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Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson Announces Promotional Partnership Between MDAC
and University of Southern Mississippi
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced a promotional partnership between the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) and The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Commissioner Gipson was joined by University of Southern Mississippi Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Lance Nail.
This partnership is part of an initiative to promote universities within the state through MDAC’s Bureau of Regulatory Services inspection stickers. Each year, these inspection stickers feature the school colors of a different Mississippi university for 12 months. MDAC’s Bureau is divided into area-specific divisions that regulate certain businesses within the state. Four divisions – Weights and Measures, the State Metrology Laboratory, Petroleum Products Inspection and Consumer Protection – administer these stickers throughout retail locations statewide upon passing inspection. The 2025 MDAC inspection stickers feature USM’s colors black and gold.
“The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is proud to have The University of Southern Mississippi represented on our 2025 Bureau of Regulatory Services inspection stickers. This is one way to bring Southern Miss to the top of everyone’s mind,” said Commissioner Gipson. “We value this partnership with Southern Miss and the great work they do. This initiative not only educates the public on what the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce does to ensure fairness in the marketplace for our citizens, but also raises awareness of our local universities and the unique opportunities they provide.”
This collaborative effort between MDAC and institutions of higher education around the state is designed to strengthen the relationship between the agriculture community and universities, promote awareness of Mississippi’s colleges and create opportunities for both the public and students to learn more about their state agency’s regulatory functions.
“The University of Southern Mississippi is grateful for Commissioner Gipson’s efforts to promote Mississippi’s colleges and universities through this creative collaboration,” said Dr. Lance Nail, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at The University of Southern Mississippi. “We look forward to having Southern Miss black and gold displayed across the great state of Mississippi.”
MDAC inspection stickers are awarded to ensure fairness and equity in the marketplace. From produce scales at the grocery store to gas pumps at service stations and much more, MDAC inspectors work hard for the citizens of Mississippi. In 2024, MDAC’s Bureau of Regulatory Services inspected 12,975 various scales and 60,317 fuel devices at gas stations.
Pictured L-R: Charles Champagne, Weights and Measures Inspector; Dan Parks, Weights and Measures Inspector; Henri Fuselier, Consumer Protection Division Director; Jordan Proctor, Petroleum Inspector; Candis Hillman, Consumer Protection Inspector; Sarah Broome, Consumer Protection Inspector; Seymour the USM Golden Eagle Mascot; Dr. Lance Nail, USM Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs; Commissioner Andy Gipson; Clay Hammons, Petroleum Division Director; Jennifer Thompson, Bureau of Regulatory Services Director; Brent Bowman, Weights and Measures Division Director; and Scotty Deare, Petroleum Inspector.
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