Mississippi State Alumnus - Winter 2013

MISSISSIPPI STATE ALUMNUS Winter 2013

INFINITE IMPACT

Campaign leaders announce university’s largest fundraising endeavor

Winter 2013 | Vol. 90 | No. 2

USPS 354-520

President Mark E. Keenum (’83, ’84, ’88) Vice President for Development and Alumni John P. Rush (’94, ’02) Alumni Association Executive Director Jeff Davis

MISSISSIPPI STATE ALUMNUS Winter 2013

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Mississippi State University Unveils New Capital Campaign In October, MSU publicly launched Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State University Campaign, and alumni and friends can continue to help positively affect lives through the fund-raising endeavor’s five focus areas.

Editorial offices: 102 George Hall, P.O. Box 5325, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5325 Telephone: 662-325-3442 Fax: 662-325-7455 E-mail: harriet.laird@msstate.edu www.msstate.edu

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Mississippi’s Only School of Architecture Celebrates Four Decades of Achievement Admission remains extremely competitive and the caliber of students rivals the best in the nation at the 40-year-old School of Architecture.

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Theatre MSU Presents 50th Season The theatre program rose from humble beginnings in 1963 to impact thousands of students over the years.

Advertising: Contact Libba Andrews at 662-325-3479 or landrews@alumni.msstate.edu.

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The Right Ring Craftsmen perfect the cowbell through a variety of methods, but the key components remain the same–family, tradition and pride.

18

Business Information Systems Marks 50-Year Milestone The first information systems program in the world in an accredited college of business has evolved from the use of punch cards to the creation of applications for the iPhone.

20

Endangered Amphibians Find Home, Help in University Lab Researchers have transformed two labs in Dorman Hall into homes for critically endangered gopher frogs and Boreal toads.

22

MSU Alumna Leads Mississippi Children’s Museum Susan Garrard, a 1983 communication/public relations graduate, has focused her time and attention since 2002 on a museum for the state’s children. Today, she serves as its president and CEO.

24

MSU Appreciates Cultural Sharing Fulbright Scholars Bring The nation’s flagship international exchange program enriches the campus culture through interaction with scholars from countries around the world.

26

Field Brown: Rhodes Scholar A Shackouls Honors College student receives the world’s most prestigious international fellowship and is headed for graduate school at the University of Oxford.

Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter (‘88)

Editors Harriet Laird Sammy McDavid (‘70, ‘75) Allison Matthews (‘00) Designers Eric Abbott (’07) Hal Teasler (’12) Photographers Russ Houston (’85) Megan Bean Beth Wynn Mississippi State University Alumni Association National Officers Tommy R. Roberson, ’67, national president Ronald E. Black, ’80, national first vice president Brad M. Reeves, ’02, national second vice president Jodi White Turner, ’97, ’99, national treasurer Camille Scales Young, ’94, ’96, immediate former national president

28 Campus news 64 Class news 52 Alumni news 67 In memoriam 58 Foundation news Mississippi State Alumnus is published three times a year by the Office of Public Affairs and the Mississippi State University Alumni Association at Mississippi State, Miss. Send address changes to Alumni Director, P.O. Box AA, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5526; telephone 662-325-7000; or e-mail fcarr@advservices.msstate.edu. alumni.msstate.edu // twitter.com/msstatealumni // facebook.com/msstatealumni

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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UNIVERSITY UNVEILS NEW CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

By Amy Cagle | Photos by Russ Houston and Beth Wynn

A

lumni and friends of Mississippi State University can help positively impact lives within the university and outward into the world by giving through the institution’s newest capital campaign known as Infinite Impact:

The Mississippi State University Campaign.

“As our institution unveils the Infinite Impact Campaign, it does so with a greater purpose of shaping not only the university, but the future of the world in which we live,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “This campaign is like no other in our history and its success will be measured over time as gifts allow us to extend our land-grant mission and make a positive difference on a global scale.”

MSU publicly launched the comprehensive campaign, which provides a private

Above - The Famous Maroon Band presented the campaign icon on Scott Field as thousands celebrated homecoming festivities at Davis Wade Stadium.

funding component for the university’s strategic plan, as part of Homecoming festivities. Campaign counting began on July 1, 2010, as the MSU Foundation secured

Inset - An ice cream and brochure give-

leadership-level gifts. By the October announcement, nearly 39,000 supporters had

away by the MSU Foundation Ambassadors

made a financial commitment.

student group generated campaign awareness.

“In announcing this campaign, we mark a milestone – successfully reaching the halfway mark and surpassing it with $375 million raised toward our $600 million goal,” said John P. Rush, vice president for development and alumni who also serves as MSU Foundation

Pictured are Bill Kibler, left, vice president for Student Affairs, and MSU students Allyson Parker and Garrett Somers.

CEO. “The theme was selected because it conveys the extent of the change Mississippi State hopes to evoke through the effort.”

The Infinite Impact Campaign

“Alumni and friends can help MSU prepare a rising generation of leaders who will understand society’s most complex problems and mastermind solutions to combat life-altering issues.”

revolves around five central

Mark E. Keenum MSU President

and outreach for engagement;

areas—teaching and learning for

success;

research

and

creativity for discovery; service diversity and advancement for

globalization; and tradition and culture for experience. With these focus areas, MSU seeks to make strides in its quest to become one of America’s best universities.

Opposite page - MSU President Mark E. Keenum, center, with John P. Rush, left, and Bobby S. Shackouls, MSU Foundation CEO and President, respectively, provide campaign leadership.

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“The enthusiasm and generosity of our contributors is absolutely

faculty salaries, expanded opportunities for study abroad and other

critical to the success of this ambitious endeavor as we capitalize on

international experiences, and greater opportunities for faculty

what MSU does best and bring it to a new level and new audiences,”

and students in interdisciplinary research that makes life better for

Rush said. “We are proud of all we have accomplished, and we

people here and around the world.

remain focused on the fundraising ahead of us.”

Keenum expressed his appreciation for the early success of the

State, including all eight academic colleges, the Judy and Bobby

campaign and encourages supporters to consider the impact their

Shackouls Honors College, the Meridian Campus, MSU athletics

gifts can have as the university extends its reach well beyond its

and the university’s libraries. Beyond colleges and units, gifts

home state.

for new facilities and much-needed renovations of existing

“Alumni and friends can help MSU prepare a rising generation of

structures will allow the campus infrastructure to keep pace

leaders who will understand society’s most complex problems and

with a growing university population. The campaign will also

mastermind solutions to combat life-altering issues,” said Keenum.

generate necessary operating funds for the university and grow

“In this capital campaign, we can be united as a people by our vision

MSU’s overall endowment.

for the future and our willingness to face the challenges that lie before us.”

Mississippi State has experienced much success with capital campaigns and the expectations of a third remain high. The two

Throughout the campaign, Mississippi State will pursue its

previous campaigns, conducted during the MSU Foundation’s 50-

mission of teaching, research and service in areas where alumni

year history, were overwhelmingly successful—the first raising more

and friends can improve the quality of life for mankind—from

than $143 million; the second more than $462 million. Thousands

impacting early childhood education to combating world hunger

of alumni and friends were part of these campaigns, which had

to finding alternative fuels. Gifts will allow MSU to pursue higher

lasting results for the university.

graduation rates, a lower student-faculty ratio, more competitive 4

Campaign gifts will benefit nearly every aspect of Mississippi

W IN TER 2013

The current Infinite Impact Campaign will help Mississippi State

achieve its long-range goals for the university. Early campaign success from the leadership phase of the Infinite Impact Campaign included growth in the university’s scholarships and endowed positions. A total of 225 new endowed scholarships for talented students have been added across the university with private gifts, increasing the number to 1,263. In addition, 19 new endowed positions were created, bringing the university’s total to 69. Some of these chairs and professorships already have been used to recruit esteemed faculty who will teach and conduct research with the university’s more than 20,000 students.

By providing accessibility for all students and resources for faculty development, Mississippi State can pave the way for academic excellence. To that end, gifts for

Over 300 of MSU’s leadership-level benefactors gathered in the Colvard Student Union’s Foster Ballroom for the official campaign announcement. MSU student Bradley Cernota, Cyndi Tucker Loyalty Scholar (far left), and Isaac Howard, holder of the Materials and Construction Industries Chair in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering, expressed their appreciation for generous gifts to the university. Miss MSU 2013 Jasmine Murray, a former American Idol finalist, showcased her talent during the campaign debut.

scholarships still are needed across campus, in particular for the general university.

Also, by securing contributions for additional endowed positions, MSU can attract and retain top educators to the academic community, who in turn attract significant research support, outstanding graduate students and other distinguished faculty.

Any contribution to MSU through 2018, regardless of the designation, is a commitment to Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State University Campaign. All gifts to the Bulldog Club and other athletic programs also will count toward the overall goal.

For more on the campaign in this issue of Alumnus, please see page 62 in the philanthropy news section.

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MISSISSIPPI’S ONLY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE CELEBRATES FOUR DECADES OF ACHIEVEMENT

By Leah Barbour | Photos by Russ Houston and Beth Wynn, and others submitted

T

his fall, 223 students are enrolled in the

Based in downtown Jackson near the

School of Architecture of Mississippi

intersection of State and Capitol streets, the

State’s College of Architecture, Art

fifth-year program provides an urban setting in

and Design.

Admission remains extremely competitive, and the caliber of university students rivals that of the best in the nation, said school director Michael Berk.

which the students live and gain expanded work experience as they prepare for the transition to professional practice.

In addition to a demanding academic curriculum, a variety of enrichment opportunities

“We have some of the highest achieving

and interdisciplinary activities both in and outside

students entering as freshmen,” he said. “The

the school are critical to the students’ development,

applications and portfolios are incredible.”

said CAAD Dean Jim West. As examples, he listed

The curriculum is divided into three parts

an endowed visiting lecture series, cooperative

over five years of study: history and theory,

education experiences and school-wide field trips

management, and design and technology. The

among activities designed to provide experiences

program’s first and second years provide the

in both rural and urban architecture.

foundational core of studies, while the third and

Continual exposure to technology while

fourth years focus on technical and theoretical

pursuing their degree is another important

aspects of architecture.

component of architecture majors’ education.

Above Left - At a 2000 Advisory Council meeting, members discuss the School of Architecture’s current status, challenges and future opportunities. Shown, left to right, are Chris Morrow, Jim Vincent, Ferdi Walker and Larry Albert.

Above Right - At the annual Brasfield & Gorrie competition, Michael Berk, director of the School of Architecture, right, offers feedback to College of Architecture, Art and Design students. From left are building construction science majors Devin Compher and Willie Wilson II, interior design major Sunny Clements and architecture majors Will Commarato and James Thomas.

Below - David Lewis accepts the AIAS National Educator Award from Pam Leonard, a third-year student and AIAS president, during the 1989 School of Architecture Recognition Day. Leonard, a 1991 MSU graduate, works for Canizaro Cawthon Davis in Jackson.

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Above - MSU alumni Bob and Kathy Luke of Meridian, center, were recognized in the fall with the naming of the CAAD library in their honor. The Lukes provided for numerous improvements that have created an inclusive library for the entire college. Shown with the Lukes are Jim West, left, CAAD dean, and Jerry Gilbert, provost and executive vice president.

West noted that MSU, in 1992, was the first postsecondary institution in the nation requiring all architecture majors to own and use a laptop as part of their design studios. The program was called “Digital Nomads: A Notepad in Every Backpack.”

Additionally, Giles Hall, the award-winning building where students work, features a large studio space known as “the Barn” that originally was an animal judging pavilion.

Michael Fazio, a member of the faculty since the school’s inception in the early 1970s, said the studio space creates a collaborative environment that is critical to the program’s success.

REAL-WORLD INSTRUCTION Because of field trips throughout their years of study, Mississippi State architecture students gain real-world experiences. For one week each academic year, they visit

said. “The students interact with each other and the faculty

major metropolitan centers, such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago,

here in the studios. It has remained that way from the very

Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco,

beginning.”

Washington, D.C., or Toronto, Canada, among others.

From his perspective, Berk sees the faculty team as the

West said the field trips are an important way to connect

program’s most important, defining factor. When a faculty

urban architectural practice to the more rural environment

member meets a student, that teaching relationship and

that students experience daily while on the Starkville campus.

bond will continue throughout that student’s educational

“The field trips provide a mechanism for students to see important architecture, art and cities,” West said. “There

“Our faculty members are dedicated teachers that interact

was a recognition that started right at the school’s beginning

with all of our students at any given time, all the time,” Berk

that we had to include the outside world in a very real and

said. “The entire faculty is dedicated to teaching, service

practical way for the students.

and research; they spend almost as much time in our studio building as do the students.”

WIN TER 2013

Michael Berk Director, School of Architecture

“Our building is like a village,” the emeritus professor

career at Mississippi State, he said.

8

“The entire faculty is dedicated to teaching, service and research...”

“You have to experience architecture to understand it, and the only way to experience it is to be there, walk in it and go

inside and engage the space,” he continued. “Then the students try to

community development and many other types of architectural

understand that space, why it’s designed and why it’s successful. That’s a

services. These three research centers combine science with art to make

real key component to the education of architects.”

buildings of all shapes and sizes more energy efficient and less expensive

The School of Architecture was created in 1973 by an act of the

to maintain.

Mississippi Legislature during the administration of MSU President

DRIL’s mission is to identify problems addressed through focused

William L. Giles. The final-year class has been held in Jackson since the

work in computer visualization, interactive design, information

program’s beginning.

technology and digital design. This lab specifically is engaged in the

West said the fifth-year program relocated in 2003 from a building off South State Street to the current East Capitol Street building that had been donated to the university by businessman Stuart C. Irby Jr. and

development of branding, logos, and website design for communities, organizations and private companies.

Students involved with CSTC work with creative projects in municipalities of all sizes. During the past academic year, for example,

now bears his name.

“We’re in a really good facility, a really good place downtown, near to

teams were in Calhoun City to develop recommendations for

the Governor’s Mansion and Old Capitol Museum, where architecture

community improvements, and they worked in Greenwood’s Baptist

students can get the full urban environment,” West said.

Town, an historically African-American neighborhood, to build a

Allowing students the opportunity to “experience architecture” is key to providing them the education they need to become design

pocket park to foster better community interaction.

The Gulf Coast studio was established in 2005 to bring design services to low-income communities rebuilding in the aftermath of

professionals, Berk said.

“We are committed to getting our students out to see the world,”

Hurricane Katrina. Recently, the center also developed a project to better protect and enhance Northeastern U.S. communities affected

he said.

These and other critical educational components have led the school

by 2012’s Hurricane Sandy. The proposal was subsequently judged to

to be featured prominently in leading professional architectural journals.

be among the top 10 design plans submitted in a national contest. The

ARCHITECT magazine identified Mississippi State as having one of

winner’s plans will be implemented in Sandy-affected communities.

only three schools in the nation that lead in the area of community design and one of six leading in built environment social justice.

Thanks to these service efforts, Architectural Record magazine recently featured the GCCDS on its cover, along with an in-depth, multi-page article and images of its work.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Similarly, elective courses allow students to focus on real-world problems and their creative solutions.

With research centers improving quality of life and design electives

In one such class, students worked with the Starkville Area Habitat for

encouraging prototype development, Mississippi State architecture

Humanity to develop prototype houses to be built in the community. In

majors serve communities from one end of the Magnolia State to

another, they helped design and build the Green Building Technology

the other.

Demonstration Pavilion at the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum,

“The emphasis on community and civic responsibility is a hallmark of the school,” West said proudly. “Our research centers have worldwide acclaim, and we’re educating our students to be leaders there.”

From the Design Research and

also in Starkville.

In the latter experience, students worked to create an environmentally responsible pavilion integrated with local culture. The project won both state and American Society of Landscape Architects design awards.

Informatics Laboratory and Carl

“All these collaborative opportunities enrich the educational

Small Town Center, both on the

environment,” West said. “We have the only accredited architecture program

Starkville campus, to the Gulf

in Mississippi, and it has been recognized regionally and nationally.

Coast Community Design Studio in Biloxi, the school’s outreach

“This school always recognizes the commitment it takes to educate students in the practice of architecture,” he said.

initiatives offer master planning, Shown here in 1999 with Starkville architect Tom Jones, Sr., right, are William G. McMinn, center, the first dean of the School of Architecture who was named in 1974; and John M. McRae, who became the third dean in 1987. Other deans include James F. Barker named in 1984, and Jim West in 2001.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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Wayne Durst

Dominic J. Cunetto

presents

Sly Fox

W

hen Theatre MSU drew

before the construction of McComas Hall,

“He loved the department so much and

the curtain in October

his father produced theatre on a budget of

loved what theatre does for institutions,

to begin its 50th season,

about $100 per production.

but especially what it does for the students,”

the milestone became especially meaningful

“The budget for productions was pretty

Stephen Cunetto said. An alumnus of the

to those who have invested blood, sweat

miniscule, but he found a way to make it

program himself, Stephen Cunetto, who in

and tears into hundreds of productions and

work,” Stephen Cunetto said. He said his

addition to his leadership role at Mitchell

helped grow a program that has impacted

father, a native of St. Louis, Mo., was from an

Memorial Library serves as executive

thousands of students.

Italian family and became a first generation

director

humble

college student. From a young age, Dominic

Association, said he has been pleased to see

beginnings in 1963, with very limited

Cunetto showed interest in the arts, and

the program continue to grow and innovate

funding and an abundance of passion.

theatre became his lifelong passion.

over time.

Theatre

MSU

rose

from

for

the

Mississippi

Theatre

The solid establishment of the program by

A graduate of Washington University,

Wayne Durst, hired by Dominic Cunetto

founding theatre director Dominic J. Cunetto

where he received his bachelor’s degree,

in 1978 after Durst finished a master’s degree

and then head of the communication

Cunetto went on to complete master’s and

in theatre at Idaho State University, likewise

department Sam Dudley saw it evolve from

doctoral degrees in theatre at the University

found working with a young program an

enrolling a handful of students to today

of Florida. When Dudley offered Dominic

exciting prospect, particularly the idea of

enrolling more than 30 students majoring

Cunetto the position at Mississippi State,

in communication with a concentration in

Dominic Cunetto found the opportunity to

theatre. Many more participate in theatre

build a theatre program from the ground up

productions as an extracurricular activity.

extremely alluring. of

Stephen Cunetto said his father, who

systems for MSU Libraries, remembers

passed away in 2010, saw Theatre MSU as

helping his father Dominic Cunetto work

gratifying throughout his career, but as with

on sets and attending rehearsals, even as a

many projects of substance, it wasn’t without

youngster. Stephen said Cunetto that long

setbacks and frustrations along the way.

Stephen

Cunetto,

administrator

“Theatre is something that gets in your blood.”

Wayne Durst Retired Coordinator, Theatre MSU

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Deadwood Dick

The Emperor’s New Clothes

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

building what later became McComas Hall’s theater.

“It took everybody being behind it,” Durst said, explaining that during tight budget times and competing university The Liar

priorities, getting the theater completed was a tedious uphill effort which staff advocated laboriously. The project, in order to stay alive, had to have support from administrators such as department head Sid Hill, who succeeded Dudley, deans of Arts and Sciences Lyle Behr and Ed McGlone, and President James McComas and his successor President Donald Zacharias, along with music and art faculty, alumni and “pretty much everyone on this campus,” Durst said.

Before McComas Hall, theatre was presented in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium, in the YMCA ballroom and in the Union.

“We would build scenery underneath the Post Office and we carried it up that hill,” Durst said. “I used to say we’re the only touring company in the world that never left town. It was only possible because we had so many dedicated hardworking students.”

When McComas Hall was complete, the theater truly was the best in the SEC, Durst said, adding that the facility is still at the top, comparable to many New York theaters.

“The only thing we didn’t get was a hydraulic orchestra lift,” he said. He added that it was rewarding to be present at the first meeting with architects and to remain involved in the

12

W WIN IN TER 2013

Antigone

process all the way through the theater’s grand opening.

Durst retired as coordinator of the theatre program in May 2013 after a 35-year tenure in the department. His only absence was the one year he spent studying for a master of fine arts degree at the University of Alabama.

among Mississippi high school students.

“The process of creating theatre is so rewarding. You get to work with a bunch of people who all want the same thing,” Durst said.

Durst said a variety of students were always involved with Theatre

“Theatre is something that gets in your blood,” Durst said.

MSU–including both the “vocation” and the “avocation” students.

Years earlier, when Durst met his wife Jo while she was a theatre

“Many of our most successful theatre alumni have become lawyers,

graduate student at ISU, he said he met his soul mate. The couple

doctors, computer scientists, engineers, physicists and rocket scientists,”

married and went to work in New Haven, Conn., at Longwharf Theater

he said. Other alumni have acting careers, and many have gone on to

before moving to Starkville in 1978. At the time, they both thought they

teach drama and serve in educational administration.

would stay only a couple of years.

John Forde, current head of the communication department, said

But Durst said the charm of the South, complemented by the

the program has been nurtured over its 50 years by excellent faculty

pleasant climate, “snuck up on us.” After 35 years, Durst said he’s even

and staff. In addition to Cunetto and the Dursts, other faculty and staff

become a football fan. Starkville became home, and Theatre MSU

members have included Lee Moffett, Nate Bynum, Terry Holland, Sue

became the lifeblood of his career, as it had for Dominic Cunetto, who

Hinton and Mary Ann Ulmer, who still is on staff as a speech instructor.

retired in 1991.

The chance to teach and work doing what he loved made for a great job, Durst said. In addition to the design and technical direction of plays, he taught technical courses, such as stage craft and lighting, as well as theatre management, theatre history and playwriting.

Current theatre faculty, in addition to Jo Durst, include Donna Clevinger, Melanie Harris and Cody Stockstill.

“We have a high quality program, and students are able to become really involved even early in their degree pursuits,” Forde said.

To commemorate the 50th season, MSU Libraries is digitizing

Later, his wife joined the department as well, initially teaching

Theatre MSU memorabilia, including archived play programs and other

public speaking. As time passed, the department began to rely more

promotional materials and photographs. The collection is available

heavily on her theatre credentials, adding acting, directing, audition

online at http://digital.library.msstate.edu/

and monologue, period acting, and improvisation to her course load.

She also took over the high school drama festival, which Dominic

A history of the program also is chronicled on the Theatre MSU’s Facebook page.

Cunetto established in the 1960s to foster quality theatre experiences M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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14 WINKovar TER 2013

By Margaret | Photos by Beth Wynn

Legends abound as to the origins of Mississippi State’s ubiquitous cowbells.

The most popular is that during a home football game between the Starkville land-grant institution and University of Mississippi, a jersey cow wandered onto the playing field. MSU beat the Rebels soundly that day and students immediately adopted the cow as a good luck charm. Students were said to have continued bringing a cow to football games for a while, until the practice was eventually discontinued in favor of bringing just the cow’s bell.

Throughout the years, successive cowbell makers have strived to craft something a little bit different than the last. Whether constructing a bell out of gold plate, designing a custom-made handle or painting a logo, each carried on a tradition begun long ago.

The methods for creating cowbells may differ, but a few key elements keep coming up as modern artisans discuss their creations: family, tradition and pride.

Marc Anthony’s process includes using a plasma cutter to modify the cowbell’s top to fit his selected handles. He also utilizes a paint booth to add the finishing touch of maroon.

Marc Anthony A

lifelong

Starkville

resident and 1988 business

whose mascot name is the Cowboys.

Using high-quality materials such as chrome, 24-karat

Anthony

gold plate, bronze, and black nickel—and covered with his

opened University Screenprint

own custom-mixed automotive paint—he also makes them

a year after graduation. In

for MSU administrators and others to give as special gifts.

alumnus,

Marc

addition to custom screen printing, his business offers monogramming, signs and embroidery for everything from MSU’s summer camps to Greek-letter organizations.

In his spare time, however, Anthony is the man behind Bully Bell Cowbells.

As a high school student, Anthony began helping Hardy

Regardless of the materials or customers, Anthony’s bells are entirely U.S.-made products.

“A lot of love goes into these,” he said. “I want them to last forever.”

And if they get a bit beaten up over time, it only adds to their charm.

“Most people can tell you the story behind every dent and scratch on their bells,” he said.

Tingle, the former owner of Bully Bells, and eventually branched

In addition to cowbells for ringing at games, Anthony

out on his own. After Tingle retired, Anthony gained the rights

makes cowbell Christmas ornaments, jewelry and trailer

to Bully Bells and now produces 5,000 to 9,000 annually.

hitches. He also constantly plans for the future.

His best seller? A medium-sized cowbell, painted maroon, of course.

Anthony’s sales include clients across the Southeast,

“A lot of the time, when I’m in my shop making bells, I am thinking of new products. Right now, I’m trying to develop a wind chime,” he said.

including McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La., M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

15

Craig Squires Craig Squires welds the cowbell’s seam so the surface is smooth and consistent when the final finish is applied. Additionally, he creates custom handles from wood blocks and sands them until he thinks they are near-to-perfect.

Craig Squires is an aerospace

engineering

graduate of West Virginia

to the university and its fans,” he said.

Just how much the cowbell means to the Bulldog

to graduate school at the

Nation really hit home the day a Squires-engraved

University of Nevada Las

bell was presented to President Emeritus Donald

Vegas. But, after marrying

Zacharias during the 2010 MSU Alumni Association

Emily, a longtime MSU

Awards Banquet.

fan, he was ushered into the world of “Hail State,” maroon Squires started out making bells only for family

“When it was presented, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place,” Squires recalled. “It was a special moment for everyone there.”

members. His first non-family bell was created for MSU’s

Squires and his family also personally delivered

Air Force ROTC detachment to present to Robert H.

a bell to the Bulldog baseball team that finished

“Doc” Foglesong, who became the land-grant institution’s

second in this year’s College World Series. The team’s

18th president in 2006 after retiring as a four-star Air

version featured a partial baseball-bat handle and the

Force general.

familiar intertwined ‘MS’ logo long associated with the

Going on to make them for the president’s office, athletic department and alumni association, Squires now is officially licensed and produces bells almost solely for the university.

institution’s oldest intercollegiate sport.

John Wayne VanHorn

“I like keeping it as a hobby and it keeps the bells

John Wayne VanHorn, a 1984 graduate, said he first

exclusive,” he explained. “I want these bells to stay special

learned how to make cowbells from Ralph Reeves, who

because I’ve seen how much they mean to people.”

along with MSU faculty colleague Earl W. Terrell, began

Squires said his production begins with a plain bell on which he first welds the sides for reinforcement. After

welding handles onto bells in the 1960s to make them easier to ring.

grinding the welds smooth, a custom handle made using a

Reeves and Terrell were longtime faculty members

wood lathe is added. Some of Squires’ bells are constructed

in the then-industrial education department. Their

with special materials such as gold. Whatever the material,

early handled models were sold to raise funds for the

all carry his own small logo, an ‘S’ surrounded by a circle

department’s student club where VanHorn was a member.

laser-marked below the handle.

Squires emphasized that he’s not in cowbell production for the money.

WIN TER 2013

heartwarming to see how much this symbol really means

University and went on

and white, and cowbells.

16

“I want to be a friend of the university,” he said. “It’s

As an “IE” major, VanHorn trained to be a vocational educational teacher. He has taught drafting at Holmes Community College for 19 years, after having served for

11 years as a vocational

Decorations are added with stencils and paint. Since they

instructor at Winona

are made from scratch, each of his bells is a little different

High School.

from the other. Specific metal thicknesses give each a

For

him,

cowbell

unique sound, he noted.

making began simply as

Unlike his two other contemporaries, VanHorn never

something to do. Never

sells his creations. He only gives them to friends and family.

one for idle hands, he

“If I charged what they actually cost to make, people

regularly has fashioned such items as bottle trees and television stands. Restoring antique vehicles is his biggest hobby.

Each VanHorn cowbell is made from scratch, a process that can take more than eight hours. Starting with a piece of stainless steel sheet metal, he welds the unit solid, then adds either a wooden or rubber handle.

“One of the reasons I use stainless steel is because it can

wouldn’t buy them,” he said. “They’d be too expensive.”

VanHorn made an appearance in this fall’s campus Cowbell Yell pep rally video, illustrating the processes he

Starting with a sheet of steel, John Wayne VanHorn bends the metal into the right shape and then welds, grinds and sands until the bell is ready for paint. His tools include blowtorches, vices, a welding machine and various sanding equipment.

goes through to create a bell. The video’s theme of tradition is near and dear to this third-generation Bulldog’s heart.

“Cowbells are more than something to just ring at a game,” VanHorn said. “It’s a tradition that ties us back to our A&M days.”

be buffed and polished to look brand new again, even after it’s been skinned up,” he said.

MSU alumni Stephen Caples, right, and John Howell represent the next generation of Bulldog cowbell makers. Founders of BattleBells, the two set out in 2012 to make what they consider the best cowbells possible.

“We wanted to make a product that would represent the pride, passion and integrity of every true Mississippi State University fan,” Howell said.

Partnering with skilled fabricators at the Long Branch Co. in West Point, Howell and Caples produce hand-crafted bells made of 16-gauge, cold-rolled stainless steel.

Each BattleBells unit has interchangeable, customizable wooden handles and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

17

BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS MARKS

50-YEAR MILESTONE

By Allison Matthews | Photos by Megan Bean

T

he Business Information Systems program in Mississippi

the university before teaching for the next 25 years. Shim headed the

State’s College of Business is celebrating its 50th year.

program’s doctoral program for 27 years until he retired in 2011.

A mid-November program was held to commemorate

the milestone.

Established in 1963 by longtime head Charles Moore, the BIS program was the first information systems program in an accredited college of business in the world, said Professor Rodney Pearson.

He said the first five graduates in 1966 led the way for more than 1,900 who have followed.

Pearson, a Robert Keil Fellow and the Richard Adkerson Notable Scholar, has been part of the department’s faculty since 1987. He said

director of the State of Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, also was a guest at the program.

Moore, who retired in 1984, recalled that one objective of the school of business when he was hired was to gain accreditation at the graduate level. During a time when computers were simply on the horizon with no real presence at most universities or businesses, institutions of higher learning differed in their evaluation of the importance of the computer’s development.

business information systems has been one of higher education’s

Moore said Mississippi State was among the first to own a

fastest changing fields as a parallel to the rapid evolution of

computer, an IBM 650. Moore taught at the University of Alabama

technology over the past half century.

prior to joining Mississippi State, and he said he would bring his

“The first business to own a computer was General Electric in 1954. Nine years later, Mississippi State had a major,” Pearson said.

During the celebration, Moore attended, along with Kirk Arnett

18

Pearson said Craig Orgeron, a 1989 BIS alumnus and executive

students over to the Starkville campus to use the computer in McCain Hall. At the time, computer input and output was all done by punch cards, he said.

and J.P. Shim, both longtime faculty members. Arnett, professor

When he was offered a faculty position at Mississippi State to

emeritus, worked as a manager of computer information systems at

begin a new program, Moore said he considered the opportunity a

W IN TER 2013

challenge. The program was titled Business Statistics and Data Processing until the name was changed in 1984.

Moore described taking students to Jackson to work with large insurance companies and banks.

“Students were excited about the application of computers in the business environment, and the companies were interested in these students,” Moore said.

“I could tell that they would be interested in any students we could develop primarily with a business background, but with aptitude for the computer.” He said Mississippi State was a pioneer

cyber security, which has been an important move

in business systems.

for the university and graduates. and

Pearson said modern computer advancements,

programming languages, which initially were crude,

such as the advent of the World Wide Web in

tough-to-learn “machine” languages, Moore said,

the 1990s and the smart phone in the 2000s,

developed to a point which made programming

have meant that faculty and students both are

“more like English.” Fortran and COBOL have been

constantly learning.

Over

time,

technology

improved

staples of the discipline. Pearson said that many

“We teach web-based programming, which didn’t

people have predicted the death of COBOL, but it

exist before the Web,” Pearson said. The Clarksdale

has been a constant for more than 50 years.

native who earned undergraduate and master’s

Moore said that while mathematicians, engineers

degrees from the University of Mississippi before

and physicists were responsible for developing

completing a doctorate at Harvard in Management

computers, he observed that business-oriented

Information Systems in 1984 was among the first in

people were necessary to harness the computer for

the country to develop a course on programming

business applications.

applications for iPhones.

“People trained in accounting, management,

“Stanford started a course in fall 2008, and our

economics and business statistics were better

course at MSU began in spring 2009,” Pearson

qualified to apply the computer to business

said. When Pearson first saw an iPhone, he said he

problems,” Moore said.

immediately liked the technology and wanted to

Arnett, who earned his undergraduate degree

Opposite Page - Charles Moore, right, founder of MSU’s Business Information Systems program, was recognized at the 50th anniversary celebration.

Shown with Moore are, from left, Jerry Gilbert, MSU provost and executive vice president; Sharon Oswald, MSU College of Business dean; and Mary Grace Moore, daughter of Charles Moore.

create apps for it.

in the program in 1968 and went on to finish an

Pearson said it doesn’t matter if a professor is

M.B.A. and a doctorate in 1984, also from MSU,

teaching COBOL or programming for iPhone, the

said the program was successful in part because

concepts are the same.

of collaboration with other computer-related

“Ten years from now, I don’t know what they’ll be

disciplines, such as the university’s computer

using, but I believe the concepts will be the same,”

science program.

Pearson said.

“They not only shared their resources like

Whatever the application, Mississippi State’s

computers, but they shared their expertise,”

business information systems program will be

Arnett said.

preparing students to apply the technology for

Arnett said that in more recent years, the

Above - Kirk Arnett, left, former BIS faculty member, reminisces with his wife, Max, about his long involvement in the program. Arnett, who was a member of the BIS program’s 1968 graduating class, died in December.

modern-day business solutions.

program has helped break ground in the field of

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

19

By Bonnie Coblentz | Photos by Kat Lawrence

In a university known for engineering, architecture and agriculture, it may come as a surprise to many to find Mississippi State University researchers involved in efforts to address threatened and endangered amphibians. Two labs in Dorman Hall have been outfitted as homes for colonies of critically endangered Mississippi gopher frogs and threatened Boreal toads. A colony of Tiger salamanders also calls MSU home, and while not a threatened species, their kind is in significant decline worldwide.

MSU began working with amphibians in 2012 and has formed a partnership with the Memphis Zoo to further these efforts. Several researchers staff the fully-equipped labs designed to cater to all the needs of these residents while science is applied to the problems of their dwindling numbers.

Gopher Frogs Mississippi State University has joined the

“They need an event, such as a torrential

little bit of a problem,” Calatayud said. “All our

ranks of conservationists trying to increase

downpour, and then they all move in one night to

breeding is done by in vitro fertilization, but we’re

the population of one of the most critically

the same pond and mate,” she said.

trying to figure out what conditions are necessary

endangered species living in North America.

The ponds they choose to live near are

to get the captive colony to breed naturally.”

Mississippi gopher frogs are native to south

ephemeral ponds. These temporary ponds,

Mississippi State researchers are working to

Mississippi, and for a time, the only known colony

formed in wetland areas by rainfall, last for a few

refine the hormone treatments used to get the

living and breeding in the wild was living in one

weeks and then disappear.

females to lay eggs. They are also working to

Harrison County pond. They have since been found living near three other ponds in the DeSoto

“The tadpoles must metamorphose by the time the pond dries up,” Langhorne said.

preserve the genetic diversity of the species by biobanking the frogs’ cryopreserved sperm.

National Forest, bringing the total known wild

In response to the frogs’ loss of habitat, the

“With only 100 to 200 in the wild and 700

population to an estimated 100 to 200 gopher frogs.

U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

in captivity, it is important to avoid genetic

More than 700 additional gopher frogs live in

and other conservation groups have stepped

bottlenecks,” Calatayud said. “If we can’t make

captivity, and one Mississippi Agricultural and

in to protect the habitat that remains. These

them breed naturally in captivity at the moment,

Forestry Experiment Station lab has 34 of the

organizations also work to create new habitat

then what we can do is to create a bank of genetic

adult frogs. Natalie Calatayud, a postdoctoral

the frogs will find suitable for breeding.

diversity so we can help that population out manually if we need to.”

fellow, and Cecilia Langhorne, a graduate student

“They are trying to design ponds that

pursuing her doctorate in animal physiology, care

form with trapped water and then dissipate,”

MSU’s frogs are about three years old and are

for these frogs.

Calatayud said. “There is a lot of effort going into

expected to live up to nine years in captivity. The

habitat restoration.”

frogs’ gender must be determined by ultrasound.

“The problem with their dwindling numbers is a loss of habitat,” Calatayud said.

In their natural habitat, the frogs are what are known as “explosive breeders,” Langhorne explained.

20

WI NTER 2013

At MSU and the 14 zoos studying gopher frogs, researchers are trying—so far without success— to get captive colonies to breed naturally.

“Getting the females to lay eggs has been a

MSU is home to 19 females and 15 males.

Individual frogs are difficult to tell apart, but researchers identify them using passive integrated transponders inserted beneath the skin. These

devices are smaller versions of the microchips

and other amphibians are indicators of the

used to identify dogs and cats. Langhorne said

overall well-being of some vital natural habitats

they hope to name the frogs after famous

in Mississippi.

“Our research is centered on understanding

Mississippians soon.

Scott Willard, head of the MSU Department

how to develop protocols to bring species back

of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology

from the brink in the laboratory, but larger

and Plant Pathology, said the work is important

questions persist regarding habitat maintenance

because the presence and health of gopher frogs

and restoration efforts,” Willard said.

Opposite Page - The Mississippi gopher frog is one of the most critically endangered species in North America. Mississippi State is trying to learn how to get its 34 adult gopher frogs to breed in captivity.

Below - Diane, a Boreal toad living in a Mississippi State University laboratory, was weighed before entering a six-month simulated hibernation earlier this year.

Boreal Toads three months and a last set of four for six months.

Toads in the six-month treatment came out of hibernation in the summer.

“We had success with females laying eggs a week later,” Calatayud said.

These studies determined the need for hibernation to get the animals to reproduce successfully.

“We had a 50 percent success rate for both the one-month and three-month hibernations,” Calatayud said. “That is a great success because no researchers

began, research focused on using hormones to get

female had ever laid eggs in the two years before

successfully promoted egg laying in threatened

the toads to breed without hibernation, but that

this test.”

Boreal toads when they moved the amphibians

approach was unsuccessful.

Mississippi

State

University

out of the refrigerator and into the wine chiller.

Mississippi

Agricultural

and

Forestry

Experiment Station researchers at MSU are working with a group of 52 threatened Boreal

“When that didn’t work, we decided to hibernate the females,” Calatayud said.

To encourage hibernation, they use a refrigerator, a wine chiller and a water cooler.

Taking a toad from hibernation in a refrigerator is a two-step process. Researchers first placed the female toads in a wine chiller with slightly higher temperatures of 46.4-50 degrees. After a week in the wine chiller, the toads were moved back

toads native to the Colorado Rockies. The toads

Four females are housed in plastic, lidded boxes

into their regular laboratory habitat with 46- to

are housed in a special lab in the MSU Department

and placed in the refrigerator. The boxes have

50-degree water supplied to their ponds from a

of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology

a layer of moist soil for the toads to sit on, and

water cooler.

and Plant Pathology.

temperatures are kept at a constant 39.2 degrees.

“Temperature, humidity and altitude may be

Natalie Calatayud, a postdoctoral fellow, and

This lower temperature is used to simulate

very important factors hindering our efforts,”

Cecilia Langhorne, a graduate student pursuing

conditions found in the wild, where Boreal

Calatayud said, but the researchers are learning

her doctorate in animal physiology, manage the

toads spend the cold winters underground or in

how to work around these challenges.

lab and care for the toads.

beaver dams.

After collecting data on the initial hibernation

“Our goal is to increase the numbers of the wild

“The females use their fat reserves to develop

study, the researchers will adjust hormone

populations,” Calatayud said. “We are establishing

eggs while in hibernation,” Langhorne said. “They

treatment, hibernation length and other factors

reproduction protocols to promote breeding in

actually gain weight in the refrigerator as their

to help optimize egg production. They are also

captivity and produce animals for reintroduction

bodies hold moisture from the damp environment,

working on timing the production of eggs and

to their natural habitat.”

and eggs develop.”

sperm to create ideal conditions for in vitro

In their native habitat, Boreal toads hibernate for

As a test, four females were kept in hibernation

six months before mating. When the MSU project

for one month in the refrigerator, four others for

fertilization.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

21

LUMNA LEAD A U MS MISSISSIPPI S

CHILDRREN’S N’S MUSEUM MUSEUUM

By Allison Matthews | Photos by Russ Houston

Alumna Susan Garrard has been instrumental in the success of the Mississippi Children’s Museum.

W

hen children’s faces gleam with delight upon a visit to

“Because the Junior League had been successful not only in fundraising

the Mississippi Children’s Museum, the hard work,

but in our volunteer activities, we wanted to do another big project, and we

dedication and dogged determination to see the

wanted to do something for children in Mississippi, especially in the areas

40,000-square-foot museum come to fruition is validated again and again.

Since opening its doors in 2010, the Mississippi Children’s Museum has hosted more than 550,000 children and families. About 45,000 children per year visit the museum as part of field trips, which are aligned with state educational standards set by the Mississippi Department of Education.

Mississippi State alumna Susan Easom Garrard has worked with the museum since its inception.

A 1983 communication/public relations graduate, Garrard serves

Early language skills, literacy skills and health were all identified as areas in need of support.

The Junior League became a signature donor, contributing more than $1 million to the project, along with the C Spire Foundation, the Bower Foundation, Donna and Jim Barksdale, the State of Mississippi and the Luckyday Foundation. In total, more than 40 founding donors helped make the museum possible.

as the museum’s president and CEO. The Sebastopol native—daughter

Garrard, as a volunteer, worked with fundraising, held speaking

of Albert “Sonny” Easom Jr. and Sally Easom—moved to Jackson after

engagements, and was active in strategic planning for the $26 million

finishing her degree at MSU and spending a year at New York’s Fashion

project. The museum became a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and in 2008

Institute of Technology.

Garrard took the helm of the museum as executive director.

While making her home in Jackson, Garrard became involved with the

She said the museum is operated by a statewide board of trustees and also

Junior League of Jackson, which focuses on educational and charitable

maintains an Educator Advisory Board to make sure programs and new

causes. She served as a volunteer and in 2002 became president. It was

exhibits are substantive and meaningful for children ages 0 to 12.

during her leadership term that the organization voted to adopt a new signature project.

The Junior League of Jackson had been successful in raising funds and support for a children’s cancer clinic at the University of Mississippi Medical Center 10 years earlier, and the organization decided the next project should offer educational value for children and create a statewide impact.

22

of literacy and health,” Garrard said.

WIN TER 2013

The museum, considered an ambitious project even by industry standards, has consumed Garrard’s time and attention. As a mother of two, although both her sons are older, she said the mission of serving children is one that evokes passion from everyone involved in the museum.

In addition to promoting literacy and health and nutrition, the museum focuses on cultural arts, Mississippi heritage, and science, technology,

A unique, custom design produced a world-class museum, one that is tailored especially for Mississippi’s children.

“This experience reflects the people of Mississippi and teaches something about who we are,” she said.

The world’s largest Scrabble board and a Between the Lions reading room highlight the Wild About Reading area. A music and dance stage, as well as art activity space, highlight the Express Yourself gallery.

Children can learn about health and wellness with a unique play area in engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational objectives. Located at 2145 Highland Drive, next door to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, the museum asserts its motto, “We take fun seriously.”

the Healthy Fun section.

Garrard said promoting health and nutrition is one of the state’s biggest challenges.

“This museum emphasizes inquiry-based learning and play-

A farmer’s market truck houses toy fruits and vegetables. A quick scan

based learning,” Garrard said. “We want children to be excited

of an item at a register reveals nutritional facts about the foods. Garrard

and enthusiastic.” She said teachers who visit with their classes

said the exhibit is yet another nod to Mississippi’s own history and was

love the scavenger hunt activities which help children remember

designed from a historical photograph of an actual farm-to-market truck

Mississippi facts.

of the past.

Garrard said a unique and custom design produced a world-class

“I love being in a place that is working to make a difference in the lives

children’s museum, but one that is tailored especially for Mississippi’s

of children,” Garrard said. “The museum values innovation, imagination

children.

and creativity, and we’re not afraid to try something new.”

She explained that the exhibits, and even the structural design of the

Garrard said Mississippi State has been an important resource for

building’s interior, point to not only learning and literacy in general, but

the museum, particularly the Early Childhood Institute and the Social

tell the stories of Mississippi from Corinth to the Coast.

Science Research Center’s KIDS COUNT data, which Garrard said was

“We wanted the museum to be world-class, but we wanted it to be Mississippi-centric,” Garrard said. “The uniqueness of who we are and what we do in Mississippi is evident in all five galleries.”

Several galleries within the museum showcase aspects of life in the

helpful in establishing the need for this type of facility.

The museum was named the 2013 Mississippi KIDS COUNT Program of Promise in honor of its “incredible contributions to fueling creativity and learning in our children.”

Magnolia State, including the World at Work, Exploring Mississippi,

Garrard said she enjoys returning to the university as an alumna

Wild About Reading, Healthy Fun and Express Yourself. A lower-level

and now as a parent of another Bulldog, her son Jack, who is studying

“underground” area even teaches visitors about Mississippi soil levels

business. Garrard and her husband John are also parents of William, a

and geology.

sophomore at Jackson Prep.

In the World at Work gallery, children can interact with exhibits that

Garrard said the future of the Mississippi Children’s Museum is

showcase automotive manufacturing, farming, construction, energy

exciting, with a new outdoor installment planned to open during the

production and forestry. Visitors in the Exploring Mississippi area learn about

summer of 2014. A literacy garden will implement a learning-through-

everything from civil rights to Elvis to pronunciation of Choctaw words.

nature program.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

23

Among the Fulbright Scholars currently at Mississippi State are above, left to right: Maximilian Roethig of Germany, a master’s student in aerospace engineering.

Rosanna Carreras de Leon of Dominican Republic, a master’s student in zoology.

Carlos Cabrera of Dominican Republic, a master’s student in animal nutrition.

Jing Yang of China, MSU’s first Fulbright foreign language teaching assistant.

MSU APPRECIATES CULTURAL SHARING THAT FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS BRING

M

By Allison Matthews | Photos by Megan Bean ississippi State University has been recognized as one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars, and with globalization as one of the main goals in the university’s strategic plan, efforts to foster international

relationships are only increasing at the land-grant institution.

The Fulbright Program is the nation’s flagship international exchange program, established in 1946 under legislation introduced by Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas.

Fulbright allows students and faculty to spend time in another country for scholarly purposes.

Additionally, Fulbright also brings international students to the U.S. Karen Coats, associate dean of the Graduate School and Fulbright Program advisor, said students who pursue a Fulbright Scholarship are interested in broadening their perspectives through a study-abroad experience. Graduating seniors or graduate students may apply to participate in academic fields across the spectrum of sciences and humanities, and appointments usually last just less than a year. Faculty members also are eligible to participate in the Fulbright program to teach, lecture and conduct research abroad.

Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert said students who come to Mississippi

24

WIN TER 2013

State as Fulbright Scholars have gone through a competitive selection

“Having Fulbright Scholars on campus offers our students and

process and stand out as excellent scholars in their respective fields. But

faculty a valuable opportunity to interact with some of the brightest,

he emphasized that studying in the U.S. not only benefits the Fulbright

most ambitious and outgoing, students from around the world,”

Scholars, but enriches the campus culture and benefits all MSU students

Rezek said. “These students are generally very eager to share aspects

who have the opportunity to interact with scholars from various countries

of their culture with us, allowing our students and faculty to see the

around the world.

world from a different perspective, which is extraordinarily important

The university currently is hosting 10 international Fulbright students, in addition to a Fulbright foreign language teaching assistant.

to both understanding our world and to thinking creatively about solving common challenges.”

“We welcome you and are very honored that you have selected

MSU is a competitive school which many international Fulbright

Mississippi State to pursue your studies,” Gilbert said during a fall

Scholars apply for each year. The students often are attracted by the

luncheon with the university’s newest Fulbright Scholars. Each year, the

acclaimed computer science program and additional engineering

international scholars have the opportunity to meet one another and talk

fields, agricultural programs and many others.

with administrators and faculty members during an informal luncheon.

Karin Lee, manager of international students and scholars in the

The event gives the students an opportunity to share their past experiences

university’s International Institute, said some scholars are attracted

in their native countries.

to MSU’s English as a Second Language program. Lee said since

Jon Rezek, associate vice president of international programs and

international Fulbright Scholars can select where they choose to

executive director of MSU’s International Institute, said that due to financial

apply, it speaks well of MSU and its international reputation when

constraints, many students are unable to experience other cultures through

Fulbright Scholars seek admission.

study abroad programs, but Fulbright Scholars bring their own experiences from around the world to share with American students.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

25

A

Mississippi

State

philosophy

double-major

English

and from

Vicksburg has been awarded the

coveted Rhodes Scholarship.

University senior Donald M. “Field” Brown received what widely is considered the world’s most celebrated and prestigious international fellowship.

He is a 2010 Vicksburg High School graduate.

MSU President Mark E. Keenum said that Brown’s selection as a Rhodes Scholar is a source of tremendous pride to the university’s students, faculty and staff.

“First and foremost, Field Brown’s selection as a Rhodes Scholar is a testament to his own drive and determination and the nurturing influence of his wonderful family,” said Keenum. “But it is also a resounding testament to the quality of scholarship, intellectual rigor, and encouragement that we strive to provide each and every student. This is outstanding news at Mississippi State University. We rejoice when our students succeed.”

Each year, 32 young Americans are chosen on the basis of demonstrated scholarly achievements, character, commitment to others and the common good, and leadership potential.

Brown is MSU’s second Rhodes Scholar and the first since 1911. Other universities with Rhodes Scholars this year include: Harvard; Yale; Princeton; Villanova; Williams College; Wake Forest; Tennessee; Georgia Tech; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Wisconsin; University of Chicago; Washington University; Carnegie Mellon University and the University of California, Berkeley.

Mississippi State, Brown said, has offered him the best undergraduate experience possible.

FIELD BROWN: RHODES SCHOLAR

By Sid Salter and Allison Matthews | Photos by Megan Bean

“I couldn’t be in a better position if I had gone anywhere else,” he said. He added that his professors have given him “concrete ways to be the best in my field.

“That’s all you can ask from a college education,” he said.

Brown also has studied English literature at Christ Church College in Oxford, England. According to the Rhodes Trust, Brown’s senior thesis focuses on Ralph Ellison and argues how politically radical novelists

26

WI NTER 2013

were forced to mute their political ideas to become

his family often enjoyed watching “Jeopardy,” the long-

visible and respected.

running television game show in which contestants are

The scholarships are provided by the Rhodes Trust,

tested on general knowledge.

a British charity established in the will of businessman

Brown entered MSU after graduating third in his high

and mining magnate Cecil J. Rhodes. The goal is to

school class and enrolled in the university’s Shackouls

promote international understanding and provide full

Honors College. He also came as an accomplished high

financial support for students pursuing graduate degrees

school athlete—a ranked tennis player.

at the University of Oxford, the first of its kind in the

Snyder said Brown quickly became a leader in several

English-speaking world and one of the world’s leading

campus organizations. In addition to co-founding “The

institutions of higher learning.

Streetcar,” a literary magazine, Brown served as president

Brown, the son of Willie and Cynthia Brown, said he

of the Philosophy and Religion Club, was a member of

is particularly interested in studying post-World War II

the MSU Roadrunners student recruiting team and was

African-American literature. He said both English and

active in intramural sports.

philosophy are related to his love of studying ideas.

Brown credited Snyder and Thomas Anderson,

“English is the narrative form; literature deals with

associate professor of English and director of the Office

everyday people and how they relate to ideas,” Brown

of Prestigious External Scholarships, for his pursuit of a

said. “Philosophy is the systematic study of ideas, and

Rhodes Scholarship. He said in addition to assisting him

the two go together.”

with the scholarship process, the two professors have

Brown said that, while the promise of continuing his studies at Oxford is thrilling, the reality of gaining the fellowship is life changing.

encouraged him in many ways, as have several other English and philosophy faculty members.

Opposite Page - MSU senior Donald M. “Field” Brown of Vicksburg is one of only 32 young Americans to receive the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship for 2014.

Below - Field Brown studies near the Chapel of Memories at Mississippi State. He said MSU has offered him the best undergraduate experience possible.

“So many great minds have walked the halls of Oxford, including tons of writers and a lot of important thinkers who have shaped the western world,” Brown said.

Brown said he plans to pursue masters of studies degrees in both American literature and modern English literature. Specifically, he is interested in transAtlantic interactions within literature, particularly how McCarthyism scare tactics of the 1950s and the Cold War affected which books were promoted.

Chris Snyder, dean of MSU’s Shackouls Honors College, said Brown has shown a commitment to doing extra work, taking risks and putting academics first during his tenure as a Mississippi State student. “Field is a burgeoning intellectual with great humility, faith and a strong family foundation,” Snyder said.

His parents both emphasized education to Brown and his older brother Willie Brown Jr., an MSU engineering graduate who was a Distinguished Scholar—the top honor awarded to entering freshmen. He went on to earn a master’s degree in psychology from the university before joining MSU’s nationally recognized Social Science Research Center.

In addition to discussing books together, Brown said M IS S IS S IP P I S T AT E A L UMNUS

27

Campus

NEWS

13 WINTER

ALUMNUS

In December, Mississippi State met Loyola University Chicago on the hardwood for the first time in Humphrey Coliseum.

The first time the teams met, in the "Game of Change" at the 1963 NCAA Tournament, Mississippi State defied an unwritten state law prohibiting teams from playing integrated teams. Here, 1963 players Stan Brinker, former Bulldog, and Jerry Harkness, former Rambler, shake hands just as the team captains shook hands in 1963. Mississippi State lost the tournament match 50 years ago, 51-61, but the Bulldogs won this year’s rematch in overtime, 65-64.

Photo by Russ Houston

MSU holds ‘Game of Change’ reunion, rematch

M

He emphasized that 1963 MSU

ississippi State

defying segregation and

players-only dinner on the night

celebrated the

embracing equality had begun.

before the game, honorees also

President Dean Colvard and

attended a private brunch prior to

basketball coach Babe McCarthy

the tipoff.

were the biggest heroes. They

50th anniversary

To commemorate that defining

of the 1963 "Game of Change"

moment in race relations, as

when the university faced

well as celebrate the basketball

Loyola University Chicago at the

players who competed then,

Bobby Shows attended the

but they did what they knew to

hardwood matchup in Humphrey

the 2013 matchup in Starkville

reunion. He said he's glad

be right by insisting MSU's team

Coliseum in December.

featured reunion, fellowship

the university sponsored the

should be allowed to compete

and celebration.

celebration, and he really enjoyed

against a competitive opponent, no

seeing his teammates, as well as the

matter the color of their skin.

Fifty years ago, the all-white

1963 MSU basketball player

could've lost their jobs, Shows said,

Bulldog basketball team defied

MSU hosted players from

unwritten state law and snuck

both 1963 teams, as well as their

out of Mississippi to play against

spouses. Deceased players' widows,

the integrated Ramblers–and

former team managers and

you it was won by Mississippi

in the Game of Change was even

its four black starters–in the

current university administrators

State because it broke the race

bigger than playing in the national

NCAA Tournament.

also attended.

barriers," Shows said. "It changed

championship. He called the Game

people's minds on the campus, in

of Change "the beginning of the end of segregation."

Though MSU lost the game and

At the anniversary game, MSU

Loyola players.

"The Loyola players will tell

Loyola went on to win the national

held a special halftime salute to

the state and around the United

championship, a trend of

the 1963 players and presented

States. It was the beginning of

mementoes to attendees. After a

a breakthrough."

28

WI NTER 2013

1963 Loyola team captain Jerry Harkness said in 2008 that playing

‘Game of Change’ panel examines sports, civil rights

W

hen Mississippi State and Loyola University Chicago met on the hardwood for a 1963

post-season NCAA tournament, both university basketball teams took a stand for equality, integration and sportsmanship.

Fifty years later, the "Game of Change" endures as an historic moment when MSU administrators, coaches and students rejected the accepted Southern practice of racial segregation. That was the collective opinion by members of a special panel that gathered on the Starkville campus in December to discuss the game and its lasting impact on civil rights and sports history.

Titled "Game of Change: The Impact of Sports on Civil Rights," the public program featured

An MSU-sponsored symposium titled “Game of Change: The Impact of Sports on Civil Rights” featured a discussion of long-term impacts resulting from the historic 1963 basketball game between players representing a then-segregated MSU and integrated Loyola University Chicago.

Speakers included (from left) Bailey Howell, former MSU basketball player; Kyle Veazey, author of “Champions of Change”; Jerry Harkness, former Loyola basketball player; Robbie Coblentz, producer and director of the “One Night in March” documentary; and Donald Shaffer, MSU assistant professor of African-American Studies.

Photo by: Megan Bean

Robbie Coblentz, producer/director of the "One

Colvard had declined them because he was not

cultural continuum, as well as the opportunity to

Night in March" documentary; Jerry Harkness,

ready to challenge the state's unwritten rule

demonstrate how sports can serve as a catalyst

1963 Loyola team captain and former National

forbidding segregated teams to compete against

for social change.

Basketball Association player; Bailey Howell,

integrated ones.

Howell praised the Loyola and MSU teams'

Colvard knew, however, that not allowing

demonstrated sportsmanship, not just during

of Fame player who also played in the NBA;

MSU players to compete against the best teams

the game itself, but in the years that followed.

Donald Shaffer, MSU assistant professor of

in the nation was wrong, Howell explained. "He

Harkness continued Howell's point, saying

African-American studies and English; and

just did what was right, and he knew there'd be

"It's strange that we never would have met if it

journalist Kyle Veazey, author of "Champions of

consequences, regardless," the former Boston

hadn't been for the game of basketball, and here,

Change: How the Mississippi State Bulldogs and

Celtics great added.

we have developed such a beautiful friendship,

MSU and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall

Their Bold Coach Defied Segregation."

Sid Salter, MSU's chief communications

Coblentz expressed agreement with Howell.

Though decisions by Colvard and head

and it all came of the Game of Change.

"The No. 1 game in my life was not winning

officer, served as moderator. He opened the

basketball coach Babe McCarthy to give the

the national (collegiate) title; it was the

presentation by noting the building in which

Bulldogs an opportunity to play in the NCAA

Mississippi State-Loyola game and what it did

the symposium was taking place--the Colvard

Tournament weren't easy, their actions helped

for America," Harkness said.

Student Union--was named for former president

demonstrate that MSU could rise above the

Dean W. Colvard, MSU's leader when the game

segregation tradition, he added.

was played.

Veazey, a sportswriter with the Memphis

Shaffer pointed to the 1962 forced integration of the University of Mississippi as an example

All panelists stressed the importance of maintaining the memory of the Game of Change and teaching younger generations about its important lessons.

"This is a great story, and we ought to

Commercial Appeal, pointed out how MSU

of how the statewide narrative already was

also had received invitations to the 1961 and

being changed. He said the Game of Change

celebrate this history, that accomplishment and

1962 NCAA post-season tournaments. He said

represented another symbolic shift in the

the continued legacy," Shaffer said.

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Caption

U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, left, toured several U.S. Department of Agriculture research projects being conducted on the Starkville campus of Mississippi State University in September and joined MSU President Mark E. Keenum for a press conference after the tour.

Keenum is a former under secretary of agriculture. Vilsack also met with a group of students from the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine during his MSU visit.

Photo by Megan Bean

Vilsack praises Mississippi State’s agricultural research contributions

M

ississippi State University officials toured U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom

basically allows Mississippi producers and others to

Vilsack around campus in September in

continue to be productive in agriculture of all kinds,”

a rare opportunity to brief a sitting Cabinet member on significant federally funded research projects.

Vilsack spent a whirlwind afternoon with MSU

MSU ranks ninth in the country by the National Science Foundation for research and development expenditures in agricultural sciences among private

research and answering questions and listening to

and public institutions. In 2011, the university

student comments.

conducted nearly $97 million in agriculture-related research, and last year, the U.S. Department of

to be,” Vilsack said. “It’s important to this country

Agriculture granted MSU more than $28 million in

that we continue to have a vital economy, and to do

federal research dollars.

that, we have to have production agriculture, and we need to continue to expand agriculture, and particularly export opportunities.

WI NTER 2013

he said.

researchers and students, learning about ongoing

“Mississippi State is targeted right where it needs

30

“Here we are at the veterinary school, which

“I’m proud of the relationship between the USDA and Mississippi State,” Vilsack said.

MSU President Mark E. Keenum, a past undersecretary of agriculture, welcomed Vilsack’s interest in MSU research.

“The USDA touches everyone in our country, and one-fourth of income in Mississippi comes from agriculture,” Keenum said. “Secretary

U.S. Senate on the subject of biofuels.

“The bio-oil production facility utilizes

conservation project here at Mississippi State is a direct link to producers encouraging them to

biomass in a new process that uses intense heat

more effectively utilize conservation not only

to create oil in a matter of minutes as opposed

to reduce contamination of water but also to

to a matter of centuries,” Vilsack said.

preserve the quantity of water,” Vilsack said.

Robbie Kroger, Extension assistant professor

At the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine,

Vilsack is over one of the largest departments

of aquatic sciences in the MSU Department

Mark Lawrence spoke of the support the

in the American government, and one that

of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, took

veterinary college provides the aquaculture

touches practically every American.”

Vilsack to a drainage ditch on MSU’s Leveck

industry through its two diagnostic labs.

The tour began with Raja Reddy at the

Animal Research Center to demonstrate

“We have research and diagnostics, all the

Soil-Plant Atmosphere Research Units on

water conservation and water quality

expertise we need to serve the aquaculture

MSU’s R. R. Foil Plant Research Center.

best management practices.

industry,” Lawrence said.

Reddy, a Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry

Through the Research and Education to

He also noted that MSU’s expertise in warm-

Experiment Station researcher, showed what the SPAR units use to grow crop varieties under a variety of conditions.

“We can control every variable but sunlight,” Reddy said, explaining how factors such as temperature, humidity, water and nutrients can be manipulated to simulate certain growing conditions.

Reddy’s work is looking ahead to expected climate changes as he tests seed varieties performance under climate conditions expected in the future.

This is cutting edge research that will inform not just what goes on in Mississippi, but all across the United States.

Tom Vilsack,

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

“This is cutting edge research that will inform not just what goes on in Mississippi, but all across the United States,” Vilsack said.

Advance Conservation and Habitat, or REACH

water aquaculture species makes the university

At the Bioenergy Pilot Plant, Rubin

program, Kroger takes innovative management

uniquely qualified to address the aquaculture

Shmulsky, a researcher in MSU’s Forest

practices for water use and introduces them

needs of developing countries, most of which are

Products Lab, demonstrated a process that

to producers as a way to save money and still

in warm water regions.

transforms biomass such as pine chips into fuel.

maintain yields. The program works by helping

“Sixty percent of all that goes in comes out

Vilsack’s visit ended with a roundtable session

landowners address a water management

where 25 MSU graduate and undergraduate

as what you want,” Shmulsky said of the fuel-

problem, and then these producers tell others

students discussed the agricultural issues of the

making process.

about the benefits and savings they experience

day, asking questions and making comments

with the new management techniques.

with Vilsack.

Vilsack said he intended to use information from this MSU research when he speaks to the

“The innovative and creative water

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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College Board approves The Mill at MSU development

T

he Mississippi Board

historic E.E. Cooley Building. The

Cooley Building, which has been

of Trustees of State

Mill development includes three

their base of operations for many

Institutions of Higher

main projects: transforming the

years. The division will be housed

Learning approved a series

landmark former cotton mill into a

in various temporary locations until

of interrelated agreements in

conference center with adjacent office

a replacement facility can be built

October that finalize plans for The

space, building an adjacent hotel

on Buckner Lane, near existing

Mill development, according to

and developing mixed-use business

services such as landscaping and

Mississippi State University President

parcels in the land adjacent to the

transportation—actions which the

Mark E. Keenum.

university’s old physical plant.

College Board also approved.

“We have refused to settle for

32

WIN TER 2013

Keenum said: “Mississippi State has

anything that did not meet our

property to the developer to become

needed a conference center capable

highest expectations—logistically,

the site of a Marriott Courtyard Hotel

of accommodating large academic

aesthetically or financially,” said

and one or more restaurants, lease

and professional meetings for many

Keenum. “And we are confident

the Cooley Building to the developer

years. The university also needs a

that we have it right and we’re

to be renovated as a conference

more dynamic gateway directly across

grateful that the state College

center, and for MSU to lease back

the street from this main entrance

Board shares our vision.”

some office space in the building for

to campus, where we adjoin the

university use.

city of Starkville.

The project will bring a conference

MSU’s E.E. Cooley Building, originally Starkville’s John M. Stone Cotton Mill, lost its recognizable “face” this fall as university journey linemen Bubba Forrester and Ken Palmer removed the fiberglass Bully statue that had adorned the front entrance since the early 1960s. The iconic figure has been moved to the Gast Building, where previous Cooley Building employees now work.

The Cooley Building has been vacated recently in anticipation of renovation work for The Mill multi-use development project.

This building, built in 1902, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photo by Beth Wynn

Plans call for MSU to sell some

center, hotel and parking garage

MSU’s Facilities Management

complex centered around MSU’s

staff is already moving out of the

“The project as a whole will be a boon to our ability to attract

Mississippi State tops in

NSF research rankings much needed office space, and make us more appealing to

M

prospective students and faculty members,” said Keenum.

and Development Survey for Fiscal Year 2011 places

“It will also create closer town-gown relations and give

Mississippi State at 91st overall among public and private

an economic boost to the area. And it will preserve and

institutions based on $226.1 million in total research and

protect one of the oldest and most historic buildings

development expenditures.

important academic conferences and visitors, provide

on our campus.

“Efforts to bring this development to fruition on this site

ississippi State continues to rank among the nation’s top research universities, according to new data from the National Science Foundation.

The recently released NSF Higher Education Research

Nationally, MSU is ranked 53rd in non-medical school R&D expenditures.

The land-grant institution ranks ninth in the nation for R&D expenditures in

have been under way for about 10 years,” said Keenum. “It

agricultural sciences among public and private institutions. MSU has ranked in the

has been a long and rocky road. But our staff, working with

top 10 in this category for 11 consecutive years. The university spent $96.6 million

the city, state and federal offices, the current private partner

in agriculture-related research.

and others, have been persistent.”

MSU purchased the John M. Stone Cotton Mill in 1965

Mississippi State also is a top 50 university for the humanities, ranking 49th overall among public and private institutions based on $1.7 million in R&D

and renamed it after the school’s former superintendent

expenditures. Previously, Mississippi State held a top 50 humanities ranking in FY

of utilities, E.E. Cooley. The building was placed on the

2009 at No. 46 and in FY 2010 at No. 50.

National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

In August, the state College Board approved a land-use

Frequently recognized for its achievements in science and engineering, the university remains in the top 50 in engineering. In computer science, MSU

agreement between MSU and the city of Starkville for the

climbed from 39th to 37th. It also achieved top 30 status in social sciences, and

project’s parking garage.

rose from 82nd to 75th in environmental science, according to the NSF.

The prior agreement leased a 1.67-acre parcel on which

“These significant totals are the result of very hard work by our faculty, and

a 450-space parking garage will be constructed to lease

they represent the commitment we have as a university to providing innovative

to the city for 10 years. The city will use an $8 million

solutions, creative works and new scholarship that address pressing local, state,

Community Development Block Grant from the Mississippi

regional, national and global needs,” said David Shaw, the university’s vice

Development Authority to construct the facility. At the end

president for research and economic development.

of the lease, the garage will become MSU’s property.

The August agreement provided that MSU and the city will equally share any profits generated from the garage and obligated the university to provide public parking space, including slots for the planned Cooley Center’s conference and office space and the incoming Marriott hotel.

In April, the Starkville Board of Aldermen approved a 15-year, $3.25 million-maximum tax increment financing

At 48 percent, MSU’s research expenditures accounted for nearly half of the total for Mississippi institutions, the survey found.

Additionally, the university had more than 4,000 research personnel— accounting for 60 percent of the total for the state.

“We have an innovation ecosystem in place on campus that is leveraging our research to grow capacity and the economy by creating jobs, enhancing quality of life and providing new opportunities in communities around our state,” Shaw said.

In addition to its NSF status, Mississippi State is designated by the Carnegie

agreement associated with the project. The TIF utilizes

Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a “Very High Research Activity

75 percent of ad valorem and sales tax returns for debt

University,” which represents the highest level of research activity for doctorate-

payments. Monies from the agreement will help pay for

granting universities in the country. MSU is the only school in the state with the

various infrastructure projects associated with The Mill

distinction, and one of only 108 nationwide.

at MSU.

Visit www.research.msstate.edu to learn more about Mississippi State’s research and economic development activities.

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MSU’s new walking track circles Chadwick Lake and measures one mile.

Photo by Megan Bean

Walking track opens at Chadwick Lake new one-mile loop walking track

A

by the Famous Maroon Band accompanied

cooking and nutrition demonstrations, and

at Mississippi State’s Chadwick

the walkers.

it funded free health screenings for more

ceremony in October with university and Blue

designation by the Blue Cross & Blue Shield

Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation

of Mississippi Foundation as the Healthiest

campaign which promoted healthy habits and

representatives cutting the ribbon.

Hometown with 15,000 or more residents. The

choices at the university and in the surrounding

local community gained the designation in 2011

local community.

sdLake opened during an official

Speakers for the event included MSU

The event also celebrated Starkville’s recent

than 1,500 participants.

Yates said the grant allowed for a mass media

President Mark E. Keenum; Bill Kibler, vice

as Mississippi’s Healthiest Hometown.

She said the track will help promote a

president of student affairs; Michael Hogan,

“We are excited to have this walking

healthier culture for the community and

Student Association president; Starkville Mayor

track open to faculty, staff, students and the

provide a convenient, beautiful setting for

Parker Wiseman; and Sheila Grogan, executive

community,” said Joyce Yates, director of health

people to enjoy exercise.

director of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of

education and wellness in the Division of

Mississippi Foundation, which provided the

Student Affairs.

track’s grant funding.

The first 100 walkers who finished the loop received free pumpkins, and recorded music

34

W I NTER 2013

The $562,485 grant allowed for construction

“The gorgeous setting behind Sanderson is a premium location for an environment conducive to exercise. This is a great asset for

of the walking track around the lake behind

MSU, and we so appreciate the funding by

the Joe Frank Sanderson Center. Additionally,

the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi

the grant provided a mobile kitchen unit for

Foundation,” Yates said.

Ulysses S. Grant Association Fund for Excellence established

T

he Mississippi State University

USGA executive director, and Williams led

Foundation and the Ulysses S. Grant

efforts to establish the fund. Both emphasized

Association are establishing an

the mutual benefits and potentials for growth that should result from the excellence fund.

endowment to provide continuing support for

“The Ulysses S. Grant Association and

collaborative missions of the association and

Mississippi State University have a relationship

the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library.

that is known and admired nationwide,”

The Grant Library, one of only a few presidential libraries located at a U.S. institution

Marszalek said. “The establishment by the

of higher learning, is housed in MSU’s Mitchell

association of an endowment in the MSU

Memorial Library.

Foundation demonstrates yet again the enduring nature of this bond.”

The new Ulysses S. Grant Association

Williams agreed, saying the partnership

Fund for Excellence is being made possible by an initial gift of $35,000 from the Grant Association.

“We continue to be very honored that the Ulysses S. Grant Association has entrusted Mississippi State with hosting the Ulysses S.

MSU President Mark E. Keenum, left, expressed his gratitude to Ulysses S. Grant Association President Frank Williams for the recent gift the association made to the MSU Foundation.

The gift creates the Ulysses S. Grant Association Fund for Excellence.

“represents further binding and mutual support between MSU and the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library and Ulysses S. Grant Association.

“From the beginning of our tenure here at

Grant Presidential Library,” said MSU President

meetings, visiting scholars, and other related

Mississippi State University, the association has

Mark E. Keenum. “Judge Frank Williams

events and activities. The fund remains open for

been not only welcomed, but placed on the path

has been an integral part of that marvelous

additional contributions, she added.

for great achievements,” Williams continued.

relationship.”

Williams, a retired chief justice of the

Coleman, a major advocate for the USGA since its arrival on campus in late 2008, said

“This could not have occurred without the unequivocal support of the MSU family.”

Formal announcement of the excellence fund

Supreme Court of Rhode Island, is the longtime

the university library system “is very pleased

president of the U.S. Grant Association.

to continue its work with, and support of, the

was made in September during the Lincoln

Grant Association and Grant Presidential

Symposium sponsored by the President’s Office,

Library.”

MSU Libraries and Grant Library, along with

“Our university feels a deep bond with Judge Williams and his family, and we are extremely grateful for this most recent generous gift

The veteran library administrator expressed

the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College

that will greatly enhance the ongoing work

appreciation to Williams and members of the

and African American Studies program of the

of managing and growing the Grant Library,”

association “for this most recent gift to the

College of Arts and Sciences.

Keenum added.

MSU Foundation that further enhances the

Frances Coleman, MSU Libraries dean, said the endowment will support the executive director’s position and provide funding for graduate fellowships, scholarships, travel, special

During a symposium event, the USGA also

partnership of Mississippi State, our library and

established a separate $15,000 advancement

the association.”

fund in the MSU Foundation.

John F. Marszalek, the retired, nationally recognized MSU historian now serving as

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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Members of the 1963 Liberty Bowl championship football team were honored in October during the MSU homecoming game against Bowling Green.

The players, their families and friends gathered in the Junction prior to the homecoming game to remember one of the most exciting times in Bulldog football history.

Photo by Beth Wynn

1963 Liberty Bowl champs celebrate

50 TH Anniversary O n a freezing afternoon in

Liberty Bowl reunion before the 2013

Templeton agreed. He was still in

1963, Mississippi State

MSU Homecoming game in October.

high school when MSU faced NC

University’s football

Former players, family and friends

team blocked a punt and ran it in for a

gathered in the Junction, were

lived in Starkville and supported

touchdown at the Bulldogs’ first post-

recognized during the game and

Bulldog football.

season appearance in 22 years.

received gifts sponsored by Columbus

MSU went on to defeat North Carolina State 16-12 in a victory

artist Robert “Uncle Bunky” Williams.

“We enjoyed getting to know

Bowl,” he said. “It was certainly an exciting time and a big-time event.

these players and hearing their

One big thing was how cold it was,

than a pawnbroker’s heart,” as Voice of

stories,” said Ali Reardon, MSU

but being in a post-season game and

the Bulldogs Jack Cristil described it

Bulldog Club graduate assistant.

leading against North Carolina State

during the radio broadcast. Coffee was “We’re keeping the tradition alive

on national TV was a humongous deal

freezing in the press box, and ballpoint by getting these gentlemen together

for Mississippi State.

pens wouldn’t write, Cristil later said.

to show them we appreciate their

The temperature at the end of the

time and contributions.

However, the cold didn’t stop the

“Getting them together also allows them to be part of the future

“I think that team set the bar for future teams because they showed that we could compete on the national level.”

MSU scored the first touchdown

Bulldogs, and the 1963 Liberty Bowl

of Mississippi State football,” she

continues to be one of the most

continued. “That future will certainly

memorable, special times in Bulldog

be something special, being built upon Bill McGuire blocked a punt that

football history. To commemorate the

the storied past of the 1963

50 years that have passed since that big Liberty Bowl.” win, MSU’s Bulldog Club sponsored a WIN TER 2013

“I remember watching that Liberty

remembered by many fans as “colder

game was just 15 degrees.

36

State that freezing night, but he

Athletic Director Emeritus Larry

of the 1963 Liberty Bowl when end end Tommy Inman picked up and returned for a score, according to the account published by The Associated

HOMECOMING COURT, MR. AND MISS MSU PRESENTED

Mississippi State’s 2013 Homecoming Court includes, le to right, freshman maid Halee Register of Gulfport; sophomore maid Taylor Thoms of Richton; junior maid Camile Jones of Iuka; senior maid Kaeley Gemmill of Meridian; queen Jennifer “Jenni” Brown of Winona; senior maid Bri Stewart of Franklin, Tenn.; junior maid Kacie Green of Booneville; sophomore maid Morgan Ashley McCormick of Carriere; and freshman maid Margaret Burleson of Tupelo.

Press. With the ensuing extra point,

along with fullback Hoyle Granger

the Bulldogs were up 7-0 in the

and Fisher. Passing in the freezing

first quarter.

temperatures was difficult: Fisher

NC State punted again in the

attempted only six passes. Though

ensuing series, but MSU started

NC State was able to put up one

with excellent field position on NC

more touchdown in the fourth

State’s 47-yard line. A few plays later,

quarter, the team could not

MSU quarterback Sonny Fisher ran

overcome the Bulldogs, and the final

the football in for another 6 points,

score was 16-12.

though the Bulldogs missed the extra point.

In the second quarter, NC State

Pat Watson was named Outstanding Linebacker. After the season concluded, he and tackle

scored one touchdown but missed

Tommy Neville were named All-

the extra point. As the quarter

Americans, and Bulldog head

ended, MSU kicker Justin Canale,

football coach Paul Davis was voted

also a guard, booted a 43-yard

the Southeastern Conference Coach

attempt into the wind as time

of the Year.

expired to extend the Bulldogs lead 16-6.

Halfback Ode Burrell, who was

MSU’s next bowl game appearance came in the 1974 Sun Bowl, when the Bulldogs defeated

named the game’s Most Valuable

the University of North Carolina,

Player, led MSU’s ground attack,

26-24.

From le , Shelby Sims of Ha iesburg is Miss Mississippi State University, while Michael Hogan of Memphis, Tenn., is Mr. MSU. Both seniors were chosen in campus-wide elections.

Photos by Russ Houston

Grownup Getaway

Great shopping, food, spa treatments, cooking classes and more.

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M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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MSU researchers secure major NIH grant

M

ississippi State University has been

professor. Over the course of the five-year

awarded a $10 million grant for five

grant, the researchers will work on projects that

years of support from the National

promote a greater understanding of animal and

Institutes of Health to further research focusing on

human health. The success of the grant will

diseases that affect animal and human health.

be measured by the researchers’ ability to get

NIH’s Centers of Biomedical Research

additional NIH-funded grants to further research

Excellence, or COBRE, provides competitive

in infectious diseases that impact both animal and

grants in support of multidisciplinary centers

human health.

that strengthen institutional biomedical

Dr. Keun Seok Seo examines cultures of staph organisms in his laboratory at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Photo by Tom Thompson

research capacity. MSU researchers started

aureus, or staph, research. What he’s studying is

the planning process for competing for the

leading to vaccines that could protect cattle and

grant in 2010. The research will be conducted

humans from dangerous staph infections.” Pruett

among three core centers at MSU: the College

said. “Dr. Donaldson is providing important

of Veterinary Medicine, the Institute of

research on how listeria behaves in the gall

Genomics, Biocomputing and Biotechnology,

bladder. Her discoveries are paving the way for

and the Institute for Imaging and Analytical

new methods to control or prevent dangerous

Technologies. The MSU-CVM will administer

listeria outbreaks.”

the grant and research activities.

“It is an extremely competitive process,” said Stephen Pruett, MSU-CVM’s head of basic sciences and principal investigator on the

to design new infectious disease research projects and compete for further NIH funding as a team.

“Mississippi State has a tremendous amount of expertise in infectious disease,” said Greg

medical colleges, so we were in the minority as

Bohach, vice president for MSU’s Division of

a veterinary college. We have great leadership

Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine.

and a talented group of researchers that helped us

“We are honored to have NIH recognize this

achieve this.”

and provide the funding and the trust to take our research to the next level. The talent and focus

a mentoring program for a core group of

is here, and we will continue to provide research

researchers. The MSU researchers in this group

that protects the safety of animals, humans, and

include Janet Donaldson, associate professor

the food supply.”

in biological sciences; Mariola Edelmann,

WI NTER 2013

The researchers also will work collaboratively

COBRE grant. “Most of the applicants are human

The unique nature of the grant establishes

38

“Dr. Seo is leading the way in Staphylococcus

Research reported in this publication was

assistant research professor with the Institute of

supported by the National Institute of General

Genomics, Biocomputing and Biotechnology;

Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of

Bindu Nanduri and Dr. Keun Seok Seo, both

Health under Award Number P20GM103646. The

MSU-CVM assistant professors in basic sciences;

content is solely the responsibility of the authors

and Henry Wan, an MSU-CVM associate

and does not necessarily represent the official

C Spire selects Research Park for data center

A

leading Mississippi-based communication and technology solutions provider will build a new $20 million, 22,400-square-foot data center in

the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park.

C Spire Wireless officials announced their plans at an October news conference at Mississippi State University’s High Performance Computing Collaboratory, which is also located in the park.

“This is a great day,” said David Shaw, MSU’s vice president for research and economic development.

The state-of-the-art facility will offer businesses a full suite of cloud solutions to help them manage mission-critical data, infrastructure and enterprise applications.

“Now, more than ever before, businesses need to intelligently manage their data and critical operational processes to handle the explosive growth of mobile, Internet and corporate-based data demands through cloud-based solutions,” said Kevin Hankins, chief operations officer for C Spire, citing recent trends that show data center IP traffic is continuing to grow at an annual rate of 31 percent.

“Business is not going to the cloud. Business has gone to the cloud,” he said.

Construction on the 6.5-acre site

particularly in a rural state like Mississippi,” Shaw said, following the announcement.

“We are very pleased by C Spire’s decision to build in the park, and look forward to

is expected to take about a year to

working with them further as this project

complete, according to Hankins.

moves forward,” he said.

The company has plans for two more phases.

The 272-acre park is a joint venture of the City of Starkville, Oktibbeha County and

Along with its location in a low-risk

the university, with the MSU Research and

geographic zone, the center boasts direct

Technology Corporation responsible for day-

access to C Spire’s ring-protected fiber network

to-day management. The park is home to more

and will be managed 24 hours, seven days a week and 365

than 1,500 employees, 11 buildings and a diverse lineup of

days a year by the company’s locally-based IT staff.

tenants, including private businesses, start-up companies,

“This project is an excellent example of how a university-led research park can make a significant economic contribution to the communities it serves,

David Shaw, standing, vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University, joined local elected officials, economic developers and company executives in October for C Spire’s announcement that the Ridgeland-based company will build a state-of-the-art data center in the Cochran Research Park.

Photo by Beth Wynn

government offices, and research centers and institutes.

A recent expansion added an additional 45 acres complete with roads, dual-fiber capabilities and utilities.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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Fall semester sees record freshman class, highest ACT average in MSU history

F

reshman students again selected Mississippi State

return on investment in Mississippi higher education

University as their "college of choice" for the fall

and that a degree from MSU affords our graduates the

2013 semester.

highest average starting salaries in Mississippi."

First-time freshman enrollment at the state's flagship

Graduate school enrollment showed a decline, with

research university has reached 3,156, an increase of

a key factor being continued reductions in funding at

nearly 10 percent over last year's number of 2,894.

the federal level.

"The decision of the federal government to system-

Overall enrollment at Mississippi State remained stable, continuing to exceed 20,000 and currently

atically reduce available federal research funding also

standing at 20,161. Also, the university boasted

directly reduces the number of graduate assistantship

its highest-ever average ACT score of 23.94

opportunities," said Keenum. "Despite those chal-

for entering freshmen.

lenges, MSU remains Mississippi's premier research university and continues to serve the needs of our state

"I'm excited that we began the fall 2013 semester

and nation."

with a record freshman enrollment and the highest

Keenum noted growth in enrollment in MSU's

average ACT scores in the university's history," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. "The record number

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (up

of freshmen enrolled reflects the growing realization

10.87 percent) and James Worth Bagley College of

that MSU offers students and their families the highest

Engineering (up 5.54 percent).

Enrollment by College 676

in the College of Architecture, Art & Design

530 Forest Resources in the College of 431 Veterinary Medicine in the College of

2,152

in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

in the College of

5,115 Arts & Sciences

2,555 of Business

in the College

3,718 Education

in the College of

3,522 College of Engineering

in the James Worth Bagley

40

WI NTER 2013

HPC2 boosts MSU supercomputing power

T

he state’s premier research university is boosting

“Shadow achieves its tremendous computing power

its high-performance computing capabilities

largely due to the use of 260 new Intel Xeon Phi

with the installation of a new supercomputer.

coprocessors. They are so powerful that two of them,

Mississippi State’s High Performance Computing

which combined are smaller than a loaf of bread, are as fast

Collaboratory (HPC2) will soon be home to a CS300-

as our fastest computer just 10 years ago—and that system

LC cluster supercomputer —a liquid-cooled system

was the size of six refrigerators,” Breckenridge said.

manufactured by Cray Inc. (Nasdaq: CRAY).

The supercomputer will support research for the land-

Named “Shadow,” the new system will serve as the

grant institution’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems,

primary high-performance computing asset for shared

Center for Computational Sciences, Geosystems Research

research, according to an MSU official.

Institute, Center for Battlefield Innovations and Institute

“This investment is the latest example of Mississippi State’s commitment to providing powerful, technologicallyadvanced resources for our researchers,” said Trey Breckenridge, director of high performance computing.

The installation is expected to be completed by the end

for Genomics, Biocomputing and Biotechnology, as well as the MSU-led Northern Gulf Institute.

HPC2’s members are focused on multidisciplinary, team activities that share a common objective of advancing the state-of-the-art in computational science and engineering

of the year. Once operational, Shadow will be 10 times

using high-performance computing, Breckenridge said.

faster than the university’s previous fastest system, but

“The supercomputing power we have in Mississippi is

consume far less energy, Breckenridge said.

According to the company, the CS300-LC system features an innovative, liquid-cooled design that uses warm water heat exchangers instead of chillers to directly

becoming more important as the state and region develop an economy where businesses built on technology thrive,” Breckenridge said.

“The economic impact of Shadow and our other

cool the computer’s processors and memory, allowing for a

resources is significant now and will be much more so in

more efficient removal of system heat.

the years to come,” he added.

“This new cooling technique is revolutionary. The

The Cray system will run a broad set of applications

water used to cool the system is the temperature of the

for research projects, including fluid dynamics, structural

outside air, up to 104 degrees, with almost no additional air

mechanics, materials modeling, astrophysics, molecular

conditioning required,” Breckenridge said.

modeling, transportation modeling and planning, weather

“There are a few systems doing this in Canada and northern Europe, but as far as I know, we are the first to ever try this in a subtropical environment,” he added.

Shadow will be housed at the HPC2 facility in the

and ocean modeling, geographic information systems, genomics and bioinformatics.

Mississippi State consistently ranks among the nation’s fastest academic computing sites as compiled by

Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic

TOP500.org, which is an international organization

Development Park adjacent to the MSU campus

dedicated to cataloging the world’s most powerful

in Starkville.

supercomputers.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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Yokohama Tire invests in education with gift to MSU

Y

okohama Tire Corporation, on the eve of its groundbreaking ceremony in September for a major new facility in Clay County, showed the company’s support for education and

economic development in the region with a substantial gift to Mississippi State University.

The land-grant institution received a $250,000 contribution as part of Yokohama’s gifting program, with East Mississippi Community College also receiving a matching gift.

MSU President Mark E. Keenum thanked Yokohama Tire officials for its investment, calling the company’s commitment to education a great opportunity for the Golden Triangle and the entire state. Gov. Phil Bryant

After announcing substantial gifts to Mississippi State and East Mississippi Community College, Yokohama Tire executives posed for an official group photo. Pictured from left, EMCC President Rick Young; President of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi Tadaharu Yamamoto; Gov. Phil Bryant; Yokohama CEO Hikomitsu Noji; and MSU President Mark E. Keenum.

Photo by Russ Houston

and representatives from the Mississippi Development Authority and Golden Triangle Development LINK were on hand, in addition to local officials and guests from MSU and EMCC. “Your investment in Mississippi State University will be put to good use for the benefit of students and for Yokohama Tire,” Keenum said.

“On behalf of the Yokohama Tire family, we look forward to a successful partnership with the state of Mississippi and your educational institutions,” Yamamoto said. He said the corporation is making a longterm investment with plans to make Mississippi home.

He expressed interest in further discussion with Yokohama leaders

“We look forward to being a good neighbor and joining hands,” he said.

to determine what educational initiatives are priorities for the company,

Both Keenum and EMCC President Rick Young noted that Yokohama

adding that MSU’s funding priorities include student scholarships and

Tire could have chosen any location to build their new facility, but their

faculty support programs.

selection of Clay County reflects their recognition of resources in an area

In announcing the gift, Tadaharu Yamamoto, president of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi, said he had long heard of Southern hospitality and that he takes honor in returning hospitality by supporting the men, women and families of Mississippi.

Yamamoto said his company understands how important education and economic development are to the state.

“These educational institutions prepare their students to be the workforce of tomorrow, as well as to become exemplary leaders,”

that will foster success.

“Our people have a work ethic that is being touted internationally,” Young said.

Keenum agreed and said that the state’s premier research university, home of the nationally acclaimed Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems and one of the world’s largest supercomputers, will be a great resource for the company.

“We’re going to help make a huge difference in your success,” Keenum

Yamamoto said. He added that both MSU and EMCC will be

said. He also expressed appreciation for the confidence Yokohama Tire

instrumental in collectively moving Yokohama Tire to a better future by

officials have shown in MSU, saying the company’s leaders recognized

providing assistance with developing training programs.

they will benefit from partnering with Mississippi State.

42

W I NTER 2013

U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey, right, answers students’ questions during her fall semester visit to Mississippi State. Catherine Pierce, associate professor of English and co-director of the university’s creative writing program, moderated the session.

Photo by Megan Bean

U.S. Poet Laureate proud of Mississippi heritage

M

ississippi made her, and no

MSU’s creative writing co-director Catherine

people all over the country, Trethewey said.

matter where she goes, U.S. Poet

Pierce, associate professor of English,

She visits different cities and towns nationwide

Laureate Natasha Trethewey

introduced Trethewey and led a Q-and-A

and reports her discoveries on the PBS “Where

session with the poet.

Poetry Lives” series.

never forgets her heritage.

Close to 300 people attended her fall poetry

“Natasha Trethewey’s work is rich and multi-

People have explained to her how they are

reading at Mississippi State University, and

faceted,” Pierce said. “Her poems—sometimes

writing poetry in secret, she said. Just because

Trethewey, a Gulfport native, explained how

poignant, sometimes brutal, sometimes

popular culture doesn’t embrace the art doesn’t

growing up in the Magnolia State impacted her

redemptive—draw from history, art and

mean people aren’t reading and writing poetry.

art.

autobiography to offer complex insights on race,

“Mad Mississippi burnt me into poetry, but without it, what would I have? So, it’s a thing for

the American South, violence and loss.”

Not only did Trethewey read poems from

“In times of tragedy, poetry grieves with us.

It’s the elegant language that can do that, but we also turn to poetry to celebrate our joys and our triumphs,” she said.

which I’ve always been grateful: the troubled

“Native Guard” and her 2012 collection “Thrall,”

and violent history, but also the terrible beauty

she also read the only new poem she’s written

of this place,” she said. “I’m proud to say I’m

since taking office as the U.S. Poet Laureate,

purpose of achieving social change, Trethewey

from Mississippi. Mississippi made me. And I

“Onlookers Gathered at the Traveling Chair’s

said she’s deeply interested in making a better

think the rest of the world has to realize that it’s

Arrival.” The piece comments on the history of

future for the state, the region and the nation.

pretty good: It made me, and I still love it.”

Mississippi’s portable electric chair, in use from

Trethewey’s visit was sponsored by MSU

Trethewey’s honors are numerous. Not only is she in her second year as the 19th U.S. Poet

1940 through 1954.

By writing about the history of Mississippi,

While she doesn’t write poetry with the

African-American Studies; centers for Student Activities and Teaching and Learning; College

Laureate, Trethewey’s 2006 poetry collection

Trethewey is making sense of it to imagine a

of Arts and Sciences and its Institute for the

“Native Guard” earned her the 2007 Pulitzer

better future, she explained.

Humanities, along with its Mississippi Quarterly;

Prize in Poetry. She is also Mississippi Poet

One of her goals during her second term

the English department; Richard Holmes

Laureate and the director of Emory University’s

as U.S. Poet Laureate is to demonstrate that

Cultural Diversity Center; and the Office of

creative writing program in Atlanta.

poetry remains relevant and important to

the Provost.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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Abraham Lincoln, interpreted by George Buss, visited Mississippi State in September as part of the university’s Symposium on Lincoln: The Movie and the Man. Photo by Megan Bean

Historians bring Lincoln to life during MSU symposium

D

uring President Abraham

of the 150th American Civil

moderator Sid Salter, MSU’s chief

Lincoln’s press conference

War anniversary.

communications officer, called

at Mississippi State

greatest president during the period

Buss-as-Lincoln predicted the

emancipation would create true

of American history which shaped

Magnolia State would one day come

equality among all U.S. citizens.

this nation,” said John F. Marszalek,

to revere Ulysses S. Grant, and the

executive director and managing

emancipation proclamation was

George Buss, was one of many experts

editor of the U.S. Grant Association,

merely the first step in creating the

participating in the Symposium on

which owns the MSU-based Grant

true equality among all people that the

Lincoln: The Movie and the Man.

Presidential Collection. “This

founding fathers intended.

In addition to the press conference,

symposium gives MSU students,

“I’m already on the record for

activities included a screening of the

faculty and staff a chance to learn

promoting the notion of women’s

2012 film “Lincoln” and presentations

about this great man and about the

suffrage,” he said. “There’s talk in

on the 16th president’s military

Civil War.”

Congress … about emancipation

During the press conference, Buss-

with conditions, but there will be a

African-Americans. The event was

as-Lincoln responded to questions as if

time when full emancipation will

part of the institution’s observance

he were living in the 1860s, something

come forward.”

leadership and his relationships with

WI NTER 2013

“maintaining the magic.”

University in September, he predicted

Lincoln, historically interpreted by

44

“Abraham Lincoln was America’s

Campus blindness research center receives The historical interpreter went on to say, not only should an African-American man one day hold the executive office of the U.S., a woman could —and should—as well.

another national grant

A

major research grant to

as do some more research in the area of

Mississippi State’s National

deaf-blindness,” she added.

Established at MSU more than three

Research and Training Center

on Blindness and Low Vision is expected

decades ago, the research and training

need it wide enough for everyone to walk on,” said

to have a national impact on services

center is the only U.S. Department of

Buss-as-Lincoln.

for persons with combined vision and

Education-funded program focused on

hearing loss.

employment outcomes of persons with

“If we’re going to expand down that pathway, we

In addition to promoting the necessity of all U.S. men and women having equal rights, Buss-as-Lincoln

The university center recently received

blindness or low vision. Its professional

more than $300,000 to conduct and

staff regularly provides technical assistance

analyze three national surveys for the

to comsumers, families and professionals

can take away from you,” he said. “If you never

Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-

throughout the country.

pick up that book, how are you going to read

Blind Youths and Adults. The HKNC is

and know about where you are or know where

located in Sands Point, N.Y.

emphasized the importance of education.

“There’s something in the education that nobody

you’re going to go?”

Funded by the Helmsley Charitable

McDonnall said research projects over the decades have provided invaluable information used by professionals

Trust of New York, the project will

ranging from direct-service practitioners

Professor of History Emeritus, presented on the

continue through September 2015 and

to state and federal agency program

similarities and differences between Lincoln’s and

represents the most recent partnership

administrators.

Grant’s military leadership. He additionally focused

between the two entities.

Marszalek, who also is an MSU Giles Distinguished

“We offer vision specialist graduate

The surveys will focus on the needs

certificate training, annual K-12 teacher

of adults 55 years of age and over with

workshops and educational outreach to

director of African-American Studies, explored

both vision and hearing losses, and

school districts in North Mississippi,”

Lincoln’s relationship with African-Americans

the availability of mental health and

she said, citing just a few of the services

and the 13th Amendment. John David Smith,

support services providers for the entire

currently provided.

University of North Carolina-Charlotte’s Charles

population of deaf-blind people in the U.S.

on the historical accuracy of the film.

MSU’s Stephen Middleton, history professor and

H. Stone Distinguished Professor of American

“The surveys will examine where the

Authorized by a 1967 congressional act, the HKNC serves both deaf-blind youth

History, surveyed Lincoln’s relationship with African-

needs are in terms of training and what

and adults. The center also operates a

American troops active during the Civil War.

professionals need to know in order to

national residential and training facility at

work with the population,” said research

its Sands Point, N.Y., headquarters.

Finally, Frank J. Williams, retired chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, presided over a panel

professor Michele McDonnall, NRTC’s

presentation including Buss-as-Lincoln, Marszalek,

interim director.

Middleton and Smith.

“We are proud of the excellent speakers who

“This is a great opportunity for us to continue to work with the HKNC, as well

For more information about the NRTC and its work, contact McDonnall at 662325-2001 or m.mcdonnall@msstate.edu.

discussed the famous movie about this important president and crucial period,” Marszalek said.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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NEWS

A

New online bachelor’s degree in education offered new online bachelor’s degree

“The teacher who graduates from this

student who might want to go back to school

available at Mississippi State

program can teach technology at the middle

to earn a degree and become a teacher,” Busby

is geared toward working

school and all of the business classes, includ-

said. “They might be in full-time positions that

adults seeking to become certified business

ing economics, at the high school and at the

they cannot leave, or they might be former

and technology teachers.

career and technology center, including the

community college students. They’re people who,

career and pathways experience course,”

for whatever reason, cannot come to campus.”

The Technology Teacher Education Distance Learning Program is an extension of the university’s longstanding TTE bachelor’s cur-

Forde said.

During the final semester of coursework,

The online program will be administered

however, participating students must

riculum. During the upcoming fall semester,

through the College of Education, with the

complete a required teaching internship in

the complete program will be available online

campus Center for Distance Education providing

a classroom setting five days a week for the

for the first time, said professor Connie M.

support and assistance for the distance-learning

entire semester. Forde said both a cooperating

Forde, head of MSU’s instructional systems

students, Forde said.

teacher and an MSU supervisor oversee

and workforce development department.

Since online coursework begins Aug. 16,

“We will still have the face-to-face program, and we’ll run it simultaneously with the distance

the classroom internship.

General education coursework necessary to

interested individuals are being encouraged

program,” she explained. “We will now be able

completing a bachelor’s also is available online

to enroll as soon as possible at www.distance.

to recruit students from all across the state and

and supported by the Center for Distance

msstate.edu.

beyond and provide quality business teachers for

Education. Community college courses may

many school districts.”

be transferred.

In addition to receiving a Bachelor of Science and national certification in com-

Michael Busby, distance education manager,

In addition to the above-listed website,

puter literacy, graduates will be certified to

said the online program was specially designed

additional information may be obtained at

teach online. The TTE program will prepare

for working adults.

www.distance.msstate.edu/teched or by

participants to teach at the middle or high school levels.

“We believe that the market for this program

contacting Forde at 662-325-7258.

is set for adult students. The target is the adult

MSU announces 2013-14 Presidential Scholars class

Photo by Russ Houston 46

WI NTER 2013

Pictured with MSU President Mark E. Keenum, far right, the university’s newest class of Presidential Scholars include, first row from left, Sallie Lin and Emily Damm, Ottilie Schillig Leadership Scholarship; Haley Wilcutt, President’s Cabinet Scholarship; and Holly Travis, Bobby P. and Barbara M. Martin Presidential Scholarship; second row, Max Moseley, Ottilie Schillig Leadership Scholarship; Jack Bryan, Louis A Hurst Presidential Scholarship; Aalaap Desai, Dean and Turner Wingo Presidential Scholarship; and Rodney Kipchumba, Lila and Hunter Henry Presidential Scholarship; and third row, Natalie Jones, Brad Roderick Moore Presidential Scholarship; Kim Kelly, Ottilie Schillig Leadership Scholarship; Allie Brown, President’s Cabinet Scholarship; and Roxanne Raven, Ottilie Schillig Leadership Scholarship.

Brown named new lab director, state chemist

A

n accomplished Mississippi State researcher

modifies and enforces regulations, standards and speci-

and administrator for the Mississippi

fications of animal feeds, food, fertilizers, gasoline,

State Chemical Laboratory is taking the

kerosene, diesel and antifreeze sold within the state’s

helm of that state agency housed on the land-grant

borders. The agencies also provide analytical data to

institution’s campus.

ensure the quality, accurate labeling of these materials.

Ashli Brown has been named State Chemist and director of the MSCL. Previously, she served as the MSCL’s director of research and agriculture forensics. The lab provides critical support to Mississippi agriculture—the state’s

Other MSCL duties include research to promote the regulatory sciences, including a fellows program in which MSU faculty and students may collaborate on projects of mutual interest.

Brown

Brown, a University of South Florida doctoral

No. 1 industry, generating approximately $7 billion

graduate, is a biochemist and molecular biologist

in revenue in 2012, according to data from the MSU

with a research and teaching focus on aflatoxin—a

Extension Service. Additionally, agriculture employs

group of toxic compounds produced by some molds

nearly 30 percent of the state’s workforce direct-

that can contaminate stored food supplies like animal

ly or indirectly.

feed and peanuts.

“The lab’s work affects Mississippians throughout the state every day,” Brown said.

Established in 1892 at the university—then Mississippi A&M College—the MSCL is a state regula-

Her research interests include physical biochemistry, enzymology, protein kinases, insect pheromones, and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

She is on the faculty of MSU’s Department of

tory agency. Offices are located in the Hand Chemical

Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant

Laboratory Building.

Pathology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,

Working with the Mississippi departments of

and is also a scientist in the university’s Mississippi

Agriculture and Commerce, of Health and of Marine

Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

Resources, the MSCL jointly develops, promulgates,

Twelve freshmen from Mississippi and three other states are new selections for Mississippi State’s top academic scholarships.

The university’s Presidential Scholars Program covers all tuition, fees, books and housing expenses for four years of undergraduate study. The awards are worth approximately $50,000 each.

“The new scholars come from Michigan, Missouri, Alabama and Mississippi and are majors in English, engineering, biological sciences, political science and economics, among other areas,” said Thomas P. “Tommy” Anderson, mentor for the Presidential Scholars Program.

“They impress us already as leaders in the classroom and out,” he added.

The dozen new members join more than 20 already in the program that is part of the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College. For more, visit www.honors.msstate.edu.

As MSU Presidential Scholars, the students meet monthly with special guest speakers and travel throughout the country during the academic year. They also are expected to serve in various campus leadership capacities.

Anderson, an associate professor of English, said the 201314 group “was selected from more than 1,000 applicants, all of whom were high achievers in high school, leaders in their community, and driven to succeed in college.”

Anderson said past Presidential Scholars have gone on to receive national Truman, Udall, Mitchell and Goldwater Scholarships, as well as professional internships. They also may take part in the Shackouls Summer Study at Oxford Program, among other enhanced learning opportunities.

Alumni and friends may establish endowments for Presidential Scholarships with gi s of $250,000 through the MSU Foundation.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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Men of Color Summit focuses on success, education

P

rominent African-American leaders revealed

part because their percentage of college enrollment and

their secrets of success—how to overcome

completion is among the lowest in the nation.

barriers and achieve at the highest levels—at

Mississippi State University’s 2013 Men of Color Summit.

“Finding Success: Breaking the Code for Achievement in Academia and Beyond” featured

“Life is tough, and you’ve got to be tough to hang with it,” Keenum said. “You’re our future leaders who will step forward to find solutions to problems. Your ability for success depends on how much you value yourself and how much you value your education.”

Likewise, Rowe emphasized that academic and professional success stem from willingness to learn and associating with the right people.

“It’s both what you know and who you know,” he said.

Ray said education is the key to success, both professionally and financially, but sacrifices will be necessary.

“It’s a process to getting where you want to be to be successful, and you’ll have to make the sacrifice it

The 2013 Men of Color Summit featured numerous AfricanAmerican leaders sharing their secrets of success.

Keynote speakers included author and entrepreneur Calvin Mackie, left, and executive director of the National Society of Black Engineers Carl Mack.

Photos by Megan Bean and Beth Wynn

approximately 100 attendees, mostly African-American

takes to get there, to get that education, to make that

males. They listened to keynote speakers and panel

money,” he said.

presentations and engaged in Q-and-A forums and breakout sessions over two days of conference activities in early September.

Altogether, keynote addresses and activities showcased

“Our first responsibility is to save ourselves,” he said.

“America is not about giving you something; it’s about taking what America has to offer. We need you all to finish

President Mark E. Keenum, Provost and Executive Vice

what you start—your education. Finish it to the end.”

President Jerry Gilbert and Head Basketball Coach

Mack talked about the changing points in his life that

Rick Ray. Among the nationally recognized leaders

taught him change and transition are necessary to success.

“Greatness is when you do something not easy, but it

Mackie, Executive Director of the National Society of

benefits someone other than yourself,” he said. “Education

Black Engineers Carl Mack, and DuPont North America

is the cultural expression of a black man.”

Commercialization Manager Loston Rowe.

Though the speakers had vastly different expertise and experiences, they highlighted the same concept again and again—always continue to learn.

Keenum emphasized how MSU’s administration,

W I NTER 2013

necessary to success, Mackie told the audience.

more than 25 leaders. MSU officials speaking included

presenting were motivational speaker and author Calvin

48

Personal responsibility for learning, living and leading is

Gilbert emphasized that the annual summit focuses on excellence in innovation and access to opportunity, especially for men of color.

“Student success is a national issue,” he said. “We’re here today to ask the questions and offer solutions—

faculty and staff is invested in the academic success of

we’re here to improve the success of men of color here at

all the university’s students, particularly men of color, in

Mississippi State.”

MSU among top cyber educators

M

ississippi State is among the

Carnegie Mellon University and Auburn

viruses, Trojan horses and other forms of

nation’s elite institutions that

University join MSU as CAE-Cyber

malware,” he said.

are preparing students for

Operations designees for the 2013-14

“These skills are in demand by government

highly technical cyber security jobs, and the

academic year, the NSA said. Designations

agencies, as well as private contractors

university has a new designation from the

are for five years, and schools across the

working on computer security-related

National Security Agency that will expand

country can compete to join each year.

projects,” he added.

Of note, Mississippi State also holds

In addition to Dampier, the MSU team

national CAE designations in information

which worked to attain the designation were,

MSU is one of four new schools selected for

assurance education and in information

from computer science and engineering,

its National Centers of Academic Excellence

assurance research. Mississippi State is the

Cindy Bethel, Wesley McGrew, Mahalingam

in Cyber Operations Program, which was

only institution of higher education in the

Ramkumar, Ed Swan and Byron Williams;

“designed to cultivate more U.S. cyber

state to attain the three designations.

and from electrical and computer engineering,

these opportunities.

In September, the NSA announced that

professionals in an ever-changing global environment,” according to the agency.

Steven LaFountain, an NSA technical leader, said legal and ethical issues in

“MSU is helping the nation meet its need for highly-skilled cyber warriors.”

David A. Dampier Professor of Computer Science and Engineering

cybersecurity are a required and critical part of the effort.

“In the application process and in all of its work with selected schools, NSA

As a CAE for cyber operations, the

Sherif Abdelwahed, Pan Li, Tommy Morris and

emphasizes the importance of integrity and

university may now issue certificates to

compliance,” he stated in a release. “Cyber

graduates in the computer science master’s

skills are increasingly important in national

degree program who have completed the

include three dedicated research centers: the

defense, but it’s even more important to

necessary cyber operations courses, Dampier

Center for Computer Security Research, the

operate as responsible citizens in the use

explained.

National Forensics Training Center and the

of such skills.”

The certification comes after a rigorous,

“This certification further enables us to teach skills that are used by federal agencies engaged

Robert Reese.

The university’s cyber security capabilities

Critical Infrastructure Protection Center.

Additionally, MSU’s cyber security capacity

two-year application process by faculty

in cyber war—giving Mississippi State students

is enhanced by many faculty holding U.S.

in the departments of computer science

an added edge when competing for these jobs,”

government security clearances ranging from

and engineering and electrical and

he said.

secret to top secret. Many students in the

computer engineering.

According to Dampier, students who include

program also maintain active clearances.

David A. Dampier, a professor of

the cyber ops option in their coursework will

Since 2001, MSU has been funded by

computer science and engineering at the

be exposed to a diverse range of cyber security

both the National Science Foundation and

land-grant institution, led the effort.

skills and in-depth study.

the NSA to produce security engineers for

“MSU is among a relatively elite group of

“Key skills will be the ability to conduct

government service under Cyber Corps

schools helping the nation meet its need for

penetration tests of computer networks, as

scholarship programs, and has produced

highly-skilled cyber warriors,” he said.

well as reverse engineering software, including

more than 100 students that are destined for

The Air Force Institute of Technology,

government service.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

49

Campus

NEWS

13 WINTER

ALUMNUS

Green named president of national engineering society

A

He is currently the commanding officer of

Mississippi State veteran research engineer and undergraduate

SurgeMain Region Gulf which includes seven

coordinator for the James

units that support maintenance activities

Worth Bagley College of Engineering is the

at the nation’s four public shipyards. Prior

new president of the National Society of

assignments have been with the Norfolk Naval

Professional Engineers.

Ship Yard, Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard, Naval

Robert Green, who has been active in

Sea Systems Command, and as commanding

the NSPE for more than 25 years, was

officer of Naval Weapons Station Yorktown

inducted as the 2013-14 president during

Detachment 609, the Amphibious Ready

the July national conference in Minneapolis,

Green

Minn. Green became a Fellow of the society in 2007.

Group Intermediate Maintenance Activity Detachment 0948, USS Emory S Land (AS-39)

engineering, both from Mississippi State. He

Detachment 407, NAVSEA St. Louis, Mo., and

Established in 1934, the NSPE is the

also has a master’s in national security and

NAVSEA Houston, Texas. He also has served

only national organization committed to

strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War

as a qualified facilitator for Reserve Officer

addressing the professional concerns of licensed

College. He is working toward completion

Leadership Training and was a science fair judge

professional engineers across all disciplines.

of a doctoral degree in public policy and

for the Office of Naval Research.

Today, the organization includes approximately

administration at MSU.

35,000 professional engineers and members on

The registered professional engineer

Green’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Meritorious Service Medal, Navy

previously was the chief test engineer and

and Marine Corps Commendation Medal,

manager of the field operations team with

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal,

“have risen to the top of their fields through

MSU’s Diagnostic Instrumentation and

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal,

intense training, licensing, continuing education

Analysis Laboratory. His areas of expertise while

and the Navy Unit Commendation Medal.

and leadership. They stand by a Code of Ethics

at DIAL were gas analysis, stack sampling and

to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and

other EPA test methods, infrared pyrometry,

Engineering Society, Green also is involved in

integrity and hold paramount the safety, health

the design of intrusive probes for measuring

his local community, where he is a member of

and welfare of the public.” For more, visit

specific parameters in harsh, high temperature,

the advisory board of the Starkville Chamber

http://www.nspe.org.

particle-laden environments, and the design

of Commerce and chair of the Greater

of experiments.

Starkville Development Partnership Military

the path to licensure.

According to the NSPE website, members

Green is the second professional engineer from Mississippi State to serve as the

Green also serves as a Navy Reserve Officer

A past president of the Mississippi

Affairs Committee. He is an elder within the

organization’s president. In 1970-71, Harry C.

and recently was promoted to the rank of

Presbyterian Church PC (USA), and holds

Simrall, the university’s dean of engineering,

Captain (O-6). He is a Naval Engineering Duty

various other positions in volunteer and

also served as the national leader.

Officer with expertise in the area of design and

professional organizations.

Green earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in mechanical 50

WI NTER 2013

acquisition of ships and ships’ systems and combat systems.

Mississippi State University, ranked among the top 20 best U.S. universities and colleges for military personnel and veterans by Military Times EDGE, now offers a Veterans’ Certificate Program to train participants how to help veterans make the transition to civilian life.

Photo by Russ Houston

New certificate in veteran service available

C

onsistently ranked as a top U.S. military-friendly university, Mississippi State continues its

Army colonel explained.

The five online MSU courses are designed to provide training necessary

five courses may be completed anywhere in the world while participants continue working, McRae said.

longstanding tradition of serving members

to engage and serve veterans, according

of the armed forces by offering a new

to McRae and fellow program organizer

structured online, it covers that gamut,” he said.

certificate program.

Linda Cornelious, a professor in

“It’s for anyone at the university level or anyone

MSU’s instructional systems and

at government agencies who already works with

workforce development department.

veterans. It’s for corporate human resources

The university recently developed the Veterans’ Certificate Program to

“The way that the certificate program is

She said the Center for America’s

departments and private practitioners that have

service members successfully transition to

Veterans, the instructional systems and

veteran employees. It’s also for those people who

civilian life. The program establishes an

workforce development department and

want to work directly with veterans.”

opportunity for professionals, graduates and

other university units collaborated in

undergraduates to improve their knowledge

developing the curriculum. Cornelious also

certificate program, graduates should be able to

of veterans’ benefits while honing their

credited McRae’s leadership and persistence

advance in their respective careers, Cornelious

leadership skills.

in landing the Walmart grant that made the

and McRae agreed.

train individuals to help former military

A recent grant from the Walmart Foundation for $80,000 funded the new

new program possible.

One course already being offered as

With the skills developed through the

The certificate program has been in the works for almost a decade. MSU administrators

program, which is the only one of its

a prerequisite focuses on the necessary

generated an exploratory paper on developing

kind in the nation. Courses to earn the

management skills “that will allow students

veterans’ assistance associate’s, bachelor’s

Veterans’ Certificate may be applied as a

to be effective communicators, leaders and

or master’s degree concentrations in 2007,

concentration for the bachelor of science in

administrators,” Cornelious said.

but development was postponed because

interdisciplinary studies, or as electives in

“The other four courses deal directly

of funding concerns.

a graduate-level program, said Kenneth D.

with issues that impact veterans, the kind of

“This certificate will give the lay person a

“Ken” McRae, director of the G. V. “Sonny”

experiences they will have as they transition

real understanding of the culture and of the

MontgomeryCenter for America’s Veterans.

back to civilian life and how they can succeed

issues veterans face with transitioning, as well

academically, socially and psychosocially,”

as the benefits themselves,” McRae said. “I’m

she said.

proud of the university’s support for our veteran

A slightly similar program is available at the State University of New York, but only is available to graduate students and doesn’t include a management course, the retired

Since the Veterans’ Certificate is supported

by MSU’s Center for Distance Education, all

community, which covers the veterans, service members and their dependents.”

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

51

Alumni

NEWS

13 WINTER

ALUMNUS

Davis named Alumni Association Executive Director

J

eff Davis, a veteran alumni association executive at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, is

Mississippi State University’s new executive director of the alumni association.

Davis succeeds Jimmy Abraham, who retired earlier this year after a 38-year career in alumni

“Jeff Davis possesses the unique skill set necessary to lead our MSU Alumni Association to new heights of engagement, service and success.”

John P. Rush, MSU vice president for development and alumni

affairs and student affairs. Davis began his duties in November.

“Engaging our alumni is a core mission

In his new role, Davis will develop and implement programs to maintain lifelong

executive of both the SFA Alumni Association and the SFA Alumni Foundation.

and I’m confident that Jeff Davis is capable of

interactions between Mississippi State

leading an already successful MSU Alumni

graduates and the institution and provide

Davis was responsible for the direction and

Association to the next level,” said MSU

feedback from alumni about their concerns,

management of an SFA alumni relations

President Mark E. Keenum. “I also appreciate

said John P. Rush, MSU vice president for

program that serviced nearly 100,000 alumni

those who served in an exhaustive search

development and alumni.

worldwide. He also was charged with raising

process that led to Jeff ’s ultimate selection. His

“Jeff Davis possesses the unique skill set

At the comprehensive regional institution,

funds to support student scholarships and

experience, energy and enthusiasm will be

necessary to lead our MSU Alumni Association

alumni programs. Prior to the executive

an excellent fit as the university’s leadership

to new heights of engagement, service and

director post at SFA, he served as director of

team works to advance MSU in new and

success,” said Rush. “Following an illustrious

development for the SFA Alumni Association.

exciting ways.”

group of predecessors in this important

The Clear Lake, Texas, native also worked for

Davis will serve as the key liaison

position, Jeff is MSU’s first alumni association

the University of Alabama at Birmingham as

between the university and its more than

leader with significant prior experience serving

assistant director of new student orientation and

127,000 living alumni around the state

as an executive director. That experience,

parent programs.

and across the nation. The 135-year-old

combined with his enthusiasm and warmth,

land-grant institution has more than 95

positions MSU well for the future.”

alumni chapters in locations across the U.S. and overseas.

52

W IN TER 2013

Davis served as SFA’s executive director of alumni affairs since 2008. He also was chief

Danny Hossley, a 1965 MSU business alumnus and alumni association executive committee member, said Davis was chosen based on his experience and proven successes as

Mississippi State’s new Alumni Association Executive Director Jeff Davis and his wife, Jenny, greeted Bulldog supporters before the MSU vs. Alabama game in November. Davis will serve the more than 127,000 living alumni in the state and across the nation.

Photos by Megan Bean

the alumni director at a major university.

“Jeff demonstrated that he knows the mission and has the vision and passion to lead and grow our association. I feel that he’ll create

extension education alumna, said she is looking

Davis belongs to the Council of Alumni

forward to Davis’s leadership and the experience

Association Executives, which is made up of 100

he brings to the table.

chief executive officers of the top 100 alumni

“Jeff ’s personality brings enthusiasm that is

organizations that support four-year institutions

enthusiasm among all our alumni and at the

contagious, and our Bulldog family welcomes

of higher education. He is an active member of

same time work well with our entire university

him into our ranks. We look forward to a

the Council for the Advancement and Support

staff and officials,” Hossley said.

productive and successful tenure as director of

of Education, Alumni Professionals of Texas,

our alumni association, as well as many years of

Association of Fundraising Professionals,

growth,” Scales said.

Nacogdoches Jaycees, Fredonia Rotary Club

“Jeff also fits the mold of the young, enthusiastic and passionate professionals MSU has brought in most recently to lead us forward,” he said.

Tommy R. Roberson, national president

MSU Alumni Association executive committee member and national first vice president Ron Black, a 1980 marketing

and the alumni chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

Christie D. Walters, a 1998 fine arts alumna

of the MSU Alumni Association and 1967

alumnus, said Davis has “tremendous energy

and alumni association executive committee

political science and history graduate, said

and vision.

member, said she looks forward to working

Davis is automatically a part of the Bulldog

“There is no doubt that Jeff can and will take

with Davis. “What an exciting day for

family because his grandfather, 1940 alumnus

the MSU Alumni Association to the next level,”

Mississippi State University to welcome Jeff

Richard Warfield Davis, played football at

Black said.

Davis as our new alumni association director.

Mississippi State.

Davis holds a master of business

With his experience in alumni leadership, our

administration in management from the

association will continue to grow and succeed,”

history of this university and very engaging,”

University of Alabama at Birmingham School

Walters said.

Roberson said.

of Business. He is a 2002 graduate of Stephen

“Jeff is very knowledgeable about the

Camille Scales Young, immediate former

F. Austin State University where he earned a

national president of the association and a

bachelor’s in business administration from the

1994 communication and 1996 agriculture and

Nelson Rusche College of Business.

Joining Davis in Starkville are his wife, Jenny, and two daughters, Campbell and Collins.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

53

Alumni

13 WINTER

NEWS

ALUMNUS

2013 Alumni Fellows honored During November, the MSU Alumni Association welcomed the 2013 class of Alumni Fellows.

The group was honored in conjunction with the MSU vs. Alabama football game.

Sponsored by the MSU Alumni Association and the university’s eight colleges, the Alumni Fellows Program recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves in their respective careers. They are selected by each college and are invited to return to campus to meet with students, both in the classroom and informally.

This year’s class includes:

The College of Business honored Mary M. Childs of Ripley as fellow. Childs received a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance in 1980. She serves as president, CEO, COO and vice chairman of The Peoples Bank.

Dr. Janice I. Nicholson of Florence, Ala., is the 2013 fellow for the College of Education.

Nicholson holds master’s and doctorate degrees in elementary education from MSU in 1967 and 1977, respectively. She is retired as executive vice president for student affairs and graduate/special programs at Blue Mountain College.

Dr. Fred G. Corley Jr. of San Antonio, Texas, has been chosen as fellow for the College of Arts and Sciences. Corley is a 1968 chemistry graduate who serves as a professor in the Department of Orthopaedics with the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio.

Amie Oliver of Richmond, Va., was selected fellow for the College of Architecture, Art and Design.

Oliver earned a bachelor’s degree in art in 1982.

She now serves as a lecturer and studio artist at the Virginia Commonwealth University Visual Arts Center.

James L. Cummins Jr. of Amory was named the College of Forest Resources fellow. Cummins earned a degree in fisheries management in 1987.

He is currently the executive director for Wildlife Mississippi in Stoneville.

Claude G. Steele III from Hollandale was named fellow for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Steele is a 1971 agricultural engineering technology and business graduate who is a partner with Steele Farms.

Timothy S. Duncan of Kingwood, Texas, was selected as fellow for the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. Duncan earned a bachelor of science in petroleum engineering in 1995. He currently serves as president and CEO for Talos Energy LLC.

The College of Veterinary Medicine honored Dr. Huang-Ge Zhang as its alumni fellow. Zhang earned a doctoral degree from CVM in 1994. He now serves as a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, Ky., where he resides.

Mississippi State University offers congratulations to each of the 2013 Alumni Fellows.

54

WI NTER 2013

Former national alumni presidents honored

T

he annual MSU Alumni Association’s Former National President’s Day was held in September at the Hunter Henry Center with 25 attendees.

The event featured a keynote address by MSU Student Association

President Michael Hogan, a campus update with MSU Athletic Director Scott Stricklin, and a panel discussion with the university’s vice presidents.

The afternoon session concluded with a reception with MSU President Mark E. Keenum. The former national presidents were also honored prior to the MSU vs. Alcorn State football game.

The MSU Alumni Association was founded June 17, 1885, by the first three graduating classes of then Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College. Since its inception, 89 individuals have presided over the MSU Alumni Association as national president.

Former national presidents of the MSU Alumni Association visited campus in September and were honored at several events. The group is recognized each year during the association’s “Former National President’s Day.” Photo by Russ Houston

Alumni leadership conference

set for February

T

he MSU Alumni Association hosts hundreds of its most valuable and dedicated alumni volunteers from around the globe for a special two-day event each winter. The upcoming

annual awards banquet and leadership conference is scheduled for Feb. 7 and 8, 2014.

With a new format this year, the conference begins Friday, Feb. 7, with a roll call of chapters, an annual business meeting and group sessions in the afternoon, followed by an evening banquet. The banquet salutes the distinguished service award recipients, outstanding young alumnus, outstanding chapters, college alumni of the year and the university’s

Last year’s speakers at the annual Alumni Leadership Conference were SEC Commissioner Mike Slive, left, MSU President Mark E. Keenum, and MSU Athletic Director Scott Stricklin. The 2014 conference is set for Feb. 7 and 8.

Photo by Megan Bean

national alumnus of the year. Names of all honorees will be released at a later date.

The conference continues the morning of Saturday, Feb. 8, with group sessions on athletic marketing and opportunity inclusion along with

in their local chapters. The leadership conference is designed to train and support alumni volunteers and their work with local chapters.

Additional information on the 2014 awards banquet and leadership

breakout sessions for new officers, student recruiters, fundraising and

conference can be found by visiting the MSU Alumni Association website,

programming. Alumni representatives will gain great ideas to implement

www.alumni.msstate.edu.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

55

Alumni

NEWS

13 WINTER

ALUMNUS

Access to research database available for MSU Alumni, others

T

he Mississippi State

college professional. This database

Members of the alumni

University Libraries is

provides full text for thousands of

association can access these

now providing active

peer-reviewed journals, as well as

databases by logging in using

members of the MSU Alumni

thousands of peer-reviewed indexed

their NetID and NetPassword. To

Association access to a number of

and abstracted journals.

access the databases, please visit

popular research databases including

includes full-text sources ranging

Graduates who are not current

Edition, Business Source Alumni

from general periodicals to trade

members of the alumni association

Edition, Professional Development

publications and top management

can learn how to activate their

Collection and the MSU Libraries’

journals. Additional full-text sources

membership by visiting the website,

Digital Collections.

include country economic reports,

www.alumni.msstate.edu

is designed for the academicbased research needs of the post-

56

WIN TER 2013

guides.library.msstate.edu/alumni.

EBSCO’s Academic Search Alumni

Academic Search Alumni Edition

Mississippi State senior De'undre Adams, of Crowder, views microfilm of a June 1894 edition of the New York Times at Mitchell Memorial Library. In addition to students, faculty and staff, the university library offers the general public access to the latest technologies, including this desktop microfilm digital viewer and scanner, searchable by keywords.

Photo by Beth Wynn

Business Source Alumni Edition

industry reports, market research reports, company profiles and more.

For more information, please visit the MSU Libraries website, library.msstate.edu.

Northwest Florida Alumni Chapter awards inaugural scholarship University’s

M

Caitlin Fournier is receiving the

3 95 alumni

Northwest Florida Alumni Chapter

chapters serve as an extension

Scholarship. Fournier is a freshman

of the alumni association as

from Pensacola, Fla. She is majoring

they cement ties between the

in biochemistry and plans to attend

institution and its graduates.

medical school.

For the 2013-2014 academic year,

ississippi State

“Enrolling in an out–of-state

From generating enthusiasm for MSU from hundreds of miles

school is very expensive,” says

away to hosting gatherings on

Fournier. “Without scholarships, I

campus, alumni who are active

would have never been able to attend

with chapters play an integral role

Mississippi State. I am very thankful

in supporting and promoting the university.

for the Northwest Florida Chapter

Fournier

Besides linking the university’s over 127,000 living alumni, chapters also impact the success of the university’s students from specific geographic areas with the

Scholarship.”

Fournier is not only grateful for the financial assistance,

but also for the support system her chapter provides.

“My local alumni chapter made me feel at home even

establishment of chapter scholarships. These awards are

before I arrived on campus,” Fournier says. “They are

avenues to support students by recruiting and financially

always checking on me and making sure I’m okay here in

assisting them.

Starkville.”

The Northwest Florida Alumni Chapter recently

In addition to supporting chapter scholarships, the

established a new student scholarship, and the inaugural

Northwest Florida Chapter is also involved in hosting

recipient has begun her studies at MSU.

game-watch and send-off parties, assisting the local

“Every year, more and more students from the Northwest Florida area make the decision to attend Mississippi State, and we feel it is our chapter’s

Humane Society, and constantly encouraging prospective students to visit MSU’s campus.

“Our challenge is just getting prospective students to

responsibility to continue that momentum,” says chapter

make that initial visit, but once they do, half the battle is

president Steve Sims.

won,” Sims said.

Sims says he believes it is especially important for their

For more information on chapter scholarships, visit

chapter to assist students from their area given the rising

www.alumni.msstate.edu or contact Jackie Hudson,

cost of tuition as well as the fact that Florida residents also

stewardship coordinator for the MSU Foundation, at

have out-of-state tuition that must be accounted for when

jackie.hudson@msstate.edu or call 662-325-4214.

choosing a college.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

57

Foundation

NEWS

13 WINTER

ALUMNUS

A GLIMPSE INSIDE GIVING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MSU’S

Alumni and friends may become part of Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State University Campaign by simply making a gift to areas of the institution where their passion lies. Gifts of any amount can benefit scholarships, faculty support, facilities and program enhancements across the university.

As Mississippi State moves toward its $600 million campaign goal, the individual priorities of the university’s academic colleges and major units will be explored in future issues of this publication. Some highlights of specific giving opportunities include:

E

ndowed faculty positions in cropping systems and agricultural marketing in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences can further the university’s

impact to reach other nations who often rely on agriculture as their primary source of revenue. Besides the economic impact, the knowledge gained from these areas, along with food safety and crop production, allows countries to feed growing populations. These endowed positions may exist in the form of chairs and professorships established with gifts.

A

n endowment gift for the College of Architecture, Art and Design would give Mississippi an opportunity to become a national leader in design and build,

sustainable design, rural economic development and innovative construction practices. The college also seeks an endowment to attract adjunct faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized practicing architects, designers and construction professionals. With an endowment for the Building Construction Science Program and a chair to lead the program, MSU can further innovative construction education.

58

W I NTER 2013

U

niquely positioned by enrolling more than a quarter of the student body and providing much of the general education

requirements, gifts to the College of Arts and Sciences can be leveraged to impact nearly every student that passes through MSU. A Graduate Fellowship Program will recruit top graduate students, which directly bolsters not only teaching and research, but also the ability to recruit and retain the very best faculty. Endowed chairs and professorships will further enhance research productivity and academic stature.

T

he College of Business is creating a Wall Street atmosphere where students can learn about a global economy. With gifts, the college

can create an enhanced speaker series featuring distinguished alumni and professionals who can provide insight into the global marketplace.

Another effort for the college is to develop a new concentration encouraging global thinking and addressing critical topics such as information assurance, cyber security and fraud detection. Funding is needed to initiate this program, which will, in turn, produce graduates prepared to enter these demanding careers.

M

SU can strengthen its stance as a state and national leader in early childhood education with an endowed professor to lead

the Early Childhood Institute in the College of Education. The position will assist in developing and providing research-based practices and policy recommendations that promote high quality early childhood development and learning for all young children in Mississippi. The college also seeks graduate and undergraduate scholarships of any amount to train the teachers of tomorrow.

B

y enabling MSU students to become entrenched in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering’s overall atmosphere of

learning and achievement through special initiatives will require unrestricted gifts. The college’s campaign goals will focus on facility enhancements, endowed faculty positions, program endowments, and, most importantly, student support. In any given year, thousands of k-12 students interact with the college through science fairs, and summer camps, and funds are also needed to continue this exposure. With gifts of any amount for critical areas, the college will continue amassing its reputation of excellence as one of around 40 named engineering colleges in the nation.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

59

Foundation

NEWS

13 WINTER

ALUMNUS

T

he College of Forest Resources seeks to endow chairs in large animal management, which includes white-tailed deer and renewable

energy. The large animal management chair will provide research and mentor future leaders in wildlife management while advocating for conservation through hunting. The renewable energy chair, combined with licensed technology, will ensure that MSU continues to be a leader in bioenergy, thus economically impacting the state. The college also seeks gifts to upgrade facilities and classrooms for a growing number of students.

T

he College of Veterinary Medicine seeks individual endowments for faculty chairs, professorships, fellowships and scholarships

to bring the most excellent faculty and students to Mississippi’s only veterinary college. The college desires an endowment to extend the education the Mobile Shelter Medicine Program offers and its service to the public. Along with providing unique learning opportunities, the program decreases the number of unwanted animals and helps shelters facilitate adoptions. Opportunities also exist to further the work of the Radiation Therapy Unit and equine facilities on the Starkville campus, and the Referral Center located near Jackson.

T

he Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College can further expand academic opportunities and study abroad opportunities

through private support. Alumni and friends can increase the number of scholarships for potential selections of prestigious national and international awards such as the Rhodes, the Marshall and the Truman.

With gifts, the college can grow through special programs, and community service efforts, and implementation of a research and discovery program for middle school students to broaden their horizons.

60

WI NTER 2013

M

SU Athletics continues its plans to upgrade facilities over time for all 16 NCAA Division I sports programs currently offered by the

university over time. With the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex complete and Davis Wade Stadium in progress, next up is Polk-DeMent Stadium at Dudy Noble Field, home of the Diamond Dawgs. Fresh off a College World Series finalist finish, the baseball team needs to modernize the complex to keep its play at the highest level. With gifts, MSU can ensure facilities for all sports to remain top-notch. And, most importantly, gifts can help student-athletes excel in the classroom.

M

SU-Meridian is seeking to expand its current recruiting efforts by using scholarships to recruit students pursuing degrees in

one of the main divisions—Arts and Sciences, Business and Education.

With a regional need for well-prepared workforce in healthcare services, the university can be a frontrunner in Eastern Mississippi and Western Alabama for medical education and research endeavors. By securing campaign gifts, MSU-Meridian will be able to expand its educational offerings and meet this critical need.

D

uring the campaign, the University Libraries will continue to pursue inclusion with the Association of Research Libraries and place an

emphasis on facilities and technology. For Mitchell Memorial Library, gifts can help expand and renovate the Instructional Media Center, refurbish the electronic classroom and auditorium, and place additional technology in the John Grisham Room, named for the MSU alumnus and best-selling author. The library is also working to house more collections in the humanities.

INFINITE IMPACT PROGRESS $600

$150

$300

AMOUNT = MILLIONS

$375

0

$375 MILLION as of December 2013

$450

The MSU Foundation offers many ways to have an immediate impact on the university’s goals and create a lasting impact for tomorrow. Contributors should consider: Outright gifts Matching gifts from employers Gift annuities Gifts of personal property and real estate Gifts of stocks, bonds and other securities Bequests Interested persons may visit infiniteimpactmsu.com to learn more about campaign goals. If you would like to discuss your impact today, contact Jack McCarty, executive director of development for the MSU Foundation, at (662) 325-7000 or email jmccarty@foundation.msstate.edu.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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Foundation

NEWS

13 WINTER

ALUMNUS

Rock River impacts education in rural Mississippi Delta

By Amy Cagle

T

She added, “My father received a wonderful

he Rock River Foundation is creating a positive learning environment at the prekindergarten level in

Tallahatchie County through Mississippi State University’s Early Childhood Institute. Children residing in the Mississippi county can benefit from a more than $800,000 gift from the foundation to better prepare them for success in kindergarten.

The Early Childhood Institute has partnered with The Rock River Foundation to create the Tallahatchie Early Learning Alliance (TELA).

Located in the Delta region of Mississippi,

“As a single parent, I learned early on to be very proactive with education, and I hope to instill that desire in others.”

education in Mississippi, and he wants to make

Morgana Freeman Rock River Vice President

vision to do what needed to be done,” said the

that possible and improve the quality of life for those individuals residing in Mississippi.”

Freeman grew up spending summers in Mississippi. She began her association with the foundation two years ago after owning her own business.

“I wanted to help steer our family foundation because I felt like I could continue my father’s former business owner. “As a single parent, I learned early on to be very proactive with

Tallahatchie County has a population of just

beyond because the success we can achieve will

education, and I hope to instill that desire

over 15,000 individuals, and the TELA project

impact other areas.”

in others.”

addresses the needs of children in the county

The Rock River Foundation is a non-profit

Freeman explained the rationale behind the

directly and indirectly through school, family

organization based in Tallahatchie County

TELA project, saying, “Since studies prove the

and community efforts. TELA is designed to

and initially formed to aid education and

only way to help in education is to start in the

improve the social, emotional and academic

the arts. Mississippi native and Charleston

early stages and make an impact in a target area,

outcomes of these students.

resident Morgan Freeman, an Academy

we felt like we could bring about a big change in

Award-winning actor and film director,

the Delta so we took a bold step and started in

established the foundation.

our own backyard.”

“We were sought out by the Rock River Foundation to launch this project aimed at

By founding Rock River, Freeman

Initially, the Rock River Foundation’s goal

because of our reputation and our success in

has brought positive change to his home

was to put a mechanism in place to help ignite

childhood education,” said Gail Lindsey, interim

state. He has now passed the torch to

educational reform within the Mississippi

director of the Early Childhood Institute in

the next generation, which his daughter,

Delta and in Mississippi. And, secondly, the

MSU’s College of Education.

Morgana Freeman, represents.

foundation hopes to provide ongoing efforts for

closing the achievement gap for these children

Lindsey continued, “The institute has piloted

“The focus of the Rock River Foundation

institutions and organizations that contribute

similar research-based projects in communities

has always been that of education and the

to the development of children from birth to

across the state with much success, and we feel

arts because we desire to help the people in

age eight with the help of other agencies and

the TELA project is a win-win for Tallahatchie

Mississippi,” said Morgana Freeman, who serves

organizations to sustain the level reached.

County and education in Mississippi and

as foundation vice president.

62

WIN TER 2013

In Tallahatchie County, TELA began by

Prekindergarteners receive hands-on guidance in the Promise School environment.

Photos provided by Meghan Tooke

addressing the needs of prekindergarten children through a kindergarten readiness program known as a Promise School this past summer. This was coupled with a longitudinal assessment strategy that will track the targeted children’s progress through third grade.

With TELA, children in need of language enrichment activities will receive additional support through an in-home parent/child literacy education program, provided by SPARK-MS. A number of school-based initiatives will include professional development

Tooke knows firsthand about education in

education at an early level. For this success to

regarding best practices, one-on-one teacher

the Mississippi Delta, having resided and taught

be lasting, we need to sustain our progress with

coaching, prekindergarten-third grade

school there. She is currently enrolled in the

families, educational entities, and state agencies

curriculum alignment, and a recruitment and

master’s degree program in MSU’s College of

working together.”

retention plan. Finally, children attending

Education and remains dedicated to elevating

privately owned childcare centers will benefit

education in any way possible.

from a staff development and resource outreach project for providers.

“Students from impoverished backgrounds like those in Tallahatchie County struggle, and

“We believe this multi-faceted, community-

As part of Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State University Campaign, the university’s College of Education seeks gifts to impact early childhood

based effort will be successful, and we would

education. For more information on supporting

love to create a model that can be replicated

the college’s efforts or assisting with TELA or

anywhere,” Tooke said.

similar projects, call Trish Cunetto, the college’s

with the help of Rock River, we can address the

Freeman agrees, “We passionately want to

director of development at 662-325-6762 or

causes of this,” said Meghan Tooke, who guides

be successful and be a great model for others

email tcunetto@foundation.msstate.edu.

the TELA project on behalf of MSU.

to follow in this state and beyond as we impact M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

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Class

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ALUMNUS

1959

EUGENE BATES (M.S. ’71) of

vice chancellor for academic affairs

1979 ATTORNEY LAURIE ROSENBAUM WILLIAMS,

at the University of Arkansas Pine

shareholder of Copeland,

Buff, received Women of Color

Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A. in

magazine’s College-Level Promotion

Ridgeland, has been honored by

of Education award at the 18th Annual

the Mississippi Bar Association

Women of Color Science, Technology,

with a 2013 Lawyer Citizenship

Engineering and Math (STEM)

Award. She was selected for her

Conference in Dallas, Texas. An

volunteer efforts with such groups

MSU doctoral graduate in sociology,

as the Girl Scouts of Mississippi,

she holds a bachelor’s degree from

The Mississippi Girlchoir, Cancer

Tuskegee Institute and a master’s degree

League of Jackson and the

from Atlanta University.

Madison Chamber of Commerce.

1972 DR. MARY BENJAMIN,

Church Hill has been honored by the Community College with the naming

1983 TAMMIE CESSNA CHISHOLM

of a new honors dorm, the P. Eugene

has been named press secretary in

Bates Residence Hall. Bates is a 30-

the Office of the Cayman Islands

year member of the board, having

Premier. She previously was editor

served the past 12 as chairman.

of the Cayman Free Press, and has

board of trustees of Copiah-Lincoln

worked at newspapers throughout Mississippi.

1966 JOSEPH DAVENPORT III of Columbia, Mo., and his wife

JAMES FENNELL of Colorado

achievement award from the

1974 JOHN GRAFTON has been

National Rural Social Work Caucus

accepted as a professional member

World. The book is a real-life story

at Millersville University in

of the Cat Writers’ Association

of repurposing a brick-and-mortar

Pennsylvania.

based on the quantity and quality of

school into a model neighborhood

cat-related stories he has published

redevelopment.

Judith have received the lifetime

online in the past year. He is a primary contributing writer for The Daily Mews, one of the top catrelated websites worldwide.

64

WI NTER 2013

Springs, Colo., is the author of Building Ivy Wild: How Awakening an Old School is Changing Our

1984 PHILLIP HUSBAND has been

1988 1999 JEFFREY W. OVERBY holds the

named general counsel for the

Edward C. and Helen J. Kennedy

District of Columbia Department

Chair of Excellence in the Belmont

of Health by the District’s Attorney

University College of Business

General Irvin B. Nathan. He

Administration in Nashville,

previously served the Attorney

Tenn. He is an associate professor

General’s Office as special, deputy

of marketing and director of the

general and acting general counsel.

Center for International Business

1985 LAURIE PARKER of Starkville

at Belmont.

has published a novel, The

1990 MICHAEL SCOTT LOWERY

Matchstick Cross, which can be

has written an inspirational book,

followed on Facebook. Parker

God’s Weigh to Your Ideal Body

also is the author of 13 children’s

Weight. Lowery has pursued the

books.

study of health and weight loss,

1987 JO ANN HEROLD has been Interface is the world’s largest

of Moore, S.C., is the author of The

manufacturer of modular carpet.

Green and the Gray: The Irish in

Army Engineer Research

firm, has been named “Top 40 Under 40” by the Memphis Business Journal.

it, for more than 30 years.

1993 DAVID T. GLEESON (Ph.D. ’97)

1988 NIKI GOERGER of the U.S.

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. engineering

and what the Bible has to say about

for Interface Inc. in Atlanta, Ga.

named chief marketing officer

DAVID BRADFORD (M.S. ’00) of Memphis, Tenn., senior principal with

the Confederate States of America,

CHARLES D. “CHUCK” DUNLAP

published by the University of

of Birmingham, Ala., is the new

North Carolina Press.

communications director for the Southeastern Conference. The

Vicksburg has received the Army’s

1995 TIM DUNCAN of Kingwood,

Meritorious Civilian Service Award

Texas, chief executive officer and

associate director of media relations

for her service with the Office

president of Talos Energy, is listed

before his promotion.

of the Assistant Secretary of the

by Oil and Gas Investor.com in the

Army.

website’s “Top 20 under 40.” In

and Development Center in

Louisville native is a 13-year veteran of the SEC office and served as

2012, the petroleum engineering graduate co-founded Talos, a company that currently employees more than 120 in Houston, Texas.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

65

Class

NEWS

13 WINTER

ALUMNUS

2000 BRAD GARRISON of Kansas City, Mo., has been named director of development for Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.

2003 PHILLIP MIXON, an assistant

2005 GREGORY HARRIS completed

2009 MARI ELIZABETH EILAND

professor at Troy University

his internal medicine residency in

of Flowood has received a

in Troy, Ala., has been granted

June. He began hematology/oncol-

doctor of medicine degree from

tenure and is associate chair of the

ogy fellowship training at Genesys

the University of Mississippi

economics department.

Regional Medical Center this past

Medical Center and has accepted

summer

a residency in pediatrics at Blair

2005 SARAH DORNER has been

Batson Children’s Hospital in

named an associate in the

2008 TODD BACILE has received a

Employee Benefits and Executive

Ph.D. in marketing from Florida

Compensation Practice Group of

State University, and is now a mar-

2013 KYLE BARNES has joined Hoar

Maynard, Cooper & Gale law firm

keting professor at Loyola Univer-

Construction in Nashville, Tenn., as

in Birmingham, Ala.

sity New Orleans.

a project engineer.

Jackson.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS HANNAH LOUISE DAVIS

HANNAH ELIZABETH MCFADDEN

Jacob S. Davis (’05) of Pass Christian.

Mandy McFadden of Brandon.

LUCY ADALE HOLLADAY

EVERITT ROBERT WILLIAMS

Aug. 29, 2013, to Erica Souther Davis (’07) and

Feb. 22, 2013, to Lance Holladay (’08, ’09) and

June 13, 2013, to Clayton Lewis Williams (’96) and

LaShae Holladay of Pontotoc.

Alexis Williams of Ocean Springs.

MIA ELIZABETH LEWIS

Aug. 23, 2013, to Amaris Bradley Lewis (’99) and Chris Lewis (’97) of Franklin, Tenn.

66

WI NTER 2013

Aug. 30, 2013, to Robert McFadden (’04) and

In

MEMORIAM

13 winter

ALUMNUS

Geddes B. Flagg (’39)—96,

Joe T. Reeves (’55)—79, Freeny;

Ronnie Lester Propst (’68)

Gulfport; retired physician, July

retired helicopter pilot for U.S.

— Ethel; retired agriculture and

12, 2013.

Navy, Mississippi Air National

science teacher at Greenville High

Guard and Petroleum Helicopters

School, Aug. 15, 2013.

Clotaire Wood (’43)—93,

Inc., April 28, 2013.

Terry Malcolm Landrum

Newport News, Va.; retired NASA

George W. Mitchell (’57) – 86,

(’69)—66, Grenada; co-owner of

Houston, Texas; retired chief

Blue Goose Farms in Eupora and

William E. Byrd (’49)—84, Yazoo

financial officer for Battle

head of T.M. Landrum and Co.

City; retired director of sales and

Mountain Gold Company, and

agricultural trucking, Sept. 13,

marketing at Mississippi Chemical

World War II and Korean War

2013.

Corporation and Korean War

veteran, Sept. 1, 2013.

aeronautical engineer, Feb. 1, 2013.

Marilyn Scoggins Doolittle

veteran, Dec. 29, 2012.

Marvin Ed Doss (’58)—80,

(’81, M.Ed. ’85, Ed.S. ’92)—

John W. McKie (’49, M.S. ’67)—

Denver, Colo.; retired geologist for

70, Starkville; retired business

84, Brandon; retired area Extension

Exxon and Korean War veteran,

technology instructor at East

agent in Poplarville, April 6, 2013.

May 21, 2013.

Mississippi Community College, Golden Triangle Campus, and

Leon McWilliams Jr. (’49)—91,

Kimbrell Thomson (’61)—

online instructor for Northwest

Starkville; longtime field sales

Batesville; retired agricultural

Mississippi Community College,

representative for Mississippi

engineer and United Methodist

May 31, 2013.

Chemical Corp. and World War II

local pastor, May 25, 2013.

Dr. Dan Van Cleve (’86)—51,

veteran, April 14, 2013.

Harold O’Bannon Holiman

Jackson; cardio vascular surgeon,

Frank M. Bethany (’51)—84,

(’64)—Quitman; retired general

Mississippi Heart and Vascular

Ormond Beach, Fla.; retired

manager and chief operating

Institute, St. Dominic Hospital,

director of social work for Halifax

officer for the Chattanooga and

Oct. 3, 2013.

Medical Center and U.S. Army

Chickamauga Railway in northwest

veteran who served with the Allied

Georgia, July 7, 2013.

Occupation Forces in Japan, June 12, 2013.

Brian C. Ezelle (’90)—46, Tupelo; conditioning specialist for

M. Prentiss McReynolds (’66)

Progressive Health, June 22, 2013.

—Lenoir City, Tennessee; retired

John W. Niemi (’51)—Clinton;

advisory marketing representative

Jerry Caffey (friend)—78,

retired from SF Services and owner

for IBM, May 31, 2013.

Lambert; farmer and commissioner

of NiemiNet Silver and World War

on the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta

II veteran, Aug. 8, 2013.

Levee Board, Sept. 14, 2013.

M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

67

“I couldn’t be in a better position if I had gone anywhere else.”

DONALD ‘FIELD’ BROWN 2014 RHODES SCHOLAR

68

WI NTER 2013

2013 EGG BOWL CHAMPIONS H A I L

S T A T E

PHOTO BY RUSS HOUSTON

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