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PHILANTHROPY
Purvises impact MSU students and faculty
IMPACT OF ONE
Tower room in The Mill at MSU named for Professor Thomas
PAVING THE WAY
Ergon’s support strengthens the Mississippi State experience
WHY GIVE?
MacEachern fuels scholarships through planned giving
24 | Leading the Way MSU Foundation announces 2026 leaders, incoming members
and CEO
| Philanthropy Purvises impact MSU students and faculty
| Student Perspective Anson Wallace in his own words
| Jack McCarty Scholarship honors long-time Executive Director of Development 10 | Campus Views Spring scenic shots around campus
| Impact of One Tower room in The Mill at MSU named for Professor Thomas
Paving the Way Ergon’s support strengthens the Mississippi State experience 20 | Why Give?
fuels scholarships through planned giving
Times, and a place, to remember
The friendships we build have their place in our hearts. They have their places in our worlds, too. Mississippi State is a big part of both.
For most of us, MSU was where we figured out who and what we would be. It’s still what connects so many of those friendships. It’s what makes them part of us, always, and what keeps us connected to each other. Helping the university grow and the community thrive and helping new people find the same rewards here for themselves is so worthwhile.
We want people not previously exposed to MSU to have the best possible experience with their introduction. The question is, where is the best place to make that happen?
What we’re creating in the Crossroads District is the answer. We’ve designed the sort of place you might only imagine, but we’re really building it — a daydream brought to life.
It’s the kind of place where young college faculty and staff will live and old college students will return. It’s where visiting fans will get their impression of us, and what they’ll remember when they describe us to their friends. It’s something new students will want to be part of, a place they’ll come back to in later days, because then it will be part of them.
The road goes on forever and the party never ends as the song says, and this idea is not even forever down the road. The hotel’s construction is underway, and the faculty and staff housing is up on the board. The shops, the restaurants, the places between, they’re on their way too. Before you know it, the structures will be ready.
Maybe the best part is there’ll be a place to park for the day or the weekend and just stroll around wherever, whenever. Downtown
JOHN P. RUSH ’94, ’02 President and Chief Executive Officer MSU Foundation
Starkville one way, Dudy-Noble the other, all our friends between.
Fellowship leads to friendship, and that’s where the roads will cross. This issue of Foundations is focused there. We share a look at how the Mississippi-based powerhouse Ergon engages with students throughout their lives. We see how Gay Thomas Irby’s love for her father is being honored in memory of the man. We explore the vast depths of Doug MacEachern’s loyalty, and see how the Purvis family pays forward gifts once received.
This is where all our roads come together. Thank you for making this journey a regular part of your way.
Purvises impact MSU students and faculty
For W. David and Susanne Purvis, supporting Mississippi State University has been a decades-long commitment shaped by family, opportunity, and a desire to give back to the institution that helped define their lives. Their philanthropy has taken many forms over the years, from scholarships and named spaces to mentorship and service, and continues today through an update to the W. David and Susanne B. Purvis Endowed Scholarship.
The Purvises’ dedication to MSU is rooted in their individual journeys. Susanne grew up in Starkville, where Mississippi State was a constant throughout her childhood. David, a Meridian area native, graduated in 1983 with a degree in chemical engineering. He was a member of prestigious honor societies and graduated summa cum laude. His time at MSU prepared him for a career in engineering and introduced him to opportunities that would later influence his approach to giving back.
“MSU was the launchpad to my career,” David said. “Scholarships allowed me to attend MSU, and I’m very appreciative of the support I received that helped me get where I am today.”
Susanne and David first crossed paths at an MSU chemical engineering picnic at McKee Park and were inseparable ever since. They were later married in 1984 in MSU’s historic Chapel of Memories and have two children, both who pursued careers in engineering.
Susanne worked for many years as an environmental manager after earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of New Orleans. She took early retirement in the early 2000s as David’s career prompted several moves between Louisiana, Texas and Southeast Asia.
David discovered his passion for petroleum engineering through internships. After graduation, he began his career as a reservoir engineer for Shell Oil in New Orleans. He spent 28 years in progressive roles with Shell before retiring. He then joined BHP Petroleum, ultimately retiring as Vice President of Engineering in 2019.
David has been recognized by MSU as a member of the Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering Hall of Fame and as a Bagley College of Engineering Distinguished Engineering Fellow. He serves as a member of the MSU Foundation board of directors and was selected as the 2025 College Alumnus of the Year for Engineering.
Early on, the Purvises began giving back by funding annual scholarships. Their philanthropy evolved alongside David’s career, which included opportunities to leverage corporate matching gift programs at two companies.
“In the early years, this allowed us to fund annual scholarships and then, as time passed, to take advantage of naming opportunities across campus,” David said.
The Purvises have supported athletics, the Swalm Scholars Program, the Historic Costume and Textiles collection, the MSU American Institute of Chemical Engineers Support Fund, the Dr. Leroy H. Boyd Endowed Scholarship, and the Dr. Catherine R Boyd Endowed Scholarship. They also have contributed to the Loyalty and Legacy Scholarship Program, assisted with the construction of McCain Hall, and established the W. David and Susanne B. Purvis Endowed Scholarship.
Their generosity extends to several naming opportunities across campus. In the Bagley College of Engineering, they named the DeWayne “PeeWee” Purvis Student Suite in honor of David’s late brother. They also honored Susanne’s parents, the late Dr. Leroy H. Boyd and Dr. Catherine R. Boyd of Starkville, for their longtime service and accomplishments as MSU faculty by naming a classroom in the Old Main Academic Center. Additionally, they named the auditorium in Ballew Hall in honor of Susanne’s father, who taught in the building for 38 years.
Since retiring, David has returned to the classroom to share more than 36 years of industry experience. He continues to give of his time at his alma mater, serving as an adjunct professor in the Bagley College of Engineering. A licensed professional petroleum engineer, David teaches senior design teams in the Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering’s petroleum engineering capstone course, a role he has held since 2019. “Teaching on campus, I see a lot of students who are really trying to better themselves and their situations but just need a little bit of a helping hand,” Purvis said. “That’s a big part of why I love giving back. I enjoy passing along my experience, staying connected to the students and, in a way, keeping myself young.”
David’s involvement on campus extends beyond the classroom. He also serves as a mentor in the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Program, where he is actively involved with his mentees, many of whom receive endowed scholarships. He encourages students academically and works with them to accomplish their career and engineering goals.
“It’s a really neat experience to be able to both mentor students and know that you’re helping them financially as well,” David said. “I’m just paying back what someone once paid me.”
The Purvises see the lasting impact of their generosity reflected in the next generation of Bulldogs.
“Seeing a student who has received one of our scholarships grow and be ready to go out and make it on their own is incredibly rewarding,” David said. “Knowing our scholarships give students peace of mind so they can focus on their studies and prepare for future success means a lot to us.”
For David and Susanne Purvis, the greatest reward is knowing their support gives students the stability to focus on learning, growing and preparing to make their own mark on the world, just as the scholarships David received once did for him.
TEACHING ON CAMPUS, I SEE A LOT OF STUDENTS WHO ARE REALLY TRYING TO BETTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR SITUATIONS...
STORY ANNA WELBORN PHOTOGRAPHY OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
ABOVE: David and Susanne Purvis with MSU President Mark E. Keenum at the Ballew Hall ribbon-cutting.
Enjoy beautiful pictures of familiar campus scenes that bring back special memories of your time at Mississippi State. The official MSU calendar has become a Bulldog tradition. With pictures by MSU’s own award-winning photographers, it’s truly a one-of-a-kind treasure. Order online today at msufoundation.com or call 662-325-7000.
Growing up in Brandon, I have some of my earliest memories of Mississippi State from fall Saturdays in Starkville. I was young during the iconic 2014 season, but I remember the feeling it created. Everywhere I looked, people were united by excitement and pride. Being surrounded by that kind of energy gives a kid a sense of belonging that stays with you, even years later. When it came time to choose a college, I wanted a true SEC experience paired with a strong sense of community. MSU offered both meaningful relationships and the freedom to grow independently. It felt like the right place to call home.
My involvement on campus has shaped me in ways I never expected. Through Sigma Chi, I found lifelong friends and experiences that taught me accountability, discipline, and the importance of working toward something bigger than myself. Even now, representing more than 200 members on campus continues to push me to be my best. Serving as a Mississippi State Foundation Ambassador has reinforced that same lesson. Helping donors feel appreciated has shown me how deeply people believe in this university's mission. Their generosity directly supports students like me, and seeing the impact of stewardship up close reminds me that I am part of something larger and more meaningful than myself. Academically, majoring in marketing has strengthened my natural interest in people and relationship building. I always knew I wanted to pursue something in business, and I later realized that marketing allows me to combine interpersonal connections with strategy. My goal is to work in medical device sales, and the classes I have taken at MSU have prepared me for it.
I am also grateful for the Thompson Family Loyalty Scholarship. The financial relief it provides allows me to focus on my academic and social experiences. Knowing that a family is investing in my future means more than I can express. Writing thank-you letters to them has been a privilege, and their support motivates me to work even harder. As I prepare for graduation, the biggest lesson I will take with me is perspective. College has taught me that something that feels overwhelming in the moment may not be as large as it appears when you step back. Each year, there has been at least one challenge that seemed to take up all my attention, yet each time I learned I was more prepared than I thought. That realization has shaped my confidence, and whatever path I follow, I am excited for the future.
Jack McCarty spent a career taking care of what matters
Jack McCarty, of Starkville, is known for his extraordinary ability to connect with people, and for his lifelong love of Mississippi State University. A new scholarship endowed in his name will be connecting students to the
Jack spent the past 15 years as the MSU Foundation’s executive director of development, where he guided a team that made setting new records for fundraising seem routine. During his tenure in the post, his team’s work with alumni and friends grew the university’s endowment to more than one billion dollars, empowering the university’s mission of learning, service and research for generations ahead. Since Jack’s
retirement a few months ago, his fellow alumni and friends of MSU have endowed a scholarship in his name to honor his leadership and life’s work.
“I’m absolutely blown away by that,” Jack said.
He grew up in Starkville and spent much of his adult life with the university.
“I worked with a number of deans and vice presidents, but the majority of the job is listening to donors, matching their interests with the university’s needs,” he said. “Working with them motivated me, and it grew into the friendships I’ve come to treasure most in life. The people I met along the way were the true reward of the job. For them to give to a scholarship in my name is the ultimate honor.”
The Jack R. McCarty Endowed Scholarship in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will support full time students who will study subjects ranging from human health and the growth
ABOVE: MSU President Mark E. Keenum presenting the 2022 Zacharias Distinguished Staff Award to Jack McCarty.
ABOVE: McCarty talking with the MSU Foundation Development team.
of commerce to the production of food and conservation of the world’s resources.
“At his heart, Jack loves people,” said John Rush, president and CEO of the MSU Foundation, and MSU’s vice president for development and alumni.
“His extensive professional experience and his vast knowledge of Mississippi State were strong assets in advancing our university, but caring about people was the key to what made him great at his job.”
Jack came to the role of executive director in 2011 as a veteran fundraiser. From 1994 to 2001, he had been a director of development in MSU’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. He left campus for a time to serve Ducks Unlimited as director of development operations in the conservation group’s southern region. In 2007 he returned to MSU where he led development in MSU’s College of Business, one of the South’s oldest programs of its kind. He was responsible for all fundraising in the major academic unit, including its Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy.
After rising to the role of executive director of development for the MSU Foundation, Jack’s leadership included recruiting and retaining fundraisers. Together, they aided MSU’s friends and alumni in their desire to help Mississippi State grow and succeed.
The university was a place he had loved since childhood. The endowment of this scholarship in
“The people I met along the way were the true reward of the job. For them to give to a scholarship in my name is the ultimate honor.”
his name is an honor he does not take lightly.
“For someone who wore an MSU T-shirt from the very beginning, who played football in the yard as John Bond or D.D. Lewis while listening to Jack Cristil on the radio, having the friends I worked with support a scholarship in my name? That’s the ultimate honor,” Jack said. “Having people I revere do this to honor me is so humbling.”
His connection with people clearly works both ways. For one long career, it came together in a way that went a long way in taking care of what matters.
STORY KEVIN TATE PHOTOGRAPHY OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND SUBMITTED
ABOVE: McCarty's planning and leadership helped his team consistently set records.
ABOVE: McCarty with senior administrative assistant, Lisa Hearn.
ABOVE: During his career, McCarty worked closely with Dean Emeritus William R. "Bill" Fox, of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Campus Views
Gay Thomas Irby has named the tower room in The Mill at MSU after her dad. The room is a second-floor alcove at the front of the building and connects elements of the structure a great many ways — a fitting metaphor for the man whose legend it bears. Thomas was a professor of engineering, later tapped to be the first director of development and charged to be the head of public relations at the same time. Though he passed away in 2002, memory of J.E. Thomas remains alive in the minds of his students. It’s alive in the thriving university he left behind. It is alive in engineering programs respected in every corner of the world. It will be honored as well in a room connecting the heart of ongoing development to a tower reaching for the sky.
Thomas and his wife Jean came to Mississippi State in 1952. He arrived as an engineering professor in an era when future icons walked the
halls. It was the day of Colvard, Simrall and McKee, great men striving for great things. He wasn’t on campus long before adding his own name to their rank.
A Renaissance man
“He was the smartest man I ever knew,” Irby said. “He had a breadth of knowledge you just can’t imagine. He had degrees in math, engineering and physics, but he was interested in things all across the board.”
Thomas was a voracious reader. A lover of history and religion, he was also a man of strong faith. He’d served in the Navy during the second world war, then afterward in the Naval Reserve. He had been trained on RADAR equipment back in the 40s, when even the gear’s name was top secret. He served his country as a RADAR gear
maintenance officer thanks to the training of his intelligence, and he’d soon be on campus in Starkville applying the same.
From the first, he was a faculty member loved by so many in his charge. He was a lifelong learner and absorber of knowledge. As a professor in electrical engineering, he took pains to help students share what he knew.
“Professor Thomas was serious in his mission to teach,” said Bob Chatham, of Long Beach. Chatham had a long career with Mississippi Power, but he had classes under Professor Thomas first.
Chatham met Thomas in his Intro to Electrical Engineering class. He’d had a good deal of experience with electricity before, having worked at his local television station as a student, then
serving in electrical disciplines in the Air National Guard, but he says the closest many of his classmates had come to electrical engineering was flipping a light switch on the wall.
“Professor Thomas took care to teach us all,” Chatham said. “He was always demanding but fair. If you went to class and paid attention, if you did your best to take notes and study as well, you’d be able to make good grades on his tests.
“What’s more, you knew he wanted to be there, and he was happy you were there too. He laughed and joked with the students, and he loved seeing the light come on each time they learned.”
Thomas’s own intellectual drive helped him set MSU engineers apart from the rest.
“He taught Intro to Solid State Physics in a time when other universities, even many elite, didn’t have such a course,” Chatham said. “It was a look back then at the technology our world relies on now, from laptop computers to the smartphone in the palm of your hand.”
Tackling a new form of challenge
When Dean Colvard, president of MSU, needed someone to lead a new foundation for development, the engaging style and intellectual breadth of Thomas made him the clear choice for the call. As the university’s first director of development, J.E. Thomas, was also in charge of the university’s public relations. The connected roles charged him with MSU’s present and its future, and he did quite well serving them both.
As director of the university’s PR, he made sure the world knew the great things going on here. As the first director of development, he empowered alumni and friends to give back to the home that had set them on life’s way. He did both by remaining always a student, not enrolled but learning every day.
He made sure Gay encountered life the same way. She would grow up
“ My dad would want people to understand not just how important it is to study and learn things, but to have a love for the learning itself.”
to become a college professor herself, teaching computer science for the University of Southern Mississippi. She became the first female faculty member working full time on the university’s Gulf Park campus, before leaving to a key role for the Stennis Space Center at NASA, where she helped her nation reach for the stars.
Room to grow
Gay wants her dad’s room at The Mill to be a bastion and a retreat for employing the mind. In that way every user will pay tribute to the man who taught learning as the best way to love the world.
“The tower room is a nice place for the honor,” Irby said. “I like the fact it’s separate a little by itself.”
In some applications the room could be a library or a study, and Irby wants it to become a place where those using it relax and recharge.
“My dad would want people to understand not just how important it is to study and learn things, but to have a love for the learning itself,” she said. “He wanted people to be excited by things they didn’t know, excited about the opportunity for learning something new.”
At Mississippi State, learning, service and research are three elements of a mission. Through that mission, Thomas combined the three into one. He helped grow MSU into the booming hub it has become. The mental exercise to bring those three thoughts together calls for a retreat to a good place to think. It so happens Irby has just the place in mind.
STORY KEVIN TATE PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED
Kermit Evans arrived at Mississippi State University in 2024 with excitement and uncertainty. He enjoyed math. He wanted a career that would provide stability for his future family. But the idea of becoming an engineer—what that meant day to day, what it demanded and what it made possible—still felt abstract.
He also wondered what life would be like beyond his small hometown. He had grown up in schools where most classmates shared similar backgrounds, so stepping onto a large university campus felt like entering a new world.
Summer Bridge changed that.
Evans found himself researching solutions, calculating costs, and weighing efficiency during a design challenge created in partnership with Mississippi-based company Ergon. What was once theoretical became hands-on and real.
“The Ergon representatives and MSU faculty answered my questions and helped me feel more prepared,” Evans said. “They helped me realize I was applying an engineering mindset to the project. I was conducting research, trying to solve the problem and be cost-efficient. Once I realized this, I felt much more comfortable with engineering.”
Now a junior, Evans carries the confidence and discipline he built that summer—the beginning of a journey shaped by a partnership designed to support students from their first days on campus to their first steps into their careers.
Few relationships have reflected the above transformative arc more than the one between Mississippi State and
Ergon. Founded by Leslie B. Lampton Sr. in 1954, the company (previously Lampton Oil Company) began as a small petroleum retailer with two employees. Over the next 70 years, the family-driven company grew into a global enterprise with more than 4,200 employees worldwide, operations spanning several industries, and an MSU alum, Kris Patrick, serving as its president and CEO since 2022. The company’s values, grounded in practical problemsolving and community support, align with those of MSU and have guided nearly three decades of partnership with the university. Ergon’s 2025 gift was another chapter in the relationship, supporting their comprehensive, campuswide focus on improving the student experience at every stage—before enrollment, during academic growth, and as students transition into their careers.
This gift is a transformative investment in students’ beginnings. The program helps incoming engineering students transition into university life. Participants strengthen foundational math and science skills, work through hands-on design challenges and form relationships with peers, faculty and industry professionals long before their first semester begins. The program has been a strategic success, helping approximately 150 prospective engineering students since 2022.
Bonnie Chapman, Ergon’s vice president of product stewardship, initiated Ergon’s sponsorship of the program and its expanded role within it. She emphasized how their support reflects the company's compassionate values.
“Relationships were always so important to Ergon’s founder, Mr. (Leslie) Lampton, and we want these students to know that we are more than just a program sponsor.
We want them to succeed,” Chapman said. “We want to have a hand in helping them graduate as the best engineers they can be, and for many of them, that starts with the Summer Bridge Program.”
Ergon’s gift covers program expenses, including tuition, housing, and materials, so students can participate without financial barriers. The company also collaborates on project design, hosts industry tours, mentors students, and evaluates final presentations, providing participants with a clear view of how engineering principles apply beyond the classroom.
“This partnership strengthens every part of the Summer Bridge Experience,” said Mahnas Mohammadi-Aragh, director of the program and associate professor and associate department head in electrical and computer engineering at MSU. “It connects classroom learning to professional practice, builds confidence and gives students a clear picture of what an engineering career can look like. Students enter Mississippi State’s engineering programs prepared, motivated and ready to thrive.”
For many students, early exposure to engineering and to professionals who believe in them is important for establishing a winning foundation for growth.
Ergon’s gift extends far beyond a student’s first summer.
Through scholarships, faculty support and academic investments across multiple colleges, the company expands access to education while enhancing the environments in which students learn. In the College of Business, for example, the Ergon, Inc. Endowed Professorship in Supply Chain Logistics helps attract and retain faculty who connect students with industry realities and research-driven insight.
“The Ergon professorship plays a key role in attracting and retaining top faculty in supply chain logistics,” said Scott Grawe, dean of the College of Business. “Our faculty bring students and industry leaders together in the classroom, giving students the opportunity to solve real problems and make an immediate impact. The professorship also recognizes excellence in research, and students benefit from learning alongside faculty who are leaders in their field.”
Additional 2025 support strengthens the Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering through the Materials & Construction Industries Chair, the Civil & Environmental Engineering Excellence Fund and the Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions Student Support Initiative. The company also continues to support the Ergon, Inc. Endowed Engineering Scholarship, bringing the total to more than 215 Mississippi State scholarships established or supported to date.
ABOVE: Ergon officials talk to MSU faculty and staff about the breadth of their company.
LEFT: MSU President Mark E. Keenum presented custom cowbells to, from left, Ergon CEO Kris Patrick and to Leslie, Bill and Lee Lampton, Jr., sons of the company's founder, Leslie Lampton, Sr.
OUR FACULTY BRING STUDENTS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS TOGETHER IN THE CLASSROOM, GIVING STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SOLVE REAL PROBLEMS AND MAKE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT.
These gifts enhance programs and help position students to serve Mississippi’s workforce needs and pursue careers in fields essential to the state’s future.
As students approach graduation, Ergon’s support shifts toward career readiness.
Through the Mississippi State Career Center, students gain access to interview preparation, professional attire, internship opportunities and networking resources designed to help them transition into the workforce. Ergon strengthens these efforts by supporting the Career Center Student Professional Development Fund, which ensures students can access opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.
“The Career Center Student Professional Development Fund was created so students can have access to professional clothing and opportunities for internships,” said Bethany Mills, executive director of the Career Center.
“Through the Mississippi State Career Closet, students can schedule a professional clothing rental box to help them look their best during career fairs, interviews and networking events. If students need financial support, they can request a voucher to receive their box at no cost.”
In the past year, Ergon’s support enabled more than 30 students to rent professional clothing. The company also helped provide support to 15 students participating in summer 2025 internships.
“Students who have an internship are much more likely to have an offer in hand upon graduation,” Mills said. “By offering financial support, we remove barriers that might otherwise prevent students from accepting valuable internship opportunities.”
Inside the Career Center, a new Ergon-branded interview space will serve as a daily reminder of the company’s commitment to building opportunity and confidence.
Through its continued support, Ergon helps Mississippi State fulfill its mission: preparing students to strengthen communities, solve problems and lead with purpose. For students across campus, the partnership ensures that transformation is within reach from beginning to end.
STORY SHUN POUNDS PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED
ABOVE: Dr. Scott Grawe, Dean of the College of Business
ABOVE: Professor Isaac Howard (far right) tours Ergon’s main lab along with other MSU faculty, three students, and PTSi/Ergon employees.
Unearthing Potential: MacEachern fuels scholarships through planned giving
Doug MacEachern, a retired petroleum engineer, enjoyed a remarkable career at Shell Oil Company for nearly four decades. He attributes his success in the petroleum industry to the academic program and instruction he received from professors at Mississippi State University (MSU). MacEachern attended MSU during the late 70s-early 80s.
Professors in MSU’s math and petroleum departments showed MacEachern the value of investing in others. Their work ethic inspired him throughout his academic career. When he graduated in 1982, he was prepared to enter the petroleum energy industry with confidence.
Now, MacEachern is the one investing. Through recent gifts to endowments in his name, he fuels opportunities for present and future Bulldogs, turning potential into reality.
In 2023, MacEachern established the Doug MacEachern Annual Scholarship and further evolved his support in
2025 by developing the Doug MacEachern Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship supports students in petroleum, chemical, and mechanical engineering and gives first preference to students from George County, MS, and second preference to those from Louisiana, where he lived and worked for much of his life.
He will support these scholarships through planned giving—specifically through his living trust and a charitable remainder trust.
“After I retired, I did not want to delay creating the scholarship. I was excited to get my legacy plan in place to help as many students as possible,” he said.
MacEachern spent his formative years in Covington, Louisiana, where his father also worked as a petroleum engineer for Shell Oil. His father worked closely with engineers from MSU and often commented on how well they performed.
ABOVE: MacEachern enjoying time in Lexington, Kentucky.
“He told me, ‘If you’re considering engineering, you should look at MSU,’” MacEachern recalled.
That advice stuck. When the time came, Doug followed his father’s advice and chose MSU’s petroleum engineering program.
Professors across the math and petroleum engineering departments helped MacEachern continue his academic journey on solid ground. A few standouts, such as math professors W.Q. Gaddis and E.H. Anderson, laid the foundation for his academic career.
“Gaddis and Anderson’s passion for their craft was unmistakable,” MacEachern said. “They were outstanding teachers who were there to teach and genuinely wanted students to succeed.”
However, it was petroleum professors Eldred Hough and Rudy Rogers who taught him the value of loyalty.
“Tenured and loyal professors such as Dr. Rogers and Dr. Hough ensured students received the education they needed to work in the petroleum industry, often by teaching extra courses themselves,” MacEachern said. “They gave me the opportunities I needed to have a successful professional life.”
After graduation, MacEachern’s career soared. His career with Shell spanned nearly four decades and provided ample opportunities in petroleum engineering. He was fortunate to work on a variety of onshore drilling/ completion projects throughout his career in Mississippi and Louisiana. Offshore projects included Mobile Bay, the Gulf of Mexico shelf, and deepwater projects.
“AFTER
In 2015, Doug and his wife Janie established the Doug and Janie MacEachern Annual Scholarship at the Bagley College of Engineering. This gift marked the beginning of their increased philanthropy at MSU and served as a precursor to his 2023 endowment.
trials to extend and improve the lives of cancer patients nationwide.
“I hope students feel pride when they receive these scholarships,” MacEachern said. “I hope they know someone believed that their education is important enough to invest in them, and they see it as an opportunity to pursue their dreams.”
MacEachern is many years removed from student life, yet the lessons learned remain timeless.
“Stay the course. Let the system work. If you commit and take advantage of opportunities, good things happen,” he said.
Kindness and investing in others allow stories like this to come full circle. Through his giving, Doug MacEachern has become what his professors once were to him—a source of strength, stability and belief in what students can become.
STORY SHUN POUNDS PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED
I RETIRED, I WANTED TO GET MY IDEAS IN PLACE WHILE I WAS STILL CLEAR-MINDED,” HE SAID. “I WANTED TO DECIDE HOW I WOULD LEAVE MY LEGACY.”
Janie, who passed away in 2019, was a pharmacist and two-time cancer survivor. She brought the same spirit of resilience and impact to her oncology work. The couple met on a blind date at a Mississippi State football game in 1982. Janie had earned her pharmacy degree from the University of Mississippi. She spent almost four decades designing and implementing oncology drug
ABOVE: MacEachern at Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska.
Real Estate that makes a Real Difference.
Gifts of real estate can greatly benefit students and enable Mississippi State University to grow and thrive. Whether retained and preserved for educational purposes or liquidated for immediate support, gifts of real property create strategic opportunities in the donor’s area of choice and also provide certain personal benefits. A variety of real estate types that can be transformed into rewarding charitable gifts exist.
• Timberland
• Recreational Property
• Agricultural Farm
• Residential Home
Jeff Little, Senior Director of Development, Bulldog Forest (662) 325-8151 | jlittle@foundation.msstate.edu
Jud Skelton, Head of Real Estate Strategy (662) 325-0643 | jud.skelton@foundation.msstate.edu
• Vacation Home or Condominium
• Commercial Investment
• Undeveloped Property
• Mineral Interests
The MSU Foundation offers two programs to assist property owners with utilizing their real estate – Bulldog Properties and Bulldog Forest. Both avenues offer meaningful ways to begin a remarkable legacy. Contact the MSU Foundation’s real estate services team today to learn how easy it can be to make a real difference.
Hilbun Hall
Opened in 1960, Hilbun Hall houses MSU’s departments of geosciences, physics and astronomy. Named after Ben Hilbun, MSU’s 11th president, many of our nation’s top meteorologists have gotten their start in Hilbun Hall. The building is also home to the Dunn-Seiler museum’s comprehensive mineral, rock and fossil collections, which includes a Triceratops skull cast. In 2025, the “front lawn” of Hilbun Hall received a major upgrade thanks to a few MSU donors. Made possible by Dean and Lauran Wingo, a magnificent new 5,600-gallon fountain now occupies previously unused space directly in front of Hilbun Hall. The fountain is named “Shipley’s Water Bowl” in honor
of the couple’s beloved west highland white terrier. In addition, new landscaping offers students and alumni alike the chance to sit and enjoy the fountain and surrounding scenery. The landscaping portion was funded through a gift by Dr. Edward P. Scott and his wife Claudia.
Whether the students that pass through Hilbun Hall are digging under the Earth or predicting the weather above the ground, these new additions are sure to brighten their days for generations to come.
LEADING THE WAY
MSU Foundation announces 2026 leaders, incoming members
For more than sixty years,the Mississippi State University Foundation has worked to attract and grow private support for the university, guided by dedicated alumni and friends. MSU values these loyal individuals who volunteer their time and effort to assist with the institution’s fundraising efforts. The MSU Foundation announced the leaders and incoming members of the board of directors for 2026 in January.
The returning officers for 2026 include Rodger L. Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia, as chair; Randy J. Cleveland of Fort Worth, Texas, as vice chair; and Frederick V. "Fred" Buie of Slidell, Louisiana, as treasurer.
Johnson is the president and CEO of JKC Holdings, Inc. The Greenwood native earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1971 from MSU, an MBA from Georgia State University in 1982, and an honorary Doctor of Public Service from MSU in 2023.
Cleveland is the retired vice president of Americas at Exxon Mobil Production Company. The Newton County native earned a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from MSU in 1983.
Buie is the retired president and CEO of Keystone Electrical Manufacturing Co. The Brookhaven native earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from MSU in 1978 and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from MSU in 1991.
The remaining officers are MSU personnel. John P. Rush, vice president for development and alumni, serves as the board’s president and CEO, while Janet H. Carraway, executive director of finance, is the board’s chief financial officer and secretary. Both are MSU graduates.
New members beginning inaugural terms are:
Karen Fili of Madison earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from MSU in 1985 and her MBA from Mississippi College in 1993. She serves as the president and CEO of Utilities Service Alliance.
Michael Hall of Starkville earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from MSU in 1995 and is the founder and CEO at Shady Grove Road Investments, LLC.
Amy Walker of Flowood earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from MSU in 2002 and serves as the area sales manager and board director at Ergon, Inc.
Seven members who have previously served are returning to the board in new terms:
1. David Hall of Meridian earned his bachelor’s degree in forestry in 1999 and his MBA in 2002, both from MSU. He is the president and CEO at Hall Timberlands.
2. Malcolm Lightsey, Sr. of Ridgeland earned his bachelor’s degree in 1961 and his master’s degree in 1963, both in mathematics from MSU. He is the retired president and CEO of SunTech, Inc.
3. Mike McDaniel of Houston, Texas, earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from MSU in 1979. He is the retired president of Saber Power Services, LLC.
4. Mike McIlwain of Kildeer, Illinois, earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting at MSU in 1987 and his master’s degree in taxation from the University of Alabama in 1988. He is the CEO of Applied Technical Services.
5. Becky Murphy of Dallas, Texas, earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics from MSU in 1983 and is the retired senior vice-president of sales at Sirius Computer Solutions.
6. Jay Pryor of Houston, Texas, earned his bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from MSU in 1979 and is the retired vice president for business development at Chevron Corporation.
7. Al Williams of Houston, Texas, earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from MSU in 1990 and his MBA from Tulane University in 1998. He is the retired vice president of Corporate Affairs at Chevron.
Chartered in 1962, the MSU Foundation administers most of the campus-based fundraising activities and endowment funds. More information is available at msufoundation.com and @MSU_Foundation.
Daniel and Mary Robin Coggin Endowed Scholarship
“This scholarship helped with more than just finances. It was peace of mind that someone has my back. Neither of my parents finished high school, so as a first-generation student, I strive to prove it's possible to succeed regardless of where you come from. Knowing that there are such generous people offering aid in such a way is very inspiring and provides a deep sense of comfort in me. I am truly grateful for the opportunity this scholarship gave me to focus on school, do my best, and to meet the beautiful couple that is Mr. Daniel and Mrs. Mary Robin Coggin.”
– Kassandra Ramirez
Greg and Keisha Howell Loyalty Scholarship
“It is truly an honor to be amongst some of the first recipients of the Howell scholarship, and I am incredibly grateful for their generosity. Receiving this scholarship helps reduce the financial stress of college and allows me to focus on my dream of becoming a doctor. It means so much to me to have the support of alumni as I pursue my passions, just as they were able to do.”
– Molly Charles
John & Hayley Lundy Loyalty Scholarship
“This scholarship means a lot to me because it is helping me pursue higher education while allowing me to relieve financial stress.”
– Katharine Zihala
MSU CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION
CHECK OUT THE CHARMING NEW ADDITIONS TO CAMPUS
12 tables & 28 chairs at the new Perry Food Hall outdoor patio
151,066 sq. ft. of green space & 83 trees planted at the new McCarthy Quad
Nearly 30,000 lbs of rock used in the Chapel of Memories’ new Zen Garden
172 trees planted at Azalea Hall
32,000 tulips planted on campus for spring color
50,000 sq. ft. of green space south of the Jim & Thomas Duff Center
18,000 bales of pine straw have been put out on campus this year
Officers
CHAIR — Rodger L. Johnson | President and CEO - JKC Holdings, Inc. | Atlanta, Ga.
VICE CHAIR — Randy J. Cleveland | Vice President, Americas - Exxon Mobil Corporation (retired) | Fort Worth, Texas
TREASURER — Frederick V. “Fred” Buie | President and CEO - Keystone Electrical Manufacturing Co. (retired) | Slidell, La.
PRESIDENT and CEO — John P. Rush | Vice President of Development and Alumni, Mississippi State University | MSU
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER and SECRETARY — Janet H. Carraway | Executive Director of Finance, Mississippi State University Foundation | MSU
Members
Richard C. Adkerson | Chairman and CEO - Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. | LaPlace, La.
D. Hines Brannan Jr. | Managing Director - Accenture (retired) | Atlanta, Ga.
Lynn T. Burwell | National President of the MSU Alumni Association | Sales Representative - Card Connect/Connext Pay | Gulfport, Miss.
Albert C. Clark | CEO - C.C. Clark, Inc. | Starkville, Miss.
Jeffrey S. Clark | CEO - Clark Holding Company, Inc. | Madison, Miss.
Dr. John D. Davis IV | Neurosurgeon and Founding Partner - NewSouth NeuroSpine | Flowood, Miss.
Sherry G. Duff | Director - Duff Family Foundation | Hattiesburg, Miss.
Karen D. Fili | President and CEO - Utilities Service Alliance | Madison, Miss.
David B. Hall | CEO and President - Hall Timberlands | Meridian, Miss.
Michael W. Hall | Founder and CEO - Shady Grove Road Investments, LLC | Starkville, Miss.
Dr. Todd R. Henderson | President and CEO - Nutramax Laboratories | Lancaster, S.C.
W.G. “Mickey” Holliman Jr. | Chairman and CEO - Furniture Brands International (retired) | Belden, Miss.
Paul J. Karre | Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Communications - International Paper Company (retired) | Pawleys Island, SC
Malcolm B. Lightsey Sr. | President and CEO - SunTech, Inc. (retired) | Ridgeland, Miss.
Lewis F. Mallory Jr. | Chairman and CEO - Cadence Bank (retired) | Starkville, Miss.
Mike M. McDaniel | President - Saber Power Services, LLC (retired) | Houston, Texas
J. Michael “Mike” McIlwain | CEO - Applied Technical Services | Kildeer, Ill.
James F. “Bo” McKinnis | President of the MSU Bulldog Club | Owner - McKinnis Sports Management | Nashville, Tenn.
Roderick A. “Rod” Moore | Executive Vice President and CEO - Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company (retired) | Brandon, Miss.
Becky Murphy | Senior Vice President of Sales - Sirius Computer Solutions (retired) | Dallas, Texas
Dr. Janice I. Nicholson | Professor Emerita - University of North Alabama (retired) | Florence, Ala.
Linda F. Parker | Secretary - Sunbelt Wholesale Supply (retired) | Bolton, Miss.
Joffrey R. “Jay” Pryor | Vice President for Business Development - Chevron Corporation (retired) | Houston, Texas
Walter D. “David” Purvis | Vice President Engineering - BHP Billiton (retired) | New Orleans, La.
Kenneth B. “Ken” Robinson | Vice President of Global Diversity and Inclusion - The Procter & Gamble Co. (retired) | Boca Raton, Fla.
Richard A. Rula | President - Hemphill Construction Company | Ridgeland, Miss.
Michael W. “Mike” Sanders | President and CEO - Jimmy Sanders, Inc. (retired) | Cleveland, Miss.
Wallace L. “Lee” Seal | President - North Beach Investments, LLC | Bay Saint Louis, Miss.
Bobby S. Shackouls | Chairman, President and CEO - Burlington Resources, Inc. (retired) | Houston, Texas
Dr. John W. “Walt” Starr Jr. | Owner - Starr Investment Properties | Starkville, Miss.
Cynthia M. “Cindy” Stevens | Managing Principal Government Relations - Deloitte, LLP (retired) | Sarasota, Fla.
William A. “Lex” Taylor III | Chairman and CEO - The Taylor Group, Inc. | President - Taylor Machine Works, Inc. | Louisville, Miss.
ZonaDale L. Taylor | Manager of Consumer and Public Affairs - GlaxoSmithKline (retired) | Collierville, Tenn.
Douglas T. “Doug” Terreson | Head of Global Energy - Evercore ISI (retired) | Point Clear, Ala.
Amy L. Walker | Director - Ergon Board of Directors | Flowood, Miss.
Albert J. “Al” Williams | Corporate Officer and Vice President - Chevron Corporation (retired) | Houston, Texas
Anthony L. Wilson | Chairman, President and CEO - Mississippi Power Company (retired) | Gulfport, Miss.
Danny J. Windham | Chief Operating Officer - HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (retired) | Huntsville, Ala.
