ALUMNUS Summer 2023 - Mississippi State University

A V I TA L TRANSFORMATION p. 22

I N S I D E Summer 2023

Driving the Conversation p. 04 | Data in Demand p. 29 | Closure p. 34 | Role Model p. 40 | Breaking News p. 45

RETURN OF THE DAK –– Mississippi State welcomed its newest live mascot during Super Bulldog Weekend 2023. Named Dak, after MSU football legend and current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, the lively, 2-year-old, English bulldog brings some of his namesake’s swagger and winning spirit to MSU’s campus. Officially known as Bully XXII, he succeeds Jak, or Bully XXI, who will now lead a life of leisure in retirement. Photo by Grace Cockrell

Table of CONTENTS

49 The Mississippi State University Alumni Association is proud to recognize eight outstanding graduates who represent their respective academic colleges as the 2023 College Alumni of the Year. BACK L-R: Lee Temple Jr., Gus Colvin Jr., Anthony L. Wilson and Jeff Tarsi; FRONT L-R: Cheryl Prewitt Salem, Victoria Hall, President Mark E. Keenum, Cynthia Anne Tucker, and Anne Marie Duvall Decker

FEATURES

22 A Vital Transformation

New programs at MSU-Meridian create pipeline for medical professionals in an effort to meet growing need

29 Data in Demand

MSU propels students into high-demand careers with new data science degree

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law is prohibited. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

SUMMER 2023 | VOL. 100 | NO. 2 PRESIDENT Mark E. Keenum, ’83, ’84, ’88 VICE PRESIDENT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI John P. Rush, ’94, ’02

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jeff Davis CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Sid Salter, ’88 EDITORS Susan Lassetter, ’07 Harriet Laird

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WRITERS Emily Cambre, ’22 James Carskadon, ’12 Kathleen Forman, ’24 Susan Lassetter, ’07 Addie Mayfield Carl Smith, ’10 DESIGNER Heather Rowe PHOTOGRAPHERS Megan Bean Grace Cockrell Chad Hathcock Beth Wynn

16 DEPARTMENTS 04 Campus News 12 Discoveries 20 State Snapshot 34 Our People 46 Alumni News 72 Giving Back 82 Class Notes 88 Forever Maroon 90 Back Story

COVER

With multiple new degree opportunities now added to its successful physician assistant program, MSU-Meridian is positioned to become a leader in health care education in the Magnolia State. The health care focused curricula was developed, in part, to help address the growing need for more medical professionals across the country, specifically the rural South.

Photo by Grace Cockrell

CONNECT

TWITTER.COM/MSSTATE FACEBOOK.COM/MSSTATE INSTAGRAM.COM/MSSTATE

EDITORIAL OFFICE P.O. Box 5325 Mississippi State, MS 39762 662.325.0630 slassetter@opa.msstate.edu ADVERTISING Leanna Smith 662.325.3360 lsmith@alumni.msstate.edu

Mississippi State University’s Alumnus magazine is published three times a year by the Office of Public Affairs and the Mississippi State University Alumni Association. Send address changes to Alumni Director, P.O. Box AA, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5526. Call 662.325.7000, or email cturner@advservices.msstate.edu.

Campus NEWS

DRIVING THE CONVERSATION

Mississippi State faculty share expertise to fuel learning, scientific advancement JENNY DU Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering

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s a land-grant institution, Mississippi State strives to educate, serve and advance scientific discovery—and that doesn’t stop at the campus borders. Whether it’s MSU Extension experts teaching their communities, faculty providing context for current events through the media, or researchers publishing new findings in scientific journals, Mississippi State takes its mission seriously.

David Shaw, MSU’s Provost and executive vice president, said these efforts are part of what defines Mississippi State University.

“Doing research that makes a difference, research that matters, service that matters, is part of the DNA of this institution,” Shaw explained. “This university was created to serve not just academic interests but everyone who comes our way.

“As a public university, it’s important that our work serve the greater good,” he

continued. “If we have expertise that can drive scientific discovery or help the public understand the news or apply knowledge to a situation, then we need to find a microphone, a megaphone, any tool available to share that information with the world.”

One way Mississippi State faculty share their knowledge is by publishing in peerreviewed scientific or industry journals.

These articles are the foundation of scientific discovery as one person’s published work can be the basis of the next person’s innovation.

In late 2022, two Mississippi State faculty members were recognized for just that type of influence on their fields. James J. Chrisman and Qian “Jenny” Du were named “Highly Cited Researchers” in the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science citation index. Chrisman, the Julia Bennett Rouse Endowed Professor in Management in the College of Business, has received this honor every year since

2017. Du, the Bobby Shackouls Endowed Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, earned a spot on the list for a second consecutive year with her work being cited a whopping 10,415 times in the geosciences field.

“I’m excited to know that my work has high impact and value in laying groundwork for peers in their own research,” said Du, Mississippi State’s 2023 Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award winner. “We all follow in the footsteps of our pioneers and peers, so it is important to share the work, exchange ideas and inspire subsequent cutting-edge research and applications.”

Mississippi State faculty also have a unique opportunity to share their expertise through the university’s partnership with The Conversation—an international news organization that enables experts to comment

Research that keeps going

Engineering, the 2022 Impact Paper Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers—the leading, international professional organization in the industry.

“When you do any kind of research or scholarship, you are standing on the shoulders of those who came before you and hopefully providing some shoulders for people who will come later,” Swan said. “Winning this award reassures me that I will be lifting future generations of scientists.”

Swan continues to make an impact in his field with research and, most recently, a pandemicdelayed, visiting faculty semester at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

In 2010, Ed Swan co-authored a paper on augmented reality—a burgeoning branch of computer science poised to become mainstream with applications in gaming, medicine, online shopping and more.

Now, more than a decade later, that one paper has been cited over 500 times and earned Swan, a professor in the Bagley College of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science and

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By Susan Lassetter, Photos by Grace Cockrell

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Swan

MSU is among only 2.7% of universities in the U.S. that hold the Carnegie Foundation R1-Very High Research Activity designation.

in the field,” he continued. “It also on current events or share expertise means I’m constantly thinking about through self-authored, professionally current events in the financial world edited articles that are distributed and how those impact people, and on social media, The Conversation’s that’s something I’m able to bring into website and through news outlets the classroom to help students make around the world. connections between what they’re Through the first quarter of learning and what’s happening 2023, Mississippi State published around them.” more than 120 articles through The Shaw agreed, noting that not only Conversation, racking up over 7.2 do improved communication skills help million views across a variety of media make faculty more effective teachers but outlets including The Washington Post, the increased public profile that comes PBS, Popular Science and TED Ideas. with widely published faculty improves The articles have also given faculty the overall perception of more opportunities "Doing research Mississippi State. to provide expert “I am so incredibly commentary through that makes proud of the faculty we interviews with outlets a difference, have and the caliber like the BBC. of the work they are Brian Blank, an research that Shaw explained. assistant professor in the matters, service doing,” “And when they are College of Business, is that matters, is out sharing the story of Mississippi State’s most prolific author through part of the DNA Mississippi State, the good work that we do The Conversation with of this institution." and the impact we have 10 articles and nearly on the real world, that 300,000 views to ~ David Shaw brings recognition to his credit. the whole institution and adds value to “Writing for The Conversation has our students’ degrees.” made me a better writer and a better Anyone wishing to read MSU communicator,” Blank explained. “My faculty experts’ work can visit the usual writing is very technical and for a newsroom on the MSU or MSU very specific audience. But writing for Extension websites, or search Mississippi the media, I have to find a way to make State at www.theconversation.com. these very complex, academic ideas “It’s great to have thoughtful experts approachable and easy to understand writing for everyday people, and I’m for a broad audience. glad I can be a small part of that,” “This not only helps the public Blank said. n understand current events, but it can also provide insight to policy makers who might not have a background

"Writing for The Conversation has made me a better writer and a better communicator."

BRIAN BLANK Assistant Professor, Finance & Economics

COMMANDING COMMUNICATION Many people find effective communication skills easier to discuss than to practice, often seeing it as a gift you either have—or you don’t. Still, John Nicholson, an MSU associate professor in communication, said anyone can be a clearer communicator by following a few simple guidelines.

“We talk about Grice’s maxims for conversation in communication theory, but you don’t have to be in the field to understand them,” Nicholson said.

“It’s ultimately a matter of being clear, concise and purposeful.”

Using Grice’s four maxims—relevance, manner, quality and quantity—Nicholson offers the following tips for help to communicate ideas clearly, whether it’s a complex scientific principle or an officewide memo about new policy.

RELEVANCE: When speaking, texting or sending an email, say only what’s essential to the topic. This helps prevent important ideas from getting lost.

MANNER: Carefully choose how to share the message as not all tools are appropriate for all messages. Face-to-face is better for conversations, while email is more beneficial for a direct exchange of information.

QUALITY: What is shared should be trustworthy, well thought out and not riddled with errors. People need to be able to understand the message without questioning its authenticity or relevance, or having to decipher the meaning from unclear language.

QUANTITY: A little really does go a long way. Texts, emails and conversations bogged down with minutia can overwhelm people or cause them to tune out.

Keep it short and focused. For instance, if problems with a pooch caused you to be late to a meeting, say you were delayed with a pet emergency, not that your dog had messes from both ends. If people want more information, they will ask for details.

FRAN BROCK Extension Agent MSU Extension–Oktibbeha County

“Following these principles and encouraging others to do the same can, with practice, make communication more effective,” Nicholson explained.

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Campus NEWS

volunteers help area Habitat for Humanity BULLDOG BUILT MSU construct new 30-home community

By Carl Smith, Photos by Megan Bean & Grace Cockrell

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omeownership means more to Angela Jennings and Angela Nichols than simply having a house.

This year, working alongside their families and many volunteers with Mississippi State ties, the pair helped build their own homes thanks to Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity.

“A while back, my 8-year-old son Aden said he wanted to build something, and I told him the good Lord blessed us with something great to build,” Jennings said. “This was my dream—to own a home that I could raise my family in and eventually leave for them. Some people never get the chance to experience this dream. God blessed me and brought me this far, and I’m taking every opportunity to be out here, help build it and really make it my own.”

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Excitement for their new homes began building in each family once they learned of their life-changing gift.

“My little girl, Brittany, already claimed her room and picked out what kind of bed she wants,” Nichols said. “It means so much to me to get this house, but I take pride in knowing I helped build it. There’s nothing better than truly owning your own home.”

Jennings and Nichols’ homes are the first under construction by local volunteers— many of whom are MSU faculty, staff and students—as part of a project to convert a former dairy farm into a 30-home community over the coming decade. Habitat and MSU representatives first broke ground at the site in late 2022. Known as the Kelly Estates, it is located off 16th Section Road

in rural Oktibbeha County.

“Mississippi State is such a big part of the Starkville community, and we’ve always had strong support from the university,” said Amanda Henry, executive director of Starkville Habitat for Humanity. “That support is how we’re able to do what we do.

I attribute a lot of it to just how giving the MSU community is.”

Since its humble beginnings in the late 1970s, Habitat for Humanity has become one of the most well-known charitable organizations in the United States. In 2000, the group dedicated its 100,000th house; 20 years later, it reported more than 35 million people had volunteered or partnered with the organization in some way since 1976.

Locally, Starkville Habitat for Humanity

FAR LEFT: Angela Jennings stands with her son, Aden Elston, and a photo her daughter, Anna Brown who is in school in Hattiesburg, outside a Starkville Habitat for Humanity home she moved into this summer. ABOVE LEFT: Angela Nichols also received a home from Starkville Habitat for Humanity in the new Kelly Estates neighborhood. TOP RIGHT: Former president of MSU’s Habitat for Humanity student chapter Margaret Donaldson (left) and current president Kiersten Gilmore said volunteering with the organization is a great way to provide generational change for families. BOTTOM RIGHT: Kareema Gillon (left) and children Dorione Warren (center) and Korrine Gillon stand outside the Starkville Habitat for Humanity home they received in 2017. has built 74 homes since its founding in 1986 and now begins construction on two houses each year. Qualifying applicants for each home must be residents of Oktibbeha County, demonstrate a need for better housing, have a credit score that precludes typical home loans, and be able to pay back a 20-year, no-interest mortgage held by the organization. Once chosen, recipients must volunteer 300 hours of sweat equity toward the project and take three self-improvement classes, including one on personal finances, through the local school district and MSU Extension Service.

Linking MSU volunteers to Habitat— and other local, community-minded organizations—is the Maroon Volunteer Center, headed by Alexis Hampton, the

assistant director of the MSU Office of Student Leadership and Community

"We’re very much a collaborative effort.

It doesn’t matter how volunteers get here as long as they get here. We’re grateful for the multiple avenues we can provide to supplement Habitat’s mission." ~ Alexis Hampton Engagement. The MVC has worked directly with Starkville’s Habitat chapter for approximately 15 years.

In the last five years alone, Hampton said almost 700 people have volunteered more than 2,000 hours to the local Habitat chapter.

This work resulted in almost $60,000 worth of economic impact, she said.

“The misconception is we only serve students. In reality, we serve the entire campus community, and we make sure local community members and families also have access to these opportunities,” Hampton said. “We’re very much a collaborative effort. It doesn’t matter how volunteers get here as long as they get here. We’re grateful for the multiple avenues we can provide to supplement Habitat’s mission.”

MSU also is home to a Habitat for Humanity student chapter with approximately 50 members. In addition to ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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Campus NEWS

TOP LEFT: MSU President Mark E. Keenum (left) stands with Nichols and her daughter, Brittany, in late 2022 as Starkville Habitat volunteers celebrated the groundbreaking of the Kelly Estates project.

BOTTOM LEFT: Alexis Hampton, Maroon Volunteer Center director and assistant director of the MSU Office of Student Leadership and Student Engagement, said more than 700 people have volunteered more than 2,000 hours to Habitat via the MVC in the last five years.

RIGHT: Volunteers help secure a wall frame during the groundbreaking of the Kelly Estates in November 2022.

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working at build sites, students also volunteer time with other Habitat initiatives, including the Habitat ReStore and Warehouse, a thrift store located on South Jackson Street in Starkville. Sales at ReStore benefit Habitat projects, including the planned community at Kelly Estates.

Incoming club president Kiersten Gilmore, a senior anthropology major, said knowing her work positively impacts families keeps her motivated—even on early weekend mornings of volunteering. Outgoing president Margaret Donaldson, a senior in political science, agreed, noting that it’s a great way for students to help leave Starkville a little better than they found it.

“It’s such a fulfilling experience,” Donaldson said.

“By being able to build these homes, you’re seeing something that’s a physical and lasting change to someone’s life—one that’s generational.”

Kareema Gillon, a Starkville resident who moved

into her Owens Street Habitat house in 2017, said she is a living testament to transformative power of home ownership. Besides the immediate impact of having secure housing and an asset that can be passed down to her children, Gillon said she and her family have already made memories that will last a lifetime.

Gillon said she values the time she spent on site with MSU student volunteers. Working at a local restaurant during her home’s construction, she brought biscuits and other breakfast items to workers each morning. At the end of the project, workers built a toy chest and a doghouse for her family out of leftover wood.

“Those student workers were the best people,” Gillon said. “They came out here and worked on my home as if it was their own. We laughed together and talked about life experiences. They gave me great, encouraging words every day and treated me as if I was one of them.

Carter made more peace than houses after leaving office

By Carl Smith, Photo by Megan Bean

Habitat and MSU volunteers gave me a home, but they also helped give me peace and motivation,” she continued. “They motivated me to always push harder for myself and for my children, and that makes me a better person.

They gave me something I felt was out of reach, proving that through God’s blessings and hard work, you can get the things you need for your family. They taught me to never give up.” n

Jimmy Carter’s name has become synonymous with Habitat for Humanity, but a Mississippi State professor emeritus and biographer of the former president says the agribusinessman from Plains, Georgia, devoted more of his post-White House life to championing peace than building houses.

E. Stanly Godbold Jr., who retired from the university after 26 years in the classroom, is a go-to expert for all things related to the 39th president and his wife, Rosalynn. Almost 30 years of researching original source materials and direct interviews with the Carters and those close to them has yielded two books from Godbold: 2010’s “Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: The Georgia Years, 1924-1974” and 2022’s “Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: Power and Human Rights, 1975-2020.”

Carter and his wife both volunteered their time to various Habitat projects in the years following his departure from office in 1981, attracting so much publicity that their service eventually morphed into the annual, international Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, fueled by hundreds of volunteers who worked alongside them.

To this day, Godbold said, many people erroneously believe Carter founded Habitat, when he and Rosalynn actually spent one week each year at worksites.

“The other 51 weeks in a year, they did a lot of other things,” Godbold said. “The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia, is a thriving organization that promotes peace, democracy and health across the world. It has mediated international disputes, almost wiped-out diseases on two continents, bolstered agricultural production for the needy and recently began promoting free and fair elections in the U.S. In addition to the Carter Center, Rosalynn founded the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers in Americus, Georgia.

“Since so much time has passed since Carter was elected president, what we’ve learned from looking at the primary evidence is that Carter has earned the legacy of peace and human rights— that’s what he gave to the world,” he added.

“Whether or not he lusted in his heart or the rabbit was a killer, most of the things he did were very positive and gave us a much better world.

The most important thing they did was keep us out of war. Our country and the world owe them respect and gratitude for what they did.”

Godbold’s books are published by the Oxford University Press and available for purchase through it, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other major retailers. n ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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Campus NEWS Emma Wade, a senior computer science major and member of the Shackouls Honors College from Decatur, Alabama, is Mississippi State’s first Churchill Scholar. She was one of just 16 students from across the nation receiving the Winston Churchill Foundation of the United States’ 2023-24 award, which provides one year of master’s study at Churchill College at Cambridge University in England, and covers full tuition, a competitive stipend and travel costs. Recipients also can apply for a $4,000 special research grant.

Illinois native Ken Macklin is now head of the university’s Department of Poultry Science.

An experienced poultry pathogen specialist, he joined the department after serving as a research professor and extension specialist at Auburn University.

Pete Smith, an associate professor of communication at Mississippi State University, is MSU’s 2023 Mississippi Humanities Council Teacher of the Year. Approximately 30 awards are given to Mississippians whose work is recognized for bringing insights of the humanities to public audiences. Smith’s tribute includes a $400 honorarium and invitation to deliver the MSU College of Arts and Sciences annual humanities lecture.

Kenya Cistrunk, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology, is the 2023 president of the Mississippi Conference on Social Welfare, a group founded in 1927 to promote social welfare and foster professional development for human service professionals across the state. She serves as director for MSU’s social work program. As president of MCSW, she will focus on the continued development of internal processes and organization protocols, while seeking to increase membership.

John Michael VanHorn, is now director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, an area that has seen substantial growth in student chapter membership as the overall university enrollment has increased. A two-time graduate of MSU with an undergraduate degree in communication and a

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master’s in counselor education with an emphasis in student affairs, VanHorn currently is pursuing a doctorate in human development and family sciences.

Susannah J. Ural, a noted Civil War-era history professor and researcher, is Mississippi State’s inaugural Frank and Virginia Williams Endowed Chair of Abraham Lincoln and Civil War Studies—a tenured position within the Department of History that helps manage the Williams Collection of Lincolniana based in MSU Libraries.

Greenville native Philnise Phillips, a junior political science and German double major, was named a fellow in the Public Policy and International Affairs Program’s Junior Summer Institute and will spend seven weeks at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

Chemical engineering major and Presidential Scholar Courtney N. Cochran of Tupelo is among the select, prestigious group of 199 finalists across the country for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship.

Finalists were selected from more than 700 applicants representing 275 educational institutions.

Josh Foreman, an instructor in Mississippi State’s communication department and adviser to The Reflector, has released a new book "Hidden History of the Mississippi Delta," the fifth in a series of works detailing the mysteries and unseen aspects of the Deep South.

Mississippi State Professor Robert M. West has been named head of the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures after serving as the interim head since July 2021. He has been a faculty member in the English department since 2002 and was a key part of the 2019 installation of MSU’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter, the oldest academic honors society in the U.S. He has served as PBK chapter president and currently is on the executive committee.

He also served as interim director of the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Mississippi State graduates continue to enjoy a more than 90% success rate for being employed or working on advanced degrees after graduation.

The 2021-22 career success rate from MSU’s First Destination Survey report is particularly impressive at 94%, measuring higher than the overall national percentage of 84.1% for bachelor’s degree graduates in the most recent 2021 report administered by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Mississippi State faculty members in the plant and soil sciences and geosciences departments have partnered with EnChroma, makers of specially engineered glasses that can alleviate CVD obstacles, to improve learning and support for colorblind students. The company will provide the glasses—for indoor and outdoor use—for all colorblind MSU students and staff to borrow from the Department of Geosciences.

Two Mississippi State Department of Communication faculty members took home awards from the recent Mississippi Theatre Association annual festival. Instructor Melanie Harris won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Community Theatre–College and University Division, and lecturer Paula Mabry won Best Direction–Community Theatre Division.

Two Mississippi State faculty members were recognized by the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning for their efforts supporting diversity and inclusion.

David Buys, associate professor in the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion and MSU Extension State Health Specialist, was named the 2023 overall IHL Diversity Educator of the Year. Antonio Gardner, associate professor in the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion, also was among faculty from across the state recognized for their impact in advancing diversity.

Jesse Goliath, an assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures, is the university’s first fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the premier organization for professional forensic scientists in the country.

Four Mississippi State faculty members were recently honored by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture with an Architectural Education Award. Professor of Architecture Hans Herrmann, professor of architecture; Cory Gallo, professor of landscape architecture; Abbey Wallace, assistant professor of landscape architecture and Suzanne Powney, associate professor of graphic design, received the ACSA Design-Build Award for their collaborative project, the LivingRoom, a prototype outdoor classroom and learning garden.

Christy Bratcher, an experienced animal and meat science expert begins her new role as head of Mississippi State’s Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. She joins the university after serving as associate dean of research and graduate studies at Texas Tech University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Her work there is included in a proven track record of facilitating the growth and development of university academic, research and outreach programs.

A fifth-year architecture student from Kennesaw, Georgia, Alysia E. Williams is one of 24 undergraduate architecture students across North America selected by Metropolis magazine for its Future100 cohort. Upon graduation this May, Williams plans to work remotely for the Utah-based architectural design firm Method Studio, where she served as an undergraduate research fellow during her junior year.

Mississippi Sen. Rita Potts Parks, left, chairman of the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee, and Sen. Bart Williams congratulate MSU’s Erika Womack on her appointment as State Chemist.

Mississippi State University’s Erika Womack has been confirmed as the State Chemist by the Mississippi Senate. With Senate confirmation on March 23, Womack will continue to lead the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory, a state agency housed on the MSU campus that provides testing and analysis services on products sold in the state for a wide range of stakeholders. Womack joined MSU as director of the lab and interim State Chemist last year.

Building on the university’s generations of support for America’s veterans, Mississippi State has been recognized as a top 10 Military Friendly School for the fourth consecutive year. VIQTORY, formerly Victory Media, ranked MSU as a top 10 institution in its recently released Military Friendly Schools list, which surveyed more than 1,800 participating schools.

Three Mississippi State faculty are representing the university in LEAD21, a national program that develops leaders in the fields of agricultural, environmental and human sciences at landgrant institutions. Beth Baker, associate extension professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture; Jay McCurdy, associate professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences; and Florencia Meyer, associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, are among 90 participants in the 19th LEAD21 class selected from land-grant universities across the country.

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Discoveries

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RESEARCH OF THE

NERDS

MSU LABORATORY EXPLORES MYSTERIES OF THE HUMAN BRAIN

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By Emily Cambre, Photos by Grace Cockrell

as well. We decided to get together and see if or generations of Americans who lived we can make something happen.” through taunts of “nerd” when their look The lab is made up of graduate and or interests differed from the in-crowd, undergraduate students. Together, the “nerds” the word likely brings up feelings of adolescent work on multiple studies and no idea is off of angst. However, one group of Bulldogs the table. embraces the label.

Jennifer Kemp, a senior biomedical For members of the NERD lab, being engineering major who helps manage “nerdy” is something to be proud of and soon, laboratory operations said the main projects use it could redefine how neural science is studied. electroencephalogram— Short for Neural or EEG—to show how Engineering Research "Consciousness is the brain responds to Division, NERD is a part both the most familiar stimuli. The EEG records of the Department of and most mysterious electrical activity in the Agricultural and Biological brain to allow students to Engineering. It focuses on phenomenon in the collect data from the tests research at the intersection universe, and I have they run in the lab. of engineering, “We hook the EEG neuroscience and artificial big ambitions to help up to people who are intelligence, and is led solve the mysteries it playing table tennis or

by David Vandenheever, still conceals." esports and we’re going who joined MSU as an associate professor in 2021 ~ David Vandenheever to use that data to look at different effects on the after moving to Starkville brain,” Kemp said. “I think esports is probably from South Africa. my favorite experiment, just because video Vandenheever created NERD as an games are something we all enjoy and my extension of his research efforts in biomedical competitive side comes out.” engineering. He said he had always been Ultimately, the “nerds” hope their data interested in the brain and wanted to create collection will help make an impact in two more opportunities for students and faculty at broad areas of study, one being the diagnoses Mississippi State to get hands-on experience in and management of mental disorders. the area.

“We are hoping to better understand “Across the world, there is a growing interest mental health in a way that can better inform in neuroscience and trying to understand the diagnoses,” Vandenheever said. “We’re looking brain, but there were not a lot of opportunities specifically at ADHD, anxiety and depression. at MSU to study it,” Vandenheever said. “There These are real-world problems with real-world are quite a few individuals across the university consequences where we hope to make a in programs like kinesiology, computer science telling impact.” and psychology who are interested in the brain ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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Discoveries

David Vandenheever, center, stands with student researchers from NERD. Short for Neural Engineering Research Division.

The biomedical engineering laboratory seeks to understand the processes of the brain. Vandenheever said the lab also provides the “nerds” with opportunities for hands-on experience conducting research and performing experiments.

Through the second area of study, Vandenheever said he hopes the lab’s results can help unravel the mysteries of consciousness.

“Consciousness is both the most familiar and most mysterious phenomenon in the universe, and I have big ambitions to help solve the mysteries it still conceals,” Vandenheever said.

“There is something called the ‘hard problem of consciousness’. That is a problem that has been plaguing philosophers for millennia and one I would love to make progress on.”

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Although Vandenheever oversees the NERD lab and makes the call about what experiments and lines of inquiry to pursue, he said his ultimate goal is to give students the opportunity to leave Mississippi State having conducted research and performed experiments completely on their own.

“This sounds super corny, but inspiring students is a passion of mine,” Vandenheever said. “I want to empower my students to do the thinking themselves, and the NERD lab gives them the opportunity to put that type of thinking into hands-on experience.” n

A Conversation in Code

By Susan Lassetter, Photo by Grace Cockrell

From banking apps and social media to word processors and wearable fitness trackers, more and more of our lives rely on software. Behind that swipeable or clickable interface lurks line after line of symbols and letters—the programming language, or code, that make them work.

Like any language, computer code is unique to the individual using it—full of quirks, shorthand and even dialects developed over time and influenced by a person’s experiences. While there’s nothing wrong with individuality, it can create problems in a working document that might pass through multiple authors—like if John Grisham wrote the second half of a play started by Shakespeare.

“THERE’S A LOT OF WASTED TIME AND EFFORT IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT SIMPLY BECAUSE ONE PROGRAMMER MIGHT NOT UNDERSTAND THE THOUGHT PROCESS OF THE PERSON WHO STARTED THE PROJECT.” ~ BRYAN JONES To overcome this, Bryan Jones, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is working to make computer coding a more informed and thoughtful process to improve maintenance and further development software.

“There’s a lot of wasted time and effort in software development simply because one programmer might not understand the thought process of the person who started the project,” Jones explained. “A new team member might spend hours trying to understand why someone used the code they did, and often they’ll end up just throwing it out and starting from scratch.”

Jones said that through a practice called literate programming, software developers can explain their thought process—in plain language—alongside their code to make it easier for the next person to make adjustments or continue building the program.

Think of it like showing your work when solving a math problem or creating an outline before writing a novel.

“Literate programming makes us better thinkers,” Jones said.

“By asking programmers to explain their process, it encourages them to think through and add structure to their code. Not only are they making it easier for someone to follow their thinking, they’re also helping themselves have a clearer path forward.”

Jones said this practice is especially important as the software development industry continues to grow and encourage career mobility.

“Leaving a blueprint or recipe for the next programmer will really improve efficiency in the industry,” he said.

Jones is teaching literate programming through a new course in MSU’s Bagley College of Engineering. He is also enabling the practice through software he developed called CodeChat Editor, which allows users to embed not only notes but also visual aids that can be displayed like a webpage alongside the code to enable quicker development. n ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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Discoveries

Mississippi State University ACCESS junior Cedric Gainwell Jr. (center left) and recent graduate Charles “Garrett” Lofton (center right) work alongside graduate students Charlotte Sarver (left) and Jordan Smink (right) in Harned Hall as part of associate professor of biological sciences Heather Jordan’s research team. The ACCESS trio tested numerous sustainable fertilizer sources as part of a multi-university partnership in the 2022-23 academic year.

REMOVING BARRIERS NSF grant provides MSU ACCESS students with hands-on learning, life-changing opportunities

By Carl Smith, Photos by Megan Bean

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esearch has the power to change lives.

Take for example, Cedric Gainwell Jr., Tanner Laird and Charles “Garrett” Lofton who conducted hands-on laboratory experiments at Mississippi State University.

Gainwell became a first-time flyer, as he and the others traveled to conferences to present their scientific findings. Laird is now a more confident public speaker after gaining experience conveying their results to large crowds. And Lofton said he enjoys knowing their work can be a catalyst at other universities, helping erase stereotypes about who can become a scientist.

Gainwell, Laird and Lofton are members of MSU’s ACCESS program, the Magnolia State’s only four-year, residential, postsecondary program allowing students with intellectual or developmental disabilities to have a full, inclusive college experience.

Thanks to a National Science Foundation Research Experience and Mentorship grant, the trio worked under the direction of Heather Jordan, an associate professor of biological sciences, in a multi-university partnership and made trips to Washington,

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D.C., and Texas to discuss their work and network with peer scientists.

“I looked at other universities that have similar programs to MSU’s ACCESS, but they don’t have the collaborative research opportunities we have here,” Lofton, a May graduate who studied beef production and management, said. “I feel like in a way, we’re kind of breaking down the walls at those other universities. Hopefully when they get to see our work, they’ll see that all students are capable of research.”

IN THE LAB

Lofton takes pride in his lab work, but he tries not to discuss it with others while they’re eating.

He and his peers are working to develop more potent, sustainable fertilizer sources by feeding insects specific foods and studying how effective their waste and other biproducts are in growing plants. Simply put: They are figuring out what to feed bugs so they can better feed crops.

“When people ask, I tell them I work with bug manure,” Lofton said.

In the lab, the students selected specific organic materials for black soldier flies to convert into waste. They then used the biproducts—also known as frass—to enrich soil-growing crops. Gainwell, Laird and Lofton constantly monitored numerous control and experimental groups, noting and comparing different data points from soil water levels to crop height, and developed presentations based on their hypotheses and results.

“I’m a skeptical guy. I didn’t know if I was going to enjoy lab work because I hadn’t done it before,” Gainwell, a junior studying animal and dairy science, said. “Once I started to go through the process—to see the steps of how we do the research and how it all comes together—I really started to enjoy it.”

Their findings were shared with peer researchers at Texas A&M University and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. With MSU, the universities comprise the Center for Environmental Sustainability Through Insect Farming, which bridges industry and academia to

From left to right: Mississippi State graduate students Jordan Smink and Charlotte Sarver; ACCESS students Tanner Laird, Charles “Garrett” Lofton and Cedric Gainwell Jr.; and associate professor of biological sciences Heather Jordan outside of a Harned Hall laboratory.

create new opportunities for green jobs and products. These connections provided the students with opportunities to see their peers in action and meet high-level industry and government representatives.

Besides learning the ins and outs of experiments and data collection, they also learned numerous soft and secondary skills simply by participating in exercises many students take for granted: learning how to work in a lab; teamwork and communication skills; hypotheses development; and how to effectively communicate data.

“Before this, you would have never caught me talking in front of a big crowd of people,” Laird, a junior studying horticulture, said. “Practicing these presentations, going to the conferences and presenting our work really helped me be more open toward people.”

Jordan praised the ACCESS students for their work and also highlighted two graduate students—Jordan Smink, a doctoral student in biological sciences, and Charlotte Sarver, who is pursuing a master’s degree in biological sciences—who helped facilitate in-lab learning through the year.

All three instructors said having Gainwell, Laird and Lofton in the laboratory reinvigorated their teaching methods as they

worked to address their different needs and learning perspectives.

“Their own experiences and perspectives mean they get to share science with others and share the impact of science in a way that people can understand without all the jargon,” Jordan said. “There are barriers for everyone, but these can be overcome. They don’t block the capacity for people to do great things.”

OPPORTUNITY MEETS SUPPORT

Established in 2010, MSU’s ACCESS program reflects the university’s landgrant mission of serving the needs of all Mississippians.

Its students receive true college experiences focused on academics, socialization, career development and independent living, with the goal of creating gainfully employed and independent citizens at the completion of their four-year stint at the university.

Students take life skills and foundational academic classes each semester, ranging from practical money skills and community access to basic writing. They also audit MSU undergraduate classes of their choosing throughout their enrollment, which allows them to study specific ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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Discoveries interests. At the conclusion of the program, they receive an MSU certificate of completion with an area of focus.

Unlike other universities where students in similar programs only can pick from a handful of modified courses, ACCESS students can audit almost any MSU undergraduate class.

An array of modifications and support exist to cater to students’ interests instead of placing them on a pre-selected educational path, said Chris Dallager, who leads MSU’s Disability Resource Center, which houses ACCESS. The program’s success, he said, hinges on the partnerships between the DRC and MSU faculty, who ensure students’ specific needs are met in their classes. Graduate students from MSU’s school psychology doctoral program run social skills classes, coordinate the peer mentor program and handle both academic and behavioral interventions for ACCESS students. Undergraduates work as college coaches, peer mentors and tutors to help ACCESS students build both academic and life skills.

The more than 100 volunteers and supporting staff greatly exceed the almost 30 students currently enrolled in the ACCESS program. This dedication to support pays off.

The national average for full-time employment for people with disabilities is less than 40%, but Dallager said the last assessment of ACCESS alumni showed more than 80% employment.

“That’s a testament to what we’re doing here,” he said. “Partnerships like the one with Dr. Jordan and her graduate students are key to getting students the experiences they need for this success.”

No matter if Gainwell, Laird or Lofton pursue science-related careers after their time at MSU, Dallager said their job readiness and life skills are much better now because of the opportunity to learn in a real, working laboratory, where they more than proved their capabilities.

“These students were rewarded for actual achievement and their own work, as opposed to being rewarded just for being in college, and that gives them a real sense of pride,” Dallager said. “That’s the value of ACCESS. Through all of this, our students can grow, and I really do think they’re going to change the future.” n

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INSECTS

THE OTHER PROTEIN

As the world grapples with feeding a growing population with dwindling resources, the solution could rest with an unlikely ally: arthropods.

Though crustaceans—like shrimp and lobster—fall into this category and are common fare around the world, they aren’t viable for longterm, sustainable farming. Instead, it’s their arachnid and insect cousins that could be the answer to providing nutrient-rich food to a growing world.

Ray Fisher with the MSUheadquartered Mississippi Entomology Museum explained that farming insects uses fewer resources and creates a greater return than current practices for raising cattle, pigs or chicken. It also produces fewer harmful emissions and byproducts.

Still, even though entomophagy— the human consumption of insects— has been common throughout history and is still common across the globe, it hasn’t gained widespread acceptance in America. Fisher says it’s a problem that comes down to marketing.

“We grow up thinking that eating insects is gross instead of it just being part of our diet like it is in other parts of the world,” Fisher said. “And it’s not that they’re eating insects because that’s all that’s available.

It’s often a staple, sometimes even a delicacy. Even here, gourmet, insectbased dishes and restaurants are popping up in big cities across the country.”

Fisher said that like any food, making palatable insect dishes comes down to preparation. His preference is to remove the wings and legs,

although he notes that the legs of some species contain a lot of meat.

“Insects are versatile and take up flavor really well,” Fisher said. “You can fry them with a little salt and pepper or try stronger spices like curry or cumin.”

He notes that grasshoppers and crickets are a good place to start for anyone interested in trying insectbased cuisine. Cicadas, which create the soundtrack for Southern summers, are also an abundant and versatile food source, and cricket flour is available from specialty food stores.

He offers the following tips for harvesting your own insects: •

•

For human consumption, only get insects from environments free of pesticides or other environmental contaminates. This can be your own yard, if you don’t use dangerous insect-control or lawncare chemicals, or natural areas that don’t have a lot of human interference.

Consider purchasing crickets from pet-supply stores. These are usually farmed and should be safe to consume if cooked.

“It’s all about perception and how it’s prepared,” Fisher added. “You wouldn’t just eat a handful of flies or have one land in your soup and think it was good. But with the right preparation, seasoning and an open mind, insects can be as much of a delicacy as lobster. Just play around with it and find out what tastes good.

And feel good that you’re eating an environmentally friendly, sustainable meal.” n

Research News Steve Demarais, the Taylor Endowed Chair in Applied Big Game Research and Instruction and the Dale H. Arner Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management received the 2022 Joe Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Deer Association. This award is presented to a person who has dedicated their life and/or career to wildlife management in general, and deer management in particular. The recipient must also have made a significant impact in deer management, deer research, or deer hunting.

Research by Jinwu Ye, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is featured in Nature—the world’s leading multidisciplinary science journal—as part of an interdisciplinary team whose computer coding created a holographic universe in order to test the existence of space-time passages or wormholes.

Mississippi State remains the Magnolia State’s leading research university and one of the nation’s top 100 research institutions, according to the National Science Foundation.

MSU ranks 97th overall among public and private institutions in the country, according to the recently released NSF Higher Education Research and Development Survey for Fiscal Year 2021, based on the university’s approximately $275 million in total research and development expenditures. The land-grant university ranked 60th among non-medical school institutions and 65th among public institutions.

In the Magnolia State, MSU accounted for 56% of the almost $500 million in combined FY ’21 research and development spending by the state’s institutions of higher learning. The university’s research programs also showed resilience in the face of COVID-19’s continued impact on finances. MSU’s research and development expenditures decreased 1.9% in a year where the state saw an overall 3.1% decrease in the category.

Nicole E. Rader, professor and head of MSU’s sociology department, has released a new book focusing on how lessons about safety and safety precautions enhance fear of crime. “Teaching Fear: How We Learn to Fear Crime and Why It Matters,” which is available at major booksellers from Temple University Press, investigates three primary crime myths: a fear of strangers, a fear for white women and girls, and a belief that victimization can be prevented with the right tool kit.

Melody Fisher, an associate professor in communication, has authored a new book to highlight the practices and scholarship contributions by members of ethnically and racially underrepresented groups to the fields of social science and public relations. “The Untold Power: Underrepresented Groups in Public Relations” from Business Expert Press offers snapshots of individual and group challenges and triumphs in academia, the workplace and society with the hope that readers will be inspired, reflective and proactive.

Nicholas Fitzkee, a professor of chemistry, was featured in a recent issue of Nature Communications as part of a collaborative team evaluating protein function with the aim to enhance the performance of nanomedicines, which could lead to improved drug development.

Mississippi State scientists have teamed with state and federal agencies and other universities to shed light on chronic wasting disease, a complicated infection that has spread through U.S. and Canadian deer populations for 60 years, through a series of animated videos.

The Association of Chinese Soil & Plant Scientists in North America has recognized Jing Hu, an assistant research professor in the Geosystems Research Institute, with the 2022 Young Scientist Award. This distinction honors outstanding achievements in education, research, innovation, development, extension, consulting and international collaboration made by an early career ACSPSNA member in the profession of agronomy, crop science and soil science.

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State SNAPSHOT

20 S U M M ER 2023

DAK ATTACK

Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott, center, returned to campus during Super Bulldog Weekend for the dedication and blessing of MSU’s newest live mascot who is named in his honor. Joining the Daks on the field were the Bulldog’s owners Bruce and Julie Martin, Father Morris Thompson, MSU President Mark E. Keenum, Director of Athletics Zac Selmon, and friends and family. Dak, the bulldog, comes from the long and historic lineage of past MSU live mascots including “Tonka,” Bully XIX, and “Champ,” Bully XX. — Photo by Grace Cockrell

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22 S U M M ER 2023

A VITAL TRANSFORMATION

MSU-Meridian positioned to become leader in health care education

By Carl Smith, Photos by Grace Cockrell

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ississippi State-Meridian unveiled new programs Right Place, Right Time, Right Partners this year that will transform it into a regional The development of MSU-Meridian’s new health leader in health care education, create a pipeline care-focused curricula came about when the university of medical professionals for the Magnolia State and allow recognized increasing needs in the region and state and Bulldogs to truly take care of what matters: each other. identified the right partners—the major medical systems In February, the State College Board approved Phase 1 and local philanthropic organizations in its own backyard— of the accelerated master’s graduate entry nursing program, to help develop holistic, far-reaching solutions that will serve the first-of-its-kind, entry-level licensure program in the Mississippians for years to come. state. Offering a direct route into nursing to those holding Over the decades, Meridian has become a hub for bachelor’s degrees in non-medical science fields, this medical services, attracting patients from across east 12-month, fast-track program is expected to graduate up to Mississippi and west Alabama. It is the home to two large 60 nurses each year. health care organizations—Anderson Regional Heath One month later, MSU-Meridian’s System and Ochsner Rush Health—and first doctoral program—a 91-hour “The health care industry is a important mental and behavioral health program for students wanting to providers, including the Mississippi driving force in our regional become practicing psychologists—was Department of Mental Health’s East economy. That said, we’re announced. The doctoral degree in Mississippi State Hospital and Alliance all very aware of health psychology will provide students with Health Center, an acute-care psychiatric the skills they need to assist clientele care’s ever-changing and and substance abuse treatment hospital. with a diverse range of mental Combined, these four entities challenging environment health needs. directly employ more than 5,000 within which to operate.

A new Bachelor of Science in health people. Only Meridian’s various military Fortunately, our area benefits care administration was also announced installations can challenge area health from the strong partnerships care facilities in terms of employment in March. This track will prepare students for careers in the business side that exist between health care numbers. Health care in general, of the industry, including finance, law according to a past East Mississippi providers and our existing and regulatory demands.

Business Development Corporation industries and businesses, These new pathways—along with study, is a billion-dollar industry in the the physician assistant master’s program, significant foundations, local Meridian area. which admitted its first cohort in governments and certainly “The health care industry is a 2021—will redefine MSU-Meridian’s our educational institutions.” driving force in our regional economy,” focus and lay a new path for its future. said EMBDC President and CEO ~ Bill Hannah “For 50 years, we’ve struggled to Bill Hannah. “That said, we’re all very form a true identity—to give MSUaware of health care’s ever-changing Meridian a true purpose,” said Terry Dale Cruse, associate and challenging environment within which to operate. vice president and head of campus. “The big ‘ah-ha’ Fortunately, our area benefits from the strong partnerships moment came from consensus and alignment across the that exist between health care providers and our existing entire university—the belief that MSU can do something industries and businesses, significant foundations, local to address health disparity, access to quality health care and governments and certainly our educational institutions.” improve the livelihoods of Mississippians by leveraging Following the implementation of the MSU-Meridian’s MSU-Meridian as a hub for preparing future health care physician assistant program, Cruse explained, excitement professionals. grew about how MSU could further support the state’s “It’s the most exciting thing I’ve been part of to date,” medical infrastructure. With the pandemic’s impact on he added. health care staffing needs as a backdrop, university leaders ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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Students have numerous ways to develop their skills at MSU-Meridian, including cutting-edge technology housed on campus and off-campus clinical rotations.The university recently purchased 10 Anatomage tables through an almost-$1 million grant provided by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. These devices provide 3D digital cadavers, providing students better access to crucial anatomical learning experiences. A portion of the grant also purchased tools for the school's patient assessment lab and will fund the design of a simulation lab for clinical health care programs.

have given more than $10 million just toward establishing and community partners went into action to identify new the nursing master’s and psychology doctoral programs, and educational opportunities. more support is expected in the future.

“You couldn’t have a conversation with hospital CEOs Both John G. Anderson, the president and CEO of without every other sentence coming back to nursing,” he Anderson Regional Health System, and Larkin Kennedy, said. “We also acknowledged that the state has burgeoning Ochsner Rush Health’s CEO, say the benefits of these mental-health needs.” investments in health care will have far-reaching, positive Leaders of the Riley Foundation, the university’s effects on not only their own organizations and Meridian but longtime philanthropic partner in Meridian, approached the state as a whole. administrators with a commitment “MSU-Meridian becoming a hub to support expansion of health "The state and nation have of health sciences is probably beyond care programs. That financial a significant workforce measure with what that will mean to backing supported hiring Harold shortage in an area that is this community and to organizations Jones, who spent 17 years as dean so critical to patient needs. like ours in the future because of the University of Alabama at we depend so much on nursing,” Birmingham’s School of Health Nationwide, there are about Professions, to analyze the area’s 100,000 nursing vacancies, and Anderson said. “The state and nation have a significant workforce shortage health care industry and identify that number is only going to in an area that is so critical to patient new program opportunities for increase in the coming years. needs. Nationwide, there are about the campus. He is now MSU100,000 nursing vacancies, and that Meridian’s interim associate vice It’s so important to have this number is only going to increase in provost for health sciences. homegrown talent who want the coming years. It’s so important MSU-Meridian also brought to be here, taking care of their to have this homegrown talent who in Doreen Harper, dean emerita neighbors." ~ John Anderson want to be here, taking care of their of the UAB School of Nursing, neighbors.” to assist with the initial phase Both organizations have partnered with MSU-Meridian of nursing approval. Most recently, Mary W. Stewart, the in a variety of ways related to its current and future health former director of the nursing science doctoral program at care curricula, from medical staff and administrators serving the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s School of on faculty search committees to hospital facilities opening Nursing, was hired as the campus’ first dean of nursing, and their doors for students’ clinical rotations. the university elevated 20-year MSU veteran Shauncey Hill “Our partnership with Mississippi State is tremendous. to director of projects and strategic planning, a position that Obviously, our interest is to develop a talented pool of local will support the development of health care programs. health care workers but we also see the value in training those Also on board are numerous local caretaker organizations, who may not end up working here,” said Kennedy, who whose investments continue to transform the city. The Paul earned his undergraduate degree from MSU. “Together, we and Sherry Broadhead, Phil Hardin and Riley foundations

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John G. Anderson

President and CEO of Anderson Regional Health System

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Larkin Kennedy

CEO of Ochsner Rush Health

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will continue to explore opportunities that raise the bar in the Ackerman, a second-year student in the physician assistant programs that are provided in Meridian, the quality of care program, is gaining hands-on experience through clinical rotations at hospitals and clinics throughout the state, all that these programs end up affecting and how we partner to under the guidance of veteran clinical preceptors. Her journey grow education and health care at the same time in the future. to MSU-Meridian and a health care-related profession began “Ochsner and MSU are taking care of people that we in Franklinton, Louisiana, where she grew up hearing stories live and work with every day. We’re meeting that mentality from her mother, a labor-and-delivery nurse. of what being a Mississippian is about—we take care of Those stories sparked her interest in helping others, but each other,” he continued. “This investment that Mississippi Ackerman said she wanted to play a more active part in State is making in health care and Meridian has tremendous decision-making for patients. After graduating from William potential to really shift the future in terms of economic, Carey University in 2020 with an undergraduate degree in workforce and quality-of-life issues.” biology, she took a break from higher education and worked Cruse praised the university—from MSU President Mark as a patient access representative in Louisiana. There, she E. Keenum to the facility managers tasked with figuring worked alongside a physician assistant out how to host new classes, labs and and learned more about the role. simulation spaces—for its efforts to "Ochsner and MSU are taking Physician assistants are licensed move from concept to IHL-approval care of people that we live and health care professionals who practice quickly. work with every day. We’re medicine in various specialties and “In less than a year, the university meeting that mentality of what settings. They diagnose and treat did what usually takes 18 to 24 being a Mississippian is about— patients; can order and interpret months," he said. "That’s lightning laboratory and diagnostic tests; write speed for higher education, and it takes we take care of each other. This prescriptions; and perform clinical an incredible team to pull off that kind investment that Mississippi skills and physical exams all while of feat,” he said.

State is making in health care providing patient-centered care.

MSU-Meridian will continue and Meridian has tremendous The breadth of their training allows adding to its health care-related offerings in the short- and long-term, potential to really shift the future them to serve as front-line medical providers and enter service faster with expanded substance abusein terms of economic, workforce than those choosing the traditional and clinical mental health-oriented and quality-of-life issues." medical-school pathway. programming tied to its Master ~ Larkin Kennedy “Growing up in a rural of Science in counseling; a Master community, I realized there is a lack of Science in psychometry and an of health care providers and access to quality medical care. educational specialist degree in school psychology; and What I love about becoming a physician assistant is I will be physical and occupational therapy offerings, among others. able to bridge the gap and provide care where it’s needed the There are also plans to develop a community-based behavioral most,” Ackerman said. “I want to help educate, diagnose and and mental-health clinic to support hands-on educational treat patients with evidence-based medicine, compassion and experiences for students. equality—that’s what’s really needed right now.

“Everything happens when it’s supposed to,” Cruse said.

“What drew me to MSU-Meridian was the school’s “I’m very excited to see what this looks like five to 10 years dedication to train professionals who will increase access to from now. health care in Mississippi. The small class sizes allow students “I think we’re already becoming a greater influence in to actively engage and ask questions. The MSU physician health care in Mississippi,” he continued. "In the end, I want assistant program really feels like a family,” she continued. us to have a thriving health sciences campus that is doing its share to ensure that Mississippi no longer has the worst “I see that our professors find pride in being able to share patient-to-provider ratios in the nation.” the first-hand knowledge they have. They challenge us to be better so we can make an impact wherever we practice.”

Bridging the Gap Like Ackerman, first-year student Matthew Kittrell’s mother also worked for decades as a nurse, and his past Many students experience a defining moment where experiences working alongside physician assistants helped hours of classroom studies, theoretical discussions and skills solidify his interest in MSU-Meridian’s program. practice come to life in a real-world setting. For Lauren His exposure to physician assistants, however, came many Ackerman, that moment occurred when she helped close an miles away from his home state. incision after a surgeon removed a patient’s gallbladder.

Kittrell joined the Mississippi Army National Guard and “It was very surreal,” she said. “It’s so rewarding when served as a combat medic, following in the footsteps of his you get to this moment and you’re like, ‘Oh, this is what I’ve grandfather, who served in a similar role during the Vietnam been learning to do, and I’m finally applying everything.’”

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War. Kittrell was deployed to the Middle East in 2018 and bringing quality care to underserved communities and 2019, where he worked with medical personnel in Kuwait credited MSU-Meridian instructors for supporting him as and Iraq. After his service ended, he he works toward his dream.

“I’m just really excited to get the enrolled at MSU and graduated with “I’m just really excited to get the a bachelor’s degree in biology. opportunity—just to get in there opportunity—just to get in there “That’s what really drove me and make a difference. You can’t and make a difference. You can’t get further into the health care space,” into this line of work unless helping get into this line of work unless he said. “A lot of what they teach people is at the core of what you want helping people is at the core of you in the military is hands-on to do,” he said. “From my undergrad experience—they teach you the how, experience to now, MSU and MSUwhat you want to do.” not the why. All that matters is that Meridian have done everything ~ Matthew Kittrell you can do what needs to be done in possible to help me succeed. Our the moment. It’s interesting now, finally seeing the why that instructors will move mountains to help you get where you need connects to all the things I learned years ago.” to be. That’s what’s so great about this program: If you have the Kittrell, too, said he plans to focus his career on drive to do it, they’ll do whatever it takes to help you.” n

PARTNERSHIPS CONNECT BULLDOGS TO DUAL-DEGREE NURSING OPTIONS Bulldogs wanting to graduate with both an undergraduate degree in nursing and a degree from Mississippi State have options thanks to two unique partnerships.

Students can earn a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies from MSU and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from either the Mississippi University for Women or the University of Mississippi Center’s School of Nursing via dual-degree agreements between the universities.

The process is simple: Students start their education at MSU, where they take general education classes and others that align with their future transfer institution’s degree requirements. Then, they apply to and transfer into their respective nursing programs if they are accepted. Their nursing school-specific credits align with MSU’s interdisciplinary studies degree through the College of Arts and Sciences, and can transfer back and count toward its completion without further study.

The MSU-UMMC dual-degree program was launched

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in 2022, while the agreement with MUW has been in place since the early 2000s. MSU and UMMC also have partnered since 2018 on an early entry program for MSU pre-nursing freshmen. Students in MSU’s Freshman Early Entry program earn approximately 65 credit hours at MSU before transferring into the UMMC School of Nursing.

Sara Morgan, an academic coordinator with MSU’s Dr. A. Randle and Marilyn W. White Health Professions Resource Center, said the university is working to expand its dual-degree nursing offerings by adding an agreement with William Carey University in the future.

“Quite simply, many future nurses want to also be graduates of Mississippi State,” she said. “These agreements help them with both paths and provide them the knowledge and experience they need for successful careers in nursing.”

For more information about MSU’s pre-nursing major and Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies, visit www.prehealth.msstate.edu/paths/nursing and www.cas.msstate.edu/academics/bsis.

DATA IN DEMAND <<

MSU PROPELS STUDENTS INTO HIGH-DEMAND CAREERS WITH NEW DATA SCIENCE DEGREE

By James Carskadon Photos by Megan Bean

I

>>

n Mississippi’s agricultural fields, new technologies and sophisticated data techniques can conserve resources and improve yield. In the state’s manufacturing facilities, companies can use data to predict equipment maintenance needs, prevent injury and increase efficiency. At the state capital, data can provide lawmakers with new insights on education, workforce and other key areas.

These are just a few of the ways data science can be used to provide growth in Mississippi and around the world. With these opportunities comes an increasing public and private sector demand for people with the skill set to harness the power of data and digitally transform organizations.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects the number of data scientists to grow by 36%

from 2021 to 2031–but even that could be an underestimation.

In an effort to help meet that demand and create a workforce to position Mississippi for success in tomorrow’s economy, MSU has launched a new academic program in data science. Program director Mimmo Parisi said the curriculum equips students with the technical skills and, more importantly, the problem-solving mindset needed to address challenges and develop new innovations using data.

“The data science program is not just about applying specific machine learning or artificial intelligence algorithms,” Parisi said.

“In building this program, MSU put together a very comprehensive package that brings together computer science and mathematics skills ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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with communication, leadership and ethics to complement an education in specific fields of study.

There was no other program thinking about how to bring all of these things together.”

Since launching in 2022, the program has drawn interest from prospective and current students alike as more fields find uses for data science. Josh King, a junior data science major from Atlanta, Georgia, enrolled in the program last fall, which led to research opportunities with faculty and the MSU basketball team. He said he plans to pursue a master’s degree while at MSU and work in predictive analytics.

“Once you get into data science, you’re going to start to see it everywhere,” King said. “You start going around your whole life trying to turn real-world objects into data objects. Once you go down the rabbit hole, there is no coming back. It’s ingrained in you to think in the data way.”

BUILDING ON A CULTURE OF DATA-DRIVEN RESEARCH

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“If you’re working in data science, odds are you are working on the cutting edge of technology because of the tools needed to collect, analyze and apply data. When you look at what OpenAI is doing with Chat GPT, it’s fueled by data science. If you want to be where the innovation is, get to data science.” ~ Tristan Trice

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When MSU commissioned a task force on data science, one of the first objectives was, naturally, to collect data on existing data science capabilities within the university.

Through surveys, MSU identified approximately 350 experts on campus who are using data science to address key challenges in agriculture, engineering, social sciences, physics, chemistry, geosciences, business and just about every other academic department on campus.

With one of the country’s highest-powered academic supercomputers located on campus, MSU has the computing power to run large-scale models and simulations that can turn massive amounts of data into something as big as global climate models or as small as the molecular solution to make metals stronger and lighter.

Because of the wide-ranging ways MSU researchers are using the latest in technology and data science, the university decided to create a data science program with links to every college, giving students ample opportunity for coursework and research in the specific areas that interest them.

“One of the most exciting things about this program is that it leverages the faculty we have across campus who are on the cutting edge of using data science and advanced tools to transform their disciplines,” said David Shaw, MSU’s Provost and executive vice president. “Data science has been vital to our success as a research institution, and we know it will only grow in importance to organizations here in Mississippi and around the

world. I am excited that we are taking a leading role in our state and region in creating the next generation of data scientists.”

EMBRACING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Tristan Trice, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Charlotte, North Carolina, was looking for an elective to take and came across an introductory course on data science literacy. He said he quickly realized the impact data science could have on his career.

“If you’re working in data science, odds are you are working on the cutting edge of technology because of the tools needed to collect, analyze and apply data,” said Trice, who has developed an interest in natural language processing. “When you look at what OpenAI is doing with Chat GPT, it’s fueled by data science. If you want to be where the innovation is, get to data science.”

As associate director and assistant teaching professor in the data science program, Jonathan Barlow is responsible for teaching the introductory course that gives most students their first taste of data science.

With a background in computer science and theology, as well as more than 10 years of applied experience at MSU’s National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center. As a member of Generation X, Barlow says he came of age working on websites and web-based applications, noting that when it comes to today’s digital infrastructure he, “watched the building being erected.”

However, as members of Generation Z, most students were “born inside the building.”

Barlow said that for many students, the way digital tools are built can be a bit of a mystery because they have always simply used them. But, he said, once they realize how much of what they use runs on data, they are quick to embrace the topic.

“It’s almost like pulling back the curtain to see how the world is constructed,” Barlow said. “All of the modern marvels of the internet are based on data. Even with something as commonplace as GPS, students are realizing that data underpins everything they’re doing, and that allows them to intuitively grasp how important it is.”

Because of the prevalence of data-driven technology in modern life, data science applications can have far-ranging impacts–from the algorithms that promote content and products online, to health care decisions or even credit approval. The data science program teaches

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Through surveys, MSU identified approximately 350 experts on campus who are using data science to address key challenges in agriculture, engineering, social sciences, physics, chemistry, geosciences, business and just about every other academic department on campus.

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THE MSU DATA SCIENCE PROGRAM LAUNCHED WITH NINE EMPHASIS AREAS FOR STUDENTS TO CHOOSE FROM:

Business Information Systems Psycho-informatics Computational Agriculture and Natural Resources Social Data Analytics Computational Intelligence Statistical Modeling Geoinformatics Marketing and Supply Chain Analytics

Visualization and Visual Analytics for the Built Environment

responsible data usage and ethics, as well as the relevant laws and regulations that govern certain types of data. For King, ethical use of data requires a constant balancing act.

“You have to ask yourself, what kind of person would I be if I use data in a way that might hurt someone else? But also, what type of person would I be if I didn’t use the data I have that could benefit everyone,” King said. “You’re constantly in conflict as a data scientist, because you feel obligated to use the data in ways that are going to benefit people, but sometimes it does not benefit every single person. Ethics is really challenging.”

The drive toward digital innovation, accompanied by well-rounded training in areas like ethics and communication, is helping to prepare students with the “data mindset" that is highly coveted by employers, Parisi said.

NO SHORTAGE OF CAREER OPTIONS As different sectors of the economy, including agriculture and manufacturing, are transformed by data-driven practices, there are many career options for graduates of the data science program. Data scientists can support all aspects of the data life cycle, including data acquisition, storage, analysis,

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smart-system building, computing, networking, security and machine learning.

While Trice is planning to use his mechanical engineering degree to work in the automotive industry, he said he sees a wide variety of careers available for people with data science skillsets.

“If you search data science jobs on LinkedIn, you will see companies like John Deere hiring data scientists in addition to tech companies like Google and Microsoft,” Trice said. “There are automotive companies looking for data scientists. You can work for most companies because they are all wanting the benefits of data science.”

With enrollment in the program expected to grow rapidly in year two and beyond, the forthcoming graduates will be ready to transform Mississippi by being a force for innovation in their organizations, Parisi said, whether that is in manufacturing, business, government or any number of fields.

“When companies hire data scientists, they don’t only need someone who can do statistical analysis,” Parisi said. “They need someone who understands how to make the company digitally operated, with data as a central value of the operation. That is not an easy thing to do, but it is exactly what we are preparing students for.” n

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“When companies hire data scientists, they don’t only need someone who can do statistical analysis. They need someone who understands how to make the company digitally operated, with data as a central value of the operation. That is not an easy thing to do, but it is exactly what we are preparing students for.” ~ Mimmo Parisi

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CLOSURE

GOLIATH HELPS FAMILIES FIND ANSWERS AS A ‘LAST RESPONDER’

By Susan Lassetter, Photos by Grace Cockrell

Goliath, an assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, is Mississippi State University’s first Fellow in the Academy of Forensic Sciences. Since coming to MSU, he has helped develop the Mississippi Repository for Missing and Unidentified Persons Project, the state’s first webbased database cataloging Mississippians whose whereabouts are unknown.

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J

esse Goliath speaks for the dead—not through last words or wills and testaments but by making sure their stories don’t go unfinished. A forensic anthropologist, he uses his knowledge and skills to identify and determine possible causes of death for people who met unfortunate ends.

He calls himself a “last responder,” the person who comes in when the time has passed for emergency intervention and helps bring closure to a person’s life.

“After the pandemic, everyone became familiar with the term ‘first responders.’ They’re the ones who get pizza and appreciation days for their hard work,” Goliath said. “It’s harder for them to think about us last responders, the ones who care for the dead and finish their stories.”

A native of Brooklyn, New York, who grew up in West Virginia, Goliath came of age at the onset of the “CSI effect”—a surge in the public’s awareness of forensic science spurred by the popularity of the “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” television franchise. While that show drove college students in the mid-2000s to careers analyzing DNA, fingerprints and blood spatter, Goliath says his chosen field more closely resembles “Bones,” the FOX hit that features an anthropologist who reads bone to identify victims and solve crime.

“When people ask me what I do, I have to figure out how to tell them ‘I look at dead people,’ but not in a weird way. I use ‘Bones’ to provide a window into what I do so people can understand,” Goliath explained. “And it’s interesting to watch shows like that and see storylines inspired by cases I or my colleagues have worked.

“The good thing about the TV shows is they wrap up their cases in 45 minutes to an hour,” he continued. “In real life, cases can take weeks, months or even years to come to trial. And while it’s fun and exciting to get to work with skeletons and do neat science, we always want to keep in mind that this person had a life, had people who are looking for them and had something really bad happen. It’s up to us to piece together that story.”

Now an assistant professor in Mississippi State’s Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures, Goliath earned a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame before earning master’s and doctoral degrees from Ohio State, where he first decided to pursue the forensic side of the discipline.

“While getting my Ph.D., I realized I couldn’t just go out with my degree and immediately find work,” Goliath explained. “I needed real-world

experience, so some fellow graduate students and I consulted for the Franklin County medical examiner’s office and the Columbus police department in Ohio. Most of the cases involved unhoused individuals but in one case, we ended up discovering a body dumping ground for the MS-13 drug cartel. After exhuming remains that showed evidence of execution with something like a machete, and realizing the potential danger it exposed us to through excessive media coverage, I thought I might need a break for a while.”

Branching out from the criminal side of forensic anthropology, Goliath took his skills and freshly minted Ph.D. to Hawaii. There, he worked for the Department of Defense identifying the recovered remains of prisoners of war and missingin-action military personnel, primarily from WWII and the Korean and Vietnam wars. He said DoD reports show there are approximately 80,000 unidentified remains of American military personal across the world. Of those, about half are thought to be recoverable and identifiable.

Goliath pursued that work for five years.

“The POW-MIA project is a very noble mission, but for a researcher there was a lot of bureaucracy involved,” Goliath explained. “I liked the job, but I wanted to get back to teaching and doing research.”

That’s when he found Mississippi State University and the unique opportunity to combine his interest in teaching, applied anthropology and research. Goliath signed his contract and bought a house before even setting foot in the Magnolia State.

“I felt like this department had a familylike atmosphere and that’s been true,” Goliath said. “I have wonderful colleagues and a whole institutional family.”

Goliath wasted no time getting to work upon his 2021 arrival in Mississippi. Within his first semester, he was called in to assist with the highly publicized Felecia Cox missing persons case when her brother-in-law, in a death row confession, admitted to killing her and provided authorities with a crudely drawn map to her remains in rural Pontotoc County.

“It was a 14-year-old case,” Goliath explained.

“Her killer was set to be executed for a previous crime and didn’t want to go to trial for this as well, so he left a letter and a map to be opened after his execution. My MSU colleagues and I went out to the area indicated and used ground-penetrating radar to search for anomalies in the soil so we

“After the pandemic, everyone became familiar with the term ‘first responders.’

They’re the ones who get pizza and appreciation days for their hard work.

It’s harder for them to think about us last responders, the ones who care for the dead and finish their stories.” ~ Jesse Goliath

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Our PEOPLE "I knew if we could create a database for Mississippi, we could not only track who is missing, but also identify where people go missing from, how long it takes them to be found and other information that would help us see the big picture." ~ Jesse Goliath

Of all known animals, only about 4% have bones. The rest are boneless invertebrates, according to the Museum of Natural History.

could find where she was buried and exhume the remains.

“The victim’s family had come out to watch the search process and, to me, seeing the family’s emotional response was the hardest part,” he continued. “I’ve seen some gruesome crime scenes, but concentrating on detailed documentation and helping the person is how you get through it.”

The Cox case is one of seven Goliath has helped with in his two years at State. It was through that work that he realized the State of Mississippi does not have a unified database for collecting information on missing or unidentified persons.

“There is a federal database, but there is no mandate for agencies to enter their information into it,” Goliath explained. “I knew if we could create a database for Mississippi, we could not only track who is missing, but also identify where people go missing from, how long it takes them to be found and other information that would help us see the big picture.”

This led Goliath to found the Mississippi Repository for Missing and Unidentified Persons Project with MSU colleague Jordan Lynton Cox. Funded by an internal grant from the College of Arts and Sciences, the project is poised to make a big impact on the search for the missing across the state.

Though it is still in development, the web-based

database currently has more than 500 missing person profiles, and student researchers comb the internet daily for new information or new cases. Of the individuals in the database, 77% are still missing, 7% have been found alive and 16% were found deceased. And the database has already provided preliminary insights, including the counties with the highest number of missing individuals and the demographic breakdown of those individuals compared to state census data.

Area law enforcement say having someone with Goliath’s expertise available to assist with cases and developing tools like the missing and unidentified persons database is an invaluable asset to their work.

“It is very beneficial for our detectives to have a forensic anthropologist working with our agency to help identify potential human remains and working alongside us to identify missing persons,” explained Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins.

“One of our biggest fears is that a case will be forgotten over time. Dr. Goliath created a way for everyone to be reminded of people who are still missing and hopefully create a lead that will help find them," he continued. "Our goal is for no one to be forgotten, and Dr. Goliath’s work on the missing and unidentified person database is the tool we need to accomplish that goal. We appreciate all he is doing for the State of Mississippi.” n

FORENSICS IN THE FIELD As the state with the worst case backlog of evidence waiting to be processed, Mississippi needs forensic investigators. As an assistant professor at Mississippi State and the university’s first Fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Jesse Goliath is hoping to help fill that gap.

“We don’t have enough trained forensic anthropologists, period,” Goliath said. “And someone with that training can give law enforcement additional insights that could lead to an identification.

“Anthropology brings in a new perspective that you typically don’t see in law enforcement or the very formulaic reporting of DNA or toxicology,” he continued. “It is more of a cultural awareness and making connections with cultural, environmental and social issues.”

Goliath said he is also using his personal experience as someone of mixed ancestry to shed light on the need for more diversity in

36 S U M M ER 2023

the field and more understanding of modern populations into the science.

“Some methods do not work for all populations, especially when determining race or ancestry,” Goliath explained. “For instance, my family is from the Dominican Republic and Cuba, and is a mix of West Africans, indigenous Taino and European Spaniards.

“When you have a melting pot like that, you’re going to have people with mixed identity and mixed ancestry who might or might not have physical characteristics that show that,” he continued. “So, methods for identifying race or ancestry might have worked with populations from the 1940s or ‘50s but it doesn’t make sense with recent populations. And sometimes it takes someone from the communities in which we are working to notice that, which is why it’s important to increase representation in our field."

AN EVOLVING STORY

Bailey’s 40-year journalism career spans typewriters and digital newsrooms

By Carl Smith, Photos by Grace Cockrell

I

n 2018, journalist James Overstreet made an important phone call to an old coworker—one that would help cement the legitimacy of a new media outlet and set a baseline for its quality.

Overstreet was tasked with hiring journalists for the upstart Daily Memphian, the first broad attempt at establishing a digital-only news source for the Memphis, Tennessee, area. Creating a new source of news in a major metropolitan area with longestablished traditional outlets—newspapers and TV and radio stations—wouldn’t be easy, but Overstreet focused on bringing in scribes who would give the organization instant credibility and a short learning curve.

At the top of his call list was veteran reporter and Mississippi State graduate Tom Bailey.

“Tom and people like him were what we needed to make this happen,” Overstreet said. “He was one of the most gifted writers and meticulous reporters I’ve ever worked with. His reputation inside and outside of journalism was so well known. Any assignment that needed great storytelling chops, he was the guy we would go to. I could give him any assignment and walk away knowing he’d get it in quick, clean and well written.”

Helping establish the Daily Memphian as a trusted, must-read news source for

Midsouth residents proved to be the closing act in Bailey’s 44-year career, as the journalist retired in early 2022. In those four decades, Bailey saw—and covered—it all. From newsrooms transitioning from mechanical typewriters and carbon paper to their electronic variants and eventually computers, to the continued shrinking of print journalism staffs and the rise of media distrust, Bailey evolved with the industry and remained a trusted storyteller.

“I got into the business at the time of peak journalism, right after Watergate showed the power and importance of good reporting,” he said. “By the time I came up to the newsroom in Memphis, they had to ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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Our PEOPLE

shoehorn me into a desk. It was unbelievable— the pinnacle for newspaper influence and resources—but then the bubble popped, and the cuts came.

“When the call from the Memphian came—about joining an online-only, locally owned startup—it sounded exciting,” he continued. “We weren’t tethering ourselves to the old schools of thought and the old ways of doing things. I’m not sure where journalism is going to wind up. It’s always evolving, but it’s always going to be important.”

Bailey grew up in Tupelo with parents who were big consumers of news. He started his MSU career in 1974 as a pre-medicine major, but quickly switched to communication. He then began working at MSU’s student-led newspaper, The Reflector, where he met adviser, instructor and Starkville Daily News owner and editor Henry Meyer—a pillar of local journalism who advised student-journalists for three decades.

These experiences quickly cemented his interest in journalism.

“The main thing Meyer instilled in me was being a stickler for accuracy. He was legendary for taking that red grease pencil and marking

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up your printed assignments,” Bailey said.

He still recalls his first front-page Reflector story: Allegations were lobbed against a fraternity for improper care of the day’s Bully.

His roommate was a member of the fraternity in question.

“A proper journalist would have said I can’t do that story because my roommate is directly involved. I didn’t do that. Instead, I made him mad as hell,” he said laughing about the experience. “I had both sides of the story, and they went with it. I still hear about it from him, even though we remain dear friends.”

Bailey’s college career also included a stint as chairman for the Committee of 82, a student group that lobbied lawmakers for support of MSU-related projects. One of the biggest projects the group rallied behind was the establishment of a state-of-the-art veterinary school.

“As a group, we drove down to Jackson one day to lobby at the Capitol. I’ll never forget sitting down with my state senator from Tupelo, the late Sen. Perrin Purvis,” Bailey said. “Before I could even get into my spiel, he interrupted me to save time. He took out his pen, drew a bullseye on a piece of paper and

then drew an arrow sticking in the middle of it. His point: Save your breath, Tom; the deal is done. MSU will get the money.”

Bailey also was part of and briefly led the campus group of student radio broadcasters.

Fellow Tupelo resident Jack Cristil, the Voice of the Bulldogs, once accepted an invitation to speak at a group monthly meeting.

“During the Q&A session, a student asked him for any career advice regarding radio. He basically said steer clear of the field,” Bailey recalled of the notoriously blunt Cristil.

Before graduating in 1980, Bailey’s journalism career moved from the collegiate to the professional ranks. He first joined Tupelo’s Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in late 1977 after his publisher promised a schedule that would allow him to finish his degree.

He joined the Memphis-based Commercial Appeal in 1979 as its Northeast Mississippi bureau reporter covering 10 counties.

Bailey was eventually called up to the main newsroom in 1982 and worked for the Appeal until the launch of the Daily Memphian in 2018. Through those 44 years of service, he wore many hats, including copy editor, and worked a variety of beats, from religion and

general assignment to business and economic development.

These roles allowed Bailey to meet people across the Southeast and share their individual and collective stories and experiences. He pointed to several career highlights, including meeting then-presidential candidate Jimmy Carter and interviewing noted consumer activist Ralph Nader for The Reflector; bringing facts to light that may have helped exonerate an adult babysitter charged with killing a child; and the years of business reporting that logged economic development and people’s investment into their communities.

“Journalism is arguably a form of art because it involves creation, and there’s something almost magical about creating,” Bailey said. “When an editor handed down an assignment, my immediate gut reaction was negative. Usually after the first phone call or two to a source, I started to own it.”

Bailey is now what many call a “recovering journalist”—those out of the industry who still look at the world through a reporter’s lens. He still calls his fellow editors and reporters with ideas and to talk shop from time to time, but Bailey said, “I suspect I’ll do that less as time goes on.”

Retirement affords Bailey an opportunity to have simple acts of expression he couldn’t as an objective journalist. For example, his wife Mary Powers—a fellow former journalist—put a political campaign sign in their yard for the first time this fall.

“There are certain things you had to deny yourself for years if you were going to do it right,” he said. “I am still slowly transitioning to where I can actually state my views. I feel like I’ll become a complete, regular, normal person sooner or later.”

While Bailey enjoys his retirement in Memphis, he said he plans to return to Starkville and Mississippi State as opportunities present themselves.

“I had an incredibly strong sense of place there. Whenever I’m back on campus, I have that warm and fuzzy feeling that I belong,” he said. “My years there were among the best years of my life, no doubt. Those experiences just get into your blood. That feeling of connectedness—it’s been a big pillar of my life over the years. In today’s world and in the political context, tribalism is a bad word, but Mississippi State is my tribe.” n

REFLECTOR TELLS MSU’S STORY FOR YEARS For almost 150 years, Mississippi State University students have shined a light on their day-to-day lives through The Reflector, the oldest college newspaper in the Southeastern Conference.

Since its founding in 1884, the student-led newspaper has covered the gambit of news, from national topics including two world wars and pandemics, to local happenings such as sporting events, concerts and the occasional Bad Dawg. It has also gone by different monikers, including The Dialectic Reflector and The College Reflector, until taking on its current iteration.

It was also known as The Maroon and White while published by the English department when WWII caused a shortage of students and the suspension of campus clubs and activities. In 1996, it joined the Information Age with its first website.

This year at the annual Mississippi Press Association O.C. McDavid Journalism Summit, more than

two dozen MSU students won top honors, and The Reflector won the General Excellence distinction for the third year in a row. Its writers captured first place in General News Story, Feature Story, General News Photo and General Interest Column.

Additionally, the paper won 15 second- and third-place awards.

Many of the thousands of studentjournalists who have passed through the newspaper’s doors have gone on to stellar professional careers.

Guiding many of those scribes were Henry Meyer and Frances McDavid, two well-known advisers and instructors who spent almost a half century in combined service to the university. Instructor Josh Foreman, who has co-authored multiple books on Mississippi history, currently serves as The Reflector’s adviser.

To support student journalism, make a donation to The Reflector through the MSU Alumni Association by scanning the QR code.

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Role Model Student finds balance between college, faith and life as international fashion model

By Kathleen Forman, Photos by Grace Cockrell

40 S U M M ER 2023

In the fashion industry, “sample size” is a catchall term referring to models who fit the clothing provided by designers for photo shoots or runway shows.

A

s an international print and runway model, BéBé Rayborn has traveled to the concrete jungle of New York City, across the pond to London, England, back to her home in Brandon and to her sorority house at Mississippi State.

Through it all, whether navigating the streets of a new city, finding her place in college or charting the course for her future, Rayborn has confidence in who she is and where she’s going.

A tall and self-assured child, Rayborn was first introduced to modeling at 14 when she was encouraged to submit sample photos to Jackson-based J.E.A. Models. Owner Jamie Ainsworth said Rayborn’s poise at a young age made her a standout.

“I remember the first time I met with BéBé. She still had braces and I just fell in love with her,” Ainsworth said. “She was mature for her age and very confident and outgoing.”

One of the youngest models represented by the agency, Rayborn soon began booking jobs with local businesses. By the time she was in high school, she knew she wanted to pursue modeling more seriously. Working with Ainsworth, she shared her portfolio with national agencies. After her high school graduation and many online interviews, she signed to The Industry, a modeling agency in New York City.

“The Industry started as a boutique agency which had similar clientele as other management companies I interviewed with, but they keep a smaller number of models, so I knew I wouldn’t be lost in the sea of models they manage,” Rayborn said. “I signed not thinking it would go anywhere, but two months later, I was on a plane headed to New York.”

While in the Big Apple, Rayborn found herself in many unfamiliar situations. She lived with girls she had never met, modeled for companies such as Fila, Ouadid and Maybelline, and discovered what her personal boundaries were in the fast-paced modeling world. In a city of more than 8 million people, she said she often found herself in situations she had been protected from while growing up in small-town Mississippi.

“I had many instances with strangers on the street catcalling, men making inappropriate comments or businesses cards being slipped to me,” Rayborn said. “There were also occasions with photographers where we did not have matching views of what was appropriate.”

Between jobs, Rayborn worked with photographers to build her modeling portfolio. As the summer came to a close, she was hesitant to return to Mississippi.

Having signed with MiLK Model Management’s London branch, she said

“The Industry started as a boutique agency which had similar clientele as other management companies I interviewed with, but they keep a smaller number of models, so I knew I wouldn’t be lost in the sea of models they manage. I signed not thinking it would go anywhere, but two months later, I was on a plane headed to New York.” ~ BéBé Rayborn she was conflicted about whether to pursue her modeling career or higher education.

Rayborn said her summer in New York provided a hands-on education and gave her the freedom to explore herself and her faith. However, she realized the value of high education, packed her bags and headed to Starkville, where she began working toward a bachelor’s degree in communication.

Despite being a Mississippi native, Rayborn said readjusting to small-town life took longer than a New York minute. She struggled with losing some of the freedoms she had in the city and finding a core group of friends. To help with the transition, she leaned on her Christian faith and joined campus organizations including Chi Omega, MSU Fashion Board, No Longer Bound and The Junction Retreat.

Rayborn also looked for ways to use her education and make an impact.

While attending 2022’s Passion Conference, Rayborn was deeply affected by a speaker describing the suffering and exploitation of sex trafficking.

“I realized my calling was to live my life for something more than me and give a voice to the voiceless,” Rayborn said. “I knew then that I would do something for the prevention of sex trafficking. Whether that means being an advocate or doing the groundwork, this is what I am supposed to do.”

With a refined vision for her future, Rayborn found herself on another plane at the end of her freshman year. This time, she was headed to an airport in London. Unlike her first foray into solo travel, she was now equipped with her New York experience and newfound mission in life. Still, moving to a different continent presented challenges.

“In a whole new country, there’s a whole new set of rules,” Rayborn said. “I found myself in a place where I didn’t know how to navigate the political climate, keep safe, dress for the culture or use the public transportation system.”

Beyond the day-to-day challenges, Rayborn said London also presented a different standard for models—one she worried she didn’t meet. The industry in London encouraged their models to be a sample size 0.

Rayborn said she felt pressure to conform to London’s preferences and feared not receiving work if she didn’t look like other models. Despite these fears, she found success in England, walking in a fashion show for Giorgio Armani and modeling for Elle UK, dressed in designs from Dolce and Gabbana and Chanel.

During her time in Europe, she also was presented an opportunity to support victims of sex trafficking when a phone call from back home offered her a place with the Mississippi Human Trafficking Council. A partnership between federal and state-level judicial and law enforcement agencies, the group seeks to prevent trafficking, protect victims and prosecute criminals.

“During my time on the council, I've had the opportunity to learn from so many ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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Our PEOPLE inspiring people from so many organizations,” Rayborn said. “We meet monthly and discuss outreach and community engagement.”

Rayborn says advocating for trafficking victims has given her a new perspective that eases both the stress of her education and modeling career. She is now pursuing two majors at Mississippi State: religion and communication with an emphasis in public relations. While she has received many modeling job offers, she is focusing on making the most of her education and time at MSU. “I can see now how obtaining my degrees can help me fulfill my goal of serving others,” Rayborn said. “Human trafficking affects between 12 and 27 million people worldwide and I’d like to help lower those numbers as

Say Cheese!

much as possible in my lifetime.”

While Rayborn says she has certainly felt lost at times—both physically and mentally—she has found a clear path for her future and can walk confidently in her faith every step of the way.

“Going between the college world and the modeling world has been very hard because both can feel like they have standards that are unattainable,” Rayborn said. “I’m just now learning as a junior how to be truly content with who I am and who the Lord is making me.

“I’ve realized that I don’t have to be a perfect college girl or a top model,” she continued. “The only standard I need to meet is to love God and love His people, and I’ve found such a joy in that here at Mississippi State.” n

In a world of video conferences, cameras in everyone’s pocket and endless social media platforms on which to instantly share images with the world, looking good through the lens has never mattered more.

Still, many people are self-conscious on camera as they worry about double chins, wrinkles and even what to do with their hands.

The result can be photos that are awkward and don’t show a person’s true beauty, but Grace Cockrell, a Mississippi State University n

Lighting is everything. Indoors, stand in the light coming through a window. Outside, find a shaded area to avoid harsh sunlight. Ring lights are also popular for flattering lighting both in photos and video calls. Depending on the type, they can be used on a stand or even clipped onto a phone or computer monitor.

n

Cameras really do add 10 pounds. All lenses, even the ones on smartphones, are distorted. Overcome this with different camera positions. Portable tripods allow you to play with higher and lower angles.

n

Try different facial expressions. Do you always smile with your teeth? Replace those pearly whites for a soft, natural, closed-lip smile. Don’t like staring at the camera? Look away or slightly turn your head to create variety.

n

Move around. Extending a leg, twisting a hip or bending an arm can make a fun and engaging picture while also creating flattering lines of the body. A hand on a hip, under a chin or running through your hair can add attitude and a feeling that the subject is at ease in front of the camera.

n

Try photo editing apps. Both the Apple App Store and Google Play offer a variety of programs, including VSCO, for in-phone photo editing. With these, you can adjust technical aspects, such as exposure and contrast, or even play with filters.

Finally, Cockrell says a photographer’s attitude can be just as important to getting a good end-result—something to keep in mind if you find yourself behind the lens.

“I tell anyone in front of my camera that it’s my job to show you what you can’t see right

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photographer who began her career as MSU’s social media coordinator, said one doesn’t have to be a professional model to be camera-ready.

“The secret to any good photo is confidence. Be your own biggest fan and that confidence will shine through,” Cockrell said.

“Own who you are, believe that you have nothing to prove and most of all, have fun.”

She offers the following tips for mastering the art of the selfie and posing like a pro.

now,” Cockrell said. “I cheer them on during the process and that spark of confidence is something they carry with them.”

Follow Mississippi State on all social media platforms to see the work of Cockrell and MSU’s other talented photographers. n

ROOMMATES TO TEAMMATES

MSU alumni reunite as engineers serving home community with Mississippi Power

By James Carskadon, Photo submitted

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or many college roommates, the relationship after graduation relies on social media updates and reuniting for game days at their alma mater. But, for four Mississippi State grads, those reunions occur most often during staff meetings.

Edward Carranza, Guy Evans, Brandon Gill and Austin Waldrup all ventured to MSU from the state’s Gulf Coast. All engineering majors, they roomed at 21 Apartments and The Pointe adjacent to campus. Now, they are back in south Mississippi as engineers with Mississippi Power, working to keep the lights on in the community they call home.

“Mississippi Power is huge in the community,” said Gill, a 2019 electrical engineering graduate and reliability engineer in Mississippi Power’s Power Delivery unit.

“We saw those bucket trucks when we were kids and the community involvement. When it came to our engineering paths, it all aligned to point us back to Mississippi Power.”

Carranza, Evans and Gill all met while taking pre-engineering classes at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Waldrup took classes at Jones College. Upon transferring to MSU, the group decided to live together and soon developed a social life that revolved around Bulldog sports and weekly poker nights.

They also realized that having a support network for late nights studying was just as important as a network for late nights with friends.

“From a mental health perspective, it’s huge having people to rely on who will support you and provide accountability,” said Carranza, a grid investment engineer and 2018 MSU mechanical engineering graduate.

“Someone who can say ‘I know you’re ready to quit, but there are better days ahead.’ All of that is important. And as much as you are on the grindstone in engineering school, you really need to enjoy your time away and enjoy those breaks.”

Camaraderie and social support were not the only non-classroom benefit from their time at MSU. Some of their most beneficial learning opportunities took place off campus.

All four roommates participated in co-op programs through the MSU Career Center, giving them paid experience in a company setting. With Mississippi Power heavily recruiting co-op students from MSU, three of the roommates ended up working for the company prior to graduation. The graduates credited advisers in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering with helping them tailor resumes and coursework to align with their interests, which included working for Mississippi Power.

Once they got to Mississippi Power, the friends felt at home surrounded by the cowbell and maroon and white themed desk decorations found in many company offices, as the utility regularly recruits MSU students for co-op placements and full-time jobs.

While the time getting first-hand work experience was valuable, the lessons learned in the classroom also prepared them for the careers they would take on. Among the most important attributes they learned was the ability to solve problems and navigate complex situations, a skill they have put to use when ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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Gill’s Game Day Sliders

When it comes to game-day snacks, quick, easy and cheesy is a winning combination.

Brandon Gill offers the following slider recipe that not only fits that bill but also is friendly to even a college student’s budget.

INGREDIENTS

L-R: Edward Carranza, Austin Waldrup, Guy Evans, and Brandon Gill dealing with the complexity of power systems and damage they may take on from storms.

“It’s not so much the formulas and all the equations, it’s the mindset they instill in engineering classes,” said Evans, a distribution engineer and 2019 mechanical engineering graduate. “It gives you the confidence and skills to know that no matter what the situation is, you’re going to be able to figure it out.”

South Mississippi benefits from the friends’ problem solving skills as they are now partners in the response to hurricanes, tornadoes and other events that may disrupt power. Getting the lights back on for their communities is something the group takes pride in.

“Whether it is a tornado or a hurricane, that’s when our company shines brightest,” said Waldrup, a grid investment engineer and 2019 electrical engineering graduate. “We get a lot of satisfaction out of getting the lights on quickly and safely. If someone has suffered damage during a storm, being able to turn the lights back on is one of the first signs that things will be better and eventually get back to normal. It’s pretty cool to work all day and then see the lights come back on.”

While the friends might not spend as many Saturdays in the Junction as they used to, or stay up late playing poker, they say they still appreciate the support that helped carry them through college, the beginning of their careers and the next steps that are still to come.

“My career would not be what it is today had we not all moved in together and built that support system,” Gill said. “We all like to say we don’t succumb to peer pressure, but who you hang out with has a big impact. We have been fortunate to have the right crowd around us both at MSU and at Mississippi Power.” n

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• • • • • • •

2 pounds ground beef 1/2 stick of butter Family-sized pack of Hawaiian sweet rolls Sliced American cheese 1/2 tsp. garlic salt Salt and pepper to taste Optional additions: cooked, crumbled bacon; diced, cooked onion; other seasonings as desired

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees 2. Season and brown meat, drain and set aside 3. Slice entire pack of rolls in half and place on baking sheet.

4. Spread meat mixture on bottom half of rolls and cover with cheese.

5. Melt butter in microwavable bowl, add garlic salt and brush on top of rolls.

6. Place buttered-tops back on bottom half of rolls. Bake for 15 mins.

Amp up your sliders the Bulldog way by replacing American cheese slices with Edam from MSU’s Cheese Store, formally known as the MAFES Sales Store.

MSU connects students and employers for hands-on experience The MSU Career Center connects Bulldogs with the opportunity to gain real-world experience in their fields of study before they don a cap and gown.

The Career Center facilitates co-op and internship programs that have proven to be a benefit not only for students but also the employers looking to recruit new employees.

In 2021-22, nearly 850 students participated in a co-op, internship or both. The program boasts 239 active employers with students working in 34 states.

Southern Company, the parent company of Mississippi Power, has consistently ranked among

the top 20 co-op employers for MSU students.

There are several ways for employers to become involved with MSU’s co-op and internship programs, including participating in the Career Expo and Co-op Interviews Days; holding employer information sessions or becoming a Career Center partner. The Career Center also offers space for employers to conduct on-campus interviews.

For more information, visit www.career.msstate.edu or contact Career Center Assistant Director Megan Artz, Career Center assistant director, at martz@career.msstate.edu.

BREAKING NEWS

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ississippi State alumna Anna Wolfe can now find her name among the list of America’s most storied journalists having brought home one of the industry’s top prizes.

A native of Tacoma, Washington, the 2014 graduate won a 2023 Pulitzer Prize in local reporting for her Mississippi Today series, “The Backchannel” that investigated the alleged misuse of federal welfare dollars meant to help Mississippi’s poorest residents. The seven-article series was the culmination of five years of investigative reporting.

In a podcast recorded by Mississippi Today less than 24 hours after the Pulitzer announcement, Wolfe said she had “not totally processed” the win, but that it felt great and a “long time coming” given how many years she spent investigating the story before the series was published last year. She also noted the dissonance around winning an award based on something that negatively affected so many.

“It’s very bittersweet,” she said, “to be getting recognized for something that required something really bad to happen, and I want to center those (who were affected) in that moment, just to remind people that this isn’t just, you know, fun stories that we do and pick up awards for. They’re affecting real people.

“Ultimately, the goal is for the stories to affect change in the state,” she added, “and I want to keep reminding people that that work isn’t done yet.”

No stranger to professional honors, Wolfe’s career accolades include: the 2021 Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting, the 2021 Collier Prize for State Government Accountability, the 2021 John Jay/Harry Frank Guggenheim Excellence in

Criminal Justice Reporting Award, the 2020 Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism Award and the February 2020 Sidney Award for reporting on Mississippi’s debtors’ prisons.

She also received the National Press Foundation’s 2020 Poverty Inequality Award, first place in the regional Green Eyeshade Awards in 2021 for Public Service in Online Journalism and 2020 for Business Reporting, and the local Bill Minor Prize for Investigative Journalism in 2019 and 2018

Communication Alumna earns Pulitzer Prize

in the profession. Faculty point to Anna with pride as an example of what current students can strive to achieve.”

Despite her roots in the Pacific Northwest, Wolfe has spent her entire journalism career in the Magnolia State. Prior to joining Mississippi Today in late 2018, she worked for The Clarion Ledger, the Center for Public Integrity and the Jackson Free Press. But she got her start as a staff reporter for Mississippi State’s student newspaper, The Reflector.

“Ultimately, the goal is for the stories to affect change in the state. and I want to keep reminding people that that work isn’t done yet.” ~ Anna Wolfe for reporting on unfair medical billing practices and hunger in the Mississippi Delta.

It’s an impressive number of accolades in what is still a very young career. That’s something Terry Likes, head of Mississippi State’s Department of Communication, said he hopes can inspire budding Bulldog reporters.

Wolfe returned to her alma mater in 2021 as the keynote speaker for MSU’s annual Story State conference and serves on the print and digital journalism advisory board within the department.

“Through her reporting on poverty and justice in the Magnolia State, Anna has an ability to explain difficult stories by giving a voice to the voiceless and holding the powerful accountable,” Likes said. “It is important for students to have mentors and role models

Frances McDavid, retired MSU journalism faculty and former longtime adviser for The Reflector, said it’s no shock Wolfe has made such an early impact as an investigative journalist. She said the talent and drive for discovery has been there since Wolfe’s days as news editor for the student newspaper.

“Anna has sharpened the abilities that became apparent in her time as a journalism student at Mississippi State, and her boundless curiosity has led her to important stories that require a deep commitment to revealing truths,” McDavid said. “Her approachable but no-nonsense demeanor allows her to build relationships with sources and subjects of stories while holding them accountable for their words and actions. Her empathy for the underdog, coupled with tenacity and perseverance, drives her to

meticulously develop sources and gather materials required as the foundation for stories. Her storytelling forms and attention to detail and language allow a general audience to easily understand the complex events she describes.

“She has become an essential investigative journalist in Mississippi as the news industry has shrunk and shifted focus through uncertain times,” McDavid continued. “We are fortunate that she chose to build her career here and serve our state.”

Undoubtedly, Wolfe’s Pulitzer win—only the seventh for a Mississippi news outlet since 1917—will open the door for her to take her career in any direction she wants. Still, Wolfe says she is happy with the niche she has created for herself not as an investigative, health or governmental reporter, but rather as a journalist covering poverty and the variety of ways it shapes people’s lives and affects the state.

“I’ve never really chosen to stay in Mississippi. I’ve just chosen to do the next story,” she told Mississippi Today. “Picking a lane is crucial and was helpful for me in developing a story I could call my own.

“I like writing the truth,” she continued. “I’m not sure what else I would be able to do for a living if not for this." n From Press reports with additional reporting by Susan Lassetter, Photo submitted.

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ALUMNI News

RING YOUR BELL

& TELL YOUR TALE Pioneering Black alumni share their experiences for MSU historical record

ississippi State University has a rich and colorful history dating back to its founding in 1878. However, the Maroon and White chronicles are largely missing one essential voice—that of the first Black students of the institution.

These individuals overcame obstacles— both public and private —that shaped not only their futures but that of the university as well. A new project led by Black alumni strives to finally document and bring to light the triumphs and struggles of MSU’s Black pioneers, as well as their contribution to the MSU community and the world.

“These trailblazers overcame many obstacles during a tumultuous time in America’s history to integrate Mississippi State University,” explained Ambro Martin, a 1993 industrial technology graduate who is helping direct the project. “Their personally and culturally significant stories need to be told as loudly as the cowbells ring during Bulldog football games.”

Called “Ring Your Bell and Tell Your Tale: The History of Black Students at Mississippi State University, 1965 to 1975,” the project aims to capture the true experiences of MSU’s first Black students as told in their own words. It is the first major, universitywide effort to collect and share the stories of academic pursuit, personal development and professional experiences of Black students who attended the university during the first decade of its integration.

The project focuses on the decade following the enrollment of Richard Holmes in 1965. As the first full-time Black student

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at Mississippi State University, Holmes— who later earned a medical degree—opened a door that led to MSU having the second highest enrollment of Black students of any college or university in Mississippi.

This growth in diversity was driven by early Black students reaching out to recruit new Black students because they recognized something at MSU that could benefit others and their families. Those efforts, as well as the courage and academic achievements of those students, had a meaningful impact on the university and helped shape it into the institution it is today.

“The Pioneers’ autonomy to honestly share their life experiences is a vital characteristic of the project design,” Martin said. “Their stories will illustrate their perseverance and impact on the university and its impact on them.

“If we listen closely to the individuals and the collective, there is a story for everyone,” he continued.

“Ring Your Bell and Tell Your Tale” is a collaboration between Mississippi State and the early Black alumni. It will chronicle their transition to Mississippi State, how they navigated a challenging campus environment to complete their degrees, and what happened when they graduated from the university. It will also highlight how their efforts still affect the experiences and success of MSU’s Black students, faculty and staff.

As the definitive collection of the stories of the first generation of Black students at MSU, the project will ultimately become a resource both in understanding the

university’s history and helping to inform current decision making and planning to meet today’s recruitment and retention goals.

Martin said he also hopes the project will serve to inspire today’s students to complete their degrees and that Black faculty can find a way to incorporate the pioneers’ professional expertise into current university endeavors.

“Students can look at the pioneers’ experiences of overcoming challenges as a source of strength and pride, knowing that they can also influence the next generation of leaders,” Martin said. “They can follow these role models and do the same. By learning from the early stories of the pioneers, Mississippi State can continue serving all students better."

Martin said the project will result in a collection of multimedia material including a book, documentary, soundtrack, magazine and a website. These items will be unveiled during Black Alumni Weekend 2024 and also will be made available to the MSU community.

“This project is vitally important because the untold stories of the pioneers are part of Mississippi State’s history,” Martin said. “This valuable recognition sets the tone for future generations of Black students. Their stories of pioneering excellence must be told and shared with and among Mississippi State’s community. It has become apparent to many Black alumni that pursuing the Ring Your Bell and Tell Your Tale project has the potential to benefit the welfare of the Mississippi State community in an unprecedented way of taking care of what matters.” n

A: Linda Robinson Milton, '79, indicating an image of her from when she was a student attending MSU. These photo boards showcase the Black Pioneers back during their time at MSU and were on display at the YMCA building during their first meeting. The YMCA holds a lot of memories for the group as it was the on-campus center of their social lives.B: Back Row L-R: Linda Robinson Milton, '79; Doug Milton, '79; Vernon White, '75; Coleman Wicks, '74; Front L-R: Calvin McGill, '71; Robert Barnes, '72 C: Doug Milton, '79, sharing stories of his time at MSU in an interview with the University Television Center as they begin collecting verbal histories for the documentary. D: Dr. Harvest Collier, '72, COL (R) Robert Barnes, U.S. Army, '72, and LTC (R) Ambro Martin, U.S. Army, '93 in the University Archives reviewing older editions of the campus newspaper, The Reflector.

E: Robert Barnes, '72, recalling his time as a student on campus at Mississippi State University. F: Coleman Wicks, '74, indicating a past picture of him and his involvement with Afro-American Plus, the university's first black student organization.

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ALUMNI News

Clark named

2023 NATIONAL ALUMNUS

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ach year since 1958, Mississippi State University has recognized an outstanding graduate whose accomplishments and service exemplify the mission of the university through the National Alumnus of the Year award. This year, MSU is proud to distinguish Albert C. Clark as the 2023 National Alumnus of the Year.

Born and raised in Starkville near the university campus, Clark has been a Mississippi State Bulldog his entire life.

He grew up in the Coca-Cola business and began working in the family company after graduating from the MSU College of Business in 1965.

Today, he continues to serve as president and CEO of C. C. Clark Inc., a family holding company and parent corporation with subsidiaries selling soft drinks in Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama and Indiana and distributing beer in Kentucky and Mississippi. Incorporated in 1931 as the holding company for the Clark Group of Companies, C.C. Clark Inc.’s beginnings date back to a small, soda-water operation opened by Clark’s grandfather in 1903.

Clark also serves as the vice president for Clark Distributing Company and the Clark Beverage Group and as president and CEO of Gulf State Canners Inc. Clark is a leader in the community and within his industry, having served in a number of voluntary roles over the years. He has served on the board of BancorpSouth Bank Inc. and as former chairman of First Federal Bank for Savings. A longtime member of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, he also has dedicated his time and support to the Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority board, Starkville Rotary Club, Starkville Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi Economic Council.

Additionally, Clark served as the Mississippi international director for the National Skeet Shooting Association from 1968-78. His passion for shooting sports

48 S U M M ER 2023

landed him on the Sports Afield magazine All-American skeet team in 1975 and Field & Stream magazine’s All-American skeet team in 1979 and 1980. He also was a member of a five-man skeet team that broke two world records in 1969 and 2000.

He shares his passion with his wife and fellow Bulldog graduate, Glenda Bell Clark, who was a member of Mississippi State’s women’s shooting team during her time as a student. The couple, who met through mutual friends at a Sigma Chi fraternity party, recently celebrated 50 years of marriage.

The couple has two children, Morgan and Cameron, both of whom are also Bulldog alumni. Morgan is a 2000 graduate of the College of Business and Cameron is a 2005 graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Clarks enjoy traveling and have visited all seven continents. Yet, throughout the years

A leader in his personal and professional endeavors, Clark is an excellent role model for current and future generations of the Bulldog family. Mississippi State University is grateful for the opportunity to honor Clark and what he has accomplished along his journey as a respected leader and dedicated servant. and miles traveled near and far, Clark has always maintained a strong connection with his alma mater.

He is a member and past president of the MSU Foundation board of directors and previous board member for the Bulldog Club.

He also is a former member of the MSU Alumni Association’s national board.

His tenure as president of the MSU Foundation from 1992-95 positioned him as a key leader in the university’s first capital campaign, The Campaign for Mississippi State: To Serve Mississippi…and Beyond.

Launched in July 1992 and publicly announced in April 1993, the campaign set a goal of $78 million in five years. The goal was surpassed in 1994, three years ahead of schedule, and the successful campaign concluded in 1997 with $143 million raised.

At the time, it was the largest major gifts

Albert C. Clark campaign in the state’s history, and Clark is proud of the collective accomplishment and the impact it had on the university.

Clark has supported various areas across the university for some 30 years. He and Glenda have generously invested in scholarships, Bulldog athletics, the College of Business, facilities and other priority areas.

They are avid supporters of MSU’s students and faculty, having created the Albert C. Clark Scholarship, Albert and Glenda Clark Loyalty Scholarship and Albert and Glenda Clark Faculty Support Fund.

Beyond his personal support, Clark and his family have been dedicated supporters of the university through their family business for several generations. Today, his children are helping to continue that legacy of philanthropy at MSU. For his outstanding contributions, Clark was recognized as the College of Business’ Alumnus of the Year in 2004 and was recognized as one of the college’s 100 Most Distinguished Alumni during its centennial celebration in 2015. He was also named a “Living Legend” by the Coca-Cola Bottlers Association in 2013.

A leader in his personal and professional endeavors, Clark is an excellent role model for current and future generations of the Bulldog family. Mississippi State University is grateful for the opportunity to honor Clark and what he has accomplished along his journey as a respected leader and dedicated servant. n

L-R (front): Cheryl Prewitt Salem, Victoria Hall, President Mark E. Keenum, Cynthia Anne Tucker, Anne Marie Duvall Decker, (back) Lee Temple Jr., Gus Colvin Jr., Anthony L. Wilson and Jeff Tarsi.

Academic Colleges Recognize Alumni of the Year

The Mississippi State University Alumni Association is proud to recognize eight outstanding graduates who represent their respective academic colleges as the 2023 College Alumni of the Year. These individuals are recognized for their many accomplishments and the Bulldog spirit they embody in their personal and professional lives.

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & LIFE SCIENCES

Jeff Tarsi of Collierville, Tennessee

Executive vice president and president of global retail for Nutrien Ag Solutions, he earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics in 1984.

As a farm kid growing up in the Mississippi Delta, Tarsi’s dream was to work his family’s land, located outside of Cleveland.

He followed his father’s footsteps to MSU, where he was involved with the National Agri-Marketing Association and Agricultural Economics Club. He also is a graduate of the Harvard agribusiness program and Purdue strategic marketing course. Although his farming dream didn’t work out, he still established a successful career in the ag industry that has spanned more than 30 years and multiple leadership roles.

He first joined a Nutrien legacy company

in 1997 and served in a number of key leadership positions over the years, including vice president of retail international and strategy, where he was responsible for the retail businesses in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Australia. More recently, he served as senior vice president of North American operations for Nutrien’s retail business. Tarsi assumed his current role last year, enabling him to lead a network of 2,000 retail farm centers and more than 20,000 employees ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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ALUMNI News across three continents. He also is president of Nutrien’s political action committee, serves on the boards of Agricen Ltd. and Waypoint Analytical, and is a former board member for the Mississippi Agricultural Industry Council and past executive board member of the Agricultural Retailers Association. __________________________________

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, ART AND DESIGN

Anne Marie Duvall Decker of Jackson

The 1994 architecture graduate is a founding principal partner of Duvall Decker.

Decker was MSU’s Eminent Architect of Practice in 2015, is a recognized contributor to the advancement of the profession and was selected by the Architectural League of New York to present at the 2017 Emerging Voices lecture series. She is a long-term board member and past president of the American Institute of Architects Mississippi and is a trustee and 2021 chair of the AIA Trust. Decker is often invited to share her experience as a lecturer, critic, visiting professor and design juror. She was recently appointed to serve the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations as a 2021-23 Industry Advisory Group peer. In 2004, she was honored as the MSU College of Architecture, Art and Design’s Alumni Fellow and has maintained strong connections with her alma mater over the years.

A native of Humboldt, Tennessee, Decker founded Duvall Decker in 1998 with her husband, Roy. She credits the MSU School of Architecture’s strong program and faculty leaders with helping to guide her toward a successful career she loves. __________________________________

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Gus Colvin Jr. of Alexandria, Alabama A 1962 history graduate of MSU, Colvin also earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi in 1965. He is the

50 S U M M ER 2023

retired district court judge for the Calhoun County District Court in Anniston, Alabama.

The Lincoln, Alabama, native transfered to Mississippi State, quickly finding a new “home” at MSU. After graduation, he spent 23 years practicing law and was elected district court judge for Calhoun County four times, serving 22 years. Colvin also served as the General Guardian of Calhoun County for two decades.

Outside of his career, he has been an active member and treasurer of the Alexandria Civitan Club for nearly 40 years.

At MSU, he is a longtime member of the Bulldog Club, the Leo Seal Society and the Dugout Club. __________________________________

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Cynthia Anne Tucker of Houston, Texas A third-generation Bulldog and twotime MSU graduate, Tucker earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1977 and an MBA in 1978. She retired as director of business development and emerging technologies of ConocoPhillips, where she spent her 35-year career in progressive technology information and developmentrelated roles.

Tucker began her career with Conoco in Ponca City, Oklahoma, where she worked in the information technology department.

She later moved into operations where she focused on a wide variety of downstream activities, including refining optimization, trucking management and crude sales.

In 1998, she relocated with her family to Russia, where she oversaw and managed crude sales, transportation and health and environmental safety. The Tuckers returned to the U.S. in 2000 and she continued to assume progressive roles focused in areas from marketing and freight to sales and contract negotiations.

The Aberdeen native never imagined going to school anywhere besides State.

As a student, she was named Outstanding Senior Woman, Who’s Who and was inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame. She credits her interests in economics to the

excellent professors at MSU—namely Rose Rubin and Kathy Gilbert.

Today, Tucker serves on the MSU College of Business’s executive advisory board and is a longtime member of the Bulldog Club. She also is a loyal supporter of student scholarships, which she has helped fund at her alma mater for over 20 years. _________________________________

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Cheryl Prewitt Salem of Rancho Mirage, California Co-founder of Salem Family Ministries, Salem graduated from MSU in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in music education and later received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Heritage University and Seminary.

A native of Choctaw County, Salem represented her alma mater as Miss MSU at the Miss Mississippi pageant during her junior year, where she was named first runner up. After graduating from State, she took the stage again as Miss Starkville, winning Miss Mississippi and ultimately becoming Miss America 1980.

Since then, she has used this distinction as a springboard to launch the gospel into churches, women’s conferences and television appearances. In addition to co-hosting a daily television program for five years, Salem also worked with U.S. Presidents Reagan and Bush in the early 1980s and was honored to be the speaker for the National Day of Prayer.

Salem’s love for music attracted her to MSU’s music department, where she served as the university’s piano accompanist during all four years of her undergraduate studies. She has also used her passion for music in her career, recording numerous worship music projects from prophetic books of the Bible, lullabies, instrumentals, prophetic flowing intercession and worship CDs. Together with her husband Harry, Salem has written over 40 books. She also is the founder and president of her own production company, C.P. Annie Productions, as well as Women of The Nation, an organization that brings

together women to support America. Of all her accomplishments, she is most proud of her children and grandchildren. _________________________________

JAMES WORTH BAGLEY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Anthony L. Wilson of Gulfport

Wilson earned an electrical engineering degree from MSU in 1987. He also holds an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi and is a graduate of the advanced management program at Oxford University in England. He serves as chairman, president and CEO of Mississippi Power Company.

The D’Ibervile native has worked his entire professional career in the Southern Company system. He started at Mississippi Power in 1984 as an engineering cooperative-education student in Biloxi and joined the company full time after graduating from MSU. He earned increasing positions of leadership, including manager of the company’s Meridian Division. He moved to Georgia Power in 2002 and held several executive leadership positions before returning to Mississippi Power in 2015 as president and CEO. An advocate of economic development and education, Wilson has volunteered his time in numerous civic, community and charitable roles. He serves in key positions on the board of directors for the Mississippi Economic Council, Mississippi Energy Institute and the Gulf Coast Business Council. At MSU, Wilson is the chair of the university Foundation’s board of directors after serving as vice chair for three terms.

He also serves on the advisory board for the Bagley College of Engineering. _________________________________

A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Temple first learned about the forestry profession from a book in his high school library. He knew it was the right path for him due to his love of natural resources and the outdoors. When he enrolled at Mississippi State in 1968, ROTC was required. Although it was later made optional, Temple stuck with it and was commissioned second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Branch Infantry upon graduation. As a student, he was elected student vice president of the School of Forestry and was inducted into several honorary fraternities.

Upon graduation, he was hired by Georgia Pacific as a procurement forester at the newly built sawmill in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1972 but was first required to fulfill his military commitment at Fort Benning, Georgia. He graduated from the U.S. Army’s Infantry Officers School in 1973 and served the remainder of his obligation in the Reserve forces, ending his career as company commander of a mechanized infantry unit.

Temple returned to Georgia Pacific, where he held progressive leadership roles for more than four decades before retiring.

During his career he was responsible for the company’s Landowner Assistance Program, region safety, satellite chipping facilities and managing several procurement roles at manufacturing facilities before moving to the region office as operations manager.

Beyond his professional endeavors, he has served as president of the Mississippi Forestry Association, chairman of the Four Lakes Chapter Society of American Foresters and president of the Grenada Rotary Club, as well as serving as deacon and other leadership roles at his church.

COLLEGE OF FOREST RESOURCES

________________________________

He earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry in 1972 and retired from a 44-year career with Georgia Pacific as region general manager of fiber, responsible for all fiber purchases and sales at the region’s paper mills, sawmills and manufactured board operations.

Victoria Hall, DVM, MS, DACVPM of Saint Paul, Minnesota

Lee Temple Jr. of Madison

COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

A three-time MSU graduate, Hall earned a bachelor’s degree in animal and dairy sciences in 2011, followed

by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and a master’s degree in veterinary medicine in 2015. She serves as the Patrick T. Redig Endowed Chair in Raptor and Ecosystem Health and executive director of The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Hall realized her calling to the veterinary profession at a young age. She spent substantial time working at the Cincinnati Zoo, educating and inspiring the public on wildlife and conservation, and also worked at a local veterinary clinic operated by MSU alumni who first introduced her to the university’s premier veterinary program.

As a student, she was involved with MSU’s Shackouls Honors College.

She also participated in a study abroad experience to Kenya, where she conducted wildlife management research and became immersed in the One Health research intersection that seeks to solve global challenges through collaborative approaches at the human, animal and environmental health interface. In veterinary school, she founded the College of Veterinary Medicine’s summer Vet Camp program to provide hands on learning to youth in veterinary, science, technology, engineering and math topics.

Hall has made a career working on global One Health projects, including working with organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Services on projects involving global ecosystem health training programs, zoonotic animal diseases and antimicrobial resistance. She responded to human health outbreaks as an epidemic intelligence service officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and served as a veterinary epidemiologist and deputy public health officer for the Smithsonian Institution. At MSU, she has served on the Young Alumni Advisory Council and as an adjunct professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine. n

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Three Volunteers RECEIVE

SERVICE AWARDS

The Distinguished Service Award annually recognizes individuals who have displayed outstanding volunteer and leadership efforts within their local alumni chapter. Their efforts are essential in upholding the mission of the Alumni Association and also bring favorable recognition to the university. Three dedicated alumni are recipients for 2022.

Patsy Fowlkes of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a 1974 MSU biochemistry graduate who spent her career in pharmaceutical sales.

A second-generation Bulldog and Amory native, Fowlkes later did post-graduate studies and research at the College of Medical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Memphis, and at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

She began her career at Mead Johnson, then Merck, and finally spent 19 years at Schering-Plough.

Upon her retirement from ScheringPlough as director of primary care products, Fowlkes devoted her time to the Greater Chattanooga Alumni Chapter, which attained two Gold Cowbell Awards for the most active alumni chapter of its size under her leadership. She served four years as chapter president and is an avid student recruiter for her alma mater, annually writing hundreds of letters, arranging campus tours, hosting and chairing send-off parties, and assisting with local college fairs. Additionally, Fowlkes was a charter member of Women About Maroon, a women’s group promoting the university, and continues to serve on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and chemistry department advisory boards.

She and her husband Steve, a fellow MSU alumnus, are longtime supporters of MSU both in the academic and athletic areas.

They are most proud of the Steve and Patsy Fowlkes Brandon Presidential Endowed Scholarship, which they established at MSU. In 2006, Fowlkes was honored as the SEC Women’s Athletic Supporter of the Year and, in 2018, she was named a Distinguished Fellow for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for her outstanding career achievements.

Darlon Necaise of Kiln is a 1997 MSU electrical engineering graduate who serves

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as a senior system operations engineer for Mississippi Power. He served in a variety of roles for the former Hancock County Chapter, including president and vice president. In his years of service, the chapter was recognized as one of the top three small honor chapters for four years.

Necaise was also integral in coordinating efforts to combine the three former coastal chapters into the current Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter, enabling greater outreach for the alumni and future Bulldog students along the Gulf Coast. He served as the inaugural vice president of the new chapter and is currently serving as president. Under his leadership, the chapter has continued to expand its fundraising for chapter scholarship awards and created a transfer scholarship to assist local students participating in the Engineering on the Coast program.

In addition to serving as the former coordinator of local send-off parties and chairman of Mississippi Gulf Coast Road Dawgs Tour, Necaise also coordinated the chapter’s Relay for Life and Biloxi National Cemetery Laying of the Wreaths events. He continues to be an active volunteer with the Alumni Recruitment Network and is proud to serve his alma mater as a loyal alumnus.

Nancy Virden of Rolling Fork is a 1972 business graduate who has proudly upheld her connection to her alma mater over the years. Using her education, she pursued a successful career in banking. Although she earlier retired from the Bank of Anguilla as senior vice president and director, she continues to serve on its board of directors.

Deeply involved with the SharkeyIssaquena Alumni Chapter for nearly 50 years, she has held various leadership roles within the organization since 1977.

She has volunteered in efforts aimed at student recruitment, fundraising for the chapter scholarship and additional outreach engagements such as send-off parties. Virden also is the co-chair of the chapter’s Horace and Florence Newman Bulldog Classic Golf Tournament, with which she has been involved for more than three decades.

Using her keen ability to identify and coordinate unique ways to promote and celebrate successes of the university and its local students and alumni, Virden continuously brings new and valuable ideas to the table to increase engagement in her community. For her dedication, Virden received the Sharkey-Issaquena Alumna of the Year award in June 2022. n

Berry named OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNA For her professional leadership and service achievements, Evann Darnell Berry of Washington, D.C., has garnered the honor of 2022 Outstanding Young Alumna.

A 2014 MSU graduate, Berry serves as a senior account executive at Edelman. While an undergraduate student at Mississippi State University, she split much of her time between working in the Office of the President and her studies as a biological engineering major.

Her campus and community involvement included service as an Alumni Delegate and leadership roles in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She was also an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers, Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, Sigma Alpha Lambda Leadership and Honors Organization, Increasing Minority Access to Graduate Education, and the Day One Leadership Community. She was a regular volunteer at the Brickfire Project afterschool program, Second Baptist Church, Palmer Home and Habitat for Humanity of Starkville.

The Jackson native has continued her service to the university after graduation as chair of the Young Alumni Advisory Council and an active member of the Washington D.C. Alumni Chapter executive board, where she most recently served as president. Upon joining the board in 2016, Berry played an active role

in establishing the D.C. Chapter Endowed Scholarship and hosting various chapter events aimed at increasing member engagement in the area. As young alumni council chair and vicechair, she has championed alumni programming tailored to the younger demographic, which has led to the group’s staple “Welcome to the City” networking events, the young alumni travel program, The Reveille 25 awards and the Young Alumni newsletter. She also worked to bolster alumni giving among the 25-40 age group by encouraging regular giving through the MSU Foundation and the young alumni scholarship.

As Berry has moved up the ranks in her career on Capitol Hill and in global public relations, she has made it her mission to mentor MSU students and alumni along the way. A true representation of what it means to pay it forward, she has served on panels for student groups such as the Stennis Montgomery Association and successfully helped MSU students and alumni secure internships and employment in the Washington, D.C. area. Through her service to Mississippi State University and its alumni, the state of Mississippi, and her local Jackson and Washington, D.C. communities, Berry exemplifies true servant leadership, and MSU is proud to honor her as the 2022 Outstanding Young Alumna. n

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2023 Alumni Leadership Conference The Mississippi State University Alumni Association hosted its 2023 Leadership Conference at the Hunter Henry Center in February, just before MSU’s 145th birthday. The annual celebration recognizes contributions of alumni leaders and volunteer members, while cultivating meaningful engagement and investing in the association’s grassroots network.

Aiming to educate, empower and celebrate volunteer members and leaders of the association, the conference provided valuable networking and idea-sharing opportunities through interactive activities. In addition to new alumni chapter officer orientation and the association’s annual business meeting, participants also heard updates from key university representatives and other staff and volunteer leaders.

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ASSOCIATION SALUTES

Outstanding Alumni Chapters During the weekend event, the MSU Alumni Association proudly recognized high-achieving chapters through the Chapter and Volunteer

Awards Reception. Developed to encourage

and promote volunteer leadership, chapter membership

and

chapter

engagement

activities, the Chapter Recognition Program recognizes outstanding chapters according

to their membership and achievement within the Honor Chapter Point System. Of the more

than 100 chapters and clubs that make up MSU’s Alumni Association, 48 chapters were honored during the reception.

HONOR CHAPTERS In State

Out of State

Adams-Franklin-Wilkinson Attala County Clay County DeSoto County George-Greene Grenada-Montgomery Lauderdale County Lee County Leflore-Carroll Lincoln-Copiah Mississippi Gulf Coast Panola-Tallahatchie Pine Belt Simpson-Smith Tate-Tunica Washington County Yazoo County

Baton Rouge, LA Dallas, TX Greater Charlotte, NC Greater Cincinnati-Dayton, OH Greater Fort Worth, TX Greater New Orleans, LA Huntsville-Decatur, AL Memphis, TN Mobile, AL Nashville, TN Northeast Florida Northwest Florida Rocky Mountain Colorado Smoky Mountain Tennessee South Texas Washington D.C.

GOLD

Atlanta, GA East Texas Leake County Oktibbeha County Sharkey-Issaquena

SILVER

Clarke County Greater Houston, TX Lowndes County Newton County Greater Orlando, FL

BRONZE

Birmingham, AL Central Mississippi Greater Chattanooga, TN Lawrence-Jefferson Davis Southwest Mississippi

Gold

In State

Silver

Out of State

Bronze ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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ALUMNI News

The Mississippi State University Alumni Association is proud to honor 25 outstanding young alumni as the 2023 class of The Reveille 25 awards program.

Launched in the fall of 2021, The Reveille 25 seeks to highlight the remarkable accomplishments of the university’s growing number of young alumni. The familiar name of the program derives from MSU’s former yearbook, The Reveille, which chronicled student life throughout the institution’s history, and paid tribute to the university’s foundational military history.

Accordingly, the signature program annually honors 25 high-achieving, young alumni who are answering the call of the university’s mission for excellence, and inspiring others through the positive impact they are making in their communities and professions.

The 25 honorees, chosen from among 460 applicants, were recognized during banquet ceremonies in March.

LANCE ATCHLEY of Starkville. A native of Indianola, Atchley is a 2006 microbiology graduate with a chemistry minor. He completed his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine and is an anesthesiologist at OCH Regional Medical Center in Starkville.

promotion in 2006 and 2008, respectively.

She also earned a Doctor of Public Health from Jackson State University. She is the owner and principal strategist for public health consulting company Six Dimensions LLC.

EMILY BOOTHE of Madison. She is a 2010 biological sciences graduate who went on to earn a master’s degree in genetic counseling from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Boothe is a genetic counselor for the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

JOSEPH CHEN of Louisville, Kentucky.

The Starkville native earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biological and biomedical engineering in 2008 and 2010, respectively.

He went on to earn a doctoral degree in biomedical engineering from Vanderbilt University in 2015 and is an assistant professor of bioengineering at the University of Louisville.

NAKEITRA BURSE of Madison. A twotime MSU graduate, Burse earned from MSU a bachelor’s in biological sciences and a master’s in food science, nutrition and health

BEN COX of Clinton. He earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering in 2011, 2012 and 2015, respectively. The

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Meadville native is a senior research engineer with the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.

EDUARDO GARAY LAGOS of Saint Paul, Minnesota. A native of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, he earned a master’s degree from MSU in plant and soil sciences in 2020.

He previously earned a bachelor’s degree from Zamorano University and is pursuing a doctoral degree from the University of Minnesota. He is a director of the impact investing training programs for the Kirchner Impact Foundation focused on the Central American region.

JESSE GRADY of Starkville. A three-time MSU graduate and Corinth native, Grady earned bachelor’s, master’s and Doctor of

L-R: (first row) Joslyn (Joy) Hartfield, Lindsay Linhares, Melanie Lewis Dickerson, Paromita Mitra, Krista LeBrun, Feifei Zeng, Lauren B. Priddy, Charla Howard; (second row) Lance Atchley, Joseph Chen, Sarah McEwen, Faith Haslebacher, Ben Cox, Nakeitra Burse; (third row) Victor C. Warnsley, II, J. Tedrick Ratcliff, Jr., Cameron "Blake" Jeter, Tim Wolverton, Erica Moore, Chasten McCrary, and Jesse Grady Veterinary Medicine degrees in 2005, 2007 and 2012, respectively. He is an assistant clinical professor at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

JOSLYN “JOY” HARTFIELD of Durham, North Carolina. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2012, and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas. The Madison native is pursuing a doctoral degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and serves as assistant vice chancellor and dean of students at North Carolina Central University.

FAITH HASLEBACHER of Clermont, Florida. A 2015 MSU computer engineering graduate and Collierville, Tennessee, native, she also holds a master’s degree in computer

science from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the University of Florida. Haslebacher is a software project manager in the Technology Studio at Walt Disney Imagineering.

CHARLA HOWARD of Lexington, Kentucky. The New Albany native is a 2008 biological engineering graduate. She earned a doctoral degree from Arizona State University. She is co-founder and chief clinical officer with the neuroscience development company Spike Neuro.

CAMERON “BLAKE” JETER of Madison.

A 2010 biological engineering graduate and Brandon native, he currently serves as the president and chief operating officer at Relias Healthcare.

KRISTA LEBRUN of Brandon. The Enterprise native is assistant executive director of e-learning and instructional technology for the Mississippi Community College Board. She is a 2006 education graduate of MSU and earned a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix, as well as a doctoral degree from the University of Alabama.

MELANIE LEWIS DICKERSON of Denver, Colorado. A 2006 MSU political science graduate, she also holds a master’s degree from the University of Colorado. The Hattiesburg native is director of large scale change at Community Solutions.

LINDSAY LINHARES of Washington, D.C. The Starkville native is a 2013 double major, earning bachelor’s degrees in ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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ALUMNI News communication and political science. She currently serves as legislative director for U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow.

CHASTEN MCCRARY of Atlanta, Georgia. A 2018 marketing graduate and native of Fayetteville, Georgia, she is pursuing an MBA from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she serves as the assistant director of the Office of Special Scholarships.

SARAH MCEWEN of Gluckstadt, Alabama. The Trussville, Alabama, native is a 2013 civil engineering graduate. A hydrology and hydraulics engineer, she serves as the water resources manager for the Ridgeland office of AECOM, an international infrastructure consulting firm.

PAROMITA MITRA of Houston, Texas.

A two-time MSU aerospace graduate, she earned a bachelor’s degree in 2014 and a master’s degree in 2018. The Hattiesburg native is a principal investigator at NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

ERICA MOORE of Philadelphia. The 2007 communication graduate works for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Pearl River Resort properties as the director of public relations, guest services, internal communication and special projects. She also holds a master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

CHRISTOPHER NUNLEY of Seattle, Washington. After studying meteorology at the University of Oklahoma, Nunley earned a master’s degree in geosciences and a doctoral degree in earth and atmospheric sciences from MSU in 2015 and 2019, respectively. He is a television meteorologist for KING 5 TV, a lecturer in the MSU Department of Geosciences, and the co-owner of Firsthand Weather LLC. LAUREN B. PRIDDY of Starkville.

The Newton native is a two-time MSU graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in biological engineering in 2008 and a

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master’s degree in biomedical engineering in 2010. She later earned a doctoral degree in bioengineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Priddy currently serves as an associate professor in the MSU Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

J. TEDRICK RATCLIFF JR. of Brandon. A Brookhaven native, Ratcliff is the executive vice president of CLAW Forestry Services LLC. He earned three degrees from MSU, including a 2007 bachelor’s in forestry, a 2008 MBA and a 2020 doctoral degree in forest resources.

CAROLINE RILEY of Atlanta, Georgia.

The Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native is a 2015 interior design graduate who serves as an associate at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture firm.

VICTOR C. WARNSLEY II of Washington, D.C. A 2009 business graduate, he is an airpower strategist and futurist for the U.S. Air Force.

The Morton native also attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

TIM WOLVERTON of Washington, D.C. The Starkville native is a 2009 MSU communication graduate who also earned a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He currently serves as the legislative director for U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.

FEIFEI ZENG of Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is a 2018 doublemajor who holds bachelor’s degrees in marketing and foreign language. A native of Treviso, Italy, Zeng is currently pursuing a master’s in public policy from Harvard University.

For more about The Reveille 25 program and to learn more about the accomplishments of each of the honorees, visit www.alumni.msstate. edu/reveille25. n

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ALUMNI News

ALUMNI BOARD

The Mississippi State University Alumni Association 2023 National board of directors held its spring meeting in February at the Hunter Henry Center prior to the Chapter Awards Ceremony and Leadership Conference the following day.

YOUNG Alumni Advisory Council

Mississippi State University Alumni Association Young Alumni Advisory Council stands as a representative body of graduates, former students and friends of Mississippi State University under the age of 35. Pictured L-R are members of the 2023 YAAC. Back row: Nathan Bell; Anna May; Evann Berry, council chair; Rachelle Sanderson, vice chair; Jasmine Morgan and Candace Morgan. Front row: Kylie Watts, Nikki Robinson, Abbie Kate Hancock, Travis Parker, Joseph “Jojo” Dodd and Seth Male. Not Pictured: Stanley Blackmon, Rob Fleming, Ruby Hall, Abigail Hatch, Layton Little, Shemeka Phipps and T. Malik Ross.

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Alumni Association Announces NEW OFFICERS FOR NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Terri Russell

T

Lynn Twitty Burwell

he MSU Alumni Association welcomes a new slate of officers for two-year terms for fiscal years 2023-2025. The Association leaders who assumed office in July are Terri Russell of Helena, Alabama, as president; Lynn Twitty Burwell of Gulfport as vice president; and Patrick White of Spring, Texas, who remains with the board as immediate former national president. Additionally, Riley Nelson of Vicksburg continues as national treasurer, beginning a second three-year term for fiscal years 2023–2026. The group was elected in February at the association’s annual business meeting.

“Our national officers will continue the long-standing tradition of volunteer service to our Bulldog family through their leadership in our association, engaging and involving even more alumni and friends in our efforts to support and promote Mississippi State across the country and around the world,” said Jeff Davis, the association’s executive director. “Our association continues its growth in our program offerings, number of volunteers, and the

Patrick White

number of alumni who are engaged with and support Mississippi State.”

Russell assumes the presidency following a two-year term as vice president of the Alumni Association. She is a 1984 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering who also earned a Master of Science in industrial engineering in 1986 from MSU. She serves as a principal member of technical staff at AT&T Labs, Inc. Most recently, Russell served the association’s national board as a two-term director for the state of Alabama. She has been a longtime MSU Alumni Association volunteer with the Birmingham, Alabama Chapter where she has served in a variety of roles over the past 21 years, including eight years as chapter president. She has been instrumental in student recruiting, community service, scholarship fundraising and coordinating events for alumni in the region. Russell also played an integral role in making MSU license plates a reality in the state of Alabama, and she was honored with the MSU Alumni Association’s 2008 Distinguished Service Award.

Riley Nelson Burwell joins the association’s leadership as vice president. She earned a Bachelor of Science in home economics and child development in 1980 from MSU. She serves as a senior sales advisor for direct sales for Card Connect. Most recently, Burwell served the association’s national board as a two-term director for Mississippi South 3 Region. She has been a longtime MSU Alumni Association volunteer on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, including serving as president of the Harrison-Hancock Alumni Chapter. She now volunteers with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter’s activities such as the Road Dawgs Tour, Gulf Coast Highway cleanup, and drawdown fundraiser. Burwell also serves the Alumni Association as a volunteer with the Alumni Recruitment Network and as a mentor with the Bulldog Network Mentor program.

Following a two-year term as president, White assumes the office of immediate past president. He has held a national board seat since 2013. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication from MSU in 1990 and professionally serves as vice president for national ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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ALUMNI News accounts with LSI Industries, a leading producer of high-performance, American-made lighting solutions. He remains active with the Greater Houston, Texas Alumni Chapter, where he earlier served as president and was instrumental in bringing MSU license plates to the state of Texas. He continues to volunteer with student recruitment efforts in Texas through the Alumni Recruitment Network. White was honored with the MSU Alumni Association’s 2011 Distinguished Service Award.

Riley Nelson continues as national treasurer and begins his second consecutive three-year term. He earlier served as Mississippi Central 3 Region director and held leadership roles including multiple terms as chapter president with the Warren County Alumni Chapter.

Nelson earned two degrees from MSU, a 1999 Bachelor of Accountancy and a 2001 Master of Taxation, and is the managing partner with May and Company LLP. He continues to serve as a leader with the Warren County Alumni Chapter and is a member of the Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy advisory council.

Along with incoming officers, the association welcomes the following new and returning directors to its national board for three-year terms running July 1, 2023–June 30, 2026.

Morgan “Taylor” Clayton Flowers of Marks, a 2013 Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing graduate, will serve

her second term on the board as a Mississippi North 1 Region director. She is active in the Quitman County Alumni Chapter leadership, assisting with Quitman and Coahoma County chapter events and activities, and assisting with student recruiting efforts through the Alumni Recruitment Network.

Zwan Landfair of Olive Branch, a 1994 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in industrial technology education, will serve as a Mississippi North 1 Region Director for a second three-year term. He is active in the Alumni Recruitment Network, served as co-chair of MSU’s Black Alumni Weekend 2022 and serves as vice chair of the Black Alumni Advisory Council.

Kim Correro Fandel of Belden, will serve as a director of Mississippi North 2 Region.

A 1987 graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing who also earned a Master of Science in elementary education, she previously served on the board from 2011-2017.

Fandel is a longtime volunteer with the Lee County Alumni Chapter, having served in many leadership positions, including president. She was also honored with the MSU Alumni Association’s 2017 Distinguished Service Award.

Straton “Strat” Karatassos of Starkville, a 1974 graduate with a Master of Science in physical education, continues his service as a Mississippi North 3 Region director. Following his 43-year career with MSU’s athletics

department, Karatassos has been a fixture at alumni association events and has been an active volunteer with the Oktibbeha County Alumni Chapter.

Mary Ann Latham of Starkville, a 2008 graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration, joins the board as a director for Mississippi North 3 Region. She has been an integral volunteer leader with the Oktibbeha County Alumni Chapter, serving as president, secretary and most recently as the student recruiting chair and Send-off Party coordinator.

She is active in the MSU Women’s Club.

John Paul “J.P.” Walker of Greenwood, a 2005 Bachelor of Arts in communication graduate, rejoins the board representing the Mississippi Central 1 Region as a director. He previously served on the board from 20112017. Walker is a longtime alumni association volunteer with the Leflore-Carroll Alumni Chapter, serving in various roles, including president from 2009-2014.

Matt Mahan of Kosciusko, a 2004 graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing, begins his second three-year term as a Mississippi Central 2 Region director. He previously served on the association’s national board representing Mississippi North 2 Region.

Having served as president for both the Jones County and Lee County Alumni chapters, Mahan now volunteers as secretary for the

Morgan "Taylor" Clayton Flowers

Zwan Landfair

Kim Correro Fandel

Straton "Strat" Karatassos

Mary Ann Latham

John Paul "J.P." Walker

Matt Mahan

Dwanda Moore

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Attala County Chapter and as a Bulldog Network mentor.

Dwanda Moore of Ridgeland, a 1996 Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing graduate, will serve a second term on the board as a Mississippi Central 3 Region director. She is a longtime volunteer with the Central Mississippi Alumni Chapter, serving in a variety of leadership roles, including chapter president. Moore also serves as a member of the Black Alumni Advisory Council and the Alumni Recruitment Network.

Tony James of Clinton earned a Bachelor of Science in education (fitness management) in 1994. A former Bulldog football student-athlete, James joins the board as a Mississippi Central 3 Region director. He has been a supporter of the Central Mississippi Alumni Chapter and is an active member in the MSU M-Club.

Jonathan Jackson of Hickory, a 2020 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in biological science, continues on the board for a second term as a Mississippi South 1 Region director.

He is active in the Newton County Chapter, serving as student recruiting chair. He is also involved with the Alumni Recruitment Network, serves as a Bulldog Network mentor and participates in the annual alumni band reunion.

Josh Thompson of Meridian, a 2004 graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in

finance, joins the board as a Mississippi South 1 Region director. Thompson, a former MSU Foundation development officer for MSUMeridian, began his volunteer service with the Oktibbeha County Alumni Chapter and currently serves as the scholarship chairman for the Lauderdale County Alumni Chapter.

Richard Cannon of Ocean Springs, a 1986 Bagley College of Engineering graduate, continues his service on the board representing Mississippi South 3 Region. He is a long-time volunteer and past president of the Jackson County and Mississippi Gulf Coast Alumni chapters and was honored with the MSU Alumni Association’s 2018 Distinguished Service Award.

John Shappley of Hattiesburg, a 1997 graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in banking and finance, rejoins the board as a director for the Mississippi South 3 Region. He previously served on the National Board from 2004–2009. Shappley is a longtime volunteer and officer with the Pine Belt Chapter (previously the Southeast Mississippi Chapter) and assists with student recruiting through the Alumni Recruitment Network.

Michael Criswell of Atlanta, Georgia, a 1980 Bachelor of Science in business statistics and data processing graduate, rejoins the board as the Out of State Region 2 director. He previously served on the board from 2006-2012 and 2014-2015, and has served in a variety of

leadership roles in the Atlanta, Georgia Alumni Chapter, including president. He was honored with the MSU Alumni Association’s 2012 Distinguished Service Award.

Stephen Woo of Cordova, Tennessee, earned two degrees—a 1994 Bachelor of Professional Accountancy and a 1995 Master of Professional Accountancy. He will serve a second term as the Out of State Region 2 director. His alumni association and Memphis Maroon Club volunteer service spans more than 20 years and he was honored with the MSU Alumni Association’s 2019 Distinguished Service Award.

Paige Roper of Franklin, Tennessee, will continue serving as director for the State of Tennessee for a second three-year term. She joined the board of directors in 2020 and has been active in the Nashville Alumni Chapter, notably serving as the scholarship and student recruiting chairperson and Send-off Party coordinator.

The alumni association was founded June 17, 1885, by the first three graduating classes of then-Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College. A full-service organization, the association now includes more than 100 chapters and clubs. Mississippi State currently has more than 162,000 living alumni.

For more information about the MSU Alumni Association, contact Davis at 662-325-7000 or jdavis@alumni.msstate.edu. n

Tony James

Jonathan Jackson

John Thompson

Richard Cannon

John Shappley

Michael Criswell

Stephen Woo

Paige Roper ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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ALUMNI News

• Serving communities for over 70 years • Located in all 82 counties of MS, across the southeastern US, and Colorado • Philanthropic supporter of MSU, Mississippi area high schools, and other institutions of higher learning

Not only will alumni and friends benefit from various insurance options offered by Farm Bureau, but this relationship will enhance the Association’s mission to strengthen the connection between the Bulldog Family and MSU through events, programming, and other services.

Affinity Programs Offer Additional Ways for Bulldog Alumni and Friends to Support MSU Exciting news! The MSU Alumni Association has entered a partnership with Commerce Bank® to offer alumni and supporters the official MSU Visa Signature® Card.

“Our Bulldog family always asks how we can support MSU, and this program is another great opportunity to do so,” said Jeff Davis, MSU Alumni Association executive director. “We are especially excited about the MSU Visa Signature® Card program, as alumni and friends can loyally participate in the program and support MSU at no cost to them.”

The partnership with Commerce Bank® enables the Alumni Association to specifically offer the MSU Visa Signature® Card to the Bulldog family. It will give cardholders the opportunity to show their pride by carrying the MSU-branded card, while supporting MSU, benefitting the Alumni Association and earning Cash Back1 rewards with each purchase.

For more information on the MSU Visa Signature® Card, visit commercebank.com/MSUAA.

64 S U M M ER 2023

1. CashBack redemption is applied as a statement credit. The statement credit will reduce your balance, but you are still required to make at least your minimum payment. Values for non-cash back redemption items, such as merchandise, gift cards and travel may vary. See commercebank.com/rewardsterms for full details.

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ROAD DAWGS The 2023 Road Dawgs Tour, presented by Coastal Mississippi, made its way around Mississippi and the Southeast during the months of April and May. With 10 stops spanning across five states—Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Texas—the tour featured MSU’s Head Football Coach Zach Arnett and Director of Athletics Zac Selmon.

More than 1,000 Bulldog fans attended the various stops along the tour, which provided a social hour with refreshments and a welcoming opportunity for MSU’s new athletic leadership. In addition to sharing insight to their respective roles with MSU Athletics, Arnett and Selmon both remarked on the loyalty and energy demonstrated by the Bulldog family.

The annual fan-friendly event and celebration of Mississippi State is a collaboration by the MSU Bulldog Club, Alumni Association and local alumni chapters.

Visit alumni.msstate.edu/roaddawgs for details.

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EMBARK ON AN ADVENTURE Traveling Bulldog 2023-2024 Trips 68 S U M M ER 2023

The MSU Alumni Association annually sponsors trips across the globe through the Traveling Bulldogs program. Itineraries are booked through 2024. Explore our website for more details at alumni.msstate.edu/travel or contact the Alumni Association at 662.325.7000.

Now Booking Trips for 2024* 2023 SEPTEMBER Flavors of Sicily Passions and Pursuits River Cruise: Southern France Insider’s Japan OCTOBER Landscapes and Lighthouses of Coastal Maine Gladiators to Gondolas Greek Isles and Turkish Riviera Experience the Victory at the National WWII Museum NOVEMBER Polar Bears of Churchill Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Holiday Markets Cruise DECEMBER Montreal and Quebec City Christmas Markets

2024 JANUARY Moroccan Discovery Tahitian Legends Wonders of Australia and New Zealand FEBRUARY Amazon River Expedition and Machu Picchu Cuba Discovery Egypt and the Ancient Nile River Northern Lights in Iceland Tanzania Safari During the Great Migration MARCH Hawaii Three Island Adventure Portrait of Italy APRIL Croatia: Cruising the Dalmatian Coast Enchanting Ireland Journey through Israel Land of the Rising Sun The Masters

MAY America’s Southwest

by Luxury Train Flavors of Chianti Swiss Alps: The Italian Lakes JUNE Easy Company

Scan Me

Great Journey Through Europe Historical Baseball JULY Baltic Sea Beauty Cape Cod: The Islands Normady, France – Honoring the 80th Anniversary of D-Day AUGUST African Expedition by Private Train Autumn in Provence, Burgundy, and Beaujolais SEPTEMBER Delightful Douro in Lisbon In the Path of Cartier Northern Lights and the Wildlife of Northern Manitoba The Mighty Eighth OCTOBER Albuquerque Balloon Festival Death Valley, Yosemite, and the Great Parks of California Flavors of Provence

by Luxury River Ship Journey Through Vietnam Victory in the Pacific: Japan and Okinawa NOVEMBER Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Montreal: Quebec City Christmas Markets Renaissance Triumphs DECEMBER Battle of the Bulge Holiday Markets Cruise: The Festive Rhine River *All trips and dates are subject to change. Visit our website for the most current information.

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ALUMNI News CURRIE WINS 'FREE' TUITION Tuition drawing winner MaKenna Currie, center, of Long Beach, poses with members of the MSU Alumni Delegates organization. A freshman majoring in human development and family science, Currie will receive “free” full-time tuition at MSU for the 2023 fall semester. Her ticket, purchased by parents Brian and Jan Currie, was one of more than 3,000 tickets sold by the Alumni Delegates. For the spring semester, the organization raised more than $15,000 from ticket sales.

The MSU Alumni Association anticipates ticket sales in the upcoming fall for the drawing of a spring 2024 winner. For more information, contact Toria Carter, the association’s coordinator of student engagement and Alumni Delegates advisor, at 662-325-3479 or tcarter@alumni.msstate.edu.

Spring Ring Ceremony RECOGNIZES GUEST In May, the official Ring Ceremony was held at the Chapel of Memories. Held twice annually, prior to the fall and spring commencement ceremonies, The Ring is a timehonored tradition for the presentation of the university’s official class rings. Dr. Mark E. Keenum was the keynote speaker and presented participants with their rings. Special presentations were also made by MSU’s ROTC and Black Voices Gospel Choir during the ceremony. Congressman Michael Guest, a 1992 accounting graduate of MSU, was recognized by the Alumni Association as the spring ring honoree. If you or someone you know is interested in a class ring, please contact the Alumni Association directly at info@alumni.msstate.edu.

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SENIOR CELEBRATION

held for 2023 graduates

In May, the MSU Alumni Association hosted the spring Senior Celebration event at the Hunter Henry Center. Nearly 500 graduating seniors celebrated with music, food, photo ops, door prizes and fun as the Alumni Association welcomed them as the soon-to-be newest members of the alumni family. B-Unlimited was also on-site printing official MSU alumni t-shirts for participants in the company’s 1974 Airstream trailer that operates as a mobile print shop.

Congratulations to the spring 2023 graduates!

FACULTY AWARDS

Two esteemed MSU faculty members earned special recognition from the Alumni Association as part of the university-wide 2023 Faculty Awards and Recognition Program. Jeff Davis, executive director of the MSU Alumni Association, presented the faculty members with awards for outstanding teaching and mentorship of students throughout their academic careers.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD Barrett Gutter, meteorology assistant clinical professor in the Department of Geosciences in the College of Arts and Sciences.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT MENTOR AWARD Alumni Association Executive Director Jeff Davis, middle, is pictured with Teaching Excellence Award recipient Barrett Gutter, left, and Darrin Dodds, right, accepting the Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor Award on behalf of Eric T. Stafne.

Eric T. Stafne, horticulture extension/research professor at MSU’s Coastal Research and Extension Center, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, and Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

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GIVING Back

HALL’S GENEROSITY TO LEAVE LASTING IMPACT on engineering, Bulldog athletics

By Addie Mayfield, Photo submitted

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transformational investment of $16.5 million from Michael and Valarie Hall is advancing both the academic and athletic environments at Mississippi State University.

Providing significant support for two specific areas on campus, the commitment will benefit the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering and Bulldog athletics.

More specifically, the largest portion of the gift directs $15 million toward the Bagley College to elevate the Department of Mechanical Engineering with multiple endowments.

The Hall Excellence Endowed Fund will support activities to enhance the national image and reputation of the mechanical engineering department through expanded backing for academic and support staff salaries, professional development opportunities, and lab equipment and supplies. This goal is further advanced through the creation of the Hall Endowed Energy Systems Chair, which will help to attract and retain high-caliber faculty who will lead research and development and better position the Bagley College as a leading institution in the application and integration of energy producing and consuming technologies.

Similarly, the Hall Graduate Fellows Endowment will expand the number of both doctoral fellowships and graduates, enabling the department to grow teaching and research opportunities.

The Hall Research and Corporate Engagement Endowment will provide support for educational and research programs that boost the department’s reputation as a leader in energy, manufacturing, design and related industries. The fund’s primary purpose is to facilitate valuable partnerships between student teams and industries, which will seek to solve relevant problems impacting society in a commercially effective manner.

Lastly, the Hall Endowed Scholarship will enable more ambitious and deserving undergraduate students to earn degrees in mechanical engineering at MSU.

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Valarie and Michael Hall

According to the Halls, the foremost purpose of their investments in the Bagley College is to help ensure quality, on-campus instruction for students who will become the high-quality engineers and future differencemakers for the state of Mississippi and beyond.

“Michael and Valarie Hall expressed a desire to help raise the quality of our mechanical engineering degree program,” said Jason Keith, Earnest W. and Mary Ann Deavenport Jr. Chair and dean of the Bagley College. “In addition to providing discretionary funds, this gift will specifically support departmental-level undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, faculty and departmental facilities. On behalf of the Bagley College of Engineering, we are deeply appreciative of the Hall’s vision for our largest engineering department.”

The $1.5 million portion of the gift supporting Bulldog sports will impact several programs and initiatives across athletics, including a renovation project to enhance game-day experiences at Davis Wade Stadium and two fellowship positions for student-athletes.

The Robert Bell Athletic Administration Fellowship and the Frank Dowsing Jr. Football Fellowship were created in memory of their namesakes, who were the first African American student-athletes at MSU, and continue to uphold their strong legacies

of success. The Halls commitment will substantially grow the fellowships, each of which are awarded to a Mississippi State African American student-athlete who has exhausted his or her eligibility and aspires to jump-start a career in athletic administration and football, respectively.

The gift also benefits the Goal Club in support of the MSU women’s soccer program, the Side Out Club in support of the MSU women’s volleyball program and the Overtime Club in support of the MSU women’s basketball program. The funds will be used to provide enhancements to the programs to drive off-the-court activities for team chemistry, team bonding, career growth and professional development.

Finally, the Hall’s giving has established the Women Athletics EmpowHERment Endowment to provide financial support for one-on-one professional mentoring, leadership programming and professional development opportunities. The funds also will be used for guest speakers, career tours and other resources to propel female studentathletes with confidence, brand awareness and mental health.

“We are incredibly grateful for Michael and Valarie Hall’s game-changing generosity to Mississippi State Athletics and their investment in our student-athletes,” said Zac Selmon, director of athletics. “This

commitment will be felt across our department for years to come. It will not only enhance the overall experience of both our studentathletes and devoted fan base but it will have an instrumental impact in continuing to prepare our student-athletes for life after college athletics.”

“Michael and Valarie Hall expressed a desire to help raise the quality of our mechanical engineering degree program. . . this gift will specifically support departmental-level undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, faculty and departmental facilities.” ~ Jason Keith Michael Hall is a 1995 MSU mechanical engineering graduate and a 2022 Distinguished Fellow for the Bagley College. He is the former managing principal of MAS Energy LLC and founder of Shady Grove Road Investments LLC, the Hall family investment office. His wife, Valarie, is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and an ardent Mississippi State supporter.

The couple’s most recent commitment expands their previous giving and marks a new collective total of $18.9 million invested by the Halls at MSU. Earlier commitments included support for the MSU Extension’s Equine Assisted Therapy Program, the Innovation, Design and Engineering Education Laboratory in the Bagley College and student scholarships.

Last year, the Halls also contributed to the Student-Athlete Development Fund to help MSU’s student-athletes become better prepared for life beyond their collegiate careers through personal, professional and leadership development opportunities. The Halls reside in Nashville, Tennessee, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

For more information on creating endowmentlevel support to benefit the Bagley College contact Jordan Smith, assistant director of development for the Bagley College, at 662.325.0461 or jsmith@ foundation.msstate.edu. To inquire about giving to Bulldog athletics, contact Alvin Franklin, associate athletic director for development, at 662.325.1244 or afranklin@foundation.msstate.edu. n

For more information about purchasing a Mississippi State University car tag, please visit alumni.msstate.edu/cartag

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GIVING Back

RIBBON CUTTING CELEBRATES NEW WINGO WAY, HONORS FAMILY

M

By Addie Mayfield, Photos by Grace Cockrell & Chad Hathcock

ississippi State University celebrated the newly added Wingo Way, named in honor of alumni brothers Turner and Dean Wingo, and their families, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in February.

The two-mile road opened shortly before the start of the fall semester along the eastern perimeter of campus. connecting Blackjack Road with Lee Boulevard and Bailey Howell Drive.

“Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters because of the wonderful investments people like Turner and Dean Wingo are making in their alma mater. They appreciate and value the job we’re doing as well as our commitment to giving our students hands-on learning and research experiences and unique opportunities to serve their communities,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “We are grateful for the Wingo family’s many contributions to Mississippi State, and it is most fitting to honor them by naming this major campus

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infrastructure addition in their honor.”

Wingo Way is the result of long-term planning for university infrastructure to accommodate increasing traffic, aiding

"My MSU degree played a big role in helping me to achieve my own business success and I enjoy being able to give back to the university, but at the end of the day, I am just happy to help students." ~ Turner Wingo campus safety and accessibility. The $7 million project was made possible by a 2017 Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant to the university announced by the late U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran in 2018.

The north-south, multimodal passage incorporates sidewalks, bike lanes, transit shelters, traffic signal improvements and street lighting. Enhancements are also ADA compliant.

When MSU broke ground on the project in 2020, the corridor was initially named Bulldog Way. However, the decision was made last fall to rename the road in honor of the Wingo family for their longtime support to the university.

“Turner, Gloria, Dean and Lauran are exemplary leaders whose commitments have made positive and lasting differences at and through Mississippi State,” said Jack McCarty, executive director of development for the MSU Foundation. “Their collective giving has touched nearly every area across campus in one way or another.”

Turner Wingo is a retired businessman who earned his degree from MSU in business administration in 1967. Over the years, he has generously invested in Mississippi

L-R: Executive Director for the MSU Alumni Association Jack McCarty, Gloria Wingo, Turner Wingo, MSU President Mark E. Keenum, Dean Wingo, Lauran Wingo, and MSU Vice President for Development and Alumni John Rush.

State through scholarships in the colleges of architecture, art and design, business and engineering, Bulldog athletics, the Turner A. Wingo Endowed Professorship in the College of Business, campus facilities and the Starkville-MSU Symphony.

His contributions also led to the establishment of the Turner A. Wingo Maker Studio in the MSU Idea Shop, which assists ambitious students and entrepreneurs in the community with transforming their ideas into successful business ventures, and the newly renovated dean’s suite in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

“I like helping kids,” said Turner, who, along with his wife Gloria, enjoys meeting with his scholarship recipients. “My MSU degree played a big role in helping me to achieve my own business success and I enjoy being able to give back to the university, but at the end of the day, I am just happy to help students.”

A member of MSU Foundation’s board of

directors, Turner was named MSU’s National Alumnus of the Year in 2016 and was earlier recognized as Alumnus of the Year for the College of Business in 2011. He and his wife Gloria reside in Starkville.

Dean Wingo, a 1970 business graduate, has enjoyed a successful career in real estate and investment management and currently serves as president of City Center Inc. He also currently serves on of the Bulldog Club board and is a former member of the MSU Foundation board.

He and his wife Lauran have supported various areas across MSU, including annual and endowed scholarships, the Dean and Lauran Wingo Endowed Classroom and Faculty Excellence funds in the College of Business and the T. K. Martin Center—the latter of which holds a particularly special place in their hearts.

“After visiting the T.K. Martin Center and seeing Kendrell Daniels painting with his toes in the Express Yourself! Art Program,

we realized what a difference the center was making in people’s lives,” said Dean. He and Lauran were impressed with the services and outreach provided by the T.K. Martin Center and have made several commitments to help advance its programming and reach.

The Collierville couple has also contributed significantly toward recent athletic facility projects including Mize Pavilion, the Leo W. Seal Jr. Football Complex, and the expansions of Davis Wade Stadium and Dudy Noble Field.

Together, the Wingo brothers also created a Presidential Scholarship bearing their names.

The Dean and Turner Wingo Presidential Endowment has awarded $100,000 to highachieving scholars since establishment in 2013.

“The Wingos’ legacy is etched into countless areas across the university that have benefited from their generosity, and we are proud to honor their loyalty and service to MSU through the naming and dedication of Wingo Way,” said McCarty. n

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GIVING Back

NPHC PLAZA Fundraiser

The National Pan-Hellenic Council represents historically Black, Greek-letter organizations and is composed of the Divine Nine.

With the support of the MSU community, NPHC is raising funds to establish a designated garden space on campus in honor of the contributions the NPHC community has made to Mississippi State University.

The space will serve as a place for NPHC students, alumni and friends to gather and celebrate the legacy of NPHC. Furthermore, the plaza will tell the story of the history of NPHC organizations and the uniqueness of the chapters at MSU. The plaza will provide permanent and constant visibility at a central location on campus.

“We look forward to having a space on campus that not only

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gives NPHC students and alumni a place to gather and host events but will also serve as a way to expose and educate the MSU community about the many impacts the Divine 9 have had at MSU and across the country,” said John Michael VanHorn, MSU director of fraternity and sorority life.

“Being a member of the NPHC is a blessing to me in many ways," said Nathan Moseley, NPHC president at MSU. "I have made numerous connections and it has helped develop me as a better leader each day. This is primarily because of the rich history of brotherhood and sisterhood in NPHC chapters. The plots will provide a space to have events and educate others on our history and share our story.”

For more information on making a gift to the NPHC Plaza or to support MSU’s Division of Student Affairs through annual and endowed gifts, contact Jana Berkery, director of development, at 662.325.9129 or jberkery@ foundation.msstate.edu.

• FOOD & DRINKS • OUTDOOR GAMES • FACE PAINTING • LIVE MUSIC • BEAT STICKERS • and MORE!

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MAROON REACH & IMPACT Learn how your organization can connect with the powerful network of Bulldogs through customized opportunities that are tailored to help achieve your objectives.

Total Living Alumni

161,466

Alumni By Age

55% 45%

48,759

(Age Unknown Total: 12) 33,768

40,447

29,214

9,266

19—24

25—34

35—44

45—59

60+

1% 1% 3%

Top 6 Concentrated States (as of December 2022)

Mississippi (52%) Alabama (6%) Tennessee (6%) Texas (5%) Georgia (3%) Florida (3%) Addressable Alumni

151,440 1,149 globally 138,658 digital

12%

16%

2%

Alumni By College

22%

22%

100+

21%

ALUMNI CHAPTERS AND CLUBS

No College Designated

College of Education

Active Members*

College of Ag. & Life Sciences

Bagley College of Engineering

College of Arch, Art & Design

College of Forest Resources

College of Arts & Sciences

College of Veterinary Medicine

54,528

*Denotes alumni and friends who have made a gift to MSU

College of Business

ADVERTISE WITH THE MSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION For more information, contact Leanna Smith, Assistant Director of Alumni Partnerships & Business Development, at LSmith@alumni.msstate.edu or 662-325-3360.

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WAYS TO PARTNER The Mississippi State University Alumni Association hosts events and offers programs and services which are directly supported by our partnerships. We can create a customized package to help your organization maximize its resources and strategic goals.

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES PRINT - Alumnus Magazine, event signage, and event promotion Alumnus Magazine Distribution u 3x/year u Reaches more than 54,500 active alumni association members u Print Audience - Active alumni and supporters u Digital Audience - All addressable alumni DIGITAL - E-newsletters, social media, web, email, and mobile app

ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Engagement opportunities through events and programs: u Tailgates (home and away) u Black Alumni Weekend u Awards Banquet u Reveille 25 u Senior Celebration u Traveling Bulldogs u + Other Annual Events ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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GIVING Back

LEACH MEMORIALIZED with scholarship fund

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n endowed memorial scholarship has been created at Mississippi State University to remember and honor the late head football coach Mike Leach, known as one of the sport’s greatest offensive innovators.

The Mike Leach Endowed Scholarship upholds the legacy of Coach Leach in a meaningful and lasting manner that will directly benefit MSU students in attaining their education.

“Our university is special because of the remarkable people who are part of it, and Mike Leach was one of those truly remarkable members of our Mississippi State family. He had an intense curiosity and deep passion for education and lifelong learning.

He was always ready to learn something new and to share it with everyone around him,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said.

“It is most fitting that we honor him and ensure his lasting legacy with an endowed scholarship fund to support our students.

This support will make a positive difference in many lives—just like our beloved Coach Mike Leach did.”

Born in Susanville, California and raised in Cody, Wyoming, Leach graduated with honors from BYU in 1983. He later earned a master’s degree from the U.S. Sports Academy and his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University, where he graduated in the top one-third of his class.

Leach began his coaching career in 1987 as an assistant at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo before coaching stops at College of the Desert in 1988 and as a head coach in the European Football League in Pori, Finland, in 1989.

For nearly four decades, Leach had an unmatched impact on the game of football including thousands of student-athletes, coaches and staff. He was a two-time national coach of the year, three-time Power 5 conference coach of the year and the

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mastermind behind the NCAA record-setting “Air Raid” offense.

The accomplishments for Leach in his 21 years as a head coach were long and distinguished. A proven winner who established a culture of excellence at every stop of his career, Leach compiled a 158-107 (.596) record, guided his squads to 19 bowl games, produced seven seasons of at least nine victories, captured two conference division titles, became the winningest coach in Texas Tech history and set school records for bowl appearances at both Texas Tech (10) and Washington State (6). During 10 of those 21 seasons, Leach’s passing attack led the FBS – six at Texas Tech and four at Washington State.

One of the most successful coaches in the history of college football, Leach’s 158 career wins as an FBS coach are the second-most among active SEC coaches and the fifth-most among active Power 5 coaches. Of the 50 most productive passing yardage seasons in FBS history, 10 came from quarterbacks coached by Leach since his hiring as head coach at Texas Tech in 2000.

A passionate educator, mentor, historian and lifelong learner, Leach had great admiration for academics. He instilled that in his players, as his teams routinely set records for GPA and graduation rate. A masterful storyteller, Leach authored a New York Times best-selling autobiography in 2011 titled Swing Your Sword: Leading the Charge in Football and in Life. He later wrote Geronimo: Leadership Strategies of an American Warrior in 2014.

Leach was named MSU’s 34th head football coach in 2020 after leading the football programs at Texas Tech, Washington State and Iowa Wesleyan universities. He led the Bulldogs to a 19-17 record, including an 8-4 mark in 2022, and bowl appearances in all three seasons. Leach’s offense led the SEC

passing in each of the last two seasons. The Bulldogs defeated seven AP Top 25 opponents during Leach’s MSU tenure, which tied for third most by a Bulldog head coach. Leach coached MSU to its two largest comebacks in program history in 2021.

Leach died on Dec. 12, 2022, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Forever a college football icon, he leaves an incredible legacy as a husband, father, friend and leader of young men.

“Mike certainly did a lot of good for our university in the short time he was here,” said Bobby Shackouls, 1972 alumnus and former chair of the MSU Foundation Board.

An ardent supporter of the university over the years, Shackouls, along with his wife Judy, made the lead gift for the scholarship endowment. “I only met him on a couple of occasions, but he was as unassuming and hilarious as all the media accounts have reported. We would like to honor his memory and all that he did for MSU and hope this scholarship will inspire others to do the same.”

“Coach Leach’s impact on college football and Mississippi State University will never be forgotten,” MSU Director of Athletics Zac Selmon said. “Coach Leach was a lifelong learner and proud owner of three college degrees. He had a deep respect for academic achievement and made countless lasting contributions to the lives of students, studentathletes and campus communities. This endowed scholarship is a terrific way to extend Coach Leach’s impact on higher education while continuing to honor his legacy.”

The Mike Leach Endowed Scholarship is an open fund in the MSU Foundation. For more information on the award or to make a gift in memory of Coach Mike Leach to the Coach Mike Leach Endowed Scholarship, contact the Foundation at 662-325-7000 or visit msufoundation.com/MikeLeach. n

Baldwin, Butler ASSUME

NEW FUNDRAISING ROLES

T

he Mississippi State University Foundation has filled two positions to further advance college fundraising efforts. Mary Beth Baldwin assumed the role of assistant director of development for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Madison Butler accepted the assistant director of development position for the James Worth Baldwin Bagley College of Engineering.

A veteran Foundation staff member, Baldwin is a two-time MSU graduate. She earned a 2009 bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing, followed by a master’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sport administration in 2012.

The Bruce native began her career with MSU Athletics, where she managed premium seating and hospitality, while also working for the Colonnade Group Inc. as suite director. She later served as office manager for Columbus Orthopaedic Clinic’s Starkville location before joining the MSU Foundation in 2018 as associate director of annual giving.

In her new position, Baldwin Butler joins veteran fundraiser Jimmy Kight in securing gifts for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Her office is located in the Wise Center near the Turner A. Wingo Dean’s Suite.

Butler, who joined the Foundation staff earlier this year, also holds two degrees from Mississippi State— a 2021 bachelor’s degree in marketing with a concentration in integrated digital marketing and a 2022 MBA with a communication emphasis.

As a student, Butler served as a graduate assistant for the College of Business’s graduate programs, where she helped promote the university’s one-year accelerated MBA program. After completing her graduate studies, Butler moved to Houston, Texas, to serve as a business development associate for national tax consulting firm Alliantgroup.

A native of Hurley, Butler is grateful to be back on campus and looks forward to deepening her Bulldog connections alongside fellow Bagley College fundraisers.

Her office is located in McCain Hall. n

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81

CLASS Notes

Ted Duckworth (B.B.A. real estate and mortgage, ‘88) and John Michael Holtmann (B.B.A. management, ‘06) along with Breck

Hines have launched Concord Companies, a commercial real estate brand encompassing six entities. The company operates across the Southeast and builds on the success of the founders’ successful commercial real estate careers.

1960s

Calvin H. Gray (B.S., M.S. public administration, ’66, ’69) is a Vigil Honor

member of the Tonkawa Lodge, Order of the Arrow. His Vigil name is Tiknan Heykweken Toyan Yanahanwan, which translates to Man Who Rings the Metal Drum, otherwise known as a cowbell. He is the Eagle coach for the Scouts of Troop 405 in Georgetown, Texas, having served as Scoutmaster from 1986-2013 during which time he helped 170 young men attain the Eagle Scout rank.

1970s

Keith E. Bates (B.S. materials engineering, ’70) was featured in volume 12, issue 4 of the

Franklin Living, a bi-monthly publication in Franklin County, Alabama. In addition to being on the cover of the magazine, he was profiled in a four-page article that explored his career with NASA. He is a materials engineering subject matter expert consultant on the Artemis Solid Rocket Boosters for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Joseph K. Sims (B.S. management, ‘72)

has joined Butler Snow LLP’s Regulatory and Government Relations practice as a senior government relations adviser. Based in the firm’s Ridgeland office, he specializes in government relations. Throughout his career he has been involved in energy projects and he served as president of the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association for more than 25 years. He was previously legislative chairman of Mississippians for Economic Progress and served as principal with a nationally recognized government affairs firm and in his own practice.

Jim Koerber (B.S. banking and finance, ‘74) has coauthored chapters for the seventh

edition of “The Comprehensive Guide to

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Economic Damages.” His work explores economic damages from personal injury and wrongful death and determining damages in common-law employment matters. He is a director with Postlethwaite and Netterville in Hattiesburg and is part of the firm’s forensic and valuation services team.

Dorothy Lenoir (B.S. medical technology, ’74)

has retired after almost 30 years of service with the American Red Cross Biomedical Service. She more recently was vice president for quality systems but served in many roles throughout her career. One of her most notable accomplishments during that time was leading the organization in obtaining an internationally recognized quality management system certification.

Mark S. Formby (B.A., art, ’79) has been reappointed

commissioner and chairman of the Mississippi Workers Compensation Commission. He was originally appointed by Gov. Phil Bryant.

1980s

Robert Wills (B.S. civil engineering, ’80) received a lifetime

achievement award from the American Institute of Steel Construction.

As vice president of construction for the American Iron and Steel Institute, he oversees construction market programs in commercial buildings, residential construction and the transportation and infrastructure markers. He has held his position since 2008 having previously served in the organization’s code and standards program.

He is widely recognized for his expertise in fire safety engineering; structural fire testing and performance; wind engineering; and geotechnical and foundation engineering.

Lee Vaughan (M.S. geology, ’85) has released

a new book, “Python Tools for Scientists: An Introduction to Using Anaconda, JupyterLab, and Python’s Scientific Libraries.” This follows “Impractical Python Projects” and “Real-world Python,” all published by the No Starch Press.

“Python Tools for Scientists” is designed to be a “starter kit” for scientists and budding scientists

who want to start using Python in their work or research. All three books are available on Amazon and in bookstores like Barnes and Noble.

1990s

Kevin M. Gustin (BBA marketing, ’91) has been named vice president for marketing for Rexel USA, one of the largest distributors of electrical products, data communication and related supplies in the country. A member of the MSU Marketing Advisory Board, Gustin will be responsible for all U.S. marketing activities across all Rexel USA companies. He previously served as director of marketing for Mayer, which was acquired by Rexel USA in 2021.

Laurie Couch (B.A. psychology, ‘92) is now

provost and senior vice president of academic affairs of Salisbury University in Maryland. She was previously at Morehead State University in Kentucky where she was an assistant, and later associate, professor of psychology. Prior to that she held teaching positions at the University of Tennessee and Fort Hays State University in Kansas. She has more than 100 publications and conference presentations to her name and has held editorial positions with several scholarly publications.

Christine E. Cuicchi (B.S. aerospace engineering, ‘94; M.S. computational engineering, ‘99)

was featured in a news article by the U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command for her work in supercomputing. She is the Navy’s first female director of the Department of Defense Supercomputing Resource Center located at the Stennis Space Center.

Lance Davis (B.Arch, ’95) is now a Fellow of

the American Institute of Architects, an honor awarded to less than 3% of architects. He is a sustainability architect and P100 program manager for the U.S. General Service Administration in Washington, D.C. Since 2016, he has held the distinction of being a LEED Fellow, an honor bestowed by Green Business Certification Inc. and he was named an MSU Alumni Fellow in 2018.

Germany Kent (B.S. interdisciplinary studies, ’98) was named Shero of the Year by Two

Lifestyles Inc. Women’s Empowerment, a

Know a Bulldog who has news or a recent promotion? Send an email to alumnus@msstate.edu.

nonprofit organization in California. The award recognizes a member of the Los Angeles community who exemplifies civic service and community leadership. Kent, known as Evelyn Palmer during her time at MSU, is an award-winning journalist and has authored multiple self-help books.

2000s

Kell Smith (B.S. political science, ’00; M.S. public policy and administration, ’05) is now executive

director of the Mississippi Community College Board.

He was unanimously selected to serve having filled the position on an interim basis since 2021. He previously served as director of communications and legislative services for the board.

Mary L. Vaughn (BBA Business Information Systems, ’00; M.S. Instructional Technology, ’01) earned a Lifetime

Achievement Award from the National College Testing Association in recognition of numerous contributions and extensive support of the nonprofit organization.

She is in her 37th year at Mississippi State and serves as associate director of the university’s Computer-Based Testing Center.

Lisa Adcock Berryhill (B.Acct., M. Acct., ’03, ’04) has been promoted to

Record to Report Global Collaborations lead at Pfizer Inc. where she will lead the global accounting functions for royalties and alliance revenue. She was previously the Record to Report Accounting Project lead for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Faith Caroline “Oline” Eaton (B.A. English, ‘03) recently released a new book “Finding

Jackie: A Life Reinvented,” that rediscovers the life and legacy of late First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Eaton is a scholar of biographical writing and author of creative nonfiction. She holds a doctoral degree from King’s College, London. She teaches first-year college writing at Howard University.

Abdul Mohamed (B.S. computer science, ‘03; M.S. computer science, ‘10) was chosen

as the 2023 Black Engineer of the Year by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The award

recognizes scientists and engineers around the country who are shaping the future of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as promoting diversity and inclusion in the STEM pipeline. He is a computer scientist in the Information Technology Laboratory Scientific Software Branch at the Engineering Research and Development Center in Vicksburg.

2010s

Alexa Guynes (B.S., M.S. elementary education, ’14, ‘21) earned a $25,000 national

Milken Educator Award. A fifth-grade teacher at Dogwood Elementary in the Germantown Municipal School District, she was the only Tennessee educator to receive the award in 2022, which was a first for her district.

Mallory Morris Collins (B.S. biological sciences, ’15) was named the 2022

Helen St. Clair Young Optometrist of the Year.

The award is presented annually by the Mississippi Optometric Association to someone who has been practicing 10 years or less to recognize significant contributions to the profession and general public. Within MOA, she serves as the Grassroots Committee chairman. She also participates in the ThirdGrade Eye Exam program, providing no-cost eye exams to third graders who fail the statewide reading test. She is an optometrist with Clarksdale Vision Center.

David Lewis (B.Arch. ’15)

is now executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission. In this role, he will be responsible for strategic planning, public speaking, grants administration, business management and partnership development. A native of Jackson, he previously served as deputy director of the Department of Human and Cultural Services for the city.

Jason Wiles (M.S. geosciences, ’15) is

now a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science—the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the highly regarded journal “Science.” An associate professor of biology at Syracuse University in

New York, he was recognized for “distinguished contributions to science education,” including “innovative leadership in recruiting and retaining underrepresented populations in science.”

Sam Kennemer (B.L.A. landscape architecture, ‘19) is now a Professional

Landscape Architect having passed the fourpart national exam. The Alabama native works with HRC Engineers in Atlanta, Georgia, a company he interned with as an undergraduate and began working with full time following his graduation.

2020s

Kayla Fiest (B.S. wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture science, ’21; M.S. conservation education, current student) was

featured by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of its Women of Wildlife series. In an article published on the organization’s website, she explained how Mississippi State helped prepare her for her career. She first joined the federal organization in 2020 as an intern and now works within the Science ApplicationsMigratory Bird program.

Birth Announcement

Kellan Adly Clayton, born Dec. 8, 2021 to Kevin (’06) and Alison Clayton (’15) of New Albany.

Nellah Jane Vaughan, born on Dec. 16, 2022,

to Will Vaughan (’13) and Katelyn Ussery Vaughan of Little Rock, Arkansas.

HAVE A YOUNG BULLDOG IN YOUR LIFE? Wrap them in Maroon and White early with a Future Bulldog Certificate from the Alumni Association and enroll them into the LEGACY PROGRAM.

alumni.msstate.edu/ legacyprogram ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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Forever MAROON MAROON Sheryl Askew (B.S., M.S., Ed. Spc. elementary education, ‘72, ‘73, ‘77) 72, Starkville – She spent her career teaching first and second grades at Kosciusko Elementary School, Starkville Overstreet Elementary and Sudduth Elementary. She was recognized by the Mississippi State Legislature in 2022 with House Resolution 39 to commend her life, legacy and contributions, including inspiring so many students in Mississippi. — Jan. 30, 2022 Lawrence Jackson “Butch” Berry Jr. (B.S. civil engineering, ’65) 80, Flintstone, Tenn. – He retired from the U.S. Army as a major following 20 years in service. He also had a 29-year career with the Tennessee Valley Authority. — Dec. 13, 2022 Jerry Brewer (B.A. communication, ’70) 72, Senatobia – He was the longtime coowner of one of Mississippi’s oldest real estate firms, Brewer Realty and Appraisal Service.

During his career he was president of the Mississippi Association of Realtors, national president of the Realtors Land Institute, and a regional vice president and national director of the National Association of Realtors. He also twice served as president of the Memphis Appraisal Institute Chapter. He was named Mississippi realtor of the Year, earned the Land Realtor of America Award and was inducted into the Mississippi Association of Realtors Hall of Fame. He also received the lifetime achievement award from the Memphis Appraisal Institute and was inducted into the Northwest Mississippi Association Hall of Fame. He was president of the Senatobia Rotary Club and the Senatobia Jaycees.

— May 13, 2020 Hardy Thomson Brumfield (B.S. agricultural economics, ’89) 55, Atlanta, Ga. – He was a Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Mississippi State, serving as both Rush chairman and president. Following his graduation, he moved to Chicago, Ill., where he began a more than 30-year career at the Chicago Board of Trade. For eight years he was the largest volume trader in the 10-year treasury notes futures. He also became involved in various technological, agricultural, environmental and healthcare initiatives. In 2014, he founded Rolling B Ranch, a registered Angus and commercial cattle operation, becoming a third-generation cattleman. — April 8, 2023

Charles Team “CT” Carley Jr. (B.S. mechanical engineering, ’55; Emeritus faculty) 90, Little Rock, Ark. – While at MSU, he was a member of Sigma Chi, which he served as president.

Following his graduation, he received a master’s from Virginia Tech and a doctoral degree from North Carolina State University where he was a Ford Foundation Fellow. He served in the Civil Engineering Corps of the U.S. Navy until 1958. He accepted an assistant professorship in mechanical engineering at Mississippi State in 1964, earning full professorship in 1968. He was named mechanical engineering department head in 1969. In the 1980s, he was a Fulbright Senior Lecturer at the University of Buenos Aires and the National University Catamarca, both in Argentina. He retired in 1993, earning Professor Emeritus and Department Head Emeritus. During his time as MSU faculty he helped bring in the first scholarships for African Americans at MSU and was on the first biracial North Mississippi Conference board on Christian Social Concerns from 1967-75. He led the reorganization of the Starkville Parks and Recreation Commission and was a charter member of the Starkville Citizens Advisory Committee, which he chaired for two years.

Carley was active in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, holding numerous state, regional and national offices and was named a Fellow in 1984. He also served on the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. He served on the board of directors for the Mississippi Engineering Society Political Action Committee. He served as president of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences and MSU’s chapters of Phi Kappa Phi and the Society of the Sigma XI. He was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Omicron Delta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, Alpha Nu Sigma and Kappa Mu Epsilon. — Jan. 17, 2023 Daniel Thomas Gardner Sr. (M.S. wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture, ’66) 81, Auburn, Alabama – He attended Jones County Junior College on a football scholarship before transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a bachelor’s. He then graduated from Mississippi State and served as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service in Key West, Florida, before earning a doctoral degree

from Auburn University. He was appointed the area Extension Fish and Wildlife Specialist in Greenville in the early 1970s and later served as adjunct faculty with Mississippi State University. He returned to Auburn in 1975 to join its Extension service before joining Ducks Unlimited. He retired in 2002 as director of field operations support at the organization’s national headquarters. He was an Eagle Scout, longtime member of Lions Club International and a deacon. — Aug. 24, 2022 Clifford Snyder Gray (B.S. engineering, ‘56) 90, Huntsville, Alabama – The first in his family to graduate from college, he worked for the Department of the Air Force at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Ala., on the Thunderbird Aircraft program. In 1963, he moved to Huntsville to join the civil service sector of the Department of the Army as a senior engineer in the Technical Management Division, LANCE Project Office. He later worked on the Army Tactical Missile System, receiving numerous commendations for outstanding work before his retirement in 1988. — Nov. 29, 2022 Kenneth Hood (B.S. general agriculture, ‘62) 81, Gunnison – At Mississippi State he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He served the Mississippi Air National Guard for six years. He was partner in a family farm operation and was known as an innovator and entrepreneur in the development and improvement of precision agriculture. Among his many awards and honors are: Cotton Farming’s Cotton Farmer of the Year, Delta Council’s Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cotton Ginning, New York Cotton Exchange Cotton Marketer of the Year, Southern Cotton Ginner Association Ginner of the Year, Cotton Grower’s Magazine Cotton Achievement Award and Delta Business Journal Ag Profile Leadership Award. He was chairman of the National Cotton Council, president of Delta Council, president and chairman of the board of the National Cotton Ginners Association, president and chairman of the board of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, chairman of the Mississippi Cotton Advisory Committee for Mississippi Farm Bureau and a board member for Staplcotn. — Dec. 1, 2022 Keith Blackledge Logue (B.S. mechanical engineering, ’78) 68, Longview, Texas – While at MSU, he was part of the cooperative education program, working alternating semesters at Southern ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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Forever MAROON Company in Birmingham, Ala. He was president of the student section of American Society of Mechanical Engineers, was selected as a member of Pi Tau Sigma and inducted into the engineering Student Hall of Fame.

Following his graduation, he worked as a project engineer with Eastman in Longview, Texas, where—in the minimum years required—he became a Texas Professional Engineer. He was active in the United Way, Junior Achievement, the Longview Child Development Center and Longview Boys Baseball. He completed a master’s degree in business from the University of Texas, Tyler and was awarded a five-year pin by LeTourneau University for service as an adjunct professor. He retired from Eastman after 32 years of service. He was president of the East Texas chapter of the MSU Alumni Association. — April 2, 2023 James L. Martin (retired faculty) 75, Greensboro, Ga. – A native of Amarillo, he served in the Texas National Guard airborne infantry in the early 1970s. From 2001 until 2017 he was the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. professor and chair of Civil Engineering at Mississippi State University. He held a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science, as well as bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in civil engineering from Texas A&M. He earned a master's in biology from Southwest Texas State University. — Jan. 3, 2023 Mardye McDole (B.S. physical education, ’81) 63, Mobile, Alabama – A legendary member of the Bulldog football family from 1977-80, he is one of only five receivers in MSU history to rack up over 2,000 receiving yards. He’s the only three-time All-Southeastern Conference receiver in school history. He concluded his Mississippi State career as the university’s alltime leader in receiving yards and catches. He still ranks third in career receiving yardage and remained in the top 10 for career receptions until the 2022 season. He was chosen in the second round of the 1981 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings where he spent three seasons. He later played for the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL and the Memphis Showboats of the USFL. He was inducted in the Mississippi State Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 and was recognized as an SEC Football Legend in 2018. — March 27, 2023

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Robert LeVoid McRaney Jr. (B.A. general business administration, ’56) 88, Bay Saint Louis – He served four years in the U.S. Army as a media specialist before following his father in the radio and television industry. He rose to executive positions with the National Broadcasting Corp. in Jackson, Richmond, Va, and New Orleans, La., before retiring to own and manage WROB/WKBB radio stations in West Point. He was a past president of the Mississippi Broadcasters Association. A member of Sigma Chi, he earned the Order of Constantine Award for lifelong loyalty. — March 10, 2023 Robert Alexander “Butch” Montgomery Jr. (B.S. civil engineering,’73) 72, Greenwood – At Mississippi State he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. A land surveyor, he founded Montgomery Land Surveying more than 30 years ago. He was a master craftsman and, with the help of his father, built his own home. He also produced handmade furniture.

— Feb. 7, 2023 John Watson Oglesby Sr. (B.S. agricultural engineering technology and business, ‘62) 82, Chatham – A Delta farmer, he raised cattle and grew cotton, corn, soybeans and wheat through his family farming operation for 60 years. He served on many local, state and national boards for civic leadership and public service throughout his life. He was named Outstanding Young Farmer of Washington County in 1974 and served as a commissioner of the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District for 24 years, which he had also served as chairman. He was a past president of the Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts and served on the national Association of Conservation Districts executive board. He was named to the NACD Southeast Region Conservation Hall of Fame. He was a past president of the Lake Jackson Water Association, was on the board of the Highland Land Corporation, was a past vice president of Berkeley Gin and a past chairman of the Northwest Mississippi R C & D Council, in addition to leadership within numerous other cultural and political groups. — June 25, 2022 William E. “Bill” Reeves (B.S. physical education, ’61) 87, Columbus – A longtime educator and coach, he served as president of what is now East Mississippi Community College and was superintendent of Winston County (Alabama) schools.

A former resident of Guin, Alabama, he was a veteran of the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Navy, and a member of Columbus Masonic Lodge #5. — Jan. 29, 2023 Samuel C. Roberts (B.S. petroleum engineering, ‘80) 64, Midland, Texas — Born in Lucedale, he worked in the petroleum industry for 44 years, starting out as a roughneck in the Gulf of Mexico in 1978 and retiring as a senior engineer at Great Western Drilling Co. of Midland, Texas.

— Jan. 30, 2023 Elisabeth “Betsy” Gernert Rosenblatt (B.S. English, ’74) 70, Jackson – At Mississippi State she was a member of Chi Omega, which she served as pledge trainer.

Following her graduation, she taught in Memphis before moving to Jackson where she taught English at Jackson Preparatory School.

— Aug. 7, 2022 Jeannine Kirkpatrick Smith (M.S. industrial technology, ’95; Ph.D. education, ‘01) 69, Artesia – Prior to her retirement in 2019, she served as the Extension director of the Mississippi Boll Weevil Program and worked with cotton farmers across Mississippi. She was also an accomplished author, researcher and genealogist. — Oct. 27, 2022 Paul Duane Stanford (B.S. civil engineering, ’90) 63, Leakesville – He worked with the Jackson County Utility Authority, Mississippi Department of Transportation, Kemp Engineering and as the county engineer of Newton County.

— Nov. 13, 2022 Norris G. Turner (B.S. electrical engineering, ‘67) 83, Leakesville – He served in the U.S. Air Force as a topographic surveyor in Taiwan. Following an honorable discharge he enrolled at MSU. During the summer of 1962, he took a job with GeoTech Engineering to test seismometers in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Despite the precarious situation, he made it back to MSU to continue his studies. He worked for E-Systems in Dallas, Texas, where his first project was matrix testing for the Lance Missile System. He then became lead senior engineer to invent a barcode scanning machine for the U.S. Postal Service. He went on to design a microfiche sorter for the Air Force and collaborated with Notre Dame to design a method of removing ice from a rail system. He retired in 1993 but continued to invent until he became ill. — Nov. 14, 2020

Remembering BOBBY BRIEN Robert Cecil “Bobby” Brien, an Australian tennis phenom who led MSU to SEC singles titles all four of his years as a Bulldog, died Dec. 3, 2022, in Clarksdale. He was 78.

A native of Sydney, he was ranked No. 2 in Australia’s junior division and won the National Junior Team competition. He won the Australian men’s hard-court doubles in 1963 before accepting a scholarship to Mississippi State in 1964.

In addition to winning SEC singles titles in 1964-67, Brien also won SEC doubles in 1965. He was selected to the six-man SEC first team and was chosen for the NCAA All-American team in 1966 and 1967. He ended his Bulldog career with a 67-1 record, a bachelor’s in business administration and having met the love of his life and wife of 54 years Gail Russell.

Brien continued to play tennis after he left Mississippi State.

He won men’s state titles in South Carolina and Virginia in 1970 and 1975, respectively, and in 1980, he won the Mississippi Men’s 35, 45 and 55 state titles. During his life, he won state open titles in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.

In 1981, Brien was inducted into the Mississippi State Hall of Fame, followed in 1985 with admission to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and, in 2013, to the Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame.

IN MEMORY OF Hassell Franklin A leader of the furniture industry and economic development in Northeast Mississippi, and a lifelong supporter of education, Hassell H. Franklin died Jan. 22, 2023, in Tupelo. He was 87.

A native of Lee County, he served in the Mississippi National Guard and the U.S. Army where he commanded the company that protected James Meredith during the 1962 integrations of the University of Mississippi. He retired from military service as a captain.

Following time at Itawamba Community College, he enrolled at Mississippi State where he earned a bachelor’s in industrial management in 1959. He founded Franklin Corp. in 1970 and built it into one of the largest, privately owned furniture manufacturers in the nation.

His passion for the furniture industry led him to be involved on numerous boards at the state and national level and serve as president of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association. He was inducted in the Mississippi

Business Hall of Fame and recognized internationally with the Tozzoli International Leadership Award.

His passion also led to one of his most lasting impacts on the furniture industry as a whole: a $1 million gift to Mississippi State for a new center for furniture manufacturing and management. Opened in 2004 and known as the Franklin Furniture Institute, the research and training center benefits the furniture industry, including testing, fundamental and applied research, technical assistance and workforce development.

In 1995, he was named MSU’s Alumnus of the Year and he received an honorary Doctor of Public Service for lifetime achievements and longtime support of university programs.

Franklin was a past president and longtime member of the Bulldog Club board of directors and a former member of the College of Business advisory board and MSU’s furniture advisory board. He also served multiple terms on the MSU Foundation board.

Beyond business and service to higher education, Franklin was also active in his community. He served as lead director of Bancorp South, now Cadence Bank, and was past president and board member of the CREATE Foundation. He also served the Chickasaw Development Foundation, Mississippi Economic Council, North Mississippi Health Services and the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal Publishing Company.

For his civic work he was honored by the Tupelo Regional Rehabilitation Center with the Red Raspberry Humanitarian Award in 2019.

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Back STORY

RESPONSES | Spring 2023 We had some very good basketball teams that played in McCarthy Gym, including Bailey Howell.

Babe McCarthy was a fantastic coach. You could hold the basketball as long as you wanted to.

Coach would freeze the ball against Kentucky and the score might have been 21 to 20 as we won.

We had many intramural basketball teams that played in that gym. My team was called Sharp’s Sharpshooters.

There was another gym below this Babe McCarthy Gym. All seats had been removed.

All that was in the old gym was the actual playing court where intramural basketball teams practiced. You could go there any hour of the day or night. A person could turn on the lights at midnight and practice.

You might want to know that Coach Babe McCarthy taught classes in basketball. I enjoyed the class. However, one question on the test was “Which end of the basketball court is larger?” I got the answer right but some did not. It is a trick question. Back court is larger than front court because back court includes the center line.

~ DOUGLAS SHARP, (B.S. PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ’59; M.ED. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION, ’64)

___________________________________________ I have fond memories of McCarthy Gym, but none greater than 1962. I was a cheerleader and the greatest sports event I have ever experienced occurred when Adolph Rupp came to town with his highly touted Wildcats. The gym filled as soon as the doors opened and the crowd was noisy and rowdy. I wouldn’t call the event a standingroom-only crowd, it was much more. The gym had steel girders that ran from one side to the other and there were students who climbed up to either stand or sit to watch the game.

It was rumored that someone placed a dead skunk in a bag under Coach Rupp’s chair, but I can’t verify that story. He was a very dignified coach with his signature brown suit and white hair. He was a great coach and it was always a happening when they came to town. We had a wonderful team and won that game 56-52.

Coach McCarthy was a great coach and, as we all know, this team represented our school proudly in the game that changed everything when we faced off against Loyola. ~ A. CINCLAIR MAY, (B.A. POLITICAL SCIENCE, ’63)

____________________________________________ I watched many basketball games in McCarthy Gymnasium. By far my fondest memory was getting to watch LSU’s “Pistol

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Pete” Maravich play. He was a rock star in the basketball world at the time and I stood in line a long time to get in the doors when they opened. It was well worth the wait! Pete was a mop-headed 6 ft. 5 in. guard who put on a show every time he played and was incredibly talented and fun to watch. He would shoot anywhere on the court, and do no-look and half-court, behind-the-back passes. He was the first person I remember doing behind-theback dribbles. I am sure the gym exceeded the Fire Marshall’s limit since it was far beyond “standing room only.”

Pete played 10 years in the NBA and died suddenly playing a pick-up game at the age of 40. I have always been grateful I got to watch the Pete Maravich show live in McCarthy Gymnasium. ~BRUCE BARLOW, (B.S. MATHEMATICS,‘69)

___________________________________________ Until 1950, MSU basketball was played in the old “Gym in a Box.” It was a pitiful facility and no places for a successful basketball program. However, the new gym, later named McCarthy Gymnasium, quickly became home to some powerhouse MSU teams.

As a high school senior in Starkville, it was a treat to watch Bailey Howell and the 195859 team befuddle opponents, posting a 24-1 record to win the SEC. In 1959, college programs had a freshman team and a separate schedule. Our 1959 freshman team included recruited players Joe Dan Gold and Bobby Shows, plus two unknowns Leland Mitchell and W.D. “Red” Stroud. To say this was a special class is an understatement.

As freshmen, they won all their games and set the stage for their sophomore season. Leland seemed instantly competitive at any game, as I remember from bridge games at the “Grill” and ping pong in a small room at the YMCA. This team won the SEC championship every year they played, 1960-63, thrilling us students every week, and beating Adolph Rupp’s Kentucky Wildcats out of league championships. During one of the Kentucky games at home, someone put a “dead” skunk under Coach Rupp’s bench seat, which received some notoriety when he talked to the press the next day. He also complained about the noise level produced by 5,000 students with cowbells.

I would have to agree on that point. If you think they’re loud in the football stadium, just imagine what they sound like in the small gym.

There were few highlights for Kentucky that night, as they lost 56-52 to State, cowbells and McCarthy’s famous “stall” offense.

As a Starkville youth and now past 80, I have been a zealous Mississippi State fan all my life. The basketball teams coached by Richard Williams and Rick Stansbury have given us alumni much pleasure and have maintained a prominent position for our school. Taking nothing away from those players and coaches, Babe McCarthy and his teams gave us the most amazing record so far. Both the 1958 and 1962 teams posted 24-1 records. Babe was named SEC Coach of the Year three times and won the SEC four of five years between 1958 and 1963—the most successful period in MSU basketball history.

In 1963, some of us approached Coach McCarthy with the idea of an SEC Championship Dance at the close of the season.

He was on board with the idea, especially since it could help with his recruiting efforts.

To promote the event, we suggested a dance contest during halftime at one of the games.

In those days, “The Twist” by Chubby Checker, was very popular. So, McCarthy agreed to advertise the upcoming dance with a “Twist Contest” between eight or so volunteer couples at halftime late in the season. The dance was a big success, and headlined by saxophonist Bill Justis and his band, famous for their hit “Raunchy.”

The 1962-63 team made history in another way, as State defied the governor and slipped out of town to play Loyola of Chicago, a team with three Black players, in the NCAA tournament. History has recorded it as “The Game of Change” — the title of a documentary video produced 45 years later. It is also the subject of the book by Kyle Veazey, “Champions for Change,” published in 2012.

All in all, the “New Gym” housed some great and exciting times for the fortunate students of that era!

DONALD “DON” DODSON, (B.S. DAIRY PRODUCTION, ‘63; MBA, ’68)

____________________________________________ I remember this parking lot well. I was a grade-schooler in the 1960s. Our father, Dr. David Cornell, taught chemical engineering at Mississippi State. Our mother would take my brothers and me to the swimming pool frequently. The pool is just to the south (left) of the “old gym.” We would hop from yellow parking stripe to parking stripe because the pavement was so hot!

~ WILLIAM CORNELL, (B.S. GENERAL SCIENCE,‘83)

____________________________________________ As a campus brat and 1961 graduate, I was pleased to be present with my wife and two sons when President George H.W. Bush spoke at their graduation. I only recently learned from an old vet friend, fellow MSU graduate and Air Force ROTC cadet, Maxey Phillips, class of 1962, that he was in the low level jet fighter flyby that emphasized the national anthem and shocked the crowd that day. ~ ROGER CLAPP, ‘61

A BEAR ENCOUNTER In the fall of 1980, I was a freshman in the Famous Maroon Band, occupying the far left-hand position on the MSU snare drum line. And so it was I found myself in Jackson at attention with other members of the drum line in the end zone prior to the State – Bama game, anticipating another perennial shellacking at the hands of the Crimson Tide.

As was the custom, we were waiting for a cue from our drum captain to begin a cadence to march the band into the stadium—a cadence that always brought the student section to its feet to cheer.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught someone standing to my left, staring at me. It was none other than Paul “Bear” Bryant, waiting with a sheriff’s deputy to escort him across the field to their sideline.

While my mouth was still agape, he said, “Play that drum, boy!” Before I could even think about it, I knocked out a quick riff. As the student section sprang to their feet prematurely, the Bear looked at me with a smile and said, “Well all right!“ As I recall, the next thing I saw was my drum captain letting me know in no uncertain terms that I had messed up, big time. To which I replied, “Bear Bryant asked me to play, what was I supposed to do?“ As the history books now record, we went on to defeat the University of Alabama 6 to 3 in a game forever etched in the memories of those who were privileged to witness it. As for me, I will always remember Nov. 1, 1980 as my Bear encounter. ~ Steve Young (B.S. chemical engineering, ’85)

An iconic photo of the scoreboard at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson shows the final tally in the Mississippi State University football team’s improbable 6-3 upset of No. 1 Alabama on Nov. 1, 1980. Share your memories of this famous game or others by submitting them to Alumnus magazine. Please include your name, major(s) and graduation year(s) as some responses might be featured in print or online with the next issue. alumnus@msstate.edu ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU

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MEET MSU’S NEXT TOP STARTUPS 2023 More than 20 teams awarded $37,250 at Startup Summit 2023 to help fund their businesses.

Finalists: L.O. Bra 1st Place Founders: Hannah Smith, Elizabeth Strunk “A bra with built-in sensor for breast cancer patients that will detect early signs of infection in their chemo ports.”

Napsac 2nd Place Founders: Luke Snell, Ethan Holder “External frame backpacks whose frames convert to hammock stands or cots, designed for backpack camping.”

New Wave Plastics 3rd Place Founder: Joey Daniels “Single-use PHA based cups for the purpose of being environmentally friendly by thermoforming PHA resin into cups, screen printing a label on the cup, and selling directly to other businesses.”

Hannah Smith & Elizabeth Strunk L.O. Bra ( Startup Summit ‘23 Winner)

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See the complete list: ecenter.msstate.edu

IF IT FEELS LIKE HOME,

MAKE IT YOUR HOME If you’re a Bulldog (and we know you are), Starkville always feels like home.

So when it’s time to retire, why not retire here?

Starkville was named Mississippi’s Best City to Retire by Insurify in 2021. Plus Starkville offers a low cost of living, excellent healthcare options, and endless recreational and cultural opportunities. And, of course, there’s the MSU campus we’ve all come to know and love.

Want to know more about retiring in Starkville?

Call us at 662.323.3322. For more information, visit Starkville.org.

Starkville.org

@StarkvilleMS

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