During the past two years, President Shelby Thames has demonstrated to everyone his talent as an administrator and manager.  His skills in these areas are now obvious to all.  No one can deny that he has brought USM a state, regional, national, and even international reputation it never possessed before.  People who had never heard of USM are now fully aware of its existence and of President Thames' skills as President.  I therefore wish to suggest that USM is now far too small a stage for President Thames; he needs to stretch his wings and move beyond the narrow confines of Hattiesburg.  He needs to be appointed Special Assistant to the Governor for Economic Development for South Mississippi; only through such a promotion can he further display the skills he has honed during his two years as President.  SFT to the top!