USM students hug Coca-Cola machine

HATTIESBURG, MS. - Students at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) hugged a Coca-Cola machine for a free can of soda Thursday.

The Hug Me Coca-Cola machine is back by popular demand on campus says school officials. The machine was an outreach effort from Coca Cola Hattiesburg

USM's Greek Life, Health Center, Graduate School, and New Students and Retention Center were this year's sponsors. The campus says its a way to connect students to different programs on campus.

Greek Life Director Charles Childress says, "Well what we are doing is focusing on helping students with their success."

He adds, "We focused on the graduate school being here, graduate education, new student and retention, and you know wellness with the Moffett Health center being here, we are also giving out flu shots.”

The Coca-Cola machine will be on campus Friday between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.