Mississippi State University Alumnus Winter 2012

MISSISSIPPI STATE ALUMNUS Winter 2012

Tom Goode’s former players help out around the house

“I stay involved because Mississippi State University had such a huge impact on the person I became. From academics to athletics, Julie and I share a passion for ensuring the growth of the university. It seems appropriate to give back financially so that others can hopefully have a similar experience.�

Jim Rouse ('62), retired exxon mobil corp. vice president and Julie Rouse, former teacher Houston, Texas

post office box 6149 | mississippi state, ms 39762 | 662.325.7000 | www.msufoundation.com

MISSISSIPPI STATE ALUMNUS Winter 2012

Winter 2012 | Vol. 89 | No. 1

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Former players make good on devotion to coach Tom Goode’s home is not easy to find, set deep in the Kilgore Hills of Clay County. But, recently, drawn together by respect and concern for the man who helped shape their lives, 20 of his former players, managers and fellow coaches gathered there to tackle a list of projects for the former Mississippi State coach and NFL legend.

Vice President for Development and Alumni John P. Rush (’94, ’02)

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Alumni Association Executive Director and Associate Vice President, Development and Alumni Jimmy W. Abraham (’75, ’77) twitter.com/drjimmyabraham

Nationally recognized researcher, cardiologist inspires future generations Even as a youngster in Clarksdale, Dr. Ervin Fox knew education was important. His parents, both educators, made scholastic excellence a priority in their household. So when the time came for him to enroll in college, he knew exactly where he was going.

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Forest management from a different point of view When many people think of foresters, images of park rangers in green uniforms or lumberjacks armed with chainsaws may come to mind. Certainly most do not immediately picture a software developer working at his computer.

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Partnerships focus of world food security conference While feeding the world may seem an impossible feat to some, especially as the population grows from 7 to 9 billion by the year 2050, American land-grant universities like MSU are in a position to supply vital research to find solutions for critical food supply and security issues.

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A Passion for Service From negotiating the release of prisoners of war to affecting the lives of hundreds of students, few can claim a life as dedicated to service as MSU’s history professor emeritus Janos Radvanyi.

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

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Mobile clinics train veterinary students, save shelter animals In one of many states across the nation facing the monumental difficulty of pet overpopulation, Mississippi’s largest university and only veterinary college is helping address the issue and saving lives, one dog and cat at a time.

Editor Allen Snow (’76)

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Bulldogs, Ramblers renew hardwood rivalry 50 years after historic 1963 NCCA game For the first time since the historic night of March 15, 1963, Mississippi State University and Loyola University Chicago will meet again on the hardwood in basketball competition.

USPS 354-520 This is Our State.

President Mark E. Keenum (’83, ’84, ’88)

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

Associate Editor Harriet Laird Designers Matt Watson (’05) Hal Teasler (’12) Photographers Russ Houston (’85) Megan Bean Beth Wynn Mississippi State University Alumni Association National Officers Camille Scales Young, ’94, ’96, national president Tommy R. Roberson, ’67, national first vice president Ron E. Black, ’80, national second vice president Jodi White Turner, ’97, ’99, national treasurer Jerry L. Toney, ’96, immediate former national president

30 Campus news 40 Alumni news 47 Foundation news 50 Class news 51 In memoriam

Cover photo by Russ Houston

Mississippi State Alumnus is published three times a year by the Office of University Relations 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 mississippi state A lumnus

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Tom Goode at his home in northern Clay county

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Photo by Russ Houston

devotion Former players make good on

to coach

By Kristen Stevens

T

om Goode’s home is not easy to find,

Like his home place, Coach Goode has been a

set deep in the Kilgore Hills of Clay

beacon to many of his former players, who have

County. It takes a good 20 minutes

found their way back to him at different times in

or so to get there from town, if you

their lives. They come to these hills to sit on his

know where you are going, but the ride is worth the

porch or in his comfortable sitting room filled with

time, for the setting is idyllic and has been home to

a remarkable life’s memorabilia seeking guidance,

the former Mississippi State coach and NFL legend

advice and leadership.

for nearly 70 years.

Set against a small lake and rolling hills, the

As the offensive line coach at Mississippi State for four seasons, 1972-75, before returning to his

Victorian farmhouse where he and his siblings were

alma mater from 1984-89, he became a father figure

raised, by strong and loving parents Buster and

to the young men he coached. Recently, drawn

Geneva Goode, has stood as a beacon to the player

together by respect, friendship and concern for the

and coach, as his long career has taken him from

man who helped shape their lives, 20 of his former

Miami to Canada and many places in between.

players, managers and fellow coaches gathered on

The home’s exterior has seen better days, but at 73

his property to tackle his list of projects one by one.

and “my health not being the best,” said the coach, he

Ronnie Cuevas, who played at MSU from

began to fret about a growing list of repairs and tasks

1972-76, organized the workdays and reunion,

that he could have easily and pleasurably handled

which culminated with cooking a hog on the

himself before a bout of cancer and related illnesses

front lawn under a shade tree. “I was his smallest

interfered with his strength.

lineman,” he joked.

mississippi state A lumnus

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Former players of Goodes’ from Texas, Tennessee and throughout Mississippi convened on his property recently to make repairs and clean up the landscaping for the coach who had a significant impact on their lives as young players. Those attending included, kneeling front row, from left, Mark Trogdon, Ray Purnell, Fred Ranier, Stan Black, Coach Ray Perkins, Coach Tom Goode, George Purnell and Dennis Walton. Standing in the back row are Jim Eidson, Larry Greenlee, Wayne Jones, Howard Lewis, James Harris, Ronnie Cuevas, Bill Maxey, Coach S.E. Sullins, Roger Cook, Johnny Bruce, Larry Brooks and Norman Joseph. Photo by Jana Beth Eidson

Facebook page, which has about

training. He still uses one crutch to

many of the players refer to Coach

40 members, including Larry

aid his walking, but recalled, “They

Goode, a few months ago “and

Greenlee, a defensive tackle who

said I’d never walk again.”

stayed about four days,” he said.

played from 1970-74 and lives in

“There were a lot of things that

nearby Kilmichael. He volunteered

and teacher of young men,” Brooks

needed to be done around here,

to drive over three weeks ago and

added, who grew up knowing

and coach was really fretting about

make an assessment of what work

Goode as a child. His father was a

all the work.”

needed to be done.

Methodist minister in West Point

Cuevas came to visit “our dad” as

Cuevas, like many of Goode’s

coordinator S.E. Sullins, joined the

Goode practically my whole life. We

after graduating from MSU. Cuevas

carefully planned event.

lived in Siloam when the parsonage

Greenlee had mowed three acres

was built,” he remembered fondly.

Starkville and Harrison Central high

of grass and was saying good-bye to

His coach, former NY Giants,

schools for a coaching career that

fellow player Larry Brooks, who was

University of Alabama and Tampa

spanned 34 years.

driving home to Memphis. Brooks

Bay Buccaneers head coach, Ray

was a wide receiver from 1973-75

Perkins, also came.

Cuevas rounded up his football buddies through their private

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and Siloam, “So I’ve known Coach

former players, went on to coaching was head coach at Gulfport,

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His coach, former MSU defensive

“Coach Goode, he is a great man

and broke his neck during spring

Goode, Sullins and Perkins have

Photo by Russ Houston

Goode’s Super Bowl ring

been friends for years. Perkins and Goode met in Baltimore when they played for the Colts; both men played on the Colts’ 1970 Super Bowl team, beating Dallas 16-13, and both made stunning, historymaking plays that the players talked about throughout the day.

Perkins coached wide receivers at MSU with Goode for the 1973 season; then Goode joined Perkins at the University of Alabama coaching the offensive line for the 1983 season.

Former MSU tight end Bill Maxey and offensive lineman Ronnie Cuevas rehang the swing on Tom Goodes’ porch after the floorboards had been replaced toward the end of a long workday at the coach’s Clay County residence.

Photo by Kristen Stevens

Sullins coached the defensive line at MSU from 1973 until 1978, and then returned to State in 1982. He joined Coach Goode at East Mississippi

MSU from 1971-76.

“Coach Goode helped me get into coaching. He was an assistant at Vanderbilt and helped me get my

number of years. After retiring from EMCC-

first job. I’m here to honor him today,” said Norman

Scooba in 2003, the duo spent a number of seasons

Joseph, former MSU quarterback and head coach at

at West Point’s Oak Hill Academy and helped the

Mississippi College since 2005.

left in 2007 when he was diagnosed with cancer.

“He’s a great guy, coach, friend,” said Perkins of Goode; “I don’t know if I’ve ever met better.”

The Facebook group tried to keep the workdays

– Jim Eidson, Goode’s former player at MSU and former Dallas Cowboy

agreed receiver Howard Lewis, who played for

Community College’s Scooba Campus for a

team achieve its best record in recent years. Goode

“Why did we come here? This is not just a ‘today’ event.

Coach Goode was my life coach.”

“He taught us how to lead, how to be men,”

a secret, but coach knew something was up, and

“Coach Goode is one of the few coaches who treated me like a human being,” said James Harris, who played defensive end for MSU from 1970-74 and went on to coach at Pontotoc and Tupelo high schools as well as schools in Georgia.

Honored to be once again covered in sweat, dirt

when former offensive tackle and Dallas Cowboy

and grass clippings for Goode’s benefit, nothing

Jim Eidson made his weekly call, Goode fished for

new for these veterans of countless football fields,

answers and finally asked him if he was coming. “I

were All-SEC running back and Louisville defensive

couldn’t lie to Coach,” he said.

line and strength coach Wayne Jones; tight end

Eidson doesn’t just like Coach Goode; he loves

and businessman Bill Maxey; offensive lineman

him dearly. He’s like a father to him, and the two

and construction company manager Roger

have spent a lot of time together over the years.

Cook; linebacker, former college and high school

“Coach has a way of figuring out the void in your

coach and businessman Johnny Bruce; 1976 All

life and filling it. For me, it was a father.

American defensive back and businessman Stan

“Why did we come here? This is not just a ‘today’ event. Coach Goode was my life coach,” said Eidson.

Black; defensive tackle and former South Panola and Batesville coach Jackie Chapman; manager and

mississippi state A lumnus

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retired bank examiner Ronald Bailey;

care about my player as a person, as

career. “The players today are not

tackle and financial manager Mark

a student. If you cannot get to know

used to a lot of discipline and family

Trogdon; guard and agricultural loan

him as a person, you cannot motivate

support,” said Goode. “If my mother

manager Fred Rainer; and equipment

him. We’re not perfect in any shape

told me to do something that is

manager and businessman George

of the imagination, but with coaching

what I did; or my daddy told me a

Purnell.

it’s my responsibility to that player to

certain thing or a way to do, that is

get to know him, to help him become

the way I did it. I’ve always had the

successful.

motto, ‘Do right, and be on time,’

They replaced rotten fascia boards, window sills and porch boards. They mowed, weed-eated,

“I’m one who believes if you work

that will keep you out of a lot of problems,” said Goode.

cut down brush, dug holes and

to have success in one area of your

planted countless rose bushes for

life, chances are pretty good you will

Goode’s wife, Sonia. Also pitching

work to have success in all areas of

biggest mistake coaches make I

in was Purnell’s son Ray, who played

your life, so it should equal a certain

believe is not being themselves. I

for Goode at Oak Hill in 2005 and

level of success on the football field,

could not be a Bear Bryant. That’s not

just earned his graduate degree in

and everywhere I’ve been that has

what’s in me. He was a great success.

industrial engineering from MSU.

been the case,” said Perkins.

He was a great man. But we could

“Coaches have changed. The

not do everything the same way.

“No two people are the same. You have to figure out what motivates this one or that one.”

– Tom Goode, Former MSU Coach

“You have to be smart enough as a coach to motivate your players, to know your players. Know about his home life. I think Ray Perkins asked me this, ‘What do you think motivates people more? Is it fear?’

No. It’s not fear. It is in a way, but it’s the fear you are going to let the

Coach Goode touched all their lives in different but similar ways.

“He told me once that the key is

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to the player,” added Perkins.

“It’s transferrable,” said Eidson.

coach down. You have to earn their respect. Love is the way. ‘Coach put the fear in us,’ I’d hear boys say.

“It’s not the fear of the coach, it’s

you treat everyone the same but in

“Coach Perkins and I talked about that

different ways,” said Eidson.

today. What good you do in athletics

the fear you are going to let him

transfers to good in life,” he added.

down that motivates. It comes back

“No two people are the same. You

6

“I take very seriously my responsibility

to love for that person. Love is the

have to figure out what motivates

Both coaches believe strongly in

this one or that one,” said Goode.

Bible studies for their players and held

way to get somebody fired up. If you

Coach Perkins, who came out of

weekly group sessions throughout

want to get somebody fired up, don’t

retirement to take the head coaching

their careers. Eidson remembered

talk about what you are going to do

position at Jones County Junior

how Goode would have the more

to him,” Goode philosophized.

College in 2011, shares Goode’s

timid members of the team lead the

philosophy. “I’ve always coached one

sessions to give them confidence.

he can give you,” concluded Goode.

way. I’ve always thought I’ve cared

At 73, Goode has seen many

“Different coaches use different

about the individual I’m coaching. I

changes in players in his coaching

ways. Coach Goode would lean into

“Your job as a coach is to get the best

Goode’s memorabilia room a huddle on a particularly tough day,” recalled Eidson, “and of course us players would never want to let him down…he’d watch the replays with us, he never critiqued us in harsh ways. He never degraded a player.

“You have to understand, the type of men who are drawn to play this game are type A personalities. They are pleasers to begin with. They desperately want to please. He’d lean into the huddle sometimes, whisper Photo by Russ Houston

into my headgear, ‘Son, are you giving me your best effort, are you?’

“It would make cold chills run down your back. You knew you weren’t going to be perfect, but you wanted to get better that day, that day.

Boy, that’s a motivator,” Eidson said.

have been the most talented offensive

kindest coach on the staff. Here I

“That’s what motivated me,” said

line, but when we were in a game, we

was, doing the blue collar, lowest-

Goode. He learned his mild ways

knew how to block; we won seven

glory job, and he treated me like his

from his first coach and his parents.

games that year, and the next year’s

son. He was this huge man, who

“My first coach was a preacher,” he

team went to the playoffs for the first

seemed untouchable, but he was a

added, “and my parents. My dad

time in I don’t know how long.

real person. I remember his great big hands, and I can tell you, his

was a big, old country guy, hard as a

“He has the most amazing way of

rock. He treated people right, would

dealing with players. If someone had

coaching shoes, which I had to keep

do anything for them,” he said.

a discipline issue, he could pull a story

polished, were great big too. I cannot

out of his trove from his experiences

tell you what it means to me that my

that related to whatever the issue was

son got to experience a year of being

and make it relative. One time he

coached by Tom Goode.”

“We were pretty skeptical of an old, new guy,” said Ray Purnell.

“Our first year, our coach

Big shoes are difficult to fill, but

died, our second year, we did not

broke up a couple of players fighting,

win many games. He came into

and he starting telling us a story

the young men, who are now in their

summer camp, and we already

about Dick Butkus picking a fight

50s, would not have congregated in

had our positions. I had always

with him. Who has stories like that?

the Kilgore Hills of Clay County had

played defense, and he moved me

How fortunate were we to get to hear

they not strived to fill those shoes in

to offensive tackle the first day. It

them?” asked Purnell.

the years since leaving the rigors of

became apparent that year was going

For his father, George Purnell,

Tom Goode’s locker room.

to be very different,” said Purnell.

who managed the MSU football

“I’m glad I came,” said Larry

“Coach Goode was far more

team’s equipment from 1974-78,

Greenlee. “I would not have taken

he said, “Coach Goode was the

anything for it.”

cerebral. We got so smart. We may not

mississippi state A lumnus

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MSU alumnus Dr. Ervin Fox, recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor given by the U.S. government to science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their research

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Nationally recognized researcher, cardiologist inspires future generations

By Leah Barbour | Photos By Megan Bean

E

ven as a youngster in

After he graduated from MSU in

Now a cardiologist and professor

Clarksdale, Dr. Ervin

1989, he studied at the University

of medicine at the University of

Fox knew education

of Mississippi School of Medicine,

Mississippi Medical Center, Fox is a

was important. His

completed an internal medicine

senior investigator for the Jackson

parents, both educators, made

residency at Washington University

Heart Study, where his research

scholastic excellence a priority in their

School of Medicine in St. Louis,

project recently earned him the

household. So when the time came

completed a general cardiology

Presidential Early Career Award

for him to enroll in college, he knew

fellowship at Tulane Medical Center in

for Scientists and Engineers, the

exactly where he was going.

New Orleans, completed a fellowship in

highest honor bestowed by the

clinical and research echocardiography

U.S. government on science and

University to pursue a degree in

at Massachusetts General Hospital in

engineering professionals in the early

biomedical engineering, but that was

Boston, and earned his master’s degree in

stages of their independent research

only the beginning.

public health from Harvard University.

careers.

He was going to Mississippi State

mississippi state A lumnus

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Dr. Fox and his assistant, Abril Grant, examine one of almost 4,000 Jackson Heart Study participants in his newly established Vascular Function Laboratory at UMMC. President Barack Obama personally

enhance Fox’s recruitment efforts to have

students and trainees as an important part of

congratulated Fox in Washington, D.C.,

3,829 Jackson Heart Study participants go

my research at the university,” he said.

this summer, on his research achievements

through his newly established Vascular

in his study of the genetic and clinical

Function Laboratory.

determinants of cardiac structure and

“Findings from this research may lead to the

Fox’s goal of inspiring the next generation of researchers and thinkers is no surprise, because of the benefits he had having a

function and vascular function in African-

discovery of novel markers of cardiovascular

family focused on instructing and mentoring

Americans.

outcomes in this population and help lead

children, he said.

At Mississippi State, Fox gained the tools for success, he said.

“Definitely, the work ethic required to complete the engineering program prepared

to improved prevention and management

”That’s the story of my life — growing

strategies for all,” he said. “I consider the

up in my family where my parents

PECASE award a wonderful honor that gives

encouraged each of us to optimize his or

recognition to my research efforts.”

her opportunities to achieve more than the

Fox said that his research not only can

previous generation could,” Fox said. “My

background in biology and physics at

make a difference in his patients’ lives, but

oldest brother graduated from Mississippi

Mississippi State and it continues to serve me

also allows him to build future generations of

State in civil engineering, my sister finished

well,” he said. “For example, the principles

new researchers in science and engineering.

at Mississippi State in biochemistry, my

me for medical school. I acquired a strong

of fluid mechanics and human physiology I

“The PECASE award recognizes each

brother next to me completed computer

studied at State can be applied to my current

awardee’s efforts to inspire the next

science at State, and I subsequently finished

research in vascular function in Jackson.”

generation of investigators. I am honored by

in biomedical engineering. We are a very

that part of the recognition, because I place

science-oriented family.

Acknowledgement of his ongoing research from the receipt of the PECASE award will

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working with a diverse group of medical

“Of course, there is always one special one

“Definitely, the work ethic required to complete the engineering program prepared me for medical school. I acquired a strong background in biology and physics at Mississippi State and it continues to serve me well.”

– Dr. Ervin Fox, 1989 MSU Alumnus

One of five children to complete science-related degrees, Dr. Fox said his parents encouraged their children to optimize their opportunities to achieve more than previous generations. in the bunch. The middle child wanted to go into

his patients’ lives.

pharmacy, so he was the only one who strayed

Even while he was traveling the country to

to the University of Mississippi to complete his

pursue the education that would give him the

pharmacy degree there.’”

ability to impact others and save lives, Fox said he

Fox explained that his parents always expected him and all his siblings to go to college, and the

always knew he’d come back to Mississippi.

“It just seemed to be the right decision to

knowledge he gained at Mississippi State has

make in choosing a career path after completing

been invaluable to him as an investigator, scholar

my training in Boston,” he said. “I would return

and now, as a nationally recognized researcher.

to Jackson and begin a career as an academic

“It always feels good to get appreciation for

clinician-researcher, where I would direct the

hard work and dedication, and it’s great that this

Cardiac Ultrasound Laboratory at the university

brings attention to the research that’s going on

hospital and do cardiovascular research on a large

here in Jackson,” Fox said.

African-American group based in Mississippi.

He knows he didn’t do it all on his own. Fox

“I always stayed committed to giving back to

thanked God for His help over the years, not only

my state and it’s proven to be a wise, fulfilling

in his career-related achievements, but in his and

life decision.”

mississippi state A lumnus

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Photo by Kathryn Howard

MSU Alumnus Zack Parisa

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Forest management from a different point of view

By Meg Henderson

W

hen many people think of

At Yale, Parisa and his partner developed a program

foresters, images of park rangers

called Timber Scout. It uses satellites to gather data

in green uniforms or lumberjacks

on the number, size, and species of trees on any given

armed with chainsaws may

property. The program, Parisa says, makes it possible to

come to mind. Most do not immediately picture a software

create an accurate predictive model for clients based on

developer working at his computer.

the land’s species and attributes.

However, developing software to enhance forest

After establishing Timber Scout as its “flagship” product,

management is where Zack Parisa, a 2006 Mississippi

SilviaTerra released a timber-cruising app with the clever

State graduate, has positioned himself, at the forefront of

name Plot Hound. This app allows foresters to record data

burgeoning technology. In 2009, he and co-founder Max

on their smartphones rather than with paper and pencil.

Uhlenhuth established SilviaTerra, a Boston-based company

The two decided to apply for a patent for their

that began as a graduate research project at the Yale School

programs after receiving encouragement from professors

of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

and professionals in the forest industry. Parisa asked

Traditionally, foresters gather information about a forest

himself, “Why not me? Why shouldn’t I grow that niche

using what they call a “timber cruise.” They hike through the

market?” That decision resulted in starting SilviaTerra,

woods with a compass and property map and, using paper

and Parisa has never looked back.

and pencil, record information on trees at regular intervals.

At 29, Parisa is already a successful entrepreneur. He

From the representative data, they are able to assess the

currently works with clients across the U.S. and as far

resources on the whole property.

away as South America, providing forest management on

New technology is beginning to make the laborious process of timber cruising easier, less expensive, and

more than 500,000 acres.

“Companies use information to value forest assets and

more time efficient. A growing number of foresters,

develop management plans to increase future value of

therefore, are spending a little more time at the computer

forest land, whether it be for a conservation agency that

and a little less time on the ground.

wants to provide a better habitat for salamanders or an

mississippi state A lumnus

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“My education was tailored to what I wanted and felt that I needed. It was the base, the backbone, the primer for everything that followed: graduate studies, overseas research and a start-up business.”

– Zack Parisa, 2006 MSU forestry graduate industrial owner who wants to increase the value of the timber,” Parisa said.

Despite his enthusiasm for his company and the programs he has developed, Parisa worries about those who fear that

Parisa collects field data for his master’s research in Margahovit, Armenia in 2007.

remains today—all about his love of the land.

contrast to what I experienced at other schools

Parisa has fond memories of childhood

I visited.” He recalls touring another university

days spent in the woods near his suburban neighborhood in Huntsville, Ala. “I grew up near the Tennessee River and

this technology might put foresters out of

spent much of my free time in the woods,

touch with the land they manage. However,

trying to get to the river,” Parisa said.

he maintains that it would improve land

He also credits a family friend who worked

where he felt “nameless and faceless.”

In contrast, Parisa’s experience at Mississippi State made him truly feel like a guest. He recounts his first visit to campus.

“The faculty were really interested in what I wanted to do. They made sure I got into

management and that the results are as

as a forester. He encouraged Parisa at a young

every class I wanted to sit in on and answered

accurate as with traditional methods.

age to study the woods where he spent so

every question.”

Much of the land in the U.S. currently goes unmanaged. But Parisa believes that the data

much of his time.

“It seemed like everything I cared about –

The hospitality Parisa experienced as a high school senior only grew over his next four years.

SilviaTerra’s technology provides can help

insects, soil, economics – all of these things

He remembered the opportunities his professors

foresters use and grow the resources better than

wrapped together in this big, beautiful,

in the forestry department and the Shackouls

traditional methods alone.

problem-solving venue,” Parisa said.

Honors College gave him to explore ideas and ask questions. Although he left Starkville years

“I’m excited about not only the technology,

As a high school senior, Parisa kept an open

but about the type of decision making that the

mind to attending any forestry program in the

ago, the concern they showed Parisa in all of his

software can enable and positively impact,”

country. However, after a recommendation

academic endeavors has remained with him.

Parisa said.

from a neighbor and a visit to Mississippi

“I felt like the professors were happy that I

State’s campus, he wanted to call Starkville

was engaged,” Parisa said. “My education was

home for the next four years.

tailored to what I wanted and felt that I needed.

Although Parisa knew what he wanted to do with his life from the age of 13, owning a business was not his main goal. It was then—and

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Mississippi State, Parisa said, was a “stark

It was the base, the backbone, the primer for

Screenshot of Plot Hound, a simple timber cruise data-collection application for Android and the iphone. everything that followed: graduate studies,

who was not only bright and motivated, but

to learn about its practical applications and

overseas research and a start-up business.”

exceptionally so.

relate it to his personal experiences.

The most remarkable quality about his

Donald Grebner, a forestry professor, recalls

According to Ezell, Parisa was “not one to

professors at Mississippi State, recalled Parisa,

Parisa as a “very rare” kind of student. While he was

sit on the sidelines and watch the game. He’s

was not found in grand gestures or life-

never enrolled in Grebner’s class, Parisa approached

going to be involved. I don’t know if I would

changing moments. “The heroic thing that

him about an independent study project.

have labeled him as an entrepreneur, but it

these professors do is being there all of the

After studying in South America, he told

time for their students’ problems, questions,

Grebner that there was “something missing” in

concerns,” Parisa said.

his knowledge of forest management. He wished

One of these seemingly small acts resulted in an extraordinary opportunity for Parisa.

Aware of his interest in international forestry,

doesn’t surprise me. Whatever he’s involved with, he’s going to be a leader.”

And Zack Parisa is well on his way to

to study different perspectives and applications

doing that. SilviaTerra is not just a job for

and knew that Grebner could help him.

him; it is a passion.

The project was as rewarding for the

“You don’t ever put your work away. There’s

a faculty member informed him of an

professor as it was for the student. “He always

no five o’clock and you go home and not think

opportunity to study abroad and intern for a

had great ideas. He was actually someone who

about it. It’s what you dream about, it’s what

company in Brazil.

tried to do something about his ideas,” Grebner

you relate everything to,” he said.

“That changed me,” Parisa said. “It’s simple, a forwarded e-mail, but I’m still friends with my

said, “and he’d give you more than you’d ask.”

Andrew Ezell, head of the forestry

It is Parisa’s combination of creativity, dedication and love of his profession that have

advisor and several professors and correspond

department, agreed that Parisa was not a typical

earned him the recognition he has received

with them regularly.”

undergraduate. According to Ezell, Parisa

lately in his industry and in news outlets such

Parisa still thinks of his professors in the

would often ask questions after his practices

as Bloomberg and Forbes. Those same

College of Forest Resources as outstanding.

of silviculture class – not because he did not

qualities are sure to continue to bring him

Likewise, they remember him as a student

understand the material, but because he wanted

success in years to come.

mississippi state A lumnus

15

Dr. Raj Shah, left, of the U.S. Agency for International Development, listens to master’s degree student Yu-Ting Chen, center, explain current research in Mississippi State’s food processing plant. Shah was on a facility tour, conducted by Dr. Juan Silva, MSU professor of food science, nutrition and health promotion, during the international conference “Technology Implementation at the Local Level: Food Security for the Future.”

Partnerships focus of

world food security conference

By Margaret kovar and Allison Matthews | Photos By Russ Houston, Megan Bean, and Beth Wynn

16

WIN TER 2012

Daniel Yohannes, left, CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corp., listens as MSU President Mark E. Keenum, discusses the university's role in food safety research.

M

ississippi State

philanthropic entities, among others,

University’s

was the primary topic of the daylong

recently established

food safety and security conference.

International

“If food production does not

Institute brought an issue of global

increase significantly, the number of

concern into focus on campus during a

people living in poverty will increase

September conference.

greatly,” Keenum said. “We are

While feeding the world may seem

compelled to help feed the world and

an impossible feat to some, especially

alleviate suffering, first, because it’s the

as the population grows from 7 to 9

right thing to do, but also because it is

billion by the year 2050, American

important to our national security.”

land-grant universities are in a position

Keenum explained that Mississippi

to supply vital research to find solutions

State has expertise pertinent to every

for critical food supply and security

aspect of the food chain, including

issues.

crop production, post-harvest

Organized by the university’s

processing, livestock, aquaculture,

International Institute and titled

food policy, water resources, geospatial

“Technology Implementation at the

technologies and biofuels.

Local Level: Food Security for the

In addition to research, Keenum

Future,” the conference explored new

said the university has formed

opportunities for agriculture, global

strategic partnerships, including a

challenges and university engagement,

memorandum of understanding for

and other issues related to the world’s

research with the United Nations Food

growing food needs.

and Agricultural Organization, as well

Leading international experts,

as a formal agreement with Nigeria

researchers and state and federal

to educate poultry science students,

policymakers joined MSU President

among other partnerships.

Mark E. Keenum and U.S. Sen.Thad

Keenum said the United States and

Cochran (R-Miss.) for an in-depth

the nation’s land-grant universities have

examination of global food safety and

the resources to help make feeding

security issues.

the world an entirely achievable goal,

Speakers examined how collaboration between public and

although not an easy one.

“We cannot add more land, so the

private sectors can meet the world’s

question is how can we get more out of

food needs as the population continues

the resources we have today,” he said.

to multiply. The importance of

Cochran opened the morning

partnerships between universities

session with a look at America’s

and governmental, business and

commitment to global food security,

“If food production does not increase significantly, the number of people living in poverty will increase greatly.We are compelled to help feed the world and alleviate suffering, first, because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it is important to our national security.”

– Mark E. Keenum, MSU President

mississippi state A lumnus

17

During a luncheon, conference participants heard a keynote from President of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities Peter McPherson, who emphasized the critical role universities will play in helping find solutions for problems facing developing nations.

and Daniel Yohannes, CEO of Millennium Challenge Corporation,

However, he explained development projects must proceed

an important role in solving critical

only with complete transparency

global challenges.

and accountability.

Raj Shah, administrator of the

“For every dollar invested in agricultural research, it returns about $26 over time,” Shah said.

Shah also took the opportunity to announce a new program offered through his agency to help college

foreign aid agency created by

U.S. Agency for International

students who want to work abroad.

Congress in 2004 to improve

Development, also spoke of the need

He said the program, called “Fall

delivery of foreign assistance. Its

to deliver meaningful results.

Semester,” will be a resource to make

programs focus on sound policies, country ownership and results.

Yohannes said making strategic

“At the end of the day, the work we do reduces the risk of conflict across the globe. It is harder to find

sure more Americans can be part of solutions to global problems.

President of the Association of

investments in the world’s poorest

a more powerful way to connect

Public and Land-Grant Universities

countries is tied to American

with people than with these types of

Peter McPherson also expanded

national security and prosperity.

issues,” he said.

on the critical role universities will

He added that MCC’s investments

Shah reiterated that the world is

play in helping find solutions for

have long addressed food security

facing a food security crisis, with

problems facing developing nations.

needs, including irrigation projects

people around the world suffering

“To achieve the food production

and infrastructure to help get

from real hunger and chronic

we’re going to need, there’s no way

commodities from farm to market.

malnutrition. He explained that Feed

this will get done without harnessing

the Future, the U.S. Government’s

the expertise of the land-grant

too,” Yohannes said, explaining that it

global hunger and food security

system,” McPherson said.

is more cost effective to help develop

initiative, is bringing together

poor countries than to react with

collaborative entities and seeking to

to continually have people on

military forces when problems escalate

partner with universities like MSU.

the ground in these countries,

“Helping the world’s poor helps us

W IN TER 2012

to the point of threatening security.

discussed why the U.S. should play

MCC is an independent U.S.

18

The university’s International Institute arranged for Dr. Shah to engage with domestic and international students while he was on campus. He spoke about the U.S. Agency for International Development, it’s activities, and how students can get involved.

“Even if they’re not in a position

USAID Administrator Raj Shah joined U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss, and MSU President Mark E. Keenum at the conference

universities help create technology, train people and

resources that we have here on this campus, and it’s

analyze situations,” he added.

the nucleus upon which we can draw to best focus on

While speaking about the role that the collective landgrant system has to play in solving world issues, McPherson

“At the end of the day, the work we do reduces the risk of conflict across the globe. It is harder to find a more powerful way to connect with people than with these types of issues.”

– Raj Shah, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development

the challenges we’re trying to meet.”

He noted the university has made significant

said that because of Keenum’s unique background before

contributions to date, including the development of

stepping into the role of university president, he has been

a food product made from cashew nuts now used in

“captured” by food security issues. Keenum previously held

United Nations feeding programs.

responsibility for international programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Throughout the day, panels of speakers gave presentations and engaged audience questions on

“We met the need of developing a nutritious product that is able to be stored and maintained,” Keenum explained.

MSU also is conducting research to address the

topics including effectively delivering technology in a

problem of aflatoxin in crops like corn. The naturally

local context, monitoring and evaluating success and

occurring toxin results from various fungi, but can

returns on investment, and models of success. Officials

threaten crops around the globe.

and administrators from around the world, including Mozambique, Korea and Brazil participated in the agenda.

“The issue of global food security offers many challenges, but it also creates opportunities for our

Keenum noted that globalization is one of MSU’s

faculty and students to be globally engaged. This

strategic goals, in addition to promoting research and

is what today is about, showing our abilities to be

creativity and expanding outreach and engagement,

partners in the global arena,” Keenum said.

among others. He said taking MSU’s expertise to a world platform is an ongoing effort with renewed dedication.

The International Institute helps centralize the

For more information on the Feed the Future program, visit www.feedthefuture.gov/. For more information on the new “Fall Semester” program for

university’s international programs including

students offered through the U.S. Agency for

research, outreach and academics, he said.

International Development, visit www.usaid.gov/

“This is the center that can help pull together

fallsemester.

mississippi state A lumnus

19

By Margaret Kovar | Photos By Beth Wynn

20

WI NTER 2012

F

rom negotiating the

eventually was named Hungary’s chief

release of prisoners

of protocol, followed by becoming

of war to affecting

director of Far Eastern affairs.

the lives of hundreds

His next assignment was as a

of students, few can claim a life as

charge d’affaires in the U.S., which did

dedicated to service as MSU’s history

not have full diplomatic relations with

professor emeritus Janos Radvanyi.

Hungary. As an ambassador in all but

Born in 1922 in Budapest, Hungary,

title, Radvanyi’s main assignment was

he was drafted into the Hungarian

to persuade the U.S. State Department

army in 1941, but because of his anti-

to drop its objection to Hungary’s

Nazi feelings, joined the Hungarian

admission to the U.N.

resistance.

“I guess you could call me an urban

“When I contacted the State Department, I found that the U.S.

guerilla. I was in a little unit that

would give its okay if Hungary

blew up German tanks and trucks

released all persons imprisoned as a

and tried to save Jews who at the

result of the revolution,” he said. “It

time were being taken to the Danube

is a long story, but finally I got the

River, stripped of their clothes and

government to let every one of the

executed,” he said.

several thousand out.”

After the war, Radvanyi decided to

Because turmoil was once again

become a diplomat, beginning in an

brewing among Communist leaders,

entry-level position in 1947. A year

Radvanyi decided to seek political

later, he received his first overseas

asylum for himself and his family

diplomatic assignment in Turkey.

while in the U.S. The family relocated

This was followed by assignments in

to California, where he completed a

France, Syria and Switzerland. But

doctorate in history from Stanford

that blew up German

after returning from Switzerland,

University.

tanks and trucks and

suspicion for being a spy.

“I guess you could call me an urban guerilla.

I was in a little unit

tried to save Jews who at the time were being

Radvanyi found himself under “But there was absolutely no reason for their suspicions,” he said.

Dismissed from the foreign

Radvanyi came to MSU in 1972 and taught contemporary Russian history and Far Eastern studies. Extensively published, he has served as the principal investigator for numerous

taken to the Danube

ministry, Radvanyi went to work as

international conferences, presented

River, stripped of their

a tour guide with a travel agency and

testimony to the U.S. Congress, and

a foreign trade company until 1957,

organized multinational workshops

when the Hungarian government

for promoting economic and social

decided to “rehabilitate” some of its

development in Central Europe.

clothes and executed.”

– Janos Radvanyi, MSU’s history professor emeritus

former “enemies.”

Accepting an opportunity to return to the diplomatic corps, Radvanyi

“I not only found a lot of common ground with the students, but a lot of personal reward,” he said.

mississippi state A lumnus

21

Radvanyi was presented with a plaque honoring his lifelong achievements.

Atlantic Council of the United States,

Award in 1988, and the Award for

focused on research, writing and

Washington, D.C.; and a senior

Development of Foreign Economy

teaching special seminars. Much

adviser in MSU’s Office of the Vice

in 1994, given to him by the now free

of his attention was directed

President for Research.

and independent Republic of Hungary

Radvanyi’s scholarly work

toward vital global problems with

He founded the MSU Center for

for his achievements through the CISS

emphasis on the post-Communist

International Security and Strategic

to help it begin erasing nearly 40 years

era’s complex security problems.

Studies in 1982, and in 1996, the

of Communist mismanagement, as

He also was active in the field of

university named him the first chair

well as for his role in strengthening

environmental security; he worked

holder for the newly-established

Hungary’s ties with the U.S. and Japan.

on ocean-dumping nuclear waste

CISS chair. In 2000, the chair

problems with American, Japanese,

was named the Radvanyi Chair

presented the Guy Tozzoli “Peace

Korean and Russian participation.

in International Security Studies.

Through Trade” Distinguished

In fact, his efforts contributed to

The center has brought major

Leadership Award by the Mississippi

Russian President Boris Yeltsin’s

international figures to the state,

World Trade Center in Jackson in

historic decision to ban dumping of

including ambassadors, assistant

2002. Former U.S. Secretary of State

radioactive waste into the oceans.

secretaries of state, the deputy

Lawrence Eagleburger gave the

director of the U.S. Arms Control

keynote address at the event.

Radvanyi is a member of the

22

WIN TER 2012

Ambassador Janos Radvanyi with Burmese Ambassador and Mrs. U Tun Win.

The former diplomat also was

American and International

and Disarmament Commission, and

The university formally honored

Associations for the Advancement

numerous other government figures.

Radvanyi for his achievements during

of Slavic Studies; a member of the

Other honors Radvanyi has

International Institute for Strategic

received include the MSU Alumni

Studies, London; Councilor of the

Association’s Outstanding Service

a campus banquet in August, an event also marking his 90th birthday.

A recurring theme during the

The Hungarian diplomat also celebrated his 90th birthday during the banquet held in his honor.

Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman

evening event was Radvanyi’s

president of the Okazaki Institute,

lifelong passion for service, primarily

who along with his own tribute,

also read a proclamation naming

through international diplomacy.

read a letter from Shotaro Yachi,

Radvanyi an honorary ambassador

former vice minister of foreign

of the city.

“Dr. Radvanyi is a man of courage, and also a man of humility; he has a passion for peace, freedom and

affairs of Japan; · James E. Auer, the director of

“It is truly humbling to be associated with such greatness,”

a better world,” said retired Vice

the Center for U.S.-Japan Studies

Wiseman said. “You have given us

Adm. Eduardo Ma R Santos, former

and Cooperation at Vanderbilt

much through your service to the

Philippine navy chief and, later, first

University’s Institute for Public

university and the community.”

president of the Maritime Academy

Policy Studies;

of Asia and the Pacific;

· William D. “Billy” Mounger, Jackson

And Radvanyi continues to serve the university, community and state.

Santos, a Radvanyi friend, was

businessman who served among

While many his age would be

among five speakers paying tribute.

Ronald Reagan’s advisers and was

slowing down, he has, since 2000,

Others included:

former Sen. Trent Lott’s longtime

participated in four to six executive

· James Kraska, a former Radvanyi

fundraising chairman; and

lecture forums per year in Jackson,

student now holding the Howard S. Levie Chair of Operational Law at the U.S. Naval War College in

· Lewis Brown, MSU research

and regularly brings speakers to the

professor emeritus of microbiology.

MSU campus. Radvanyi also has

After the tributes, Radvanyi was

presented numerous international

presented a plaque by Jerry Gilbert,

workshops and conferences on topics

provost and executive vice president.

including economic and social

Kawamura of the Japan Maritime

“I am very fortunate to have touched

development and, most recently,

Self-Defense Force and vice

history through you,” Gilbert said.

maritime conflict resolution.

Newport, R.I. · Retired Rear Adm. Sumihiko

mississippi state A lumnus

23

Mobile clinics train vet students, help animals

By Allison Matthews | Photos By Tom Thompson

W

ith many states

to face with staggering euthanasia

recognition from the American

across the

statistics during a post-graduate

Veterinary Medical Association for

nation facing

internship more than 35 years ago.

his dedication to animal welfare.

the monumental difficulty of pet

At MSU, the Marcia Lane

overpopulation, Mississippi’s largest

with the ASPCA, which ran animal

Endowed Chair in Humane Ethics

university and only veterinary college

control for New York City, 132,000

and Animal Welfare in the College

is helping address the issue and saving

dogs and cats were euthanized in

of Veterinary Medicine’s clinical

lives, one dog and cat at a time.

that one city. In a five-day work

science department oversees the

week, that’s 500 animals a day. That

Mobile Veterinary Clinic, which

according to Mississippi State Professor

number never left me,” said Bushby,

travels to 15 North Mississippi

Phil Bushby, who says he came face

who this year received national

shelters to spay and neuter animals.

The issue isn’t a new problem,

24

“During my one-year internship

WIN TER 2012

The College of Veterinary Medicine's new Mobile Veterinary Clinic, attained through student efforts with funding provided by PetSmart Charities, and the original Mobile Veterinary Clinic, funded by the American Kennel Club, enable MSU veterinary students to help the region's shelter animals with life-saving surgeries and attain valuable hands-on experiences before graduation. The vehicles also allow the college to help with response to animals after disasters, such as a hurricane.

Not only does the university outreach activity

“Our program is very marketable because

save the lives of hundreds of animals a month,

it’s not uncommon for an MSU vet student

but it also gives junior and senior veterinary

to become so proficient at these surgeries

“We treat these

students plentiful opportunities for hands-on

that when they begin work after graduation,

surgeries as a life-

surgical experiences before graduation.

they may do the surgery faster than the

“We balance our schedule so all students get

saving surgery, not as an elective surgery…

It really is because if they are not spayed or

an equivalent experience,” Bushby said. Senior

veterinarian who hired them,” Magee said.

“We treat these surgeries as a life-saving

students participate in a two-week elective

surgery, not as an elective surgery,” he added.

rotation and every junior makes two trips on the

“It really is because if they are not spayed or

mobile unit. The clinic travels to area shelters four

neutered, their chances of being euthanized go

days a week for 50 weeks out of the year.

way up,” Magee explained.

Chris Magee, a senior from Brandon,

When students in MSU’s veterinary class

neutered, their chances

performed an exceptional amount of

of 2014 realized the far-reaching impacts of

of being euthanized go

surgeries during his two-week rotation

the Mobile Veterinary Clinic, affecting both

on the mobile unit. Bushby said while

the students’ educational experiences and the

Magee performed more than 100 surgeries,

region’s animals, they came to one conclusion:

veterinary students at other universities

they must have an additional unit to double

often get the chance to perform only a few

capacity for training and service. The class

surgeries during their course of study.

worked together, with guidance from the

way up.”

– Chris Magee, MSU Senior

mississippi state A lumnus

25

Emily Childers, left, a certified veterinary technician, assists CVM faculty members Dr. Phil Bushby and Dr. Kimberly Woodruff, who oversee the students and operations of the college’s Mobile Veterinary Clinics.

Office of Development, to raise $56,000

W IN TER 2012

“It’s a little bit like taking an animal off

they’re not out there producing more puppies and kittens.”

toward the purchase of an additional

death row and placing it in someone’s

traveling unit.

home,” Bushby said. His passion for saving

Bushby was integral in getting the

In response to the students’

animal lives is evident as he explains why a

mobile program started in 2007, and he

enthusiasm, PetSmart Charities

spay/neuter approach to overpopulation is

still stays on the road with the clinic two

donated an additional $250,000 toward

the only path to an acceptable solution.

or three days each week. Dr. Kimberly

the purchase. The clinic will begin

26

Tori Hall, a third-year vet student from Cincinnati, Ohio, enjoys holding a puppy at the West Point-Clay County Animal Shelter before surgeries begin on the Mobile Veterinary Clinic.

“We have to get the number of

Woodruff, an MSU-CVM alumna,

operation in early 2013, and not a

puppies and kittens born each year to

has joined the faculty as the program’s

moment too soon.

an equilibrium with the number of

second clinical instructor. Emily Childers

Bushby said many of the animal

homes available,” Bushby said. “Now,

is a certified veterinary technician who

shelters have as high as a 70 percent

our best hope is to spay and neuter as

travels with the clinic every day, and as

euthanasia rate, but more than an 80

many animals as we can. They are more

the college prepares to launch the new

percent adoption rate for the animals

adoptable, and obviously, much less

mobile clinic, an additional technician

which are spayed or neutered.

likely to be euthanized. And by the way,

will come on board.

“We have to get the number of puppies and kittens born each year to an equilibrium with the number of homes available. Now, our best hope is to spay and neuter as many animals as we can.”

– Phil Bushby, MSU CVM Professor Above: The interior of the new Mobile Veterinary Clinic. Below: Vet students Brianne Williams and Steven Davison, PetSmart Charities director of grants Julie White and PetSmart CEO Sue Della Maddalena, Dr. Phil Bushby, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Kent Hoblet, and students David Gillen and Elizabeth Hiebert celebrate the additional clinic at a dedication ceremony.

Operational funds for the mobile unit are

MSU also works with private veterinarians,

The mobile clinic works with shelter

generated strictly from grants and donations.

many of whom were trained at the university,

managers to ensure that no privately owned

Bushby said he spends a significant amount

to ensure a team approach to battling

animals are included in the spay and neuter

of time writing grant proposals and talking

overpopulation.

surgeries. The services are provided only to

to potential donors in order to keep the units

During a recent meeting of state

animals that are available for adoption, and no

veterinarians and animal shelter managers

one can bring privately owned animals to the

“Generous contributions allowed us to

hosted by CVM, Dr. Joel Josey of Starkville

mobile clinic for treatment.

purchase both mobile units, but that is only

Animal Medical Center said he supports the

part of the fundraising equation,” said Keith

program, and his own business benefits when

continues to be an overwhelming problem,

Gaskin, CVM’s senior director of development.

shelter animals are adopted by local owners.

but he has seen improvements during his

“It costs us at least $250,000 a year per unit to

Those who adopt shelter pets bring their

career. Educating the public about the

operate this program, so we are always seeking

animals to their local veterinarians like Josey,

importance of having animals sterilized is

support from individuals and foundations to

giving him the opportunity to help keep the

one key to winning the battle for animal

keep the program moving forward.”

rescue animals healthy.

welfare, he said.

on the road.

Bushby said animal overpopulation

mississippi state A lumnus

27

Mississippi State’s All-SEC team captain Joe Dan Gold, left, and Loyola All-American Jerry Harkness, right, met at center court in Michigan State’s Jenison Field House for the tipoff for the historic 1963 NCAA Basketball Tournament game. Gold extended his hand and Harkness shook it - making national headlines as MSU’s administration and coaches defied the state’s political power structure aligned against integration to compete for a national championship.

Bulldogs, Ramblers renew hardwood rivalry 50 years after historic 1963 NCCA game

F

By sid salter | Photos from University Archives or the first time since the historic night of March 15, 1963,

The 1963 NCAA Tournament game between MSU and Loyola ranks

Mississippi State University and Loyola University Chicago

as perhaps Mississippi State University’s finest hour both in terms of

battled on the hardwood in basketball competition. The

athletics and racial reconciliation.

Bulldogs and Ramblers met on Dec. 15 at Joseph J. Gentile

On three occasions prior to the 1963 season, MSU’s men’s basketball

Arena in Chicago, Ill., to commemorate the NCAA Basketball Tournament

team was prohibited from participating in the NCAA Tournament due

game played 50 years ago at Jenison Field House in East Lansing, Mich.

to the possibility of playing a team with African-American players. The

The MSU Alumni Association, along with the Bulldog Club and the

No. 3-ranked Ramblers, behind Jerry Harkness’ 20 points, went on to

office of MSU President Mark E. Keenum, hosted a social for Bulldog

defeat Mississippi State 61-51 en route to winning the 1963 national

alumni in the Chicago area prior to the game at Harry Caray’s Italian

basketball championship.

Steakhouse and Bar. The two teams are also scheduled to play in 2013 at Humphrey Coliseum, with the date and time to be determined at a later date.

28

WI NTER 2012

“The 1963 SEC champion Bulldogs were given the opportunity previous Mississippi State teams were denied – to compete for a national championship against the best teams in the country,” MSU athletics director

Scott Stricklin said. “To do so, they had to defy a sitting governor, avoid a

Colvard: Quiet Leader, wrote: “Colvard had several reasons for wanting

court injunction, and sneak out of the state. We’re excited to join Loyola

the team to compete. First of all, it would give a positive boost to the

over the next two seasons in celebrating this historic occasion. Loyola won

MSU and Mississippi image. Second, he felt the four seniors on the team

a national championship; Mississippi State helped to make for a better way

deserved a chance after having played together for three years and having

of life. As a Bulldog, I’m proud of this team and the individuals who helped

won the SEC championship all three years.”

move our state forward when doing so took courage and conviction.”

In 1963, MSU’s basketball team was again invited to play in the

In 1963, Loyola head coach George Ireland said: “I feel Mississippi State has a right to be here, no matter what the segregationists say. They

NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs, under Head Coach Babe McCarthy,

may be the best basketball team in the nation and if they are, they have

were slated to play Loyola College, a team that started four black players.

a right to prove it.” Harkness, the Loyola All-American, and State’s All-

At the time, state law prohibited Mississippi teams from playing against

SEC team captain Joe Dan Gold met at center court in Michigan State’s

integrated athletic teams. The basketball team devised a plan to sneak off

Jenison Field House for the opening tip. Gold extended his hand and

campus to play in the tournament anyway.

Harkness shook it. “About a thousand flashbulbs went off,” Gold would

With their plan successful, the game between the Bulldogs and racially

say after the game. The game saw State jump to any early lead only to

integrated Loyola became a watershed moment for the state of Mississippi

trail the Ramblers 26-19 at the half. The Maroons went on an 8-4 run

and the civil rights movement. The 2012 matchup between the Bulldogs and

to pull to within 30-27 in the second half but would get no closer. State

the Ramblers marks the 50th anniversary of this game.

was down four with two minutes to go and missed the shot. Cristil said

“Coach McCarthy was really ahead of his time,” said former MSU

it was “a good shot that just didn’t go down. We had to start shooting,

“Voice of the Bulldogs” Jack Cristil in 2011. “He was a great innovator

and Loyola beat us by 10, 61-51. It was a disappointing loss, but it had

and a great motivator. McCarthy could get players to play above their

been a marvelous opportunity for the young men.”

talent level in the system they ran. McCarthy’s teams challenged the best and generally came out on top.”

McCarthy won 169 games and lost 85 at MSU, winning or sharing four SEC titles and earning SEC Coach of the Year honors three consecutive years from 1961 to 1963. He produced All-Americans Jim Ashmore, Bailey Howell, Red Stroud, Leland Mitchell, and All-SEC performers Jerry Graves, Charles Hull, Joe Dan Gold, and Doug Hutton.

But McCarthy is best remembered, along with MSU President Dean W. Colvard, for leading MSU’s team to break the barrier of segregation by accepting the automatic bid to meet Loyola University of Chicago in the 1963 NCAA basketball tournament.

For many, the courage that Colvard and McCarthy showed in defying the Mississippi Legislature and fiery segregationist Gov. Ross Barnett to enable the all-white MSU men’s basketball team to compete against a Loyola team with four African-American starters represented the university’s finest hours. For many, Mississippi State’s 1962-63 basketball team, coach and the university administration came together to create a defining moment not only for MSU athletics but for American civil rights and universal sportsmanship as well.

In 1963, MSU for the third-straight year won the Southeastern Conference

The 1963 NCAA Tournament game between MSU and Loyola ranks as perhaps Mississippi State University’s finest hour both in terms of athletics and racial reconciliation.

Loyola would go on to win the 1963 NCAA national championship. Ron Miller, Loyola’s 6’2” guard and one of the four black starters, told writer John

basketball championship. State won the championship in 1959 and declined

Thomas on the 40th anniversary of the game: “I remember the (Mississippi

the NCAA invitation because of the official integration policy that existed in

State) guys being nice. I remember the guys wishing us luck (after the

Mississippi. The same thing happened in 1961 and 1962, but in 1963 McCarthy

game), and wanting us to win (the national championship). And during the

and Colvard were determined MSU was going to play in the tournament.

game it was polite. They played a very hard, very aggressive, very strong

Colvard’s biographer Marion A. Ellis in the 2004 book Dean W.

defensive game, very clean, and they didn’t back off.”

mississippi state A lumnus

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MSU-Meridian’s College Park campus houses the divisions of Arts and Sciences and Education.

MSU-Meridian celebrates

40 Years of Service MSU

-Meridian celebrated its 40th

also worked tirelessly to provide incredible support and

anniversary on Aug. 17, 2012 with

assistance for MSU-Meridian,” said Steven F. Brown,

cake and MSU ice cream and an open house for the community. On that date in 1972, MSU opened the

WI NTER 2012

Forty years later, the university’s presence has grown

Meridian branch, as it was called, on the campus of

to include two campuses as well as the MSU Riley

Meridian Community College.

Center for Education and the Performing Arts.

“Forty years ago, the vision and commitment of

30

MSU-Meridian dean and associate vice president.

The College Park campus built in 1993 is located

a group of extraordinary leaders helped bring the

across from Meridian Community College and houses

benefits of higher education to East Central Mississippi

the divisions of Arts and Sciences and Education.

and Western Alabama. During the following four

The downtown campus, adjacent to the MSU Riley

decades, remarkable faculty and staff members,

Center, is located in the historic Newberry Building,

administrators, and outstanding students pulled

which was donated to the university in 2009 by the

together to develop a top-quality university devoted to

Riley Foundation. The campus, which houses MSU-

serving the community and the region. Educational,

Meridian’s Division of Business, opened its doors to

corporate, business, and philanthropic groups have

students in January 2012.

The MSU Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts, located in the heart of downtown Meridian on 5th Street, opened its doors in fall 2006. The center is the result of a $15 million grant in 2000 by the Riley Foundation to restore the Grand Opera House and the Marks Rothenberg department store into the state-ofthe-art, multi-functioning facility it is today.

In 2010, the Riley Foundation and other generous benefactors also established the

Governor, energy leaders visit campus ississippi State recently hosted Gov. Phil Bryant and energy-industry

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leaders for a program on “Powering Mississippi in the 21st Century.”

The early October gathering examined strategies for Mississippi’s

energy future. The Mississippi Energy Institute and Mississippi Development Authority sponsored the panel discussion.

“Our state has vital contributions to make in finding solutions to the world’s growing

Riley Next Step Scholarship which recognizes

energy needs, and helping meet those needs is a vital part of our land-grant mission of

outstanding students who transfer from one of

research and service,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum, who welcomed the visitors

four area community colleges. This scholarship

to campus.

provides full tuition for two years to those who

Executives who participated in “Perspectives from the Energy Sector” included: Bob

are eligible. Since its inception, more than 188

Balzar, vice president for energy efficiency, TVA; Richard Mills, CEO, Tellus Operating

scholarships have been awarded.

Group; Stephen Johnston, president, Itron Cellular Solutions; and Haley Fisackerly,

Over the past 40 years, numerous new degree programs have been added at MSU-Meridian, including the newest one, a bachelor of science in special education. The dean, associate deans

president and CEO, Entergy Mississippi.

The event concluded with a question and answer session with Mississippi State and local high school students.

“Mississippi is a leader in the energy sector because of our diversity of resources and

and their respective faculty continue to study and

our proactive approach to providing infrastructure for this industry, and I believe that we

research other degree programs that, if added, will

have only just scratched the surface of energy growth in our state,” Bryant said.

meet the needs of the people and businesses in East Mississippi and surrounding counties.

Visitors to MSU-Meridian will soon see

Also in October, the Governor’s Energy Summit was held in Jackson and featured state and national energy leaders with a luncheon keynote address by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. •

construction begin on a new library located on the College Park campus which will offer students the scholarly benefits and research opportunities associated with a major university library. Funded by the Phil Hardin Foundation, this will be the first of a pair of libraries to serve the Meridian campuses. Plans call for a second library to be located in the Kress Building, which was also donated by the Riley Foundation as part of the downtown campus.

“Our task as we face the coming years,” Brown added, “is to honor the efforts of those founders, employees, students and supporters, and lead MSU-Meridian to continual growth in enrollment, quality and relevance to the state and the region.” •

Gov. Phil Bryant spoke to local high school students at Mississippi State in October, encouraging them to be well prepared in STEM subjects and ready to adapt to changing technologies as they become future leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Photo by: Beth Wynn

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MSU and Korean institute missions yield 'natural partnership' ississippi State is officially partnering with a South Korean

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entity which has a complementary research mission with the university's Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems.

MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert signed a

Memorandum of Understanding with the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) in November.

The alliance will allow CAVS and KITECH to support global manufacturers' efforts to develop products and train employees for their facilities in the southeastern United States. Because South Korean companies, including carmakers like Hyundai and Kia, have located in the region, other a research and development resource for small and medium enterprises, such

MSU Provost Jerry Gilbert and Korea Institute of Industrial Technology Incheon Region Division Chief Executive Officer Sang-Mok Lee celebrate agreement between their two entities. Photo by: Beth Wynn

as these suppliers.

this was a natural partnership that we need to make flourish," said Vice

Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers are also investing in the region. KITECH serves as

President for Research and Economic Development David Shaw.

The agreement establishes the KITECH-CAVS Center for Root Technologies. 'Root technology' refers to several key technologies of the

CAVS is a premier research entity within the Bagley College of Engineering.

manufacturing industry—casting, molding, forming, surface treatment,

Dean Sarah Rajala said the research and economic impact produced by the

thermal treatment, and welding/joining technologies, and any related fields.

center and their extension office has garnered prestigious national awards.

"We were hoping that this day would come soon. We were delighted to

Specifically, MSU and KITECH will encourage direct contact and

make the agreement while we were at KITECH, and we're so happy that we

cooperation between their faculty and research staffs. They also will jointly

are following through in this formal way," Gilbert said, referring back to an

execute research projects, as well as facilitate personnel exchanges.

international trip he and other senior university officials took earlier in the

Roger King, CAVS director and endowed chair, said the center is KITECH's manufacturing research partner in the U.S. They also fund research with

year to develop more collaborative projects with partners abroad.

"KITECH's mission and our mission are so complementary. We thought

partners in Germany, China and Japan. •

SUCCESSFUL RECYCLING PROGRAM ROLLS INTO THIRD YEAR ississippi State’s recycling program

campus, and from the very beginning simplicity

is growing and achieving important

has been a key component.

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benchmark goals as it enters its

third year.

According to university officials, the campus-

into individual recycling bins so that they can recycle right at their desks and don’t have to

efforts of students, faculty and staff.

use a central recycling container,” said the MSU

comprehensive recycling on the Starkville WIN TER 2012

easy as possible by turning people’s wastebaskets

wide initiative’s success is due to the concerted Since the summer of 2010, MSU has provided

32

“We have been working to make recycling as

Office of Sustainability’s Jeremiah Dumas.

“Comprehensive, single-stream recycling

University welcomes SIX new Fulbright students this semester ississippi State is

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New Fulbright Scholars shown with MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert, center, are front row, left to right, Gina Rico Mendez and Job Bonyo; and back row, (left to right) Rosanna Carreras de Leon, Mohammad Al Boni, Carlos Cabrera and Anara Kozhokanova.

welcoming six new Fulbright scholars

this semester who chose the university to study in the fields of engineering, public policy and administration, mathematical sciences and biological sciences.

Photo by: Beth Wynn

“We welcome you and are very honored that you have selected Mississippi State to pursue your studies,” said Jerry

established in 1946 under

vice president for academic affairs.

Gilbert, provost and executive

legislation introduced by Senator J.

“MSU is right up there with other

vice president, during a recent

William Fulbright of Arkansas.

‘Very High Research Activity’

“Having this significant number

luncheon with the new students.

institutions,” he added.

In addition to encouraging

The international scholars had the

of Fulbright scholars at MSU

opportunity to meet one another

brings added prestige to the

foreign nationals to study and

and talk with administrators

MSU Graduate School relative to

conduct research in the U.S., the

and faculty members during

other graduate schools across the

program also enables Americans to

the informal lunch, as well as

country, and increasing the number

engage in similar activities abroad.

share their past experiences in

of graduate Fulbright scholars on

Faculty members also are eligible

their native countries.

campus is part of our strategic

to participate in the Fulbright

plan,” said Lou D’Abramo, dean of

program to teach, lecture and

the graduate school and associate

conduct research abroad. •

Fulbright is the nation’s flagship international exchange program,

provides an easy-to-use and cost-effective

613,672 pounds—an impressive 51,139 pounds

complement to MSU’s existing waste

per month, Dumas noted.

management program,” he added.

“We are excited about the increased

“We evaluate and review our recycling procedures on an ongoing basis, and that helps us gauge how effective and efficient we are at

Extensive research and planning went

participation in our recycling program. The

reducing the waste that ends up in the local

into the design of the university’s recycling

increase in collection is encouraging,” said

landfill,” Dumas explained

program, along with valuable experience

Amy Tuck, vice president for campus services

gained during a three-month trial held on

at the land-grant institution.

campus, Dumas said. Initially, over a nine-

As the campus recycling program moves

MSU recycles all paper and plastics, cardboard, metals and aluminum.

The university also has programs

month FY 2011 period, 306,628 pounds of

forward, the university will continue to

that address electronic waste and

recyclables were collected.

monitor the process and make changes, when

hazardous materials recycling. •

In FY 2012, collections grew to some

needed, Tuck said.

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New Research Park building opens ississippi State officials

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joined with U.S. Sens. Thad Cochran

and Roger Wicker and U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper in September to celebrate the grand opening of the newest building in the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park.

Funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Mississippi Development Authority, the 20,000-square-foot building is home to a new business incubator, as well as operations for II-VI Inc., according to Mississippi State

impact that university research parks

of directors; Vincent Mattera, II-VI

University Research and Technology

can have in the communities they

Inc. executive vice president; Jim

Corporation Director Marc McGee,

serve, particularly in a rural state

McArthur, MDA deputy director;

who oversees the research park.

like Mississippi,” said David Shaw,

and Shaw.

II-VI Inc. is a Pennsylvania-based firm with manufacturing facilities, distributors and agents around the

W I NTER 2012

MSU’s vice president for research and economic development.

The celebration included

“We are very excited about achieving this milestone, and are looking forward to additional

world. It is recognized as a global

comments by Cochran, Mississippi’s

expansion of the park in the near

leader in engineered materials and

senior senator; Wicker, who

future,” Shaw said.

optoelectronic components.

has served in the Senate since

“The presence of a major

34

MSU President Mark E. Keenum, second from left, joined with U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran and U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper to celebrate the grand opening of the newest building in the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park. The 20,000-square-foot facility is home to a new business incubator, as well as operations for II-VI Inc., a global leader in engineered materials and optoelectronic components. Photo By: Russ Houston

The 272-acre park is home to nine

December 2007; Harper, the

buildings and 1,500-plus employees,

international manufacturer of high-

second-term congressman for the

and represents some $100-million-

tech products with applications

3rd District, which includes the

plus of investment.

in industrial manufacturing,

university; MSU President Mark E.

military and aerospace, high-power

Keenum; Greg Bohach, MSU’s vice

entrance and boulevard connecting

electronics and telecommunications,

president for agriculture, forestry

the park with Highway 182 is under

and thermoelectronics applications

and veterinary medicine and

way with completion expected early

in the park illustrates the significant

president of the MSU RTC board

next year. •

Construction of a second

Speaker shares 9-11 first-hand experiences O n Sept. 11, 2001,

four United States

commercial planes

were hijacked by terrorists and thousands died.

The president, vice president, secretary of state and other national officials mobilized. One military

Retired Lt. Col. Robert J. Darling signed copies of his book, “24 Hours Inside the President’s Bunker: 9-11-01,” both before and after his November presentation at MSU, where he remembered the events surrounding Sept. 11, 2001, and thanked all service members, past and present, for their sacrifice. Photo by: Russ Houston

official who watched as the national response unfolded in Washington, D.C., spoke to a Mississippi State crowd in November to explain what happened on 9/11 and confirm that freedom in the United States is worth the price paid.

Retired Lt. Col. Robert J. Darling

Amid evacuations, flight

America will always be worth the price,” Darling emphasized.

presented “24 Hours Inside the

cancellations and reports of

President’s Bunker: 9-11-01,” also

explosions, people in the White

the name of his recently published

House were doing all they could to

who attended, especially

memoir, as part of the university’s

protect Americans and destroy the

the ROTC members who

observance of Veterans Day, Nov.

enemy, he explained.

attended in full uniform.

He thanked the MSU students

Darling remembered President

“Veterans Day -- a day that we

George Bush’s speech he gave the

celebrate, thank and honor every

account of his experiences,

night of 9/11, and emphasized

man and woman who have served in

beginning with the shock and

how Bush’s concern was always the

our armed forces, and the sacrifices

disbelief he, like so many other

people first: Were they receiving

continue today.…We’re a country

Americans, experienced when he

help? What resources could be

of 303 million people, and yet 2.3

saw the second airplane careen into

mobilized? How long would they

million people serve in the armed

the north tower of the World Trade

take to arrive?

forces. Less than 1 percent protect

11.

He gave a minute-by-minute

Center.

Even with his concern for

the 99 percent of us,” Darling said.

Darling donated part of his

“It was at that very moment,

ordinary citizens, though, Bush did

there was no doubt in our minds,

all he could to prepare the military

speaker fee to MSU’s G.V. “Sonny”

inside the Eisenhower Building (in

for a battle against radical terrorism

Montgomery Center for America’s

the White House), that we had a

that has lasted these more than 11

Veterans, and his appearance

full-blown terrorist attack unfolding

years since 9/11.

was organized by the MSU

right before our eyes in the city of New York,” Darling said.

“We absolutely must finish this job. Freedom in

Student Affairs Activity Center and the university. •

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Federal grant funds connect university, Starkville with SMART system ore than $2 million

campus and the city will meet an ever-

will reduce traffic congestion both

in federal grant

growing need for improved public

on campus and in the city, while also

funds has been

transportation in our community and

reducing carbon emissions that harm

announced by Mississippi State to

definitely enhance the quality of life

the environment.

support an integrated transit system

for students and Starkville residents,”

connecting the university campus

Keenum said.

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and city of Starkville.

Labeled “Starkville-MSU Area

Mike Harris, MSU’s parking and transit services director, said of the grant award, “In connecting our

Rapid Transit” or SMART, the new

campus and community, we all win.

Department of Transportation, the

public system will include three

Having a reliable and sustainable way

grant includes more than $800,000 for

scheduled routes: city-campus, city

for students and Starkville residents to

transit operations and approximately

circular and Sportsplex connectors.

visit health centers, retail outlets and

$1.5 million for the purchase of up to

Routes will include retail and grocery

recreational facilities is a major step in

12 buses.

stores, housing and other city venues,

overall growth of our community.”

Distributed through the Mississippi

The announcement was made in

with most stops having fixed shelters.

Along with MDOT, the city

October by MSU President Mark E.

Also, riders will be able to track

of Starkville, Oktibbeha County

Keenum, Mississippi Transportation

movement of the shuttles with real

Board of Supervisors and

Commissioner Mike Tagert and

time GPS information available

Greater Starkville Development

Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman.

through www.transit.msstate.edu.

Partnership will be involved with

“This convenient, timely transit

Offered free to all riders during

operation between key areas of

implementing the system. •

its first year, the new public system MSU President Mark E. Keenum, left, welcomed Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman and North Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert to campus for the announcement of a $2 million federal grant funding the new StarkvilleMSU Area Rapid Transit system. The system will include three campuscity connector routes offered free to students and Starkville residents.

Photo by: Russ Houston

36

WIN TER 2012

MSU among top veteran-friendly educational institutions

A

Pennsylvania-based media company that works to

support all U.S. military members reentering civilian life is again including Mississippi State in its 2013 Military Friendly Schools list.

The recognition by Victory Media honors the top 15 percent of U.S. colleges, universities and trade schools that “are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.”

Founded in 2001 and led by veterans, the Pittsburg company owns and operates five global brands: G.I. Jobs, G.I. Education,

Mississippi State has been named among the nation’s educational institutions “doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students.” Photo by: Meagan Bean

NaVOBA, Vetrepreneur and Military Spouse.

“Inclusion on the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools shows

survey of more than 12,000 schools nationwide.

Ken McRae, director of the

Mississippi State University’s

G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery

commitment to providing a

Center for America’s Veterans,

supportive environment for

said MSU is “honored to again

military students,” said company

be recognized by G.I. Jobs and

vice president Sean Collins. “As

Victory Media as a top military

interest in education grows,

friendly school.”

we’re thrilled to provide the

He attributed the recognition

military community with

“to the impassioned work of our

resources to assist in their search

staff, our extremely supportive

for schools.”

university administration,

Collins said the annual list

private donors, and a hard-

is compiled through extensive

working student veteran

research and a data-driven

population.” •

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Kenyan ambassador welcomed

for Maroon Edition Program ne Kenyan leader is setting

O

an example both in Africa

and the world as an empathetic leader representing the sick, the poor and the isolated.

The Kenyan ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya Elkanah Odembo, shared his knowledge and his mission in November as a 2012 Maroon Edition speaker at MSU. Odembo personally knew fellow Kenya-native Wangari Maathai, the

Kenyan Ambassador to the U.S. Elkanah Odembo Photo By: Beth Wynn

late author of Unbowed who wrote

psychology department. “His

among his many roles as a Kenyan

the memoir selected by university

personal ties to the author and his

leader over the years, and during

leaders for the 2012 Maroon Edition

global perspective as a diplomat

his visit to MSU, he plans to meet

first-year reading experience. The

offered a unique and special

personally with the Kenyan-national

annual projects shared among

presentation to our campus.”

students enrolled at the university,

Even though he was educated in

including one Fulbright Scholar.

for incoming students, as well as

the United States, Odembo uses his

Like Maathai, Odembo’s work

returning classes, faculty and staff,

degrees in biology, sociology and

focuses on improving quality of life

and anyone interested in being part

public health to benefit his native

for the poor and unrepresented:

of the extended university family,

country. As a Fellow of the Africa

prior to becoming ambassador

to connect with a powerful and

Leadership Initiative and a Synergos

to the U.S., Odembo was the East

inspirational narrative.

Senior Fellow, Odembo’s career

Africa representative for World

“Our Maroon Edition book is

has concentrated on promoting

Neighbors and was appointed

about Kenya, and the ambassador

philanthropy and using natural

chairman of the Kenya Community

personally knew Wangari Maathai,”

resources to improve quality of life

Development Foundation and

said Linda Morse, chair of the

in Kenya.

named the lead facilitator for the

the MSU family feature a book

Maroon Edition committee,

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WI NTER 2012

Odembo has encouraged

and professor and director of

social responsibility, cross-sector

the counseling and educational

partnerships and policy research

Kenya Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Consultation Process. •

Climatology, disaster experts forecast continued dominance in broadcast meteorology at MSU s Hurricane Sandy

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Mike Brown, Mississippi State University associate professor of meteorology and climatology, works with broadcast meteorology student Rachel Kroot, of Lancaster, Penn. Her parents’ basement is flooded because of Hurricane Sandy’s impact across the East Coast.

pummeled the East Coast, Mississippi

State University meteorology experts were some of the most trusted voices in the national conversation about natural disaster education and

Photo by: Russ Houston

awareness.

When people are aware of a coming storm and understand its dangers and its capacity to obstruct electricity, transportation, water and other everyday comforts, fewer people die.

That’s the goal for MSU climatology and disaster relief

“That just says it all: Our program

planners and media outlets are quick

experts when they offer their

here is big, it’s nationally known,

to call MSU climatologists when

expertise to outside media outlets

and it’s very well respected. Our

severe weather is on the horizon

and inside their classrooms,

graduates are doing very good stuff.”

according to Charlie Wax,

Ninety-one percent of broadcast

After MSU-trained meteorologists from the National

professor of meteorology and

meteorology graduates enter

Weather Service offices in Jackson,

climatology at MSU.

television jobs within six months

Memphis, Tenn., and Birmingham,

of graduation, and 94 percent of

Ala., predicted the severe weather

education and awareness: that’s what

operational meteorology graduates

outbreak on April 27, 2011,

brings down the death rates,” said

continue in graduate school or

broadcast meteorologists all over the

Wax, who is considered an expert

are hired by the National Weather

South warned the public, Wax said.

climatologist. “Having a general

Service, the military or private

understanding of the risks associated

industry within six months of degree

Association meeting in October

helps you be more prepared.”

completion, Wax noted.

2011 credited MSU meteorologists’

“Our program is all about

Close to 70 percent of United

Mississippi is an epicenter

The National Weather

“timely warnings” and “accurate

States broadcast meteorologists have

for severe weather, and MSU

dissemination of information” as the

direct ties to the MSU program, said

meteorology professors are quick

reason more people did not die from

Mike Brown, associate professor and

to use actual weather patterns as

the outbreak of tornadoes.

state climatologist.

teaching tools for students.

To learn more about meteorology

“If there’s a discussion about

Not only are meteorology

at MSU, go to http://www.

weather, Mississippi State is part of

students learning from storms as

geosciences.msstate.edu. •

that discussion,” Brown explained.

they intensify and dissipate, U.S.

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

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University hosts

SEC alumni professionals

events to chapter programs to communication and more.

“One of the most beneficial aspects of the APSEC conference is being able to learn best practices and gain ideas from our peers,” stated Jimmy Abraham, associate vice president for development and

ississippi State was

at the Hunter Henry Center. MSU

alumni and executive director of the

privileged to host the 2012

legend Roy H. Ruby entertained

MSU Alumni Association. “This is a

meeting of the Alumni Professionals

the crowd as the evening’s speaker.

great opportunity for each school to

of the Southeastern Conference in

APSEC attendees then enjoyed

highlight a special program or event

August. Titled APSEC, the annual

an evening of music with local

that they are proud of, and each year

conference allows alumni staff

performer Bill Cooke.

we learn so much from each other.”

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from the SEC to come together

To open the conference, Greg

Abraham, who served as

for idea sharing and networking

Sankey, executive associate

president of APSEC for 2012, also

opportunities.

commissioner and COO of the

hosted a meeting for executive

SEC, delivered the keynote address.

directors of the 14 institutions

the 14 SEC institutions were in

He spoke on SEC policy and

throughout the day.

attendance, including staff members

regulations, and gave an overall

from the two newest members–

update of the conference.

Representatives from each of

Texas A&M University and the

Following Sankey, alumni

“The executive directors came together to really share the nuts and bolts of our separate operations,”

professionals had the opportunity

he commented. “Collectively, our

to learn from each other in a series

associations represent over 3 million

at the conference hotel by several

of breakout sessions. Each of the

alumni worldwide. By collaborating

Alumni Delegates. They were then

14 institutions gave presentations

with one another, we not only

treated to a campus tour and dinner

on topics ranging from alumni

further the goals and mission of our

University of Missouri.

Guests arrived and were greeted

own institutions, but also the SEC as a whole.”

In addition to breakout sessions, attendees enjoyed lunch with a presentation from former Mississippi Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, who Greg Sankey, executive associate commissioner and COO of the SEC, offered the Tuesday morning keynote address to APSEC representatives.

Photo by: Russ Houston

40

WI NTER 2012

now serves as vice president for campus services at MSU. There was also time set aside to visit with the many APSEC sponsors on hand, who represented affinity partners associated with alumni activities.

That evening, a special celebration

More than 100 alumni professionals

was held at The Little Dooey in honor

and sponsors attended the three-

of the SEC alumni professionals.

day event, which was held primarily

Thirty Fingers provided live music

at Colvard Student Union and the

while guests dined on crawfish, catfish

Hunter Henry Center.

and Dooey’s famous pulled pork

“The 2012 APSEC conference was

barbeque. An after-dinner party was

a wonderful event where we were

held at the Hunter Henry Center

able to gather together as peers and

featuring local party band The Flames.

friends and celebrate the work of

The 2012 APSEC conference

alumni professionals in the greatest

wrapped up on Wednesday with

conference in the country,” said

a special keynote presentation

Abraham.

Next year, the University of

from Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising arm

Kentucky will host the annual meeting

for St. Jude Children’s Research

of alumni professionals. For photos

Hospital. Shadyac spoke on the

of the event, visit www.facebook.

mission and work of St. Jude and

com/apsec2012. Watch a video of the

the nature of philanthropy in a

conference at www.youtube.com/

challenging economic environment.

MSUAlumniAssociation. •

MSU holds second annual

Cowbell Yell The MSU Student Association, Alumni

Association and Athletics hosted a late night fan event prior to the home football opener against Jackson State. Titled “Cowbell Yell,” the event, in

Association sponsors 2012-13 athletic radio broadcast

its second year, commemorates the start of football season.

Students and fans enjoyed the public debut of the team introduction video, as well as a celebration of SEC’s “cowbell compromise” for home games.

Guest speakers included Athletic Director Scott

he MSU Alumni Association is sponsoring the radio broadcasts

Stricklin and Head Football Coach Dan Mullen.

at all football, baseball, and men’s and women’s basketball games

Former Bulldog standout Jerious Norwood

T

throughout the 2012-13 athletic season.

“We are very proud of the opportunity to let all Bulldog fans know of

surprised the crowd as a special guest this year.

Norwood, a running back who played in the early

the Alumni Association’s support of MSU Athletics,” said Jimmy Abraham,

2000s, was drafted in the NFL in 2006. He has

associate vice president for development and alumni and executive director

played for the Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Rams.

of the Alumni Association. “Not only are we excited to partner with athletics

“Cowbell Yell is the first opportunity for us to

in this endeavor, but this will also allow us to promote our association

teach new students the traditions we hold dear,

numerous times to thousands of listeners.”

and to celebrate those traditions with the Bulldog

The Alumni Association radio sponsorship began in September as the

family,” stated Student Association President Shelby

Bulldogs opened the football season against Jackson State University. Radio

Balius. “It is also our way of showing the best

broadcasts can be heard on over 25 statewide networks, online at Maroon to

support for our hard-working football team and

the Max, and on some Sirius and XM satellite stations.

coaches to kick off their next winning season on the

For more information on radio broadcasts, please visit the MSU Athletics

eve of their first game.” •

website at hailstate.com. •

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

41

Alumni

NEWS

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ALUMNUS

2012 Alumni Fellows visit campus

Dr. David E. Wigley of Smyrna, Ga., has been chosen as fellow for the College of Arts and Sciences. Wigley earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and soil science in 1977, and a bachelor’s in chemistry in 1979 . He is currently an attorney at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP. Paul J. Karre was named fellow for MSU’s business college. Karre, a resident of Germantown, Tenn., earned a bachelor’s of business administration in management

he MSU Alumni Association welcomed the

T

in 1974. He now serves as senior vice president of human

2012 class of Alumni Fellows to campus

resources and communications for International Paper.

Sponsored by the MSU Alumni Association, the

degree in elementary education in 1979. He now is deputy

colleges, the Meridian campus and the Office of the

chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services for the

Provost, the fellows program recognizes alumni who

U.S. Air Force at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington,

have distinguished themselves in their respective careers.

D.C.

in November. The group was honored in

conjunction with the MSU vs. Arkansas football game.

Honorees are invited to return to campus to meet with students, both in the classroom and informally.

The College of Education is honoring 1979 graduate Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones as the 2012 fellow. Jones earned a

The James Worth Bagley College of Engineering named Anthony L. Wilson of Fayetteville, Ga., as fellow. Wilson

This year’s class includes:

serves as executive vice president of customer service and

Thomas H. “Hunt” Shipman was selected for the

operations for Georgia Power. He earned an electrical

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Shipman, of Falls Church, Va., is a 1992 agribusiness graduate, who is a partner with Cornerstone Government Affairs LLC. The College of Architecture, Art and Design honored

engineering degree from MSU in 1987.

David E. Wesley, a 1962 and 1968 alumnus, is the 2012 fellow for the College of Forest Resources. Wesley holds two degrees from MSU – a bachelor’s in history and

Bradley C. Touchstone, AIA, of Tallahassee, Fla., as

political science and a master’s in wildlife and fisheries

fellow. Touchstone is a 1993 graduate, and a founder

with an emphasis in zoology. He currently resides in

and principal architect at Touchstone Architecture and

Missoula, Mont.

Consulting P.A.

The College of Veterinary Medicine is bestowing the honor of fellow to husband and wife team, Drs. Neil

Front Row Left to Right Anthony L. Wilson, Dr. Neil M. Williams, Dr. Deborah Maples Williams, Dr. David E. Wesley and Mr. Thomas H. “Hunt” Shipman Back Row Left to Right Dr. Jimmy W. Abraham, Dr. David E. Wigley, Mr. Raymond L. “Ray” Gibbons, Mr. Bradley C. Touchstone, AIA, Paul J. Karre and Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones

42

W I NTER 2012

M. Williams and Dr. Deborah Maples Williams. Both employees of the University of Kentucky, Neil serves as a professor and association director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, while Deborah is the diagnostic services coordinator. The couple resides in Nicholasville, Ky. MSU-Meridian, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, named alumnus Raymond L. “Ray” Gibbons as fellow. Gibbons earned a master’s in business administration this year. •

Bash rocks Cotton District in November ississippi State hosted its

M

on the Bulldog Bash stage. Rock band

annual outdoor concert in

Surviving Allison, winner of MSU’s battle

November. Bulldog Bash,

of the bands, was first to perform for the

in its 13th year, brought thousands of

evening. Pop artist Andy Grammer was

students, alumni, fans and community

next to take the stage. Grammer, who is

members to Starkville’s historic Cotton

most popular for his top 10 singles “Fine

District for a night of music and revelry.

by Me” and “Keep Your Head Up,” thrilled

The event kicked off with FanFare at 3

the crowd with his vocal and instrumental

p.m. Campus organizations, local eateries and sponsors set up booths for the public,

The final two acts that evening were a pair of country music bands, Gloriana and

for children. Sponsored by the MSU

Eli Young Band. Gloriana is most popular

Alumni Association, FanFare day brought

for their recent hit “(Kissed You) Good

hundreds of fans of all ages to enjoy the

Night.” Band members Tom, Mike and

festivities.

Rachel entertained the crowd with high

Bash again this year and sponsor FanFare

Gloriana's Rachel Reinert

talents.

as well as bounce houses and activities

“We were honored to support Bulldog

Photos by: Megan Bean

voltage southern rock and smooth ballads.

The 2012 Bulldog Bash headliner,

for all to enjoy,” stated Jimmy Abraham,

Eli Young Band, brought a bit of Texas

associate vice president for development

country to Starkville. The group, which

and alumni and executive director of the

was started by Mike Eli and James Young,

MSU Alumni Association. “The event

has recently made their way to the top of

not only brings together our campus and

country charts and were nominated for

community, but it also attracts thousands

two Country Music Awards. With hits like

of Bulldog faithful from all over the

“When it Rains,” “Crazy Girl,” and “Say

country who come back home for this

Goodnight,” Eli Young brought excitement

great event.”

and energy to thousands of Bash attendees.

Following FanFare, the MSU spirit

“Bulldog Bash is one of the many

groups led the crowd at the DawgRally

events we are happy to sponsor for our

and pumped everyone up for the football

students, alumni and fans each year,”

game against Texas A&M the next day.

said Abraham. “It is an exciting time in

Wayne Madkin, former MSU quarterback,

Starkville and Mississippi State, and we

made a special appearance and addressed

plan to continue to support events like this

the excited Bulldog crowd.

for years to come.” •

Around 30,000 music fans came to the 2012 Bulldog Bash.

The live music kicked off at 6 p.m.

Mike Eli, lead singer of The Eli Young Band M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

43

Alumni

NEWS

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ALUMNUS

George-Greene alumni chapter supports students through scholarships

alumni and executive director of

endowed chapter scholarships

the MSU Alumni Association. “By

play a significant role in helping

providing scholarship opportunities

exceptional students like Gamble

for our students, chapters are

attend MSU. Awards are typically

not only making an important

given to students within the

investment in the education of

chapter’s local area, and are

their community, but also the

undreds of Mississippi

H

based on criteria set forth by the

Bulldog family as a whole.”

State University students

individual chapters.

the support of MSU’s 93 alumni

our area have gone above and

important factors in his decision to

chapters around the world. Since its

beyond to sponsor scholarships for

attend Mississippi State.

earliest roots, alumni of Mississippi

our local community,” said Brenda

State have taken an active role in

Smith, president of the George-

which college I would be attending,

educating Bulldogs by providing

Greene Chapter. “We have two

it was a no-brainer. Mississippi

funds for student scholarships.

counties and two high schools to

State is a top-notch engineering

support, and students who are truly

university located in my home state

Association’s chapters award

in need of scholarships to fulfill

and it caters to my engineering

funds to top performing scholars.

their dreams of attending college.”

discipline of choice,” Gamble said.

Today, many of the MSU Alumni

One of these students, Wyatt

“The alumni and friends from

The George-Greene Chapter has

For Gamble, having a chapter scholarship was one of the most

“When faced with the decision of

Many chapters have established

Gamble, is a proud recipient of

established two endowed funds

scholarships, but do not have

a chapter scholarship.

and one annual fund, and awarded

enough funds to make awards

10 scholarships to area students

each year. Individual gifts are

in computer engineering in the

this year. “We work hard to recruit

extremely important to keep these

James Worth Bagley College of

students to MSU in the schools

scholarships active. Gifts of any

Engineering. He is one of three

and the community, and the

amount from individual donors

students receiving an annual

scholarships we can provide offer a

may be designated to a specific

scholarship from the George-

huge advantage to these students,”

chapter’s endowed or annual

Greene Alumni Chapter this year.

stated Smith. The tradition of

scholarship fund.

Gamble is a freshman majoring

“The George-Greene Alumni

chapter scholarships dates back to

To find out more about how

Scholarship covered the remaining

the late 1880s when members of

to make a gift, contact your local

required fees I owed, and has

then-Mississippi A&M’s alumni

chapter representative, or Jackie

helped me to not worry about

group began collecting money for

Hudson with the MSU Foundation

how I will be paying for college,”

students in need.

at 662-325-4214 or jhudson@

stated Gamble. “With that burden

WI NTER 2012

president for development and

MSU Foundation, annual and

benefit each year from

44

Managed through the

“Our chapters offer so much

advservices.msstate.edu. You may

taken off of me, I have been able

more to MSU than just a venue

also make a gift online at www.

to focus on my studies with fewer

for events and activities,” said

msufoundation.com. •

distractions.”

Jimmy Abraham, associate vice

Tailgate Scrapbook

Members of MSU’s spirit squad pause for a photo opportunity with a young fan.

Mississippi State kicked off its 2012 football season in September with a few thrilling home field victories. As always, the MSU Alumni Association held its tailgating festivities before each game welcoming alumni and friends back home to MSU. Hundreds of fans gathered under the big top tent to celebrate the start of a fantastic football season.

Anne Elise Parks, a 2011 graduate and former Alumni Delegate, enjoys visiting with Memphis alumnus Stephen Woo.

MSU cheerleaders perform in front of the crowd at the alumni tailgate.

Tim and Katie Thomas, Tyler Hall and David Moore stop by the tent for a visit prior to the Jackson State game.

Fans enjoy complimentary barbeque from The Little Dooey courtesy of the Alumni Association.

Jimmy W. Abraham, associate vice president for development and alumni and executive director of the MSU Alumni Association, catches up with former national president Charles Cascio.

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

45

Alumni

NEWS

12 WINTER

ALUMNUS

M-State tags available in three states how your support for Mississippi State by

S

purchasing a trademark license plate for your personal vehicle. Tags are now available in

Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas with a minimal additional cost to the standard fee.

More than 200 individuals have purchased a Texas M-State tag since it was released in the fall. Tags are available for purchase through www.myplates.com/go/mstate, an affiliate of the Texas Department of Transportation. Drivers can choose from three options – the luxury, custom or design series – with varying prices starting at $30. Once purchased through the My Plates website, the license plates are delivered to your local tax assessor’s office for pickup. A portion of the sales is directed to a scholarship fund for Texas residents who attend MSU. In Mississippi, nearly 17,000 drivers are representing “Our State” with an MSU plate, and we are leading the way in 59 of 82 counties. Mississippi tags may be purchased through the local county tax collector’s office. Cost of the M-State plate is approximately $53.50 per year, in addition to the normal cost.

Of that, $32.50 is tax deductible and goes directly to help fund priority programs at MSU. Tennessee residents may purchase an M-State tag for $56.50 at the county clerk’s office. A portion of the proceeds is allocated to the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Highway Fund. The plate can be personalized with five characters available for a total of $91.50. Over 1,100 drivers in Tennessee are promoting MSU with a university license plate.

Help MSU rule the road in Mississippi, Texas and Tennessee by purchasing an M-State car tag the next time you renew. For more on M-State license plates, please visit alumni. msstate.edu/cartag. •

46

WI NTER 2012

Bully shows off his Mississippi State license plate, which is also available for purchase in Tennessee and Texas.

Foundation

NEWS

MSU junior uses scholarships to prepare for future career

12 WINTER

ALUMNUS

pursue their dreams of education and prepare them for careers that will benefit the community,” said Raygene Paige, the couple’s youngest daughter. “My parents instilled values in their students, and our family is pleased to continue to inspire recipients at MSU to achieve their goals through this scholarship.”

ississippi State University

M

has already made an

Paige followed her father into the

impact on the life of

extension field after graduating from

Carlos Morris, and a much-needed

MSU with a doctor of education degree.

scholarship is paving the way for his

She served the state of Mississippi in

junior year of study in the College of

leadership roles with the extension

Agriculture and Life Sciences

service for 39 years. Now retired, she resides in Cordova, Tenn.

“MSU makes you feel special, not just

“The Paige scholarship makes me

like any other student,” said Morris. “I

feel worthy to receive it because it

have a great adviser who has guided me since my freshman year, and with my

Carlos Morris

honors the Paiges for their commitment

scholarship I feel like I am on the right

federal agency such as the United States

to education. Being selected for the

track for graduation.”

Department of Agriculture. He also

scholarship has given me a great sense of

plans to pursue master’s and doctoral

pride,” Morris said.

Although an undeclared major when he enrolled, Morris found a part-time job in the Custer Dairy Processing Plant.

degrees.

For the current academic year, the

Furthermore, the scholarship has helped Morris remain in school.

“Since I am not eligible for federal

A unit of the Mississippi Agricultural

R.C. and Sophie E. Paige Endowed

and Forestry Experiment Station, the

Scholarship is helping make Morris’

assistance, I have to supplement my

plant serves as a teaching and research

education possible. The scholarship was

college years with student loans.

laboratory for students studying dairy

established in 2003 and has grown into

Scholarships lessen the amount I have to

foods. The facility houses some of the

an endowment in recent years.

borrow, so to be chosen for this award is

most modern equipment available.

“The total manufacturing process

The scholarship honors Mississippi natives and lifelong educators Raynor

a true blessing,” he said.

Morris realizes the importance of

fascinated me, and I decided to major in

and Sophie Paige. As parents, they

private gifts to Mississippi State and

food science,” said Morris, who is from

brought education to the forefront

how fortunate he is to be among the

Greenville. “As a future food scientist, I

for their family and ensured their five

beneficiaries of these gifts.

feel like I will have a lot of opportunities

children earned degrees. After retiring

to make a positive impact on how food is

from education, Raynor Page worked

me to receive scholarships through

produced, manufactured and marketed.”

as a county agent for the Mississippi

their generosity. Gifts for scholarships

Extension Service.

help students strive for their goals

In the future, Morris hopes his efforts will eventually lead to a research position with a major food company or a

“The purpose of the scholarship is to enable highly qualified students to

“Contributors allow students like

without worrying about paying for college,” he said. •

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

47

Foundation

NEWS

12 WINTER

ALUMNUS

Sidon Plantation, an $8 million bequest of real estate to MSU, is the largest in the university’s history.

Late pilot bequeaths Delta plantation to MSU illis Durden McGeary left

corn and soybeans – and we are proud to say our efforts

Mississippi to follow his dream

are prosperous each year,” said John Doty Porter, one of the

of becoming a pilot, but he never

property’s tenant farmers.

forgot his connection to his home state and the university where he earned his degree.

As the last surviving member of a prominent Mississippi Delta family, McGeary chose to give Mississippi State

early 1970s, and he is happy the land will now belong to MSU since the McGeary family had no heirs.

Although McGeary deeply appreciated agriculture, he had aspirations outside of farming. From the age of 10,

to honor his heritage. The longtime California resident

he decided to become a pilot. His dream led him to then

died in 2011 at the age of 91.

Mississippi State College where he earned an aeronautical engineering degree in 1940.

university history, is designated as “unrestricted,” meaning

Following graduation, McGeary was employed with

agricultural lease proceeds from the property will provide

several aircraft manufacturing companies as an engineer

an annual source of revenue for MSU as part of the

before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps. He became an

university’s Bulldog Properties program. The funds will

aircraft commander, flying missions in the European

assist university areas that exhibit the greatest need.

Theater during World War II. For his valiant efforts, he

The bequest includes 2,069 acres of farmland and 568

was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. One of his

additional acres around Sidon Plantation near Greenwood,

favorite pastimes was to chronicle his many adventures of

as well as one of the oldest homes in Leflore County.

piloting the B-24 Liberator.

During his lifetime, the land meant more to McGeary than

After the war, McGeary returned to Mississippi

the beauty of the home and the bountiful row crops that

and managed the family plantation. He later

grew there. The property remained in his

became a captain for American Airlines where

family for generations, and he wanted to preserve it.

he worked for 29 years until his retirement.

“Row crops are still grown on the farmland – cotton, W I NTER 2012

Doty and his family have farmed the property since the

University his beloved Sidon Plantation in Leflore County

The $8 million bequest of real estate, the largest in

48

McGeary in his early years as a pilot.

In McGeary’s later years, California became his home.

MSU fundraising initiative exceeds $100 million goal StatePride: An Initiative for Student and

efforts at Mississippi State will continue as the

can help MSU better serve its students. It takes

Faculty Support is still going strong, surging

MSU Foundation works to cultivate additional

esteemed faculty in every area of the university

past its $100 million goal on its way to a

sources for private gifts.

to challenge the best and brightest students to

“We will continue to seek the support of our

much-anticipated finish.

excel in all learning environments. Additional

alumni and friends in fulfilling many of the

endowed positions will allow Mississippi State to

the StatePride initiative, and I am very pleased

unmet needs of our university,” said John P. Rush,

lure top educators to the academic community,

we have been able to surpass that mark ahead of

vice president for development and alumni. “Our

who in turn attract significant research support,

schedule,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum.

efforts will focus on securing gifts for specific

outstanding graduate students and other

“Mississippi State is extremely grateful to its

scholarships and endowed positions in crucial

distinguished faculty.

alumni and friends for understanding our needs

areas as we move forward.”

“We set an ambitious goal of $100 million with

Scholarships continue as one of the key goals

and stepping up to support this effort to assist our

Gifts for StatePride may be made in honor or in memory of a family member, classmate or

for StatePride. While many areas of the university

mentor. Donors may earmark gifts for the college,

have received generous support for annual and

school or priority of their choosing. Individuals

has been evident in the significant growth in

endowed scholarships, gifts for scholarships are

can visit www.msufoundation.com and make

university scholarships, faculty development

still needed university-wide, especially those

their gift today for StatePride, or contact an

opportunities and endowed positions.

designated for general university.

MSU Foundation fundraiser to discuss specific

talented students and dedicated faculty.”

Over the past four years, StatePride’s success

The StatePride initiative will draw to a close at

Gifts for endowed positions in the form of

the end of December, but specialized fundraising

chairs and professorships through StatePride

He resided in Marina Del Rey for a number of years.

“Willis was always very adventurous and he loved flying.

opportunities at 662-325-7000. •

Foundation and gain tax advantages.

“Mississippi State University is extremely grateful to

He even took the first flight on a Concorde jet that went

Willis McGeary for allowing us to transform his treasured

around the world,” recalled Joy Andresen McGeary, his wife

possession into a valuable resource for the students, faculty

of nearly 18 years.

and programs of the university,” said Jud Skelton, director of

Although his adventures took him away from Mississippi, McGeary wanted to ensure his legacy in his home state would be perpetually sustained.

“My husband wanted to leave the plantation and farmland to MSU because he felt the university would be good stewards of the property and because of his genuine fondness and appreciation for the school,” Andresen McGeary said.

By gifting the land in this manner, alumni and friends like

real estate giving.

He continued, “The gift is remarkable, not only for the level of generosity, but also for the investment in future generations and the demonstration of confidence he placed in Mississippi State.”

Gifts of real estate and timberland can help individuals achieve financial, philanthropic and estate-planning goals.

Because of carefully laid plans, the McGeary name will

McGeary can take comfort in knowing their family legacy

continue to be associated with Mississippi as part of the state’s

will be competently managed by the MSU Foundation real

leading university.

estate team.

For more on real estate giving opportunities, contact

Mississippi State University accepts gifts of real estate and

Jud Skelton at jskelton@foundation.msstate.edu or 662-

timberland through its Bulldog Properties and Bulldog Forest

325-0643, or Jeff Little at jlittle@foundation.msstate.edu

programs. Individuals who wish to support the university,

or 662-325-8151. •

but are unable to make large cash gifts, are encouraged to consider these giving programs through the MSU M IS S IS S IP P I STAT E A LUMNUS

49

Class

NEWS

12 WINTER

ALUMNUS

’42 JIMMYE S. HILLMAN, professor

’76 BRENDA RAGAN NALEPA

’86 LESLIE R. DEAN of Jacksonville, Fla.,

emeritus of agricultural economics at the

has been inducted into the Naismith

an attorney with GrayRobinson Attorneys

University of Arizona, has written Hogs, Mules,

Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in

at Law, has been promoted to associate of

and Yellow Dogs, a memoir of growing up

Springfield, Conn., as part of the first

counsel.

in Depression-era Mississippi. The book is

women’s professional basketball team in the

available through the University of Arizona

U.S., the All American Red Heads.

Press.

’49 JACK HATCHER, retired president, chairman and CEO of Robertson-Ceco Corp., has been honored by the Metal Building

’93 ANDREW BISSONNETTE of Nashville, Tenn., a partner with the

’78 CHRIS GRICE, senior vice president

accounting firm Lattimore Black Morgan &

of Amegy Bank of Texas, has been elected

Cain, has been named to the Nashville Health

board chair of The Woodlands, Texas Area

Care Council’s 2012-13 board of directors.

Economic Development Partnership for

’98 CHRISTOPHER WADE, a NASA

Manufacturers Association with a formal

2012-13.

proclamation citing his many contributions to

’79 JEFF MCCOY of Meridian has joined

engineer, has received NASA’s Exceptional

Great Southern National Bank as president and

effort to ensure visiting space craft make it

chief operating officer.

safely to the International Space Station.

Trustees for SECO, the fifth-largest electric

’82 DURR BOYLES of Jackson,

’02 LESLIE PENN PETRO of Madison has

cooperative in the U.S. James spent his entire

commander of the 184th Sustainment

written and published Cowbell Tales, a book

career in the electric utility industry, retiring as

Command with Mississippi Army National

of personal stories of the cowbell’s tradition

a president and CEO.

Guard, has been promoted to the rank of

at Mississippi State. Cowbell Tales became

’73 RICHARD CUICCHI of New Orleans,

brigadier general.

available in bookstores in November.

La., a retired information technology

’84 RICHARD J. GILBRECH has been

’07JOEY BROWN of Atlanta, Ga., has

professional for Entergy Corp., had his book,

named center director of NASA’s John C.

been promoted to vice president of sales

Family Ties: A Comprehensive Collection of

Stennis Space Center at Bay St. Louis. He

and recruitment with The Campus Special, a

Facts and Figures About Baseball’s Relatives,

previously was the center’s deputy director.

national marketing and advertising firm that

the metal building industry.

’58 BILL JAMES has been elected to another three-year term on the Board of

published in September.

’85 JIM RICHMOND of Madison has

Achievement Medal for helping lead the

reaches students at 350 universities through print, mobile and online mediums.

WILLIAM H. HOWARD III, a shareholder

been named vice president of corporate

with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell &

communications for C Spire Wireless. He

BRITTANY WALKER has been promoted

Berkowitz law firm, has been elected to a one-

previously was the company’s director of

to audit senior with Deloitte & Touche.

year term as Southwest region vice president

corporate communications.

of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel.

’74 JIM KOERBER of Hattiesburg, a shareholder in the Koerber Company, has been named Outstanding Member for the Fourth Quarter 2012 by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts.

50

WI NTER 2012

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS James Harris Martin,

Matthew Avery Shivers, Porter Rookh Swann,

Oct. 2, 2012, to Scott Martin

March 20, 2012, to Melanie

Aug. 20, 2012, to Richard

(’99) and wife Jamie of

Foster Shivers (’02)

Swann (’89) and Tamra Swann

Hattiesburg.

and husband Ryan.

(’94) of Starkville.

In

MEMORIAM

Boyce Ervin Harris (’49)—84, Tupelo; retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general and Korean War and Vietnam War veteran, Sept. 21, 2012.

William H. Ward (’76)—54, Worthington, Ohio; Department of Insurance employee for the State of Ohio, Feb. 19, 2009.

Ras Lavaughn Caves (’51)—85, Laurel; retired agriculture instructor at Jones County Junior College, Oct. 7, 2012.

Guy Salvador Todaro Jr. (’81)—55, Draper, Utah; longtime Chevron employee, Aug. 29, 2012.

Paul Lockhart Jr. (’54)—80, Tyler, Texas; retired Texas Department of Transportation employee, Aug. 4, 2012.

Sue Schmitt (’84)—Seattle, Wash.; retired dean of the College of Education at Seattle University, Sept. 29, 2012.

Thomas Wayne Thornton (’75)—65, Carthage; owner of Thornton’s Tax Service and former owner of Pine Tree General Store, May 21, 2011.

12 winter

ALUMNUS

Hayes Daniel (attended)—63, Starkville; Sept. 2, 2012.

Jack Darrel Warrington (attended)—85, Leland; Dixie Gas Co. employee and Korean War veteran, Oct. 12, 2012.

Troy Kight (former employee)—84, Bainbridge, Ga.; former editor of MAFES research magazine at Mississippi State, Sept. 30, 2012.

Marvis Sisson (friend)—80, Philadelphia; retired South Central Bell Telephone Co. employee, Oct. 10, 2012.

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

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Bell Island’s Fall Colors photo by Megan Bean

Situated on the gently sloping lawn between Lee Blvd. and

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The spot, just west of the old YMCA, sat vacant until

Walker Road is an area well known to older MSU alumni as

1995 when a new bell was given by late MSU alumnus

Bell Island. The bell was a senior class memorial erected by the

Jim Buck Ross, longtime Mississippi Commissioner of

Class of 1939 and destroyed by a falling tree in the early 1960s.

Agriculture and Commerce.

W IN TER 2012

While you’re in the area cheering on your Dawgs ...

visit Columbus for even more excitement! We’re just around the corner. n over 900 hotel/B&B rooms n childhood home of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tennessee Williams n fabulous restaurants n beautiful antebellum and Victorian homes n specialty shopping n recreational activities Learn more about what you can do during your stay.

Visit us online at www.columbus-ms.org.

www.columbus-ms.org 662-329-1191 800-327-2686

100 msu ad.indd 1

5/1/12 1:33:17 PM

Want to join other Mississippi State fans for a Mardi Gras-style celebration in the heart of Bulldog Country?

Then plan to be a part of the 3rd annual

Tentatively set for Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, at the Starkville Country Club.

Tickets cost $50 per person and will go on sale in early December once details for the event are finalized. Proceeds from the Bully Gras Ball benefit the emergency/disaster preparedness, education, and response programs of Oktibbeha-Starkville Emergency Response Volunteer Services (OSERVS), a non-profit, charitable organization.

For information about purchasing tickets, contact the OSERVS office at (662) 384-2200 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID BIRMINGHAM, AL PERMIT NO. 159 Post Office Box AA One Hunter Henry Boulevard Mississippi State, MS 39762-5526 www.alumni.msstate.edu ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED

Made with recycled paper.

Discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran’s status is a violation of federal and state law and MSU policy and will not be tolerated. Discrimination based upon sexual orientation or group affiliation is a violation of MSU policy and will not be tolerated.

Draft a winning charitable gift plan with our help.

You probably know that Mississippi State University thrives with gifts from alumni and friends like you. But, you might not realize that by making a planned gift, you can often create a much larger impact on MSU’s tomorrow, without sacrificing as much today.

Take that first step and start your charitable gift planning now. Contact the MSU Foundation’s Office of Planned Giving at 662.325.3707. Or, visit our website at msufoundation.com and click on “Planned Giving.”

Don’t stand on the sidelines… get in the game!

MSU is an AA/EEO university.