Durr Boyles Alumni Profile

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By Sheri Pape

Former Alumni Association national president and engineering graduate Durr Boyles is not your typical Bulldog alumnus. Since last December, Boyles has been serving his alma mater, and more importantly, his nation, with the 168th Engineer Brigade out of Vicksburg.

Boyles, an Army colonel who is also a principal at Boyles Moak Insurance Services in Jackson, is a proud member of the Mississippi National Guard, a role that was influenced by his father, a retired National Guard colonel, and also his time as an ROTC cadet at Mississippi State.

“Mississippi State made it easy to be in the ROTC because there was an accepted friendly environment surrounding the military on campus,” said Boyles. “I had three fraternity brothers who were in ROTC, and knew many other MSU students, as well. ROTC was a very positive experience for me.”

24 Alumnus Winter 2010

“

If you ask me why I am here, it’s to be here with the officers and noncommissioned officers I have served with previously; and, to be with the youngsters who are here to serve our country with a devotion to a cause that is

”

much greater than themselves.

--Durr Boyles

Alumnus Winter 2010 25

call of Photo by Kristen Hines Baker

His graduation in 1982 proved to be one of

duty

Afghanistan National Army and Afghanistan Border Patrol with construction

the proudest moments in his Bulldog and military

efforts at their locations. They also provided schools for the Afghan people to help

career. While the country was still recovering from

develop construction skills that provide a trade for citizens to learn and earn a

the scars of Vietnam, Boyles and 11 other MSU

better living.

ROTC members took a stand for their country at graduation.

“At the time, it was not a popular endeavor to join the military,” he said. “After receiving my diploma at the graduation ceremony, as instructed, I walked to the back of the coliseum and removed

Boyles is one of many Bulldog graduates defending his country overseas.

MSU is proud to be the home to thousands of brave men and women serving in military and civilian roles.

“While I’ve been in Afghanistan, I have met a number of Bulldogs,” said Boyles.

“You’ll be proud to know that several MSU graduates are serving in key

my robe to uncover my dress Army uniform

positions in Special Forces, aviation, engineering, and with the CIA/NSA

underneath.”

organizations here. Bulldogs are serving their country in some very important

Soon, 12 ROTC cadets walked down the middle isle toward the front. At first, they experienced

roles in Afghanistan.”

The Alumni Association is proud to have many military volunteers and

sporadic cat calls and whistles from the crowd, but

professionals as part of the Bulldog family. It is individuals like Boyles who make

through the procession, intermittent claps began to

MSU and the United States a better and safer place.

outnumber the jeers.

“As we approached the podium,” he continued,

“In May 2009, we invited all of our former national presidents back to campus to thank them for their service to Mississippi State” said Jimmy Abraham,

“the entire coliseum was applauding. It was a

associate vice president for development and alumni and executive director of

magical moment for me. I felt very proud to receive

the alumni association. “All of us could not help but think of Durr, and while we

my commission as second lieutenant that day and I

wished he could be with us and we missed him, he would not be anywhere else but

became aware that perhaps this single, small event

serving his country. Durr is an outstanding person and a true Bulldog who loves

characterized that, as a country, we were heading in

our university so much, and we are very proud of him, as we are all of our men

a renewed patriotic direction.”

and women in uniform.”

The memory of his graduation and

When he isn’t overseas, Boyles resides in Jackson with wife Robin and

commissioning ceremony is one that Boyles carries

children Graham, 18, and Conner, 15. Apart from his education at MSU, Boyles

with him to this day.

also holds a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War

Boyles recently returned home from a one-year deployment in Afghanistan. When there, he acted as

College.

“My experience in Afghanistan has been very rewarding,” Boyles said. “I am

deputy commander of the 168th Engineer Brigade,

proud and humbled by the young men and women who are only a few months

which is the engineer command for combat

or years out of high school, performing complex tasks under very, very difficult

engineering, construction engineering and mine

circumstances. If you ask me why I am here, it’s to be here with the officers and

clearing for the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions.

noncommissioned officers I have served with previously; and, to be with the

Among the many responsibilities while deployed, the 168th Brigade assisted the

26 Alumnus Winter 2010

youngsters who are here to serve our country with a devotion to a cause that is much greater than themselves.”