Bill Text: MS HR138 | 2013 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Dr. Robert Gene Wiggins; commend life and legacy upon his passing.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2013-04-02 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR138 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-HR138-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Barker, Lott, Pigott, Watson
House Resolution 138
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. ROBERT GENE WIGGINS, PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF MASS COMMUNICATION AND JOURNALISM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING OUR SINCERE SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on February 21, 2013, at the age of 69, the mortal, beloved presence of Dr. Robert Gene Wiggins was summoned to eternal rest as he made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wiggins, a graduate of Forest High School, joined the Southern Miss faculty in 1973 having earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern Miss and his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and prior to completing his doctorate, Dr. Wiggins worked as a professional journalist for the Jackson Daily News and for the Hattiesburg American, having also served as a public information officer in the United States Air Force; and
WHEREAS, as the first Director of the Southern Miss School of Communication from 1981 to 2001, he developed a primary specialty in communication law in which he taught undergraduate and graduate courses, and he authored numerous publications, including books, book chapters and journal articles in the area of mass communication law; and
WHEREAS, he taught graduate courses in public relations case studies and law, as well as undergraduate courses in media writing and law, and he continued to teach a course in media law and ethics after his retirement; and
WHEREAS, highly regarded in his profession, Dr. Wiggins was awarded the 1992 Mississippi Educational Administrator of the Year Award and twice received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Southern Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas, President Emeritus of the University of Southern Mississippi had high praise for Dr. Wiggins, proclaiming, "Dr. Gene Wiggins was a superb teacher whose students remember him as one of the best they ever had. He was also an effective administrator serving for a time as Chair of the Department of Journalism and later as Director of the School of Mass Communication and Journalism. We will miss his friendship and keen sense of humor."; and
WHEREAS, Dr. David Davies, Dean of the Honors College, also provided his eulogy of the legendary Southern Miss professor: "Dr. Wiggins was the driving force behind the growth and success of journalism and communication education at the University of Southern Mississippi. He presided over rapid growth in the Southern Miss School of Mass Communication and Journalism and was a genial advocate mentor for more than a thousand undergraduate and graduate students over the years. A dedicated journalist, as well as a respected academic, he counted journalists across the state as his friends. Every success of the School of Mass Communication Journalism and its graduates in the past four decades can in some degree be credited to this dedicated, intelligent and driven professor."; and
WHEREAS, Denis Wiesenburg, Provost of the University of Southern Mississippi, declared, "Dr. Wiggins was a beloved mentor, colleague and friend devoted to his students and the advancement of the School of Mass Communication and Journalism. He enjoyed attending Southern Miss athletic events and we will miss his enthusiastic support at our ball games."; and
WHEREAS, he is remembered fondly by his former students, including Ravin Floyd, Class of 2012, who remembered, "He was a teacher who understood his students. His sense of humor always helped us understand his lessons. He was a great educator who will always be remembered."; and
WHEREAS, Anita Lee, Class of 1978, stated when remembering Dr. Wiggins: "Make no mistake, though, when it came to journalism, Dr. Wiggins took seriously his responsibility to teach the highest ethics and standards. He did not back down from a story. I had written something that aroused the administration's ire. Dr. Wiggins got a call from the president. We were just reporting the truth, he told me, and I shouldn't worry about it. He continued to back us on the coverage."; and
WHEREAS, a true servant of God, he was an enduring member of Hardy Street Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, where he taught the Charlie Brooks Sunday School Class and served on various committees such as the Pastor Search Committee, and he served his community in numerous ways including: as a member of the fire department since 1978, President of the Board of Directors of the Northeast Lamar Fire, Rescue and EMS since 1993, former volunteer firefighter, member and former president (1989-1990) of the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg Sunrise and as Public Relations Chair, Executive Board, District 684, Rotary International from 1988 to 1995; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his father, Albert Moore Wiggins; mother, Etha Wiggins Jenkins; stepfather, G.L. Jenkins; and brother, David Wayne Wiggins; and
WHEREAS, left to mourn Mr. Wiggins's passing and cherish his memory are: wife, Linda Wiggins; one son, Matthew Wiggins and his wife, Natalie; two grandchildren, Carolyn Elizabeth Wiggins and Ezekiel Gene Wiggins; and a host of other relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of such a magnificent individual as Mr. Robert Gene Wiggins, who profoundly touched the lives of countless individuals and citizens of this state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commemorate the life and legacy of Mr. Robert Gene Wiggins, Professor Emeritus of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern Mississippi, and express our sincere sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Robert Gene Wiggins and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
