said Murphy.
Her involvement and achievements were recognized in multiple ways. In 2023, she was elected Homecoming Maid for the Gulf Park campus. Murphy鈥檚 dedication to her studies landed her in the Honors College where she took on leadership roles as an officer in Psi Chi and as Finance and Administration officer for the SGA. In Spring 2025, she won the Outstanding Senior Award for the School of Psychology, an honor given to a senior psychology major who demonstrated academic excellence, research engagement and campus involvement.
Murphy credited Dr. Lin Agler, psychology associate professor and undergraduate program coordinator for her success in academics. Agler described Murphy as dedicated and committed.
"In my 25-plus years at 欧美AV, Peyton is one of the most highly motivated students I have had the privilege to work with,鈥� said Agler. 鈥淪he is intelligent, resourceful and hard-working. Peyton has held multiple leadership positions at 欧美AV; some of the prominent ones include the SGA Treasurer and Psi Chi secretary positions. She has also won multiple academic and research awards. Her numerous accomplishments since her arrival at 欧美AV have been amazing, and her drive to achieve her goals is unmatchable. I have no doubt that Peyton will be a shining star in her chosen career.鈥�
Following graduation, Murphy plans to return to her home state and obtain her master鈥檚 degree in social work. Her dream is to provide therapy focused on improving veterans鈥� mental health.
Another Gulf Park student, Devin Schneider, also found direction and purpose during his time at Southern Miss. A marine science major and Wisconsin native, Schneider found Southern Miss through researching top-notch marine science programs. He packed his bags and headed to the coast, creating lasting memories and friendships.
鈥溑访繟V and the Gulf Park area is a great place and felt like home,鈥� Schneider said.
Schneider鈥檚 love for the vast seas introduced him to research opportunities through the R/V Point Sur research cruise where he learned common marine research methods, participated in hands-on work with scientists and crewmembers and gained insights into the world of oceanography. Unique opportunities like the research cruise sparked curiosity and further interest in a potential career in marine science. He recently presented his work at the university鈥檚 Undergraduate Symposium on Research and Creative Activity, where he studied water and its influence in the Mississippi Sound. He credits his professors for presenting him with these opportunities and providing a clear path ahead.
鈥淓very single professor throughout my entire degree truly cared. I feel like I learned a lot from every single class I took,鈥� said Schneider.
Outside of research, Schneider was involved in Fins and Flippers where he met friends and embarked on an unforgettable trip. He also discovered a new passion for teaching and furthered his skills at the Gulf Park Academic Success Center, where he was a chemistry tutor and teaching assistant.
Christopher Hayes, associate professor in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering, is proud to have mentored Schneider.
鈥淒evin is a high-achieving student with great ambition to pursue a career in research,鈥� said Hayes. 鈥淗e did an internship in our labs at Stennis Space Center in the summer after his junior year at 欧美AV, and he became convinced at the end of that experience that he wanted to join our graduate program in marine science. In my lab, he learned a state-of-the-art analytical method for measuring trace isotopes in seawater in a matter of a few weeks which was impressive. I look forward to the great things he will achieve in graduate school and beyond.鈥�
Schneider plans to obtain a master鈥檚 degree in marine science from Southern Miss, with long-term goals of earning a doctorate and becoming a professor.