The University of Southern Mississippi celebrated its 99th anniversary Monday by gearing up for its 100th.

Southern Miss President Martha Saunders announced several events that will coincide with the university’s year-long centennial celebration during its Founder’s Day ceremony Monday.

The ceremony highlighted the achievements of USM students, faculty and staff as well as the inauguration of the 2009-10 Student Government Association officers.

Among Monday’s host of honorees was Vietnam War veteran Col. George Hall, who received a special honoree plaque of the university.

The 78-year-old Hall is a Hattiesburg native who was shot down in 1965 during a low-flying mission and became a prisoner of war for seven years in Vietnam.