Dividends Magazine, 2023-24 Edition by MSU College of Business

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E M I S S I S S I P P I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y C O L L E G E O F B U S I N E S S • 2 0 2 3 - 24

Dean’s Message I

t seems odd to be writing the welcome message to all of you, as I am the one who has been welcomed over the past few months with open arms by the Mississippi State community. My family and I are excited

to be here and have enjoyed the transition to Starkville and MSU. I am pleased to now have the opportunity to welcome you to the 2023-24 installment of Dividends! I hope you will enjoy reading about the great things happening in the College of Business, but I first want to thank Dr. Sharon Oswald for her many contributions to the College during her tenure as Dean. Her leadership and commitment to the success of the College has left us in a great position to move forward and create new opportunities for our students, faculty and staff. All of us in the College of Business certainly wish her the best in retirement. You will have a chance to learn a bit more about my story later in this issue, so I will use this space to extend an invitation for you to visit us on campus and connect with us. I have enjoyed meeting many of you already at various alumni and athletic events, and there are many more stories I have yet to hear. Whether you are on campus to cheer on the Bulldogs, interview our talented students or connect with a favorite professor, please know that you are always welcome to stop by and share your story with me. I would love to hear about the path that led you through Starkville. Hail State!

Dr. Scott Grawe, Dean

Executive Advisory Board Boyce Adams, Sr.

contents Dividends is a publication of the College of Business at Mississippi State University | 2023-24

2 A New Era

Richard C. Adkerson (Emeritus) Theresa Brady-Goldberg

New Dean Dr. Scott Grawe stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation.

Stephen Buehler

6 Time, Talent and Treasure Alumnus Joe Rice brings an approach of selfless service to the role of Executive

James A. Coggin James Collins Cynthia Cooper Helen Currie

Advisory Board Chair.

10 Teaching and Employing the Visually Impaired COB efforts are smoothing the way for low-vision students in the classroom and at their future workplaces.

Thomas F. Darnell (Emeritus)

14 The Business of Country Music Student Taylor Rupp shares her Nashville internship experience.

Walter V. “Walt” Davis Haley R. Fisackerly

Larry Galloway Jan L. Gwin John F. Hill Shawn Hunter

Lewis F. Mallory, Jr. (Emeritus)

J. Michael McIlwain Frank H. McWhorter, Jr. Lee Miller Mickey Milligan (Emeritus)

beneficial.

22 Workspace Fosters Innovation and Community The E-Center’s Cowork @ the Hub offers collaborative space in downtown Starkville. 24 Highlights in Generosity Director of Development Stephen Lack shares a few of the year’s impactful gifts.

Paul J. Karre

Don Mason

18 Building a Case for Leader Political Behavior Associate Professor Dr. Parker Ellen shows that organizational politics can be

Roderick A. Moore

26 Learning Leadership at the Top Level As a White House Fellow, alumna Vanessa Velasquez served a year with the Secretary of the Navy.

30 A Tech Magician Alumnus Justin Samuels is creatively making business technology professions inclusive and appealing.

34 Making It Work at Work The COB’s Myles and Elissa Landers show that spouses working together can be a

Buddy Mortimer

good idea.

Benji Nelson

38 Experiencing the Biggest Retail Operation on the Planet As a Walmart merchandising intern, Keimauri McKenzie learned what it takes to get

Shirley Olson Richard Puckett, Sr. (Emeritus)

products on the shelf.

Joe G. Rice, Jr.

42 A Quest for Knowledge USAF Capt. Matthew Koestner’s insatiable curiosity has driven many of the online

Ken B. Robinson James “Jim” Rouse (Emeritus)

MBA alumnus’ decisions.

Kathy St. John

46 One to Watch In a few short years, Calvin Waddy has evolved from passionate student to recognized

William A. “Lex” Taylor, III Roland Terry

tech founder.

Cyndi A. Tucker

50 Sewing for Survival

Jimmy L. Walden

A closet of professional attire for COB students in need honors the memory of a loving grandmother.

Loretta Walker

54 Coming Full Circle Rob Jenkins’ journey has brought him back to the College of Business as Senior

M. L. Waters (Emeritus)

Development Director. Dividends is published by Tellōs, LLC. www.telloscreative.com

COVER: The MSU College of Business ushers in a new era as it welcomes Dean Scott Grawe.

58 Mayor in Motion As Starkville Mayor, Lynn Spruill unites her hometown and her alma mater. 61 News Briefs

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A New Era By Emily Daniels n the heart of Mississippi State University’s campus, a new era has dawned with the appointment of Dr. Scott Grawe as the 11th Dean of the College of Business. Grawe, a seasoned academic and professional leader, brings not only a wealth of experience but a deep-rooted commitment to shaping the landscape and future of business education. As the newest steward of MSU’S College of Business, Grawe stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation, ready to propel the College to new heights. In this interview, he shares insights into his background, his diverse professional journey, his passion for education and his vision for moving the College of Business forward.

Coach Polk left a lasting impression, though. A simple note to say “congratulations” on his commitment to Iowa State set Mississippi State apart from other schools. “He was the only coach to congratulate me on my commitment to another school. That stuck with me, and I have been pulling for the Bulldogs since that time,” says Grawe.

Reflecting on his baseball days at Iowa State, Grawe shares, “Sports teach valuable lessons that extend beyond the field. Discipline, perseverance and the ability to work as a team – these are the qualities that have informed my approach to leadership in academia.” During his freshman year at Iowa State, he took a chemistry class and was paired with a young chemical engineering major named Michelle as his lab partner for the semester. She, too, was a college athlete, playing women’s basketball for the Cyclones. Thanks to some matchmaking by classmates and a few people in the athletic department, the two hit it off, and by their senior year they were wed. After hanging up his cleats, Grawe graduated from Iowa State with a bachelor’s degree in finance, a beautiful wife and a world of opportunity ahead. The newlyweds remained in Ames for a short time before Michelle accepted a job in Colorado. Grawe applied for a human resources position with Target Corporation in Pueblo, CO, but the hiring manager had other ideas. “When I interviewed, they said, ‘Hey, I see you went to school at Iowa State, and they have a strong supply chain program. Would you be interested in a transportation supervisor position?’” says Grawe. “I told them I would give it a shot. I fell in love with supply chain operations after that, and six months later they moved me to headquarters in Minneapolis, where I managed relationships and capacity planning with all our domestic truckload carriers, our ocean carriers and international air freight providers.” Photo by Grace Cockrell

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“I ultimately ended up signing with Iowa State University, which meant my family could come to see me play,” Grawe recalls.

Grawe, the oldest of three children, grew up in Independence, IA, a small town of around 6,000 residents. He and his two brothers were sports fanatics – playing everything from baseball to football to basketball to golf. By high school, Grawe had developed into a standout baseball pitcher, and several college scouts and coaches took notice. One of the coaches who expressed early interest was none other than Ron Polk, the esteemed head coach of the Mississippi State University Diamond Dawgs.

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While still working, he decided to further his education and earned an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. After several years with Target, Grawe saw an opportunity and joined Polaris Industries, managing supply chain operations for one of its divisions. “One of my MBA professors encouraged me to really think about getting a PhD in supply chain management because he liked my approach to problem-solving and thought that my work experience would be valuable in my research and in the classroom,” he says. “My wife’s parents were both professors, so I had a basic understanding of working in academics, and then some of my mentors directed me toward one of the leading scholars in the discipline, who was heading the doctoral program at the University of Oklahoma’s Price College of Business.”

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After earning his PhD from Oklahoma, Grawe, his wife and their four young children packed up and returned to his alma mater in the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business at Iowa State. He began as an Assistant Professor and continued to publish in leading journals, eventually becoming a full Professor in supply chain management. During his 13 years in Ames, he served in various leadership roles, including Associate Dean of Strategy and Engagement, Interim Director of the Study Abroad program and most recently, Chair of the Department of Supply Chain Management. “I truly enjoyed my time at Iowa State, and after our kids moved on to attend school and start their lives in new places, I started thinking about the next step in my academic journey,” he shares. “When I learned about the opportunity at Mississippi State, I had to check it out. I have known some of the supply chain faculty for several years, and they had only said great things about the school. After spending time with some of the faculty and students, I was excited for the opportunity. This was reinforced when I had a chance to meet leaders across campus and see the support they provide for one another and their energy for continuing to move MSU forward.” Grawe officially began his role as College of Business Dean in July 2023. With a keen eye on the future, he envisions a dynamic and innovative path for the College. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and evolving global landscapes, he believes that business education must be agile and responsive to change. “We need to be the preferred choice for students seeking launchpads for their business careers,” Grawe states. “Our graduates have led multinational organizations, regional operations and successful start-ups, and our current students are well on their way to similar heights. To prepare our students for success across a broad range of endeavors, we need to equip them with not only foundational knowledge but also the skills to navigate complexity, adapt to change and embrace innovation.”

Scott and Michelle Grawe met as college lab partners and fellow athletes. Photo by Emily Daniels

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Grawe emphasizes the importance of building relationships as part of a healthy education.

Grawe extends a warm invitation to the College of Business alumni to join him in shaping the future. Their experiences, he believes, are integral to the continued success of the College. “Alumni are the living embodiment of the impact of our education,” he says. “Their successes, challenges and lessons learned contribute to the narrative of our College. I am eager to engage with our alumni community, to hear their stories and to work together in ensuring that MSU’s College of Business continues to be a beacon of excellence.” As the College embarks on this new chapter under Dr. Scott Grawe’s guidance, the stage is set for a future where students emerge as skilled professionals and leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of the global business landscape. With a dynamic curriculum, a commitment to making experiential learning available to all students and a faculty at the leading edge of business research, MSU’s College of Business is poised to shape the next generation of business leaders who will drive positive change in the world.

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“We want our students to graduate not only with degrees but also with a profound understanding of how their education translates into real-world impact,” he states. “That bridge between academia and industry is crucial, and I am committed to fostering meaningful partnerships that benefit both our students and the business community. You will see us develop new experiential learning opportunities that allow students to partner with organizations to solve problems under the guidance of an instructor and set themselves apart from others when beginning their careers.”

One of his key priorities is to strengthen the College’s Photo by Grace Cockrell connections with the business community. Grawe emphasizes the importance of collaboration between academia and industry to ensure that the curriculum remains relevant and that students are well-prepared for the demands of the professional world.

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“One thing that you learn very quickly when leading supply chains is that no one can do it on their own,” he states. “Your ability to build and manage relationships with people from different parts of the world with much different backgrounds and life experiences is critical for success. Our curriculum will give students a well-equipped toolbox for getting started, but we are also committed to providing opportunities in and out of the classroom for students to collaborate and make the most of their time in the College of Business.”

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Time, Talent and Treasure L

ooking up the word “humble” in the dictionary, those who know him might expect to see the face of 1979 College of Business alumnus Joe Rice. Despite his many accomplishments, Joe never wants the spotlight. He shies away from accolades. A deeply religious man and fiercely proud of his family and Lebanese heritage, he credits his father, also Joe Rice (who went by Joe G.), for instilling in him a strong work ethic and a desire to learn. Most of all, Joe G. taught him to always treat people with dignity and respect. Those words are the hallmark of Joe’s life.

Joe G. was only 18 when he opened his first grocery store in downtown Jackson, on the land where the Jackson Convention Complex stands today. He subsequently added locations, becoming a successful businessman through hard work and treating people as he would want to be treated. Over the years he ventured into real estate investments and equity investments, and he even became a gentleman cattle farmer. Joe adds, “Dad learned to read the stock market at age 13. He did all of this with only a seventh grade education. My interest and passion for capital markets was developed and nurtured through his mentoring. For all his accomplishments, I often wonder what he could have done if he’d had the opportunity to stay in school.”

Joe G. understood the value of knowledge and stressed the importance of higher education to Joe and his two sisters, all of whom attended Mississippi State University as College of Business students. Joe entered MSU with the goal of getting an accounting degree. Although his studies were his primary focus, he also joined the Greek life. He pledged Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, meeting many who would become his lifelong friends. Among his new acquaintances was Madelyn Koury, a young woman from the Delta who became his “big sister” in the fraternity. On numerous occasions Joe would solicit Madelyn’s help to set him up on dates – after all, that was one of the roles of a big sister. When he would mention a girl’s name to her, her response was always, “She is not right for you.” Joe completed college without a single Madelyn-approved date. His “big sis” graduated in 1978 with a degree in education. Joe followed one year later with a degree in accounting. Both settled in Jackson, as did Madelyn’s actual brother, Phillip, also a Lambda Chi. Joe lost touch with Madelyn after college, but he remained friends with Phillip.

Madelyn and Joe Rice Photo by Emily Daniels

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Joe’s grandfather and uncle initially immigrated to Detroit, MI, where they worked for the U.S. Rubber Company. Having initially left their families back home, the pair saved enough money to bring them to America. Word spread among the immigrants in Detroit that the Lebanese were doing well in Jackson, MS. So, in 1923, the Rice family relocated to Jackson in search of the American dream.

“My dad epitomized the American dream,” says Joe. “He was a Lebanese immigrant who knew the meaning of hard work. He was very proud of where he came from, but dad was equally proud of becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.”

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By Sharon Oswald

Then, in 1980, the Bulldogs were set to play the 18th-ranked Miami Hurricanes in South Florida, and the two fraternity brothers decided to fly to the game. The Dawgs won 34-31, but Joe earned a more important victory that sparked when Madelyn picked up the pair from the airport. Joe exclaims, “I like to say that we won the game, and I got the girl!” They became engaged about 18 months later. Now married 41 years, Madelyn offers no ulterior motives for her earlier failures as a matchmaker. The couple has two grown sons, Paul and Joseph, and a granddaughter, Evelyn Jo, who brings a smile to their faces as they whip out the latest pictures. Paul works alongside his father at Rice Wealth Advisors at Raymond James.

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The Rice family is passionate about MSU. Madelyn proudly displays the four MSU diplomas (Paul and Joseph followed their parents to MSU) in their Starkville condo on Russell Street. MSU blood runs thick in her family as well. Her father was an MSU engineering graduate, and five of his six children, including Madelyn, followed him to MSU. The Rices credit several of their professors as being great influences on their lives. For Joe, it was accounting legends Scotty Wofford, Bill Simmons and Dr. Dora Herring, as well as his communications professor, Dr. Hank Flick. Madelyn credits education professor Dr. Gloria Correro for inspiring her during her college days and beyond. “Everything we have today is because of MSU and the grace of God,” Joe says. Another mentor to Joe throughout his professional career has been MSU alumnus Lewis Mallory, Jr., former chairman and CEO of Cadence Bank, whom he met in 1973. They remain close today. While Madelyn was teaching and raising two boys, Joe ultimately landed his dream position as a financial advisor – the first 28 years with Merrill Lynch in Jackson and the past seven with Raymond James & Associates in Ridgeland, MS. He has been named by Barron’s as one of America’s Top Financial Advisors and as one of the Financial Times of London’s Top 400 Financial Advisors – recognitions that Joe was too humble to share. Despite his active career, Joe finds time to give back. He enjoys being on campus, interacting with the faculty. “I love being around intelligent people,” he says. “You can learn so much just talking to them.” From its inception, Joe served on the Finance and Economics Advisory Board, chairing the group for five years. He transitioned from there to the College’s Executive Advisory Board (EAB), serving the last two years as Chairelect. In 2024, he takes over the gavel as EAB Chair. The MSU diplomas of the Rices and their sons are proudly displayed in their Starkville condo. Photo by Emily Daniels

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Photo by Emily Daniels

Joe says he is honored to chair the Executive Advisory Board for the College. He notes, “These members are very accomplished in their careers and professional lives. Yet they all have an innate and elemental understanding that all they are and all they have are gifts from God, and it is incumbent upon them and all of us to give as freely as we have received.” He explains that giving back is more than just “stroking a check,” that it takes the “three Ts” – time, talent and treasure. As board chair, he will charge the members to utilize their talents and invest time in “telling the tremendous story of our College.” From his standpoint, everything the board does should benefit the student experience. Very committed in his faith, Joe has been a member of the Catholic Foundation since its inception 30 years ago. He has served as President of Catholic Charities for the past 10 years. He also sits on the board of St. Dominic’s Hospital. As he puts it, his two great passions are the Catholic Church and MSU. How does he see the future of the College of Business? As a very bright one. “This is an important and transformational time for the College of Business,” he says. “We have experienced remarkable growth and development over the past 12 years. Now we look to build on that strong foundation and work hand-in-hand with Dean Grawe and the faculty to take the College and, more importantly, the student experience to the next level.” And Joe says he believes new dean Scott Grawe is up for the task. Joe’s enduring love for MSU and the College of Business makes him an ideal person to lead the EAB for the next two years. His humble nature is reflected in his motto: “No one is more important than the person right in front of you.”

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Madelyn and Joe Rice are enthusiastic and engaged MSU alumni.

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Teaching and Employing the Visually Impaired By Emily Daniels

She discovered the limitations of alternative text for economics graphs, particularly for students with visual impairments. In her pursuit of enhancing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance within her classes, she conceived a tangible solution. Thomas recalls discussions with Eric Hill, Director of the MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach, and her first thought of potentially utilizing a 3D printer. Her exploration also led her to the National Center for Blindness on campus, where National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC) Director and Research Professor Michele McDonnall suggested the Swell Form Graphics Machine as a more suitable solution. How does a Swell Form Graphics printer work? The machine itself operates simply – much like using an Easy Bake Oven. It uses specially treated paper that, when passed through a heating element, puffs up the black ink, printing an embossed representation of the image or text. The machine, priced at $1,500, proved to be a game-changer. What started as a grant application for her class evolved into a broader proposal to benefit the entire campus. “I requested funding from the MSU Ottilie Schillig Special Teaching Project Grant to purchase a Swell Form Graphics Machine to aid low-vision learners who might enroll in my classes as well as other classes across the University,” says Thomas. Collaborating with the MSU Disability Resource Center, the MaxxSouth Digital Center in the University’s Mitchell Memorial Library was chosen as the machine’s home. Despite logistical challenges during a departmental move, the machine was eventually set up, and faculty members were trained on its user-friendly operation. According to Micah White, Associate Director of the Disability Resource Center (DRC), MSU currently serves around 40 low-vision learners on campus each year. There may be many others with visual impairments that are undocumented, though. Thomas shared an experience with a student dealing with macular degeneration who had not yet sought assistance from the DRC. The student, in an in-between space of vision loss, faced challenges with reading braille and fully comprehending textual information on the tactile graphs.

Dr. Kathleen Thomas demonstrates use of the Swell Form Graphics machine for Dr. Eunsik Chang, Assistant Professor of Economics. Photo by Emily Daniels

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“When the pandemic hit and so many more things were going online, there were a lot more messages that were coming out of the Center for Distance Education about what we needed to do to make our classes more accessible,” recalls Thomas.

The catalyst for this innovation was the realization that traditional approaches to making course materials accessible were falling short. Thomas, with over two decades of teaching experience, acknowledged that graduate school training seldom covers the importance of providing alternative text for visuals and PowerPoint presentations. It was the shift to online learning during the pandemic that brought accessibility to the forefront.

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n the ever-evolving realm of higher education, innovation and inclusivity stand as crucial factors molding the educational journey. In an effort to enhance inclusiveness in education, Dr. Kathleen Thomas, a Professor of Economics and the Department Head of Finance and Economics at Mississippi State University, initiated a search for solutions to assist students with low vision in her economics courses.

Thomas acknowledged that while the machine is a helpful tool, it is not a cure-all, but she highlighted the Swell Form Graphics Machine’s potential as one tool among many to assist instructors in accommodating students with low vision. She emphasizes its user-friendliness, urging faculty members to explore its potential for making educational content more accessible. In addition, Thomas remains intrigued about its broader effects, affirming that educational innovations attract students and contribute to a more enriched academic environment for everyone involved. Having laid the groundwork for inclusive education with innovative teaching methods for students with visual impairments, Mississippi State seamlessly transitions its commitment to accessibility into the realm of human resources (HR) education. Now, professors like Dr. Emily Marett are spearheading initiatives to ensure HR professionals understand the intricacies of ADA compliance and foster a workplace environment that recognizes and maximizes the potential of individuals with blindness and low vision.

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Marett, an Instructor of Management in the College of Business, is on a mission to shape the future of human resources. Specializing in courses such as Organizational Communication and Introduction to Human Resource Management, she has taken on a groundbreaking project in collaboration with colleagues at MSU’s NRTC. Her journey into this innovative initiative began when she encountered Sylvia Stinson-Perez, the Director of the Vision Specialist Program and the Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB) Technical Assistance Center at the NRTC. Stinson-Perez, who is blind herself, presented on nonverbal communication skills during a staff development conference, leaving Marett inspired and driven to make a change. The catalyst for Marett’s involvement came during a session where she realized that all her presentation slides contained images, creating a potential barrier for those with visual impairments. Quick on her feet, she verbally described each image to accommodate Stinson-Perez, sparking a friendship and collaboration that would lead to a groundbreaking project. Marett joined forces with NRTC colleagues in 2020 to secure a five-year, $875,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research. This grant fueled the development of interactive training materials for HR managers, designed to dismantle barriers to employment for individuals with low vision and blindness.

The COB’s MILO lab was used to help develop interactive training materials for HR managers that would dismantle barriers to employment for individuals with low vision and blindness. Photo by Megan Bean

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Describing the project’s origin, Marett explains, “They knew that they wanted to take the NRTC’s expertise in research on the employability of the visually impaired and translate it into training materials, to cover various topics – dispelling myths, addressing employer concerns and showcasing the capabilities of individuals with visual impairments. And when they were starting their planning for this last funding cycle, they knew that they wanted to take it further.” Marett emphasizes the vital role HR professionals play in shaping employment opportunities for individuals with visual impairments.

The project involves the development of an interactive video, a pioneering tool designed to challenge misconceptions and provide valuable insights into the capabilities of individuals with blindness and low vision.

“There are three menus with hundreds of videos,” she explains. “It’s a ‘choose-your-ownadventure’ style. Users get to explore and pick the videos that are of most interest to them or that might pertain to them.” Marett reflects on the impact of the project, sharing the challenges faced during its development. “One of the biggest challenges was to organize the information in a way that wouldn’t be overwhelming, because we found so much good content. Content selection was a challenge because there were more resources and many of them shared different perspectives,” she notes. “With visual impairments sourced from birth, trauma, age or disease, there can be many varying opinions.” Despite the challenges, Marett’s passion for the project shines through.

“It’s been a really fulfilling and enjoyable project to work on, and I believe it has really enhanced the quality of the ADA section in my HR classes,” she says. As the project continues to unfold, Marett remains dedicated to reshaping the narrative surrounding employment opportunities for those with visual impairments. With each interactive video and every HR professional trained, Marett and her colleagues at MSU’s NRTC are paving the way for a more inclusive and understanding workplace.

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Describing the interactive video, Marett outlines its web-based format, offering an array of menus and videos.

“It’s a two-part project,” Marett shares. “We’ve been developing the interactive video and testing it with my Intro to HR and senior-level HR students in the College’s MILO lab [Market Innovation Lab and Observatory]. Now that it’s developed, we’re testing it with adults in the local area who work in hiring positions or anyone who participates in hiring practices.”

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“The HR professionals are bigger gatekeepers than they realize because if they don’t understand the capabilities of people with blindness and low vision, then they might inadvertently not let those folks get further in the interview process,” she notes.

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The Business of Country Music By Taylor Rupp

n the summer of 2023, I experienced an opportunity of a lifetime interning for the Country Music Association (CMA) in Nashville, TN. As a Business Administration major at Mississippi State, I had known I wanted to be in the business world but had no further direction from there. In seeking an internship that might aid in that, I had two set-in-stone factors – I wanted to be in Nashville and be doing something challenging that would push me out of my comfort zone.

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Student Taylor Rupp Shares Her Nashville Internship Experience

Based in Nashville, the CMA is a nonprofit organization that strives to heighten awareness of country music and support its ongoing growth, both domestically and internationally. My role this past summer was as an Industry Relations and Philanthropy Intern responsible for supporting and planning membership and industry events.

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I had interned the summer before with Paige Watson at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, and she mentioned a great internship that she had had with the Country Music Association while she was in college. She encouraged me to apply. Intrigued, I followed her advice and filled out the online application during Christmas break. It turned out to be perfect timing, as many companies were posting their summer internships.

What’s cool about CMA is that they always have interns – fall, spring and summer – so there’s always someone or something new and exciting. Lucy, a student from Vanderbilt, was already there when I joined, and she became my guide through the CMA maze.

I heard back from the CMA in late February, and before I knew it, I was in a virtual interview with the Executive Assistant to the Vice President and another coordinator. They wanted more than just talk; they wanted to see my work. After the interview, they asked me to create marketing graphics on Canva. Successfully meeting this challenge earned me a coveted position for the upcoming summer.

I started right before the epic CMA Fest, a three-day summer concert series that raises millions of dollars each year for music education. During the series, my role was to manage the Celebrity Dunk Tank. At night, I worked the Industry Suite, which hosted music professionals and industry employees, and my first task there was to make sure the board members had all their credentials. I was also the coordinator for CMA EDU, which is a career development program for college students who are interested in working in the music industry. Taking inspiration from my leadership roles on campus, particularly as a rush chair for my sorority, I found myself contributing to CMA EDU’s recruitment strategies. Planning for the CMA EDU Leadership Summit in August was the real deal. It’s a three-day event hosting students from all over the country, with industry execs sharing tips of the trade. Imagine sitting in on panels with Megan Moroney, Russell Dickerson, Concord Music Publishing representatives and Morgan Wallen’s tour manager, Mike Finn. It was a whirlwind of insights, networking and realization that the music industry is way more than just the artists we see on stage.

Photo by Emily Daniels

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(From left) Taylor Rupp, CMA Industry Relations Coordinator Grace Martins and CMA Manager for Industry Relations Kate Watson at the Leadership Summit for CMA EDU Photo courtesy of Taylor Rupp

Intern life at CMA isn’t your typical 9 to 5. Events like CMA Fest and the Summit meant working odd hours, but I was all in. My dedication paid off, and I even got to go back for the CMA Awards in November as temporary staff. It was a surreal experience, rubbing shoulders with industry folks and being part of the behind-the-scenes magic. Nashville, to me, is a land of opportunities, especially in the music biz. You don’t need to be a star – roles in finance, marketing and management are in hot demand. And that’s where my business education kicked in.

What I had learned in the classroom came to life in my internship. Marketing wasn’t just about textbooks; it was about creating content and planning events. Working for the Country Music Association, I realized the importance of communication skills – from sending professional emails to addressing a crowd at a conference. My interpersonal communications class turned out to be gold, from the interview process to having confidence in speaking situations. The skills I learned as a College of Business Ambassador – speaking to prospective students and at campus events – proved to be invaluable in the business world. Little did I know that talking to prospective students about CMA EDU would feel a lot like giving tours on campus. Representing Mississippi State at the CMA was like waving a Bulldog flag in Nashville. Staff members were impressed, and since I was their first MSU student, they even called me “Mississippi.” It was a badge of honor.

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I came into this internship without prior experience in the music industry, but I think my leadership roles on campus and my communication skills helped me stand out. It’s not just about landing a job; it’s about gaining experience and confidence that will set you up for the long haul. My journey at CMA was about more than learning. It was about translating what I learned in class into a real-world setting. As graduation looms, I’m all set to make Nashville my postcollege home. The internship opened my eyes to the vast possibilities in the music industry. It’s a business, and my MSU business education is my ticket in. I can see now that there’s so much more to the industry – finance, marketing, management – all crucial cogs in the music machine.

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As an intern, I also got to take part in several coffee Photo courtesy of Taylor Rupp meetings. Coffee meetings may not sound important, but in Nashville they are like mini networking events, and people are genuinely open to helping newcomers in the industry grow. Trust me; they want to help you succeed.

Rupp began just in time to help with CMA Fest, a three-day concert series featuring artists like Luke Combs that raises money for music education.

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To the freshmen out there, I offer a piece of advice: Explore opportunities like CMA EDU early on. More than a club, it’s a gateway to connections and real-world experiences. They not only connect you with industry professionals but also provide a reliable platform to showcase your skills. A lot of industry professionals channel only through CMA EDU because they know the students who have been accepted for the program are reliable.

The CMA Industry Relations and Philanthopy team – including Rupp, second row, far left – pauses for a quick photo near the Chevy Riverfront Stage on the first day of CMA Fest.. Photo courtesy of Taylor Rupp

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By Parker Ellen

A byproduct of this dichotomy is difficulty in comprehending the intersection of leadership and organizational politics. Political leadership seems paradoxical. How can something with a nearly universal positive connotation be blended with something that has a nearly universal negative connotation? The confusion only seems to grow with suggestions that there are actually positive aspects of leader political behavior. To be clear, arguments for political behavior at work are not new. And some articles and books have clearly stated that leaders actually need to behave politically. Yet much of this advice stems from conceptualizations of workplaces as “political arenas” where engaging in organizational politics is necessary for professional survival and critical for career advancement. If you want to move up in the organization, you will likely need to be a savvy workplace politician. Indeed, research has shown that the intensity and prevalence of organizational politics is increased at higher levels of the organizational hierarchy. At the heart of my attempt to blend leadership and organizational politics is my belief that there are positives of leader political behavior that extend beyond the self-enhancement and advancement of those leaders engaging in the political maneuverings. In fact, one focus of my research is the ways in which leader political acts can be considered a form of prosocial behavior – enacted for the explicit benefit of others. I’ve termed the concept leader political support¹ and defined it as “leaders’ tactical or strategic use of power or influence to provide for, advocate for or otherwise aid followers by attempting to alter the distribution of advantages within the organization in followers’ favor.” In short, leader political support captures leaders’ use of political behavior to benefit others, rather than themselves.

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Organizational politics, however, typically generates a very different response. At the mere mention of the topic, I see faces cringe. Many still have thoughts and are eager to share stories of others’ self-interested and manipulative maneuverings at work, but there is not the same level of excitement about organizational politics. Instead, any passion is rooted in animosity, often the result of missing out on a seemingly deserved opportunity or promotion. Few will speak of organizational politics with admiration, and it is rare to find someone who will openly admit to trying to become more political at work.

eadership is an immensely popular topic, as evidenced by the more than 60,000 results returned if you search for a “leadership” book on Amazon. Everyone loves talking about leadership. In fact, it is one of the few topics that I cover in my classes, undergraduate or graduate, where almost every student wants to weigh in. There is no shortage of opinions on what leadership is or what makes someone a great leader. It’s also an aspiration for many; people often strive to be leaders in their organizations, in their fields and in their communities.

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Building a Case for Leader Political Behavior

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Over the course of several years, my colleagues and I have worked to validate this concept. We combined the results of conversations with executives with a review of the academic literature on political behavior to develop a survey instrument that measures the extent to which managers engage in leader political support. Using this measure, we have explored the drivers and outcomes². To understand the characteristics of managers who engage in leader political support, we conducted two different surveys. The first sample was of 66 leaders in a single organization. Drawing from the idea that leaders needed to be effective workplace “politicians,” we collected data on leaders’ political skill (i.e., their ability to influence others effectively), political will (i.e., their motivation to influence others) and perceptions that their workplace was political. Consistent with our expectations, all three were positively associated with leader political support. We replicated these findings in a sample of 205 leaders from different organizations. Additionally, in this second sample we found a strong, positive correlation between leaders’ social capital (i.e., their stock of relational resources) and reports of engaging in leader political support. To understand the consequences of leader political support, we surveyed 200 leader-follower dyads from different organizations. We asked the leaders to report the extent to which they engaged in leader political support, and we asked their followers to respond to survey questions about their own attitudes and behaviors. In line with our predictions, our results indicated that followers tend to respond positively to leaders who exhibit political support. More specifically, leader political support was positively associated with follower ratings of leader effectiveness and leader reputation, as well as with follower commitment to the leader and follower citizenship (i.e., helping) behavior.

In essence, when leaders behave politically on behalf of their followers, they are held in higher regard. Additionally, leader political support creates a sense of indebtedness, such that followers reciprocate with increased commitment to the leader.

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This is largely intuitive; when leaders use their power and influence to benefit followers, those followers tend to respond in kind. Most notable, though, is the positive association between leader political support and follower citizenship behavior. This indicates that leader political support creates a generalized sense of reciprocity. That is, followers who profit from leader political behavior also seem to respond by helping their co-workers.

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For organizational leaders at all levels, our research demonstrates the positive aspects of political behavior. First, our results indicate that political behavior can benefit more than just the actor. Leaders can, and do, engage in organizational politics to help others. This can take the form of leaders using their power and influence to procure resources for followers, create developmental opportunities for them or correct potential organizational injustices followers might have endured. Regardless of the form leader political support takes, it is likely to strengthen the bond between leaders and followers and, more importantly, contribute to a stronger climate within their teams by promoting a culture where the norm is for group members to help one another. Thus, instead of avoiding organizational politics (which often is not a productive approach) or attempting to eradicate organizational politics (which is not a very realistic approach), leaders should look for opportunities to engage in organizational politics to benefit their followers.

² Ellen III, B. P., Ferris, G. R. & Buckley, M. R. (2022). “Toward a more political perspective of leader effectiveness: Leader political support construct validation.” Journal of Organizational Behavior, 43(4), 744-762.

Parker Ellen Dr. B. Parker Ellen, III is an Associate Professor of Management and the Bobby and Barbara Martin Fellow in the MSU College of Business. His research focuses on organizational politics, leadership and interpersonal mistreatment. It has been published in numerous academic outlets, including the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Management Studies and The Leadership Quarterly. Ellen holds a BS in civil engineering from Auburn University, an MS in managerial sciences from Georgia State University and a PhD in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management from Florida State University. Prior to academia, Parker was a consultant and executive in the engineering industry, where his responsibilities included co-directing the firmwide training program for mid-career professionals. He currently serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Organizational Behavior and is a coauthor of the book Political Skill at Work: How to Influence, Motivate and Win Support.

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¹ Ellen III, B. P. (2014). “Considering the positive possibilities of leader political behavior.” Journal of Organizational Behavior, 35(6), 892-896.

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Workspace Fosters Innovation and Community By E-Center Staff Writer his past fall, MSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach (E-Center) hosted a ribbon cutting and open house for Cowork @ the Hub, a cutting-edge co-working space in the heart of Starkville. Housed in the MSU Research and Technology Corporation’s Innovation Hub downtown, the 4,000 square-foot space provides collaborative and flexible shared workspaces ideal for freelancers, startups and remote professionals. Cowork is open to the public and features eight reserved offices and 13 flexible desks. Memberships include access to extensive open work areas, conference rooms and other spaces outfitted for meetings and brainstorming sessions.

The E-Center was founded in 2009 and has become a prominent establishment in the state’s entrepreneurial landscape, thanks to a series of steady investments. Its leadership sees Cowork as a cornerstone for expanding tech entrepreneurship and deepening integration into the community. “We’re thrilled to bring this concept to Starkville. It’s a long-awaited dream come true,” says Eric Hill, Director of the E-Center. “This initiative creates a central hub for the numerous individuals and freelancers in our area – especially in tech – who are working from home but yearn for a sense of community. We want to involve them in the thriving entrepreneurial scene here, which includes startups originating within MSU and in the broader community.” The project is funded in part by a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which is supporting efforts at the MSU Innovation Hub overall. “The SBA has been a tremendous partner of MSU, backing numerous projects aimed at supporting founders, and we’re grateful for their trust in our execution,” remarks Hill. The project also aims to benefit startups by students graduating from MSU, offering affordable offices near downtown. “It provides a way for community entrepreneurs to plug in with campus efforts,” says Hill. “Our E-Center student startups could also choose to locate their businesses inside the Cowork space even prior to graduation.” Various memberships are available. Businesses desiring space intermittently can expect to pay $99 per month for 24/7 access to shared space, while companies looking for dedicated flex or reserved office spaces will pay $249 to $429 per month. Cowork also offers weekday passes for $10. The revenue will be reinvested to maintain the space and support E-Center operations, with a goal of long term self-sustainability. For more information, visit Cowork’s website at coworkmsu.com.

Photos by Emily Daniels

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“We aim to provide a creative, flexible workspace that stimulates innovative thinking and nurtures a vibrant community of entrepreneurs,” says Terrence Green, Manager of Cowork, who is an E-Center alumnus and Memphis’ 2022 Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Careful attention has been given to alignment with the E-Center’s dedication to innovation and sustainability. Among the unique features that Cowork offers are two specially retrofitted Ford Think electric vehicles (EVs) equipped with solar charging. These EVs are available for members to use around town and offer convenient transportation to the MSU Idea Shop, where they can enjoy complimentary access to 3D printers and other rapid prototyping capabilities.

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Highlights in Generosity A Message from the Director of Development By Stephen Lack

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he past year has been an exciting, yet bittersweet period marked by change and growth for the College of Business at Mississippi State University. Our development team underwent several changes, as Lilly Bjorkman and Erin Novorot bid farewell to the College and embraced new responsibilities within the MSU Foundation. On the positive side, we are delighted to welcome back Rob Jenkins as Senior Director of Development. Rob returns to us after a short period dedicated to fundraising for MSU Athletics. We also extend a warm greeting to Kristal Tate, who has rejoined the College of Business in her new capacity as Advancement Coordinator. Additionally, we welcomed a new Dean, Dr. Scott Grawe. Dr. Grawe is the 11th Dean of the College of Business and brings a big, inspired vision to the College. The development team is excited to share it with you! I want to take this opportunity to note some highlights of the past year with you and thank each of our passionate alumni and friends who continue to raise the bar at Mississippi State!

More Than $2 Million in Available COB Scholarships “My time at Mississippi State University and within the College of Business has left an incredible mark on my life. As a recent business management graduate, along with being a current MBA candidate, I have had the privilege of experiencing the impact of our College’s donors first-hand. Presently, I serve as a Graduate Assistant in the Dean’s Office of the College of Business, and my position was made possible through an incredibly generous gift from Mr. Dan Curran. This gift has alleviated the financial burdens of graduate school, allowing me to focus on my academic and professional growth. I have also had the pleasure of connecting with remarkable individuals such as Jim Perkins, one of my scholarship donors. The main question he kept asking throughout our meeting was, ‘What can I do to help you succeed?’ This embodies the genuine commitment of our College’s donors to walking alongside students in pursuit of their dreams. I am immensely grateful to the many donors who have invested in my academic pursuits, and I aspire one day to make as profound an impact on the College of Business as they have.”

– Jesse Baird, MBA Student

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McLeod Software In-kind Gift

– Dr. Chris Boone, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Logistics

Modernizing McCool

“Experiential learning gives our business students a chance to put their new knowledge and skills to work addressing live issues with partner organizations. For the students, it provides valuable learning and insight into life after MSU. For organizations, it offers an opportunity to expose their brands on campus and showcase different careers that exist within the firms.”

– Dr. Scott Grawe, Dean

– Stephen Lack, Director of Development

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“In 2021, the Mississippi State University College of Business announced a new fundraising initiative, Modernize McCool. McCool was built as a hub of creativity and innovation in 1972, and the Modernize McCool movement was launched with a goal of bringing the facilities back to the cutting edge. Nearly three years later, our alumni and friends have contributed more than $3 million to the cause! Upwards of 10 spaces have been renovated in the building, the E-Center has doubled in size, and we have a brand new Dress Your Best Closet (renamed Sadie’s Suits and Such) and new MBA student workspace – and we’re just getting started! Find out how you can help us ‘Modernize McCool’ and provide our students and faculty with state-of-the-art facilities!”

Experiential Learning Fund Established

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“With McLeod Software’s $220,000 in-kind gift, we’re bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, setting our supply chain students on a path to career success. McLeod Software’s gift of software licenses and training brings cutting-edge tech into our classrooms and takes our supply chain program to new heights by providing students with real-world, hands-on experience with industry-leading software. It will empower our students with knowledge of the technology and tools they need to compete in the job market. McLeod Software’s contribution isn’t just a gift to MSU; it’s a bridge that will take our supply chain students from classroom theory to industry-leading practice.”

25 By making direct contributions; establishing charitable gift annuities; donating personal assets like real estate or leaving bequests, stocks, bonds or securities, you contribute to our ability to attract and retain exceptional faculty and students. Additionally, your support keeps our College of Business at the forefront of emerging technologies. We are grateful for the generosity of potential donors who may include the College of Business in their philanthropic endeavors. Rob, Kristal and I eagerly anticipate maintaining an ongoing relationship with many of you. Together, we can achieve significant milestones for Mississippi State University and the College of Business.

Stephen Lack

Rob Jenkins

Kristal Tate

Director of Development MSU College of Business slack@foundation.msstate.edu (423) 292-9932

Senior Director of Development MSU College of Business rjenkins@foundation.msstate.edu (662) 312-9300

Advancement Coordinator MSU College of Business ktate@business.msstate.edu (662) 325-9055

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Learning Leadership at the Top Level M

ississippi State University alumna Vanessa Velasquez wrapped up her year as a White House Fellow this past fall, one of 15 impressive young leaders selected to gain experience at the highest levels of the federal government. Her 12-month placement with the Secretary of the Navy involved a backstage view and active role in day-to-day government.

“I was a student worker and involved in about six or seven organizations at one time in addition to the academics,” she explains. “I knew that going to college was an opportunity to change my life, and I knew I needed to do it well. I was excited to be learning and getting really involved.” This dynamo, ambitious in the best sense and wired for positive action, arrived on campus from Vero Beach, FL. She was 11 hours away from her single mother who had immigrated from Colombia, spoke halting English and scrapped her way from homelessness to championing opportunities for her daughter. Velasquez didn’t know a soul that first day in Starkville but bravely plunged in. Over time she served as a Roadrunner student recruiter, joined a sorority and the Fashion Board, involved herself in the Student Association and took on management roles within various organizations. In 2016, she received the MSU Spirit of State Award honoring her involvement. All the while, Velasquez says, Mississippi State was fueling her future. “State really set me up for success,” she shares. “That’s how hospitable the mentality is there and how the university cares about its people, and that was a huge takeaway for me.” Velasquez’s first major career stop was a flagship Amazon Fulfillment Center outside Seattle. She was manager to a team of older employees and immediately sensed that an “I’m-the-boss” attitude would ruffle feathers on the overnight shift. Instead, she focused on communicating, an approach that benefited her team and the company. “I made it my mission to talk to every single one of my teammates throughout the working hours. We talked about their performance, their families and their goals – and I had the opportunity to get some of those associates into better and higher roles in the company,” she says, noting that this led to being called on as a problem solver in other areas. “My managers would see a team that was underperforming, and I’d be placed there to flip them around and get them on the right path.”

Velasquez stands in the White House’s Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Photo courtesy of Vanessa Velasquez

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It has been exhilarating so far for the woman who graduated cum laude from MSU in 2017 with a double major in international business/marketing from the College of Business and foreign language – Chinese and Spanish – from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Is it a hard act to follow now that it’s done? Not at all. In fact, in her new position as Chief of Service Partnerships with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit, Velasquez oversees elements of new and emerging technology for various military branches.

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By Carolanne Roberts

She became Director of Fulfillment Center Engagement, a position in which she also led employee resource groups designed to serve and empower special interest groups focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (for example, she oversaw Glamazon for the LGBTQ population). Velasquez even partnered with several other business units at Amazon to rally volunteers to assemble 5,000 elaborate care packages for employees required to work on site during the pandemic.

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“Our message was, ‘We see you; we know you’re there. Thank you,’” she says. The corporate suite took notice. Velasquez received a promotion to Amazon’s Global Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) division. “People don’t typically want to take you on from operations, but my M&A team saw something in me and gave me the opportunity to join as a program manager,” she says. “I had become known for fixing various problems and helping roll some initiatives out nationwide.”

On her first day as a White House Fellow, Velasquez meets Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. Photo by U.S. Navy MC1 Logan Keown

Soon, an opening at Apple as a Global Supply Manager appeared, and Velasquez snapped it up – but not for long. The White House Fellowship was on the horizon. “All roads in this story lead from the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), which still sends me alerts about opportunities,” she says of the nation’s largest nonprofit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education. HSF opened her eyes as a young student. “We would meet Hispanic leaders who looked like we did. We saw our own possibilities.” Velasquez was one of the three percent of applicants chosen to attend HSF conferences and receive scholarships during high school. Still, the White House Fellowship was a long shot. Velasquez had less experience than many applicants – and no graduate degree. Most applicants seemed to be former Ivy Leaguers. But she decided to try, to simply share her story and be authentic. The initial process – writing six essays, obtaining four impressive recommendations and completing a detailed online application – elevated her to the regional competition. She then rose to the nationals, where the playing field narrowed to 30 candidates. Velasquez recalls the interviews. “They’d ask things like ‘Tell something about yourself you shouldn’t tell’ and ‘Who are you – and what drives you?’ Or even, ‘Write the President a memo about a policy you want to change,’” she says.

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The chance of becoming a Fellow was .01 percent, yet Mississippi State’s Velasquez attracted attention. “A total of 17 government agencies wanted to interview me,” she marvels. “I was one of the youngest applicants and had the highest agency interest. I did the interviews, with the Navy being my first choice. The Secretary himself was a former Fellow and would introduce me to all aspects of the Navy and also one of his own initiatives.”

In her personal life, there’s one annual trip Velasquez treasures most each year – one that also makes her grateful. “My best friend Hannah and I go back to Starkville for a football game, for tailgating and to eat at our favorite restaurants,” she says, noting how the campus changes between visits. “My university taught me so much – leadership, being humble and the servant leadership mindset. Those are attributes that will always stay with me. Things could get really challenging at the Pentagon, but I would always go at it from the approach of kindness and with the strategies Mississippi State taught me. “Those were definitely the best five years of my life.”

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“I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many leaders in government, men and women in business, governors and members of Congress,” she continues. “It has been such an honor to serve, especially when some of the former White House Fellows are people like Colin Powell, Sanjay Gupta and Wes Moore. It makes me so incredibly grateful to this country that offered opportunity to my mom and me.”

“Every day with the Secretary was an adventure,” she says. “One day it was breakfast with Leon Panetta, the former Secretary of Defense, White House Chief of Staff and CIA Director. We had lunch in New York with Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote Hamilton. We met with former President George Bush at his presidential library in Texas. We traveled to Navy bases across this country and globally for town halls with sailors and Marines. And sometimes we might hop in the car and go to an embassy.

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Velasquez won the Navy spot and has spent the last year traveling, assisting and leading an initiative addressing military education. She helped put together a Naval Education Strategy and worked on accreditations of the Naval War College and the U.S. Navy Community College. Along with Navy Manpower & Reserve Affairs, she put together a separate educational policy plan for the Seapower Advisory Board. Before she left her post, Secretary Carlos Del Toro awarded Velasquez the Civilian Meritorious Award, the third highest civilian honor in the Navy.

Velasquez, White House Fellow Jeff Nadal and his wife Taylor Nadal (third, fourth and fifth from left) volunteered at the First Lady’s Military Child Month event. Here, they are pictured with President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and (far right) U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. Photo by White House Photographer

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A Tech Magician

ustin E. Samuels certainly knew his way around the Mississippi State University campus – that happens in one’s college career when declaring 10 majors along the way and earning 190 credit hours, 70 past what’s needed to graduate. To say Samuels wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life is a given. To say he eventually found his home in the College of Business is a happy reality.

“One day, I happened to walk past a recruiting poster for the College of Business enticing people to learn to code, which, in the GeoCities & Myspace era, I already knew. I signed up for Business Information Systems (BIS), and suddenly I was happy and at home,” he says. “For the first time in my life, I had a 3.8 GPA, and I knew this: I wanted to be a software engineer.” Today, he works as a Senior Software Engineer in the Campaign Builder/Automations sector at Intuit Mailchimp, an Atlanta-based international company managing business campaigns, mailing lists and expanded business analytics. “We are real-life ‘Harry Potters.’ If you think of it, we can make it happen. We are real magicians,” says Samuels. “I’m very proud to be both an engineer and the founder-CEO of a tech conference.” About that tech conference – it’s huge and growing. The first RenderATL conference designed by Samuels brought together software engineers, emphasizing inclusion and opportunity for Black, Asian and female demographics in particular. After a pandemic hiatus, the second RenderATL expanded to project managers, designers, coders and other tech professionals in business or technical professions. A series of pop-up spinoffs adds to RenderATL’s annual summer event in Atlanta. “This all started when I realized I was the only Black person at a conference I attended,” Samuels says. “We needed to build something inclusive of everyone – and now people have found a place with us. “At our events, you get the best education possible from industry-leading experts, networking with some of the biggest Fortune 500 global companies. You’re never judged on your outward appearance. Dress the way you want – we even have theme days – and eat really good food. (Because half our team comes from island cultures, we have a heavy Caribbean influence.) Our signature educational pop-up series is called the Collards and Code Tour; it focuses on networking for technology professionals while being authentic to the culture of the particular city we’re in at the time – Miami; Austin; Washington, DC or New York City, for example.” Samuels himself is authentic – and is already recognized for his contributions. Just this year he has been listed on Inc. magazine’s “Atlanta 30 Under 30-ish” list. He was also chosen for Atlanta’s Most Influential 500 list by Atlanta Magazine.

Photo by Brandon Malcom, Render-Atlanta

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After all those academic forays, Samuels admits he still didn’t know his true direction.

”I was a chemistry major first – I’ve always been a numbers guy,” says Connecticut-born Samuels, a 2015 graduate. “Then I switched to a foreign language and on to hospitality, from hospitality to business, business to nutrition, back to business and even spent time in culinology, which is the science of the kitchen. But I kept gravitating back to business.”

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By Carolanne Roberts

For his part, Samuels says, “I want to be great, but in truth, I just want everything to go well. I know it sounds cliché, but I’m always trying to beat who I was yesterday.” That concept reaches back to his days at Mississippi State. While he was exploring majors, Samuels embraced campus life. “I’m founder of the Video Games Club [now under the auspices of the MSU Esports Association] because nobody had started that when I arrived in 2010,” he explains. “I grew that pretty big and also joined Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. I was involved in the Association for Computing, did Maroon VIP for a couple of years and worked on campus in an art gallery. I was grinding hard.” Looking back at his life prior to coming to MSU, Samuels wonders where he would have landed had his father not brought random computers home for his son.

Samuels still pushes himself hard – learning, achieving and breaking boundaries – sometimes to the point of mental and physical exhaustion. However, he’s developed a solution called “micro burning.” “I’ve learned you need to disconnect your brain from everything else, and that’s where recovery happens,” he explains. “This takes your attention off the demands at hand.” One way he achieves this is through gardening. “I have fond memories of my mom trying to get me in the garden,” he says. “I do not have a green thumb, and I can’t tell you the names of the plants and flowers I have – I just asked my lawn guy to buy me some plants – but maintaining them helps me escape the burnout.”

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“We’re talking 1997-2000. I immediately had a predisposition to them,” he recalls. “Having those put me light years ahead of my peers. When I got to college, I saw people struggling with keyboards and typing while I had mastered it all years before. “

Samuels speaks at RenderATL. Photo by Brandon Malcom, Render-Atlanta

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Photo by Brandon Malcom, Render-Atlanta

Meanwhile, on the ground, Samuels continues celebrating his Mississippi State connection, even in Atlanta. “The VP of Engineering at Mailchimp is an MSU grad,” he says. “Of the 30 people on our RenderATL conference team, I’d say 12 of us went to school at State.” And all seem to be on the same wavelength. “We work together to achieve inclusion,” says Samuels. “We give people opportunities by helping expose them to things that are out there. We‘ve proudly helped hundreds of attendees land new opportunities for their careers and helped employers connect with the best talent to meet their product demands. “Through our offshoot, called Render Restores, we also go out and try to help folks learn code. We are working with the Morris Brown College Foundation to go into the community, helping business owners learn skills to take their companies to the next level.” Samuels knows that his success comes from within – and from the years of growing and learning at his alma mater. “When I pulled into Starkville, I had never even seen the campus,” he recalls. “I hadn’t had the campus tour; I didn’t know where anything was. At that time, I didn’t have goals. I was just enjoying life. When I finally found BIS, I formed a new plan. I knew I had to finish and get out into the world.” To this day, when he lifts his head from present and future work demands, Samuels treasures his college experience.

“I just love telling people I am a Mississippi State graduate. That experience helped me be where I am today, and I’m forever proud to wrap everything I do in maroon and white.”

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“I’ve always had a natural inclination to airplanes despite the fact that I have a fear of heights. I don’t even like to fly as a passenger,” he says. “But I always say the best way to face your fears is to experience them, so my goal is to learn to fly a plane.”

Of course, being Justin Samuels, he’s also taking the “micro burning” concept to higher levels, literally.

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People line up for admission to RenderATL.

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Making It Work at Work By Kathy Kenne s working at the same place as your spouse a good idea? Couples who do it say it depends on multiple factors – personality, flexibility, whether you work directly together and the environment, to name a few. Myles and Elissa Landers seem to be making it work for them in the College of Business. Myles is an Assistant Professor of Marketing and Elissa is an Admissions and Advising Specialist in the graduate program. The young couple is energetic and invested in making students’ academic lives more meaningful.

The couple met in middle school in Sylacauga, AL. By their high school years they were dating, and they’ve been together ever since. There were a few years they were at different schools – he at Jefferson State then Berry College playing baseball and she finishing up high school then attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham. But their relationship remained strong. Myles graduated with a degree in marketing, while Elissa majored in English. After their marriage, Myles pursued his PhD at the University of Alabama while Elissa taught middle school and high school English. Upon completion of his degree, they moved to New York for him to take a position as Assistant Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology. They remained there for nearly seven years. In 2020, with four-year-old son Axl now a part of their lives, they began looking southward seeking to be closer to their families. Good friend and MSU College of Business professor Frank Adams told them about a marketing faculty position opening at Mississippi State. That piqued their interest, and they found themselves eager to become a part of the Bulldog Nation. Over lunch with Frank and his wife Angelia Knight, the Director of MBA Programs, Elissa learned of an available job in that office, advising online students. She was excited about the opportunity to aid those seeking advanced degrees, most of whom are in full time careers, in achieving their educational goals. “I’ve enjoyed being able to work within my office to create a ‘culture’ for online students, even though they aren’t here on campus,” she shares. “I make an effort to talk to them on the phone more instead of just communicating with them by e-mail.”

The Landers family (from left) – Elissa, Avett, Axl and Myles Photo by Emily Daniels

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In her role in the COB’s graduate education program, Elissa’s interest is helping MBA online students develop education plans that best meet their needs while making them feel a part of the MSU family.

At the undergraduate level Myles teaches Consumer Behavior and Retailing. He teaches Quantitative Method Research in Business to doctoral students. His primary research focuses on two particular areas. One is on services/retail strategy. He looks at strategic decisions that services and retail firms deploy, then draws on psychology and behavior economic theories to explore how these strategies are influencing customers including topics such as disidentification, intimidation, pricing decisions and embarrassment. His second area of interest is in how firms’ decisions can positively impact multiple stakeholders in the areas of life satisfaction, firm environmental orientation and sustainability at the firm and customer levels.

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Elissa likes the interaction with the typically older students in her program, helping them find creative ways to balance their academic work with full time jobs and families. There are also a number of student athletes enrolled in online courses. Elissa enjoys advising them on how to best meet the demands of their academics alongside their athletic commitments. Asked how he finds fulfillment in his career, Miles shares, “I seek out interesting activities and research. I also enjoy mentoring PhD students.” What has the couple come to appreciate about MSU? “It’s the campus atmosphere,” states Elissa. “It has big school attitude, but it’s still small enough that you know someone pretty much anywhere you go on campus. People are passionate about this university.” They have found the College of Business a particularly welcoming environment.

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“I like that the administration seems to take any idea into consideration,” says Myles. “Our new dean seems to be very interested in how to have a transformative impact on students. My department is the best you could work for! We all get along and have similar goals. We’re given the resources we need to do our work.” “The College of Business also seems like one big family,” adds Elissa. So, back to the question of working together. What they enjoy is having more to talk to each other about because they know and understand what is going on in each other’s work environments. The downside can be that scheduling is sometimes an issue with sons Axl and toddler Avett. However, it’s grandparents to the rescue. Elissa’s parents stay with the children two days a week, showing the Landers’ wisdom in moving closer to family. But the positives of side by side careers far outweigh the logistical challenges. “It’s good to be able to see the person you care most about whenever you want to,” says Myles. “It especially helps when you may not be having the best day.” Elissa adds some sage advice to that with a smile, “Division of snacks is important − so you don’t find your husband has emptied your snack drawer!”

Myles Landers wants his students to enter the workplace with purpose and well-developed curiosity. Photo by Emily Daniels

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Both the Landers enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle along with their children – trail running, climbing, mountain biking. Their bucket list includes taking their children to visit all the national parks as they grow up. Myles is also the faculty advisor for the American Marketing Association’s (AMA) student chapter on campus that boasts between 60 and 80 members. “These students are the best,” he says. “They really run the organization. I just offer advice when they need it. I learn as much from them as they do from me.” AMA local chapter President Ainsley Sowers leads the organization. It focuses on hosting educational speakers and doing community service projects each month such has collecting canned goods for Bully’s Pantry or helping needy families with their children’s Christmas gifts. Landers attends the bimonthly chapter meetings as well as the executive committee meetings and makes time to meet with Sowers each week to discuss the organization’s plans and activities. “Dr. Landers has been amazing,” she shares. “He’s helped us with minor things like finding a room for us to hold our meetings when schedules got crossed to bigger items like guiding our trip to New York for the National Retail Federation’s annual conference. As a college student, I have so many things going on. It’s nice that when I text him about something, he gets back to me really quickly.” Both of the Landers have aspirations for their students. Elissa says that the online students with whom she works are already very successful, so they don’t need a push from her. Her focus, instead, is on counseling them on which courses to take, with all of their other life obligations taken into consideration. Myles wants his students to enter the workplace with a sense of purpose, aware of the impacts they can make in their business environments and ready to make good decisions. He also wants them to nurture their senses of curiosity, so they never quit learning and exploring. And both recommend working with your spouse if the opportunity presents itself – just be sure to develop a protocol for snackage.

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“Yeah,” laughs Myles. “One day I was home, and I asked her to bring me a file from my office. She found all the ‘healthy’ snacks she had packed for me uneaten and stowed in the back of my desk drawer.”

Photo by Emily Daniels

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Elissa Landers works to help students develop education plans that best meet their needs and to make them feel a part of the MSU family.

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Experiencing the Biggest Retail Operation on the Planet By Emily Daniels or students at Mississippi State University’s College of Business, internships are not merely suggested to them but strongly advocated as transformative experiences integral to their undergraduate journeys. Across the academic landscape of MSU, students are instilled with the early understanding that acquiring practical work experience is paramount for elevating their employability, particularly in the dynamic field of business studies.

McKenzie has wholeheartedly embraced opportunities for leadership growth, making a positive impact on the Mississippi State community and ultimately contributing to his own success in securing a sought-after summer internship with retail conglomerate Walmart at its corporate headquarters in Arkansas. He sat down with us to reflect on his recent internship experience, sharing insights into the valuable lessons and opportunities gained at the intersection of academia and real-world application at the corporation described by Forbes as “the biggest retailing operation on the planet.” n Before we dive into your internship experience, can you tell us who or what influenced your decision to pursue your college education at Mississippi State University? I chose Mississippi State because my parents both went here, so I honestly grew up being a Bulldog. I even had an English Bulldog as a pet! When I toured campus, the environment was just out of this world – everyone seemed super authentic. n

What made you decide to pursue a business degree, and did you arrive on campus with a clear idea of your academic focus? I always love telling the story. While I was touring campus with my family, we met with the Assistant Director of Recruiting and Events for the College of Business. During our conversation, I told her that I hadn’t declared a major, but I said I wanted to do something with business and technology. She asked me if I had thought about the Business Information Systems (BIS) program here in the College of Business. I hadn’t, so she told me all about the program and the possible career paths that BIS graduates could have. A lot of students struggle with choosing who they want to be when they grow up, so I’m really thankful I was able to find something that I was so passionate about so quickly!

Photo by Emily Daniels

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Despite being the lone Bulldog from his high school graduating class, McKenzie bravely immersed himself in campus life and various organizations. His involvement in the New Maroon Camp, first as a nervous camper, then as a counselor and later as the Counselor Trainer on the Executive Board, showcases his dedication to fostering a sense of community among students. His engagement in Mississippi State extended to organizations like Freshman Reach, the College of Business Ambassadors (COBA), MSU Roadrunners and the Student Association, where he played a role in bringing influential speakers like former British Prime Minister David Cameron to campus.

Among these students is Keimauri McKenzie, a senior majoring in business information systems. Hailing from Laurel, MS, McKenzie has a connection to Mississippi State that runs deep, rooted in a familial legacy of Bulldogs – both of his parents are proud alumni. But it wasn’t solely family ties that drew McKenzie to the University; rather, it was the warm and authentic atmosphere he encountered during his campus tour that solidified his choice.

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Yes ma’am, my firstever internship. I heard about the opportunity back in February, when I served on a panel board with several COBA members during MSU’s Academic Insight event. Renee Graham, a fellow COBA member, was talking about an internship she’d had with Walmart last year. After the panel, I told her how interesting it McKenzie’s main project as a merchandising intern focused on regional brands, aiming to sounded, and she offered optimize and expand the assortment in various areas. to contact her recruiting Photo courtesy of Keimauri McKenzie officer and put in a good word for me. Almost immediately, the recruiter reached back out to me to with more information and sent over the application to fill out. Shortly afterward, I had my interview round, and then few weeks later, I got an e-mail saying I had been accepted into their summer internship program!

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That’s great to hear! Alright, so let’s talk about your recent internship with Walmart. Was this the first internship that you’d had?

How would you describe your internship experience? Did it match your expectations? I interned in the merchandising sector, specifically with the Transformation Team, at Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, AR. I may be biased, but I thought my position was cooler, because while other merchandising interns were assigned to specific departments, my role involved working across all the departments. My main project focused on regional brands, aiming to optimize and expand the assortment in different areas. While I was there, I learned how to utilize Microsoft Power BI to analyze Walmart sales versus competitors’ sales, identifying opportunities to boost market share. The project aimed to optimize the assortment by adding, not adding, maintaining or deleting products based on their performances.

Were there any networking opportunities or events specifically for interns? Walmart organized several large intern programs and events while I was there, including a welcome week with intern activities like Topgolf, speaking events with all the top Walmart executives and the Associates-Shareholders Celebration. I had heard that last year’s Shareholder event featured a performance by the Jonas Brothers, but this year’s event blew my mind! Kevin Hart hosted it, and it featured celebrities like Shania Twain, John Legend, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Rachel Platten, Snoop Dogg, Pitbull and a video call from Tom Cruise. It was surreal to see that many famous people in one place!

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What was your favorite part about the internship?

Congratulations! So, do you have any advice you would give to someone who is considering an internship? One, allow the MSU Career Center on campus to help you with your résumé and interview skills to make you stand out to employers. We are lucky that we have that resource at our fingertips. Two, always be confident in yourself and trust your ability. You’ll never know what doors may open for you in the future if you don’t ask questions and put yourself out there. Three, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn make a lasting impression on future employers.

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Photo courtesy of Keimauri McKenzie

Actually, I recently accepted a job offer with Walmart, Incorporated! After graduation, I will serve as Senior Analyst of Merchandising within the Merchandising Development Program (MDP). MDP is a 12-month rotational program for Walmart U.S. Merchandising positions, and it gives you an opportunity to learn and build core merchandising knowledge and skills. After completing the program, I will be promoted to one of four full-time roles: Associate Merchant, Replenishment Manager, Planning Manager or Business Analytics Manager. I can’t wait to get started!

After graduation, McKenzie will become a Senior Analyst of Merchandising in Walmart’s Merchandising Development Program.

What are your plans postgraduation? Do you think you’ll have the opportunity to work with Walmart again?

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My favorite parts were learning so many different things about the merchandising world and being able to see the results of my work here at Walmart. From the outside looking in, I would have never thought there were so many moving parts for each employee to keep a company going. In my first week, I sat in on a Zoom call to connect with people in every field that had to do with merchandising to make sure everything was running smoothly. We had people in replenishment, planning, pricing, modular planning and all these different things that go into the everyday process of getting products on the shelf. And so, that was honestly my favorite part – being able to connect with people from all different areas.

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By Kathy Kenne

.S. Air Force Captain Matthew Koestner is a man of seeming insatiable curiosity. It’s what has driven many of his life decisions.

The native of Mesquite, TX, grew up in a self-defined “normal” suburban household. There were weekends filled with soccer, camping, cross-country meets and the projects that would earn him Eagle Scout status.

“My mother loved visiting colleges,” he says. “On every family vacation, we’d stop and see different schools along the way, or sometimes out of the way. At Texas A&M, we heard an ROTC presentation about student scholarships. With my background in scouting, the concept of service combined with the structure of the military was appealing. It seemed like a good way to pay for college and be able to repay my country for investing in me.” Upon joining the Air Force ROTC, the path seemed clear – major in aerospace engineering. Along the way, he picked up a minor in mathematics. During his senior year, he was selected by the Air Force for pilot training then assigned to fly the U-28A Draco with the Air Force Special Operations Command, which provides support to humanitarian, search and rescue and conventional and special operations missions. “I enjoy traveling and seeing new places,” he shares. “I have a fascination with meeting new people and learning about their cultures and histories. The Air Force has allowed me to do that through my deployments and through conducting exercises with people from other countries.” In the spring of 2020, Koestner’s interest in learning new things started to gnaw at him again. He decided he would like to pursue an MBA degree.

“I always heard that an MBA was a good combination with an engineering degree,” he says. “Also, my dad is in the finance industry. We talked about the market and economy a lot when I was growing up. Those topics interest me. Regardless of what my future might hold, I felt like an MBA would equip me with a diverse skill set and give me a lot of opportunities.” Knowing that an active duty officer can’t suddenly tell his commander that he would like some time off to go to school, Koestner began looking into online programs.

Portrait courtesy of U.S. Air Force; U-28A Draco photo by Airman 1st Class Blake Wiles, U.S. Air Force

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The 2014 graduate of Texas A&M selected the university after visiting multiple schools.

“My path in life has been pretty much driven by, ‘That sounds interesting. I think I’ll try that,’” laughs Koestner.

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A Quest for Knowledge

“I took cost and the value of a reputable program into consideration, and Mississippi State became my top choice,” he states. “It was a really positive experience. I was able to work most of the classes in with my schedule. All the professors were very accommodating. Only once, when I was on deployment, did I have to ask for some special consideration. It was my supply chain course, and the professor was very understanding, making it possible for me to finish some of the coursework early and extending a few deadlines because I was flying.”

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Koestner even managed to work a brief study abroad experience into his program. It was something he had always wanted to do, but never had the opportunity. He was excited to find a short psychology course that MSU was offering in Spain over spring break that he could take leave to join. He found the College of Business very open to having that course count as one of his electives. In 2022, Koestner was able to complete his MBA. Of course, this man who loves to learn wouldn’t sit still long. The Air Force, recognizing his potential, selected Koestner as one of only three captains chosen each year to participate in the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force Prestigious PhD Program. “In 2018, a leader in my squadron had just graduated from that program,” says Koestner. “After talking with him, I set that as one of my goals. Being in this program is an amazing opportunity. I can be on active duty but go to school full time. The military is paying my tuition and fees, so I can fully focus on being a student, learning as much as I can.” That privilege, however, comes with a demand. The coursework of his Economics doctoral degree at the University of California, Davis is a five year program that he must complete in three. He is in his first quarter now and is taking a heavy course load while starting to develop ideas for his thesis. By next year, he will begin writing his thesis – something most students in the program don’t do until year three or four.

MBA Online alumnus Matthew Koestner is currently enrolled at UC-Davis as one of only three captains tapped for a select U.S. Air Force PhD program. Photo courtesy of Matthew Koestner

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Photo courtesy of Matthew Koestner

“My interest in economics comes from my family background and my interest in gaining knowledge,” Koestner allows. “There’s a point in deployments when you’re away from friends and family and dealing with some boredom. We would start getting into these deep discussions. I found myself talking a lot about the philosophical side of governments and economies. That really spurred me to want to find answers. Economics is a very data driven discipline that appeals to the mathematician in me.” Once his degree is completed, Koestner looks forward to what the future might hold. “I’ll probably return to flying for a period, which I really enjoy,” he says in reference to the way the Air Force operates. “After that, the thought of teaching at the Air Force Academy is very appealing. I could also see myself in an advisory position to senior Air Force leaders, lending my knowledge of economics to help them in their decision making processes. I’m not sure what all the options are yet. My future job may exist, or I may need to create it.” With his interests and in-depth exploration for solutions, his future opportunities seem limitless. Certainly, he will be well-equipped for whatever direction he chooses. But for now, it’s just time to take his rescue pup for a hike in one of California’s state parks to explore and learn more (of course) about his environment. His canine companion, Esko, is ready to go. “She loves to be outdoors with me, and she loves to eat!” he laughs. “It’s a good thing my tuition is covered!”

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Koestner and canine companion Esko enjoy exploring California’s state parks.

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One to Watch By Kirsten Shaw

he life of an entrepreneur involves failures, successes and often new paths that lead away from the initial plan. Calvin Waddy experienced it all before even graduating from Mississippi State.

“From a very early age I was drawn to entrepreneurship,” says the 28-year-old. “My grandfather owned his own lawn care business, and some of my favorite memories are going to Cleveland, OH, in the summers and helping him cut grass. It was a modest business, but I got to see him do something that he enjoyed – and I got to be a part of it.”

part of Freshman Council, New Maroon Camp and other organizations. I was an orientation leader and an Alumni Delegate, so I got to experience campus from a serving perspective, and that was impactful for me. I got to meet a ton of different students who I grew really fond of.” It was here, too, that his interest in entrepreneurship was rekindled. He recalls, “One day I was in class – I think it was a marketing class – and we were going through different businesses like Facebook and how they started, and I found the passion for entrepreneurship again.” Waddy had an idea for a social media app, and a professor pointed him toward the Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach (E-Center). “I went for a meeting where I talked about an idea that was really very half-baked, and I had no direction on how to get started. I was nervous, too – I thought they might steal my idea!” he laughs, looking back. “But [Director of Entrepreneurship] Eric Hill walked me through what the E-Center does for students and talked me through their Venture Catalyst Program. Essentially, it teaches you from A to Z how to start a company, how to build a business plan and a pitch deck and come up with a go-to-market strategy. So I jumped in.” Realizing his app idea wasn’t strong enough to get off the ground, he tried a few variations on the idea and worked with Baldwin – who was also active in the E-Center – on some other businesses, but nothing was really sticking. Then he began thinking about how he might exercise his passion for creating merchandise using Shopify, the e-commerce platform for online stores and retail startups.

Photo courtesy of Buzzbassador

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“My experience was fantastic,” he shares. “I got plugged in early. I was

As a youth growing up in Atlanta, Waddy found enjoyment in building and creating in a variety of ways. Then, in his mid-teens, he moved to Madison, MS, with his parents and two younger brothers. In high school, basketball and swimming pushed entrepreneurial inclinations to the background. But when athletic college scholarships weren’t forthcoming, he needed a new plan. Advice from parents and friends led him to Mississippi State.

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The 2018 alumnus is co-founder and CEO of Buzzbassador, a software company he launched with COO Shelby Baldwin (2019) while both were MSU business undergrads. Today, their company serves 450 brands and 150,000 users and has generated more than $20 million in sales for its customers. A recent investment from Google has marked Waddy as an emerging tech founder to watch.

In 2018, when most of their peers were off on spring break for some R&R, Waddy and Baldwin launched a business. They built a clothing brand that grew into a six-figure business within a year.

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“That happened by using influencers to promote our brand,” says Waddy. “We tried every marketing strategy we were learning in class, but when we tested influencers, that really drove our growth.” Success brings new challenges, and one of those was managing Buzzbassador’s selection as a 2023 Google for Startups Black Founders Fund recipient their influencers – has opened new opportunities for co-founders Calvin Waddy and Shelby Baldwin. individuals with strong Photo courtesy of Buzzbassador social media followings who are paid by brands to create content to promote their products. Influencer payment rates can be based on multiple factors such as follower count, engagement rate or sales generated within a campaign. “As you can imagine, working with 8,000 people [influencers] who are spread across the globe is a really difficult task, especially while you’re building a business. And on top of that, we were in college,” comments Waddy. “We were having trouble paying everybody on time, attributing the right orders to the right influencers and communicating and running campaigns. So we ended up building the prototype to what’s now known as Buzzbassador.” Thinking others might find their software helpful, they decided to open it up for public use to make a little extra revenue. It was quickly obvious that other brands were in great need of this type of solution. Through various E-Center pitch opportunities, Waddy and Baldwin had garnered enough grant money to hire the developers needed to build out a public beta. In 2020, they pivoted from clothing to software – to Buzzbassador. Buzzbassador aids business owners in tasks like onboarding influencers, tracking which sales they generate, monitoring their social posts, paying them and more. The software saves a tremendous amount of manual work that smaller businesses often don’t have time to manage, nor the budget to hire a team who does. It automates the administrative workload that comes with influencer marketing, enabling the businesses to make better use of this key marketing strategy to get the word out about their brands and grow their sales. Buzzbassador clients range from large public enterprises to small artisan brands. Shimano is one of the world’s largest producers of bike components. BLK + GRN offers all-natural personal care products created by Black women. Gatsby Chocolate, created by the founder of Halo Top ice cream, sells tasty, low-calorie chocolate.

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GoNanas, which sells healthier banana breads and mixes, was an early client. Its products are in stores like Target and Whole Foods, but COVID propelled the owners to ramp up their ambassador (influencer) program to build online sales. Using Buzzbassador, the company has generated more than $1 million in sales from content creators.

From the outset, Buzzbassador’s potential has been recognized and backed. In 2019, the company was the overall winner of the MSU Startup Summit, won the SEC Student Startup Pitch Competition and was named a finalist in the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Student Entrepreneurship and Pitch Competition – resulting in a combined $17,000 in prize money. In 2020, it became the first Mississippi-based company selected as a Venture Atlanta Southeast Showcase Company. In 2022, it was selected for a $120,000 investment by accelerator Techstar Atlanta Powered by J.P. Morgan.

Waddy and Baldwin are just getting started. They aim to raise a seed round of about $2 million in the coming months to enable them to add new engineers and personnel to their team, which currently consists of the two founders, a software developer, a customer service representative and a part time product manager. They will continue to enhance their platform with options such as a matching service to connect their Shopify clients with more influencers and eventually will fully automate it using AI. Expanding to other e-commerce platforms is also on the horizon. When not working – which is rare because he loves it – Waddy is learning to golf. He also gets to see his middle brother and fellow Bulldog alumnus regularly, as both live in Dallas. (Their younger brother is currently at MSU.) Waddy is grateful for the education and encouragement he found at his alma mater. He shows it by serving on the E-Center’s Peer Review Entrepreneurship Panel, assessing first pitches by today’s aspiring Bulldog entrepreneurs. “I can’t say enough about the E-Center and its people – Eric Hill, [Director of Outreach] Jeffrey Rupp and [former Program Coordinator] Brooke Lammert,” he states. “And [former] Dean Sharon Oswald’s support of entrepreneurship gave us all the room to be as creative as we wanted to be. It was those people who helped shape us as entrepreneurs.” He’s grateful, too, for COB faculty like his business law professor Cecelia Cook, who, as the business was getting started, answered questions about contracts and terms and offered advice. “From the very beginning of his journey with us, Calvin’s tenacity and drive stood out as unmatched,” observes Hill. “Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to witness his evolution from young and passionate student into an incredible tech founder, now recognized by one of the most iconic brands in the world. Calvin’s dedication, unyielding perseverance and unparalleled commitment to innovation serve as a testament to what is possible of MSU students.”

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“You get so much access to Google executives and Google sales training and products,” adds Waddy. “There’s an abundance of opportunity in being a part of this program, so it’s something that we’re truly proud of.”

A connection made through Techstars led this year to Buzzbassador’s selection as a Google for Startups Black Founders Fund recipient. As one of only 23 chosen, the company received a $150,000 nonequity grant along with $100,000 in access to Google products and programming.

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“Buzzbassador helped us scale from 20 to 2,500 ambassadors and gave our ambassadors an interface to check on their sales and get insight into what they’re driving,” shares GoNanas CEO/ Founder Morgan Lerner. “We’ve attained a 233 percent increase in ROI through this channel. The Buzzbassador team is amazing – there to help with anything we need.”

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By Sharon Oswald Foreword

Today, thanks to the generosity of COB alumna Dr. Shirley Olson, the closet has been rebranded as Suits & Such by Sadie and is in a newly renovated permanent home on McCool’s second floor. Suits & Such by Sadie honors Olson’s beloved grandmother Sadie Bennet Slocum, who fed her family through her talent of sewing. The space includes well lit separate dressing rooms for men and women. Following is a story of Sadie Bennet Slocum’s life.

he put food on their dinner table through her talent of sewing. A mother of five by the age of 27, her days and nights spent at her Singer sewing machine were how her family survived. Sadie Bennet Slocum clothed family and friends in the small town of Carrollton, MS. Today, through Suits & Such by Sadie, she is dressing College of Business students, equipping them with professional clothing on loan for career fairs, job interviews and class presentations. Born in 1905 in the foothills of north-central Mississippi, Mama Sadie, as she was known to her family, was the only daughter in a family of five children. Money was scarce, so the children spent their days picking cotton. She often said the Depression years seemed like any others to her family because they were so poor. As a young mother, she took to the fields again, raising cotton and hoeing while her young children sat quietly under a nearby tree. She was known for her beautiful, dark auburn-colored hair – for the way it shone under the intense Mississippi sun and for the way it matched her spirited personality. With her husband barely in the picture, Mama Sadie was the breadwinner and the glue that held the family together. During World War II, she drove a truck filled with day laborers back and forth from Carroll County to the Camp McCain Army Infantry training post to work each day, leaving home before dawn and returning in time to put dinner on the table. Sadie Bennet Slocum Photos by courtesy of Shirley Olson

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It didn’t take long for her dream to be realized. The Dress Your Best Closet began as a professional wardrobe “scholarship,” providing business clothing to five deserving female students, and it expanded the next year to male students. As word spread, the closet grew, providing clothing on a rent-free basis for all COB students. Over the years, the closet never found a permanent home, moving several times due to renovations within the College.

In 2011, Mississippi State University College of Business senior Emily (Moak) Ferril was concerned that some of her classmates might not have the means to purchase appropriate interview attire. With the endorsement of Dr. Kathleen Thomas of the Department of Finance and Economics, Emily pitched the idea of a clothing closet to help them out, the Dress Your Best Closet.

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Sewing for Survival

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Camp McCain, the training facility for the 87th and 94th infantry divisions, also housed German prisoners of war. Years later, one of those German prisoners of war returned to Mississippi as a construction worker in Carroll County. While working on a small job for her sonin-law, he recalled how kind the southerners were to him and the other prisoners at Camp McCain. He remembered Mama Sadie among the Camp McCain workers. To reciprocate the benevolence he was shown, he gave Mama Sadie’s favorite grandchild, Shirley (MSU alumna Shirley Olson) a German Shepherd puppy. He suggested the name of Telo, which was a popular boy’s name in Germany at the time.

Mama Sadie was on hand when granddaughter Shirley Olson received her doctorate in 1978 Photo courtesy of Shirley Olson

Mama Sadie took pride in the fact that all her children graduated from high school and her sons served in the military. She was a stickler for manners, and she believed in “raising ladies.” When the family moved from the country into the town of Carrollton, word of Mama Sadie’s talent for sewing spread like wildfire. Everyone wanted one of her beautiful creations. As her children grew up and had families of their own, Mama Sadie lovingly clothed her grandchildren. But it was Shirley, the firstborn, who held a special place in her heart. Shirley credits her grandmother with raising her – having spent every day and into the evening with Mama Sadie. “My grandmother was my kindergarten,” she says. “She taught me to read using the Sears Catalog and to write using a black crayon. I can still see that black crayon today!” Most importantly, she taught Shirley to respect others.

As Mama Sadie would tell her, “I want you to have enough education to look up to people and enough education not to look down on people.”

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“Seeing her face in the crowd was better than any diploma,” Shirley recalls. Mama Sadie instilled in Shirley the belief that she could do anything she wanted.

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Mama Sadie was Shirley’s biggest cheerleader. She lovingly attended Shirley’s graduation and her wedding a short time later to Duke Olson, whom Mama Sadie loved like her own. At 73, she was in the audience to see her beloved granddaughter receive a doctorate at MSU.

Mama Sadie lived to be 93. When Shirley saw her for the final time at the funeral home, she was shocked to find her beloved grandmother clad in a beautiful maroon velvet dress trimmed in exquisite white lace that she sewed for her own burial. Mama Sadie entered the gates of heaven as a proud Bulldog.

At press time, renovations were well under way on the new home to Suits & Such by Sadie. Photos by Landon Scheel

Mama Sadie never had much but never wanted for anything. She loved her family, all things MSU and especially her granddaughter Shirley. Mama Sadie would be proud to welcome all the students using Suits & Such by Sadie to her MSU family.

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She told her, “Don’t ever let anyone tell you what you cannot do…you are smart enough to do anything you want.”

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Coming Full Circle A

sk Rob Jenkins a few key questions, and you immediately get the gist of who he is.

Where are you from? Starkville. How many colleges did you consider? One. Mississippi State. No question. What was your career direction? I wanted to be part of the University.

“I walked back into McCool Hall and the familiar surroundings made me feel at home,” he shares. “I’m so excited to be back where I want to be the rest of my career.” This is a most welcome “round two” for Jenkins. In 2011, he joined Dean Sharon Oswald, who was just arriving herself, to make a difference in the business program. “I had spent some years as Director of Development in the College of Education and in the College of Arts and Sciences, but the College of Business always interested me,” says Jenkins. It was an exhilarating time for both the new Dean and the new Development Director.

“We were raising money for scholarships and faculty support and to further enhance programs,” explains the 1992 BBA graduate. “And we later opened the E-Center (MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach), which was a cool project to work on. Dean Oswald had gone to Dr. [David] Shaw, the Provost, asking that the COB drive the University’s effort as a collaboration between Business and Engineering. Now it’s grown with such success that the Center is experiencing a renovation and expansion.” Years before, Jenkins had entertained the notion of becoming a teacher and coach, so the opportunity to serve as Associate Director for Development in MSU Athletics lured him away from the COB in 2017. “I got in on the tail end of fundraising for the new Dudy Noble Field. There’s no other place like it when it comes to college baseball, and I saw the facility built from the ground up,” he says.

Photo by Emily Daniels

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Jenkins has been part of the University community since his parents brought him to the college town not long after his birth in Memphis (which he considers a mere technicality of time and place). Just a few months ago, as students were returning to campus for the fall semester, he returned to the College of Business as Senior Director of Development.

Where were you on the evening of June 28, 2021? Cheering the Bulldogs on to a national baseball title at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, NE. Where else?

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By Carolanne Roberts

During his six-year tenure, MSU Athletics also raised funds for the Rula Tennis Pavilion indoor tennis facility and for a renovation to basketball’s Humphrey Coliseum. And, yes, he was front and center – personally and professionally – when the Diamond Dawgs pulled off the title championship in Omaha. “How fitting it was to win our first national championship in the sport of baseball,” says Jenkins. “Baseball is who we are, the most successful program in our sports history, so to win in baseball is just the way it should be, right?” He thrilled to the multitude of loyal fans who made the journey to the College World Series. “Ameritrade Park seats about 24,000, and I think about 22,000 of those were Bulldog fans,” claims Jenkins, who leads the pack as a true Bulldog. After his successful time in Athletics, his heart led him back to the COB.

From the development standpoint, he adds, the best part of that interaction is simple. “You’ve connected a donor and helped a student – which is why we’re doing what we do. We still have first generation college students where even the difference of $1,000 can determine whether they come to school or not, so scholarships are a very important piece. It’s rewarding for us all.” Jenkins’ own college years were a double-header of work and study. Nose to grindstone, “get ’er done” days and nights, balancing management of an athletic shoe store in the College Park shopping center with earning his degree. The degree prepared him for the world ahead – a big, puzzling world.

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“There were certain parts of academic fundraising I really missed,” he remarks. “I especially missed going to lunch or dinner with donors and their scholarship recipients. I loved sitting back and hearing the recipients talk about their career dreams, then hearing the donors share their own personal career paths that led to where they are today.”

“I knew I wanted to do something within business, but what?” he recalls. That’s when fate and connections started taking over. The shoe shop owner offered the soonto-be grad the chance to buy the business, and the answer was an appreciative but heartfelt “no” on Jenkins’ part. He didn’t feel ready to own his own business. Then along came a good friend who shared Jenkins’ resumé with Sanderson Plumbing Products in Columbus. “I thought I’d go to Sanderson for the experience of a job interview and nothing more,” he says. “But I ended up with a job as Regional Sales Manager out of Starkville.” By then he’d met wife Annice, a Delta State University education graduate. (They had met at his grandfather’s funeral, which is another story altogether.) “A year later, we had twin boys about to come into the world, and I didn’t want to be on the road,” he says. “I was at a football game when the next thing happened.” Another friend asked if Jenkins had ever considered banking. “I told him I could bring seven years of sales management experience to the table, and he said, ‘I can teach you the rest.’” Thus began a period with AmSouth Bank (now Regions). During this time, he also served the community as leader of the United Way campaign. At one point, he was recruiting someone to head the MSU United Way segment, and she told him about several development jobs on campus. It was this that brought him to a development position with the College of Education and all that has followed.

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Photo courtesy of Rob Jenkins

For Jenkins, Mississippi State has become more than an alma mater, a winning baseball team and a series of accomplished career moves. It’s now a family affair. Following 30 years of teaching in the public school system, wife Annice now serves as a Program Manager for MSU’s Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program, which offers scholarships to supply Mississippi schools with qualified teachers. Sons Braxton and Brooks, both 2022 COB graduates, have launched their careers: Braxton uses his Professional Golf Management degree as Head Golf Professional at Mossy Oak Golf Club in West Point, MS, and Brooks, who has a business administration degree, serves as a commercial lender for Renasant Bank in Starkville. To top it off, Rob Jenkins is now back where he belongs, joining new Dean Scott Grawe and Director of Development Stephen Lack to lead the charge for the COB’s new vision.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to return and continue building meaningful relationships with our College of Business alumni and friends,” says Jenkins. “Their passion, experiences and achievements are not just a part of our history but also a vital force shaping our future, and I am excited about the positive impact we can make together!”

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Mississippi State is a family affair for the Jenkinses – (from left) Brooks, Annice, Rob and Braxton.

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Mayor in Motion By Jeffrey Rupp ynn Spruill, Starkville Mayor and MSU College of Business graduate, embodies a unique blend of leadership, resilience and a passion for adventure that sets her apart. Raised by her father, L.E. Spruill, an accountant with an adventurous spirit himself, despite being hobbled by polio as a child, Lynn inherited a love for exploration. “He wanted to make sure I tried just about everything – skeet shooting, archery, water skiing, horseback riding and flying,” Spruill recalls. “We’d go riding every Sunday. It was formative, and you remember those things.” While those Sundays created lasting memories and fostered Spruill’s deep connection with horses, it was flying that ignited her true passion.

“I realized that it matters to do good things,” she reflects. Second, she carved out a bit of her own aviation history. As a naval officer, in 1979 she became the first woman pilot in the history of the Navy certified to land on an aircraft carrier. After leaving the Navy, Spruill became a private pilot for the Atlantic Richfield Oil Company and later a commercial pilot for Delta Air Lines, flying Boeing 757s and 767s. She retired as a Captain in 2004. While living in Addison, TX, she ventured into the political arena, serving as a Councilman and then Mayor of Addison from 1985 until 1993, when she was named the city’s Woman of the Year. After choosing not to run for re-election, Spruill decided to further her education by attending law school, earning her JD/MPA joint degree from Georgia State University in her “free time.” She returned to her hometown of Starkville in 2004 to take over Spruill Property Management from her father. A year later, she became the city’s Chief Administrative Officer for Mayor Dan Camp and then for Mayor Parker Wiseman. Spruill is now halfway through her second term as the Mayor of Starkville, while also overseeing more than 350 apartments in town as the Managing Partner of Spruill Property Management. Spruill’s involvement in the local community extends beyond her professional roles. She actively participates in various organizations, serving as a board member for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, the Starkville Community Theater and Volunteer Starkville. She generously supports various causes, especially the Oktibbeha County Humane Society (OCHS). “Lynn is an incredible advocate for the animals of our community and is a huge supporter of the Oktibbeha County Humane Society,” says Rick Welch, OCHS Board President and owner of Starkville-based Rick’s Café. “She donates a lot of her time, efforts and funds to our various causes and events throughout each year. I can’t remember an event that she has not attended. Quite often she will also take a personal interest in specific animals that come into our care, as well as specific projects and needs that our shelter may face.”

Photo by Kathy Kenne

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First, Spruill discovered a passion for serving the greater good.

Enrolling in the MSU College of Business in 1971, Spruill aimed to join the Air Force ROTC with dreams of flying in the U.S. Air Force. Despite her readiness, the Air Force wasn’t ready for female aviators at that time. Undeterred, Spruill found a welcoming opportunity in the U.S. Navy, becoming part of the second class of eight female student pilots. Her ultimate goal was to become a commercial airline pilot, but her Navy service revealed two defining aspects of her character.

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Starkville, like any college town, depends on its local university as its cultural and economic engine. At the same time, MSU depends on Starkville to provide housing, restaurants and shopping options that appeal to students, faculty, staff and alumni. Finding that perfect town and gown balance is sometimes tricky, even between MSU and Starkville. However, that relationship is arguably the best it has ever been, according to someone who should know: MSU President Dr. Mark Keenum. “I have said many times that what is good for Starkville is good for Mississippi State University, and vice versa. In that regard, it has been a pleasure to work with Mayor Spruill to help move our university and our community forward together,” states Keenum. “We communicate often to share ideas and discuss issues of mutual interest. I believe our town and gown relationship is as strong today as it has ever been, and I appreciate the role she has played in this partnership. I value her leadership and her friendship.” Spruill echoes that sentiment.

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“When Dr. Keenum became President [of the University], I felt an immediate change,” she shares. “The stronger Mississippi State is, the stronger we are. The unprecedented growth at the University and in our community is a direct result of the positive, synergistic relationship between Starkville and MSU.” When Spruill first ran for mayor, she won by a handful of votes. When she ran for re-election four years later, she was unopposed, perhaps the biggest compliment an elected official can get. Though she believes in term limits, she is contemplating a third term. “COVID really delayed completing my agenda, so I’m giving serious thoughts to one more term,” she notes. Whether or not she decides to run again, she will have already left an impressive legacy, one that includes bringing her beloved university closer to her beloved community.

Mayor Lynn Spruill (row 2, fourth from left) spoke at the COB’s Beta Gamma Sigma induction ceremony in 2019. Photo by Emily Daniels

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A third-generation Bulldog and two-time MSU graduate, Cynthia Anne “Cyndi” Tucker is MSU’s 2023 COB Alumnus of the year. Tucker, shown here with MSU President Dr. Mark Keenum, earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1977 and an MBA in 1978. She retired as Director of Business Development and Emerging Technologies of ConocoPhillips, where she spent her 35 years in progressive technology information and development-related roles. Tucker began with Conoco in Ponca City, OK, in the information technology department and later moved into operations, focusing on a variety of downstream activities, including refining optimization, trucking management and crude sales. In 1998, she relocated with her family to Russia, where she oversaw and managed crude sales, transportation and health and environmental safety. The Tuckers returned to the U.S. in 2000, and she continued in progressive roles focused on areas from marketing and freight to sales and contract negotiations. Today, the Aberdeen, MS, native serves on the COB Executive Advisory Board and is a longtime Bulldog Club member. Tucker has also helped fund student scholarships for over 20 years.

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COB Alumnus of the Year

Albert C. Clark received MSU’s highest alumni honor when named 2023 National Alumnus of the Year. Clark, a 1965 business administration graduate, is President and CEO of C.C. Clark Inc., a regional beverage distributor, and Vice President of Clark Distributing Co. He has served on the boards of BancorpSouth Bank, Inc. and First Federal Bank for Savings and is current President of the Gulf State Canners, Inc. board. Clark is a longtime member of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership and has given his time to the Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority board, Starkville Rotary Club and Starkville Chamber of Commerce. The 2004 COB Alumnus of the Year was named among the College’s Centennial Top 100 Alumni in 2015 and has been recognized as a “Living Legend” by the Coca-Cola Bottlers Association. He is a board member and past President of the MSU Foundation. He and wife Glenda, also an MSU graduate, have generously provided for student scholarships and faculty support, as well as the COB, athletics, facilities and other initiatives.

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MSU National Alumnus of the Year

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news briefs COB Alumni Fellow

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1992 marketing graduate Benji Nelson (pictured with Dean Scott Grawe) was selected to share his experience and wisdom with MSU students as the COB’s 2023 Alumni Fellow. Having grown up at Jackson’s Live Oaks Golf Club, where his father was pro and part owner, it’s no surprise that he developed a love for golf that brought him to Mississippi State as a player and that has subsequently driven his career. As a competitor, he played in the 1991 NCAA Championship Finals and in 1995 clinched the Mississippi Golf Association Amateur Championship. Now, he is an owner of Ben Nelson Golf & Outdoor, dealing in golf carts and related utility vehicles at three locations in Mississippi and Tennessee. Nelson has served as President of the Mississippi Golf Association and of Annandale Golf Club and is a supporter of the charity First Tee of Central Mississippi. An M Club member since his student days, he is actively involved with his alma mater, serving on the COB Executive Advisory Board and the Bulldog Club board.

MSU Grads Score Tops on CPA Exam At its 2023 annual conference, the Mississippi Society of CPAs celebrated two recent Bulldog graduates for scoring the highest in the state on the 2022 CPA exam. Karis Pannell, a Tax Associate with Tupelo’s Byrne Zizzi CPAs, received the MSCPA’s Fred T. Neely Gold Medal for the top score. Gelsey Guerra, an Audit Assistant for Deloitte in St. Louis, MO, was awarded the T.E. Lott Silver Medal for the second-highest result. Adkerson School of Accountancy Director Dr. Shawn Mauldin, noting that the duo’s scores are a clear indication of the quality of MSU’s accounting programs, adds, “Karis and Gelsey are great ambassadors for what an accounting degree from Mississippi State University can do for your career.” Pannell graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2021 and a master of accountancy with a minor in data analytics in 2022. Guerra graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

PGA Recognizes Scott Adam Scott, Director of the PGA Golf Management program and MSU Golf Course Operations, was named the recipient of the 2023 Gulf States PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award. This award bestows special recognition annually on a PGA professional who has shown outstanding integrity, commitment to mentoring fellow PGA professionals in improving their employment situations and involvement in community and charitable activities. Scott (third from left) was recognized among his peers in Louisiana and Mississippi in December, alongside fellow MSU alumni Ryan Mundine, Assistant of the Year; Matt Williamson, Professional of the Year and Bobby Flanagan, Chapter Assistant of the Year.

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Two recent College of Business PhD graduates won awards for their outstanding work as graduate students. Haley Hardman (right), marketing, was recognized as Graduate Research Assistant of the Year, and Vitaliy Skorodziyevskiy (left), management, was named the Donald Zacharias Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year at MSU.

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MSU Honors COB PhD Students

Adkerson Honored College of Business alumnus Richard C. Adkerson (center) was honored for his contributions to Mississippi State University during the Mississippi State Homecoming football game; surrounding him were (from left) Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill, MSU President Mark Keenum, MSU Athletic Director Zac Selmon and Dean Scott Grawe. Adkerson’s impactful donation to the newly renovated Humphrey Coliseum is a testament to his commitment to fostering excellence. His support extends to education as well, including the establishment of the Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy in 2007. In October, Adkerson was also honored with induction into the National Mining Hall of Fame. Adkerson is the Chairman and CEO of Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., one of the world’s largest publicly traded copper producers, as well as a founding member and past Chair of the International Council on Mining and Metals. The College of Business is grateful for this accomplished alumnus’ continuous support and generosity.

Two of our College of Business students proudly represented Mississippi State University on the 2023 Homecoming Court! This year’s Homecoming King Cole Ray is a senior marketing and supply chain logistics double major from Indian Springs, AL, and Senior Maid Rachel Carpenter is a business administration and political science double major from Corinth, MS.

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news briefs Welcome, 2023 New College of Business Faculty and Staff!

Janice Benggio

Sara Campbell-Vick, PhD

Nicholas Cicone, PhD

Ricky Clifton

Instructor/Counselor B2B Revenue Readiness Program

Assistant Clinical Professor of Information Systems Department of Management & Information Systems

Assistant Professor of Accountancy Adkerson School of Accountancy

Employer Engagement Coordinator Graduate Programs in Business

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Laurie Ereddia, PhD

Paula Gast

Scott Grawe, PhD

Terrence Green

Assistant Professor of Accountancy Adkerson School of Accountancy

Academic Records Assistant College of Business Academic Advising Center

Dean and Professor of Supply Chain Logistics

Project Manager, Cowork at the Hub MSU Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach

Anna Henson

Rob Jenkins

Allison “Allie” Pilgrim

Kristal Tate

Recruiting & Events Coordinator Graduate Programs in Business

Senior Director of Development College of Business Dean’s Office

Instructor I Adkerson School of Accountancy

Advancement Coordinator College of Business Dean’s Office

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Mississippi State has been awarded $150,000 by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to bolster the University’s work in Vicksburg, MS, which supports the launch, growth and scale of STEM/research-anddevelopment-focused small businesses.

Retirement

Insurance Day Hosts “Lone Survivor” The MSU Risk Management & Insurance Program hosted its 35th Annual Insurance Day program April 4-5, featuring keynote speaker Marcus Luttrell. Luttrell, shown at left with students, is a Purple Heart recipient and the best-selling author of Lone Survivor. Set during the War in Afghanistan, the book tells the true account of his Navy SEAL team, ambushed by the Taliban during Operation Redwing. For more than 30 years, MSU Insurance Day has attracted hundreds of insurance professionals, offering continuing education hours on industry topics such as life, cyber, home, health, flood, property and employment practice insurance and ethics.

Dr. Sharon L. Oswald led MSU’s College of Business as Dean beginning in 2011, steering it through an era of growth in academic programs and support for entrepreneurship. With a career spanning over 30 years as an educator and administrator, she has made an impact on countless students and faculty alike. Prior to joining the MSU faculty ranks, Oswald spent 24 years as a faculty member at Auburn University, including 12 years as the Management Department Head. Her primary research areas included entrepreneurship and international healthcare management. Our College of Business family is thankful for her 12 years of leadership and her tireless effort in advancing Mississippi State’s College of Business on a national scale. Best wishes for a long and happy retirement!

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Partners in the award include MSU’s Office of Technology Management (OTM), Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach (E-Center) and Institute for Systems Engineering Research (ISER). External partners include Innovate Mississippi, the University of Southern Mississippi’s Office of Innovation Management, the Mississippi Small Business Development Center and the Thad Cochran Mississippi Center for Information and Technology. Shown are (from left) ISER Director Reed Mosher, ISER Associate Director Pattie Duett, OTM Senior Program Manager Tasha Bibb and E-Center Senior Project Manager Ryan Gilbrech.

The cash prize is from the SBA’s 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, marking the second time this year MSU has been awarded funds in the contest. Winners were selected through a multi-tier review panel process by experts in entrepreneurship, business, innovation and strategic planning.

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SBA Funds Vicksburg Accelerator Work

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Reveille 25 Honors Young Alumni College of Business alumni Chasten McCrary, Victor C. Warnsley, II and Feifei Zeng were honored among the 2023 recipients, shown here, of The Reveille 25 Award at a banquet in March. Launched in the fall of 2021, The Reveille 25 seeks to highlight the remarkable accomplishments of the University’s young alumni. The familiar name of the program derives from MSU’s former yearbook, The Reveille, which chronicled student life throughout the institution’s history, and it pays tribute to the University’s foundational military history.

Endowed Position Honors Mallory The College of Business is proud to announce the establishment of the Lewis F. Mallory, Jr. Banking Lecturer in Residence position in the Department of Finance and Economics. This endowed position was created to honor the legacy of the 1965 alumnus, who enjoyed a storied career in the banking industry in Mississippi and beyond. He served as CEO of Cadence Bank for 33 years and in 2008 was appointed as the representative for the Federal Reserve’s Eighth District to serve on the Federal Advisory Council. After retiring from Cadence in 2011, Mallory taught bank management to business students in the position that is now endowed in his honor. He made a difference in the lives of many before passing the torch to Frank Appleby. Appleby, who grew up in Mississippi, is the first to hold the Mallory title. He came to this role after over 35 years in the banking industry in Chicago, building a successful community bank that he eventually sold at full market value. Like Mallory, Appleby brings a wealth of practical experience to the classroom, preparing our students for careers in asset and liability management, investments, risk management, financial accounting, credit analysis and administration, lending, regulatory compliance and supervision and bank regulation and examination. Shown here are (from left) Lewis Mallory, Finance and Economics Department Head Dr. Kathleen Thomas and Frank Appleby.

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Two risk management and insurance students participated in the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) internship experience over the summer. Seniors Jackson Joyner (right) and Russ Sceroler (left) were among 25 students selected after a rigorous interview process to complete a five week underwriting internship and a four week brokerage internship rotation. After completing their internships, both were selected as Top 10 interns, which earned them spots to attend WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego in September. At Marketplace, the Top 10 interns competed to be among two selected for the J.H. Blades Scholars London experience. Joyner received this distinction and will complete his London internship in June.

Select Program Taps Insurance Students

Four COB students received the Spirit of State Award in April. The Spirit of State Award honors those who have excelled in campus involvement and service to the University and have made impacts on their peers and the broader campus community. Congratulations to (clockwise from top left) Jack Camilleri, Kennedy Guest, Rucell Harris and Shivangi Nakoom – each pictured with MSU President Dr. Mark Keenum and Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Regina Hyatt.

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An Impact on Campus Life

67 MIS Conference Room Renovated On November 3, the Management and Information Systems (MIS) Department hosted a ribbon cutting for its newly renovated Dunn Conference Room in 306 McCool Hall. Taking part were (from left) COB Senior Director of Development Rob Jenkins, COB Director of Development Stephen Lack, management alumnus Durward Dunn, III, engineering alumna Catherine Dunn, MIS Department Head Dr. Laura Marler and Dean Scott Grawe. The MIS Department is already benefiting from the remodeled facility. Our PhD students attend most of their classes in the room and will now have an improved experience with updated technology and plenty of glass board space for their ideas. Our faculty regularly have meetings in the conference room and continue to comment on its functionality and space. We are grateful for the generosity of the Dunn family and are proud to house the Dunn Conference Room in the Department of Management and Information Systems.

news briefs In Memoriam Hardy Thompson Brumfield (April 8, 2023)

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Born April 29, 1967, to Bruce and Margaret Harris Brumfield, Hardy was the youngest of four brothers. His close-knit family and the people of his beloved Mississippi Delta shaped him. Like his brothers, he found a new home at Mississippi State and with Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Brumfield graduated summa cum laude in agricultural economics. A 30-plus year career at the Chicago Board of Trade included eight years as the largest volume trader in 10-year note futures. Brumfield also became involved in various technological, agricultural, environmental and healthcare initiatives. In 2014, he founded Rolling B Ranch, a registered Angus and commercial cattle operation, making him a third-generation cattleman. His hard work and generous spirit live on through the Brumfield GenRev Foundation. He and wife Amy, in their 20-year union, were blessed with three children.

George W. Bryan, Sr. (January 6, 2023) A 1968 business administration alumnus, George W. Bryan, Sr. was a legendary business leader and visionary real estate and golf community director. Prior to college, Bryan began his career at Bryan Foods, his family’s meat products manufacturing company that was acquired by Sara Lee Corporation in 1968. He ultimately served as Chief Executive Officer of Sara Lee Foods and Chairman and Director of the American Meat Institute before retiring in 2000. He and wife Marcia co-founded and owned Old Waverly Golf Club, host to the 1999 U.S. Women’s Open, and Bryan later co-founded Mossy Oak Golf Club; the two facilities are home to the MSU golf programs. Bryan supported multiple athletic and academic causes at his alma mater including the Bryan Athletic Administration Building. He was the COB’s 1992 Alumni Fellow and 1996 Alumnus of the Year and served on its Executive Advisory Board. He was MSU’s 2000 National Alumnus of the Year and a Foundation board member. Bryan also served the United Way and Boy Scouts of America and was a Regions Bank board member. Honors included being named an “Outstanding Mississippian” by the governor and posthumous induction to the Mississippi Golf Association Hall of Fame.

Hassell H. Franklin (January 22, 2023) Hassell H. Franklin, a 1959 MSU graduate with a degree in industrial management (then under the College of Business), was the founder, Chairman and CEO of Franklin Corporation, one of the largest privately owned furniture manufacturers in the country. The Lee County native served in the Mississippi National Guard and the U.S. Army, commanding the company that protected James Meredith during the 1962 integration of the University of Mississippi. Franklin served on the boards of BancorpSouth, North Mississippi Health Services, the CREATE Foundation, the Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi and other organizations. He was former President of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association and past Director of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association and the Mississippi Economic Council. He was elected to the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame, inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame and recognized with the Mississippi World Trade Center’s Tozzoli International Leadership Award. The 1995 MSU Alumnus of the Year served on the Foundation Board and the COB Executive Advisory Board and as President of the Bulldog Club. He established a $1 million endowment at MSU for the Franklin Furniture Institute, and in the fall of 2020, he received an honorary doctorate in recognition of lifetime achievements and longtime support of MSU.

Dr. Larry R. White (September 1, 2023) Dr. Larry R. White, former Associate Professor Emeritus of Finance, was raised in Starkville, graduating from Starkville High School before earning a BA in economics at Mississippi State. He was awarded an MBA in 1975 and a PhD in 1985 from the University of Georgia. A Vietnam-era veteran, White received a commission in the U.S. Navy, serving more than 32 years on active duty and in the Navy Reserves and retiring at the rank of captain. Following a brief career in commercial banking, White launched his academic career at the University of South Alabama, where he created a banking concentration, developing and teaching all bankingspecific courses. He then returned to MSU, serving as a finance Professor, Director of the Banking Excellence Program and Chair of Real Estate. He was assigned emeritus status upon his retirement in June 2007. In July 2007, White was appointed the John H. Poteat Chair of Banking, Professor of Finance and Director of the Center for Banking at East Tennessee State University, positions held until his retirement from ETSU in 2022.

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n Mike Pornovets, Counselor & Instructor for the B2B Revenue Readiness Program and VBOC, was named the 2023 SBA Mississippi Veteran Small Business Champion. The Mississippi SBA recognized Pornovets for his commitment to serving fellow veterans with business counseling and assistance.

n Dr. Chris Boone, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Logistics, and Dr. Stephen France, Associate Professor of Quantitative Analysis, are completing a $315,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration with their project entitled “A36-Urban Mobility: Safety Standards, Aircraft Certification and Impact on Market Feasibility and Growth Potentials.” It is part of a $1.2 million effort involving four Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence schools, including Mississippi State University.

n Joseph K. Sims (BS management ’72 ) has joined Butler Snow, LLP’s Regulatory and Government Relations practice as a Senior Government Relations Adviser. Throughout his career, he has been involved in energy projects, and he served as President of the MidContinent Oil and Gas Association for more than 25 years. He was previously Legislative Chairman of Mississippians for Economic Progress and served as Principal with a nationally recognized government affairs firm and in his own practice.

n Dr. Jim Chrisman is currently listed among the World’s Best Business and Management Scientists by Research.com. The Julia Bennett Rouse Endowed Professor in Management is ranked 22nd in the nation and 35th in the world.

n MSU student Derrick Stanley was named a Science Spectrum Trailblazer at the 2023 BEYA STEM Conference. Award recipients demonstrate outstanding performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Stanley received his MS in Industrial & Systems Engineering (ISE) from MSU in 2017 and is now dually enrolled as a PhD student in ISE and in the MBA program.

n Ted Duckworth (BBA real estate and mortgage ’88 ) and John Michael Holtmann (BBA management ’06 ), along with colleague Breck Hines, have launched Concord Companies, a commercial real estate brand encompassing six entities. The company operates across the Southeast and builds on the success of the founders’ commercial real estate careers. n Kevin M. Gustin (BBA marketing ’91) has been named Vice President for Marketing for Rexel USA, one of the country’s largest distributors of electrical products, data communication and related supplies. A member of the MSU Marketing Advisory Board, Gustin will be responsible for U.S. marketing activities across all Rexel USA companies. n Dr. Lu He, Instructor of Supply Chain Management, and Dr. Chris Boone, Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management, were awarded a 2023 Ottilie Schillig Special Teaching Projects Grant. Sponsored by MSU’s Center for Teaching and Learning, the Schillig Grant program provides financial support to encourage new ideas for improving undergraduate teaching. He and Boone’s grant will fund a trip to a supply chain facility to provide students with a contextual experience that will enhance their understanding and application of key supply chain concepts. n Todd Hunt (BBA management ’90 ) received the Ray Ward Award from the Venue Management School (VMS) of the International Association of Venue Managers, considered one of the best professional education programs in the field. Hunt is Senior Vice President of Venue Coalition, a live entertainment consulting company, and has served as a VMS instructor since 2014. He previously was Director of Humphrey Coliseum and Athletic Concessions at MSU. n Jim Koerber (BS banking and finance ’74 ) has co-authored chapters for the seventh edition of The Comprehensive Guide to Economic Damages. His work explores economic damages from personal injury and wrongful death and determining damages in common-law employment matters. He is a Director with EAG Gulf Coast, LLC, responsible for valuation and litigation services for attorneys, CPAs and their clients.

n Paul T. Sullivan, a Business Information Systems senior with a minor in theater, won the Vectorworks Award in Design, Technology and Management at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region IV awards ceremony. His award includes a professional license for industry-standard drafting software Vectorworks valued at $3,000. n Mary L. Vaughn (BBA business information systems ’00; MS instructional technology ’01) earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National College Testing Association in recognition of numerous contributions and extensive support of the nonprofit organization. She is in her 37th year at Mississippi State and serves as Associate Director of the University’s Computer-Based Testing Center. n Gary L. Walker (BAcc ’71) was appointed by Governor Tate Reeves to serve on the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy. He is a partner at Lyle, Walker & Co., PA in Ridgeland, MS. n In a newly published study of more than 8,000 cybersecurity articles found in the leading computer science and information systems journals, the authors found that MSU’s Dr. Merrill Warkentin is coauthor of four of the top 30 and nine of the top 115 most influential scientific cybersecurity articles published from 1996 to 2021, based on citations in the Web of Science database. Warkentin is the James J. Rouse Endowed Professor of Information Systems and a William L. Giles Distinguished Professor of Information Systems. n MSU student Kaelin Wincek was named the 2023 Marketing Advisory Board Student of the Year. Wincek is from Fishers, IN, and is currently pursuing a degree in marketing with a concentration in integrated digital marketing and a double minor in supply chain logistics and foreign language.

M I S S I S S I P P I STAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

n Lisa Adcock Berryhill (BAcc ’03, MAcc ’04 ) has been promoted to Record to Report Global Collaborations Lead at Pfizer, Inc., where she leads the global accounting functions for royalties and alliance revenue. She was previously the Record to Report Accounting Project Lead for the COVID-19 vaccine.

n Associate Professor of Accountancy Dr. Nathan Berglund was honored with the 2023 Faculty Teaching Award for the College of Business.

n Chase McPherson (BBA business information systems ’13 ) joined Community Bank’s Tupelo office as a Senior Vice President. A veteran of the industry, he works to manage and grow consumer and commercial loans as well as deposit relationships in north Mississippi. He is a graduate of the Mississippi School of Banking and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. McPherson is President of the Lee County chapter of the MSU Alumni Association.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

n In August, Inc. announced that Glo ranks among its “Inc. 5000” as one of America’s fastest growing private companies. Chief Creative Officer Anna Barker (BBA marketing ’17 ) and CEO Hagan Walker, also an MSU alumnus, worked with the Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach while in college to bring their startup to life. In 2022, the company was valued at nearly $20 million.

n Jan Lewis (BAcc ’85 ) was elected to the American Institute of CPAs’ (AICPA) Board of Directors last spring. Lewis is a Tax Partner with Haddox Reid Eubank Betts, PLLC in Jackson. She has previously served on the Mississippi Society of CPAs’ (MSCPA) Board of Governors as an officer of the Central Chapter and as President of the Society. Lewis is a member of the MSCPA’s Long Range Planning Committee and served as the MSCPA’s elected representative to the AICPA Council. Lewis currently serves on the Adkerson School of Accountancy Advisory Council.

ASSETS

n Shannon Arick, a client of the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) at MSU, won the 2023 Small Business Administration (SBA) Mississippi Rural Small Business of the Year award. Arick is the owner of Bits N Pieces, LLC, a woman-veteran owned business in West Point, MS, dealing in antiques, arts and crafts, architectural items, furniture and local artisan creations. Arick attended MSU’s Boots to Business (B2B) Introduction to Entrepreneurship training and continues to receive VBOC counseling.

Mississippi State University College of Business P.O. Box 5288, Mississippi State, MS 39762

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Dividends Magazine, 2023-24 Edition

Articles inside

News Briefs

News Briefs

News Briefs

News Briefs

News Briefs

Mayor in Motion

Coming Full Circle

Sewing for Survival

One to Watch

A Quest for Knowledge

Experiencing the Biggest Retail Operation on the Planet

Making It Work at Work

A Tech Magician

Learning Leadership at the Top Level

Highlights in Generosity A Message from the Director of Development

Workspace Fosters Innovation and Community

Building a Case for Leader Political Behavior

The Business of Country Music

Teaching and Employing the Visually Impaired

Time, Talent and Treasure

A New Era