Celebrating six decades of theatrical excellence, Theatre MSU reflects on its journey from humble beginnings to a cornerstone of campus culture and community engagement. p. 32
CHARTING NEW PATHS, INSPIRING THE FUTURE
In MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, innovative minds create new paths and spark tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
LIFE, THE UNIVERSE & Everything In Between
Biologist Jean-Francois Gout blends curiosity and cosmic wonder in a class on astrobiology, exploring life’s origins on Earth—and the possibilities beyond. p. 36
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. 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.
Students
Morgan
Junior
VISION 2025
Writers
Portia Agyapong
Je’Kayla Crawford
Sam Kealhofer
Joseph Newell
Sarah Nicholas
Callie Simonton
Marianne Todd
Editors
Karyn Brown
Sarah Nicholas
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Designers
Heather Rowe
Photographers
Megan Bean
Grace Cockrell
Jonah Holland
Beth Wynn
Direct comments or questions to:
Karyn Brown
662.325.6650
kbrown@deanas.msstate.edu
P.O. Box AS Mississippi State, MS 39762
DEAN & LEADERSHIP
DEAN
Dr. Rick Travis – Dean
ASSOCIATE DEANS
Dr. Giselle Thibaudeau (Munn) – Associate Dean for Research
Dr. Melanie Loehwing – Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
ASSISTANT DEANS
Karyn Brown – Assistant Dean for Communication and Media
Dr. Nicole Rader – Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Kathy Sherman-Morris – Assistant Dean for Academic Schedules
Dr. Mitch Berman – Assistant Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs
Dr. Matt Lavine – Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Dr. Kelly Moser – Assistant Dean Intern for Academic Affairs
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Alisa Semmes – Administrative Assistant to the Dean
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Christa Holloway – Administrative Assistant I
Emily Cain – Director of Academic Relations, Curriculum and Advising
Hannah Coleman – Admissions Coordinator
Kasondra Harris – Director of Academic Relations, BSIS
Kate Sawaya – Academic Coordinator, BSIS advisor, BALA advisor
RESEARCH
Silas Knox – Senior Contract and Grant Specialist
Jeremy Figgins – Contract and Grant Specialist III
Sam Kealhofer – Coordinator, Communications and Research Support
Michia Williams – Business Coordinator
COMMUNICATION
Kelli Anthony – Graphics and Web Designer
Sam Kealhofer – Coordinator, Communications and Research Support
Sarah Nicholas – Communication Specialist
DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS
Sara Frederic – Director of Development
Keisha Knox – Advancement Coordinator
BUSINESS AFFAIRS
Sheryl Kinard – Business Manager II
Latoya Rogers – Business Coordinator
DEPARTMENT HEADS & DIRECTORS
DEPARTMENTS
Aerospace Studies – Lieutenant Colonel
Christopher Evans
African American Studies – Director Donald M. Shaffer, Jr.
Anthropology & Middle Eastern Cultures –Department Head James Hardin
Biological Sciences – Department Head
Angus Dawe
Chemistry – Department Head Carl Lovely
Classical & Modern Languages and Literatures – Department Head Robert West
Communication – Department Head
Terrence Likes
English – Department Head Lara Dodds
Gender Studies – Director Kimberly Kelly
Liberal Arts – Academic Coordinator
Kate Sawaya
General Science – Director of Academic Relations Emily Cain
Geosciences – Department Head John C. Rodgers
History – Department Head Alan I. Marcus
Interdisciplinary Studies – Director of Academic Relations Kasondra Harris
Mathematics & Statistics – Department
Head Mohsen Razzaghi
Military Science – Major Stephen Scott
MSU Meridian – Division Head of Arts and Sciences Richard V. Damms
Philosophy & Religion – Department Head
Robert Thompson
Physics & Astronomy – Department Head
Jeffry Winger
Political Science & Public Administration –Department Head Brian Shoup
Psychology – Interim Department Head
Jarrod Moss
Sociology – Department Head Nicole Rader
INSTITUTES & CENTERS
Cobb Institute – Director James Hardin
Institute for the Humanities – Director
Morgan Robinson
John C. Stennis Institute of Government –Executive Director Joseph Dallas Breen
IN FOCUS
PASSION FOR COMPASSIONATE CARE
Kasia Williams, a senior biological sciences major from Greenville, Mississippi, discovered her passion for medicine after her father’s battle with lung cancer. As a Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship recipient, she aims to bridge the gap between physicians and patients, ensuring compassionate and attentive care. Her research on polycystic ovary syndrome deepened her commitment to women’s health. An active mentor in MSU’s SPARK program, Kasia guides other students, inspiring them to pursue their dreams.
PATHS OF DISCOVERY, FUTURES OF PROMISE The Transformative Work of MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences
Dear Alumni and Friends,
Inspiration can be found in the paths we choose to take and the discoveries we make along the way. As I reviewed this year’s edition of Vision magazine, I was struck by how the theme, “Charting New Paths, Inspiring the Future,” reflects the innovative and ambitious spirit that drives the College of Arts and Sciences at Mississippi State University. This issue is a celebration of the remarkable ways our students, faculty and alumni are making an impact—locally, globally and beyond.
This year’s stories take us on extraordinary journeys. Dr. Morgan J. Robinson’s research into the history and global influence of the Swahili language offers a compelling look at the intersections of language, culture and politics, shedding light on how the standardization of Swahili has shaped its spread across Africa and the world, providing a rich perspective on the power of communication to bridge divides and foster understanding.
Closer to home, sociology instructor Veronica H. Knowles is dedicated to amplifying voices and shaping the future of social work at both state and national levels. As a member of the Practice Analysis Task Force and vice chair of the Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists, she shapes her profession by setting ethical standards and addressing public protection issues.
Our faculty’s dedication to interdisciplinary curiosity and innovation is equally inspiring. Dr. Jean-Francois Gout’s work in astrobiology explores some of the most profound questions humanity faces: the origins of life and the potential for life beyond Earth. His ability to integrate biology, astronomy and creativity in his teachings exemplifies how our faculty are preparing students to think beyond traditional boundaries and contribute to solving complex global challenges.
Students in our college also embody the spirit of ‘Charting New Paths.’ Anthony Mattina, a physics junior, exemplifies the fusion of science and faith in his academic journey. Balancing his passion for cosmology and medical physics with his deep commitment to his Catholic faith, Anthony’s journey reflects the wide range of perspectives and aspirations we support here in MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences.
From the innovative teaching approaches in our mathematics department to the milestone 60th anniversary
of Theatre MSU, this year’s Vision is filled with examples of our community’s dedication to excellence and creativity. The faculty and students in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, for instance, continue to redefine what effective teaching looks like, ensuring that math becomes a subject of possibility rather than frustration for countless students. Meanwhile, Theatre MSU’s celebrations remind us of the power of the arts to unite, challenge and inspire.
As dean, I have the unique privilege of witnessing the incredible work of our College of Arts and Sciences family every day. Yet, each time I take a step back to see the collective achievements of our students, faculty and alumni, I am overwhelmed by a sense of pride and possibility. This year’s Vision magazine is a testament to the transformative power of education and the enduring impact of our shared efforts.
As Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” At MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, our collective efforts continue to chart new paths and inspire the future with every step forward.
Thank you for your unwavering support of our college. Together, we will continue to soar. Please keep in touch, and I hope to see you on campus soon.
Hail State!
Rick Travis Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
BY THE NUMBERS College of Arts & Sciences
At Mississippi State University, the College of Arts and Sciences is a dynamic engine for innovation, discovery and creative expression. Our college-wide achievements—spanning groundbreaking research, award-winning programs and pioneering initiatives—set the stage for a future of limitless possibility. We celebrate the numbers that define our legacy and propel us forward in higher education, showcasing excellence that touches every discipline from the arts to the sciences.
1st
Recognized as the top research institution in Mississippi by the National Science Foundation.
4th
Professor P. Edward “Eddie” French became only the 4th Mississippian inducted into the National Academy of Public Administration’s 2020 Class of Academy Fellows.
1st
For the first time, the Mississippi State Bulldogs are national champions of collegiate debate. The MSU Debate Team claimed top honors at the April 2024 International Public Debate Association National Tournament.
1st
A team from our Department of Communication won 1st place for “Best Sportscast” at the 2024 College Broadcasters, Inc. National Student Media Convention.
2.7%
One of only 2.7% of U.S. universities with the Carnegie Foundation’s R1-Very High Research Activity designation.
100%
Doctoral students in our Clinical Psychology program achieve a 100% match rate for advanced training—far surpassing the national average of 86%.
#1
Ranked as the number one SEC university for veterans, underscoring our commitment to supporting service members and their families.
44
Our Supplemental Instruction program is one of only 44 accredited nationwide—and the only one in Mississippi accredited by the International Center for Supplemental Instruction.
100
Ranked among the nation’s Top 100 research institutions by the National Science Foundation.
1 in 3
One in three on-air broadcast meteorologists in the U.S. is an MSU graduate from our nationally renowned meteorology program.
1st
Assistant Professor Saddiq Dzukogi earned 1st place at the 16th Narrative Magazine Annual Poetry Contest for his award-winning piece, “Egress.”
3D
Our state-of-the-art 3D Anatomage Tables give students cutting-edge tools for exploring human anatomy.
1st
MSU graduate student Sydney Goldberg earned the top spot in the nation, winning first place in graduatelevel broadcasting at the prestigious Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of Media Arts.
2nd Edition
MSU Anthropologist Molly K. Zuckerman released the 2nd edition of her influential book, “Emerging Infections: Three Epidemiological Transitions from Prehistory to the Present.”
<20
Professor John Bickle earned lifetime membership in the Southern Society for Philosophy and Psychology, a distinction held by fewer than 20 social scientists nationally.
60 Years
Our sociology graduate program, one of the oldest in the South, celebrates more than 60 years of academic excellence.
1 of 6
MSU is home to the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library, one of six on-campus presidential libraries in the nation.
$6M → $16M
In the past decade, award dollars for A&S faculty have more than doubled, rising from $6 million (FY 2014) to more than $16 million (FY 2024).
3rd & $4M+
Professor Dongmao Zhang is the third chemistry faculty member to secure an NSF grant, with total awards exceeding $4 million.
SOCIAL STATS
TOP TWEET
MOST WATCHED
Dr. Robert West
In this episode of Vision TV (July), we’re joined by Dr. Robert West, department head of the Department of Classical & Modern Languages and Literatures, to discuss the importance of a liberal arts education.
MOST LISTENED
Dr. Benjamin Tkach
Episode 63 – Dr. Benjamin Tkach and the Israel-Hamas War
In this episode of the Vision Podcast, we hear from Dr. Tkach, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, as he discusses the history and ongoing developments of the Israel-Hamas war.
“Physics allows me to understand the little intricacies of God’s creation and appreciate the divine nature of the universe to the farthest reaches of space.”
~ Anthony Mattina
MSU’S MATTINA BALANCES faith, physics in dual academic journey
By Sarah Nicholas
Torn between two compelling career paths, Mississippi State junior Anthony Mattina is navigating the intersections of faith and science, a journey shaped by a love for both the mysteries of the universe and deeprooted traditions of the Catholic church.
“I am currently deciding between two career paths with my physics degree,” said Mattina, a self-described “cradle Catholic.”
“Originally, I wished to become a cosmologist at the Vatican, reporting to the pope about cosmic happenings and their effect on or relation to the Catholic church and its teachings. Recently, however, I have developed a passion for medical physics, which is a field in radiation oncology.
“Several people close to me have fallen victim to cancer, leading to my growing desire to fight this terrible disease,” added the Biloxi native.
Mattina’s journey began through an early fascination with physics, a subject he said was the first to truly excite him.
“I used to spend hours going down rabbit holes within physics. My favorite sect is gravitational physics, hence why I initially concentrated in astrophysics,” he said.
“During the beginning of the pandemic, all there was to do for a sophomore in high school was browse the internet. I stumbled upon videos exploring astrophysics and couldn’t get enough.
I sought out different theories to study and decided this was something I could spend a lifetime learning.”
Mattina’s academic pursuits include a minor in religion, a subject about which he is equally passionate.
“I have a goal to convince others that religion and science aren’t mutually exclusive but rather complement each other,” he said. “Physics allows me to understand the little intricacies of God’s creation and appreciate the divine nature of the universe to the farthest reaches of space.”
This perspective informs his academic and career ambitions, particularly his interest in potentially becoming a cosmologist at the Vatican.
“While I wouldn’t say it’s been my primary goal in the past, it’s certainly been rising in my ranks recently,” he said. “It’s usually appointed to someone in a religious vocation, which isn’t an easy decision.”
Yet, his passion for medical physics offers a compelling alternative.
“When I initially picked my major, I saw the medical concentration. I researched it a tad, but I didn’t revisit it until a shadowing opportunity fell in my lap,” he said. “The moment I stepped in the hospital I knew I would enjoy this as a career.”
Mattina’s path is further enriched by his deep interest in genealogy, a topic he began exploring at just 12 years old.
“My family tree currently has more than 2,000 direct ancestors,” he said, including some surprising discoveries of potential connections to historical figures including Princess Diana, George Washington and Winston Churchill.
As he continues his studies, Mattina is involved in two significant research projects, each reflecting his dual interests in physics.
“I currently work with Professor Dipangkar Dutta on a nuclear physics
project with quantum physics implications. We aim to precisely define certain particles using specialized equipment and facilities,” he said. “My second project is with William Duggar in the medical physics division of the radiation oncology department at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. We will train a program to automate the patient remapping process to drastically shorten the time between the moment of diagnosis and the beginning of treatment.”
Pursuing these diverse interests requires a careful balance.
“It comes down to priorities,” Mattina said. “My ancestry will always be there for me to research, so I only do it when I have the time. Faith, family, school and then the fun stuff.”
To other students trying to balance multiple academic interests, Mattina offers this advice: “Give it a semester before you add the second, third or even fourth thing. I am majoring in physics with minors in mathematics and religion, and I may pick up a German minor, but I didn’t make these decisions until I felt comfortable with the one interest. For students who feel ready, find the space in your schedule to take a class in that subject before really committing to the extra schooling.
“I really do love what I study,” he continued. “There are several different types of motivation, but love is the strongest motivator. Love is why I currently favor medical physics; I’m driven by a love for those in my life that have cancer.”
So how will he pick his ultimate career path?
“Job prospects certainly affect things and finances play a role, but ultimately it’s what God calls me to do,” Mattina said. “Working in the Vatican would be an amazing and unique experience, but if I’m called to help people overcome cancer, I’d gladly do so.” u
DECODING THE GENETIC MYSTERIES OF SOUTHERN GIANTS
By Sarah Nicholas, Photo by Jonah Holland
Intrigued by prehistoric giants lurking in southern swamps, Mississippi State University doctoral student Taylor Szasz Green is on a mission to decode the genetic secrets of alligators.
Her journey to computational biology began with a 2015 undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from MSU, followed by research work at Washington University School of Medicine. It wasn’t until she returned to MSU in 2021 to pursue a Ph.D. that she discovered her true calling—investigating the evolution of genes regulating meiosis, a critical process in sexual reproduction.
“Explaining computational biology can be tricky because it’s such a broad field,” Szasz Green said. “In simple terms, it uses tools from statistics, math modeling and computer science to answer questions about biological systems. People often expect my work to be evenly split between biology and computation, but 90% of my time is spent staring at a computer. The rest is what I call ‘squishy science,’ or bench work.”
diversity is present and examining runs of homozygosity—large chunks of identical sequences in the genome,” she said.
These measures help scientists understand how resilient alligators might be to new environmental threats and provide insight into their genetic history. Despite a large modern-day population, Szasz Green found alligators have higher levels of inbreeding compared to their American crocodile cousins.
“While they have more genetic diversity than we initially thought, it’s still quite low overall,” Szasz Green said. “This lack of diversity could make it harder for them to adapt to new challenges, but their family survived the extinction of the dinosaurs, so I remain hopeful.”
“Computational biology uses math, statistics and computer science to answer big biological questions—like how alligators are adapting to a changing world.”
– Taylor Szasz Green
Szasz Green’s passion for computational biology was sparked during her time at Washington University, where she studied genetic mutations affecting children with bacterial infections. This experience inspired her to apply computational techniques to various scientific questions, ultimately leading her to focus on alligator genetics.
“Alligators were a natural fit for me,” Szasz Green said. “They were once on the endangered species list due to habitat destruction and overhunting, but what intrigued me was whether their slow evolutionary rate would impact their ability to recover from low population numbers.”
Her research delves into the genetic diversity of alligators, exploring whether inbreeding could pose a problem as their populations rebound.
“I’m looking at genomes to see how much
One of the most rewarding aspects of her research has been the interactions with local Mississippi alligator hunters. “I was privileged to be able to get on the water with them and ask a lot of questions about their methods and hunting history,” she said. “It’s one thing to adore alligators and watch them from a distance, but it’s completely different to be on their home turf, talking to people who had been working with them for decades. It really deepened my connection to the alligators, but also to other people that respect and appreciate them.”
In addition to her research, Szasz Green has received several honors during her time at MSU. In 2022, she was awarded Honorable Mention for the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowships Program. Her work also has been featured in Sigma Aldrich’s Next Great Impossible campaign, highlighting her innovative contributions to science.
“Biology is so much more than just a path to medical school. It’s for problem-solvers and creative thinkers,” she said. “The skills you gain are highly transferable—you can become a patent lawyer, software engineer and so much more.” u
is turning curiosity into discovery at MSU, conducting hands-on research that blends chemistry, engineering and sustainability to create real-world solutions.
“Explaining
computational biology can be tricky because it’s such a broad field. In simple terms, it uses tools from statistics, math modeling and computer science to answer questions about biological systems.”
– TAYLOR SZASZ GREEN
Taylor Szasz-Green
From Birmingham to Spain How one MSU student’s study abroad journey transformed her worldview
By Sam Kealhofer
Studying abroad is more than just an academic adventure—it’s a lifechanging experience, as Mary Nelson Litty, a junior at Mississippi State University, discovered during her transformative summer in Spain.
Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, Litty is double-majoring in accounting and Spanish with a concentration in international business. In this Q&A, she shares her journey of immersion into Spanish language and culture, the challenges and triumphs of living abroad, and how her time in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, broadened her worldview.
From navigating new customs to connecting with people from around the globe, her story is a testament to the power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone to embrace the unknown.
Why did you choose MSU?
I decided to come to MSU for many reasons, the main one being I truly fell in love with the people and atmosphere here. My faith is very important to me, and I felt the Lord guiding me toward Mississippi State.
Why did you choose to study abroad?
Over the years, I have fallen in love with the Spanish language. I have also always wanted to experience Europe, so what better country to go to than Spain? I was so excited about the opportunity to finally use Spanish in the real world and continue to improve in Spanish proficiency. I was overjoyed at the opportunity to learn about Spain’s rich history and the history of the language itself.
“Studying abroad was the most eyeopening experience of my life. I learned so much about the world and myself while getting to do so many amazing things.”
– Mary Nelson Litty
Before traveling, how confident were you in your ability to speak and understand the host language?
Before going to Spain, I felt competent in reading, writing and basic communication in Spanish. I was nervous about being able to understand native speakers and communicating with them simply because the language is spoken so fast, and I knew there would be words and phrases I did not know. Language in the real world is vastly different from language in the classroom, so that evoked a level of fear, but my excitement for learning far outweighed it.
Did
you have any doubts about studying abroad?
Before going to Spain, I had never left the U.S. My main fear was being out of the country for so long without my family and close friends. I was apprehensive in the weeks leading up to the trip, but I knew I would be so glad I had taken the trip. Really, it was just a fear of the unknown because I had no idea what to expect.
What courses did you take while studying abroad? How did they compare to your courses at home?
I took four courses through La Universidad de Alcalá during my time in Spain. In June, I took two courses taught by native Spanish professors who work for the language school of the university. These classes were mainly intense vocabulary and grammar. We solely spoke in Spanish and were in class with students from all over the world. In July, our classes were just the students from MSU, and we were taught by two MSU professors. These were much different because we learned about the history of the Spanish language and about sociolinguistics in Spain.
What was your first impression of the country?
I immediately liked the culture of Spain when I arrived. The people were friendly, and I loved the walking culture and emphasis on family the Spanish encourage. The people are very affectionate, which I appreciated. One interesting thing is people were often more direct, which was just different from the people I’m usually around back home. Additionally, the country is so beautiful, and there is history around every corner.
Can
you share a memorable cultural experience?
On the night we arrived in Alcalá, the Catholic church was in the middle of its celebration of Corpus Christi. There was a huge parade throughout the town, with people of all ages participating. As a Christian, I found this so interesting because it was so different than anything I’ve ever experienced.
How did you adapt to the local customs, food and daily life?
Overall, I loved the new daily customs of Spain. I loved the walking culture so much. Many people stay up later and begin work later in Spain than in America. Businesses also close around 2 p.m. to either 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. for siesta. For us, we would eat lunch after class and then often rest in the afternoons before doing any other activities later in the day. For the summer, it was a lifestyle I really enjoyed and appreciated.
Much of the Spanish cuisine consists of Iberian ham and seafood. Paella is a Spanish dish made of rice and different types of seafood that I really loved. One of my favorite drinks was the coffee. I am a coffee lover, and almost all the coffee in Spain is espresso. I probably bought too much coffee, but it really was wonderful.
Living abroad is an experience I will never forget. I had to grow up a lot and gained a lot of independence. I learned I could do things out of my comfort zone and I could be more adventurous.
As far as my worldview, I was exposed to so many people who are different from me. It gave me a better perspective of the world and compassion for people than I had ever had before.
How did you connect with people in the host country?
Smiling goes a long way! I tried to talk to the people in my classes and be a friendly face to everyone. I became friends with a few girls from Korea who were in my class. I learned we all have more in common than we think. I also really enjoyed talking to my Spanish professors and people at our residence. They taught me a lot about the differences and similarities between Spain and the U.S.
Did you travel within the country or to nearby countries?
Within Spain, we went to Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial, Valencia and Barcelona. All these cities were simply beautiful in their own ways and were so rich in history. We got to see cathedrals, castles and amazing views while eating delicious food and experiencing authentic Spanish culture. In the middle of the trip, we had some time off from school, so my family got to come visit. During that time, we spent time in and around Madrid and traveled the south of Spain, which included Sevilla, Córdoba and Granada. The south of Spain was my favorite part of the country because of its natural beauty and unique history and architecture. On one of the last weekends, my friends and I flew to Rome, Italy! We got to see the iconic Colosseum and Roman Forum along with many other landmarks.
How has your study abroad experience influenced your academic or career aspirations?
I now know I want to use Spanish in my adult life. Whether that is through my career, church or other organizations, I want to continue to learn the language and to bridge communication gaps that exist all over the world.
Would you recommend studying abroad to other students?
One hundred times yes! Studying abroad was the most eye-opening experience of my life. I learned so much about the world and myself while getting to do so many amazing things. Studying abroad will change your life and create lifelong memories. If I could go back, I would. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Whether it’s food, travel or talking to someone new, you will always be glad that you reached outside of your comfort zone. If there is something you want to do, do it! Don’t let fear be a hindrance. u
DAWGS ABROAD
Students in the College of Arts and Sciences, in partnership with MSU’s Office of Study Abroad, have countless opportunities to broaden their horizons. From exploring sustainable energy in Iceland to immersing themselves in English literature at Oxford or mastering new languages around the globe, A&S study abroad programs open doors to transformative experiences that enrich both personal growth and career opportunities. Some notable study abroad destinations include:
Argentina (South America)
Australia (Oceania)
Bahamas (Caribbean)
Cambodia (Southeast Asia)
Canada (North America)
Chile (South America)
China (East Asia)
Czech Republic (Central Europe)
Egypt (North Africa)
Fiji (Oceania)
France (Western Europe)
Germany (Western Europe)
Iceland (Arctic/Subarctic)
India (South Asia)
Israel (Middle East)
Italy (Southern Europe)
Japan (East Asia)
Kenya (East Africa)
Mexico (North America)
Morocco (North Africa)
New Zealand (Oceania)
Peru (South America)
South Africa (Southern Africa)
South Korea (East Asia)
Turkey (Eurasia)
United Kingdom (Western Europe)
For the most comprehensive and updated list of available study abroad opportunities, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad or visit www.international.msstate.edu.
CANADA
MEXICO
BAHAMAS
CHILE PERU
ARGENTINA
UNITED KINGDOM
MOROCCO
SOUTH AFRICA
KENYA
INDIA
CAMBODIA
AUSTRALIA
FIJI
NEW ZEALAND
CHINA
SOUTH KOREA
JAPAN
THANK YOU, MISSISSIPPI STATE ONLINE!
By Je’Kayla Crawford
I’m an online junior at Mississippi State University, pursuing my bachelor’s degree in communication with an emphasis in public relations. I’ve been a journalist for nearly six years, traveling across the country to report on events and write for various publications. With this degree, I’m hoping to deepen my understanding of the field of communication, so I can become a better journalist and take my career to the next level.
In June 2024, I was accepted as an editorial intern with NBC Universal for the 2024-2025 academic year. This role involves working with the company to write articles promoting its latest films and TV shows.
After securing my NBC Universal internship, I realized I couldn’t continue at my previous college. My internship’s demands would conflict with an inperson class schedule. I began searching for a school in Mississippi that offered the flexibility to pursue my education while allowing me to work and seize other career opportunities. That’s when I found MSU.
With the flexibility I was looking for, along with excellent course offerings that aligned with my degree requirements and general education needs, I’ve enjoyed every moment of my studies here.
The Department of Communication professors have been incredibly supportive. Some have helped further my journalism career outside the classroom by writing recommendation letters to support opportunities that have come my way.
Even though I’m an online student living several
hours away from the Starkville campus, I still feel socially connected to my peers. I’m an assistant reviewer for Endeavors, MSU’s undergraduate research journal, which has given me the chance to virtually meet like-minded students and further build my communications résumé. I was initially worried online students wouldn’t have many opportunities for extracurricular activities, but I’m more involved in my studies now than I’ve ever been on a traditional campus.
Though I’ve only been enrolled at MSU for a few months, I already know it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Whether you’re attending classes in Starkville or studying from home, I truly feel I’m part of a supportive family that wants to see me succeed.
Looking back on my journey, the biggest piece of advice I can offer is higher education shouldn’t be a burden. College is about pursuing your passion, whether that’s in engineering, nursing, journalism or any other field. Don’t pass up amazing opportunities that come your way during your studies. A great university will encourage you to pursue those opportunities and work with you to ensure your career and academic goals are aligned. And, if that means transferring to MSU to take advantage of its outstanding online education program, trust me, you won’t regret it. Go Dawgs!
Sincerely,
Je’Kayla Crawford
MSU-MERIDIAN CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS GET BULLDOG EXPERIENCE IN NIGHT COURT
By Marianne Todd
Judge K. Dustin Markham is a man of large stature, so when he approached a group of Mississippi State University students in his long, black robe, he had their full attention.
“Let me explain what just happened here,” he told the students, detailing the hearing that had just taken place in his municipal courtroom. The defendant, charged with murder, had been out of jail on bond and was returned to Markham’s court after being found in possession of an assault rifle.
It was a courtroom drama MSUMeridian Associate Professor of Criminology Amanda Cook Cox couldn’t have planned better.
As part of MSU’s Quality Enhancement Plan, Cox hoped her MSUMeridian criminology students would glean practical experience from observing night court. She got her wish.
“The students were fascinated,” Cox
said. “The judge introduced them to the prosecutor and the chief public defender. They met police and the bailiff. All these people spent time talking to them. They
“I want my students to see the people working in these positions—to talk to them, get to know them, and understand what they can do with a criminology degree.”
– Amanda Cook Cox
told them, ‘This is what I do on a day-today basis.’”
Students had a chance to ask questions, and breaks were taken between cases so the judge could provide the students with case details.
As part of her research, Cox has tracked data for Meridian’s municipal court since 2016 and assisted the court in developing data-driving strategies to improve appearance rates for misdemeanor defendants. From her courtroom seat next to Markham, she is well-acquainted with court officials. In fact, her own MSU-Meridian graduates fill positions including chief public defender, bailiff and crime scene investigator.
Cox said she was surprised by the passion with which court officials engaged her students.
“I want my students to get their hands on every part of the system,” Cox said. “I want them to see the people working in these positions—to talk to them and get to know them. I want them to learn what you can do with a criminology degree— that you can be in law enforcement, go to law school, work in victim’s services, be a paralegal or be a public defender.”
Judge K. Dustin Markham talks to MSU-Meridian criminology students in municipal night court. The Bulldog Experience is part of the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan.
Students also were invited to talk to defendants at the community treatment center, TAME, where offenders fulfill alternative sentencing such as anger-management and drug-abuse classes.
“There is a technique of neutralization, where the men who are prosecuted in domestic disturbances will blame the women and the system instead of themselves,” said Jesse Knight, a firstsemester criminology student. “In one particular moment, one of the offenders stated he believed the system would believe only the women. The other fellows there spoke up and agreed with that sentiment. We had studied this in class, and it actually did happen. It was like seeing the textbook come to life.”
Cox said the experience allows students to examine criminal behavior up close.
“Every week we look at different approaches to explaining criminal behavior, but what’s the point of knowing why someone commits a crime if you can’t do anything about it?” Cox asked.
David Buys, MSU-Meridian associate vice provost for health sciences and interim head of campus, said Cox’s approach is a great example of what a Bulldog Experience should be through the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan.
“Textbooks and classrooms, of course, provide the basis for learning, but these real-life experiences—the chance to observe different professions in a field, ask questions and even participate—really provide students with an acute awareness of their chosen fields,” he said.
“From that grows limitless opportunities for expansion. This experiential learning is something we really strive to provide for all MSU-Meridian students,” Cox said. She wants her student to go beyond coursework rather than just “check a box for graduation.”
“I want them to leave this program with a deeper understanding of crime and justice issues in Mississippi and a desire to stay local and be part of the solution,” she said. “I am from Mississippi, and most of our students are also proud to call Mississippi their home. This puts them in a unique position to provide expertise to our local communities when they graduate.”
This spring semester, the students are taking a deeper dive into the Quality Enhancement Plan by preparing research findings to be used by local agencies in grant applications. To do this, they will analyze drivers of crime through their Community Crime Prevention class. u
Associate Professor Amanda Cook Cox watches as Municipal Judge K. Dustin Markham talks to her MSUMeridian criminology students as part of the Bulldog Experience.
TOP: Criminology Associate Professor Amanda Cook Cox sits next to Municipal Judge K. Dustin Markham. Cox has collected and researched misdemeanor data since 2016 and now brings her criminology students to night court for a Bulldog Experience. MIDDLE: From left, Tulsa Kirk, Baylee Hamilton and McKinley Goodin watch night court cases. The three students are studying criminology at Mississippi State University-Meridian. BOTTOM:
KURUPPU RECOGNIZED AS SAFETY DAWG
Udara M. Kuruppu, a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry at Mississippi State University, has been recognized as a Safety Dawg for his commitment to maintaining a safe and organized research environment. As a laboratory safety officer, he has implemented safety protocols and housekeeping schedules that support his team’s work and ensure an efficient and productive lab space. Nominated by Dr. Mahesh Gangishetty, Kuruppu’s dedication to lab safety reflects his strong leadership and attention to detail.
MHONORING
EXCELLENCE
MSU’s 2024 Phi Beta Kappa Inductees
ore than 40 Mississippi State seniors earned membership in The Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society. Inducted into MSU’s Gamma of Mississippi Chapter last spring, these students represent the top 10% of their graduating class, having completed a broad range of liberal arts and sciences coursework, including foreign language and mathematics.
The 2024 inductees were honored at a formal induction ceremony and dinner on April 1, 2024, sponsored
by MSU’s Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President. Their selection reflects extraordinary academic achievement in the arts and sciences.
Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa has a distinguished history, with members including 17 U.S. presidents, 42 U.S. Supreme Court justices and more than 150 Nobel laureates. Mississippi State is among just 10% of U.S. colleges and universities to hold a PBK chapter, underscoring the university’s commitment to academic excellence.
Phi Beta Kappa inductees with President Mark E. Keenum during the April 2024 ceremony.
CHAMPIONS OF SERVICE AND SPIRIT
The College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors (CASA) are more than just student representatives—they are leaders, mentors and passionate advocates for Mississippi State University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Selected for their academic excellence and commitment to service, these outstanding undergraduate students serve as guides for prospective students, mentors for their peers and champions of the college’s mission and values. Their leadership, dedication and Maroon and White pride set the bar for what it means to be an exemplary A&S student
A Message from the CASA Staff Advisor
Being the staff advisor for CASA is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I get to work with some of the brightest, most compassionate students on campus, and their energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Whether they’re welcoming prospective students, assisting at college events or writing postcards to future Bulldogs, they do it with genuine excitement and a smile.
They make me laugh, they inspire me, and—most of all—they make me proud to be their advisor. CASA is truly a special group, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to watch them grow as leaders and representatives of our college.
Amiah Allen, Greta Allen, Molly Albritton, Skyler Aldy, Annie Arnold, Mitzi Bass, Grace Belk, Kitashu Bhagat, Chandleigh Barton, Maite Bueno Baldini, Jordan Burns, Scott Brown, Rileigh Campbell, Ty Clardy, Katlyn Cousins, Jose De Hoyos, Raven Dickerson, Mary Driskill, Lacey Dumas, Fatima Gonzalez, Katelyn Hill, Norah Hill, Thomas Hunt, Abby Jemison, Jamie Johns, Jake Kasitz, Allie Koenig, Lacy Lockey, Holden Mattison, Anthony Mattina, Megan Marie, Luke Mitchell, Paige Miller, Haylee Morman, Aubrey Scott Moak, Michael Odie, Shonice Oswalt, Natalie Plourde, Lauren Rounds, Haley Shants, Hunter Thompson, Colby Tavares, Chandler Woo, Kasia Williams.
RANDOLPH CROWNED MISS MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
Sarah Randolph, a senior biological sciences major from Vicksburg, was crowned Miss Mississippi State University during the annual pageant in October at Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium. Miss MSU, a longstanding tradition at MSU, serves as a preliminary competition for Miss Mississippi and Miss America. The winner receives a full-tuition scholarship and the opportunity to represent the university at the state pageant. Randolph’s dedication and poise exemplify the qualities celebrated in this esteemed competition, reflecting the university’s commitment to excellence and leadership.
BULLDOG ACHIEVERS
BULLDOG ACHIEVERS
Prestigious Scholarship Finalists
RHODES SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS
Sydney Denton – History and political science double major (West Monroe, LA)
Devin Hutchins – Philosophy and economics double major (Hernando, MS) (Also a Truman Scholar Finalist)
STEM and Research Excellence
ASTRONAUT SCHOLARS & GOLDWATER SCHOLARS
David C. Heson – Physics, mathematics and computer science major with minors in statistics and German (Guntown, MS)
Annamarie L. Thompson – Biomedical engineering major with a mathematics minor (Trussville, AL)
Alyssa Williams – Biochemistry and psychology double major with a minor in cognitive science (Franklin, TN)
Global and Public Service Scholars
BOREN SCHOLAR FINALIST & CRITICAL LANGUAGE SCHOLAR
Joshua Phillips – Political science and economics double major (Birmingham, AL) (Also a Truman Scholar Finalist)
BOREN SCHOLAR ALTERNATES
Sakira Crawford –Secondary education major and TESOL student (Ocean Springs, MS)
Madelynn Green –Anthropology major (Russellville, AL)
PUBLIC POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
JUNIOR SUMMER INSTITUTE SCHOLAR
Alijah Jones – Political science major (Greenwood, MS)
Industry-Specific Awards
FOX WEATHER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Sadie Morris – Geosciences major (Greenwood, IN)
Denton Hutchins
Heson
Thompson
Williams
Phillips
Crawford
Green Jones
Morris
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, INTO THE COMMUNITY
MSU faculty, students preserve voices of the past
By Portia Agypong
“One of the reasons for education is that you want to give back to your community, you want to learn about your community and its presence in the United States, but then you want to work in your community and solve the issues that your people are facing,” said Dhanashree Thorat, an assistant professor in Mississippi State’s Department of English.
A new class created by Thorat, Digital Ethnic Studies, became an MSU community-engaged learning course to take students beyond the classroom into the community for them to better understand their community in the past and present and how to help its future.
Last spring, Thorat’s class developed a digital humanities project to honor the legacy of Dr. Douglas L. Conner, a renowned civil rights activist and one of Starkville’s first Black physicians.
“When I was submitting this course proposal, the context I was
working with was the founding of ethnic studies through student activism which led to the creation of African American Studies, Asian American Studies, Latinx Studies and Native American Studies,” said Thorat.
“The community-engaged component was so crucial because we want to honor work that was happening in the 1960s that is still very relevant today,” she continued. “There is a gap between what the community knows and what the students know and we want to try and bridge that gap.”
Drawing on Conner’s autobiography “A Black Physician Story: Bringing Hope in Mississippi,” along with archival papers and scholarly sources, students explored civil and political rights issues like school desegregation, voting, economic boycotts, lawsuits and other topics. A project launch was held at the end of the semester which brought students and community members together to
showcase the life and impact of Conner in Starkville.
“I chose Dr. Conner because I had been hearing a lot about him through the Oktibbeha NAACP. They obviously have a connection to him because he was one of the founders of the Oktibbeha NAACP in the 1970s, and they have honored his legacy in everything they do even today,” said Thorat.
“I wanted us to work on a local and Starkville figure because some of the other civil rights leaders are better known,” Thorat said. “People like Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King are folks who are taught in college and high school curriculums, but we don’t often learn about the local people who sometimes made the most impact because of their work in the local community.
“There is a gap between what the community knows and what the students know, and we want to try and bridge that gap.”
“I do feel like our students at MSU should learn about these local history lessons,” she continued. “They should have the opportunity to learn about what has shaped the school, what was going on around the school, and be connected with people outside the school.”
Rheagan Case, a second-year graduate student in MSU’s English Department, took the course and appreciated learning in the community.
— Dhanashree Thorat
“I enjoyed being able to see all of the different Dr. Conner collections in Special Collections, working with the Oktibbeha NAACP, and having a project launch day with people in the Starkville community,” Case said.
“It was enriching to see, hear, and watch the stories of Starkville’s civil rights history concerning Dr. Conner’s life.
Dr. Thorat’s Digital Ethnic Studies class at Unity Park in Starkville after completing a downtown Black history tour led by Mr. Chris Taylor, (back row, yellow shirt) past-president of the Oktibbeha NAACP. Regretfully, Mr. Taylor passed away on August 31, 2024.
“I learned a great deal about Dr. Conner as a person and his impact he made on Starkville’s community and civil rights in the U.S. in general,” she continued. “I specifically did a good bit of research on Dr. Conner’s adopted son, Richard Holmes, and learning about how Holmes integrated MSU was interesting. I feel as if I have a better sense of what Starkville’s history looks like, especially, in regards to civil rights,” she continued. Conner adopted Holmes after Holmes’s grandmother, who was Conner’s patient, passed away when Holmes was 12.
At the Conner Digital Project launch, community members helped transcribe Conner’s handwritten documents, recorded their memories of him and heard a speech given by his daughter, Divian Conner. There also was a Black history tour of downtown Starkville led by the late Chris Taylor, former Oktibbeha NAACP president. Taylor reviewed the project and commended Thorat and her classes research before he died in August of 2024.
Michelle Garraway, assistant director at MSU’s Center for Community-Engaged Learning said the Conner Digital Project underscores the importance of community-engaged learning.
“This project literally involved students going into Starkville to interview community members and gain perspectives on historical events,” she said. “While they could have done all their research in a library, Dr. Thorat and the students realized that the human element would enrich the project and engage with the community. I believe their actions proved why communityengaged learning is important. Not reaching out to community
members would have left a gap in the project results.
“I think the showcase the students held at the end of the semester encapsulated the impact the Conner project had on both the university and the community,” Garraway said. “Members of both groups were able to interact around the material and continue to exchange information. It can’t be overstated how meaningful a local project was for the students to visit sites and engage directly with community,” she continued.
With advanced technological culture today, the internet and digital technologies continue to shape the way humans interact with the world, which Thorat said emphasizes the need to focus on using digital media to preserve records, especially to answer research questions in the field of humanities.
“This is a course in Digital Ethnic Studies, so we are also thinking about the changes that have happened since the 1960s as people have moved online,” Thorat said. “A digital platform is so suited for this project. We can use websites and digital publishing to actually preserve these stories for future generations.”
Case said this community-engaged course opened her mind to a new wave of research.
“Because of this class, I want to become more involved with digital humanities. Having projects online like ours gives more flexibility and freedom to promote rich, important content,” she said. “I also believe it is a great way for students to get their names out there and work with digital publishing. This project has opened my eyes to so many great things, and I am honored to be a part of it.” u
Ms. Annie Dancer (middle), accompanied by her daughter Ms. Clara Dancer, speaks to students about her life as a civil rights activist in Mississippi.
ABOUT DHANASHREE
THORAT
Dhanashree Thorat, an assistant professor of English, situates her research at the intersection of Asian American studies, postcolonial studies, and digital humanities, and she examines how colonial and racial ideologies shape the technological imagination, specifically in technical infrastructures, platforms and policies. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of Florida in 2017 and was a postdoctoral researcher in digital humanities at the Institute for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Kansas, from 2017-2019.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Portia G. Agyapong is from Ghana. She graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) with a bachelor’s degree in English in November 2021 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in English at MSU. Working as a graduate teaching assistant for the English department, she is a composition instructor and a consultant at MSU’s Writing Center. Post-graduation, Agyapong hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in English.
Top (black and white): Dr. Conner, left, speaks to community members during an undated event, possibly in the 1990s. Top Right: Ms. Yvette Conner (left), daughter of Dr. Conner, and Ms. Annie Dancer. Bottom group: from left, Dr. Thorat, Ms. Annie Dancer, Mr. Chris Taylor, Ms. Clara Dancer, and Ms. Cathy Rodriguez (not pictured: Ms. Wilette DuVall) who spoke to students about Dr. Conner’s legacy as a Black doctor, activist and community organizer and the importance of preserving community histories.
60 YEARS IN THE SPOTLIGHT 60 YEARS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Theatre MSU’s diamond anniversary of theatrical innovation
By Portia Agyapong
“Success is the sum of small efforts—repeated day in and day out.” ~ American author, Robert Collier
From humble beginnings to a cornerstone of Mississippi State University’s cultural landscape, Theatre MSU is a perfect example for Collier’s quote.
Founded in 1963 within the thenDepartment of Speech, Theatre MSU has flourished through decades of dedication, hard work and perseverance. As the program marks its diamond anniversary, it celebrates not only its history but the people who have contributed to its success.
Tonya Hays, assistant professor and coordinator for the theater program, reflected on the obstacles the program
faced in its early days. “The arts weren’t a priority back then,” Hays said. “Theatre MSU didn’t even have its own dedicated space. Dominic J. Cunetto, who was hired to start the program, had to rely on volunteers and student effort to get things off the ground. He essentially ran a oneman show.”
Despite these initial challenges, the program continued to grow, thanks to Cunetto’s tenacity and the hard work of those involved.
After decades of progress, one of the program’s proudest achievements has been securing its home in McComas Hall. “Our
Dominic J. Cunetto, the visionary who launched Theatre MSU, on the stage where it all began— turning passion and perseverance into a lasting legacy.
theater is a beautiful space with fantastic acoustics,” Hays said. “We’re fortunate to have this facility, which not only benefits us but also attracts groups like dance companies and theater organizations that use it during the summer.”
Inclusivity also has been a hallmark of the program, with students from all majors welcome to participate. Hays highlighted a recent production in which the lead actor was a pre-med major, showcasing how Theatre MSU fosters talent from across the university.
In addition to producing diverse performances, the program has made
partnerships and community outreach a priority. “We’ve collaborated with many departments and community organizations to raise awareness of social issues,” Hays said. Notable partnerships include collaborations with the Starkville Police Department, MSU’s psychology department, and the MSU Northern Gulf Institute, among others. One recent highlight was Theatre MSU’s involvement in a reading of “Enough,” a series of awardwinning plays written by high school students addressing gun violence.
In honor of its 60th anniversary, Theatre MSU added several special events
to its lineup. A collaboration with MSU’s music department led to a full-scale production of “Pippin,” which Hays called “a huge milestone for us.” The musical was selected because “Pippin” was the first musical debuted at MSU decades ago when the McComas Hall theater was fully furnished.
The celebration also included a reunion that brought back original cast members of “Pippin” to meet with the current cast and pay tribute to Dominic Cunetto’s legacy.
This milestone anniversary underscores the vital role the arts play
Theatre MSU has long been a centerpiece of the arts at Mississippi State University, bringing a wide range of productions to the McComas Hall stage. From timeless classics to innovative new works, each performance showcases the talent and dedication of students and faculty. Productions like Beowulf, The Marvelous Monkey King, The Light Princess and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare highlight the program’s ability to blend tradition with creativity, making theatre an integral part of MSU’s cultural landscape.
Beowulf (2019)
The Light Princess (2022)
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (2016)
The Marvelous Monkey King (2012)
at MSU and in the broader community. As Hays looks to the future, she said, “We want to see more musicals, expand our outreach and give students more opportunities to create their own work. Our goal is to stay integral to the life of the university and provide a home for students who want to express themselves.”
“Students often tell me that the theater program has become like a second family for them. It helps them stay motivated, both in their studies and in life.” ~ Tonya Hays
Theatre MSU has succeeded in building a community where everyone feels they belong. “Students often tell me that the theater program has become like a second family for them,” Hays said. “It helps them stay motivated, both in their studies and in life.”
Theatre MSU is working hard to keep the pace with the evolving world of theater. “Technology is the biggest change,” Hays said. “No one is painting backdrops anymore; they’re using digital projections. It’s crucial that we train students with the technology of the future, even though upgrading our production capabilities will be a challenge.”
Beyond the technical aspects, Hays emphasized the importance of nurturing creativity. “Everyone has some degree of creativity, but as we get older, we can lose touch with it because life gets so busy. The arts should remain a key part of addressing social issues like mental health and gun violence.”
As Theatre MSU celebrates its diamond anniversary, it continues to embody the resilience, creativity and dedication that have defined its six-decade journey. Through performances, partnerships and a commitment to the arts, the program remains an essential part of MSU’s cultural fabric. u
The Pirates of Penzance (2014)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2016)
About Tonya Hays
Tonya Hays is an assistant professor of theater, where she teaches acting, directing and playwriting.
With a background rooted in theater education and an MFA from Texas Christian University, she is known for her impactful work as the founder and former director of the WINGS Performing Arts Program at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, which earned her national recognition, including a Tony Award nomination for her contributions to theater education.
Hays is passionate about using theater as a tool for social awareness and collaboration, having led numerous partnerships with other departments and organizations to address important issues through performance. At MSU, she continues to be a driving force in expanding the theater program, integrating innovative approaches to performance, and providing a space wherein all students feel welcome.
All Shook Up (2013)
Charlotte’s Web (2024)
By Sarah Nicholas
ASTROBIOLOGY: Is there life out there?
“The two big questions in astrobiology are how and where did life start on Earth and is there life elsewhere in the universe?” said Jean-Francois Gout, an assistant professor of biology at Mississippi State University. He recently developed a class tackling life’s origins on Earth and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, topics that bridge biology and astronomy in a new field: astrobiology.
“No one knows the answer to these questions,” Gout tells his students on the first day of class. “We make educated guesses based on the mechanisms of life and our knowledge of the universe. I focus on how science increases our understanding—how do we know all life on Earth shares a common ancestor? How do we know that life on Earth might be at least 3.8 billion years old? How do we know what stars are made of and how do we measure distances in the universe? I hope that the students in this class develop an appreciation for the scientific method,” said Gout.
“One thing I really enjoy about teaching at MSU is the opportunity to teach new classes with special
“I encourage my students to be curious about multiple scientific disciplines—they will certainly discover unexpected bridges.”
– Jean-Francois Gout
topics. Bridging multiple scientific disciplines is a great choice and is extremely valuable. For example, a deep understanding of biology at the molecular level requires some solid knowledge of chemistry, and going deeper would require knowledge of physics. So, I encourage my students to be curious about multiple scientific disciplines and they will certainly discover unexpected bridges.”
For Gout, bridging his love of biology with his love of the cosmos brings fulfillment to his career and joy to the classroom.
“That is a great way for me to bring my passions together. We can discuss hypotheses about how life started on Earth. I tell my students we will have a lot of difficult questions but not a lot of definitive answers.”
“The biggest breakthrough in astrobiology would be discovering life beyond Earth,” said Gout. “But we’re not there yet.”
Despite decades of robotic exploration on Mars, no signs of past or present life have surfaced. The search continues, but the odds of an imminent discovery are slim. “Mars has been scoured by
Gout
Photo by Jean-Francois
robots for years, and still, we’ve come up empty-handed,” Gout explained.
Beyond Mars, astrobiologists turn their gaze to the moons of the gas giants—enigmatic worlds with potential—but these distant realms remain notoriously difficult to explore.
Outside of Earth’s solar system exist what scientists call exoplanets, and with every generation, Gout said, scientists will learn more and more about the cosmos lightyears away.
“It would take a technological quantum leap for telescopes to be powerful enough to detect, without a doubt, life forms outside our solar system. We might find clues, but definitive answers are unlikely,” Gout said. “But we are lucky enough to have an exoplanets specialist at MSU–astrophysicist Angelle Tanner. Dr. Tanner gave a guest lecture on exoplanets in my class, and I’m sure
that she will keep us posted on the latest discoveries on this side of things.”
“On the biology side of things, we keep learning more about the amazing discovery of life forms on Earth,
“If no signs of life are found anywhere in the solar system, it would still offer crucial clues, helping us refine our understanding of the unique conditions that sparked life on Earth.”
– Jean-Francois Gout
especially at the microbial level. As an evolutionary biologist, I would love to see the discovery of life on another planet, but I doubt this will happen during my lifetime.”
Yet, Gout remains pragmatic. “If no signs of life are found anywhere in the solar system, it would still offer crucial clues, helping us refine our understanding of the unique conditions that sparked life on Earth.”
“Astrobiology may not answer these big questions anytime soon, but that’s what makes it exciting. There’s still a lot of work to be done before we can even hope to answer these questions,” Gout said.
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY: Science meets art
“Outside the lab, astronomy and photography are major hobbies of mine,” said Gout. “Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by the night sky. While human eyes are impressive, they struggle with dim objects, but attaching a camera to a telescope changes everything—you start to see so much more.”
Above left: Dr. Gout’s photography has captivated audiences for its quality and awe-inspiring clarity. Above right: Dr. Gout set up his equipment to capture last spring’s total eclipse, traveling to northwest Arkansas to capture “totality.” Bottom row: Dr. Gout’s photos of the Spring 2024 eclipse.
Gout’s interest in astrophotography began with a mix of luck and mentorship. “As a kid, I had a friend who taught me black-and-white photographic techniques, back when we still used chemicals and red lights in the darkroom. My dad also had reflex cameras, and he’d let me take the last few pictures on his rolls of film,” Gout recalled.
His early attempts at astrophotography weren’t always successful. “At first, all I got were images of darkness or blurry stars. But I kept improving. My first decent astronomy picture came in 1997 with comet Hale-Bopp. It took a lot of patience, but I’ve always enjoyed a challenge.”
Today, Gout uses specialized cameras for scientific data, though he still takes “pretty pictures” occasionally. His first telescope, a gift from his grandfather, sparked his interest in science. “I remember sketching Jupiter’s moons as they shifted positions each night. Galileo did the same thing almost 400 years earlier, sparking a scientific revolution. I even used trigonometry to estimate the height of lunar craters—I was often off
by at least 25%, but even rough estimates felt magical. The idea that we can derive knowledge from observing nature has always fascinated me, and this applies to all fields, including biology.”
Currently, Gout is tracking T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), a dim star visible only through telescopes but expected to brighten dramatically—up to 1,000 times—becoming visible to the naked eye for a few days.
This rare event, called a recurrent nova, could occur anytime between 2024 and 2028, though some predict it may happen this year.
“I set up my telescope every night in my yard to track this star and alert me to anything that happens with that star in the night. When most people are watching TV, I’m in the backyard by the telescope, enjoying the real stars in the sky.”
THE ECLIPSE: Merging totality and technology
Last spring, the U.S. witnessed a total solar eclipse, with the lucky few in the path of totality experiencing the rare event. During most of the eclipse, even when up
to 99% of the sun is covered by the moon, special filters are required to safely observe and photograph the sun. However, during the brief moments of totality—when the moon completely blocks the sun—these filters can be removed, allowing a clear view of the sun’s delicate outer layers and the surrounding sky.
“Because totality is so short, I didn’t want to waste a second fiddling with gear when I should be observing,” said Gout. His solution? Custom technology.
“I used 3D printers from MSU’s Ideashop to create motorized supports for my telescope’s solar filters. I also wrote a program to automate the process, removing the filter at the start of totality and replacing it right before the end,” Gout explained. “With software controlling five cameras, each set to different settings, I didn’t have to touch anything. It allowed me to focus on the eclipse, not the equipment.”
Gout traveled to Arkansas to view totality. “It was my third total eclipse–plus a fourth, but that one was under cloudy skies–and it was just as magical as always.” u
“AT THE SHADOW’S EDGE”
This image taken by Gout of a lunar eclipse was selected as NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day on November 25, 2021. This composite of five images captures the progression of an almost total lunar eclipse over 1.5 hours. During this time, the telescope tracks the exact same region of the sky, so the moon’s motion becomes apparent, and it reveals the shadow projected by Earth into space.
“Lunar eclipses are some of my favorite events to observe. They also carry some historical importance because they were used in ancient Greece to estimate the distance to the moon about 2,200 years ago. I took this picture from my backyard in Starkville, and I keep a large print of it on the wall in my office,” said Gout.
AT THE HELM
2024 NEW FACULTY HIRES
Mississippi State University welcomed new faculty members in 2024, including new department heads and faculty across various disciplines.
New Department Heads
Jeff Winger, professor and head, Department of Physics and Astronomy
James Hardin, professor and head, Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures
Lara Dodds, professor and head, Department of English
Carl Lovely, professor and head, Department of Biological Sciences
New Faculty Members
Biological Sciences
Angela Benton, assistant teaching professor
Michael Aaron, assistant teaching professor
Nicole Welch, assistant teaching professor
2024 FACULTY PROMOTIONS
Mississippi State University congratulates faculty members across various departments who have earned promotions in recognition of their excellence in teaching, research and service.
Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures
David Hoffman, professor and director
Shawn Lambert, associate professor
Biological Sciences
Matthew Ballinger, associate professor with tenure
Amy Dapper, associate professor with tenure
Heather Jordan, professor
Mary Reese, associate clinical professor and director
Communication
Thomas “Gil” Carter, assistant professor
Keven Rudrow, assistant professor
Gregory Thorn, assistant teaching professor
English
Kemeshia Swanson, assistant professor
Stephen “Blake” Lehman, assistant professor
Emma Moffett-Taylor, instructor
Ashleigh Murdock, instructor
Devan Torrence, instructor
Elizabeth Hutchison, assistant teaching professor (joint appointment, English and gender studies)
Geosciences
Caroline Sleeper, instructor
Timothy Wallace, instructor
History
Alison Hight, assistant professor
Alexander Hobson, assistant professor
Chemistry
Sidney Creutz, associate professor
Eric Dornshuld, associate clinical professor
Miguel Munoz Hernandez, associate professor with tenure
Amanda Patrick, associate professor with tenure
Sean Stokes, associate clinical professor
Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures
Scott DiGiulio, associate professor with tenure
Fumiko Joo, associate professor with tenure
English
Peter De Gabriele, professor
Bonnie O’Neill, professor
Donald Shaffer, professor and director
Mathematics and Statistics
Jagdeep Singh, assistant professor
MSU-Meridian
Tiffany Longino (Juarez), Instructor I
Mary Figueroa, Instructor I and practicum coordinator
Philosophy and Religion
Christopher Sheklian, assistant professor
Physics and Astronomy
Wenliang “Bill” Li, assistant professor
Jaspreet Singh Randhawa, assistant professor
Political Science and Public Administration
Dean Schafer, assistant professor
Psychology
Brittany Lancaster, assistant professor
Jonathon Whitlock, assistant professor
Kimberly Brown, instructor
History
Morgan Robinson, associate professor with tenure
Mathematics and Statistics
Vu Luan, associate professor
Julie Pitts, Instructor II
Psychology
Kristen Campbell, Instructor II
Sociology
Raymond Barranco, professor
Dustin Brown, associate professor with tenure
Tara Sutton, associate professor with tenure
Diego Thompson Bello, associate professor with tenure
UNEARTHING ANCIENT WONDERS
MSU’s Shane Miller and students undertake Moroccan archaeological adventure
By Joseph Newell
On a muggy Mississippi morning, MSU
Associate Professor Shane Miller of the Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures left the state with two of his students—Jesse Weaver and Bailey Stephenson—to embark on an archaeological research journey to Morocco.
Leaving the sweltering Mississippi heat behind, they quickly felt a different kind of warmth—that of the Moroccan culture and hospitality. Miller’s fascination with Moroccan archaeology was sparked by the groundbreaking work of his former Ph.D. advisor, Steve Kuhn, who has been studying the Bizmoune Cave. This site is known for containing the earliest documented personal adornments—marine shell
beads dating back 130,000 years. Inspired by this, Miller expanded his research to explore the broader landscape and understand how early humans interacted with their environment.
“Our oldest dates [at the Hester site in Mississippi] are over 12,000 years old. In Morocco, that is considered ‘recent’ archaeology.”
– Shane Miller
During Miller’s project in the Bizmoune Cave, he found an interest of his own. He started conducting archaeological surveys beyond the cave and working with MSU and Institut National des Sciences de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine students to find and record artifacts.
“Now we have a better idea how people were using the landscape beyond the cave,” Miller said.
With its fresh insights, Morocco gave Miller a compelling narrative and he drew comparisons to North America’s archaeology.
“I, along with Derek Anderson (MSU Cobb Institute of Archaeology) and Jim Strawn (University of Georgia), am currently working on the oldest dated site in Mississippi, which is the Hester site in Amory,” Miller said. “Our oldest dates there are over 12,000 years old. In Morocco, that is considered ‘recent’ archaeology.
“We have basically applied the same approach to archaeological survey that you would use in arid landscape in the U.S., like Arizona or New Mexico. I study Ice Age archaeology in North America, and I mostly use stone tool economics and human behavioral ecology to figure out how people adapted to climate change. A lot of my expertise has been pretty transferable to Morocco. It’s a lot of the same questions but in a very new place for me,” Miller said.
Morocco has a breadth of history and cultural phenomena. During his previous travels, Miller found an unexpected cultural gem in a small barbershop tucked away in the old Medina of Marrakech.
“On a whim, I decided to get a haircut in a back-alley barbershop. The only way that I could communicate
with the guys in the barbershop was by using a translation app,” Miller said. “They found out that I was an archaeologist, started showing me pictures of ruins from their home village, offered to take me camping in the Atlas Mountains and now they all follow me on Instagram. I took Jesse Weaver and Bailey Stephenson to the barbershop on our return trip, and they both got haircuts. While I was waiting, I showed the guys how to use the Duolingo app and I could hear the barbers brushing up on their English when we left. It was a fun and unexpected cultural experience.”
Miller, Weaver and Stephenson not only engulfed themselves in the richness of Moroccan culture, but they also explored the country’s prolific archaeology. Miller plans to return to Morocco soon to continue his archaeological surveys at a Middle Stone Age cave site. This work enriches scientists’ understanding of ancient human societies and also connects diverse archaeological narratives across continents, showcasing the enduring quest to uncover the mysteries of a shared past. u
“On a whim, I decided to get a haircut in a backalley barbershop. The only way that I could communicate with the guys in the barbershop was by using a translation app. They found out that I was an archaeologist, started showing me pictures of ruins from their home village, offered to take me camping in the Atlas Mountains and now they all follow me on Instagram.”
— Shane Miller
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joseph N. Newell is a composition lecturer in the English Department at Mississippi State University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English. A native of Cary, Mississippi, he is passionate about literature and plans to pursue a doctorate in English. His research interests include power dynamics, gender and societal structures in literature, with award-winning work on Shakespeare and A Room with a View. In addition to his academic research, his poetry has been published in The Streetcar. Newell aspires to teach literature at the collegiate level, inspiring future students through his scholarship and writing.
AMPLIFYING VOICES
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL WORK
One of Veronica H. Knowles’s life missions is to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves in a way that others can understand, a commitment she upholds as a licensed social worker and instructor at Mississippi State University.
“Representation matters,” said Knowles, reflecting on her roles in shaping the future of social work at both state and national levels.
“I think that we have a unique culture here in the South that many people are unfamiliar with in other places in the U.S. A person’s community and belonging are some of the most important aspects of who they are as a person. My goal in accepting roles to state and national boards was to ensure that people across the country could hear and appreciate the perspectives from Mississippians. In the South, this has been seen especially around hard times. People have come together across all lines: race, religion, political views, even football.”
In 2022, Knowles was appointed as one of 37 members of the Practice Analysis Task Force by the Association of Social Work Boards—a task force responsible for providing subject matter expertise and helping shape the content outlines for the next iteration of social work licensing exams, set to be released in January 2026.
In addition to her work with the ASWB, Knowles was appointed in July 2023 by Gov. Tate Reeves to the Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists, and currently serves as the board’s vice chair.
Her role on these boards involves addressing challenging issues within the profession, as they relate to public protection and setting the standards for practice within Mississippi.
“As a board member for MBOE,
By Sarah Nicholas
I am a regulator. This is a public servant position, and as a regulator I am charged with ensuring the public is protected. I work with other members to make sure that professionals licensed and practicing in the areas of social work and marriage and family therapy are providing services that are ethical.”
“My goal in accepting roles to state and national boards was to ensure that people across the country could hear and appreciate the perspectives from Mississippians.” – Veronica Knowles
“My hope is that the profession continues to strengthen and thrive,” said Knowles, who is optimistic about the evolving landscape of her field. “My desire is that social work is recognized, respected and accepted. This will be evident by funding programs that include necessities like school social workers, pay parity, access to mental health services and development of graduate programs.”
As an MSU faculty member since 2017, Knowles integrates her experiences into her teaching.
“I encourage, support and empower students to become involved in service outside of the classroom,” she said. “I look for service and experiential learning opportunities for students to help them marry the concepts and theories learned in the classroom with real-time experiences.”
Her involvement extends beyond professional duties, as she has volunteered with organizations like the American Red Cross and Special Olympics.
“My time spent in these capacities helps me appreciate the need for inclusion even more. I push hard that every policymaker considers the groups and populations who are often overlooked and marginalized. I think that increasing diversity only builds a stronger outcome and supports a positive progression towards inclusion for everyone: professionals and consumers,” said Knowles.
Knowles’s commitment to social work and her dedication to both teaching and community service continue to shape the future of the profession, ensuring that it remains ethical and responsive to the needs of all individuals and communities.
“Social workers help people overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges,” she said. “As a social work instructor, I help future generations of helpers.” u
ABOUT VERONIC KNOWLES
Veronica H. Knowles is a social work educator at Mississippi State University with experience in mental health, child welfare, healthcare and management. A Licensed Certified Social Worker, she is involved with the National Kidney Foundation, NASW and AAIDD, and volunteers with the Red Cross and Special Olympics.
WEATHERING THE STORM Forecasting Insight
By Sam Kealhofer
The Office of the Mississippi State Climatologist has long been an indispensable force in the state’s understanding and addressing of climaterelated issues. Housed at Mississippi State University since its founding in 1984, this office not only tracks weather trends but also helps shape the future of agriculture, business and communities across the state.
With every weather report, research project and outreach effort, the office serves the people of Mississippi. MSU’s Mike Brown, who serves as Mississippi’s state climatologist and a professor of meteorology, leads the office. Under the guidance of MSU’s land-grant mission, Brown works daily to help Mississippians face the unique challenges of their environment.
The role of the office goes beyond weather forecasts. The team works to provide accurate, long-term climate data that informs decisions across industries— especially agriculture. For generations, farmers have leaned on the office’s expertise to understand how to manage their crops and prepare for weather extremes. These forecasts help farmers make critical choices about planting, irrigation and harvesting, ensuring they
can thrive even in the most challenging conditions.
“We provide 30- to 90-day climate outlooks to help them prepare for what may be coming—extreme heat, drought or too much rain,” Brown said.
Agriculture is Mississippi’s lifeblood, and stakes are no higher than in times of
“The work we do isn’t confined to laboratories or research papers—it’s actively shaping the future of the state.”
– Mike Brown
drought. Over the past two years, farmers have faced back-to-back dry seasons, and their impact is still being felt. Corn and soybean fields in northeast Mississippi have taken a hit, but cattle farmers are feeling the brunt of the damage. Many have lost their pastures to the dry conditions, leaving them without the hay needed to sustain their livestock through the winter.
“Being an agricultural state means that drought has tremendous financial impacts for farmers and producers,” Brown said.
“For example, when the Mississippi River is too low, it reduces the amount barges can haul, painting a picture of how deeply intertwined the state’s economy is with the forces of nature.”
The office, however, is not just reactive—it’s proactive. By developing tools like a drought reporting app, the office empowers extension agents to send real-time updates about local conditions. The data collected helps ensure that Mississippi’s drought status is accurately classified, which is essential for securing aid and planning for the future. In this way, the office is not just tracking the drought—it’s shaping the state’s response to it, ensuring farmers and communities are prepared for the long haul.
Beyond agriculture, the office’s work touches almost every aspect of life in Mississippi.
“I consult with school districts, the Mississippi and federal emergency agencies, the Department of Housing and others during periods of unsettled weather,” Brown said.
Their work even stretches into unexpected arenas, including forecasting for professional sports teams—most recently, providing snow and lightning forecasts for the New England Patriots.
It’s this breadth of involvement that defines the Office of the Mississippi State Climatologist. The work it does is not confined to laboratories or research papers—it’s actively shaping the future of the state, helping attract businesses to cities, guiding public policy and serving the people of Mississippi.
The office’s MSU connection fuels this mission. Climate data collected at the university’s weather stations—some of which have been running for more than 130 years— feeds directly into the state’s agricultural and environmental planning. Students, too, are an integral part of the office’s work.
“I am always learning new things in this job, and many times bring that newfound knowledge into the classroom,” Brown said.
The office provides opportunities for undergraduate research, and its data is used in thesis and dissertation projects across multiple departments, including agriculture, forestry and geosciences.
For MSU alumni, friends and students, the work of the climatology office is a point of pride. It represents the university’s commitment to its land-grant roots: to serve the people of the state through education, research and outreach. The data collected here isn’t just for academic purposes—it’s actively used to safeguard the livelihoods of Mississippi’s farmers, to help cities plan for a sustainable future and to protect communities during extreme weather events.
The office disseminates this information far and wide, including through a twice-monthly newsletter available on its website. All the climate data it uses is public and archived through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the office even takes requests to format the data in more accessible ways for those who need it.
By fostering collaboration, advancing research and serving the public, the Office of the Mississippi State Climatologist is ensuring the state can rise to meet any challenge the future holds, serving as a prime example of how MSU’s work truly makes a difference in the lives of people across the state and beyond. u
ABOUT MIKE BROWN
Mike Brown is the state climatologist for Mississippi and a professor of meteorology/ climatology in the Department of Geosciences. His research interests include land-surface-atmosphere interactions and severe local storms, public perception of warnings, tornado damage paths and enhanced convection, lightning probabilities at NCAA stadiums, and thermodynamic characteristics of severe local storms in the Southeast U.S.
FROM CLASSROOM TO CONTINENT MSU historian explores Swahili’s global journey
By Sarah Nicholas
Dedicated to uncovering the rich and complex history of Swahili, one of Africa’s most widely spoken languages, Mississippi State University Associate Professor of History Morgan J. Robinson has made it the focus of her career.
Robinson’s journey into the study of Swahili, or Kiswahili studies, began not in Africa but in a college classroom where she sought to learn a new language.
“When I got to college, I was not sure exactly what I wanted to major in, but I did know that I wanted to learn a new language. Then, as now, I loved the idea of expanding my ability to communicate with more and more people,” she said. “I walked into Swahili I, and it shaped the rest of my life.”
Her first book, “A Language for the World: The Standardization of Swahili” (Ohio University Press, 2022), explores the process by which Swahili was standardized and how the portability of that standard has contributed to its spread across the African continent and beyond. A pivotal moment in her research came when she read a letter written by a missionary in 1878, describing the frustration potential volunteers felt when faced with the daunting task of learning Swahili.
“Everyone who has ever tried to study a foreign language knows it is hard, takes time and will never be perfect,” Robinson said. “It was this gap between my own lived experience of language learning and the glossing over of the effort in the historical literature about language
“A piece of advice that has nothing to do with language but which I regret not doing as an undergraduate: Go visit your professors during office hours! We are sitting there with the express purpose of talking to students, and those outside-of-the-classroom interactions go a long way toward building rewarding intellectual relationships.” –Morgan Robinson
learning that planted the first seed of an idea for what, at the time, was my dissertation project.”
Robinson’s book was born from her firsthand experience with language learning, as well as her recognition that historical accounts often gloss over the
laborious process of mastering a new language.
“The book tells the story of how the Swahili language became standardized over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries,” Robinson said. “It is comprised of the intertwined narratives of formerly enslaved children and missionaries, clerks and colonial officials, poets and politicians all wound together to show the language as we know it today was created by a host of people, all working on different timelines and for different reasons on projects that together produced Standard Swahili.”
The process of standardizing Swahili, as Robinson said, was anything but straightforward. The history she traces reveals a range of perspectives—scholars, linguists and everyday speakers—that contributed to this complex development, a history that affects the language politics of the region.
“Swahili today continues to inhabit a dual identity in East Africa and beyond,” she said. “For some, the language offers hope of pan-African unification—it is a symbol of post-colonial liberation. But from the earliest stages of the standardization process, critics worried that the elevation of one dialect of Swahili, written in one particular way, would
disadvantage those speakers and writers of other versions of the language—versions with histories just as long and storied as that of the Zanzibar dialect on which Standard Swahili is based.”
Her book research involved delving into a wide array of sources, many of which were created by European colonial officials.
“The most important technique for me was to approach the sources with a curious open-mindedness. This allowed me to encounter the stories that bubbled to the surface of, for instance, a seemingly straightforward annual report written by a colonial official—stories that revealed the East African clerk who kept a dictionary project alive, or the students who corrected their teacher’s translation of a Swahili term,” Robinson said. “These were the kernels that helped me to reconstruct the truly complex process that resulted in a standardized version of Swahili.”
across the world—though the processes, let alone the words used to describe them, might be quite different from one place and time to another,” she said. “That’s the knot that I want to unravel— to see what happens when knowledgeproducers—researchers—from very different backgrounds are forced to work together.”
Adding another language to her repertoire, Robinson spent a year in Germany recently as part of a fellowship.
As Swahili continues to spread throughout the world, Robinson sees the language’s history as integral to understanding its role today.
“Swahili in its standardized version is now taught in classrooms not only across the continent but around the world, and it has been made an official language of the African Union—the only non-European language besides Arabic to be given that status,” she said. “All of this has led to an increase in the number of people speaking and writing Swahili around the world.”
Robinson’s more recent research has taken a new direction. Her next project will focus on the notions of research and the researcher in the context of early 20th century East Africa.
“If research is, at its root, the production of knowledge, then it is something that happens in every society
“My time in Germany changed the trajectory of my life, both academically and personally. When I arrived in Berlin in January of 2021, there were still some fairly severe Covid restrictions in place, so I had not much else to do besides study German grammar,” said Robinson, who used her fellowship to open new doors of research.
“Prior to losing World War I, Germany had colonized parts of the African continent, including the territory of present-day Tanzania. As a result, there are a great deal of German—and Swahili—language documents pertaining to the region collected in archives across Berlin and other German cities,” she added. “That research will form the basis of my new work. I was also finally able to engage with German scholarship on African history—a written world that I previously had been unable to access.”
As she continues to explore the intersections of history, linguistics and colonialism, Robinson’s work sheds light on the powerful role language plays in shaping the world.
For students interested in pursuing similar paths, her advice is simple but profound: “Learn foreign languages! I know that it can be a grind, but on an idealistic level, there is nothing cooler than gaining more tools to communicate with more people.” u
ABOUT MORGAN ROBINSON
Morgan J. Robinson, associate professor of history, has been appointed director of the College of Arts and Sciences’ Institute for the Humanities.
“I am grateful to Julia Osman, the immediate past director, for building a lively and sustainable institute over the past six years,” said Robinson, an MSU faculty member since 2018. “We have all benefited from having a vibrant and engaged center for the humanities on campus, and I hope to continue that legacy— highlighting the important work of humanities scholars at Mississippi State and fostering meaningful connections across departments, colleges and the broader community.”
The Institute for the Humanities promotes research, scholarship and creative work in the humanities while enhancing its visibility at MSU and beyond.
A Princeton graduate with a Ph.D. in history, Robinson specializes in East Africa and the history of science. She also holds a master’s in history from Princeton and a bachelor’s from Yale.
Her accolades include the prestigious Humboldt Research Fellowship in Berlin (2021–2022), the College of Arts and Sciences Strategic Research Initiative Seed Funding (2019), and the Bernadotte E. Schmitt Grant from the American Historical Association (2019).
STRIKING THE RIGHT CHORD MSU instructor’s melodic approach to meteorology
By Callie Simonton
He may not be singing in the rain, but this meteorologist is singing a new tune when it comes to educating students about the weather.
Bob Swanson, an instructor in the Mississippi State Department of Physics and Astronomy, says his own form of “edu-tainment” brings him joy as he plays his piano accordion for audiences and regales them with his original melodic meteorology and physical science lessons.
“I explain the science (Boyle’s Law and resonating reeds) behind how the instrument works,” Swanson said. “That’s not something an average Mississippi kid sees every day and not something they’ll soon forget. If I can get kids excited about science and music at the same time, I count that as successful community connection.”
Swanson says his singing-weatherman personality, Stormin’ Bob Swanson –The Singing Weatherman, originally grew out of necessity more than 20 years ago, when he was a young meteorologist.
“Back then, it was a matter of survival. Station meteorologists were expected to do station outreach by visiting classrooms when requested, and I had little or no background in teaching pre-K or elementary-age students. Writing songs about the weather seemed to be the best way to make my presentations more engaging.”
Since debuting the character, Swanson’s lessons have grown in popularity and he has added new material to his repertoire.
“The rest is, as they say, history. I’ve gone on to write more songs, broaden my scope, develop more demonstrations, increase audience interaction/ participation, add more instruments— guitar, harmonica, banjo, mandolin, piano accordion, and involve my family members as part of the show.”
Swanson’s family has traveled with him in his summer “edu-tainment”
tours since 2018, visiting libraries across Mississippi from Horn Lake to Waynesboro, and Pass Christian to Vicksburg. Following his summer 2023 tour, his eldest son, Dan, put together a documentary titled “Head in the Clouds—The Ballad of Stormin’ Bob Swanson,” available on YouTube.
Community Market. He also helps coordinate the Discovery Street field trip every year, to help expose StarkvilleOktibbeha County School District students to various science concepts.
“As a first-generation college graduate myself, I know that college can be an abstract concept for a lot of kids,” Swanson said. “Providing opportunities for students to come to campus and be exposed to the exciting and innovative teaching and research going on here is a fantastic recruiting opportunity.”
Swanson wants that opportunity to plant a seed for curiosity in science and weather in the minds of his audiences.
“If I can get kids excited about science and music at the same time, I count that as successful community connection.”
– Bob Swanson
“Because I have benefitted so much, it is my pleasure to give back when and where I can. In my case, I have the niche ability to teach science concepts, mainly weather and astronomy topics, in a way that is fun and entertaining.”
Swanson has performed as his singing weatherman persona at the “Science Night at the Museums” on MSU’s campus, as well as in the Starkville-Oktibbeha community through the county libraries’ summer reading programs and at the Starkville
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
“Once you get in the habit of looking up, you can’t help but become more curious. Physics winds up being the tool that helps answer the questions that your curiosity uncovers.”
Swanson’s guitar has a quote on it referencing two of his folk heroes, Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, also who had slogans on their instruments. It reads, “This machine surrounds certainty and forces it to think again.”
“While my content area is physical science and astronomy, sharing critical thinking skills with my students is a priority in my teaching. These young adults are entering into a world where it is tough to separate fact from opinion. It can also be so psychologically tempting to be unwavering in one’s beliefs. To my mind, every day should be an opportunity to scrutinize something that I would never have had reason to previously question.” u
Callie Simonton is a December 2024 graduate from Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a concentration in broadcast journalism. Callie is from Suwanee, Georgia, and worked as a communication student worker for the College of Arts and Sciences since January 2022. Following her graduation, she accepted a job as a news producer at WTVC-TV News Channel 9 in Chattanooga.
“Once you get in the habit of looking up, you can’t help but become more curious. Physics winds up being the tool that helps answer the questions that your curiosity uncovers.” – Bob Swanson
“Stormin’ Bob” Swanson, MSU Physics and Astronomy instructor, brings science to life with music, blending meteorology and melody to inspire the next generation of curious minds.
SHAPING GLOBAL DIPLOMACY, STRATEGY
With expertise spanning diverse fields, Mississippi State University is home to leading scholars shaping global conversations. Among them, Associate Professor Benjamin Tkach of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration stands out as a key voice in political science.
Specializing in foreign policy and international relations, Tkach’s work unravels the complexities of military strategy and international diplomacy. With a focus on highimpact conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war, his research has appeared in prestigious publications such as “Foreign Affairs” and “War on the Rocks,” influencing not only academic circles but U.S. Congressional reports and policy development.
ABOUT BENJAMIN TKACH
Benjamin Tkach is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Mississippi State University. His research focuses on international relations, security studies, and military strategy, with expertise in arms trade, private military companies and conflict dynamics. His work has been published in leading journals and cited in U.S. government reports, contributing to discussions on global security and defense policy.
At MSU, Dr. Tkach is committed to mentoring students and equipping them with the analytical skills needed for careers in government, national security and international affairs. By integrating real-world case studies into his teaching, he helps students connect theory with current global events, preparing them to navigate complex geopolitical challenges and shape the future of international policy.
A CONVERSATION WITH MSU’S TKACH
VISION: Dr. Tkach, your work in political science is crucial for understanding international relations. Can you provide specific examples of how your research has impacted public forums or policy decisions?
TKACH: My prior public scholarship, such as pieces in “War on the Rocks” or “Foreign Affairs,” has been cited and commented on by government reports. For instance, citations from the Congressional Research Service show that both members of Congress and their staff, who request information on military strategies used in the Ukraine war, are informed by our research. The U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission’s 2023 Annual Report to Congress directly discusses my work and is widely distributed throughout the U.S. government. While we can’t directly measure the impact on policy decisions, the inclusion of our work in government reports suggests that it is indeed informing policy.
VISION: Speaking of the Ukraine war, how do you see the situation evolving three years after the invasion began? What’s the impact on global players, and what should Americans understand about the current state of the conflict?
TKACH: The ongoing war of attrition following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 continues to shape the global environment. Ukraine’s recent incursion into the Kursk region has shifted the initiative to the Ukrainians, with Ukrainian strikes disrupting Russian infrastructure and drawing forces away from other battle fronts. However, recent statements from Pentagon officials suggest the incursion and occupation of Russian territory will not significantly alter the current operational realities for Ukrainians. This war has provided numerous lessons for militaries and populations worldwide. From a Russian perspective, the aim of prolonging the conflict and diminishing Western support aligns with their attrition strategy. Meanwhile, China is observing the international community’s reaction to a nuclear power invading territory, which serves as a complex learning opportunity. Some analysts suggest China sees the invasion as proof that Europe and the U.S. may not intervene militarily in similar situations, though others caution against drawing direct parallels, particularly regarding a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
VISION: What future research projects or areas of study are you excited about exploring next?
TKACH: Recently, my colleagues and I published a piece on Taiwanese public opinion regarding self-defense and the potential for invasion, highlighting that domestic partisanship plays a significant role in shaping views on China and U.S. involvement. Moving forward, I’m exploring how Russia and the global community produce and trade weapons used in Ukraine. A fascinating aspect of the war is the use of value arms—older or refurbished weapons that both Russia and Ukraine have used effectively. My research focuses on how these value arms are produced, transferred and utilized in contemporary conflicts. This is crucial for understanding modern warfare, as many current hotspots involve the use of these weapons.
“Students are our future leaders. My biggest impact is through integrated educational experiences that prepare them to shape policy and navigate global challenges.”
– Benjamin Tkach
VISION: How do you see public forums and media platforms shaping policy based on your research?
TKACH: My research on the Value Arms ecosystem has led to the development of a course at the Defense Security Cooperation University, which manages foreign military sales and direct commercial sales to foreign governments. The course is designed for military professionals and officials, helping them understand how value arms influence international dynamics. This knowledge is crucial for improving U.S. foreign policy. The course begins with a podcast I recorded, outlining the value arms ecosystem and its interaction with the international system.
VISION: Can you please share your thoughts on how you are using your career in academia to positively influence the next generation of leaders?
Editor’s note: This conversation took place in late 2024. Some information about the Ukraine war might have shifted between the conversation and printing of this article.
TKACH: Students are our future leaders. My biggest impact on the next generation is through integrated educational experiences. At MSU, I have had the privilege to teach and collaborate with students who are already influencing U.S. policy through positions on Capitol Hill, three-letter agencies like the FBI, and important think tanks. Ultimately, MSU’s pursuit of teaching excellence allows faculty to experiment with the learning environment to strengthen student development. Current and future leaders face a turbulent international environment. I see one of my primary responsibilities as a faculty member is to ensure students are best positioned to apply their knowledge, insights and experiences to help move the world forward. u
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Mississippi State’s math department develops formula for effective teaching
By Sarah Nicholas
Math + college students = frustration (for many)
Mississippi State’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics is known for consistently producing exceptional educators who work diligently to make math a positive experience for students. With four faculty members now recipients of the prestigious Grisham Master Teacher Award—Kim Walters, Robert Banik, Jacob Tschume and the newest inductee into the elite group, Amber Robinson—the department is changing the perception of math.
This success is the result of a studentcentered approach cultivated under the leadership of Mohsen Razzaghi, Giles
Distinguished Professor and department head. Razzaghi has found a winning formula in fostering talent from within the department itself.
“One of the reasons that I feel the department has so many award-winning instructors is that we strive to hire our own graduate students as instructors,” Razzaghi said. “We know their teaching abilities because they taught courses as graduate teaching assistants. That way, we can observe their teaching for two years. These four faculty members with Grisham awards once were my own students.”
Razzaghi believes the department’s commitment to hiring its own graduate students as instructors plays a significant role in the department’s
success, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and the close-knit nature of the department. This approach ensures a continuity of excellence because the department’s educators share the same academic background as many of their students, creating an environment of mutual understanding and support.
Kim Walters, a 2013 Grisham Master Teacher Award recipient, exemplifies the dedication that defines MSU’s math instructors. With nearly 30 years of service at MSU, Walters continues to refine her teaching methods, presenting at national conferences and continuously engaging with her students.
“She is always looking to work with her students so that they can succeed both
in and out of the classroom,” Razzaghi said. One student aptly summed up her impact: “She was terrific. She is one of the best teachers I have ever had. I was excited to come to class. She encouraged class participation and did a great job ensuring our ducks were in a row.”
The department’s dedication to student engagement is a common thread among its award-winning educators.
Robert Banik, who received the Grisham Master Teacher Award in 2018, is known for going above and beyond for his students, Razzaghi said.
“Finding a crowd of students in his office is a familiar sight. Some are current students, but many former students come by to ask for help in other classes or talk,” Razzaghi said. “He tries to show his students enthusiasm not only for mathematics but also for life in general. He desires to educate students in mathematics and encourage them to pursue careers—maybe not as a mathematician, but as a person who is not afraid to think analytically.”
As one student said, “I was very nervous to take a college mathematics course. Mr. Tschume is by far the most approachable professor I have ever had. He is so dedicated to his students and their success.”
“One of the reasons that I feel the department has so many awardwinning instructors is that we strive to hire our own graduate students as instructors.” — Mohsen Razzaghi
Amber Robinson, a 2024 Grisham Master Teacher Award recipient, has mastered the art of teaching a diverse range of students, from those learning basic algebra to those tackling advanced courses including Calculus II and Differential Equations. Her teaching philosophy focuses on creating a structured and supportive learning environment where students can thrive, Razzaghi said. “These students often differ significantly in these classes, yet Amber strives to make her students eager to learn,” Razzaghi said. “She aims to create a learning environment encouraging students to ask questions during class and stay engaged. She wants her students to know that she is available and wants each of them to succeed.”
And as one student shared, “He makes the class fun and creates a good atmosphere, which is generally hard for teachers because math is boring.”
Jacob Tschume, the department’s 2022 Grisham Master Teacher, is known for blending innovation with approachability. His use of technology in the classroom helps students stay engaged and provides clarity on complex topics.
“He has been utilizing technology long before it was the typical style,” Razzaghi said. “His students know that he is challenging but approachable. Students enjoy his teaching style so much that they strive to take him throughout the calculus sequence.”
“Mrs. Robinson presented math in a way that made sense, with a consistent format that I could always depend on to keep my focus on the subject at hand,” one student reflected.
Razzaghi said, “Each of these instructors does a fantastic job at teaching concepts and building relationships with their students. This is an incredible feat, especially when their class sizes can be 100-plus students. I anticipate that we will continue to have other instructors receive the Grisham Master Teacher Award, as we have many talented, committed and enthusiastic instructors.” u
Kim Walters
Robert Banik
Jacob Tschume
Amber Robinson
FACULTY AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Mississippi State University’s College of Arts and Sciences honored nine outstanding faculty members in Spring 2024 for their accomplishments in teaching, research and service. This year, the college introduced a new award, the Distinguished Service Award, recognizing exceptional institutional service that aligns with the college’s core vision.
EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AWARDS
Recognizing faculty whose research significantly enhances the visibility of MSU’s programs, this year’s research awardees include:
• Scott DiGiulio, associate professor, Department of Classical & Modern Languages and Literatures –Humanities Award.
• Hilary DeShong, associate professor, Department of Psychology – Social and Behavioral Sciences Award.
• Shrinidhi Ambinakudige, professor, Department of Geosciences – Natural and Physical Sciences Award.
INAUGURAL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Cheryl Chambers, Instructor II, in the Department of Communication, received the first-ever Distinguished Service Award for her unwavering commitment and contributions to her department, college and the university.
OUTSTANDING TEACHING AWARDS
Faculty who have demonstrated exceptional teaching performance in classrooms, out-of-class learning environments, or through leadership in advancing instructional methods were honored with this year’s Outstanding Teaching Awards:
• Tonya Hays, assistant professor, Department of Communication – Humanities Award.
• Kristen Campbell, Instructor II, Department of Psychology – Social and Behavioral Sciences Award.
• Sean Stokes, associate clinical professor, Department of Chemistry – Natural and Physical Sciences Award.
Chambers
DeShong, Ambinakudige, DiGiulio
Stokes, Hays, Campbell
Mississippi State University’s College of Arts and Sciences is proud to celebrate faculty members whose exceptional work has garnered national and global recognition. The Fall 2024 faculty recognitions highlight individuals making significant contributions to research, leadership and innovation, further strengthening MSU’s academic excellence and impact.
AMBER ROBINSON NAMED MSU’S NEWEST GRISHAM MASTER TEACHER
In Fall 2024, Amber Robinson–an instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics–received one of the university’s most prestigious teaching honors.
First presented in 1993, the Grisham Master Teacher honor is a tribute to classroom and instruction excellence and is named for the MSU accounting alumnus and internationally recognized best-selling author who provided funds to endow the award.
As a Calculus II instructor, Robinson teaches what many describe as their “most challenging mathematics course.” Since she began her career at MSU, the student success rate in this course has improved substantially. Former students credit this success to her ability to “cater to every learning style.”
“Our faculty members are the heart of Mississippi State’s mission, bringing knowledge, innovation and inspiration to our students and community. Celebrating our faculty award recipients is a reminder of the remarkable talent and dedication that drive our university forward. These honorees have set high standards in teaching, research and service, showing that their passion for learning extends beyond the classroom, elevating our university’s reputation and impact.”~ Dean Rick Travis
Hossein Karimi, assistant professor of psychology, received the Sanderson Dean’s Eminent Scholar Award for the social and behavioral sciences.
Michael S. Pratte, associate professor of psychology, was honored with the Phil and Kari Oldham Faculty Mentor Award for his dedication to faculty development and mentorship.
Morgan J. Robinson, associate professor of history and director of MSU’s Institute for the Humanities, received the Gulmon Dean’s Eminent Scholar Award for the humanities.
Qian Michelle Zhou, associate professor of mathematics and statistics, was recognized with the Sanderson Dean’s Eminent Scholar Award for the natural and physical sciences.
MSU President Mark E. Keenum and MSU Provost David Shaw present Amber Robinson with the 2024 Grisham Master Teacher award.
Karimi
Pratte
Zhou
Robinson
NEW FELLOWS EXPLORING HISTORY AND CULTURE
Mississippi State University’s Institute for the Humanities has named its newest cohort of fellows, whose research spans national identity in Central America, the role of emotion in American medical history, and the complexities of satire in Elizabethan society.
The Institute for the Humanities Fellowship is awarded annually to three MSU faculty members, providing each with a $1,000 stipend and a course release in the spring semester to support dedicated research time in their respective humanities fields.
BRIAN DAVISSON, associate professor of classical and modern languages and literatures, is examining national identity formation in 19th-century Central America. His project, The Spatial Construction of Nineteenth-Century Central America, explores how travel narratives, cartography and geographic instruction shaped political and cultural developments following independence.
COURTNEY
THOMPSON, associate professor of history, is researching the intersection of medicine, emotion and identity in 19thcentury America. Her project, A Calculus
MSU FACULTY EARN PRESTIGIOUS APPOINTMENTS
Two faculty members from Mississippi State University’s College of Arts and Sciences have recently earned distinguished honors in their respective fields.
Gov. Tate Reeves has appointed Dr. Kevin Armstrong, associate professor of psychology, to the Mississippi Board of Psychology, where he will serve a five-year term. This governing body ensures the state’s psychologists meet high professional standards, protecting the well-being of Mississippi’s citizens.
Additionally, Dr. Rachel Allison, associate professor of sociology, was selected for a Fulbright Specialist award. She spent November and December 2024 at the University of Lucerne in Switzerland, where she taught, presented research, and collaborated with international faculty and students. Her work focused on how societal norms and cultural values shape athletic participation and representation.
The College of Arts and Sciences proudly celebrates these outstanding achievements and their contributions to academic excellence and global engagement.
of Compassion: Medicine, Emotion, and Identity in Nineteenth-Century America, analyzes how physicians’ emotions and patients’ identities influenced medical decision-making. Through historical case studies, she investigates the role of race, geography and social context in shaping medical care.
ERIC VIVIER, associate professor of English, is exploring Elizabethan satire and its societal impact. His project, The Trouble with Elizabethan Satire, focuses on the works of John Marston, investigating how satire created contradictory effects—provoking both pleasure and discomfort—while influencing social and political discourse.
ROBERT E. WOLVERTON LEGACY AWARD
Established in 2014 in honor of Professor Emeritus Robert E. Wolverton, this award recognizes faculty, staff and advocates who have made significant, long-term contributions to the College of Arts and Sciences and championed the ideals of a liberal arts education.
The 2024 Robert E. Wolverton Legacy Award recipients are:
• Mohsen Razzaghi, professor and head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
• Mary Celeste Reese, director of MSU’s Dr. A. Randle and Marilyn W. White Health Professions Resource Center.
IN RICE HALL
Marking a significant step forward in mental health services, a newly expanded facility in Rice Hall now houses Mississippi State University’s Psychology Clinic. The updated space enhances access to therapy, psychological assessments and telehealth services for both the university and surrounding communities. Staffed by graduate student clinicians under licensed supervision, the clinic provides quality care while serving as a hands-on training ground for future mental health professionals.
MSU Writing Center Relocates to Mitchell Memorial Library for Greater Accessibility
Enhancing accessibility and support for students, faculty and staff, Mississippi State University has relocated its Writing Center to the second floor of Mitchell Memorial Library. This move provides a more central and convenient space for those seeking writing assistance, encouraging greater use of the center’s resources.
Offering individualized support for academic papers, research projects, professional documents and personal writing, the Writing Center is now positioned within one of the campus’s key academic hubs. This integration makes it easier for visitors to access help while working on assignments or conducting research.
The Writing Center provides both in-person and virtual consultations, allowing students to receive
feedback on writing structure, clarity and overall effectiveness. Trained consultants assist with brainstorming, organization and revision strategies to help writers strengthen their skills and confidence. Whether students need help developing ideas, refining
arguments or polishing final drafts, the center’s new location ensures that expert guidance is always within reach. The relocation reflects MSU’s ongoing commitment to student success, making writing support more visible and accessible to the entire campus community.
L-R: College of Arts and Sciences Dean Rick Travis, MSU President Mark E. Keenum, Writing Center Director Loreeda Rios, MSU Libraries Dean Lis Pankl and Department of English Head Lara Dodds.
Faculty, staff and students celebrate the opening of the Mississippi State Psychology Clinic’s new location in Rice Hall
Global Impact, Local Excellence
CELEBRATING FACULTY BLAZING NATIONAL TRAILS
Mississippi State University and the College of Arts and Sciences recognize outstanding faculty whose groundbreaking work is making national and global impacts across various disciplines. These honorees are shaping the future through innovative research, prestigious awards and high-profile collaborations.
ADVANCING SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
Matt Ballinger, associate professor of biological sciences, made a remarkable discovery which was featured in Nature magazine, identifying a new parasitic wasp species with unusual biology in the Eastern U.S. His research, supported by an $805,682 NSF CAREER grant, advances the fields of entomology and parasitology.
Matthew Brown, Donald L. Hall professor of biology, published groundbreaking work in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on microbial eukaryotes, shedding light on 750-million-year-old testate amoebae and their role in Earth’s evolutionary history.
La Mia El Fassi, associate professor of physics, had her research on “Strange Matter” featured by the U.S. Department of Energy, contributing to fundamental advancements in nuclear physics.
Nicholas Fitzkee, professor of chemistry, was highlighted by MIT Technology Review for his research on helium’s role in chemistry, exploring its impact on semiconductor technology.
Ryan Folk, assistant professor of biological sciences, co-authored a Science Advances study examining how human activity affects nitrogen-fixing plants, crucial for ecosystem stability. His NSF CAREER grant supports this vital ecological research.
Jesse Goliath, assistant professor of anthropology, explored forensic anthropology’s role in activism and advocacy in a Humans journal publication, part of a multi-university collaboration.
Margaret A. Hagerman, associate professor of sociology, received the American Sociological Association’s Distinguished Early Career Award for her influential research on childhood and youth studies.
Hossein Karimi, assistant professor of psychology, secured a $571,932 NSF CAREER grant to investigate the relationship between language processing, working memory and attention in cognitive science.
Ling Li, associate professor of biological sciences, published research in New Phytologist on enhancing protein content in rice and soybean crops, addressing global malnutrition and food security challenges.
Candace Lukasik, assistant professor of philosophy and religion, was selected as a Young Scholar in American Religion by the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture, funded by the Lilly Endowment.
EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION
Karyn Brown, assistant dean for communications and media, earned the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential, a distinction held by fewer than 2% of PR professionals worldwide.
Terry Likes, head of the Department of Communication, received the 2024 Broadcast Historian Award from the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation for his contributions to media history and communication research.
MAJOR RESEARCH AND NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
Tatiana Lobato de Magalhães, postdoctoral research associate in wetlands ecology, earned two awards from the Society of Wetland Scientists for her research on ecological modeling and wetland sustainability, working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Andrew Mercer, professor of geosciences, is part of MSU’s team leading a national NSF-funded $67 million SECURE Center initiative to enhance U.S. research security.
Michael R. Nadorff, professor of psychology, was honored with the Friend of APTC Award for his contributions to clinical psychology education.
Donna M. Pierce, associate professor of physics and astronomy, leads a $1.2 million NSF-funded project to prepare STEM majors for teaching careers in underserved areas.
Ben Porter, assistant professor
Nicole E. Rader, professor of sociology, received the 2024 Distinguished Scholar Award from the Division of Feminist Criminology for her research on crime perception and victimization, including her book, Teaching Fear: How We Learn to Fear Crime and Why It Matters.
Gautam Rupak and Mark A. Novotny, professors of physics and astronomy, secured a $550,000 DOE grant to
explore quantum computing applications in nuclear physics.
Emily S. H. Stafford, associate clinical professor of psychology, and Michael R. Nadorff, professor of psychology, won multiple Emmy Awards at the 2024 Southeast Emmy Awards for their suicide prevention film series, marking their second consecutive year of recognition.
Angelle Tanner, associate professor of physics and astronomy, serves as the science PI for NASA’s $19.5 million Landolt Mission, aimed at refining telescope calibration and advancing our understanding of universal expansion.
FACULTY BOOK PUBLICATIONS
College of Arts and Sciences faculty continue to make significant contributions to scholarship with recent and upcoming book publications across various disciplines.
ANTHROPOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Molly Zuckerman, professor of anthropology and Middle Eastern cultures
Emerging Infections: Three Epidemiological Transitions from Prehistory to the Present Oxford University Press, 2nd edition (February 2024)
HISTORY
Joseph M. Thompson, assistant professor of history
Cold War Country: How Nashville’s Music Row and the Pentagon Created the Sound of American Patriotism | University of North Carolina Press (April 2024)
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION
Candace Lukasik, assistant professor of philosophy and religion
Martyrs and Migrants: Coptic Christians and the Persecution Politics of U.S. Empire NYU Press (March 2025)
MODERN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE
Keith Moser, professor of classical and modern languages and literatures
Fake News in Contemporary Science and Politics: A Requiem for the Real? Palgrave Macmillan (April 2024)
HONORING OUR RETIREES
The College of Arts and Sciences proudly recognizes the dedication and service of our retiring faculty and staff. Their contributions have shaped the university and enriched the lives of countless students. We celebrate their achievements and wish them the best in this new chapter.
Mary Hamil Gilbert, assistant professor of classical and modern languages and literatures (co-editor)
Believing Ancient Women: Feminist Epistemologies for Greece and Rome Edinburgh University Press (December 2023)
Scott DiGiulio, associate professor of classical and modern languages and literatures
Reading Miscellany in the Roman Empire: Aulus Gellius and the Imperial Prose Collection | Oxford University Press (August 2024)
ENGLISH AND MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION
Lourdes Cardozo-Gaibisso, assistant professor of English (editor)
Pedagogies for Equitable Access: Reimagining Multilingual Education for an Uncertain World | Information Age Publishing (July 2024)
SOCIOLOGY
Margaret A. Hagerman, associate professor of sociology
Children of a Troubled Time: Growing Up with Racism in Trump’s America | NYU Press (May 2024)
DR. ROBERT SMITH Mathematics and Statistics
DR. DEB EAKIN Psychology
DR. NANCY REICHERT Biological Sciences
DR. JOHN FORDE Communication
IN MEMORIAM
Dr. Debra Ann Mlsna
1964-2024
A dedicated educator, mentor and colleague, Dr. Deb Mlsna made a lasting impact on the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Chemistry. Since joining MSU in 2009, she was deeply committed to student success and passionate about chemistry education.
Throughout her career, she mentored countless students, inspiring them through her engaging teaching and genuine support. As a Grisham Master Teacher and former College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Faculty Mentor, Dr. Mlsna’s impact extended beyond the classroom, shaping the lives of both students and fellow educators.
Her legacy of excellence, kindness and mentorship will be deeply missed, but her contributions to the MSU community will continue to inspire future generations.
Dear Alumni and Friends,
2024 has been an extraordinary year in the College of Arts and Sciences at Mississippi State University. Thanks to the unwavering support of alumni and friends like you, we continue to create opportunities that empower our students, foster faculty innovation and strengthen our connection to the wider world. This magazine showcases just a few of the incredible accomplishments happening across our college, reflecting your commitment to excellence and our shared mission of making a difference.
This year, we’ve celebrated the pioneering work of our alumni and faculty. From an archaeological expedition in Morocco—bridging global and local historical insights—to the groundbreaking research of doctoral student and computational biologist Taylor Szasz Green—whose studies on alligator genetics deepen our understanding of resilience in nature—we’ve seen how our MSU family is shaping fields as diverse as astrobiology, political science, and the arts.
Our students continue to amaze us with their dedication to their studies and their MSU family. Mary Nelson Litty’s study abroad journey in Spain reminds us of the transformative power of education and cultural exchange.
Scholarships such as the Student First Scholarship—available because of your generosity—continue to make a significant impact, enabling students to achieve their dreams both at home and abroad. These opportunities are life-changing and play a crucial role in fostering future leaders and innovators.
At the heart of our college are our exceptional faculty, who are shaping young minds through innovative teaching and groundbreaking research. From decoding the mysteries of the cosmos to celebrating the legacy of civil rights leaders like Dr. Douglas L. Conner, their work inspires students to think critically and creatively about the world around them.
Your continued support is essential to our success. It empowers us to attract top talent, offer transformative experiences and uphold the tradition of excellence that defines MSU. As we look ahead, we invite you to visit campus and see firsthand how your contributions are making a difference. You are always welcome home.
Hail State and all my sincere gratitude,
Sara Jurney Frederic ’08, ’10, ’11 Director of Development College of Arts and Sciences
2023 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
GUS COLVIN, JR., a 1962 MSU history graduate, is the retired district court judge for the Calhoun County District Court in Anniston, Alabama. He earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi in 1965.
After graduation, he spent 23 years practicing law and was elected district court judge for Calhoun County four times, serving for 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.
2024 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
PAUL KINSEY is a 1987 MSU foreign language and international business graduate who spent his career traveling the world. He earned an MBA at Georgia State University. His globetrotting journey began at Threads USA, where he worked as director of international sales. He later joined US Air (US Airways) and assumed roles in areas including operational oversight, emergency response planning, and labor negotiations/relations for the next 25 years. His work contributed to the organization’s mergers with America West Airlines, followed by American Airlines.
Upon retiring from American Airlines in 2019, Kinsey joined Starkville-based real estate brokerage Mississippi Magnolia as director of operations in 2022. He has generously invested in scholarship support to assist current and future Bulldog students.The Trenton, Tennessee, native now resides in Starkville.
2023 College of Arts and Sciences ALUMNI FELLOW
White Gan Jee, a 1974 MSU chemistry graduate from Tutwiler, MS, now resides in Sugar Land, Texas, where he runs JEE Consulting Services LLC. While at MSU, he was involved in Army ROTC, completing four years and later serving in active duty, eventually honorably discharged at the rank of captain from the Army Reserves. He was a member of Phi Eta Sigma, a freshman honor society, and The Lucky Eleven, a Chinese-American social organization.
Jee earned an MBA from the University of Houston. Throughout his career, he has been associated with industry giants such as Dow Chemical, INEOS Olefins & Polymers, and Sasol Chemicals. In support of MSU’s Department of Chemistry, Jee has donated resources and actively mentored professors and students.
2024 College of Arts and Sciences ALUMNI FELLOW
Dr. Katrina Poe-Johnson has built a career in medicine and healthcare leadership and currently serves as executive director of University Health Services at MSU, where she ensures the Longest Student Health Center provides dedicated, quality healthcare and support to every patient. Growing up in Kilmicheal, Poe-Johnson, a 1992 MSU biological sciences graduate, attributes much of her academic and professional success to MSU. She acknowledges the role of supportive professors and strong campus leadership in shaping her path.
She returned to her alma mater in 2018 to practice medicine and was recognized as one of Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 40 Business Leaders Under 40 and a finalist for the publication’s Mississippi Businesswoman of the Year. She also was named the 2005 Country Doctor of the Year by Staff Care Inc. Poe-Johnson and her husband, Calvin Johnson, now residents of French Camp, MS, have two sons. Their eldest, Calvin Dexter “C.J.” Johnson II, is a senior football player at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, while their younger son, James “Deuce” Johnson, is a sophomore at MSU.
PORTERAS HONOR ‘LEGACY OF SERVICE’ through creation of endowed professorship
Mississippi State University’s legacy of excellence continues to grow, thanks to the enduring generosity of Dr. Malcolm A. Portera and his wife, Olivia C. Portera. Through the creation of the Dr. Malcolm A. and Mrs. Olivia C. Portera Endowed Professorship in Political Science and Public Administration, the couple has once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to shaping the future of public service and higher education—values that have defined their remarkable journey together.
Both natives of West Point, Mississippi, the Porteras were shaped by a community that emphasized hard work, resilience and giving back. Olivia, a lifelong advocate for education, has impacted many young lives through her work as an educator. Her passion for history, English and literature underscores her commitment to continuous learning, which was a key factor in creating this endowed position.
For Malcolm Portera, MSU holds particular significance. After earning his bachelor’s degree in general science and botany and a master’s in political science and public administration, Portera became the 16th president of the university in 1998. During his tenure, he secured funding for the
National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Computational Field Simulation, doubling NSF financial support and elevating MSU’s research capabilities.
The Porteras’ endowed professorship will serve to attract top-tier faculty who will enhance the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Political Science and Public Administration. The recipient, chosen based on merit, will develop courses addressing current trends in governance and public policy, foster interdisciplinary research and expand mentorship opportunities for students.
“We want to ensure that MSU remains a leader in developing intellectual leaders who can meaningfully contribute to the political landscape,” said Malcolm Portera.
The professorship spans a three-year term and can rotate among outstanding faculty, promoting a cycle of excellence. A salary supplement and research fund will enable the holder to pursue innovative initiatives that align with MSU’s mission of academic distinction.
“This endowment reflects our lifelong belief that education is the most powerful tool for creating lasting change,” Olivia Portera said. “By investing in others, we hope to inspire future generations to build a more equitable future.” u
“This endowment reflects our lifelong belief that education is the most powerful tool for creating lasting change.” – Olivia C. Portera
L-R: Former MSU President Malcolm Portera and Director for the High Performance Computing Collaboratory Mike Navicky
Olivia Portera (left) visits with College of Arts and Sciences Director of Development
Sara Frederic and her daughters.
A LEGACY OF SERVICE
Strickland sisters enhance MSU’s Health Professions Resource Center in honor of their parents
Twin sisters and accomplished medical professionals, Drs. Amanda and Nicole Strickland, are honoring their parents’ legacy in a transformative way at Mississippi State University.
Their donation established the Col. Roger W. Strickland, M.D., and Mrs. Lucy T. Strickland Endowed Healthcare Conference Room and Library, a vital addition to the Dr. A. Randle and Marilyn W. White Health Professions Resource Center at the land-grant university. This new resource is designed to inspire and equip the next generation of healthcare leaders, blending family values with a vision for the future of medicine.
Roger Strickland, a native of Richton, pursued premedical studies at MSU before being accepted into the University of Mississippi Medical School in 1975. Throughout his exemplary career in military medicine, he held several prestigious roles, including chief of rheumatology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and division surgeon of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. Strickland’s life was cut short by cancer in 1998 at the age of 44, but his daughters Amanda and Nicole cherish the values he instilled in them, from the importance of education to the power of perseverance.
Their mother, Lucy Tong Strickland, originally from Hong Kong, also had a strong connection to MSU, where she studied biochemistry and met Roger. They married after graduation in 1975. She later earned an MBA and pursued a career in education, becoming a dedicated teacher in Killeen, Texas. Lucy’s dedication to education left a profound impact on many of her students, and her daughters remember how she inspired others to achieve academic success. Lucy passed away in 2022.
Inspired by their parents, Amanda and Nicole pursued medicine, both graduating from Texas A&M University with honors before earning medical degrees from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Today, Amanda is an academic pathologist in Chicago, and Nicole practices dermatology in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
With their endowment, the Strickland sisters hope to alleviate the financial burden faced by healthcare-track students and contribute to addressing the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in Mississippi.
In Fall 2023, the Strickland sisters returned to MSU to inaugurate the newly named space, a gesture that both celebrates their parents’ legacy and reaffirms their own commitment to education and service.
“We are deeply honored to be part of this,” Nicole said. “Supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals is the perfect way to continue our parents’ legacy.” u
Dr.
Amanda Strickland (L) and Dr. Nicole Strickland (R) cut the ribbon, officially opening the new Colonel Roger W. Strickland, MD and Mrs. Lucy T. Strickland Endowed Healthcare Conference Room.
“With their endowment, the Strickland sisters hope to alleviate the financial burden faced by healthcare-track students and contribute to addressing the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in Mississippi.”
The Strickland sisters and their families at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The mission of the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Executive Advisory Board is to provide leadership and support to the dean by leveraging individual skills, financial resources and teamwork to strengthen the academic infrastructure, faculty and facilities of the College of Arts and Sciences at Mississippi State University. 2024-2025 College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Executive Advisory Board
FRONT ROW L-R
White Jee
Col. Robert Barnes
Laurie Williams
Dr. Katrina Poe-Johnson
Myna Sowell
Cindy Stevens
Angela Hammack
Tom Freeman
Paul Kinsey (Chair)
BACK ROW L-R
Greg Barker
Ticket Henry
Dr. John Rada
Dr. Randy White
Dr. Fred Corley
Malcolm Lightsey
Dr. William “Bill” Hulett
Dr. David Wigley
HONOR ROLL OF DONORS
We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our alumni and friends who support the College of Arts and Sciences. Their contributions help advance academic excellence, research and student success. This list recognizes those who have made a meaningful impact through their support.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Adams
Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Alewine III
Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Arentson, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. William R. Arnett
Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Banks
Governor Haley Barbour and Mrs. Marsha D. Barbour
Colonel and Mrs. Robert L. Barnes, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Barnett
Ms. Nichole R. Becker
Chris and Bette L. Behr
Mr. Ray L. Bellande
Ms. Mary E. Benincasa
Mrs. Susan Bennett
Dr. Mitchell E. Berman
Mr. Robert A. Stephenson and Ms. Dorothy S. Billingsley
Dr. Jeffrey A. Blakely and Ms. Brauna J. Hartzell
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bograd
Mrs. Anita Bologna
Mrs. Jeanne R. Boykin
Dr. Gary L. Bradshaw
Mr. Earl B. Brand, Jr.
Mrs. Anne E. Brann
Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Brann
Ms. Lucretia K. Breland
Mr. and Mrs. Tommy L. Brumfield
Brig. Gen. and Mrs. Walter A. Bryan Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Byrd
Mr. Xingluan Cao
Mr. and Mrs. Tommie Cardin
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory W. Carpenter
Dr. Kermit L. Carraway and Dr. Coralie C. Carraway
Mrs. Eileen Y. Carr-Tabb
Dr. F. Perna Carter
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry M. Chin
Mrs. Mary Nell Coblentz
Mr. and Mrs. Gus W. Colvin, III
Mr. Lamar A. Conerly
Dr. Fred G. Corley Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Brent J. Cox, III
Nancy M. Cox
Dr. Mary Jo Craine
Mr. and Ms. Greg S. Greif
Mrs. Nancy M. Critz
Dr. and Mrs. W. Lawrence Croft
Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Lee Curtis
Dr. Clark Cutrer
Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Darden, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Saxon Dasher
Mr. Dennis E. Dauphin
Drs. Joseph and Judith A. Davenport
Lesley A. Davis and John D. Davis
Mrs. Page Dantzler Dickerson
Drs. Susan and Walter Diehl
Dr. Tracy L. Skipper and Mr. Randall Dong
Mrs. Carol R. Elliott
Dr. and Mrs. J. William Elliott
Mr. Nathan H. Elmore
Dr. and Mrs. Gerald A. Emison
Drs. James and Nellie Epps
Mr. Anding Fan
Ms. Nancy P. Farmer
Dr. Rachael W. Faught
Doug and Bonnie Feig
Dr. Joe L. Ferguson and Mrs. Jean W. Ferguson
Ms. Tanya K. Finch
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Fisher
Ms. Julie S. Fleming
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Freeman
Mr. and Mrs. William A. Friday
Brian and Meg M. Fuller
Dr. and Mrs. Jerome A. Gilbert
Dr. Daniel B. Gingerich
Dr. and Mrs. Larry R. Grillot
Ms. Ethel S. Grisham
Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Grizzle
Sam and Jean Guyton
Dr. and Mrs. William C. Hamilton
Mrs. Angela G. Hammack
Dr. and Mrs. James W. Hardin
Ms. Laura Hardin
Mr. Jeffrey W. Hardy
Dr. Ruth J. Haug
Mr. George M. Henry
Ewin and Claudia Henson
Dr. and Mrs. Barry W. Herring
Drs. B. Keith and Sandra G. Hodge
Mr. Wesley J. and Mrs. Laura R. Holland
Dr. and Mrs. Jeremiah H. Holleman, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Charles E. Menifield
Dr. and Mrs. Everette I. Howell, Jr.
Drs. Karen and William Hulett
Dr. and Mrs. Donald R. Hunt
Mr. and Mrs. W. Gaddis Hunt
Mr. Frank Imbruglia and Mrs. Elaine Akers Imbruglia
Mr. and Mrs. John P. Jaap, Jr.
Mr. Jonathan L. Jackson
Mr. and Mrs. White G. Jee
Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Johnston
Mr. Chad M. Jones
Ms. Pamela R. Jones
Mrs. Rebecca Harbor Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Jones
Dr. R. Brit Katz, PhD
Mr. and Mrs. George S. Kelly
Mr. Lincoln Kern
Mr. and Mrs. Steven C. Killen
Mr. Herbert A. King
Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. King
Paul Kinsey and Dr. Gavin P. Thompson
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Kleckley
Dr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Klein
Mr. and Mrs. Neal A. Konstantin
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Kurtzberg, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lake
Ms. Sierra M. Laltrello
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lamberth
Ms. Christana K. Landress
Mr. and Mrs. Norman L. Lanier
Dr. Sue C. Lauderdale
Deborah M. Lepper
Ms. Carol J. Levy
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Lewis Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm B. Lightsey, Sr.
Rev. Frank E. Lilley, Jr. and Dr. Jessica S. Lilley
Ms. Julia A. Lofton
Ms. Rebecca J. Long
Dr. and Mrs. Treg M. Long
Ms. Emily E. Lyon
Mrs. Paula C. Mabry
Mr. Ryan O. MacKie
Mr. and Mrs. Jamie L. Mahne
Dr. and Mrs. Alan I Marcus
Dr. Sam Maxwell
Dr. and Mrs. Byron C. May
Mr. Kenneth D. May
Mr. and Mrs. William E. May
Mr. Steven L. Mayo
Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Olin McBride, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. R. Sammy McDavid
Dr. Yancy B. McDougal
Mr. and Mrs. Owen McGuire, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Julius F. McIlwain
Dr. Barbara P. McLaurin
Dr. and Mrs. Robert McMillen
Mr. Randall D. McMillen and Mrs. Whitney A. Hilton
Dr. and Mrs. Alan W. Meierhoefer
Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Y. Mellen
Mr. Hubert W. Miazza
Ms. Janice M. Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis F. Mobley
Mr. Jason N. Morgan
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Morgan
Dr. Michael W. Morris
Dr. Sara E. Morris
Dr. and Mrs. George G. Murphy
Ms. Cherri Musser
Dr. Paul Nabity
Rev. Dr. Richard C. Nourse, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley S. Owen
Mr. Benjamin D. Pace
Dr. and Mrs. William E. Parrish
Ms. Janis N. Peacock
Dr. Gary L. Permenter
Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Plummer
Dr. Katrina N. Poe-Johnson and Mr. Calvin D. Johnson
Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm Portera
Mr. Donald L. Price
Dr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Pruett
Mr. and Mrs. Larry O. Putt
Drs. Philip and Deborah Rabinowitz
Mrs. Linda Ratliff
Maj. and Mrs. Tommie A. Ray, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Richard C. Raymond
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Reese
Mr. and Mrs. William S. Reid, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Richardson
Dr. and Mrs. Edward E. Rigdon
Mrs. Mary Catherine Roark
Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Roberson
Mr. Robert R. Roberts, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rowatt
Mr. and Mrs. James D. Rowe
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rule
Ms. Mary S. Runions
Mr. James Russell
Mr. and Mrs. Chess Rybolt
Ms. Lynda M. Samp
Mr. and Mrs. Larry E. Sanders
Dr. and Mrs. Ben Sanford Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. David L. Schroeder
Dr. Robert M. Schwartz
Mr. and Mrs. Lee B. Seago
Mrs. Patrice G. Seagrove
Drs. Marc and Holli Seitz
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Selfridge
Mr. Jason L. Shelton
Dr. Howard E. Shook, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Shurlds, III
Ms. Annie M. Sizer
Mr. Arville O. Slaughter
Mrs. Ann Ardahl Smith
Ms. Deborah G. Smith
Ms. Sabrina A. Smith
John M. and Myna Dickerson Sowell
Paul and Mimi Speyerer
Glenn and Cherie Steele
Ms. Cynthia Stevens and Mr. Linwood Cotman
Dr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Stevens
Mr. and Mrs. Leo R. Stevens, III
David and Pam Sullivan
Ms. Margaret E. Swain, ACSW
Mr. Chester A. Tapscott, III
Dr. and Mrs. Stephen W. Tartt
Ms. Barbara H. Taylor
Mr. and Mrs. Michael V. Taylor
Dr. and Mrs. David S. Therrien
Dr. Katie H. Thomas and Dr. Timothy N. Thomas
Mr. Nicholas K. Thompson
Dr. and Mrs. B. Michael Thorne
Mr. and Mrs. Del E. Tichnell
Dr. Diane and Mr. Thomas Tidwell
Mr. Samuel A. Twedt
Mr. and Mrs. William D. Vanderbrink
Mr. and Mrs. Harold D. Walker III
Major Kevin P. Walsh
Mr. Joe C. Webb
Drs. Richard and Patricia Weddle
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis C. Welch
Dr. and Mrs. A. Randle White
Dr. and Mrs. Frank J. Whittington
Mr. Zachary L. Wible
Dr. David E. Wigley
Dr. and Mrs. Clyde V. Williams
Dr. Deadric T. Williams
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Williams, III
Mrs. Laurie R. Williams
Mr. Homer F. Wilson, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Robert P. Wilson
Ms. Janis E. Wood
Ms. Crystal F. Worley
Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Worthey
Dr. Zhangjin Xu
Dr. Karen M. Yarbrough
Keith and Camille Young
Mr. Caleb E. Zumbro
American Chemical Society
Chickasaw Nation
Charitable Gift Fund
GiveClear Foundation (DAF)
Konstantin Family Foundation
Lewis Investment Company
National Christian Foundation
National Philanthropic Trust
Nutter & Associates Inc.
Petroleum Experts, Inc.
Raymond James Charitable
Student Members of The American Chemical Society at MSU
The G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Foundation
The Lisa Thomason Revocable Trust
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
The Schwab Charitable Fund
The U.S. Charitable Gift Trust
Wellspire Financial Group
Your savings, your legacy
You have worked hard and saved for retirement. Now use your savings to create your legacy by making an IRA charitable rollover gift to the Mississippi State University Foundation. If you are 70½ or older:
• You can avoid taxes on IRA transfers up to $108,000;
• You may satisfy some or all of your required minimum distribution for the year;
• You can reduce your taxable income, even if you don’t itemize deductions;
• You can make a gift that is not subject to the deduction on limits on charitable gifts; and
• You can use your rollover to make payments on an existing pledge to MSU
For more information on IRA charitable rollover giving, contact the MSU Foundation Office of Gift Planning or visit our website at www.msugiftplanning.org
Wes Gordon, Director of Gift Planning (662) 325-3707 | wgordon@foundation.msstate.edu
