Foundations Spring 2018

MISSISSIPPI STATE marks 140th YEAR as Infinite Impact continues

CONTENTS

Features

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An Infinite Impact continues Paw power Leading the way Inspiring success

News

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Morris creates fellowships for MSU Adkerson School Hail State Giving tops expectations Rankin forestry association grows student scholarship Exclusive mobile app ready for all Bulldogs Foundation fills three key fundraising posts Parker memorialized with MSU agronomy scholarship

NOTES: Vice

Sections

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President for Development and Alumni NOTES: Executive Director of Development PROFILE: Mary Jo and Paul Karre BOARD: 2018 Officers and Members

EDITOR

Amy Cagle DESIGNER MISSISSIPPI STATE marks 140th YEAR as Infinite Impact continues

Erin Norwood WRITERS

Amy Cagle, Keri Collins Lewis, Addie Mayfield, Jack McCarty, Abby Ready and John P. Rush PHOTOGRAPHERS

Megan Bean, Russ Houston, Tom Thompson and Beth Newman Wynn EDITORIAL BOARD

Cathy Lammons and John P. Rush

ON THE COVER

MSU marks 140 years of Bulldog pride and progress as it celebrates the anniversary of its Feb. 28, 1878, founding as a land-grant institution.

Cover photo

by Megan Bean

Foundations is published two times per year by the Mississippi State University Foundation. Please send comments and questions to P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762-6149 or phone 662.325.1006.

The Mississippi State University Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization that assists the university in accomplishing its goals and mission by cultivating and soliciting private support and ensuring stewardship for all contributions benefitting Mississippi State University.

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law is prohibited. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Compliance and Integrity, 56 Morgan Avenue, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, 662.325.5839.

N OT E S

Keep MSU at the forefront of giving

JOHN P. RUSH Vice President for Development and Alumni

The tax reform of 2017 has had many in the nonprofit world spinning the last few months. While we are fully supportive of any effort to allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned wages, we remain watchful on what intended and unintended consequences of the new legislation may be for charities across the United States—and certainly here at MSU. Nationally, experts have predicted significant declines in charitable giving.

Locally, we have been focusing on a few key components of the legislation: doubling of the standard deduction, new excise tax on endowments, and repeal of the 80/20 rule for athletics. Previously, over 30 percent of American households filed itemized deductions on their tax returns. With the doubling of the standard deduction, early predictions state that as few as 5 to 10 percent of households may itemize going forward. At MSU, over 16,500 donors made gifts in fiscal year 2017 of $10,000 or less. It is believed that many of these donors may have itemized in the past and may no longer have a need to do so. While these donors could be of any age, it is likely that most are younger alumni who are just now exploring their own charitable interests. Ideally, we would like to have a long relationship with these alumni, whereby they are providing support on an annual basis.

The athletic changes have drawn the greatest debate. Previously, donors to athletics received an 80 percent deduction for gifts if, as a part of the gift, the donor received a right to purchase tickets for seating at an athletic event. The remaining 20 percent was treated as the value of the right and no deduction was allowed. Under current law, no deduction is given for the right to purchase tickets for seating. However, any gift that is truly philanthropic in nature, such as capital gifts to stadium renovations that do not provide this benefit, is now 100 percent deductible. What is not clear is how gifts that have traditionally received “points� and are above the seating minimum will be treated. The IRS may issue some guidance to clarify this issue. However, we are working with our colleagues across the SEC as well as the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and other national groups to create a more concise guiding document for how these gifts can and should be handled moving forward. In the near term, we appreciate your patience.

While these are interesting times for nonprofits and higher education, certain issues remain clear and vital to our core efforts. Mississippi lags behind nationally in the percentage of college graduates. And, Mississippi State University continues to be the choice institution in our state for enrolling Mississippians. Additionally, we have a higher enrollment of Pell-grant students than our SEC peers. As a result, we are providing opportunities for more native sons and daughters of the Magnolia State to reach their goals of a better life and future. Thank you for your continued support in helping us enable those students to reach their dreams!

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Bagley College engineers for the future As one of only some 40 named engineering colleges in the nation, Mississippi State University’s James Worth Bagley College of Engineering is forging its path through innovation, creativity and discovery. The college is home to eight high-performing academic departments, 10 well-respected certificate programs, and is ranked among the best engineering colleges in the nation.

As the demand for highly-prepared engineers grows, the need to offer greater educational opportunities to compete in a global marketplace brings attention to the Bagley College. At Mississippi State, the college’s goal is to provide the highest quality educational and research environment that supports, cultivates and fosters talented students and faculty to discover new knowledge and technology for the benefit of our society.

Bright students and top-notch faculty are paving the way to the future by creating new products and procedures to solve the challenges of the 21st century. With cuttingedge research and creativity, the Bagley College will not only imagine what is to come, but provide the knowledge and technology to transform concepts into reality, ideas into efficiency, and inspiration into application, while enhancing human health, energy production, transportation systems, environmental issues and more along the way.

Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State University Campaign is transforming education for a new generation of engineers. By providing more scholarships and faculty support, academic and program enhancements, and better facilities for research and creativity, Infinite Impact will allow the Bagley College to push toward the upper echelon of engineering education.

Every day, the Bagley College also positively impacts lives with outreach and economic development. The college works with many industries to solve problems in our state, region and nation. Its current research efforts include engineering for energy, human health enhancement, information and decision systems, material science and engineering, transportation and vehicular systems, and water and the environment.

By supporting outreach programs, alumni and friends will help the university engage teachers and students in engineering and

scientific studies, as well as serve the state’s population by providing greater educational opportunities for citizens. The results of these programs will not only be measured by a stronger educational foundation for engineering students, but will also be seen in school districts throughout the state.

Beyond the state, region and nation, Infinite Impact is positioning the Bagley College and Mississippi State to compete on an international stage and provide critical resources for its ascent to the next level of success.

For MSU graduates to compete and perform in diverse cultures and environments, they must be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for the global economy.

Infinite Impact will provide the energy and momentum to propel the Bagley College’s students and faculty to the forefront of international excellence and recognition and provide long-term benefits to the university’s educational and research efforts.

Alumni and friends can support the Bagley College with gifts through Infinite Impact. Select giving opportunities include the following areas.

Endowed Academic Units

A chief ambition of Infinite Impact is to attract donors who are eager to follow the lead of engineering alumnus James W. Bagley and his wife, Jean, of Trophy Club, Texas. Their generous $25 million perpetual endowment helped the college forge a pioneering path for the future.

Another engineering alumnus, the late Dave Swalm, endowed an academic unit within the college. The Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering has gained a tremendous reputation for excellence. Additional named schools and departments with endowment-level gifts will bring an incomparable level of prestige and differentiate the Bagley College among those at peer institutions.

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Minimum endowment levels exist for schools, departments, centers and institutes. A gift of at least $5 million will endow a school or department, while $2.5 million will endow a university-wide center or institute. Additionally, a college-based or unit-based center or institute can be endowed with a $1 million gift.

Endowed Chairs and Professorships

Faculty members who engage in applied research and create activities that complement students’ learning experiences are invaluable assets to the university. With a growing student population, the Bagley College must attract distinguished scientists and researchers by offering salaries that are competitive with peer institutions. Mississippi State must also recognize accomplishments and support teaching and research endeavors in order to retain expert faculty.

Through Infinite Impact, the Bagley College seeks to create additional professorships in every major academic area and appoint faculty with the potential to receive national and international distinction in their fields. Endowed faculty positions also afford opportunities to invest added resources in a promising field or discipline.

Naming opportunities for chairs and professorships are available throughout the Bagley College. Further endowments will enable the Bagley College to strengthen its faculty base with more chairs and professorships and provide funds to supplement teaching and research efforts in areas of need.

Endowed chair designation is linked to a select faculty position filled by an outstanding scholar and teacher, as judged by rigorous, nationally accepted standards. These high-caliber faculty are catalysts for research and differencemakers in the laboratories and classrooms of the university, helping Mississippi State attract other resources for its mission. Named professorships typically are held by faculty members whose accomplishments indicate potential for national

and international leadership and distinction in their fields, and whose current efforts are focused on honing teaching skills and establishing a superior record of research or other scholarly activity.

Minimum levels for endowed faculty positions are $1.5 million for an endowed chair, $500,000 for a professorship, and $100,000 for an endowed faculty fellowship. All of these carry opportunities to link the names of contributors with these prime faculty positions.

New and Renovated Facilities

As the Bagley College has grown, its need for additional facilities for learning and research has increased. A major initiative of Infinite Impact is to build new facilities for engineering and science education.

A new home for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will be built with a cornerstone gift from Richard A. Rula, a 1970 MSU civil engineering alumnus and president of Hemphill Construction Company.

The estimated 61,000-square-foot complex will feature a high bay infrastructure research laboratory, a student projects room and several laboratories for student instruction. The stateof-the-art facility will also include classrooms to support the university’s nationally-ranked distance education program. Dedicated research and teaching labs will support the department’s technical strengths in the areas of construction, environmental, geotechnical, materials, structural, transportation, and water resources engineering, as well as space to support the chemistry instructional needs of the university.

Scholarships and Graduate Fellowships

The Bagley College’s first responsibility is to provide an outstanding education to students from every segment of the world’s population.

Infinite Impact seeks to offset financial challenges by providing additional scholarship support to recruit and retain the finest young people who choose to attend Mississippi State. Annual and

endowed scholarships can assist students who do not otherwise have the means to pay for college, as well as reward high academic achievers.

Likewise, graduate fellowships can help the college attract the best graduate students nationally in all fields of study. Since many students incur the burden of student loans during their undergraduate years, they are in need of fellowships as a means of supporting themselves with competitive stipends in order to pursue a graduate education. It is primarily graduate students who are delving into research areas that will have a meaningful influence on our world.

In the Bagley College, endowed scholarships begin with gifts of $25,000. Graduate fellowships start at $250,000, while post-doctoral fellowships begin with $300,000 gifts.

An infinite impact begins now.

Infinite Impact supporters can join this exciting journey as the Bagley College name becomes synonymous with engineering education and research at its best. An infusion of support of this magnitude will allow Mississippi State to not only provide a top-flight engineering education, but also offer resources for research and discovery that lead to innovative solutions for critical global issues.

Alumni and friends can learn more about Bagley College priorities by contacting Bennett Evans, the college’s director of development, at bevans@foundation.msstate.edu or 662.325.0386.

More on the Bagley College and its strategic goals is available at bagley.msstate.edu.

Infinite Impact total reaches $814 million

The Infinite Impact campaign is strengthening the work of Mississippi State University and allowing it to pursue status as one of the best all-around public universities in the nation. As March approached, $814 million was tallied for the campaign from generous supporters.

To date, 59,484 contributors have made commitments for Infinite Impact, with 25,996 of those being new donors to the university.

Over the past few years, Infinite Impact’s success has been evident in the significant growth in university scholarships, faculty-development opportunities and endowed positions.

Primary goals of Infinite Impact continue to revolve around focus areas in Mississippi State’s colleges, schools, and through important initiatives that enable the university to positively impact humanity worldwide.

Thus far in the campaign, $196.5 million has been raised for scholarships, resulting in 574 new endowed scholarships and numerous annual awards to assist students in many areas of study. Because of this support, MSU now has 1,612 endowed scholarships.

Also, 41 new endowed faculty chairs and professorships have been created with over $66 million, bringing the university's endowed positions total to 91. Additionally, $93 million has been raised for facilities, with $458.5 million designated for program and annual support. Campaign success also is evident in the growth of MSU's overall endowment.

Donors may designate gifts for the college, school, program or priority of their choosing. All gifts to Mississippi State are commitments for Infinite Impact. Visit our campaign site at www.infiniteimpactmsu.com for the latest campaign news.

Family's dedication to rescue dogs inspires student scholarships

PAW POWER H

Hannah Skurzewski was in Belize for a spring break study abroad experience when she told her parents she wasn’t interested in returning home to Wisconsin for her sophomore year. She had been accepted

by Mississippi State-a university she had never seen, but came highly recommended by a family friend. After a campus tour with her mom, Terry Skurzewski, Hannah joined the Bulldog family as a psychology major, and the entire Skurzewski family enthusiastically embraced Southeastern Conference sports.

Terry serves as a board member with the Thomas A. Plein (TAP) Foundation, which was started by her late uncle in 1987. The TAP Foundation supports educational institutions by providing financial assistance to individuals who have demonstrated financial need and have excellent academic achievement.

As an owner of three rescue dogs, Terry had ideas to help students with her same passion for canine companions through support of the TAP Foundation. In this quest, she began to think of MSU.

“Hannah had a friend in vet school at MSU, so one day I just called the College of 6

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Veterinary Medicine, and they put me through to fundraiser Jimmy Kight,” Terry recalled. “We talked about dogs and football for nearly an hour. I told him I wanted to create an endowed scholarship with an emphasis on dogs, was that possible? He said it was and drafted a proposal, which the TAP board approved.”

The TAP Foundation’s inaugural CVM scholarship supports first-year veterinary students with an interest in canine medicine who demonstrate financial need. Encouraged by that initial gift’s success, Terry worked with Kight and the TAP Foundation board again to create a scholarship for students in the veterinary medical technology program led by Dr. Allison Gardner, assistant clinical professor and director of the CVM Clinical Sciences Department.

“I met Dr. Allison Gardner, who runs the vet tech program, and she is awesome, so passionate,” Terry said. “She sold me on the program. I know from my own experience with my dogs that vet techs are amazing. They are like the nurses of the animal world.”

Terry believes the TAP Foundation scholarships serve a dual purpose for CVM.

“In the long term, many animals will get great care through the students who graduate

Above: Assistant professor Allison Gardner instructs students on canine restraint. Right: Anna Walker, Plein Scholar, of Tampa, Florida, works with a pit bull at the Wise Center, home of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

and work with them,” Terry explained. “In the short term, because the foundation criteria is based on need, I hope to see young people who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance at this type of career get to pursue an education.”

Furthermore, Terry thinks her uncle, Thomas Plein, would be happy with the MSU scholarships since the TAP Foundation is rooted in his values and beliefs as its founder.

“Education was very important to him, and he was also an animal lover,” she said.

Terry's daughter graduated from MSU in May 2018 with a degree in accountancy from the Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy in the College of Business.

Hannah has already enjoyed an internship at FedEx and two internships with Georgia Pacific. As a result of her success, Hannah accepted a job with Georgia Pacific and starts work in July. In her free time, Hannah has volunteered with local dog rescue organizations. She also worked with Terry on the scholarship proposal for the vet tech program, and she anticipates being on the TAP Foundation board someday.

“It’s truly a family at MSU,” Hannah said. “People always ask, ‘What do you need?

I can help!’ I am happy to be part of that giving community.”

Vet tech program gains momentum Educating veterinary technologists alongside veterinary students benefits all involved. At Mississippi State, that premise is growing in popularity at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

The four-year Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary medical technology has been gaining momentum since its inception in 2010. The veterinary technology program is one of only three nationally associated with a veterinary college.

CVM established the program to address the national shortage of veterinary technologists and to provide the highest standard of health care to animals and the public. Graduates from the program have already found careers in the dynamic animal health field.

“Students are now choosing MSU for the program from Illinois, Michigan, Texas and Puerto Rico, just to name a few states, along with Mississippi,” said Kent Hoblet, college dean. “The program has a 100 percent placement rate.”

Learn about creating scholarships by contacting Jimmy Kight, the college's development director, at 662.325.5893 or jkight@foundation.msstate.edu.

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Leading the way: Foundation appoints officers, incoming members

DUNCAN

LIGHTSEY

NUSZ

P RYO R

As Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State University Campaign crosses the $814 million mark, the largest fundraising endeavor in school history continues to be driven toward a $1 billion goal by the MSU Foundation and its volunteer board of directors.

Deavenport

Brannan

Taylor

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Again in 2018, the MSU Foundation is being led by Earnest W. “Earnie” Deavenport Jr. of Greenville, South Carolina, who is entering his third term as board chair. He is joined by returning 2017 officers D. Hines Brannan Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia, vice chair, and William A. “Lex” Taylor III of Louisville, treasurer. The three alumni began new one-year terms January 1.

Mississippi native Deavenport earned an MSU chemical engineering degree in 1960 and received a 2011 honorary Doctor of Science in the fields of business and engineering from the university. He is the retired chairman and CEO of Kingsport, Tennessee-based Eastman Chemical Company.

A 1970 industrial engineering graduate who earned an MBA the following year, Brannan is a retired

managing director of Accenture.

Fellow alumnus Taylor is chairman and CEO of The Taylor Group Inc. and president of Taylor Machine Works Inc. He earned a general business administration degree in 1977.

Other leadership includes John P. Rush, MSU vice president for development and alumni, who serves as board president and CEO; David Easley, executive director of finance, who is chief financial officer; and Jack McCarty, executive director of development, who serves as secretary.

All three are MSU graduates.

The Mississippi State University Foundation welcomes three new members for its 47-seat board of directors. Beginning inaugural threeyear terms are Timothy S. “Tim” Duncan of Houston, Texas, Paul J. Karre of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and Joffrey R. “Jay” Pryor of

FRANKLIN

HALL

HOLLIMAN

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STEVENS

Houston, Texas.

A 1995 petroleum engineering graduate, Duncan is president and CEO of Talos Energy LLC. Karre, who earned his BBA in management from MSU in 1974, is the retired senior vice president of human resources and communications of International Paper. And, Pryor, a 1979 petroleum engineering graduate, is vice president for business development of Chevron Corporation.

Seven alumni who have previously served are returning to the board in new three-year terms.

They are Hassell H. Franklin, David B. Hall, Wilbert G. “Mickey” Holliman Jr., Malcolm B. Lightsey Sr., M. Diane Roberts, Cynthia M. “Cindy” Stevens, and Anthony L. Wilson.

Franklin is chairman and CEO of Franklin Corporation. A 1959 management graduate, he resides in the Mississippi town of Houston.

Hall is CEO and president of Hall Timberlands. A 1999 bachelor’s of forestry and 2002 MBA graduate, he resides in Meridian.

Belden resident Holliman is the retired chairman and CEO of Furniture Brands International. He earned an industrial management degree from MSU in 1960 and was awarded an honorary doctor of science in 2017.

Ridgeland resident Lightsey is the retired president and CEO of SunTech Inc. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics

KARRE

WILSON

from MSU in 1961 and 1963, respectively.

Roberts is a retired associate professor of business of Indiana University East. A 1963 bachelor’s of zoology and 1964 master’s of zoology graduate, she resides in Louisville, Kentucky.

Stevens serves as Management Principal Government Relations for Deloitte LLP. A 1983 political science graduate, she resides in Alexandria, Virginia.

Gulfport resident Wilson is the chairman, president and CEO of Mississippi Power Company. He earned an electrical engineering degree from MSU in 1987.

Also joining the board, by virtue of position, are Bradley M. “Brad” Reeves of Ridgeland, the university’s national alumni president, and Thomas B. “Tommy” Nusz of Houston, Texas, in his first year as president of the MSU Bulldog Club. Reeves, who graduated from MSU in 2002 with a BBA in management of construction and land development, is a partner at the law firm of Randall, Segrest, Weeks, Reeves and Sones PLLC. Nusz, a 1982 MSU petroleum engineering graduate, is CEO and chairman of Houston-based Oasis Petroleum, which he co-founded.

Chartered in 1962, the MSU Foundation administers most of the campus-based fundraising activities and endowment funds.

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Inspiring success:

Boozers’ gift creates endowment for teaching scholarship A desire to impact education lies at the heart of giving for Drayton and Beverly Boozer. The Albuquerque, New Mexico couple have generously supported Mississippi State University for nearly four decades with gifts for the colleges of education and engineering.

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T

The Boozers are among the university’s most dedicated alumni, loyally giving year in and year out. Originally from the small Mississippi town of Pulaski in Scott County, they grew up together, fell in love, and attended Mississippi State. In 2017, the couple joyously marked their 50th wedding anniversary.

Another milestone will pass this May — 50 years since Beverly graduated from Mississippi State with her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education before embarking on a rewarding teaching career. In celebration, a scholarship now honors Beverly’s lifetime of steadfast devotion to education.

“My wife is a special lady, and I am very proud of her accomplishments and her determination to assist each child in a way that breaks through barriers, enabling them to develop a better quality of life through education,” said Drayton. “Beverly realizes firsthand the need for great teachers and the importance in assisting dedicated students with their college tuition. The scholarship is now part of her legacy.”

For 27 years, Beverly positively touched many lives as a teacher, with most of her experience spent in the same school, teaching mostly third grade. Multiple sclerosis eventually led to Beverly’s retirement from the Albuquerque Public School system, but her immeasurable impact as a teacher continues.

“Although I am no longer employed with a school system, I can still help students fulfill their dreams of a college education,” said Beverly. “Hopefully, recipients of my scholarship will apply themselves and retain the award for four consecutive years as they work toward a bachelor’s degree in education.”

For almost three decades, Beverly’s labor of love was apparent as she guided bright and inquisitive minds in the classroom. Her former pupils became doctors and dentists, worked in automobile companies and engineering firms, and held high-tech positions. Still others have been vital to their local communities as city officials. And, of course, some have followed

Beverly’s path and embraced teaching as a vocation.

In her home state of Mississippi, Beverly began her teaching career as a sixth-grade teacher in Ackerman. From there she taught lower elementary in Huntsville, Alabama, before returning to Mississippi and teaching for two years in Clinton. She and Drayton relocated to New Mexico in 1975.

Drayton received a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1966, 1968, and 1970, respectively from the MSU James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. He is a retired manager at Sandia National Laboratories, one of two National Nuclear Security Administration research and development laboratories, in New Mexico.

It was in New Mexico that Beverly spread her wings, first as a teacher of gifted students, and then in the mainstream classroom. All of this experience reflects her passion as she mentors exceptional students.

Beverly is proud of her long history as an educator and of her family’s deep roots in the vocation.

“Generations of the Beatty and Johnson families have proudly taught school. My grandmother was a teacher and some of her siblings were teachers,” Beverly said. “Teachers share a special bond with students, and it is that bond that manifests itself in students who push through their comfort zones.”

Future recipients of the Beverly Beatty Boozer Endowed Scholarship at Mississippi State will be Mississippi residents with preference given to students from Scott County with a 3.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale.

Scholarship applicants must be of outstanding moral character and demonstrate financial need.

“My family is tied to Scott County, and it is where Drayton and I grew up. By connecting the scholarship with that county, I hope to ensure a long line of teachers will always come from that great community,” said Beverly.

This fall, the inaugural two recipients of the Beverly Beatty Boozer Endowed Scholarship will begin their educations at Mississippi State.

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Below: Some of the pupils Beverly tutors in her home include (l-r) Caleb, Thaddeus and Anna, pictured with her before excitedly departing for the national Science Olympiad competition.

I sincerely hope the recipients of my scholarship remain in Mississippi and impact the home state we share.

Beverly Boozer

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Beverly looks forward to their selection, and the opportunity to develop a special bond with them through a shared passion for teaching.

“I sincerely hope the recipients of my scholarship make it a priority to remain in Mississippi and attract children to their classrooms and impact the home state we share,” said Beverly.

The scholarship will impact the university’s College of Education immediately and in the years to come as income from the endowment generates scholarship awards in perpetuity.

“The Boozers are placing their names among dedicated contributors who believe education positively changes the world,” said Richard Blackbourn, dean of the College of Education.

“Investing in the College of Education at Mississippi State University by creating scholarships will make an infinite impact on generations of students who will become educators, administrators, and leaders everywhere.”

In appreciation for all her MSU accounting degree has enabled her to achieve, Susan Bell Morris seeks to make available leading-edge accounting technology and ensure future students are taught in a diverse learning environment to further her profession.

Two faculty fellowships created by Morris, a partner for Ernst & Young LLP, will further the College of Business and its Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy. The Susan Bell Morris Endowed Faculty Fellowship will support a deserving and talented faculty member who is female or diverse in terms of race or ethnicity. Additionally, the Larry W. Bell Memorial Endowed Faculty Fellowship, which honors the legacy of Susan’s late father, will support faculty focused on accounting systems, tools and analytics.

“Faculty fellowships like the ones I established become key components of the circle of life that I see in a university,” said Morris. “My hope is that the Adkerson School will focus the fellowships on key needs that help differentiate our school and best support our students and curriculum with broad impact.”

As an Adkerson School of Accountancy Advisory Council member, Morris learned of the need for faculty fellowships and believed it was a fitting and lasting tribute to her father. Larry Bell enjoyed an over 32-year career as building director and civil defense director for the City of Starkville. He also was co-founder and secretary of the Mississippi Building Officials Association and president of the Southern Building Codes Congress International board. He died in 2017.

“My dad led by example and was an important role model in my life, and he and

NEWS

Morris creates fellowships for MSU Adkerson School

Larry Bell and Susan Bell Morris

my mom, Mary, were strong advocates for education,” said Morris, of Atlanta, Georgia.

At the heart of the father-daughter bond for Bell and Morris was a great affection for Mississippi State, where Morris earned an accounting degree in 1984, and her father earlier earned a 1965 general business degree. They even shared some of the same professors, albeit 20 years apart.

“I still remember specific lessons from certain professors, including Bill Simmons, a role model and local CPA, and Larry Hagler, who had worked in public accounting and shared lessons learned, to my business law professor, Flavous Hutchinson, who had also taught my Dad,” said Morris. “I’ve applied these lessons throughout my career.”

Larry Bell was well known as a member of the East Mississippi Community College board and for his 54 years of service with the Mississippi High School Activities Association.

He passionately coached and officiated sports.

“I think my Dad would be proud to know that his memory lives on through education and helping students succeed,” said Morris.

“He made a positive difference in the lives of his six children, my son and his 15 other grandchildren (half of whom attended MSU), and I think he’d like the idea that the fellowship in his name focuses on faculty who can influence the lives of many young people.”

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NEWS

Hail State giving tops expectations

For the past five years, the Mississippi State University family has looked forward to Hail State Giving Days, the philanthropy event held every spring.

The event highlights supporting the university primarily with online contributions, and for 2018 revolved around observance of MSU’s official 140th birthday.

Since MSU was founded in 1878, the event goal was to raise 1,000 donations from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends in 1,878 minutes. Over the event, 1,032 donors from 31 different states honored the beloved university with a special birthday gift. As a result, over $710,000 in gifts became part of the ongoing Infinite Impact campaign.

“We are excited and grateful to exceed our goal of desired donors again this year,” said Georgia Carter, director of annual giving for the MSU Foundation. “Hail State Giving Days gives the Bulldog faithful an exceptional opportunity to show their heartfelt pride in

MSU Foundation Ambassadors celebrate with Bully.

supporting academic colleges, schools, departments, programs, and many other areas across campus.”

Hail State Giving Days was powered by social media through #CelebrateHailState with the collaboration of the Bulldog community. The event reached a large audience thanks to numerous online volunteers. Through the website www.hailstategiving.com, 6,103 page views were recorded. In addition, the hashtag #CelebrateHailState was tweeted over 200 times, reaching over 171,885 twitter accounts with 503,082 impressions made.

Efforts from MSU alumni chapters also aided in the success by reaching in-and outof-state participants. Additionally, members of the MSU Foundation Ambassadors student organization worked diligently to engage fellow students in philanthropy efforts.

MSU President Mark E. Keenum cuts the 140th birthday cake donated by Aramark. The party was organized by the MSU Alumni Association and presented by Renasant Bank.

Giveaways, party favors and a photo booth with Bully highlighted the occasion.

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NEWS

Rankin forestry association grows student scholarship

The forestry profession is rapidly growing in Mississippi, and the Rankin County Forestry Association (RCFA) seeks to help the state’s largest university produce college graduates who will be great assets to the profession.

The RCFA has established a $25,000 scholarship endowment for forestry students in Mississippi State’s College of Forest Resources. Future recipients of the Rankin County Forestry Association Endowed Scholarship must be junior or senior-level students with an overall 2.5 grade-point average and minimum 3.0 in their major of study, among other criteria. In selection, preference will be given to a student resident of Rankin County or one with a Rankin County connection.

“The named scholarship is a way to promote the education and knowledge base essential for forestry,” said Jessie Purvis, RCFA secretary and treasurer and an MSU agricultural economics alumnus. “Investing in education of future forestry professionals is good business and will provide more professionals to help timberland owners in managing their property.”

Purvis continued, “When young people attend and graduate from Mississippi State with its wide curriculum, the forestry profession gains valuable people—some become consulting foresters, while others work in the business and related industry or wildlife areas.”

RCFA has over 200 members. The association’s membership encompasses several consulting foresters and several registered foresters employed with companies and government agencies, in

addition to many individual timberland owners with a strong desire to manage and improve their forest lands for timber growth and wildlife habitat.

“We hope to eventually provide multiple scholarships for forestry students through the endowment. Any additional support from individuals, corporations, or groups will make a huge impact,” said Purvis.

RCFA works with the Mississippi Forestry Association and others to sponsor Teachers Conservation Workshops for teachers to visit timber sites and experience other forestrelated activities. The organization also financially helps the local Future Farmers of America and 4-H forestry judging teams.

“Several forestry workshops and field days have been conducted on my timberland property,” said Purvis. “I grew up in the woods with my dad and much of my business career dealt with timberland. Even with that much background and knowledge, I use a consulting forester when I plant, harvest and manage my property, and it reflects that precision care.”

Friends of forestry are encouraged to contribute and inspire other associations to impact the education of future generations of foresters through giving to Mississippi State.

Online contributions for the Rankin County Forestry Association Endowed Scholarship can be made at www.msufoundation.com.

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NEWS

Exclusive mobile app ready for all Bulldogs

The Mississippi State University Alumni Association is launching a mobile app to engage Bulldog students and alumni in a meaningful way-reaching them right where they are!

True Maroon Bulldogs everywhere can connect to Mississippi State University through the new mobile app offered by the MSU Alumni Association.

There are over 2 billion smartphone users in the world, and in spring 2018, the MSU Alumni Association will join this global movement by offering a smartphone app available to the university’s nearly 140,000 living alumni and countless friends.

Additionally, in summer 2018, the app will become available to currently-enrolled MSU students.

The MSU app will deliver notifications to alumni that will encourage participation with the university. The app will create a virtual fence (Geofence) around a specific geographic area that will enable the user to receive messages, alerts and other MSU information within the area. This locationbased service will provide a mobile check-in at events such as tailgates, reunions, chapter events, Senior Celebration and Ring Days.

The MSU app features a virtual membership card for all alumni and students.

The card will feature a QR code that will store benefits for members.

The app is also designed to enhance the student experience at MSU. Traditions and activities will be searchable by alphabetical order or class year. This interactive app will help students to complete traditions like the “MSU Bucket List,” which can be done via 16

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pictures, video or scanning the QR code.

Completion of these activities can be shared socially, which builds on the MSU experience.

Additionally, there is a leaderboard feature that allows users to rank themselves with top performers who are also active.

“We anticipate the app will grow in popularity over time,” said Jeff Davis, executive director of the MSU Alumni Association. “It’s just another great way our association is linking graduates with the institution and keeping everything relevant to today.”

Downloading the app is easy. Here’s how: 1. Go to the App store.

2. Search for Mississippi State Alumni Association.

3. Download the app and follow three simple prompts to find and authenticate yourself.

4. On the “Let’s find you” screen, type in your name. This will take you to another page where you can click on “your name.” Once you have found yourself, the last step is to authenticate and connect with Bulldogs everywhere!

For more information about the new mobile app, visit the MSU Alumni Association website at www.alumni.msstate.edu.

NOT E S

Plan now and impact your future

JACK MCCARTY Executive Director of Development

At the MSU Foundation, our days are spent assisting alumni and friends of Mississippi State University with many interesting gift scenarios. We handle major gifts, multi-year pledges, gifts of real estate and timber, donor-advised funds, and other creative gifts for them.

A significant portion of our yearly work comes in the form of estate gifts. Wes Gordon and Susan Everett do an exceptional job in our Office of Planned Giving as they work with donors to ensure their philanthropic wishes are realized. Many of these estate gifts are deferred in nature, meaning they mature at a later date. The current impact, however, of these types of gifts has been incredible.

During the life of the Infinite Impact campaign, 71 gifts have matured for a total of $41 million realized. And, much of these proceeds are growing the university’s perpetual endowment.

For instance, the College of Veterinary Medicine’s endowment lept from $9.1 million to $16.2 million as a result of just one planned gift that matured. An additional planned gift increased the endowment to an even higher level of $20.9 million. As a result, almost $900,000 in new scholarship monies will be available each year for students in the College of Veterinary Medicine. As this endowment grows through investments, that number will continue to increase even without additional gifts. This is a monumental impact that will benefit talented and dedicated students.

In the next several years, we project $125 million will be added to various areas of Mississippi State because of planned gifts. You can easily see these gifts have a very dramatic current and future effect on our university. Questions that I would ask our alumni and friends are simple: Have you included MSU in your estate plan? If so, have you thought about your legacy and how you would like your gift to be used? Have you worked with our staff on a gift agreement and used the appropriate language in your plans?

Our dedicated development personnel work with experts in the estate planning field, such as Scott Lumpkin, retired University of Denver vice president. The MSU Foundation also has an excellent guide known as “Planning Your Legacy” that we happily share. Additionally, a carefully crafted website covers this subject at www.msugiftplanning.org. As you consider your options, a great book places estate gifts in perspective.

“Give to Live: How Giving Can Change Your Life” by Dr. Douglas Lawson is definitely worth a read. These are all places where you can learn at your own pace before visiting with us about your estate plans or your desire for planning.

Estate gifts are critical. They are also long lasting, meaningful, and obviously impactful. They matter today and tomorrow. We welcome the opportunity to solidify our partnership with you as you plan for your future and help us move toward the $1 billion mark of our current Infinite Impact campaign.

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NEWS

Foundation fills three key fundraising posts Berkery

In an effort to further fundraising priorities for Mississippi State University, the MSU Foundation has placed three veteran staff members in new roles.

Carter

Starkville native Jana Berkery became assistant director of development for the College of Business and its Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy in January. She joins Zack Harrington, a veteran fundraiser and fellow alumnus who is the college’s director of development, as the pair seek major gifts for both units.

Berkery graduated from MSU in 2005 with a degree in sports communication and a minor in marketing. She began working at her alma mater in 2011 as coordinator of annual giving for the Bulldog Club athletic fundraising organization. She also has previous higher education experience with Mississippi University for Women and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Succeeding Berkery as director of annual giving is Georgia Carter, a Canton native who assumed the position in February. In the role, she will direct fundraising efforts that typically focus on gifts made to any MSU area on a continuing basis.

Carter also will be responsible for securing annual gifts for the institution and its academic colleges through direct marketing efforts and overseeing the university’s Bulldog Calling Center. Within the center, some 20 student employees work to build partnerships and update database records for MSU graduates and friends.

Carter holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Delta State University.

Before coming to MSU, she served as a resource manager with Luckie & Company in Birmingham, Alabama, and in marketing and sales with Birmingham Printing. Her previous experience included various marketing roles with department stores including Parisian, Profitt’s and McRae’s.

The MSU Library has a new fundraiser in Trish Cunetto. She welcomed additional responsibilities with major gift fundraising for the MSU Library, one of six presidential libraries in the nation, in February. Since 2012, Cunetto has served as the College of Education director of development and will continue in that role simultaneously.

A 1986 elementary education graduate and Starkville resident, Cunetto initially joined the MSU Foundation fundraising team following an accomplished career in the classroom. A Columbus native, Cunetto was a public-school teacher for 25 years. She began her career at Lower Elementary in Quitman, then taught at West Side Elementary in West Point, before concluding her career as a kindergarten teacher at Starkville's Sudduth Elementary. She has a long list of leadership activities including service with then-Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour's Teacher Advisory Committee and the Mississippi Superintendent's Advisory Committee.

A complete list of MSU Foundation personnel and a link to the university’s Guide to Giving is online at www.msufoundation.com.

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Cunetto

Scott Parker took great pride in representing Mississippi State University and great pride in his vocation. Friends and family of the late Parker are honoring his legacy with the establishment of the Scott E. Parker Memorial Endowed Scholarship.

Parker was a 1981 graduate of MSU with a degree in agronomy and turf grass management who died in 2017. He was married to his wife, Lisa, for 30 years, and together they parented their daughter, Eloree Grace Parker.

Parker was known as one of the top golf course superintendents in Texas, and he was the golf course superintendent for Comanche Trace in Kerrville for 18 years. In appreciation for his devoted service, Comanche Trace hosted a memorial golf tournament. Proceeds from the event combined with other contributions from family and friends make the scholarship endowment possible.

At Mississippi State, the scholarship will benefit junior and senior-level students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who meet established criteria. The inaugural Parker scholar at MSU will receive $1,000 for the fall 2018 semester.

“Scott was one of those individuals you yearn to employ and everyone wanted to show their respect by participating in the effort,” said Trevor Hyde, president of Comanche Trace. “I think this is a testament not only to Scott but to the business itself.

I hope this sets a new trend with the Golf Course Superintendents Association to give back to future agronomists, the turf grass management program, and superintendents.”

Hyde, continued, “I am sure Scott is smiling and ringing his cowbell knowing

NEWS

Parker memorialized with MSU agronomy scholarship

Parker

his name is now further connected to MSU, especially in his field of work.”

Parker’s longtime friend and MSU classmate, T.D. Farris, was also instrumental in the establishment of the endowment. For the past 14 years, Farris has been the golf committee chairman of the Birmingham, Alabama MSU Alumni Chapter. He and Parker attended MSU together from 1977 to 1981.

“I was friends with Scott for over 40 years.

We met in 1977 in Garner Hall on campus where we served as resident assistants,” said Farris, a 1981 computer science graduate and Birmingham, Alabama resident employed in the life insurance software department of DXC.

Farris and Parker shared a love of golf and Bulldog football.

“We attended at least one football game together yearly and if we weren’t at a game, Scott and I were on the phone talking about the game,” Farris said, “One of my favorite memories we shared is the 2014 Auburn game when MSU claimed the number one spot.”

Farris continued, “Scott would be so excited about the establishment of this scholarship. Everybody loved him, and this is just another way for us to honor his passion for MSU.”

The Scott E. Parker Memorial Scholarship at Mississippi State University remains open for additional contributions. Gifts may be made online at www.msufoundation.com.

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PROFILE

Mary Jo and Paul Karre HO M E T O W N : Pawleys Island, S.C. DONORS:

Mary Jo and Paul Karre have been married for 34 years. They have three daughters, Erin, Julia and Kate, and reside in Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

Mary Jo is a native of South Carolina, originally from Georgetown. She earned an education degree from Coastal Carolina University in 1974 before beginning her career as a school teacher. After teaching for several years, Mary Jo devoted her time to the couple’s children.

A Mississippi native of Natchez, Paul earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management from Mississippi State University in 1974. After graduation, he joined International Paper (IP) as an Industrial Relations Specialist.

Paul spent 40 years with the company in various business human resources and corporate roles. In 1989, Paul was named Director of Human Resources of IP Europe.

Upon his return to the United States in 1993, Paul held various senior human resources

positions. By 2000, Paul was appointed IP’s Vice President of Human Resources, and in 2009 elected Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Communications, a role he would hold until his retirement in 2015.

Paul credits Mississippi State for helping open doors and influencing his career.

In appreciation, he serves the College of Business executive advisory board and the MSU Foundation Board. In 2012, Paul was named the college’s Alumni Fellow, and in 2015, he was selected as one of 100 distinguished graduates in the college’s 100year history. Most recently, Paul was honored as the 2018 College of Business Alumnus of the Year for his many achievements.

Paul and Mary Jo generously support the College of Business. Both an endowed faculty fellowship and a Notable Scholars Faculty fund carry their names. They have also established the Paul and Mary Jo Karre Professorship for a high-caliber faculty member in the College of Business.

Loyalty. Pride. Passion.

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2018 Board of Directors BOARD

OFFIC E R S

Chair - Earnest W. “Earnie” Deavenport Jr. | Chairman and CEO of Eastman Chemical Co. (retired), Greenville, S.C. Vice Chair - D. Hines Brannan Jr. | Managing Director of Accenture (retired), Atlanta, Ga. Treasurer - William A. “Lex” Taylor III | Chairman and CEO of The Taylor Group Inc. | President of Taylor Machine Works, Louisville, Miss.

President and CEO - John P. Rush | Vice President for Development and Alumni, Mississippi State University Secretary - Jack R. McCarty | Executive Director of Development, Mississippi State University Chief Financial Officer - David D. Easley | Executive Director of Finance, Mississippi State University

M EM BE R S

Richard C. Adkerson | Vice Chairman, President and CEO of Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Phoenix, Ariz.

Robert P. “Bob” Bowen | Partner-in-Charge, Mid-South Audit Practice, Arthur Andersen & Co. (retired), Holly Springs, Miss.

Albert C. Clark | President of C.C. Clark Inc., Starkville, Miss.

Randy J. Cleveland | Vice President, Americas of ExxonMobil Production Co., Fort Worth, Texas John N. “Nutie” Dowdle | Chairman of the Board of Dowdle Enterprises, Columbus, Miss.

Tommy Dulaney | President and CEO of Structural Steel Services Inc., Meridian, Miss.

Timothy S. “Tim” Duncan | President and CEO of Talos Energy LLC, Houston, Texas Hassell H. Franklin | Chairman and CEO of Franklin Corp., Houston, Miss.

Linda M. Garrett | Principal of Garrett Associates Inc. (retired), Atlanta, Ga. S. Bryce Griffis | President of Sturgis Timber Co. (retired), Sturgis, Miss.

Jan L. Gwin | Managing Director of Raymond James & Associates, Memphis, Tenn.

David B. Hall | CEO and President of Hall Timberlands, Meridian, Miss.

Thomas G. “Tom” Hixon Sr. | Chairman of Phoenix Development Co. LLC, Ridgeland, Miss.

Wilbert G. “Mickey” Holliman Jr. | Chairman and CEO of Furniture Brands International (retired), Belden, Miss.

Herbert V. “Herb” Johnson | President of HVJ Associates Inc., Houston, Texas Mark S. Jordan | Real Estate Developer of Mark S. Jordan Companies, Ridgeland, Miss.

Paul J. Karre | Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Communications, International Paper (retired), Pawleys Island, S.C. Malcolm B. Lightsey Sr. | President and CEO of SunTech Inc. (retired), Ridgeland, Miss.

Lewis F. Mallory Jr. | Chairman and CEO of Cadence Bank (retired), Starkville, Miss.

Bobby P. Martin | Chairman of The Peoples Bank, Ripley, Miss.

Mike M. McDaniel | CEO of M3 Resources LLC, Houston, Texas Roderick A. “Rod” Moore | Executive Vice President and CEO, Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance (retired), Brandon, Miss.

Thomas B. “Tommy” Nusz | Bulldog Club President | Chairman and CEO of Oasis Petroleum Inc., Houston, Texas Linda F. Parker | Secretary of Sunbelt Wholesale Supply (retired), Bolton, Miss.

Joffrey R. “Jay” Pryor | Vice President for Business Development of Chevron Corp., Houston, Texas Richard H. Puckett Sr. | Chairman and CEO of Puckett Machinery Co., Flowood, Miss.

R.L. Qualls | President and CEO of Baldor Electric Co. (retired) and Co-chairman of Taylor Companies, Little Rock, Ark. Gregory C. “Gregg” Rader | CEO of Columbus Recycling Corp., Columbus, Miss.

Bradley M. “Brad” Reeves | Alumni Association President | Partner for Randall, Segrest, Weeks, Reeves & Sones PLLC, Ridgeland, Miss.

Charles W. “Tex” Ritter Jr. | President and CEO of The Attala Co. (retired), Kosciusko, Miss.

M. Diane Roberts | Associate Professor of Business of Indiana University East (retired), Louisville, Ky. James J. “Jim” Rouse | Vice President of ExxonMobil (retired), Suwanee, Ga. Richard A. Rula | President of Hemphill Construction Co., Florence, Miss.

Michael W. “Mike” Sanders | President and CEO of Jimmy Sanders Inc. (retired), Cleveland, Miss.

Paula A. Schuerer | Owner and veterinarian of Animal Ark Animal Hospital, Franklin, Tenn.

Leo W. Seal III | President of the Leo Seal Family Foundation, Bay Saint Louis, Miss.

Bobby S. Shackouls | Chairman and CEO of Burlington Resources Inc. (retired), Houston, Texas Cynthia M. “Cindy” Stevens | Management Principal Government Relations of Deloitte LLP, Alexandria, Va. Douglas T. “Doug” Terreson | Head of Energy Research for EvercoreISI, Point Clear, Ala. Anthony L. Wilson | Chairman, President and CEO of Mississippi Power Co., Gulfport, Miss.

Bryan S. Wilson | Managing Partner of Tacoma Ag, Starkville, Miss.

James K. Dossett | Legal Counsel, Jackson, Miss.

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Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Jackson, MS Permit No. 134

Post Office Box 6149 One Hunter Henry Boulevard Mississippi State, MS 39762-6149 www.msufoundation.com ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED

Spice up your kitchen - Bulldog style!

Bring Mississippi flavor into your kitchen with the special Mississippi State University limited edition of A Mississippi Palate – the coffee-table cookbook with 105 Mississippi heritage recipes by acclaimed chef Robert St. John and 66 beautiful watercolors by Wyatt Waters, with his home state as the subject.

This special edition features exclusive back cover art of one of the Bully statues in The Junction with Davis Wade Stadium in the background. Each book is autographed by both chef and artist and accompanied by a signed and numbered print of the Bully statue.

Collectively, the chef and artist are commentators and chroniclers of Mississippi culture – one using a cast iron skillet, the other using a #42 da Vinci brush – both armed with a deep love for the beautiful state of Mississippi.

MSU is an AA/EEO university.

Order yours today at msufoundation.com/cookbook or call 662-325-7000.