William E. “Bud” Kirkpatrick

William E. “Bud” Kirkpatrick is hailed as a pioneer of public relations in the Pine Belt, having mentored or influenced the career of many of the area’s most successful practitioners during a career that spanned four decades. Kirkpatrick’s retirement in 2002 marked the end of an era at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).

As a recent college graduate in 1958, Kirkpatrick joined the staff of Mississippi Southern College (now USM) as Director of the Union and Student Activities. His aspirations for a career in public relations came to fruition in 1972 when he was tasked as the first Director of Public Relations to build USM’s public relations department and program. In this role, he handcrafted a department that produced programs which resulted in significant academic and athletic advancement for the school’s two campuses, as well as programs benefitting the entire community.

In the community sector, Kirkpatrick founded the Great Pine Belt Exposition, which was absorbed by Hattiesburg’s Area Development Partnership three years later and continues to this day. His knack for spearheading new initiatives also led to Hattiesburg being selected as a pre-Olympic training site for three countries prior to the 1996 Games. His passion for the field has extended beyond the professional realm to include both civic and religious activities.

In 1996, Kirkpatrick received the Edward L. Bernays Best of Show Award at the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International’s Golden Bell Public Relations Competition. He is a Hattiesburg Tourism Volunteer of the Year and has received the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi’s Innovation Award. In 1995, he was inducted into the USM Alumni Hall of Fame.