W I N T E R /S P R I N G 2 0 1 7
A PUBLICATION OF THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
L O O K I N G B AC K , L O O K I N G F O R WA R D C E L E B R AT I N G 6 0 Y E A R S
DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS:
Welcome to the winter 2017 edition of Vision. For this issue, our theme is Looking Back, Looking Forward as we celebrate our 60th anniversary as an organized college. Inside you will find articles about our founding as a college and some of the history that preceded the birth of the College of Arts and Sciences. In this edition, we have also included a story about the Department of Geosciences celebrating its 100th anniversary. The cover photo is drawn from both the past and present of the geosciences department, with the lower left-hand portion displaying a traditional classroom of years ago. The upper right portion depicts the University today, one where males and females of all races study, learn and grow together intellectually. Led by professors such as Dr. Athena Owen-Nagel, who is pictured on the cover, our faculty is drawn from all over the country and world. They come to Starkville for many of the same reasons you did – a chance to pursue their passions, to equip themselves with the tools to change the world, and be at a campus that is unlike any other. This issue also features a story about three iconic professors, Tom Carskadon, Hank Flick and Bob Wolverton, whom I have had the privilege of calling ‘friend’ for over twenty years. These three professors exemplify one of the best things about the College of Arts and Sciences – a dedication to our students. Three men from different parts of the country quickly came to recognize that Starkville and MSU is indeed a special place. I became the Interim Dean (perhaps appropriately) on April 1, 2016, having spent 23 years at MSU as a faculty member in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. Being the Dean of the largest, and I believe best, college has been a thrill. Sometimes people ask me what the best part of my job is, and that is always easy to answer; it is getting to know more of the people who make the College a special place. This includes our faculty who are continually making new discoveries and offering insights about our world, our earnest young students whose zeal is always inspiring, and our alumni that we hold up in an aspirational light to encourage these students and whose generosity supports so many faculty and students alike. When I look forward, I know that the next 60 years will bring even greater achievements to the College and part of this will be built on those alumni from our past who enable us to stand on their shoulders as we look toward the future. Thank you for your support of the College of Arts and Sciences and its students and faculty. Please keep in touch and come visit when you can.
Hail State!
Rick Travis Interim Dean
TABLE OF CONTENTS 16 TEACHING AND RESEARCH AWARDS
17 SOCIETY OF SCHOLARS AND DEAN’S ADVISORY BOARD
19 DONOR LIST
22 PROMOTIONS AND RETIREES
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES STAFF
4
History of the College of Arts and Sciences
DR. RICK TRAVIS - Interim Dean DR. GISELLE THIBAUDEAU MUNN - Associate Dean for Research DR. NICOLE RADER - Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs KARYN BROWN - Director of Communication SARA FREDERIC - Director of Development SHERYL KINARD - Business Manager KATE TEASLER - Assistant to the Dean for Research HANNAH BATEMAN - Admissions Coordinator TRACY BRITT - Academic Coordinator BARBARA STEWART - Academic Coordinator NIKKI ROBINSON - Advancement Coordinator ALISA SEMMES - Administrative Assistant to the Dean GRETCHEN CRAWFORD - Academic Programs Assistant KIMBERLY RAYBORN - Administrative Assistant LATOYA ROGERS - Administrative Assistant
Student Workers:
RICHARD HILL - Student Worker KATE MARTIN - Student Worker MEGAN PECK - Student Worker BECCA SWANN - Student Worker ABIGAIL YANN - Student Worker CLAIRE WINESETT - Student Writer ANNA ZOLLICOFFER - Student Graphic Designer
6
Liberal Arts Education
Iconic Professors
8
Editors:
KARYN BROWN CLAIRE WINESETT
Writers:
HANNAH BATEMAN CLAIRE WINESETT
#discoveryourand IN THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
14
10 College of Arts and Sciences Alumni
Celebrating 100 years: Geosciences
12 12
Designers:
ERIC ABBOTT ANNA ZOLLICOFFER (COVER) MEGAN BEAN (COVER PHOTO)
23 Direct comments or questions to: KARYN BROWN | 662.325.7952 kbrown@deanas.msstate.edu P.O. Box AS | Mississippi State, MS 39762
Discover Your And IS PUBLISHED BY THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD CELEBRATING 60 YEARS
4
By Claire Winesett
The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest academic
were required to take classes that now fall under the umbrella
unit at Mississippi State University. With more than 5,000
of “arts and sciences.” These ranged from arithmetic, history
students and 300 full-time faculty members, it singularly could
and rhetoric during the freshman year to meteorology, political
constitute the state’s fifth largest institution of higher learning.
economy, geology and moral philosophy during the senior year.
Currently, the college offers 25 degree programs in 14 different
Formed in 1911, the School of General Science was the
departments: anthropology and Middle Eastern cultures,
inaugural academic unit closest to the general arts and sciences
biological sciences, chemistry, classical and modern languages
concept. During the 1911-12 term, W. H. Magruder—
and literatures, communication, English, geosciences, history,
namesake of Magruder Hall—was director of the new school
mathematics and statistics, philosophy and religion, physics
that had become the fourth on campus after engineering
and astronomy, political science and public administration,
(1902), agriculture (1903) and industrial pedagogy [education]
psychology, and sociology.
(1909).
The Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College—
In 1912, W. N. Logan replaced Magruder as director, followed
Mississippi A&M to most—was established by the legislature
in 1916 by W.F. Hand—namesake of the Hand Chemical
in 1878 as a land-grant institution. As the name implies, its
Laboratory—who later was named School of Science dean.
primary missions involved training in agriculture, engineering
In 1917, the school included the departments of bacteriology,
and military science. From the beginning, however, students
botany, chemistry, geology, and zoology. By 1940, it had grown
VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017 | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
to encompass much of the general sciences and pre-professional
He continued, “We often talk about arts and sciences being the heart
sciences that are now a part of the College of Arts and Sciences.
of MSU, not because almost every student will pass through arts and
Courses in the humanities, social sciences and the like did not yet
sciences classes at some point, but because what we teach and what we
have a particular academic home.
do is at the very center of improving humankind.”
In 1954, a survey conducted by John E. Brewton of Peabody
As it has grown dramatically in enrollment and faculty positions over
College in Nashville, Tennessee, recommended the formation
the decades, so has the College’s research productivity, Travis said. “The
of a School of Arts and Sciences from grouping the School of
most important development in the College over the last few years
Science with departments that are typically considered to be the
that will continue in the future is the growth on the research front.
“arts.” Following years of discussion and research, the Board of
Whether one measures our research productivity growth in terms of
Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning approved
published journal articles or award-winning published manuscripts or
the creation of the College of Arts and Sciences on September
competitively-award external funding, the current faculty in Arts and
10, 1956.
Sciences are unprecedented in our history in terms of contributions to expanding the frontiers of knowledge.”
Dr. Rick Travis, the College’s interim dean, says “to many outside observers, the most distinctive thing about arts and
Among major events the College’s recent history are:
sciences is its diversity in terms of subjects and ideas we teach and research.”
• Opening of the A. Randle and Marilyn M. White Pre-Medical Advising Office in Harned Hall to aid students pursuing careers in
Taking as examples the four “P” departments—philosophy, physics, political science and psychology—Travis said “you get
the health-related fields; • Launching of new study-abroad programs to provide students
a sense of the scope of who we are and what we do.” While
with additional opportunities to expand their classroom learning
these academic areas are distinctly different, “what can be easily
experiences;
missed in this is the thing that unites us,” he emphasized.
• Additional undergraduate research opportunities designed to expose top students to cutting-edge scientific discoveries; and
Whatever the major, Travis said the College continues its
• Selections of Donald M. “Field” Brown of Vicksburg as a 2013
dedication “to improving the human condition, whether it is
Rhodes Scholar, and Jamie A. Aron and Natalie M. Jones, both of
through our teaching or research or service. When we do our
Flowood, as, respectively, 2015 and 2016 Harry S. Truman scholars.
jobs well, our students leave MSU equipped both with the desire
Both scholarships are among the nation’s top recognitions for
to engage in this same endeavor and the with the knowledge and
higher education students.
learning skills necessary to navigate the next 40 years of their life.”
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES | VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017
5
The Liberal Arts KNOWLEDGE BOTH BROAD & DEEP By Claire Winesett
While nearly every Mississippi State undergraduate will take at least one course in the College of Arts and Sciences, there is a special
and bad behavior, virtues and vices, and the responsibilities of being a good citizen,” said Wolverton.
group of students who can call it their home. According to the classics professor, “The so-called liberal arts today A liberal arts education is too often viewed by the unknowing
are typically composed of three broad divisions: the humanities, the
as impractical, near useless or non-vocational. Yet there are many
social and behavioral sciences, and science and mathematics. Still, in
employers that appreciate how this generalist focus can provide
many cases, other subjects such as the fine arts and music are added.
invaluable skill sets in critical thinking, effective and efficient
We are, one might argue, in the same tradition of the ancient Greeks,
communication, a continuing desire and ability to pursue knowledge
producing that person who is well prepared for living a life, in
while learning about a variety of subjects and, most importantly,
addition to making a living for life.”
learning them well. As Wolverton emphasized, “We all need to know how to think well,
6
Dr. Robert E. Wolverton Sr., longtime faculty member in the
how to express ourselves well, how to act well, and how to live well.
Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures,
As I have written elsewhere: ‘The wisdom of the world is on the
said the liberal arts have been rooted in education and humanity for
book-shelf, read by few, understood by few who read, and acted on
centuries. “A liberal arts education is an education for a free person;
by few who read and understand.’ We ignore and de-value the liberal
liberal comes from the Latin word liber, meaning free.
arts at our own peril.”
“Although a Latin word defines it, such an education for a free
Sharing those feelings is Dr. Robert West, who noted that a liberal
citizen goes back to the ancient Greeks, who argued that a free person
arts education is designed to combine a broad education with in-depth
has certain responsibilities as a citizen of the state and as a human
knowledge on a subject of choice and interest. An associate professor
being. Studies were important, therefore, in teaching a person how
in the Department of English, he is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the
to discern such things as truth and falsehood, right and wrong, good
oldest and largest U.S. honor society in the arts and sciences.
VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017 | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
“Sometimes you hear ‘liberal arts and sciences,’ but it’s all the same,” West explained. “It refers to a curriculum designed to educate students as broadly as possible. Traditionally, that means requiring them to study math, the natural sciences, the social sciences, languages, and the humanities. While students typically choose one subject to major in, they have to take courses in many others, spread out among those broad categories. “In some ways, those non-major studies contribute directly to the profession they envision for themselves,” he said. “For instance, a political science major who’s studied history, sociology and psychology is probably going to understand some aspects of politics better than one who hasn’t.” West said a liberal arts education “can prepare you for life after college in ways that aren’t so directly related to a particular profession. An awareness of many kinds of knowledge and the many ways of learning about the world we all share can make us better citizens of the nation and of the planet. It can make us better spouses, better parents, better readers, better writers. And it can help us to defend ourselves from those who are eager to exploit ignorance.” “We keep hearing that most Americans now entering the working world will have several different jobs in their lifetime; that the single career, working for the same employer for 30-40 years, is less and less likely. The diversity of a liberal arts curriculum requires students to learn adaptability, and that’s going to help them professionally,” West said. Additionally, he observed that students pursuing a liberal arts education “can’t take and pass such diverse college-level coursework semester after semester without learning how to adjust well from one perspective to another, and without learning too how to adjust well from one set of expectations to another.” Echoing Wolverton’s summation, West said those “who dismiss the value of a liberal arts education do so at their and their children’s perils. Liberal arts graduates who have developed the kind of cognitive flexibility such a broad education has required of them will be very well prepared to join this new economy.”
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES | VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017
7
Tom Carskadon
Hank Flick
Robert Wolverton
THREE PROFESSORS
L E AV E L E G A C Y O F T E A C H I N G BEYOND THE CLASSROOM By Claire Winesett
Though they came from different personal backgrounds and different
the beginning of each class, Dr. C will ask if any of the students are
academic areas, three College of Arts and Sciences faculty members
celebrating a birthday that day. If they are, he calls the students to the
began their careers at Mississippi State with one point of commonality:
front of the room and sings his unique and funny birthday song while the
None knew what the future would hold.
rest of the class claps along.
Today, Drs. Tom Carskadon, Hank Flick and Robert S. Wolverton Sr. are regarded as university legends after collectively having taught and
When asked what his favorite classroom memory was during his 44 years at MSU, Carskadon bragged about his students.
influenced thousands of students over four decades at the Starkville institution.
“Collectively, it would be my students; my ‘scholars,’ as I call them, somewhere north of 40,000 of them. From day one, I have always loved
Carskadon freely admitted that he “had never even heard of Mississippi
my students. I marvel that I can actually get paid to learn and discover
State until shortly before I came here. I thought I was on my way to teach
all sorts of interesting things about human behavior, find and read
at a college in Illinois, but they unexpectedly lost their funding for the
wonderful books, and then share it with some of the brightest, most
position, and three days later I received an invitation to interview for a
interesting, most enthusiastic people in the country, who have the world
teaching job here.” He came to Starkville after completing a doctorate at
ahead of them,” Carskadon emphasized.
the University of Colorado. Flick, who retired from teaching in the Department of Communication After accepting the Department of Psychology’s offer, Carskadon said he “had no idea what to expect,” but quickly added, “Not only
just prior to the fall 2016 semester, agreed students are the best part of the job.
was I pleasantly surprised by what I found - a modern, comprehensive university that seemed poised for growth in a peaceful, friendly town - but I also thought that maybe I could make a difference here.”
“Teaching was not a job, it was my ministry. It’s how I made a good world better, one student at a time,” the Southern Illinois University doctoral graduate said. “No student ever accused me of not being passionate and
8
Originally from New Jersey, “Dr. C,” as he’s dubbed by students, is best
excited about spending time with him or her. I arrived 10 minutes early to
known for the general psychology course taken by many freshmen. At
every class. A wise instructor learns to expect that students are living with
VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017 | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
problems. A smile and an attentive ear doesn’t overcome everything, but it
“These are the best of times,” Carskadon said. “I have always been proud
does help students manage the doubt, pain and suffering of the moment
of Mississippi State, but I have never been prouder of it than right now!
leading to the joy of them knowing I care more about their world than my
Amazing, wonderful things are happening all over this university. This is
own.”
also the friendliest campus I have ever set foot on. When we say we are the MSU family, we really mean it.”
Flick came to MSU after completing a master’s degree at what now is the University of Memphis.
This extends to his personal family, too. All three of Carskadon’s sons graduated from Mississippi State, and two, Bob and James, now work on
“I had never thought about being a teacher. I never took a class in teaching. I was planning on going into the business world, and was waiting for a job
campus in, respectively, the Department of Athletics and Office of Public Affairs.
in Memphis to open up,” he said. “Exactly 40 years after I first came here, my son Bob took a full-time Though he taught a variety of communication courses at MSU, Flick is
position here, and he lived in the exact same house that I did when I first
likely best known for his very popular class on interviewing. Flick proudly
arrived, renting it from the son of the man who rented it to me. I was barely
noted that he “never took a sick day in my 45 years at MSU. There have been
26 years old when I came to State, and my son James just started his career
many days that I could have stayed in bed or should have been in a doctor’s
here at the exact same age,” Carskadon said.
waiting room seeking medicine. Maybe it wasn’t smart, but I wanted to be with my students. There was no better place for me to be than with my students. They are that special.”
Wolverton has also provided a second generation to the campus community. Robert S. Wolverton Jr. is a faculty member and administrator at the Mitchell Memorial Library.
“Teaching was not a job, it was my ministry. It’s how I made a good world better, one student at a time.” -Flick
Looking back on their many years at MSU, these three professors articulate the wisdom they have gained to encourage the faculty, staff and students at Mississippi State. “Embrace this great university of ours. Revel in it,” Carskadon said. “Extend your reach beyond your own department. You have no idea how
Like Carskadon, he too fell in love with MSU, which he described as “a simple place, better than Heaven,” adding, “We Ring True at 39762.”
many fascinating things and amazing people there are here. Make a longterm commitment to Mississippi State University – you will experience immense joy, pride and satisfaction that will only intensify as the years and
Wolverton said he “had no prior experience with MSU” but “from my first interview on, I was attracted to the ‘family atmosphere’ on campus” where
decades roll by. Every time you say, ‘Hail State!’ you will be speaking straight from the heart.”
“people cared for and helped each other.” He now describes MSU as “one of the best-kept secrets in the nation.”
Flick urges the MSU community to “understand, appreciate and value your research. Reach out to the community and share with them the special skills,
A University of North Carolina doctoral graduate, he had taught at the
abilities, aptitudes and talents that MSU helped you develop.”
University of Georgia and served as president of Mount St. Joseph College in Ohio before MSU President James D. McComas named him vice president
“Come here to be a success,” Wolverton adds. “There are so many
for academic affairs in 1977. Upon leaving campus administration in the
resources to help make you successful, so take advantage of them. We do
1980s, he immediately began teaching in the then-Department of Foreign
ring true!”
Languages, including all levels of Latin, Greek and classical mythology. Wolverton said “being VP on the 100th anniversary of the University [in
Dr. Carskadon and Dr. Wolverton continue to teach at MSU. Dr. Flick
1978] and serving as president of the Robert Holland Faculty Senate during the
retired from teaching in fall 2016 to devote time to research and writing
presidency of Dr. [Robert] Foglesong” are among his favorite campus memories.
books. His third book, Good Looks and Meat Both Have an Expiration Date, is in press, and he is currently writing his fourth book, Single Moms are the
Carskadon could well be speaking for his two colleagues when he expressed pride at Mississippi State’s tremendous growth and development over the decades.
Unsung Heroes of Life (2017). When his fourth book goes to press, Flick will begin working on his fifth book, Give God’s Name a Rest, If You Must Curse, Use Your Own Name (2018).
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES | VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017
9
Arts & Sciences Alumni
By Hannah Bateman and Claire Winesett
MAKING A DIFFERENCE All graduates of Mississippi State University
now-138-year-old campus’ history, the 1975
performing group, he said he most enjoys “the
have personal stories from their time on campus.
general science graduate with a chemistry
way it plays up to the crowd during the pregame,”
In celebration of its 60 years at the university,
emphasis said he was four years old the
along with the Dawg Walk preceding each home
the College of Arts and Sciences recently
night Old Main—believed to be the largest
game at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. “I
contacted a range of alumni from each decade
single campus dormitory in the country—
mean, everything they do is very enjoyable,” he
of its existence to ask their remembrances of the
was destroyed by a massive fire in January of
said.
special place they briefly called home.
1959. As for happy memories, he pointed to the friends he made during his student years,
Like Locke, Dr. Kermit Carraway of Auburn,
Dr. Will Locke’s ties begin with his family. His
among them the daughter of another faculty
California, said one of his best campus
father, legendary professor John Locke, was a
member named Pickett Wilson who one day
memories involves the person he later married.
Mississippi A&M College alumnus who spent a
would become his wife.
After first meeting the former Coralie Carothers
career teaching botany and related courses at his alma mater.
in a humanities class, he then developed a Today, one of the couple’s two sons continues the family tradition of pursuing an education
which they were enrolled.
According to W. Locke, “My parents had lived
in the College of Arts and Sciences as he
on campus since the late 1930s,” the Starkville
works towards a degree in philosophy with a
A 1962 chemistry graduate, Carraway said he
physician said. “When we were little, the train
concentration in religion. Though not a drum
and Coralie so appreciated that chemistry teacher
came through campus and we would go and
major like his father, Wilson Locke is also a
that they gave part of his name to their son Lyell.
watch it come through right down the middle
member of the Famous Maroon Band.
The namesake, Lyell Christian Behr, taught for
of campus.”
many years in the chemistry department before Dr. Will Locke said he made many friends
Recalling one of the saddest events in the
10
relationship with her in a chemistry course in
during his time with the band. Of today’s
VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017 | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
concluding his MSU career as dean of the college during the 1970s.
Like Locke, he also shares memories of Old Main, only from a much closer perspective.
it was in Lee Hall as a freshman in a required
and “an adult who experienced [his] first part-
French class that he first laid eyes on the
time and full-time jobs.” Now the MSU Alumni
former Rebecca Rieves.
Association’s assistant director for chapter
“I was a resident in Old Main when it burned to
and volunteer programs, he considers himself
the ground,” Carraway said. “My room was about
especially fortunate because he can “add to
100 feet down the hall from the room where the fire started. A friend woke me, I threw on a jacket and we went downstairs to watch the fire get put out. I never got back to my room, as the fire got
“I experienced a wide range
of people, creating lifelong friends and learning from
those memories as a staff member.” MSU’s family environment is an aspect of the college experience that many alumni still
into a dusty attic with no fire walls and exploded
great people both within
around the building in about a minute.”
and out of my department,”
graduate, came to appreciate the “reassuring”
-Stafford
“Coming from a very small high school (Benton
He continued, “I lost everything. That was
treasure. Stanley Boddy, a 1995 mathematics family environment he found in the college.
during exams. When the new semester started,
High in Yazoo County), it was a whole new
I was in a regular dorm room with three other
world. The professors made me feel part of the
freshmen. You haven’t lived until you have lived in a tiny dorm room with three other guys!”
Michael Richardson, among whose three
family, and they were there to offer help. Believe me,
MSU degrees is a 1992 bachelor’s in chemistry,
I needed it.” Without doubt, he said “MSU prepared
emphasized the value of the relationships he
me for my future” as North American distribution
Meeting a future spouse is another prime
made during his time as a student in the College
services manager for a Swedish company.
memory shared by Dr. Henry C. “Chris”
of Arts and Sciences. He says he “found [his]
Waterer III of Jackson, Mississippi, a 1981
best friends here” and also credits his student
Similarly, Britt Stafford, a 2014 communication/
general science/biology graduate. In his case,
years for helping him become “more outgoing”
public relations and journalism graduate from
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES | VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017
11
“The professors made me feel part of
Hank Flick’s small group communication class was Westmoreland’s favorite class. He
the family, and they were there to offer
said he used skills learned there throughout
help. Believe me, I needed it.” -Boddy
adjunct assistant professor with Embry-Riddle
his military career in the Army and now as an Aeronautical University-Worldwide. Cindy Robison of Elberta, Alabama, a 1975
Tyler, Texas, also found a family atmosphere.
current resident of Fort Rucker, Alabama. “I
communication/journalism graduate, also lists
“While attending MSU, I experienced a wide
am still friends and speak daily with many of the
Flick her personal favorite professor. “Hank
range of people, creating lifelong friends and
contacts I made while attending State, nearly 20
Flick taught me speech, and I will never forget
learning from great people both within and out
years later. I grew up at State, I became a Bulldog
the class assignments,” Robinson said. “I
of my department,” said Stafford, who is now
and have traveled the world several times over
briefly was a reporter at The Reflector (student
the associate editor for TeaTime magazine with
spreading the good word about State. I get goose
newspaper) and the experience led me to work
Hoffman Media in Birmingham, Alabama.
bumps when I run into people on the street
in the weekly and daily newspaper industry
“Being in the Famous Maroon Band also gave
everywhere I go and we exchange ‘Hail State!’
after graduation.” Recently retired from her
me instant access to more than 300 instant
Going to Mississippi State was life changing and
position as a broadcast journalism teacher in
friends who eventually turned into a family.”
forever made me a part of a family. It is a family
a career center for Jefferson Parish Schools in
tradition and I look forward to my own children
Louisiana, she praised Flick as “a wonderful
ringing their cowbells at a game.”
teacher that gave me great skills with which
Major Patrick Westmoreland, a U.S. Army officer and senior pilot qualified in five different
12
to learn to speak before an unending number
airframes with 1,000 flight hours as pilot-in-
While Mississippi State as a whole provided a
of students the rest of my career, as well as
command, agreed that Mississippi State led to
welcoming place to foster relationships, some
editors.” At 44 years, Hank Flick was the
lifelong friendships and loyalty to the land-grant
graduates of the College also considered a
communication department’s longest serving
institution. “I found my experiences at MSU
specific course or faculty member to be a special
faculty member when he retired from teaching
to be some of the best in my life,” said the
favorite.
in August.
VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017 | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Teresa Busby of Natchez, Mississippi, a 1993
living; how cool is that?” he said, as he explained how
John Cohen is a 1990 English graduate that
history graduate who came back to complete a
the College and geosciences training helped prepare
coached the Bulldog baseball team for nearly a
master’s degree in 1999, said her favorite class was
him. “Spending two weeks chasing tornadoes
decade before recently being promoted to athletic
a German language course taught by professor
across the Great Plains and Midwest with two of
director. “Don’t take your time at Mississippi State
George Buehler, who concluded his long campus
my professors and seven other students was an
for granted and take full advantage of everything
career as an associate dean of the college.
amazing adventure.” He says, “hands-on experience
MSU has to offer,” Cohen advised those now
outside of the classroom allowed me to apply
enrolled.
Copiah-Lincoln
what I had been learning at Mississippi State and
Community College’s Natchez Campus, Busby
Now
vice
president
of
see what the possibilities could be moving forward.
As does Roy Ruby, who holds emeritus rank as vice
recalled how Buehler “would leave notes on my
Furthermore, every arts and sciences teacher I had
president for student affairs and dean of education.
exams that would say, ‘Please minor in German,’ or
invested in me and wanted me to succeed and,
“I’ll say it again, this university gave me more than I
‘You’re a natural, major in German!’ He was just so
because of them, I am living out a dream.”
could ever give it in the 40 years I spent here,” said
encouraging and had such a wonderful story about
the Starkville resident and MSU administrative icon
surviving and escaping Nazi Germany when he was
Then there is Jamie Aron, a political science and
a child. He had a twin brother who did not survive
mathematics double-major who was named a
who completed bachelor’s and master’s degree in
the ordeal and I remember crying in class when he
national Harry S. Truman Scholar prior to her 2016
shared the story. We learned a foreign language and
graduation. Now pursuing a master’s degree in
The people who are a part of the College of Arts
history at the same time.”
medical sciences at Mississippi College to prepare
and Sciences will continue to be the driving force of
for medical school, Aron said she “gained a deeper
the College’s success. We look back in remembrance
political science during the early and mid-1960s.
First Lieutenant William Reed Simmons is a 2011
understanding of my perspective of the world and
of the many influential people that have chosen to
geosciences graduate who went on to complete
how it may differ from others. I can only hope I
be a part of the College of Arts and Sciences, and
U.S. Air Force pilot training. Now based in Biloxi,
will one day be able to give back meaningfully to my
we look forward in excitement towards the many
Mississippi, with 53d Weather Reconnaissance
university as it has given so much to me.”
bright, unique and driven alumni to come.
Squadron, also known as the “Hurricane Hunters,” he commands a Lockeed WC-130J high-wing, medium-range aircraft. “I fly into hurricanes for a
Finally, some alumni of the College choose to make careers at MSU. COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES | VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017
13
DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES
Celebrates aCentury By Claire Winesett
As the College of Arts and Sciences celebrates its 60th year, one of its departments is celebrating an even longer milestone.
Department Head Dr. Bill Cooke said that whatever the different academic concentrations, all majors are seeking to gain a better understanding of “how the earth works and the processes
Formerly the Department of Geology and Geography, the
that occur on there.”
now-Department of Geosciences is marking its 100th year. From classes and offices in Hilbun Hall, department faculty and
Dr. Kathy Sherman-Morris, an associate professor in the
administrators have long worked to encourage the pursuit of a
department, said she and her colleagues consider “1916-17 as
deeper understanding of the planet we call home.
the year when our modern department was born because it was a combined department of geology and geography for the first
In the department’s geology emphasis, majors study the earth’s surfaces and sub-surfaces; in geography, the study of place and
time. I think what sets us apart is that we have continued to foster this combination of disciplines.”
what happens in places; in meteorology, weather and climate; and
14
in geospatial sciences, the utilization of geographic information
Dr. Renee Clary, an associate professor, directs the department’s
systems and remote sensing to analyze soils, elevation and plant
popular Dunn-Seiler Museum, home to extensive mineral, rock and
cover to produce computerized research models.
fossil collections. She said the department “originally offered 16
VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017 | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
different courses and 13 labs in 1916. This has expanded to more than
While meterology is the most well-known area of study in the
100 different classes and labs. Our focus now includes new disciplines,
Department of Geosciences, Geospatial Studies (GS) might be the
multidisciplinary research and innovative technologies and tools.”
least familiar concentration. GS explores a computerized analysis of information about the earth’s surface and subsurface. This
The department recently added its first endowed faculty position
concentration has played a big role in the department’s success.
made possible by a petroleum geology graduate. The Mark Worthey Endowed Field Studies Fund is supporting hands-on experiences for
“These kinds of computerized modeling of the environment are
students to gain fieldwork experience prior to graduation. Though
being employed in epidemiology, tracking the Zika virus, for instance,
born in Illinois, Worthey was reared in Hamilton, Mississippi. He first
in insect attacks, in crop disease, even in business to determine
enrolled at MSU in 1975 but had to leave for a four-year stint in the
where the best place to put a new mall or recognition of what’s on
U.S. Air Force. Returning to campus on the Montgomery G.I. Bill
the ground to be used as input data in decision-making processes.
and graduating in 1984, he went on to work at Texas-based Denbury
We do pattern analysis of crime, using these geospatial sciences to
Resources. In 2006, Worthey left Denbury Resources and is now the
determine the patterns” to “help effectively deploy law enforcement
Founder and President of McClaren Resources Inc., a private oil and
personnel. We are also using it to track glacial melt, so we can see if
gas company.
climate change is really occurring,” said Cooke.
In expressing appreciation for his support, Cooke said that Worthy’s
The department was recently recognized as a Geospatial Sciences
gift “will provide a base level of funding to be able to attract a
Center of Academic Excellence by the National Geospatial
geologist that we choose.”
Intelligence Agency that handles geographical and geospatial duties for the Central Intelligence Agency and related operations. New
Established in the 1980s, the meteorology program is quite possibly
courses and professional contacts resulting from this prestigious
the discipline for which the department is best known. It currently
recognition should greatly benefit geoscience majors interested in
enrolls more than 100 undergraduate majors on the Starkville campus
intelligence-related careers, Cooke said.
and over 150 in the popular distance-learning program. Cooke said more than one third of U.S. television weather broadcasters now have
As the department continues celebrating its 100th year of
direct ties to MSU meteorology training, and the program boasts a 100
achievement, Sherman-Morris said the department is making plans
percent placement of all broadcast meteorologist graduates. Students
for a major spring-semester event to conclude the anniversary. Alumni
may also pursue a degree in professional meteorology to prepare for
and former students interested in being a part are being asked to
careers with the National Weather Service or private meteorology
visit the website www.geosciences.msstate.edu/articles/home-page-
organizations, as well as for graduate school.
rotator/2016/09/past-present-0/, both to share memories of their time on campus and to nominate individuals they believe should be
“We probably put more people into the broadcast meteorology
included in the department’s “Top 100 Alumni” recognition.
business than anywhere else,” Cooke said. “The number of students who go to work in the television industry or at the National Weather
To help make certain geosciences continues to grow and develop
Service doing weather prediction probably exceeds anything else in
into the 21st century, a crowdfunding campaign also is underway.
our department. It’s a very big program.”
Contributions may be made at: accelerate.msstate.edu/project/2979.
Sherman-Morris noted that the program has grown over the decades
To learn more about the centennial celebration, crowdfunding
“from offering one meteorology class in 1916-17 to a meteorology
effort and other departmental activities during the current school
program that now is nationally known.”
year, visit www.geosciences.msstate.edu or contact Sherman-Morris at kms5@msstate.edu.
Cooke said the training provides “not only the meteorology background, but the communication expertise,” explaining how majors are required “to go through the process of getting on the air and recording their tapes, editing, looking back, making changes, improving their diction, and improving their on-camera presence.”
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES | VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017
15
COLLEGE FACULTY
AWARDS
Dr. David Hoffman Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures Wallace Eminent Scholar
Jada Johnson Sociology Oldham Outstanding Mentor Award
DEAN’S STUDENT
ADVISORY COUNCIL As Mississippi State University’s largest and most diverse academic college, the College of Arts and Sciences seeks to faithfully and accurately represent the wide-ranging interests and concerns of its students. The Dean’s Student Advisory Council, comprised of undergraduate representatives from the College’s 14 academic departments, seeks to serve that purpose as a connection between the students in the College and the dean’s administration. This prestigious group of students informs the College’s leadership on the thoughts and concerns of the student population. The Dean’s Student Advisory Council represents the College of Arts and Sciences to current and prospective students. Serving alongside representatives from the dean’s office, members of the Council travel to recruitment events on and off campus to relay how they’ve discovered their path to success through the College of Arts and Sciences. The Dean’s Student Advisory Council selects new members each Spring.
Dr. Jason Morgan Ward History Gulmon Eminent Scholar
Dr. Kathy Sherman-Morris Geosciences Henry Eminent Scholar
16
VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017 | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Madelyn Barr Mary Frances Broadhead Chelsea Capleton Kimberly De La Cruz Becca Hawkins Hannah Holetz Ariel Johnson Beth Kowalczyk Hannah Krapac Brooke Laizer Jessie Lewis Katelyn Majors Sabrina Moore Randy Niffenegger
Allison Phillips James Riggins Alivia Roberts Trevor Sanford Nia Sims Bobbie Jo Smith Mary Ann Smith Jake Stockton Kierra Thompson Kayla Thrash Madison Ward Melissa Weitzel Keyonna Wilder
SOCIETY OF SCHOLARS Mary Bailey Katherine Baldwin Allison Bruning John Bryan A. Zachary Buchanan Haily Crawford Emily Damm Lindsey Elmore Austin Fortenberry Alex Hughes Ryan King Reagan Livingston
Fall 2016
Alexis Manson John Miller Sabrina Moore Roxanne Raven Daniel Roberson Ashlee Rogers Jenna Stanford Elizabeth Thomas Kayla Thrash Holly Travis Jamelle Vance Lachelle Vance
DEAN’S EXECUTIVE ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
The mission of the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Executive Advisory Board is to provide leadership and support to the Dean. By utilizing skills, financial resources, teamwork and diversity, the board works to strengthen the academic infrastructure, faculty and facilities of the College and University. Laurie Williams (chair)
Llana Smith
Dr. Ralph Alewine
Dr. John Rada
Dr. Fred Corley
Dr. Randy White
Hunter “Ticket” Henry
Dr. David Wigley
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, ‘79
Bachelor of Science in Physics, ‘68 Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, ‘68 Friend of the College
Kitty Henry
Friend of the College
Dr. Karen Hulett
SOCIETY OF SCHOLARS John Bathon Robert Billingsley Madison Buras Logan Chaney Caroline Collins Jenny Cox Ridgeland Dabbs Emily Farrar Lien Geel Cornelia Griesche Sarah Jolly
Spring 2016
Natalie Jones Sarah Kleinwechter Christine Mazzola Adam Niolet Julie Nott Amy Pate Megan Spade Hannah Warren Zachary Warren Terah Winborne
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, ‘74 Friend of the College Bachelor of Science in Chemistry/Pre-Med, ‘66 Bachelor of Science in Soil Science, ‘77 Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, ‘79
Dr. Thomas Wiley, Jr.
Bachelor of Science in General Science, ‘72
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, ‘73
Dr. William B. Hulett Friend of the College
COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES
Hank Johnston
Dr. Rick Travis
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, ‘65
Malcolm B. Lightsey Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, ‘61 Master of Science in Mathematics, ‘63
Dr. M. Diane Roberts
Bachelor of Science in Zoology, ‘63 Master of Science in Zoology, ‘64
Interim Dean
Sara Frederic
Director of Development
Dr. Giselle T. MunnThibaudeau
Associate Dean for Research
Dr. Nicole Rader
Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Karyn Brown
Director of Communication
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES | VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017
17
Dear Alumni and Friends, When our family departed Starkville in 2011 for wonderful professional opportunities, our hearts longed for the day we would rejoin Mississippi State University. Five years passed, and we were welcomed home by a new landscape of buildings and a rapidly growing student population. Our homecoming coincided with the 60th anniversary of the College of Arts and Sciences, giving me an incredible opportunity to forge ties with many alumni from the land of maroon and white. Their shared stories revolve around impactful professors and staff that helped them build the firm foundation leading to their successful careers. The transition of our college over 60 years amazes me, but one thing remains constant: our loyal alumni and friends. Because of YOUR support and vision for the future of Mississippi State, we are equipped with the ability to recruit the best faculty and talented students. With a dedicated faculty collectively counseling eager students how to best pursue their passions and interests, our university changes students’ lives daily. As future graduates, these students impact Mississippi and areas well beyond our state and nation as leaders in innovation who are poised to change the world. The College of Arts and Sciences has so much to celebrate. The support of Dr. Donald Hall and his family created our college’s first endowed Distinguished Professorship, bringing Dr. Angus Dawe to the biological sciences department. We mark the continued success of the pre-medical advising office established by Dr. Randle White and Marilyn White and further supported by Oktibbeha County Hospital. We greatly appreciate Dr. Howard Shook, who continues to grow his endowed scholarship in memory of his late wife, Diane Shook, and grant talented mathematics students a chance to study without the financial burden of tuition and fees. Additional generous scholarship donors include Dr. Ralph Alewine and Betty Alewine for their commitment to awarding proven student leaders for their accomplishments and encouraging their strong scientific interest. The opportunities for our College are endless, and these are just a few recent examples of philanthropy and its powerful impact! As we continue the one-billion-dollar Infinite Impact Campaign for Mississippi State, we remind ourselves that 60 years ago our university-wide goal of this magnitude would be unheard of. Now we acknowledge our incredible alumni that change this mindset and provide the potential to make countless opportunities for our distinguished university. Our College will work diligently to fulfill our portion of this goal, and you can be the one contributor to help us progressively move toward this horizon. We are grateful for all of your contributions that provide the College of Arts and Sciences the resources to ensure every faculty, staff and student are successful in their fields. And, with your gifts, comes additional support from corporations and foundations that believe in the strong mission of our University and our College. I look forward to visiting with you soon to learn about how your time as part of the Bulldog Nation helped you become the person you are today.
Hail state, Sara Jurney Frederic ’08, ’10, ’11
Director of Development College of Arts and Sciences
18
VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017 | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
DONOR LIST
The College of Arts & Sciences proudly recognizes and thanks all of its generous donors who sent gifts of $100 or more for the 2016 fiscal year (July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016).
AbbVie, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Baumann
Mr. and Mrs. Bobby J. Carollo
Mr. Gary F. Adams
Chris and Bette Behr
Dr. Kermit L. Carraway and Dr. Coralie C. Carraway
J. Harry Adams
Ms. Mary E. Benincasa
Dr. F. Perna Carter
Mr. and Mrs. William A. Adams, Jr.
Dr. Mitchell E. Berman
Dr. and Mrs. Richard C. Carter Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Alewine III
Ms. Dorothy S. Billingsley and Mr. Robert A. Stephenson
Dr. Gordon M. Castleberry
Mrs. Margaret Allen
Mrs. Anita Bologna
Cengage Learning
Allianz Life
Mr. and Mrs. Morgan F. Bondurant
Mr. Benson B. Chow
American Chemical Society
Dr. and Mrs. Franklin T. Bonner
Dr. and Mrs. Edward J. Clynch
Anadarko Petroleum
Ms. Paula W. Booth
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Cohen
Mr. Donor Anonymous
Dr. Charles D. Borum
Mr. Gus W. Colvin, III
Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation
Robert B. and Jeanne R. Boykin
Mr. and Mrs. Gus W. Colvin Jr.
Ms. Bettina Avent
Mr. Earl B. Brand, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Leon L. Combs
B P. America
Dr. Lewis R. Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey B. Conrad
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony K. Baca
Bulldog Club, Inc.
Cooper Dentistry
Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Banks
Ms. Shelly L. Gunn
Dr. and Mrs. David D. Cooper
Mr. Frederick Barr
Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc.
Dr. Fred G. Corley Jr.
Ms. Amanda Batey and Mr. Bernard A. Margolis
Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Camp
Dr. Justin C. Courcelle
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES | VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017
19
Mr. and Mrs. Curt J. Crissey
Dr. and Mrs. Charles L. Guyton
Ms. Carol J. Levy
Dr. and Mrs. W. Lawrence Croft
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel P. Guyton
Dr. and Mrs. Edwin A. Lewis
Mr. Everett T. Culpepper
Dr. and Mrs. Steven R. Gwaltney
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Mr. and Mrs. Perry V. Cupples
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Hackman
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Long
Drs. Joseph and Judith Davenport
Dr. Donald L. Hall
Ms. Rebecca J. Long
Mr. Robert A. De-Metz, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Reggie V. Hambrick, Jr.
Dr. Chester C. Lott Jr.
Mr. Hugh B. Devery
Mrs. Barbara J. Hamilton
Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Love
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd G. Digby
Mr. George C. Hamilton, III
Ms. Sherry Lozowski
Dr. Tracy L. Skipper and Mr. Randall Dong
Ms. Laura Hardin
Ms. Guiyu Lu
Dr. and Mrs. Donald N. Downer
Mr. Jeffrey W. Hardy
MSU Donor-Advised Fund Program
Mrs. Eleanor (Pinks) Dudley
Drs. Guy and Nancy Hargrove
Mr. Ryan O. MacKie
Dr. and Mrs. R. Gregory Dunaway
Mr. and Mrs. Jack M. Harris
Mr. and Mrs. David P. Madison, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. George K. Dunn
Mr. Joseph W. Harvey
Dr. Charles V. Magee
Mr. and Mrs. R. Wayne Durst
Drs. C. James and Ruth Haug
Mr. and Mrs. Jamie L. Mahne
Edwin C. Roshore Family Trust
Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Hendley, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Alan I. Marcus
Mr. Nathan H. Elmore
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Henning
Mr. and Mrs. George E. Marion
Entergy Corporation
Ewin and Claudia Henson
Mr. James M. Massey
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Erby
Dr. and Mrs. Barry W. Herring
Dr. and Mrs. Byron C. May
Ergon Refining, Inc.
Miss Lee M. Hilliard
Mr. and Mrs. Cinclair May
Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Estes, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Wesley J. Holland
Dr. and Mrs. David C. May
Mr. and Mrs. C D. Evans
Dr. and Mrs. Jeremiah H. Holleman, Jr.
Mr. Steven L. Mayo
Exxon Education Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Holloway
Dr. and Mrs. Robert T. McAdory, Jr.
Ms. Nancy P. Farmer
Dr. Erin Jaye Holmes
Mr. Anthony B. McCorkle
Mr. William J. Faulkner
Howard Industries Inc.
Dr. Yancy B. McDougal
Dr. Joe L. Ferguson and Mrs. Jean W. Ferguson
Mr. John E. Hughes, III
Mr. and Mrs. Julius F. McIlwain
Mr. Thomas W. Fewel
Drs. Karen and William Hulett
Dr. Keith T. Mead
Ms. Julie S. Fleming
Dr. and Mrs. Donald R. Hunt
Mr. Edward J. Menghi
Flight Attendant Medical Research Center
IBM Matching Grants Program International Foundation
Dr. Jon Rezek and Dr. Meghan Millea
Dr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Fly
International Iguana Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Reilly Miller
Mr. Bobby V. Ford
Dr. and Mrs. William J. Ireland, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Minor
Drs. John and Connie Forde
Mr. and Mrs. Harold S. Ishee
Mississippi Association of Grantmakers (MAG)
Fountainhead Press Publishing
J and J Fitness, Inc.
Mississippi Humanities
Dr. Emogene Fox
Mr. and Mrs. White G. Jee
Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Mitchell
Frank Chiles State Farm Insurance
Mr. Michael A. Johnson
Drs. Todd and Debra Mlsna
Mr. and Mrs. William A. Friday
Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Johnston
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis F. Mobley
Dr. and Mrs. Howell Garner
Ms. Courtney A. Jones
Anonymous
Dr. Jay E. Gee
Dr. and Mrs. Gordon E. Jones
Dr. and Mrs. Harsha N. Mookherjee
Mr. and Mrs. Alan C. Geolot
Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Jones
Dr. Debra A. Moore
Mr. and Mrs. Jason S. Gilbert
Mrs. Rebecca Harbor Jones
Dr. P. J. Moore, III and Mrs. Jane E. Gustavson
Mr. and Mrs. David A. Gillam
Harper and Beth Keeler
Mrs. Wilber J. Moore
Mr. William A. Gillon and Ms. Adrienne M. Pakis-Gillon
Mr. and Mrs. Russell B. Kegley
Carl and Jacqueline Moran
Mr. Elan Goldmann
Dr. James B. Kelley
Ms. Geila Morrill
Mrs. Marjorie M. Goldner
Dr. and Mrs. Samuel W. Keyes, Sr.
Ms. Sara Morris
Goldring Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. King
Ms. Martha W. Murphy
Mrs. Cynthia R. Greeley
Mr. Kevin M. Koehler
Mr. R. David Murrell
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Green Jr.
Mr. Robert W. Krueger
Dr. Michael R. Nadorff
Mr. Ray A. Greene
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lake
Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Nash
Mr. and Mrs. Theron V. Griffin
Dr. and Mrs. James D. Land
Mr. John W. Nelson
Ms. Anna Minor Grizzle
Mr. and Mrs. Erik Larson
Mr. and Mrs. Noah New
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Gunter
Ms. Dorothy J. Lenoir
Mr. Gregory J. Nordstrom
20
VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017 | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Dr. Justin H. Shows
Drs. David E. Wigley and Dana L. Fox
OCH Regional Medical Center
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Wiley Jr.
Mr. Roger H. Ogden
Mr. Adolph Simmons, Jr. and Ms. Brenda D. Gibson
Major and Mrs. Frank J. Wilkerson
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley S. Owen
Mrs. Ann Ardahl Smith
Dr. and Mrs. Clyde V. Williams
Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Owens, Jr.
Mr. C. Douglas Smith
Mr. John C. Williams, III
Mr. and Mrs. Forrest W. Pace, Sr.
Ms. Cailin L. Smith
Mrs. Laurie R. Williams
Mr. Michael C. Pace
Ms. Llana Y. Smith and Dr. John B. Rada
Ms. Wanda T. Williams
Mr. John N. Palmer, Jr.
Ms. Misty A. Smith
Mr. Homer F. Wilson, Jr.
Ms. Susan Palmer
Mr. David Spann
Dr. David O. Wipf
Ms. Sheri A. Pape
Paul and Mimi Speyerer
Dr. and Mrs. Perisco Wofford
Mrs. Valerie Musick Park
Ms. D. Lynn Spruill
Women’s Foundation of Mississippi
Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi
Starkville Urology Clinic
World Health Organization
Pearson Education
Statewide Federal Credit Union
Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Worthey
Dr. Gary L. Permenter
Ms. Rose M. Stiffin
Mr. Charles M. Wren, II
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Peterson
Mr. David A. Stockstill
Dr. Jack T. Wynn
Mr. Melvin R. Peterson, Jr.
Drs. Randolph and Gwen Stone
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Yarborough
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Philip
Mr. Ian S. Stoutenburgh
Mr. Brian S. Young
Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Phillips Jr.
Mr. Daniel J. Sykes
Mr. and Mrs. Keith L. Young
Dr. Melinda W. Pilkinton
Mr. Chester A. Tapscott, III
Dr. Judy K. Young
Mr. and Mrs. William G. Poindexter IV
Dr. and Mrs. Douglas H. Taylor
nexAir, LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Prichard, IV
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Mr. Junrui H. Qian
The Brinks Company
Drs. Philip and Deborah Rabinowitz
The Family Health Clinic
Dr. and Mrs. Richard C. Raymond
The G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Foundation
Richard C. Adkerson Family Foundation
The Greater New Orleans Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Richards Jr.
The Helis Foundation
Dr. and Mrs. Edward E. Rigdon
The Schwab Charitable Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Rivenburgh
Col. and Mrs. Jerry A. Thomas
Hon. and Mrs. James L. Roberts, Jr.
Dr. Katie H. Thomas and Dr. Timothy N. Thomas
Mr. Robert R. Roberts, Jr.
Mr. Nicholas K. Thompson
Ms. Tia N. Roddy
Dr. and Mrs. B. M. Thorne
Mr. Gary Rosenberg
Mr. Jeremy M. Thornton
Mr. and Mrs. James D. Rowe
Mr. John Thornton
Rufford Foundation
Truist
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rule
Ms. Amy Tuck
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey B. Rupp
Mr. and Mrs. Joe M. Turner
Mr. and Mrs. Laroy M. Rushing
Mr. Kevin D. Veal
Mr. and Mrs. Chess Rybolt
Ms. Karen W. Vickers
Dr. Harrylyn Sallis and Dr. Charles Sallis
W. K. Kellogg Foundation
Dr. and Mrs. Ben Sanford Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold D. Walker III
Col. and Mrs. Steve C. Schrum
Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Walker
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace H. Scoggins
Dr. Diane E. Wall
Sessions Trust
Mr. and Mrs. William S. Watkins
Dr. Stephen D. Shaffer
Rev. and Mrs. Granville H. Watson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy R. Shann
Dr. and Mrs. Donald Q. Weaver
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Shannon, II
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Webb
Shell Oil Company Foundation
Drs. Richard and Patricia Weddle
Mr. and Mrs. G. Richard Sheridan
Wells Fargo & Company
Dr. Kathleen M. Sherman-Morris and Mr. John A. Morris
Dr. and Mrs. A. Randle White
Dr. Howard E. Shook, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Frank J. Whittington
THANK YOU
North American Coal Corporation
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES | VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017
21
PROMOTIONS & TENURE NAME.............................. PROMOTION............................................... DEPARTMENT Molly K. Zuckerman .........Assistant to Associate ...... Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures Brian A. Counterman.........Assistant to Associate ............................................... Biological Sciences Diane C. Outlaw..................Assistant to Associate ............................................... Biological Sciences Charles Edwin Webster.....Associate to Professor ..............................................................Chemistry Joseph P. Emerson..............Assistant to Associate ...............................................................Chemistry Steven R. Gwaltney.............Associate to Professor ..............................................................Chemistry Lara Dodd..............................Associate to Professor ...................................................................English Thomas P. Anderson..........Associate to Professor ...................................................................English Brenda L. Kirkland.............Associate to Professor ..........................................................Geosciences Julia Osman ..........................Assistant to Associate ....................................................................History Jinwu Ye .................................Associate to Professor ......................................Physics and Astronomy Dipangkar Dutta ................Associate to Professor ......................................Physics and Astronomy Christine L. Rush ...............Assistant to Associate .......Political Science and Pubic Administration Shelley Keith ........................Assistant to Associate ................................................................Sociology
WE WANT YOUR
RETIREES
news! Send an e-mail or letter to:
Lydia Quarles........................Stennis Institute (staff).......................................................... Spring 2016 Keith Mead............................Chemistry (faculty)..............................................................Summer 2016 Harry “Hank” Flick ..........Communication (faculty)........................................................... Fall 2016 Carlene Hatchett.................English (staff)............................................................................... Fall 2016 Judith Goodman .................English (staff)............................................................................... Fall 2016 Patsy Humphrey .................History (staff).......................................................................Summer 2016
Karyn Brown
Director of Communication Mississippi State University College of Arts & Sciences P.O. Box AS Mississippi State, MS 39762 kbrown@deanas.msstate.edu
David Monts ........................Physics (faculty) .......................................................................... Fall 2016 Stephanie Doane ................Psychology (faculty).................................................................... Fall 2016 Joy Smith................................Arts and Sciences (staff) ........................................................... Fall 2016 R. Gregory Dunaway .........Arts and Sciences/Sociology (faculty)................................ Spring 2016
22
VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017 | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
As the largest college on campus, it is our privilege to showcase all that it has to offer. In order to do that, we need your assistance. Past issues have featured outstanding accomplishments of faculty, students, alumni, and organizations—their accomplishments, awards, and how each is making a difference on campus and in the community. If you have something that should be included, please send it to us!
#DiscoverYourAnd IN THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
By Hannah Bateman and Claire Winesett
The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse college on campus. With this diversity comes an abundant amount of opportunities for collaboration, discovery and learning. The College’s faculty, staff and students approach these differences with a variety of interests, talents and areas of expertise in numerous fields of study. This leads to fascinating, diverse knowledge being shared among colleagues and students; however, with so many diverse opportunities, it is often difficult to capture a single unifying identity. Discover Your And is a public relations campaign for the College of Arts and Sciences that is designed to promote a sense of unity and collegiality within the College, and to help others understand the mission of this unit. The main element of the campaign is the connecting word “and,” symbolizing the collaboration of individuals from different areas of expertise in hopes of building a better world together. From philosophers to astronomers, historians to chemists, and sociologists to musicians, there is no limit to what students can become. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may pursue an academic career in one or more of the 25 degree programs offered in the College’s 14 departments. This wide range of opportunities ensures a first-rate experience that will not only educate, but also prepare students for the challenges of today’s dynamic world. The College of Arts and Sciences boasts alumni who are morning meteorologist, successful business owners, military officers, teachers, social workers, baseball coaches, secret service agents, authors, and the list goes on and on. Thousands of the College’s alumni have gone on to positively impact the world and prove that the opportunities that the College of Arts and Sciences can prepare one for are endless. Discover Your And is the celebration of the diversity that brings us together in the College of Arts and Sciences. We strive to learn through discovery, and discover through learning…together.
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES | VISION WINTER/SPRING 2017
23
Post Office Box AS Mississippi State, MS 39762
Mailing Address: Post Office Box AS Mississippi State, MS 39762
Physical Address: 175 Presidents Circle Mississippi State, MS 39762
facebook.com/MississippiStateCollegeOfArtsSciences twitter.com/MSUArtsSciences instagram: msuartssciences snapchat: msuartssciences youtube: MSU A&S
Mississippi State University complies with all applicable laws regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity in all its activities and programs and does not discriminate against anyone protected by law because of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, handicap, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran.