ALUMNUS Spring 2019 - Mississippi State University

Welcome to the Carnegie Hall of College Baseball With $68-million renovation, Dudy Noble Field at Polk-DeMent Stadium honors legends, dedication of Maroon and White faithful. p. 16

I N S I D E Spring 2019

Champions of higher education p. 2 | Dawgs commit to service p. 24 | Alumnus changes the world p. 30

Table of CONTENTS

FEATURES

12 Celebrating 50 years of honors at MSU

Shackouls Honors College commemorates 50 years of building scholar communities.

16 Thunder, Lightning and the Bulldogs finally

receive their ring

With a $68 million update, Dudy Noble Field at Polk-DeMent Stadium reclaims top spot among college baseball facilities and honors those who helped build it.

24 Bulldogs deploy with National Guard

Mississippi State students, staff and alumni honored their commitments to military service with a Middle East deployment last spring, while the university further invested in its commitment to them.

ABOVE: The dream of sheltering

a Phi Beta Kappa Society chapter at Mississippi State University officially came true this spring with an installation and new member induction ceremony at The Mill at MSU Conference Center in Starkville. Richard Holmes was among eight foundation members inducted into PBK’s Gamma of Mississippi Chapter at MSU for commitment to the ideals of the liberal arts and sciences. Photo by Logan Kirkland

SPRING 2019 | VOL. 96 | NO. 1

PRESIDENT Mark E. Keenum, ’83, ’84, ’88

VICE PRESIDENT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI John P. Rush, ’94, ’02

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jeff Davis

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CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Sid Salter, ’88 EDITORS Harriet Laird Susan Lassetter, ’07

WRITERS Amy Cagle James Carskadon, ’12 Addie Mayfield David Murray, ’80 Susan Lassetter, ’07 Sasha Steinberg, ’14

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DESIGNER Heather Rowe

PHOTOGRAPHERS Megan Bean Logan Kirkland Kelly Price Beth Wynn

EDITORIAL OFFICE P.O. Box 5325 Mississippi State, MS 39762 662.325.0630 slassetter@opa.msstate.edu ADVERTISING Jeff Davis 662.325.3444 jdavis@alumni.msstate.edu

61 DEPARTMENTS 02 10 30 50 60 76 80

Campus News State Snapshot Our People Infinite Impact

COVER

Dudy Noble Field at Polk-DeMent Stadium officially reopened Feb. 16 after undergoing a $68-million renovation. Photo by Beth Wynn

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Back Story

Mississippi State University’s Alumnus magazine is published three times a year by the Office of Public Affairs and the Mississippi State University Alumni Association. Send address changes to Alumni Director, P.O. Box AA, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5526. Call 662.325.7000, or email cturner@advservices. msstate.edu.

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.

Campus NEWS

C HAMPIONS OF H IGHER E DUCATION MSU faculty, staff, administrators see 40-year dream realized with new Phi Beta Kappa Society chapter

By Sasha Steinberg, Photos by Logan Kirkland

I

n December 1776, five College of William and Mary students with a commitment to intellectual fellowship founded an academic honor society known as Phi Beta Kappa. Their mission? Create a serious-minded student organization that would give members the freedom of creative discussion in a time of political and social turmoil.

Flash forward 240 years, and Phi Beta Kappa’s impact on young minds is evident at nearly 300 top colleges and universities around the nation, where the best and brightest liberal arts and sciences undergraduates are part of a diverse network of high achievers driven to push beyond academic boundaries and expectations.

At Mississippi State, faculty, staff and administrators have worked for more than 40 years to bring America’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society to the state’s leading research university. MSU’s first application was submitted in 1979 by Morris “Bill” Collins, founding director of the Stennis Institute of Government. Nancy Hargrove, now a Giles Distinguished Professor Emerita of English, led the 1982 submission. Leslie Bauman, now professor emerita in the Department of Physics and

Astronomy, led application initiatives in 1985, 1988, 2000, 2003 and 2006. These dedicated faculty and others who have succeeded them believed if Phi Beta Kappa is the key that opens doors to lifelong opportunity, they could be MSU’s locksmiths. Turns out they were Maroon and right.

“Phi Beta Kappa has been a long-term goal for this university,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “Since I arrived back at MSU in 2009, it became a high priority for all of us working together to achieve this wonderful goal, and we did back in August 2018 when we were recognized

by Phi Beta Kappa to shelter this highly prestigious, historic honor society on our campus.

“I am most appreciative of Dr. Robert West’s diligence and persistence and that of all of our Phi Beta Kappa faculty, who have worked so hard on behalf of our students,” Keenum continued. “We have secured more than $1 million for a permanent endowment to perpetually support this chapter on our campus, and we enjoyed installing the chapter and inducting the inaugural class of the society’s scholars in April.”

West, a professor of English who was inducted into

The 40-year dream of sheltering a Phi Beta Kappa Society chapter at Mississippi State officially came true with a spring installation and induction ceremony at The Mill at MSU in Starkville. Seventy-seven students (bottom) were inducted for extraordinary academic achievement in the arts and sciences. MSU President Mark E. Keenum (second row, far left) and Molly Zuckerman, an associate professor of anthropology (second row, far right), were among those who witnessed the historic event. Keenum and seven other foundation members were inducted into MSU’s PBK chapter for commitment to the ideals of the liberal arts and sciences.

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ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 3

Campus NEWS

Phi Beta Kappa members include 17 U.S. presidents, 41 Supreme Court justices and more than 140 Nobel laureates.

the organization as an undergraduate at Wake Forest University, has led MSU’s last three application cycles, including the successful effort resulting in a charter in fall 2018. He explained that a charter is granted to Phi Beta Kappa members of the faculty, not the university itself. For the chapter to be maintained, members should comprise at least 10 percent of the full-time arts and sciences teaching faculty. To be eligible for the highly selective, merit-based invitation process, students must have liberal arts and sciences courses for at least threequarters of the hours required for their degree.

“The success of our chapter application was truly a campuswide effort,” West said. “Two dozen other Phi Beta Kappa members on campus volunteered to help, and we also had the very broad support of faculty,

in early 2016 and led by Lynn Pasquerella, then vice president of the society and president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Now Phi Beta Kappa president, she was one of two featured speakers for MSU’s chapter installation and first induction ceremony April 2. She was joined by Phi Beta Kappa secretary and CEO Frederick M. Lawrence, an accomplished scholar, teacher and attorney also based in Washington, D.C. West said he enjoys reflecting on the moments leading up to MSU being granted this chapter and anticipates its bright future. He still remembers the excitement he felt when accompanying Keenum; Judy Bonner, provost and executive vice president, and other top faculty and administrators to Boston in August 2018 for the 45th Phi Beta Kappa Triennial Council.

“Sheltering this chapter brings great national recognition for the College of Arts and Sciences in particular and the university in general. We want students to know they can come here and do anything in preparation for any graduate or professional degree program or profession.” ~ Robert West administrators and other nonmembers in various offices, like the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, who cheerfully provided the information we needed.”

West said MSU demonstrated its ability to support a chapter through the organization and submission of a large preliminary application and then an even larger “General Report.” Designed to give a “total picture” of the university, both multipart documents address a wide range of data, including quantity and diversity of arts and sciences majors, financial aid opportunities, Title IX compliance in athletic programs, and the gender, racial and ethnic breakdown of students, faculty and administrators.

“The application has gotten more involved over time, so this process has really been one of institutional self-discovery,” West explained. “Phi Beta Kappa has a great honor to bestow, so it wants to establish that we have academic integrity and total institutional integrity, as well as financial stability. Don Zant and his team in the Division of Finance were very helpful in providing a lot of the financial information we needed. John Rush and the Division of Development and Alumni also were helpful with fundraising and development information.”

Over the long course of MSU’s application, Phi Beta Kappa conducted three site visits. The last one was 4

SPRING 2019

“Along with our application, we submitted a letter with a number of commitments Dr. Keenum made to support a chapter, and when Dr. Pasquerella read aloud quite a few of those commitments, there was a really gratifying murmur of approval,” West said. “When she read that Dr. Keenum said we would commit to raising $1 million for an endowment fund to support activities of the chapter, there was an outbreak of applause from the delegates who had come from the society’s nearly 300 chapters across the U.S.” Following Pasquerella’s presentation, Phi Beta Kappa’s legislative body voted to officially grant MSU a chapter of the society. At that moment, a faculty-driven dream four decades in the making became a well-earned reality.

The conclusion of this meaningful journey marked the start of another for generations of Bulldog students.

“Sheltering this chapter brings great national recognition for the College of Arts and Sciences in particular and the university in general,” West said.

“We want students to know they can come here and do anything in preparation for any graduate or professional degree program or profession. That goes back to Phi Beta Kappa’s motto: ‘Love of learning is the guide of life.’ We want students to say ‘I’ve had such a great time in my higher education at Mississippi State.

I want more.’” n

Graduate students Mariah Hodge, left, and Cori Speights, worked on an experiment with Brandon Barton, an assistant professor, to test AC/DC’s famous hypothesis “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution.”

Despite admiration for AC DC, MSU researcher discovers rock and roll is noise pollution after all

By James Carskadon, Photos by Logan Kirkland

G

rowing up in Idaho, Brandon Barton was among the many young musicians that learned how to play guitar through the hits of AC/DC, the famous Australian rock band.

“The way you tend to learn to play guitar is through open chords,” Barton said. “AC/DC is nothing but open chords. They’re one of the rock bands that uses the same chords, they just do it with gusto. For example, ‘Highway to Hell’ is just an A chord.”

Barton continued his appreciation for rock music in the years after learning to play the guitar. He also developed an appreciation for biology that led to degrees from the University of Idaho, Central Florida and Yale, and a faculty position in Mississippi State’s Department of Biological Sciences. The two interests came together one day when he was driving down Blackjack Road on the southern edge of the MSU campus.

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 5

Campus NEWS “I was by the roundabout on Blackjack, and AC/DC comes on my radio,” Barton recalled. “It was the song ‘Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution.’

For some reason, that time it hit me that it was a testable hypothesis. I thought that we could test it with lady beetles and see if they think rock and roll is noise pollution.”

Nearly 40 years after AC/DC famously made its declaration, the theory would be tested, and disproven, in a Harned Hall biology lab.

Barton created a study designed to fulfill two goals–demonstrate the impact of sound pollution on food webs and recruit undergraduate students to his research lab.

Because lady beetles eat aphids, their predatory drive is important to plant ecosystems. If able to reproduce freely, aphids can have a negative impact on crop health and production.

In order to test the AC/DC hypothesis, ecosystems with lady beetles, aphids and soybean plants were exposed to several types of sound, including AC/ DC’s “Back in Black” album, other rock music, country music and sounds typically heard in a city.

The team of student and faculty researchers found that when the lady beetles were continuously exposed to rock and roll for two weeks, they had a lower predatory drive and ate fewer aphids. With more aphids left in the environment, soybean size significantly decreased.

Barton acknowledges that, of course, AC/DC itself is not a major environmental concern. However, he said the results of the study do show the “cascading effects” sound pollution can have on a food web.

“Recent work has shown that sound pollution is a problem even in some of the most remote protected areas,” Barton said. “So we used AC/DC as 6

SPRING 2019

a way of creating sound pollution and having a little fun with it so we could capture people’s attention. But we really wanted to test the idea that if we change the sound in an environment, it doesn’t just affect one species. That’s what we’ve shown.”

The study also provided a learning experience for Cori Speights, a thirdyear doctoral student from Mexia, Texas, who came to MSU to continue her research on how environmental factors and global warming influence growth rates of organisms such as

“I was by the roundabout on Blackjack, and AC/DC comes on my radio,” Barton recalled. “It was the song ‘Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution.’ For some reason, that time it hit me that it was a testable hypothesis.

I thought that we could test it with lady beetles and see if they think rock and roll is noise pollution.”

- Brandon Barton Barton’s study also exposed a bit of a generation gap between faculty and students. Most undergraduates only know a little of AC/DC’s catalog, mostly what they have heard at sporting events. But that didn’t stop Mariah Hodge, a country music fan, from joining Barton’s lab.

As an undergraduate, Hodge was able to work on the project and gain valuable research experience that introduced her to a different career path.

She ran much of the study, making pit stops at the lab to count aphids on her way to football games. The Russellville, Alabama, native is now in the process of completing a master’s in biological sciences at Mississippi State and hopes to teach at the university level. Since leading the AC/DC study, she has worked on approximately a dozen more research projects.

“The experience was a door opener,” Hodge said. “I had no idea what I actually wanted to do. I didn’t know if I wanted to go to graduate school. It just gave me this opportunity to jump in and see what else was out there in the field of biology.”

aphids. After she completes her doctorate, she hopes to find a faculty position and mentor undergraduates in research experiences.

In the summer before she started her doctoral studies, Speights worked on the statistics and literature review for the AC/DC experiment. Like Hodge, she was not knowledgeable about rock music, but appreciated the meaning behind the study and the interest people had in it.

“It’s neat to think other people have an interest in what we do,” Speights said. “I think this study has been a great way to educate the general public about changes in the environment.”

For country music fans such as Hodge, the study did represent one win over rock and roll. Country music did not impact the lady beetles’ predation rates. The researchers are not positive why rock music had more of an impact than other genres.

When the study was released in July, it became a chart-topper in its field.

Dozens of media outlets picked up the story, including USA Today and Billboard.

AC/DC’s Brian Johnson told a British publication that his hearing loss was so bad toward the end of his tenure as frontman that he relied on “muscle memory” to perform.

Barton conducted interviews with outlets across the U.S., Australia and England. But one brought Barton back to his roots in Idaho.

“When I was a kid growing up, the station that I listened to was J105, Idaho’s rock station, in Boise,” Barton said. “That station shaped my love for AC/DC. It picked up the study and shared it on Facebook and Twitter. I was pretty thrilled to see that station pick it up. But no comments yet from AC/DC.” The paper was dedicated to AC/ DC guitarist Malcolm Young, who passed away while the manuscript was in progress. In addition to Barton, Hodge and Speights, the authors include biological sciences graduate Anna M. Autrey of Wetumpka, Alabama; biological sciences associate professor Vincent Klink; and Marcus Lashley, an assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture.

With the AC/DC experiment completed, Barton said he continues to encourage undergraduates to pursue research opportunities. In the same way students like Hodge have benefited from university-supported research programs at MSU, Barton once had a similar opportunity that changed the trajectory of his career.

“Supporting undergraduate research is essential for the next step,” Barton said. “You can only learn so much in the classroom.

You have to get your hands dirty.

I was fortunate to do federal workstudy, which got me into the lab as a freshman. That first semester, getting involved in a lab basically paved the entire way for me from a freshman in Idaho to a graduate student at Yale to a professor at Mississippi State.” n

How loud

is too loud?

While rock and roll music may not be a major concern for lady beetles, excessive sound can cause problems for other insects and humans.

During his experiment, Brandon Barton exposed plant and insect ecosystems to AC/DC and other music at sound levels of 95-100 decibels. The music did end up having a significant effect on the growth of soybean plants used in the study, primarily due to lady beetles eating fewer aphids.

Sound levels in that range can be common on farms, as a tractor typically produces sounds at 100 decibels when it runs.

“We did another experiment where we looked at the sounds of jackhammers, airplanes taking off and those sorts of things,” Barton said. “That also reduced predation rates for the lady beetles. Farm noise could actually reduce the efficiency of natural predators at controlling pests.”

As more rural spaces become urbanized, the impacts of sound pollution on wildlife and humans are an increasing concern for researchers. A busy urban street maintains a sound level of approximately 90 decibels.

Alarm Clock

Mississippi State’s noisiest tradition, the cowbell, produces approximately 110 decibels worth of sound, so the lady beetles in Barton’s study would be unlikely to ask for more cowbell. The lady beetles are also not likely to enjoy football games.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the loudest crowd roar at a sports stadium is 142.2 decibels, achieved by fans of the Kansas City Chiefs during a 2014 game against the New England Patriots.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss in humans.

The amount of damage done from loud noises depends on the length of time someone is exposed to the noise and the distance from the source of the sound. According to the institute, noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented or mitigated by wearing earplugs or earmuffs when involved in a loud activity, moving away from loud noises and knowing which noises can cause damage.

Tractor Cowbell Power Saw

Conversational SpeeCH Library Whisper

Loud Bar Music Jet Eardrum Burst ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 7

Campus NEWS

NEW BULLDOG SKIPPER

FINDS ‘HOME’ AT MSU

By Susan Lassetter, Photos by Kelly Donoho

W

hen Mississippi State announced Chris Lemonis as the 18th head coach of the Diamond Dawgs, the baseball world saw it as a laudable outside hire. None of those analysts realized the South Carolina native had roots firmly set in Maroon and White.

The son of a 1973 Mississippi State electrical engineering graduate, Lemonis actually lived with his parents in campus housing as a toddler. He admits he doesn’t remember anything about that time, but echoes of it remained throughout his childhood.

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“We always had a cowbell,” he said, gesturing to a well-used, bare-metal bell standing among a growing collection in his office. “It’s probably 50 years old.

Someone welded it and gave it to my parents when we lived here because they couldn’t afford a nice one.

“They gave it to me the first time I saw them after I took the job,” he continued. “I couldn’t tell them I was interviewing for this job. It was too big of a deal. But when I told them I was hired, they were in tears. For them, it’s a really special thing.”

Still, Lemonis had his own motivation

for leaving the head coaching post at Indiana University to take the job in Starkville.

“I had been approached about other jobs in the past, but I was at a school where I was really happy,” Lemonis said.

“I wasn’t going to leave unless it was the perfect job, and this is probably the perfect job.”

A graduate of The Citadel, where he also served as an assistant coach, Lemonis was in his fourth season as head coach of the Hoosiers when he first heard of the opening at Mississippi State. The self-proclaimed college baseball junkie

With a second win over South Carolina in the last regular season series, Chris Lemonis became the winningest first-year head coach in SEC history.

said he, along with most of the nation, was locked in on the Bulldogs’ 2018 postseason run—watching as the team triumphed over a tumultuous start to the season and persistent underdog status to make the College World Series. It was then, he said, that the excitement for the possibility of the job really sank in.

Lemonis explained there were several things that made head coach at Mississippi State the “perfect job” to lure him away from what he was building in the Midwest—including a returning team with proven grit and a chance to compete from inside the Southeastern Conference. But the one attraction he returned to time and again was the tradition of the program.

“When I say tradition, it envelopes so many things. It’s the great players who have played here, it’s the team we just took over and it’s the fanbase,” he said.

“I spent probably two and a half hours one evening going through Coach Polk’s house with him, learning the traditions and learning the people,” Lemonis continued. “The stadium is awesome, the nicest one in college baseball, but it was built by all of these people.”

With a reputation for being a toptier recruiter, Lemonis said he is eager to have that tradition as a selling point.

“When I recruit a kid, I spend less time talking about baseball than anything,” Lemonis explained. “I’m talking more about the great education and experience

here in Starkville, because when we get to the baseball side of it, well, we’re in the best league, we have the best stadium, we have the best fans, and when you go through all of that, it sells itself.”

It certainly helped sell Lemonis on the job. He recalled his first walk through

“I wasn’t going to leave

unless it was the perfect

job and this is probably the

perfect job.” ~ Chris Lemonis

the stadium, which was still undergoing renovations at the time. He said he was just quiet as John Cohen, MSU’s director of athletics, gave him the tour.

“It was just so much to take in, and I still haven’t really gotten to absorb it all,” Lemonis said. “(Assistant coach) Gautreau said, ‘There’s going to be a day in the spring when you’re going to walk out and the reels will be rolling and the place is packed and you’re just going to have to stop and take it all in.’”

That’s something he hasn’t had much time to do. Since taking the job, Lemonis has been busy building on the momentum of the 2018 season. He’s also working on getting to know his new town and community, learning along the way what all MSU faithful know: if someone wants to become part of the

Maroon and White family, they’ll be welcomed with open arms, open kitchens and conversations about previously unknown connections that prove they’ve belonged here all along.

“I walked into my first team meeting and (junior pitcher) Spencer Price said, ‘Your parents and my grandparents used to be neighbors on campus,’” Lemonis recalled. “Apparently his mom and I used to play together as babies. We don’t remember it, but our parents have reconnected. It just goes to show you how small this world is.”

While the happenstance of having lived on campus as a child wasn’t a deciding factor in his decision to come to Mississippi State, Lemonis said it is nice to be someplace that feels like home.

He jokingly added that with extended family on the Gulf Coast and parents in Alabama all planning trips to Starkville for his inaugural season, he hopes to find time to actually coach. But more than that, he said he looks forward to the opportunity to join the ranks of Mississippi State coaching greats.

“When I took this job, friends were like, ‘you really stepped into a pressure cooker,’” Lemonis said of people’s reactions to his joining such a historic program and passionate fanbase. “But I couldn’t live with myself if I turned it down. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I’m just trying to continue the legacy.” n ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 9

Women wrap historic season with year-end honors Led by Vic Schaefer, ESPNW’s 2019 National Coach of the Year, Mississippi State’s women’s basketball team claimed its second consecutive regular-season SEC championship and earned the title of Southeastern Conference tournament champions for the first time in university history.

The dominating 107-70 tournament championship win over Arkansas was headed by Teaira McCowan and Andra Espinoza-Hunter who each scored 24 points. McCowan earned tournament MVP honors and, along with fellow seniors Anriel Howard, Jazzmun Holmes and Jordan Danberry, was named to the 2019 SEC All-Tournament team.

McCowan, who was selected third overall in April’s WNBA draft and will join former Bulldog Victoria Vivians with the Indiana Fever next season, also claimed 2019 SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors, as well as a spot on the First Team All-SEC list and 2019 ESPNW All-American recognition. Howard, who went to the Seattle Storm as the draft’s 24th overall pick, also earned First Team All-SEC honors, while Holmes was named to the SEC All-Defensive team.

The trio of McCowan, Howard and Holmes also swept the nominations for the C Spire Gillom Trophy, awarded annually to the top women’s college basketball player in the state of Mississippi, with McCowan ultimately bringing home the hardware.

The team wrapped its season as only the 15th program in NCAA tournament history to advance to three consecutive Elite Eights as McCowan became the leading rebounder in tournament history.

While his team enjoys a well-earned off-season, Schaefer, named SEC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive time, will serve as an assistant coach with USA Basketball’s women’s team in the 2019 Pan American Games this summer.

TOURNAMENT CHAMPS: MSU President Mark E. Keenum (left) celebrates the Bulldog’s first SEC Tournament championship with tournament MVP Teaira McCowan (center) and head coach Vic Schaefer (right).

Photo by Kelly Donoho 10 SPRING 2019

State SNAPSHOT

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Shackouls Honors College commemorates 50 years of building scholar communities

By James Carskadon, Photos by Megan Bean

W

hen Becky Gardner first started working for what was then the University Honors Program in 1990, the unit had just moved to an old house on Magruder Street. For the next 17 years, that house, originally built as single-family housing for faculty members, cultivated a community among Mississippi State’s high-achieving students.

Today, the program, now known as the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College, finds a home in Griffis Hall and neighboring Nunnelee Hall, as the thriving community outgrew its familyhousing beginnings. It’s a community that Gardner, now the assistant dean of the honors college, has watched over for 29 years as generations of students excel in their time at MSU and in their careers.

“It’s fun to watch them every year because each freshman class is a little different,” Gardner said. “It’s fun to watch a group of students who, largely do not know each other, come together and form those friendships, those deep bonds through honors. Then it’s fun to listen to them as they go through their 12 SPRING 2019

four or five years here and how they mature during that time. Then to watch them go out into the real world. It’s a joy to watch them succeed.”

This year, the Shackouls Honors College celebrates 50 years of honors at Mississippi State. First established within the College of Arts and Sciences in 1968, honors at MSU has grown into a universitywide presence that fosters a community of scholars on campus while preparing students to succeed anywhere in the world.

Among the people Gardner has watched succeed is Holli Seitz, who said she was drawn to the program in the early 2000s by strong scholarship support and the community. She said being involved in honors opened up several educational and professional opportunities, and even affected her personal life in unexpected ways.

“My husband and I were actually in Honors Forum together my freshman year. Our first unofficial date was an honors outing to the observatory on South Farm. So, I credit honors with my marriage, my academic success and my career,” Seitz said jokingly.

“It’s fun to watch them every year, because each freshman class is a little different. It’s fun to watch a group of students, who largely do not know each other, come together and form those friendships, those deep bonds through honors.” ~ Assistant Dean Becky Gardner

The Honors Undergraduate Research Program supports the research and creative activity of students in the Shackouls Honors College. Participants present their work at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.

As a student, Seitz was heavily involved with the Honors Council, a student group that coordinates activities for honors students, serves as an advisory board to the college, and promotes academic and personal development. In that capacity, she got to form relationships with longtime program director Jack White, as well as former director Nancy McCarley, who led the program following White’s retirement in 2004.

While studying communication at MSU, Seitz attended the National Collegiate Honors Conference, an experience that broadened her view of academia.

She also participated in undergraduate student research, which helped her develop a passion for scientific inquiry. After graduating from MSU, she earned a master’s in public health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, worked in health communication for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and later earned a doctorate in communication from the University of Pennsylvania.

In 2016, Seitz joined the MSU faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Communication.

She is also the director of the Message Laboratory, a communication science research lab, in MSU’s Social Science Research Center.

“Going to those conferences as a student was my first taste of what an academic conference could look like,” Seitz said. “I learned that I really loved the creative process of developing research ideas and generating new knowledge. Honors played a role in that because I got to see other scholars presenting their work, and I got to present my ideas in those contexts. I think that was probably the spark of my future academic career.”

Seitz is also a member of the Honors College Advisory Board, a group started by Christopher

The Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College students and administrative offices are housed in Griffis Hall and nearby Nunnelee Hall.

Snyder, the current dean, to support the college and help expand opportunities for students. Seitz said that experience has given her an appreciation for the way the honors college has grown since her time as a student.

While Seitz has several fond memories of the old honors house, including riding out severe weather and studying for the GRE, she noted that the facilities have been upgraded tremendously.

A big reason for the growth of the honors college came in 2006, when Judy and Bobby Shackouls generously established a $10 million endowment to support it. At that time, the University Honors Program became the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College.

In addition to the honorary name change, the honors college has since grown in enrollment and enhanced opportunities for study abroad, undergraduate research and the pursuit of prestigious external scholarships, as well as more honors classes and student scholarships.

During a 50th anniversary of honors celebration last fall, Bobby Shackouls joked that even though he was a freshman when the honors program was formed, he did not know that it existed, which was good, because he may not have gotten in.

Shackouls graduated with a degree in chemical engineering in 1972 and went on to have a successful career, which included executive positions at several companies before retiring in Houston, Texas.

“About 25 years ago, I was part of a committee formed by the dean of engineering to improve the quality of students we produced here,” Shackouls said. “We met in Atlanta, and the message was real clear. What you can do to make your engineers more appealing to industry is to teach them how to talk, teach them how to communicate, teach them how to ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 13

This interior door to an upstairs storage closet in the former honors house displays graffiti left by honors students and honors hopefuls on campus for a summer program. Their artwork was recently discovered, and then covered, during renovations to the building.

write and teach them basic economics. I didn’t have any of those courses here. I learned it on the job.”

As a believer in the value of the MSU’s honors program, Shackouls made a gift that would leave a substantial impression on Mississippi’s largest honors program. However, when Snyder became the first dean of the honors college in 2011, he realized that the Shackouls also generously supported the college with their thoughts and time.

The original home of the University Honors Program, this house on Magruder Street now houses the Center for Student Success.

to over 1,750. Last fall’s freshman class of honors students had an average ACT score of 31.2, a number that has been steadily climbing over the years.

The college has also been more active in supporting students as they pursue prestigious external scholarships. Those efforts have paid off in recent years as MSU students have been finalists for or been named Rhodes, Goldwater, Fulbright, Gates Cambridge and Truman Scholars, among other awards.

“I knew immediately that these two individuals were not just donors, but intimately connected to the university and, most importantly, to its students.

Their commitment to higher education and the best academic opportunities for MSU students gave me the confidence to lead the college into a period of personnel growth, curriculum change and increased rigor.” ~ Dean Chris Snyder “I knew immediately that these two individuals were not just donors, but intimately connected to the university and, most importantly, to its students,” Snyder said. “Their commitment to higher education and the best academic opportunities for MSU students gave me the confidence to lead the college into a period of personnel growth, curriculum change and increased rigor.”

The honors college has been able to recruit Mississippi’s, and the country’s, best and brightest students with strong scholarship support, including the Presidential and Provost Scholar programs. In 2018, the college set records for applications and enrollment, bringing the number of honors students at MSU 14 SPRING 2019

Seitz said that as a student, having support from faculty and peers was crucial to pursuing opportunities like scholarships or graduate school. Additionally, she said, the small size of honors classes allows students to form strong relationships with professors, which helps not only with support for the students’ own endeavors but also allows students to learn more or conduct research in areas that interest them.

“A lot of times, talented students are often quite humble, and they may not realize just how special and extraordinary their gifts are,” Seitz said.

“So sometimes it takes someone outside them to encourage them to pursue opportunities. Just knowing that someone is there supporting you through

During its annual Classical Week, the honors college celebrates Greek, Roman and other ancient cultures. Here, students take on the parts of Athenian women in a 2016 production of the Roman tragedy “Phaedra” performed in the Zacharias Village courtyard.

the process can make or break your willingness to pursue that.”

Gardner has watched the honors community evolve over the years, with each group leaving a different mark.

In the old honors house, several students left a literal mark, primarily in the 1990s, by writing their names or drawing artwork on the walls of an upstairs closet.

More recently, and more officially, students have left their mark by earning a picture on the Wall of Fame in Griffis Hall by receiving national scholarships and other accomplishments.

As the honors college celebrated 50 years on campus with events this spring, Gardner was also able to appreciate the mark each leader has left. She still visits regularly with the first director of the honors program, John Tilley. She has also been able to see firsthand the progress made under former directors Jack White and Nancy McCarley, as well as Snyder.

“It has meant so much to me to watch the progress of honors through the years and to work under so many good people,” Gardner said. “I learned so much from Jack White. After his retirement, Dr. McCarley came in and built on what he had done for the program. She was very instrumental in setting us up as a college in the initial stages. Dr. Snyder, as our founding dean, has brought more opportunities for students and has grown the college in many important ways. We had a firm foundation from the beginning with Dr. Tilley, so it’s been special to me to see each director and our dean build on that foundation. Each one has left their special mark.” n

In 2006, a $10 million gift from Bobby Shackouls, a 1972 MSU graduate, and his wife Judy, endowed the honors college that now bears their names. In this picture they stand with Donald M. “Field” Brown, an honors student who in 2013 became Mississippi State’s first Rhodes Scholar since 1911.

“A lot of times, talented students are often quite humble, and they may not realize just how special and extraordinary their gifts are. So sometimes it takes someone outside them to encourage them to pursue opportunities. Just knowing that someone is there supporting you through the process can make or break your willingness to pursue that.” ~ Assistant Professor Holli Seitz ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 15

THUNDER, LIGHTNING,

S tory by David Murray | Photos by Kelly Donoho, Logan Kirkland & Beth Wynn

here is not much Rafael Palmeiro has neither seen nor experienced in baseball. Meaning, it demands much to impress a lifetime ballplayer. Mississippi State did just that on Feb. 16.

“It’s unreal,” Palmeiro said after he and former teammate Will Clark unveiled statues of their likenesses in front of the brand-spanking new Polk-DeMent Stadium. Known as Thunder and Lightning, they were then, along with teammate Jeff Brantley and late Bulldog legends Dudy Noble and Dave “Boo” Ferriss, presented as the inaugural names on the Ron Polk Ring of Honor.

The honor was entirely real and utterly deserved. All the more so because while the Ring of Honor will grow, those two over-sized statues stand alone, so to speak, greeting fans and foes alike to Mississippi State and the finest facility in the college game.

The pair stands at the forefront of any roll call of the greatest Diamond Dogs, eternally linked in Mississippi State memory and batting order. So, it is fully fitting they be permanently paired on this baseball palace’s plaza. The reasoning is as inescapable as it is obvious to Clark.

“Because wherever he goes, and wherever I go, we’re a tagteam,” Clark explained. “It’s Thunder and Lightning. So, for us to be side-by-side in front of the stadium is really special.”

Brantley found the weekend’s events just as special, without any need of a statue. The big bronze plaque in the Ring of Honor is more than enough for a guy who, even more than his more celebrated slugging teammates, defined everything Diamond Dog is expected to mean.

They can call him “Cowboy” in the big leagues. In our league, Brantley is Bulldog. Maybe “The Bulldog.” Yet soaking-in the ceremonies softened this tough guy.

“To sit there with my family, for them to get to see all of this, it’s really humbling, I’ll be honest with you,” Brantley said.

If the honorees were humbled, the opening weekend of 2019 was a time for program pride. Pride in the past for certain, as well as pride in the present. The left-handed swinging legends embodied in bronzes serve as over-sized 16 SPRING 2019

THE BULLDOGS FINALLY RECEIVE THEIR RING welcomes to what, beyond question, is the finest collegecampus baseball facility anywhere. That’s saying something in the Southeastern Conference to be sure. Since the late 1980s, the SEC has set stadium standards no other conference can counter. Isolated excellent examples, yes, but whether it’s the league’s elite or programs that historically barely noticed baseball, the SEC’s stadia are across-the-board best.

Clark, Palmeiro, Brantley and the 1985 Diamond Dogs were the team which tipped the scales toward Mississippi State spending the then-incredible figure of nearly $3 million to tear-out the plank-bleacher seating and small covered “grandstand” to replace it with concrete. If not the first truly modern stadium built—Georgia shares this status—it was a conference game-changer in February 1987.

“Since then you can see in the facilities around the SEC how everybody has come up to the Mississippi State level,” Clark said.

Not just come up, either. In fact, investments in upgrades, renovations or outright replacements had, ironically, left Mississippi State badly back in the pack. Now, the Bulldogs have moved that bar, and it’s unlikely many peer programs will even try to compete with the $68 million-venue.

“What we’ve got here now, this ballpark, it’s one of a kind, man,” Palmeiro boasted.

“I was teasing a few guys,” Clark said. “‘If you get drafted, you guys are going to go down in facility, not up in facility.’ It’s absolutely fabulous. The ballpark is phenomenal. And as far as myself, and the way the weekend went, it’s so, so special.”

Opening weekend was that. Weather could have been better and the series with Youngstown State was crammed into Friday-Saturday. This worked out well though. All scheduled ceremonies went on as, well, scheduled. The statues were revealed, ribbon cut, gates opened and, after several tense innings, the 2019 team baptized its ballpark with a runaway win.

The second day saw none other than Ronald G. Polk himself toss the first pitch, a symbolic signal that No. 1 is back, and back to stay, after a self-imposed exile of sorts.

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 17

When he and John Cohen had hugged for all the plaza crowd to see, there was a near-palpable sigh of collective relief. Whatever grudges and regrets of the preceding decade were banished.

It was much the same sensation seeing Clark and Palmeiro shake hands, applaud each other’s comments and behave as long-ago teammates are expected. For all their well-documented ill feelings as professionals, Thunder and Lightning know. They needed each other as college ballplayers, and they belong together as the faces of their college’s program now.

The heart of that fabled ball team, of course, was Brantley. Never mind he only pitched once

the minor-league ladder. Franchises had powerful arguments beyond signing bonuses, as college baseball was disdained by big leaguers with some legitimate reasoning.

Also, in retrospect, it is fair to claim Clark and Palmeiro helped begin the trend of more and more elite prospects taking the college baseball route. Three seasons at Mississippi State allowed them to develop at their own paces, and within a year of turning professional, both were in major league lineups.

Clark now knows he developed in other areas.

“This was me going from a young person to being a man. Ron Polk did that,” he said. “When

THERE WAS ONLY ONE APPROPRIATE PRESENTATION FOR THUNDER AND LIGHTNING — THE MOMENT AFTER THE THUNDER AND THE LIGHTNING STRUCK. each weekend and maybe a few mid-week innings in the innocent days when pitch counts meant making the pitch count. He shares a place in the inaugural Ring which is only fitting for an unofficial ’85 ringleader.

“Well, I get the Will and Raphael, I get the Thunder and Lightning,” he said. “I played with them. Because I was here the year before they were, I got to see them come in and turn into the hitters. I’ve just never seen anything like it.”

This, from a fellow who, in his own college and professional careers, faced the best of the best—including, his old college teammates.

“You float the names around of the guys that are the greatest hitters that ever played baseball,” Brantley continued. “Well, in my mind, I throw Will Clark and Rafael Palmeiro into that group because that’s what they meant to me.”

Any who have watched the SEC Network’s “Thunder and Lightning” documentary have an idea what those two Bulldogs meant for college baseball. In retrospect, it is still amazing Polk could convince two sure-thing prospects to come to college in the first place. Three decades ago it was nigh-automatic for such talents to take the immediate money and start working their way up 18 SPRING 2019

I came up here from New Orleans, I’d never been away from home.”

He did grow, as did an entire team, which now is a watch-word in the sport.

“And in three short years, to be where we were as a ballclub, was phenomenal,” Clark said.

“For lack of a better term, we set the standard for college baseball. And we did that three years in a row.”

No, they did not win the national championship, as “Thunder and Lightning” eloquently and agonizingly explains. Oddly though, the 1985 Diamond Dogs might be even better remembered and more loved for that very reason.

Yet this is not so surprising to baseball people.

Memories are entirely individual and even inexplicable. But Brantley can state very well and clearly what he recalls more fondly from 1985.

It was not his win over Arkansas in Omaha. It was not even his epic eight innings, most pitched on proverbial fumes, on the stunning last day of State’s season. For him, his final appearance on Dudy Noble Field stands alone—a Memorial Day victory that finally sent this team to the College World Series.

TOP LEFT: Generous support from Bulldog faithful helped make possible the $68-million renovation to Polk-DeMent Stadium.

Richard C. Adkerson, a 1969 accounting and 1970 MBA graduate who the accounting school is now named for, helped boost the fundraising efforts with a $2-million gift from the Adkerson Family Foundation for the establishment of a right field plaza. From L-R: Adkerson, Will Clark, MSU President Mark E. Keenum, Rafael Palmeiro, voice of the Diamond Dawgs Jim Ellis, and John Cohen, MSU’s director of athletics celebrate the facility’s grand opening.

TOP RIGHT: MSU alumnus Thomas “Rusty” Reid shakes hands with athletic director John Cohen. Reid, who has a pediatric dentistry practice in Brookhaven, is the sculptor behind the Thunder and Lightning statues that now flank the entrance to Dudy Noble.

MIDDLE LEFT: Forever linked in the Bulldog hearts and minds as Thunder and Lightning, Will Clark (left) and Rafael Palmeiro (right) returned to Starkville to celebrate the reopening of Dudy Noble Field.

MIDDLE RIGHT: Former head coach Ron Polk surveys updated stadium from the dugout he called home for nearly 30 years.

BOTTOM: Members of the 2019 Diamond Dawgs stand for the national anthem prior to the first game at their newly renovated stadium.

20 SPRING 2019

TOP LEFT: Inaugural Ron Polk Ring of Honor inductees Rafael Palmeiro, Jeff Brantley and Will Clark stand with the current Diamond Dawgs who caught their trio of ceremonial first pitches at the new Dude.

From L-R: Palmeiro, junior pitcher Riley Self, Brantley, record-breaking senior slugger Jake Mangum, Clark and senior outfielder Elijah MacNamee.

SECOND LEFT: Legendary former head coach Ron Polk shares a laugh with senior Jake Mangum in the dugout prior to a game. Mangum secured sole ownership of the Southeastern Conference’s career hits record in a seriesclinching win over Georgia in late April, passing LSU’s Eddy Furniss who set it in 1998.

THIRD LEFT: Will Clark talks with John Cohen, former Diamond Dawg and current MSU athletic director, during the Ring of Honor induction ceremony.

BOTTOM LEFT: Rafael Palmeiro stands with former head coach Ron Polk on the field during opening weekend festivities.

TOP RIGHT: Ron Polk, who served as the Bulldog’s head coach from 1976-97 and again from 2000-08, speaks during the unveiling of the Ring of Honor that bears his name.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Ron Polk prepares to toss the ceremonial first pitch prior to the first game in the newly renovated stadium that shares his name. A legend by any standard, he is considered by some as the “Father of SEC Baseball” and helped make Mississippi State a nationally competitive baseball powerhouse.

“YOU JUST PLAY BALL, YOU FIGHT TO WIN AND YOU DO THE BEST THAT YOU CAN. BUT THAT’S THE GREAT PART OF MISSISSIPPI STATE, THEY DON’T FORGET.” ~ JEFF BRANTLEY “The last game that we played here was against Michigan. And there’s never been a game before that or after that, even in the big leagues, that really kicked my emotions in as much as that,” he said. “If you guys remember, the year before in ’84 I was on the mound when Stuart Weidie hit the home run that knocked us out.

New Orleans went to the College World Series and we sat at home.”

A year later Michigan forced a Monday rematch with Omaha the prize.

“And all of us thought, ‘we got this,’” Brantley recalled. “To be out there and be able to pitch in that ballgame, even though it was a rough day, to win that game and have everybody put you on their shoulders—it’s just one of those once-in-alifetime things. It meant a lot to me. It still does.

When I think back to times here, that’s one of the first things that pops into my mind.”

But, is it really so surprising an Omaha Diamond Dog, an SEC Champion, a major leaguer and All-Star, would have his Dudy Noble Field days as foremost in memory? Returning to the scene of the prime was every bit a welcome home to everyone.

“I don’t get embraced like this anywhere else,” Palmeiro said. “I played in Texas for a long time and Baltimore. But when I come back here, this is special. My wife is from Tupelo, we got to meet so many people when I was here. And we stayed in touch with a lot of people. So, it’s awesome to come back and be treated this way.”

Clark seconds that emotion. He also makes clear this is not just the case on maroon-letter days, such as stadium openings and statue unveilings.

“It’s so, so special to me,” Clark said. “The Mississippi State family accepted me back in 1982 and all these years after I feel that much closer to them.”

It’s true, the 1985 team and its brightest stars belong to Bulldog sports history. But ask the Mississippi State family: Brantley, Palmeiro, Clark—the whole club—belongs to them.

Palmeiro understands where this all started.

“If you’re a player, and you’ve gone to college and high school and the minor leagues, once you get out of college it becomes a job,” Palmeiro explained. “And it wasn’t a job when we were in college.”

No. It was a way of life. Brantley says ballplayers don’t often consider just how unique their place and their opportunity can be in the heat of the college moment.

“You just play ball, you fight to win and you do the best that you can. But that’s the great part of Mississippi State, they don’t forget,” he said.

“The folks here are like family. And it wasn’t just because I won a bunch of ballgames, that happened the first day I stepped on campus.

“I can remember being at one of the grocery stores on Highway 12. I’m from Alabama and didn’t know anybody from over here. Somebody comes up and says, ‘Hey, Jeff, we’re glad that you’re here in Starkville and glad that you’re on the baseball team.’ And I’m thinking to myself how do you even know my name,” Brantley recalled. “But that’s just the following that you get from Mississippi State.”

From now on those entering Mississippi State’s state-of-art stadium will pass between that pair of brazen batters, and their bats, which are just as larger-than-life. Many an old college moundsman must still believe Palmeiro and Clark were using bigger and heavier metal than most when his best stuff ended up parked beyond fence and wall.

“The statue was phenomenal,” Clark said.

“We got together with Rusty Reid, he had made those sort of small clay models and I saw ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 21

“AND IN THREE SHORT YEARS, TO BE WHERE WE WERE AS A BALLCLUB, WAS PHENOMENAL. FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, WE SET THE STANDARD FOR COLLEGE BASEBALL. AND WE DID THAT THREE YEARS IN A ROW.” WILL CLARK ~ it when it was a little bit bigger. But to see the bronze version and it be in front of the stadium, I mean it tugged at your heart really hard.”

Palmeiro added, “I was totally impressed.

And to have a statue in front of the stadium, who could ever imagine something like that?”

Mississippi State alumnus and Brookhaven dentist Reid could. Though the university officially kept the identities of the statues “secret” there was never any doubt who the two would be. How to display both? Reid did not take the easy route of a batting stance or standing in the field or anything simple.

There was only one appropriate presentation for Thunder and Lightning—the moment after the thunder and the lightning struck.

“When they came to both Rafael and myself, they wanted to do the follow-throughs,” Clark said. “Because they said it was sort of iconic. For them to do the follow-throughs and to get it absolutely perfect, side-by-side in front 22 SPRING 2019

of the stadium, it really is special.”

Perhaps there is a bit of irony as well. Both are gazing up and away to the western horizon, whereas all their Dudy Noble Field blasts were eastbound and out. This includes their final home-field homers on the Memorial Day Brantley remembers so well. Bobby Thigpen and the late Dan Van Cleve also slugged shots in their Dudy Noble Field farewells, with Thigpen closing out Brantley’s victory.

A memorable day, indeed. Sadly, there is little video and film available from the afternoon itself. Or, is it really so sad? For today’s and future generations used to screen scenes, maybe so. Yet it is a kindly trick that remembered images can soften on the edges as the colors shine brighter.

The documentary captured just enough of Mississippi State 1985 to tell a story but missed so much more of the entire tale. Brantley is not at all surprised that team, that season, became such a subject. Yes, there was good luck in that

the team peaked just at a time college baseball, and for that matter college sports, broadcasting and reporting was emerging as a real thing.

Many a cultural and technical trend was converging in the mid-1980s.

It just so happened to all come together on a baseball team with players, with performance, with presence, and all the more so with personalities. Brantley has made the successful transition from field to booth and is best-qualified to comment on what made 1985 truly unique.

“I think you can have good players. You can have great players. But that club, there are so many guys on the back burners—Dan Van Cleve, John Scott, Gator Thiesen, Bobby Thigpen—there were so many guys in that club that just didn’t take losing on a regular basis,” he said. “And it wasn’t as though we didn’t lose because we were good; we didn’t lose because we weren’t going to accept it.

“If Rafael had an off-day, Will picked it up. And vice versa. If I had a rough day it was Gene Morgan that was going to pick us up,” he continued. “And you look at all the guys that played on the defensive side, you don’t really hear their names that often. But you can’t do what we did without the whole group.

It’s not just about three people. It’s about that whole group.”

So if there is only room for two statues outside the ballpark, there is always a place for every 1985 Diamond Dog in Mississippi State history. Of course, being the pair picked to

represent that history is pretty great to Clark, quite the brazen Bulldog himself as a player.

“Because you think about it, it’s going to be there as long as the stadium is here,” he said.

“So I’m hoping this stadium stays here a while.”

Palmeiro said even as a big leaguer he rarely considered how his career would play out. Never mind that he could become memorialized in such a fashion at Mississippi State.

“I mean, a statue? No one ever thinks of that,” Palmeiro said. “I’m so honored, it’s just such an incredible thing. And it makes it even more special because Will gets to have the same thing as well. He deserves it every bit as much. And Coach Polk, with his Ring of Honor, that makes it a lot more special to me.”

Clark added, “It’s been fabulous. To see what it’s become is absolutely fabulous.”

Yet Thunder and Lightning are no fable.

They are living history of a long-ago time who translate easily to the present. The future, too. This was why Palmeiro took time on opening day to shake hands with every 2019 Diamond Dog. Several, he predicted, will experience minor league baseball and hopefully, a handful earn places on major league lineups someday soon.

“But when you’re in college and have this kind of atmosphere and you become a family, there’s nothing like it,” Palmeiro said. “They just need to keep the tradition going and bring that championship we all want.” n

Dudy Noble Field at PolkDeMent Stadium officially reopened Feb. 16 after undergoing a $68-million renovation, its first major overhaul since it set the standard with a then unheard of $3-million upgrade in 1987. Known as the Carnegie Hall of College Baseball, “The Dude” holds 14 of college baseball’s top 15 on campus attendance records, a testament to both the facility and the Bulldog family.

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 23

MSU STUDENTS, STAFF, ALUMNI DEPLOY TO MIDDLE EAST WITH MISSISSIPPI ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

By James Carskadon, Photos by Megan Bean & Submitted

24 SPRING 2019

W

hen most Mississippi State students were preparing for their final exams in April 2018, Wilson Brandon was in Fort Bliss, Texas, preparing for a test that would take place halfway around the world.

The sophomore in the College of Business was among the 4,200 soldiers that deployed to Kuwait last summer with the Mississippi Army National Guard’s 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT). The brigade completed its deployment in spring 2019.

Brandon, a Charleston, Mississippi, native, said he joined the National Guard because it was the best opportunity to serve his country.

“The deployment has been bittersweet for sure,” Brandon said. “I’ve had the opportunity to learn a lot over this entire process and gained many mentors and new friendships. There have been countless surprises, one of the main ones being how hot it was at one point.”

While Brandon and his fellow soldiers were “I’ve had the focused on their role in support of Operation opportunity to learn Spartan Shield, the a lot over this entire unit’s deployment also had a significant impact process and gained on the MSU community many mentors and and towns throughout Mississippi, said retired new friendships.

Lt. Col. Brian Locke, There have been director of MSU’s G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery countless surprises, Center for America’s one of the main Veterans. When the 155th mobilized, dozens ones being how hot of MSU students, staff it was at one point.” members and alumni put their lives at home Wilson Brandon ~ on hold to serve their country.

“These soldiers may be in the same unit, but their families are scattered throughout the civilian community,” Locke said. “A huge issue for many of them is that they have civilian jobs they’re leaving for a period of time. You’re going to be gone for almost a year having your military hat on, and then you have to come back and immediately try to transition into a civilian mindset.”

MSU is nationally recognized for its support of student veterans and their dependents, but the university also works to ensure faculty and staff can fulfill their service obligations while keeping their jobs.

Lt. Col. Kenneth Anthony, an associate professor in MSU’s Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education, just completed his fourth military ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 25

ABOVE: The reservists said care packages from home, like those that included MSU gear, helped them know that people back in Starkville were thinking of them and appreciated their efforts. RIGHT: Deployed reservists from Mississippi State take their turn in a surrogate Egg Bowl Run at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The soldiers staged this event to recreate the annual event which sees the ROTC cadets from MSU and Ole Miss carry the game ball from one school to the other during the week of the rivalry game.

in 2015 because he wanted to serve as a spiritual leader to soldiers. As a chaplain, he provides religious support and counseling, helping to boost morale of the soldiers as they navigate the challenges of spending an extended period of time away from home and fulfill their mission objectives.

“This deployment has been challenging on “It’s really awesome to see them go many levels,” Edwards said. “The 155th ABCT through the program, reach the point maintains a tremendous where they get commissioned as an pace in training and that high operations officer and then go out and do exactly tempo has continued during this deployment. what they were trained for, what they But we have been prepared to do.” Brian Locke very successful in our ~ mission.”

Both Edwards and Anthony said in the Middle East,” Anthony said. “It is a MSU was very supportive as they multifaceted and challenging mission for prepared for their deployment, which the soldiers.” helped ease the stress of leaving home.

Also among the unit’s ranks is Capt.

MSU has been formally recognized twice Scott Edwards, who serves as chaplain. A since 2017 by the U.S. Department of two-time graduate of MSU, Edwards is an Defense Employer Support of the Guard Extension instructor in the Department and Reserve program for the university’s of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture support of employees in the National and a training coordinator for the U.S. Guard and armed forces reserves.

Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Several lieutenants and other leaders Services National Training Academy. in the 155th were commissioned through Edwards joined the National Guard deployment. In January, the MSU alumnus formally took command of the 2nd Battalion, 198th Armored Regiment during a ceremony in Kuwait.

“We are doing a variety of missions, from strategic deterrence of threats in the Middle East to partnership exercises with allies and supporting combat operations

26 SPRING 2019

MSU’s Army ROTC program, which Locke led before moving to the Center for America’s Veterans. He said seeing his former students serve their country always makes him proud.

“It kind of makes you feel like a proud parent because you spend so much time with them in the ROTC program,” Locke said. “It’s really awesome to see them go through the program, reach the point where they get commissioned as officers, and then go out and do exactly what they were trained for, what they prepared to do.”

While in Kuwait, several members of the brigade took an Egg Bowl ROTC tradition overseas. For the last five years, MSU and Ole Miss Army ROTC cadets have hosted an Egg Bowl run where they carry the game ball from one school to the other during the week of the rivalry game. In November 2018, soldiers supporting Ole Miss and MSU ran a football 92 miles around Camp Buehring, Kuwait, representing the distance between Starkville and Oxford.

Other touches also helped the 155th soldiers feel connected to home.

Last April, soldiers posted pictures to social media showing support for the MSU women’s basketball team as they advanced to the Final Four. MSU sent apparel to the soldiers so they could

Maj. Gen. Janson D. “Durr” Boyles, adjutant general of Mississippi, and MIssissippi State President Mark E. Keenum celebrate after signing a memorandum of agreement between MSU and the Mississippi National Guard to establish the Bulldog Free Tuition Program.

cheer on MSU during football season.

“A lot of different organizations on campus have sent over care packages, T-shirts and MSU gear,” Locke said.

“Any of those small touches of getting something from home helps you remember that people really appreciate what you’re doing over there, that people are thinking about you. Checking in with family members, all of that stuff means a lot. It always meant a lot to me while I was deployed.”

Welcoming students home to a new era of support for Mississippi National Guard Members While the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team was deployed, MSU and the Mississippi National Guard formed a partnership that will help the guard maintain a strong force and ensure soldiers receive greater education benefits.

The Bulldog Free Tuition Program was launched in August, marking the first agreement of its kind between

the National Guard and a Mississippi university. Under the agreement, fulltime MSU students in the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard are ensured free tuition. To be eligible for the program, service members must be in good standing with their units, eligible to receive either State Educational Assistance or Federal Tuition Assistance, and they cannot be within a year of the expiration of term of service.

The program came to fruition after Maj. Gen. Janson D. “Durr” Boyles, adjutant general of Mississippi and an MSU alumnus, met with MSU President Mark E. Keenum to discuss a free tuition program for service members. Within months, Keenum and Boyles were signing an agreement to establish the Bulldog Free Tuition Program in a completely full Nusz Hall atrium, home to the Center for America’s Veterans.

“Readiness is our force’s top priority and this tuition program will help to attract personnel who will staff our future state and federal missions,” Boyles said.

“The students receiving this tuition

benefit will contribute tremendously toward our preparedness and be among those ready to answer the call during state emergencies and overseas contingency operations.”

Locke said the program received an overwhelming response from current and potential service members. Even though it was launched days before the start of a new semester, approximately 70 service members enrolled at MSU were able to benefit from the tuition support, which builds upon the National Guard’s existing educational support. He said he expects several service members that deployed with the 155th ABCT to take advantage of the program during the fall 2019 semester.

“It’s a win-win situation for both us and the National Guard,” Locke said. “For the National Guard, it’s a great recruiting tool to bring in quality folks who want to serve in the military.

On the flip side, Mississippi State gets those quality people that are dedicated to service to their country coming here to be students, and those students don’t ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 27

have to worry about student loans or finding someone to pay for their education.”

The Bulldog Free Tuition Program is among the latest of many tangible steps MSU has taken to support veterans, active duty service members and dependents. All veterans receive an out-of-state tuition waiver, and MSU recently waived application fees for undergraduate and graduate student veterans. In anticipation of the 155th ABCT’s deployment, MSU also streamlined its military withdrawal procedure to benefit service members.

Building a campus community for the military-connected

MSU’s support for veterans took a major step forward in 2016 with the completion of Nusz Hall. The 7,500-square-foot facility dedicated to the MSU military-connected community includes administrative offices, meeting areas, study rooms, a computer lab, and indoor and outdoor spaces for social and recreational activities.

These initiatives are part of why MSU continues to be “This deployment recognized as one of the most has been veteran-friendly universities challenging on in the country. In January, many levels.

MSU was named a 2019 top The 155th ABCT 10 Military Friendly school by VIQTORY, formerly Victory maintains a Media. In 2015, MSU was tremendous pace designated a Purple Heart in training and that University by the Military high operations Order of the Purple Heart.

Between veterans, active tempo has duty service members and continued during dependents, the militarythis deployment. connected community at MSU But we have been comprises approximately 2,810 students. Those students, many very successful in of whom are nontraditional our mission.” college students, bring a unique Scott Edwards ~ perspective to the classroom, Locke said.

“I hear from professors and staff members all the time about how much they enjoy having student veterans in the classroom because they typically are very respectful,” Locke said. “They show up on time, they do their work, they communicate.”

Next fall, Wilson Brandon will once again be one of those students after completing his deployment with the 155th ABCT. Instead of training in Texas or going through a military exercise in Kuwait, Brandon will be back where it feels like home.

“There’s a long list of things I looked forward to about coming back,” Brandon said. “But the thing I look forward to the most was being back with my family, friends and being back in Starkville at school.” n 28 SPRING 2019

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 29

Our PEOPLE

WHAT HIS EYES HAVE SEEN Alumnus takes on the world with adventurous spirit

By Susan Lassetter, Photos by Beth Wynn & Submitted

T

hey remain as clear and blue as when he first walked onto Mississippi State’s campus as a student, but in the more than 50 years since that day Gerald “Jerry” Thames’ eyes have seen a lot—of life, the world and the doors a Mississippi State University education can open.

“Students from Mississippi State have sometimes had this attitude that others’ educations were a notch better. It’s just part of who we are,” Thames explained. “But I’ve been out there, worked with people from schools around the world and found everyone puts their pants on the same way.

“People are just people. The issue is whether you go out and act. I’m always willing to step out and try, and my career is where it’s taken me,” he continued. “And we have Mississippi State graduates all over the world who have done just as well, if not better, which just goes to show how much we MSU graduates can do when we take a leap.”

The 1970 nuclear engineering graduate, who earned an MBA the following year, built his career doing just that—leaping into the unknown without hesitation.

“I’ve moved around so much when people ask what I do I just say, ‘I try to keep a job,’” Thames said, jokingly.

30 SPRING 2019

It’s a modest way to describe his work history. In fact, over the course of 40 years, he has had careers in the telecommunications, financial, government and management consulting industries.

He followed the opportunities around the world, even into a war zone, working toward his goal of building his own business— Global TeleSystems—which he did to the tune of a $7 billion market value.

Now in his “fourth retirement,” Thames has no plans of slowing down, even if his focus has changed. A world traveler with an adventurous spirit, he’s become more involved with international volunteer work. He also took up mountain trekking about a decade ago, taking on some of the world’s most famous expeditions, including Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, Patagonia and the Alps.

It was one of his trips abroad in the early 2000s that sparked what has been the biggest project of his semiretirement— transforming a village in Tanzania. It began with a mission trip and a visit to a village hard-hit by the country’s AIDS epidemic when a local pastor shared his vision for assisting the area’s widows and orphans.

“The village population was 60% children who were mostly supported by a widow or their grandparents. But the widows

had little means of supporting themselves or the children,” Thames explained. “The church’s way of helping was to share its food and give a goat to a widow, then that goat’s kids would go to another widow and so on.”

To help, Thames’ church in Georgia raised money to purchase maize for the widows and orphans, then built homes for those with the most critical need. Over the years, they have completed nearly 35 homes and helped support the widows through microloans to help them start businesses. However, the goal of the pastor who initially introduced Thames to the village was to build a school.

Thames said at that point, no child who attended the existing, poorly equipped village school had ever successfully tested at the fourth grade level.

“The problem was the kids who did have a chance to go to school were attending a school with more than 100 students per teacher and no books,” Thames explained. “Part of the pastor’s vision was to use education to help these children rise out of poverty and become people who would have an impact on society.”

Thames said they started building an English-medium school and hiring and training teachers in 2004. However, lack of nutrition was still a major obstacle to the children’s learning.

“Kids can’t learn if they’re malnourished, and their learning should begin between 2-3 years of age,” Thames said. “If they miss that very formative development time because of the lack of nutrition, they will have learning problems afterward. So, we added three grades of preschool, along with feeding the children twice a day at school.”

To fund the school and to support the health and education programs for its students, a child sponsorship program, called Project Child, was created. Within seven years, that program of early intervention was adopted nationwide at the urging of the United

Mr. Thames is so good at pushing you out of your comfort zone and encouraging you. This experience made me realize the world is so much bigger than you realize sitting at home in Mississippi. ~ Beth Accardy Nations. Today 275 children attend the school, which in the last few years has consistently ranked in the top 10% in the country. Nearly 800 children have attended the school with 99% graduating from primary school and over 95% of those completing secondary school.

Thames said the school has seen so much success in the 16 years since it began, that they recently started working on an expansion that will double its enrollment. He’s also recruited American college students, including a group from Mississippi State, to help with teacher education.

Sisters Beth and Hannah Accardy, a 2018 mathematics graduate and mechanical engineering senior, respectively, accompanied Thames to Tanzania last spring.

“I’ve been very blessed to have a good education in science and math, and to be able to share that with these teachers, who will then ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 31

Our PEOPLE Lake agreed, admitting he first worried the meals would be awkward but that he quickly came to see their value and even look forward to the conversations.

“He would start by asking us about school but I think he realized how we were doing in our personal lives was just as important,” said Lake, who now works in nuclear operations for the Navy. “Having that relationship with someone like him, with his success, and being able to pick his brain is amazing. I consider him my first–and to this point only–mentor and his availability to me was a huge factor in my success.”

Beth Accardy explains states of matter to Tanzanian teachers so they might have a more thorough understanding of the material they present to their students.

share it with their students, was a wonderful opportunity,” Hannah said.

Beth added, “Mr. Thames is so good at pushing you out of your comfort zone and encouraging you. This experience made me realize the world is so much bigger than you realize sitting at home in Mississippi.”

Barrett Lake was so inspired by his first trip to Tanzania with Thames that he went a second time following his 2018 chemical engineering graduation. He said the goal was to help the teachers visualize and physically understand the material they were only reading in textbooks. His specialty was demonstrating the concepts of energy transference.

“At first I went because it sounded cool, and I was excited to see a new part of the world,” Lake explained.

“Then it transformed into work I saw as very important, and I wanted to do a good job.”

(L-R) Beth and Hannah Accardy, Barrett Lake and Gerald “Jerry” Thames represent Mississippi State University in a Tanzanian village.

Lake was a recipient of the Gerald Thames Endowed Scholarship within Mississippi State’s Bagley College of Engineering, which is how he first met the scholarship’s namesake, Lake’s testimony speaks to what Thames says is his goal who not only supports the students financially but also encourages in getting to know his scholarship recipients: to help young in-person meetings at least once a semester—whether it’s lunch, professionals navigate their education and early careers to coffee or a dinner as a group. take advantage of their opportunities and avoid the mistakes “What Mr. Thames does with those semiannual lunches is that befall many fresh graduates. something you don’t often see,” Lake said. “He’s not only investing “During my career, I’ve run into a lot of people early in his money, which is obviously very important, but he wants to make their careers or fresh out of universities from all over the sure his investment goes through. And that’s really big.” country, and I’ve seen them do some really dumb things,” Thames said attendance at these meetings isn’t a requirement of Thames explained. “But you realize, you can’t blame them the scholarship, but he believes it can be an important part of student for that really stupid thing because no one has come around development. By building these relationships he said he hopes to get to help or mentor them. to know the students, and their needs and worries, so he can support “I think offering that mentorship is something really them in all of their endeavors. important universities and their alumni can do for students,” “We have a rule when we sit down as a group: if they don’t he continued. “We are preparing them to have good careers ask me questions, I get to ask them questions. That tends to get a and do good things in the world. And one way to do that is dialogue going,” Thames noted with a chuckle. by trying to help them get a good solid start.” n 32 SPRING 2019

FROM THE TOWN THAT CARES TO THE CAMPUS THAT CARES Alumna reflects on journey to becoming MSU’s first female African American physician

W

hen Dr. Katrina Poe counts her blessings, she makes sure to count the events of April 1, 2018, twice. On this day, the proud MSU alumna and her family visited Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, and watched coach Vic Schaefer’s

By Sasha Steinberg, Photo by Beth Wynn

Bulldogs compete in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship.

Following the historic game, Poe’s husband Calvin Johnson, also a diehard Bulldog fan and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity adviser, introduced her to Regina Young Hyatt, MSU’s vice

president for student affairs, at the hotel where the couple was staying. The friendly conversation that ensued between the three Bulldogs ultimately provided an answer to one of Poe’s biggest prayers.

“I had planned on staying in my hometown of

Kilmichael to practice, but after serving as the town’s only physician for 17 years, I started to feel like the Lord was calling me to do something different,” said Poe, who holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from MSU. “When I told Dr. Hyatt it’s been a ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 33

Our PEOPLE dream of mine to be back at Mississippi State, she encouraged me to apply for a physician opening at the Longest Student Health Center. I applied, interviewed and was offered the position.”

Poe was excited about what she saw as the opportunity of a lifetime and worked with a nurse practitioner to ensure patients would be well cared for after she left Kilmichael.

Leaving her hometown patients in good hands, she has since been putting her University of Mississippi Medical Center family medicine training to work as a full-time physician at the health center, where she treats students, faculty, staff and their families.

She also treats private patients traveling from her hometown and other nearby cities including Greenwood, Grenada and Winona. On her own time, she makes visits every few months to homebound patients in these Mississippi towns.

Providing topnotch medical care and encouragement to fellow Bulldogs in pursuit of their own dreams gives Poe a big dose of happiness every day.

She enjoys treating patients from all walks of life and is becoming increasingly impressed with the health consciousness students exhibit.

“Health care is always changing, and the students will ask questions that I need to go research, so every day is 34 SPRING 2019

a great learning experience,” she said. “When I tell students I graduated from Mississippi State, they get even more excited, especially if they are pre-med. They’ll ask me questions and say,

to help them coordinate appointments around their class schedules,” Poe said.

“It’s also been rewarding to have colleagues to bounce ideas off of and who can cover for me if I need to take

“Health care is always changing, and the students will ask questions that I need to go research, so every day is a great learning experience. When I tell students I graduated from Mississippi State, they get even more excited, especially if they are pre-med. They’ll ask me questions and say, ‘If you can do it, I can, too.’

Hearing students say they have actually called and requested me makes me feel really good.” ~ Dr. Katrina Poe ‘If you can do it, I can, too.’

Hearing students say they have actually called and requested me makes me feel really good.”

Poe said she appreciates opportunities to interact with health center receptionists and other colleagues including Drs. Cliff Story, Robert “Ryan” Looney and Mike Mabry, who each hold degrees from MSU. She also enjoys working with the staff at Student Counseling Services and in the psychology department to provide students with a strong support system.

“I like that the receptionists work really well with the students

off to be with my husband and our 16-year-old and 13-year-old sons.

“At MSU, we have a family-oriented, friendly atmosphere where everybody works together and cares about the students’ total well-being. You don’t see that everywhere,” Poe added.

Poe attributes her compassion for others and strong work ethic to her parents, who worked at a garment factory in Kilmichael. Poe said her particular interest in medicine was inspired in the fifth grade by a trip to Jackson with her mother, who was receiving treatment for various health complications. She was so

impressed with the care her mother received that Poe vowed to attend medical school, so she could become a doctor.

“My mom and dad always supported me, but at the time, it was hard for them to imagine me studying to become a doctor when no one in the family had a medical background,” Poe explained.

“I can remember when I walked across the stage at UMMC, got my degree and came down, my mama stood up and said, ‘You said you were going to do it! You said you were going to do it!’” It still makes me teary-eyed to think about it now because she was proud.”

But she wasn’t done making her mama proud. In 2013, Bessie Poe experienced serious health complications and ultimately went into kidney failure. Her doctor said she would need to start dialysis, but in November 2014, she was able to undergo a kidney transplant after her daughter learned she was a match and made the life-saving donation.

“When I was in fifth grade, I remember saying ‘Mama, I am going to go to school to be a doctor because I want to be able to take care of you and help other people, too,’” Poe recalled. “Now, we are celebrating the four-year anniversary of the kidney donation, and my mom’s still doing well. Now, I’m back at Mississippi State and I’m enjoying my work in medicine again. God is just good.” n

ALUMNI AWARDS SPOTLIGHT SLATE OF IMPRESSIVE HONOREES

By Amy Cagle, Photos by Megan Bean

The MSU Alumni Association honors some of its most dedicated graduates and volunteers each year with a special campus ceremony.

This year’s Alumni Banquet was held in March at The Mill at MSU Conference Center in Starkville. Some 475 Bulldogs from across the nation attended the event.

Honored during the banquet ceremonies were the university’s 2019 National Alumnus, the 2019 college alumni of the year, the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumna and the 2018 Distinguished Service Award recipients. Additionally, the 2018 outstanding alumni chapters were recognized. The featured speaker for the evening was MSU President Mark E. Keenum, who also participated in the awards presentations along with Brad M. Reeves, national alumni president.

Both are proud MSU graduates.

The following day, some 170-alumni chapter leaders and other volunteers gathered for the association’s annual leadership conference.

Conference participants heard informative presentations by many key MSU leaders, shared ideas and networked with other chapter volunteers throughout the day.

For commemorative videos and photos, visit www.alumni. msstate.edu/banquet or the Alumni Association’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ msstate.alumni.

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 35

Our PEOPLE

MSU NAMES RULA NATIONAL ALUMNUS Mississippi State University proudly salutes Richard A. Rula with its highest alumni honor of National Alumnus of the Year for 2019. Rula is a loyal Bulldog well known for his spirit of service and his generous investment in education. Over his lifetime, he has created an impactful legacy in engineering and business that extends to his state, his community, and his alma mater.

Rula was born in the Mississippi town of Jackson and reared in nearby Vicksburg by his parents, Adam and Anna Rula, along with his three younger siblings, Sara, Paul and Greg. In the family home, education was a priority, however, a young Rula also cultivated a love of sports, in particular, basketball, football, tennis and baseball.

For his higher education, Rula chose to follow his father’s footsteps and study civil engineering. His dad, a Penn State graduate and world-renowned soil specialist for the Waterways Experiment Station, supported his decision.

In the fall of 1966, Rula enrolled at Mississippi State.

As a freshman member of the Bulldog basketball team, he spent many hours enthusiastically shooting 36 SPRING 2019

Richard Rula (left) and MSU President Mark E. Keenum

hoops at McCarthy “Tin” Gymnasium. However, the pursuit of engineering won his attention, and he recalls intense classes at McCain Hall. While attending MSU, Rula was inducted into the honorary engineering societies of Chi Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi. Rula proudly earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 1970 from Mississippi State.

After graduation, he served his country in the 412 Engineering Command reserve unit of the United States Army.

Since 1972, Rula has been married to Cheryl “Sherry” Holland, a Vicksburg native and graduate of Mississippi State College for Women.

Their two sons, David and Stephen, followed their father to MSU, but chose to earn bachelor’s degrees in business administration in 1998 and 2001, respectively.

Both were Sigma Chi Fraternity brothers, and in

2010 their father also was inducted. Furthermore, Rula was recognized with the fraternity’s Significant Sig Award in 2018 for his high level of professional success. Along with his sons, his legacy includes four grandchildren—Holland, Larson, Kate and Nicholas.

For nearly five decades, Rula has enjoyed a successful career in the construction industry and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Associated General Contractors of America for his accomplishments.

He earned his Professional Engineering License in 1978 and became a member of the Society of Civil Engineers.

A significant point in Rula’s career came in 1979 as he was hired as a project manager and estimator at Hemphill Construction Company Inc. Following progressive roles, he became Hemphill’s owner and president in 1984. Since then, he has led the small, locally-

based construction company into a prosperous firm wellrecognized throughout the southeastern United States.

The company is now a multifaceted contractor licensed to perform work throughout the region involving heavy and highway construction, utilities, and commercial and industrial site development.

Rula is also the proprietor of Suncoast Infrastructure Inc. and Maintenance Systems Inc. Just as he exemplifies leadership in business, Rula is instrumental in shaping Mississippi State. He serves the Bulldog Club board, the MSU Foundation board, and the dean’s advisory council for the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. His honors include recognition as a James Worth Bagley College Distinguished Engineering Fellow for 2006 and the college’s Alumnus of the Year for 2017.

At Mississippi State, Rula’s generosity honors

his Mississippi heritage and his belief in education.

His vision as a cornerstone contributor will help make possible the Richard A. Rula Engineering and Science Complex in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. Once complete, the 70,000-square-foot, stateof-the-art facility will house the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and provide classrooms and offices; teaching, research and chemistry labs; and high bay areas. The complex will aid faculty in creating leadingedge technologies and support economic development in Mississippi, while training future leaders in pivotal fields that raise the standard of living, from clean water to safe roads and proper sanitation and quality buildings.

Further impacting MSU and the Bagley College, the Richard A. Rula Professorship in Construction Engineering and Management supports a distinguished faculty member, and the Richard A. Rula Doctoral Assistantship benefits a top-caliber student. In athletics, Rula’s philanthropy includes the Mize Pavilion’s Rula-Dampier Courts for men’s and women’s basketball practice. On the horizon, a planned indoor practice facility for Bulldog tennis also will benefit from his financial support.

Rula shares a deep appreciation of Mississippi State with his fellow graduates, and he remains a passionate Maroon and White fan. His legacy will forever be entwined with the university as one of its most distinguished and inspiring alumni.

FRONT ROW: Ed Penny, Sarah Foley, Cindy Stevens, MSU President Mark E. Keenum, Helen Currie and Wanda Dean.

BACK ROW: Sammy Duda, Randy Cleveland and Kevin Smith.

ACADEMIC COLLEGES HONOR ALUMNI OF THE YEAR Mississippi State University’s academic colleges have selected a slate of impressive Bulldogs as their 2019 College Alumni of the Year honorees. These individuals are honored for their many accomplishments and the Bulldog spirit they embody in their personal and professional lives.

SAMUEL D. “SAMMY” DUDA OF SALINAS, CALIFORNIA, COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES

A 1985 agriculture economics graduate from Oviedo, Florida, Duda is senior vice president of national operations of Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc. A fourthgeneration company leader, he oversees the business’s harvest and vegetable production in the cities of Salinas and Oxnard in California and in Yuma, Arizona. He also oversees growing and harvesting operations in Florida and Michigan, and for the company’s international partnerships in Australia, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Duda serves numerous boards including the Western Growers Association, which he chaired in 2017. Earlier, he was board

president for Yuma Vegetable Shippers and held a seat on the California Leafy Greens Research Advisory Board.

CYNTHIA M. “CINDY” STEVENS OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

A 1983 political science graduate and native of Louisville, Stevens has 30 years of experience in government relations.

Her resume includes service as director at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and legislative director for the U.S. House of Representatives. She later became director of government affairs for the Greater Washington Board of Trade, being selected as the first director of government relations to establish a new federal department within the board. In 2018, Stevens retired ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 37

Our PEOPLE as the longtime managing principal of government relations for Deloitte LLP, where she was the primary contact with members of Congress and the Administration, executive branch agencies, and state legislative affairs.

At MSU, Stevens serves the boards of the John C. Stennis Institute of Government, MSU Foundation and the College of Arts and Sciences. In 2010, she was honored as the college’s Alumni Fellow.

SARAH A. FOLEY OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, ART AND DESIGN

Starkville native Foley earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in graphic design from MSU in 2005. Her creative resume includes work with Martha Stewart, Sesame Letterpress, Spotco and Victoria’s Secret. Foley initially worked for Hatch Show Print in Nashville, one of the oldest letterpress shops in the nation. In New York, she attended the prestigious School of Visual Arts, specializing in design entrepreneurship and earning a Master of Fine Arts in 2007. Foley has since earned an executive certificate in business perspectives for creative leaders from Yale University. She has taught graphic design at Pratt Institute, State University of New York—Purchase College, and Mississippi State. Now a senior design manager for Johnson & Johnson, Foley provides design direction for many global consumer brands with a focus on self-care, oral health and wound care.

HELEN M. CURRIE OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

A 2000 MSU doctoral graduate in finance, Currie is chief economist for ConocoPhillips Corp. She possesses a wealth of professional experience from her career spanning more than 25 years in corporate strategy, planning and portfolio risk management that 38 SPRING 2019

includes industry-leading advocacy work with ConocoPhillips to lift restrictions on crude exports, as well as daily responsibilities in corporate planning.

These accomplishments have helped her become one of the “25 Influential Women in Energy” as selected by Hart Energy’s Oil and Gas Investor magazine. Currie began her career in the energy business at ConocoPhillips, the world’s largest independent exploration and production company. Her roles have included senior economist, director of commercial risk management and chief economist. Earlier, Currie was an assistant professor in finance and economics at both Elon University in North Carolina and LaGrange College in Georgia. The Utica native earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Millsaps College and a master’s degree of economics from the University of Washington. At MSU, she serves the MSU Foundation board and the College of Business executive advisory board.

WANDA L. DEAN OF LAFAYETTE SPRINGS, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Dean earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Education from MSU in 1969 and 1971, respectively. In recent years, her service on the MSU ACCESS program board connects her to an earlier time when she served as director of the Oxford Child Development Center and started the first public school class in Mississippi for students with an autism disorder.

Later, the Mississippi Department of Education requested that Dean, as principal at Oxford Elementary School, conduct the initial statewide training on inclusion due to her experience with special education, as well as regular education and her interest in learning styles. Oxford Elementary became the first school in Mississippi to initiate an inclusion program. Dean also was principal of Oxford Middle School

and an adjunct assistant professor in the University of Mississippi’s School of Education, from which she earned a doctoral degree in 1982. Since 2001, Dean has been an adjunct assistant professor for State University of New York, Buffalo. As an independent consultant, Dean has conducted workshops, taught graduate classes and consulted in 52 countries.

RANDY J. CLEVELAND OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, JAMES WORTH BAGLEY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

A 1983 petroleum engineering graduate and Union native, Cleveland has spent more than 35 years in the oil and gas industry. In 1984, he joined Exxon Co., USA, and progressively held a variety of technical and operational assignments for the Gulf of Mexico and Gulf Coast region. In the field, Cleveland held numerous managerial positions at Exxon Mobil, including business development manager at Exxon Pipeline Company and operations technical manager in New Orleans.

He then worked internationally as operations manager in Aberdeen, Scotland, and joint interest manager in London, England, before returning to Houston, Texas, to manage Exxon Mobil’s U.S. business. After a merger of XTO Energy into Exxon Mobil in 2010, Cleveland led the merger activities and became president of XTO. In 2016, Cleveland was named vice president Americas for ExxonMobil Production Company—a position from which he recently retired. Cleveland is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and at MSU, he serves the Bagley College’s dean’s advisory council and from 2016-18 was an MSU Foundation board member.

EDWARD J. “ED” PENNY OF JACKSON, COLLEGE OF FOREST RESOURCES

A 2000 bachelor’s graduate in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture and

2003 master’s graduate in wildlife and fisheries science, Penny began his career as a biologist for Ducks Unlimited in California and for the state wildlife agencies in both California and Mississippi. For nearly nine years, Penny served the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, most recently as director of conservation programs. In this position, he helped preserve fish and wildlife through partnerships with state and federal agencies. He also served on the Mississippi Flyway Council and provided guidance on conservation and funding for the Farm Bill, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, State Wildlife Grants and federal duck stamps. Penny’s career has come full circle, bringing him back to Ducks Unlimited with the role of director of public policy–southern region. He handles state, regional and national policy issues related to wetlands and waterfowl habitat conservation and funding, along with public policy efforts in Mississippi and 12 other states. He is a Mississippi native of Houston.

THOMAS KEVIN SMITH OF PICAYUNE, COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Smith graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1984 and joined a veterinary practice in his native Picayune. For the past 33 years, Smith has served his community as an advocate for large and small animals.

He has two Mississippi clinics—Animal Health Clinic in Picayune and Hancock Animal Clinic in Kiln–that are part of the South Mississippi Veterinary Clinics Corp. Smith holds membership in the American Veterinary Medical Association, Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association and the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, of which he is a past president. At MSU, he is an inaugural member of the CVM dean’s advisory council.

LINHARES NAMED OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNA Lindsay S. Linhares is building an impressive resume–one definitely worthy of being selected Outstanding Young Alumna for Mississippi State University. The MSU Alumni Association annually salutes the university’s most outstanding young alumnus or alumna, and Linhares is the 2018 honoree.

Adopted from China, Linhares was raised in Starkville and selected MSU as her university. The special Bulldog qualities she perfected as an Alumni Delegate and Orientation Leader remain ever-present in her life. She was an Ottilie Schillig Presidential Scholar and earned her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in communication and political science in 2013.

Beginning her career on Capitol Hill, Linhares worked five years for former U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran. She currently serves as a senior policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Washington, D.C. In this role, she focuses on developing legislation and policy positions with the senator, advancing federal funding beneficial to Mississippians and guiding legislative aides in their responsibilities.

MSU pride radiates from Linhares through her involvement in the Washington, D.C. alumni chapter, where she held various offices before becoming president in 2016. In her tenure, Linhares recruited threequarters of the chapter’s current board members and helped the chapter reach “honor” status. Additionally, she led the largest fundraiser in chapter history by completing the chapter’s endowed scholarship. She’s also enthusiastically been the Capitol Hill contact for Stennis-Montgomery Association trips for MSU students.

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 39

Our PEOPLE

FOUR VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE SERVICE AWARDS Four dedicated alumni are Distinguished Service Award recipients for work with their respective alumni chapters on behalf of Mississippi State University. Richard B. Cannon of Ocean Springs, Ina Michelle Gaither of Hoover, Alabama, Michelle Y. Sherman of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Carolyn R. Stanley of Hampton Cove, Alabama, were honored for their service in 2018.

A true maroon presence on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Cannon loyally dedicated his service as president of the MSU Jackson County Alumni Chapter from 2010 to 2015. He then exemplified outstanding leadership as an instrumental board member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter, a result of merging Jackson County with Hancock, Harrison and Stone counties to form a larger presence. Also, the successful annual drawdown Cannon initiated years ago is still going strong, raising over $10,000 for scholarships this past year. Most recently, Cannon served as chapter secretary, while helping host events for student recruitment, send-off parties, and game-watch gatherings, along with leading the chapter’s Adopta-Highway sponsorship. Cannon is a 1986 electrical engineering graduate of MSU who later earned an MBA from William Carey University. He uses his MSU degree as an engineering manager for Northrop Grumman Corporation.

Gaither is a lifelong Bulldog who has loyally served the Birmingham chapter in an eight-year stint as secretary and as a board member. In furthering her passion for education, she has assisted for over a decade with the Birmingham chapter’s Bell Center Tailgate Challenge, which assists children from birth to age 3 who are at risk for developmental 40 SPRING 2019

L-R: Cannon, Gaither, Sherman and Stanley

delays. Gaither is an area point person for prospective MSU students, and she assists with send-off parties. She has helped grow the chapter’s student scholarship as an integral member of the golf tournament committee. Additionally, her volunteerism extends to community outreach projects and events. A Mississippi native of Cleveland and 2001 MSU Master of Science in education graduate, Gaither earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Murray State University. She is a second grade teacher at Edgewood Elementary in Homewood, Alabama.

Sherman earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from MSU in 2003. Since graduation, she has volunteered with the MSU Atlanta Chapter in many roles, in particular, as the student recruitment chairperson, vice president, president and immediate past president. Under her leadership, the Atlanta chapter has earned two gold cowbells for exceptional service. Sherman has significantly increased chapter engagement activities and boldly promotes MSU everywhere, including leading the initiative for MSU license plates in the state of Georgia. She passionately volunteers with MSU student recruitment and send-off celebrations.

Additionally, Sherman successfully

developed the chapter’s first scholarshipfocused fundraiser. Known as Bulldog Benefit, the fundraiser has tremendously increased giving. A Kentucky native, she works as executive vice president of human resources for Northwestern Benefit Corporation.

Stanley walks proudly as a Bulldog every day, diligently serving the MSU Huntsville-Decatur Chapter. In her eight-year stint as treasurer, she has grown the chapter’s scholarship from one $500 award to two $1,000 scholarships. She has been an integral part of the annual scholarship golf tournament committee and the annual spring student recruiting event committee, always encouraging local students to select MSU as their institution.

While promoting MSU, Stanley has dedicated her time to enhance her community. A Starkville native, she earned a Bachelor of Arts from Mississippi University for Women.

Later, she began her Master of Public Administration coursework at MSU before completing her degree at the University of Alabama at Huntsville.

She is retired from two careers–as an international programs manager for the United States Army and as a senior logistics analyst for KBRwyle Inc.

ASSOCIATION SALUTES OUTSTANDING ALUMNI CHAPTERS The MSU Alumni Association includes 101 chapters and clubs worldwide, and 40 of them were honored during the banquet. Some 756 association and chapter events were held on behalf of Mississippi State in 2018, and chapters played an integral role in this accomplishment. Gold, silver and bronze cowbells were given to representatives of the top chapters in each category, while others obtained the status of Honor Chapter. These Honor Chapters received special recognition banners on behalf of their achievements.

SILVER

GOLD

BRONZE GOLD CHAPTERS: (L-R) Panola County represented by Judd Gentry; Central Mississippi represented by Grace Ellis; Atlanta, Georgia, represented by Cara Robison; and George-Greene represented by Tyler Rouse.

SILVER CHAPTERS: (L-R) Bolivar County represented by Cheryl Comans; Lawrence-Jefferson Davis represented by John Catt; Nashville, Tennessee, represented by Russ Bradford; and Oktibbeha County represented by Amanda Edwards.

IN-STATE HONOR CHAPTERS

BRONZE CHAPTERS: (L-R) Claiborne-Jefferson represented by Kenny Strawn; Clarke County represented by Lisa Riley; Memphis, Tennessee, represented by Jessica Dougan; and Mississippi Gulf Coast represented by Darlon Necaise.

IN-STATE HONOR CHAPTERS (L-R): Front Row: Jack Alexander – Yazoo County; Beth Luper – Simpson County; Johnathan Jackson – Newton County; Nick Thompson – Pine Belt; Greg Wilkinson – Southwest, MS; Deborah Hayes, Leake County; and SaSha Marsh, Marshall-Benton. Back Row: Anberitha Matthews – Lowndes County; William Sanford – Lauderdale County; Bert Clark – SharkeyIssaquena; Gene Murray – Clay County; Jon Riley – Tishomingo County; Matthew Waldrop – Leflore-Carroll; and Jamie Morgan – Monroe County.

OUT-OF-STATE HONOR CHAPTERS

OUT-OF-STATE HONOR CHAPTERS (L-R): Terri Russell, Birmingham, Alabama; Lindsay Linhares – Washington, D.C.; Arlene Baker, Mobile, Alabama; Marianne Granier – Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Matt Walker, Orlando, Florida; and Patsy Fowlkes – Chattanooga, Tennessee.

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 41

Our PEOPLE

2019 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Photos by Beth Wynn

Some 170 alumni leaders from across the nation attended the annual Leadership Conference at The Mill in March. A featured speaker of the 2019 Leadership Conference was Mike McIllwain of Chicago, Illinois, a 1987 accounting graduate and president and CEO of PSAV Inc. who presented “Successful Leadership: Using Your Personal Journey.” He was assisted by Zack Harrington, a fellow alumnus who serves as College of Business director of development. MSU personnel presenting were Sid Salter, the university’s chief communications officer, giving an update on university branding; John Dickerson, assistant vice president for enrollment, and Naron Remillard, director of recruitment, sharing how to make an impact through student recruitment; and Georgia Carter, director of annual giving, discussing how to grow support for alumni chapters. Additionally, alumni leaders shared best practices in TED Talk format followed by a Q&A. The conference concluded with a tour of newly-modernized Dudy Noble Field and a basketball watch party at the Hunter Henry Center.

42 SPRING 2019

ABOVE: MSU’s Naron Remillard speaks to alumni leaders on student recruitment. BELOW: Greater Chattanooga, Tennessee, Chapter members Courtney Griffin (left), who also serves the Young Alumni Advisory Council, and Patsy Fowlkes (right), chapter president. BOTTOM RIGHT: Rachelle Sanderson (left), Greater New Orleans, Louisiana, Chapter, with Jasmine Morgan (right), Atlanta, Georgia, Chapter. Both are Young Alumni Advisory Council members.

BOTTOM LEFT: Lowndes County Chapter members Adrienne Morris (from left), Priscilla King, who is also a Black Alumni Advisory Council member, and Anberitha Matthews.

CREATING A NEW GENERATION OF BULLDOG LEADERS

ABOVE: Mike McIlwain and Zack Harrington. MIDDLE: Fellow Newton County Chapter members Joshua Yeager (left), and Johnathan Jackson (right) admire the association’s display of official MSU class rings.

BOTTOM: Bruce Sherman with Joni Seitz, MSU Center for Distance Education.

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 43

Our PEOPLE

L-R:Lance Davis, Mark Alley, Audra Alley, Catherine Dunn, Susan Parkinson Lee, Brenton “Brent” Brasher, Craig Blair, Greg Barker and Thomas “Tom” Hixon Sr.

2018 ALUMNI FELLOWS GATHER AT MSU Nine prominent graduates proudly returned to campus as the Mississippi State University 2018 Alumni Fellows.

Sponsored and organized by the MSU Alumni Association, the program brings graduates of distinction back to campus annually to showcase their talents and inspire current students with welldelivered advice required for success.

The group assembled in October to interact with current MSU students, faculty and staff. By hosting one alumnus from each of MSU’s eight academic college, the annual fall semester event enables graduates of many disciplines to share their professional successes through a series of meetings and presentations 44 SPRING 2019

with students and faculty, both in the classroom and informally.

“The Alumni Association proudly works with the academic colleges of Mississippi State to bring dedicated alumni back to our campus to share their success stories, mentor and enrich the lives of current students,” said Jeff Davis, executive director of the MSU Alumni Association. “Through the years, we have had many top-caliber graduates selected as Alumni Fellows, and the annual experience strengthens this group’s ties with our campus and enables them to become stronger alumni leaders from this point forward.”

Alumni Fellows are among the university’s more than 145,000 living

graduates. Since its establishment in 1989 by the MSU Alumni Association, more than 200 graduates have been selected for the lifetime honor of Alumni Fellow.

The 2018 honorees included (by college):

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES

Brenton S. “Brent” Brasher of Holcomb earned agricultural economics bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 1985 and 1991, respectively. Along with the fundamentals, Brasher carries the advice and mentorship he received from his MSU professors with him every day. He leads Kengro Corp. as president, having

earlier served as vice president of the company that manufactures KenGro Biosorb, a leading product used to absorb and bioremediate hydrocarbons made from kenaf, a plant native to east-central Africa grown for food and fiber. Of his success, Brasher acknowledges he could not have developed his business without the continued research partnerships with MSU. Earlier in his career, he was employed at MSU as a research associate, and now he is self-employed as a farmer.

Aside from his professional roles, Brasher serves the boards of the Mississippi BioProducts Advisory Council, the Grenada School District and the MSU Alumni Association.

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, ART AND DESIGN

Lance Davis is a 1995 architecture graduate and while studying at MSU, he volunteered to help build six Habitat for Humanity homes. Today, Davis uses his degree as the program manager for design excellence in architecture and sustainability with the U.S. General Services Administration in Washington, D.C. He focuses his sustainable expertise on gaining knowledge, educating others on best practices and raising expectations to a broader concept of sustainability.

In his profession, Davis has designed the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, both in Washington D.C. However, he believes his greatest accomplishment has been helping the development of the sustainable design movement. Today, his volunteer work with the American Institute of Architects Committee On The Environment and the U.S. Green Building Councils’ LEED rating system, now the most recognized worldwide green building rating system, has brought tools and new thinking to international markets. His work on legislation has helped towns, cities and states enhance their built environment and their bottom line. A native of Biloxi, he now resides in

Edgewater, Maryland.

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Gregory J. “Greg” Barker graduated from MSU in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in communication. At MSU, Barker learned to be an effective communicator and the significance of teamwork. He credits the university for teaching him the importance of being a well-rounded individual and a leader.

Today, Barker is executive vice president of customer services for Alabama Power. A subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company, Alabama Power provides energy to more than 1.4 million customers across the state of Alabama.

Barker acknowledges his greatest career accomplishment has been as a collaborator with incredible economic development teams that have secured thousands of jobs. A native of Meridian, Barker resides in Birmingham, Alabama.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Thomas G. “Tom” Hixon Sr. manages commercial real estate as chairman of Phoenix Development Company LLC. A native of Charleston, he resides in Ridgeland. Hixon acknowledges Mississippi State gave him the foundation for success when he graduated in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. After college, he worked for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, dealing with retail stores in the annex of the Pentagon.

After military employment, he shifted into accounting for food distribution and served as the CFO and director of operations of Valley Food Service.

Next, he held several roles for Forestry Suppliers Inc. including co-owner, CFO, president and general manager.

Following his time with Forestry Suppliers Inc., he achieved success with Gulf South Medical Supply as co-owner, CEO and chairman before the company merged with First Choice Medical Supply, which he founded and served as

co-owner and chairman. He gives back of his time to his alma mater by serving the boards of the MSU Foundation and the Bulldog Club.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Susan Parkinson Lee of Madison is firmly invested in the Mississippi education system, having worked in the sector for 47 years. Lee initially began her educational journey at MSU, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1972. She began her career as a first grade teacher in Grenada and later held positions with the Indianola school district and Delta State University, where she earned several degrees. In 2015, Lee became the associate commissioner for academic and student affairs for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) in Jackson. In her role, she reports directly to the commissioner of higher education and serves as chief academic officer for the IHL. Earlier, she served as IHL director of academic affairs and director of P-16 initiatives to ensure achievement of the system’s strategic goals and mission. She is a native of Greenwood.

JAMES WORTH BAGLEY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Catherine C. “Cathy” Dunn earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from MSU in 1975. She also completed graduate studies in industrial engineering at MSU and civil engineering at the University of New Orleans. She is currently project director of J.S. Held LLC, a project manager at Hill International and an engineer with Durward Dunn Inc. In her career, Dunn possesses 27 years of professional and corporate experience with a variety of entities, and an additional 15 years of private sector engineering and management experience. Among her notable projects are project management of damage assessment for 30 schools in Livingston Parish Public Schools impacted by flooding in ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 45

Our PEOPLE Louisiana; completion of assessments and associate demolition bids for the Michigan State Housing Authority in Detroit; and service as the director of port development for the Port of New Orleans. For her university, Dunn has been an alumni officer and advisory board member for the industrial systems engineering department in the Bagley College. In 2013, she was named an MSU Distinguished Engineering Fellow.

She is a native of Buffalo, New York, who resides in New Orleans, Louisiana.

COLLEGE OF FOREST RESOURCES

Craig F. Blair received a master’s in forest resources in 1982 and since then has enjoyed a successful 36-year career with Resource Management Service Inc. (RMS) and in the forest products industry, with experience in acquisitions, resource planning, forest management and wood procurement. Blair now serves as president and CEO of RMS and chairman of the company’s board of managers and investment committee.

He leads an experienced team of forestry and financial professions that manage a global portfolio of over $4 billion with timberland investments in the United States and the countries of Australia, Brazil, China and New Zealand. Earlier he directed the RMS investment management team. In his personal life, Blair was ordained to the ministry almost two decades ago. He serves as pastor of the Tuscaloosa Primitive Baptist Church in Alabama where he lives on a tree farm.

He is a native of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Audra F. Alley and Mark L. Alley of Cary, North Carolina, are sharing the honor of being simultaneously selected as Alumni Fellows for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Audra Alley graduated from MSU cum laude in her undergraduate and 46 SPRING 2019

graduate programs and credits MSU with instilling in her the ideals of hard work and determination as key components to a successful career. She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1993 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. Through the years, Audra has worked as an associate veterinarian in West Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. She is now lead veterinarian and owner of Shiloh Animal Hospital in Morrisville, North Carolina. She is a native of Mobile, Alabama.

MSU classmate and spouse Mark Alley also received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. He began his career as an associate veterinarian at Animal Wellness Inc. in West Virginia and then was a large animal associate veterinarian at Large Animal Services in Tennessee. He served nearly a decade as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Population Health and Pathobiology at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Presently, Alley is a senior technical service veterinarian at Zoetis Technical Service. He is a Mississippi native of Kosciusko.

More information on the 2018 class of MSU Alumni Fellows can be found at www.alumni.msstate.edu.

YOUR VOICE. YOUR MSU. 2019 MSU ALUMNI AND FRIENDS SURVEY ALUMNI.MSSTATE.EDU/SURVEY

Dear Bulldog Family, The Mississippi State University Alumni Association is embarking on a strategic planning process that will provide direction and guidance for the association to continue our important work in advancing Mississippi State University by serving, informing and engaging our MSU alumni and friends.

To begin this process, we need to learn more about your interaction with your alma mater as well as how we can continue to develop our programs, services and communications to be most valuable to you. Your suggestions and feedback will be vital to the strategic planning process, and we hope you will provide them to us through your participation in the 2019 MSU Alumni and Friends Survey.

You should have received an email from the Alumni Association asking you to click on the link and complete the survey. If you did not receive the email or you missed it, you can access and complete the survey at www.alumni.msstate.edu/survey.

The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, and your responses will not only be greatly appreciated but will also directly impact the resources we offer you and the more than 145,000-strong Bulldog alumni family.

Thank you in advance for your participation in this important effort. We look forward to hearing from you and are committed to taking action based on the overall feedback from our alumni and friends. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding the survey or your Mississippi State University Alumni Association. You can reach us at 662.325.7000 or info@alumni.msstate.edu.

Thank you for your support of Mississippi State University!

Hail State!

Brad M. Reeves, National President

Sherri Carr Bevis, National President-Elect ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 47

Our PEOPLE

More than 100 startups at MSU have a CEO under age 22.

They need mentors like you.

Share your experience with student entrepreneurs building companies at the MSU Entrepreneurship Center. Visit msuceo.com/mentor

48 SPRING 2019

2020 Destinations*

JANUARY • Wolves of Yellowstone • Expedition to Antarctica

FEBRUARY • Tanzania during the Great Migration • Sailing the Windward Islands (Grenada, Grenadine, Martinique, St. Lucia, Vincent, and Barbados) MARCH • Legends to Lagoons (Papeete, Mo'orea, Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa, Bora Bora) • A week in Ireland: St. Patrick’s Day • Uniquely Israel

Embark on an

ADVENTURE with the

MSU Alumni Association

April • Historic South & Golden Isles Cruise (Jacksonville to Charleston) • California Rail (featuring Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the Napa Valley Wine Train) May • Adriatic and Aegean Allure (Venice to Athens) June • Celtic Lands • Easy Company: England to the Eagle’s Nest with the WWII Museum • Discover Southeast Alaska July • Great Journey Through Europe (Cruising the Rhine River and featuring the Glacial Express) • Oberammergau Passion Play and Cruising the Danube River August • National Parks & Lodges of the Old West • Gems of the Danube • Baltic & Scandinavian Emperors (Copenhagen to Stockholm) SEPTEMBER • Morocco Discovery • Great Trains & Grand Canyons • Ryder Cup • Fall Splendors of Canada & New England (New York to Montreal) October • Romance of the Douro River (Featuring Lisbon, Porto and Alto Douro Wine Region) November • Cosmopolitan Havens (Rome to Monte Carlo) December • Holiday Markets Cruise (Basel to Cologne)

alumni.msstate.edu/travel

*All trips and dates subject to change.

Visit our website for the most current information.

The MSU Alumni Association annually sponsors trips across the globe through the Traveling Bulldogs program. Itineraries are booked through 2020. Our program also includes fan travel, featuring trips for select away football games in 2019! Explore our website for more information at alumni.msstate.edu/travel or contact the Alumni Association at (662) 325-7000.

Infinite IMPACT

Cobbs create perpetual legacy for sons with scholarship

By Amy Cagle

Justin and Brent Cobb were proud third-generation Bulldog graduates, and their names are forever linked with their university through a scholarship established by their parents, Leonard and Betsy Cobb of Meridian, along with family and friends. For the Cobbs, giving back to Mississippi State University serves a two-fold purpose–memorializing their sons and giving the gift of education to students in their home state.

The Cobbs lost their two sons in 2017. Justin, the elder of the two, died Sept. 9, and Brent on Sept. 29.

The Brent and Justin Cobb Endowed Scholarship in the university’s College of Business salutes the area from which the two earned their degrees. Justin and Brent had followed their father, Leonard, to the land-grant institution just as Leonard earlier did his older brother, William M. Cobb of Dallas, Texas, a petroleum engineering graduate, and their father, the late alumnus Marshall Cobb.

The Cobb family has long shared a passion for all things Bulldog–from academics to athletics. In particular, Leonard, holder of a 1970 history degree and partner with Cobb Law Firm P.A., served for a time as Bulldog Club president.

And it is with Bulldog pride that Leonard recalls the excitement Justin and Brent shared in enrolling at MSU and how they became “tremendous” men who loved their families and championed 50 SPRING 2019

Brent Cobb

Justin Cobb

education. In many ways their lives and successes paralleled.

“Justin and Brent understood the value of education,” Leonard said. “By creating the scholarship, we wish to reward students who share the same core values and strong work ethics our sons exhibited.”

The inaugural recipient of the Brent and Justin Cobb Endowed Scholarship is Joshua Williamson, a community college transfer student from Brandon majoring in business administration. He received the financial award for the 2018-19 academic year to study in the College of Business.

“We believe Justin and Brent would be excited a recipient has already begun receiving their scholarship, and we look forward to following Joshua’s wonderful pursuits at MSU,” said Betsy Miller Cobb, a Jackson native who attended MSU. “We sincerely wish him much success in his endeavors.”

At MSU, the scholarship will assist solidly performing Mississippi residents enrolled in the College of Business who have demonstrated leadership ability and

financial need. Preference will be given to Eagle Scouts, a rank both Justin and Brent had achieved and a path Justin’s sons, Houston and Witten, are now following.

“The College of Business extends its deepest thanks for this scholarship on behalf of all the students who will attend MSU because of its impact,” said Sharon Oswald, business college dean.

“We believe it aligns perfectly with the values of the Cobb family, and we look forward to awarding it to students who exhibit great character and promise for the future as did Justin and Brent while they were enrolled at MSU.” The memory of Justin and Brent will also continue at Mississippi State through a scholarship with the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Along with the scholarship, the fraternity named the library in its campus residence in honor of the former members. Justin and Brent had been officers in the organization.

At Mississippi State, Justin was elected Mr. Mississippi State University in 1996 and graduated with a bachelor’s

degree in business in May 1998. He later obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi, just as Leonard earlier, and began practicing law with his father at Cobb Law Firm P.A. in Meridian. In 2003, Justin was elected prosecuting attorney for Lauderdale County and was reelected three additional terms before he was appointed as the district court judge for the 10th Circuit, presiding until his death. He was a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Meridian, where he lived with his family— wife Holli Houston Cobb, an MSU alumna, and their children Houston and Witten.

Additionally, Justin was chairman of the board of Miller Transporters, while Brent was vice president of Safety and Quality for the company, devoting his dayto-day time to elevating the company’s signature trait, safety, to an industry-leading level. Both men were following in the footsteps and preserving the legacy of the company’s founders, their maternal grandfather, James A. Miller, an MSU alumnus, and maternal great-grandfather, H.D. Miller Sr.

“Justin and Brent understood the value of education. By creating the scholarship, we wish to reward students who share the same core values and strong work ethics as our sons exhibited.” ~ Leonard Cobb In preparation of joining the company, Brent also studied business at MSU. He graduated with a bachelor’s of business administration in December 1998 and an MBA in 1999. Like his brother, Brent was also active in campus organizations. He lived with his wife, Catherine, and sons, James and Matthew, in Madison.

More contributions can benefit the Brent and Justin Cobb Endowed Scholarship. For assistance with gifts, contact Zack Harrington, director of development for the College of Business, at 662.325.3431 or via email at zharrington@ foundation.msstate.edu. Individuals also can make memorials online at www.msufoundation.com. n ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 51

Infinite IMPACT

JOHNSON PROMOTES DIVERSITY THROUGH ENDOWMENTS

By Addie Mayfield

52 SPRING 2019

F

orty years ago, Herbert V. “Herb” Johnson became the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. During his time as a student, the Mississippi native of Como was one of very few African Americans at Mississippi State University, particularly in the engineering field.

Today, however, he is helping to provide greater opportunities for minorities at his alma mater through his investments in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering.

Johnson’s most recent commitment has established a professorship in honor of Oswald Rendon-Herrero, professor emeritus in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The holder of the Dr. Oswald RendonHerrero Diversity Professorship will work closely with the Bagley College’s Office of Diversity to further cultivate an environment of inclusiveness and academic excellence.

Rendon-Herrero taught civil engineering courses at MSU for over 30 years, beginning in 1972. He and Johnson first met in 1978 when Johnson enrolled in a geotechnical engineering class he was teaching, and later he became Johnson’s master’s degree thesis adviser. Beyond this, Rendon-Herrero also became his friend and mentor.

“Being in his classroom was many times the best part of my day,” said Johnson, who was intrigued by RendonHerrero’s knack for storytelling and the ease with which he made the case for learning. “Dr. Rendon was a capable, inclusive and inspiring professor. He had a profound impact on my career and life, and I’m proud to name the professorship in his honor.”

After graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the Bagley College in 1978 and 1981, respectively, Johnson laid roots in Houston, Texas, where he founded HVJ Associates Inc. in 1985. As one of

Herb Johnson, left, with Oswald Rendon-Herrero

the largest specialty, minority-owned engineering companies in Texas, HVJ has grown to include all metropolitan areas of the state.

In 2014, Johnson was honored as the Bagley College’s Alumnus of the Year, and in 2017, MSU further recognized Johnson’s outstanding personal and professional achievements, naming him National Alumnus of the Year. In addition to his generous philanthropy, Johnson also supports the university by serving on the advisory boards of the Bagley College and its Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, as well as the MSU Foundation board of directors.

“Being on the MSU Foundation board has made me aware of the admirable work so many do, and I wanted to be a part of that,” Johnson said. “I want people to say ‘I knew Herb Johnson, and my life is better.’ This is how I know that I have served—making the world a little better by using my talents and resources to that end.”

Johnson, who attended MSU with the much-needed assistance of the GI Bill, also understands the importance of scholarships. In 2008, he created the Jessie and Sarah L. Johnson Endowed

Scholarship in memory of his parents.

The scholarship, which places a priority on advancing the interests of African American students within the Bagley College, has assisted nearly 50 MSU engineering students since inception.

Paying tribute to the valuable relationship Johnson and RendonHerrero shared at MSU, the holder of the Dr. Oswald Rendon-Herrero Diversity Professorship will also serve as a mentor to the recipients of the Jessie and Sarah L. Johnson Endowed Scholarship. The collective powers of Johnson’s generous investments are not only advancing diversity and inclusive opportunities within the Bagley College, but also are building a lasting legacy that will greatly enrich MSU’s growing impact.

“MSU afforded me a great college experience and a platform to make a difference,” Johnson said. “I want to pass it on and enable others to have not only similar but extraordinary experiences.”

For more information on endowing faculty positions and scholarships, contact Bennett Evans, senior director of development for the Bagley College, at 662.325.0386 or bevans@bagley. msstate.edu. n ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 53

Infinite IMPACT

Frank and Dixie Branch with inaugural Janet Branch Memorial Scholarship recipient Quinlan Gray, an Alumni Delegate and senior music education major from De Kalb, Texas.

Branch scholarship manifests honoree’s devotion to service

By Amy Cagle

F

or Janet Branch, the service to Mississippi State University she could have extended during the course of her life can never be realized. However, a memorial scholarship at MSU will make possible a connection between the 1995 communication graduate and her alma mater that will become perpetual through future recipients.

The Janet Branch Memorial Scholarship was established by her parents, Dr. Frank Branch and Dixie Branch, who are strong proponents of education and residents of the Mississippi town of Cleveland, where Janet was born and reared with her brother, Ben. She died in August 2017.

“Janet loved MSU,” said Dixie, a retired teacher. “She would be deeply honored and touched that somebody who really deserved the opportunity to attend MSU can accomplish this through the scholarship named for her.”

54 SPRING 2019

Retired veterinarian Frank shared a love of MSU with his late daughter and the similarities continued as both were residents of Smith dormitory. He lived there for one semester before transferring to his eventual alma mater of Auburn University because MSU had not yet chartered its veterinary college. After graduating from Auburn, he returned to the Mississippi Delta and successfully practiced for 41 years in the veterinary clinic he founded, Branch Animal Clinic.

Although Janet grew up near Delta State University, her heart was in Bulldog country.

“It was interesting to witness her passion, particularly since we lived only three blocks from Delta State,” Dixie said. “She bled Maroon and White from the time she was 3 and that loyalty never changed over her life although we took her to Auburn and Georgia games.”

In the early 1990s, Janet immersed

Janet Branch

herself in service with MSU organizations, such as Rho Chi and Madrigals, but in particular as an Alumni Delegate and a Roadrunner. It was as a member of these organizations that she contributed her time and service to alumni relations and university recruiting efforts.

“The Janet Branch Memorial Scholarship will stand as a living

tribute to Janet’s legacy of service as it helps make possible the educations of others,” said Jordan Ramsey, associate director of the MSU Alumni Association and adviser for the Alumni Delegates. “Delegates and Roadrunners are among the premier faces of our university and both organizations have an incredible legacy of graduates.”

After graduation from MSU, Janet began work as a salesperson for Dictaphone. She later became owner of The Frame Shoppe in Cleveland before relocating the business to New Albany, enjoying 17 years as an entrepreneur and devoting much time to ensuring its success.

Over the years, Janet maintained her lifelong love affair with MSU, returning occasionally for baseball and basketball games. However, in 2002, she sustained severe injuries in an automobile accident that would take many surgeries and years to attempt recovery.

“After her accident, Janet operated on sheer grit and determination—fighting through her pain, going to work on a walker or even crutches following multiple surgeries,” Frank said.

“However, Janet remained a ‘doer’ and she liked to see people excel, even helping find jobs for others in the community.”

Janet’s accident came at a crucial time for the family. Just three months earlier, they had lost Ben. In a fitting tribute, scholarships also memorialize him at both schools he attended, Holmes Community College and Delta State University. Just as Janet had followed her father to MSU, Ben had followed him to Holmes. It was there that Frank’s parents had spent their careers—his father as president and his mother as registrar.

“We have always believed in helping others and improving lives through education, and we were motivated by our children’s love of their schools, and we are pleased these scholarships have become a reality,” Frank said.

Fellow classmates and other alumni and friends may support the Janet Branch Memorial Scholarship with contributions through the MSU Foundation. Gifts may be made online at msufoundation.com or by contacting Casey McGee, assistant director of development for the Division of Student Affairs, at 662.325.9129 or cmcgee@foundation.msstate.edu. n

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 55

Infinite IMPACT

MSU Foundation appoints 2019 leaders, incoming members

Brannan

Wilson

McDaniel

New leaders and incoming members of the MSU Foundation are in place.

The 48-seat board of directors guides the fundraising arm of the 141-year-old land-grant institution.

Incoming officers with one-year terms that began Jan. 1 include three alumni: D. Hines Brannan of Atlanta, Georgia, as board chair; Anthony L. Wilson of Gulfport as vice chair; and Mike M. McDaniel of Houston, Texas, as treasurer.

A native of Woodville, Brannan has loyally been a member of the MSU Foundation board for more than a decade, earlier serving as vice president for three terms and as treasurer for three terms. At MSU, he also was a founding member of the advisory board for the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering and an executive-inresidence for the college. He earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering in 1970 and an MBA the following year, both from MSU. He is a retired managing director of Accenture, one of the world’s largest management consulting firms.

Fellow Mississippi native Wilson hails from D’Iberville. He earned his electrical engineering degree in 1987 from MSU and later an MBA from the University

of Southern Mississippi. He currently serves as chairman, president and CEO of Mississippi Power. Earlier he was executive vice president of customer service and operations for Georgia Power.

McDaniel, who holds a 1979 bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from MSU, is a Cleveland native. He is currently the president of Saber Power Services LLC, having earlier been CEO of M3Resources LLC. He also has previously served as a board member.

Rounding out the remaining board officers are MSU personnel. John P. Rush, vice president for development and alumni, is the board’s president and CEO; David Easley, executive director of finance, is chief financial officer; and Jack McCarty, executive director of development, serves as board secretary.

All are MSU graduates.

Members beginning inaugural threeyear terms are: Helen M. Currie of Houston, Texas.

A native of Utica, Currie earned a Doctor of Philosophy in business administration with a concentration in finance from Mississippi State in 2000. She earlier graduated from Millsaps College and the University of Washington, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics, respectively. Currie serves

as chief economist for ConocoPhillips, having earlier led the Americas Market Fundamentals research team for BG Group.

Janice I. Nicholson of Florence, Alabama. Booneville native, Nicholson earned master’s and doctoral degrees in elementary education from Mississippi State in 1967 and 1977, respectively.

She also holds an education specialist degree from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education. For 37 years, she was with the University of North Alabama in teaching and administrative positions and is a professor emerita of the institution. She also is retired as executive vice president for Student Affairs and Graduate and Special Programs from Blue Mountain College, where she earned an undergraduate degree. From 2015-17, she was interim head of the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education at Mississippi State.

George D. Pillow Jr. of Killen, Alabama. Pillow earned a bachelor’s degree in general business administration from Mississippi State in 1969. He is a native of Greenwood. He is chairman of Senators Coaches Inc. in Florence, Alabama.

Eight alumni who have previously served are returning to the board in new

56 SPRING 2019

three-year terms.

William B. “Bill” Berry of Katy, Texas. He received two MSU petroleum engineering degrees—a bachelor’s in 1974 and a master’s in 1976. He is the retired executive vice president of ConocoPhillips.

John D. Davis IV of Flowood. He is a 1988 biological engineering and premedicine graduate of Mississippi State, who received a medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1992. He is a founding partner and neurosurgeon for NewSouth NeuroSpine.

Rodger L. Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia. He holds a 1971 bachelor’s in civil engineering from Mississippi State and a 1982 MBA from Georgia State University. He serves as president and CEO of JKC Holdings Inc. Rusty C. Linton of Columbus. He is a 1980 biochemistry and pre-medicine graduate of Mississippi State who earned a medical degree in 1984 from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is an orthopedic surgeon with Columbus Orthopaedic Clinic P.A. John R. Lundy of Ridgeland. A native of Leland, he earned a bachelor’s in agricultural economics in 1983 and is a partner at Capitol Resources LLC. Wallace L. “Lee” Seal of Bay St. Louis. He earned a bachelor’s in geosciences in 2000 and is president of North Beach Investments LLC. Allen K. Sills Jr. of Franklin, Tennessee. He is a 1986 biological engineering graduate of Mississippi State who received a medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1990. He serves as the inaugural chief medical officer for the National Football League and is a professor of neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Turner A. Wingo of Collierville, Tennessee. He is a 1967 general business graduate of Mississippi State and a retired real estate developer and former owner of Sherry’s Hallmark.

Currie

Nicholson

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Berry

Davis

Johnson

Linton

Lundy

Seal

Sills

Wingo

The MSU Foundation is available at www. msufoundation.com and @MSU_Foundation on Twitter.

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GRADUATE

• Master of Agribusiness Management • Master of Agriculture with a concentration in Animal and Dairy Sciences • Master of Science in Early Intervention • Master of Science in Educational Leadership with a concentration in School Administration • Master of Science in Technology

UNDERGRADUATE

• Bachelor of Business Administration

• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Center for Distance Education at Mississippi State University

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@tvlSStateDistance

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Mississippi State University Center for Distance Education

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 59

STATE STATEments ments John Rodgers, a professor with more than 15 years of experience at Mississippi State, is the new head of the Department of Geosciences.

Trey Martindale, head of Mississippi State’s Department of Instructional Systems and Workforce Development, is the new leader of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.

Hsain Ilahiane joined MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences as head of the Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures.

George D. Ford is the new director of the university’s Building Construction Science program.

Deborah O. Lee is now Mississippi State’s associate dean for public services for MSU Libraries.

Mississippi State’s Merrill Warkentin, the James J. Rouse Endowed Professor of Information Systems in MSU’s College of Business, has been named a Distinguished Member for Outstanding Scientific Contributions to Computing by the Association for Computing Machinery.

60 SPRING 2019

James J. Chrisman, head of MSU’s Department of Management and Information Systems, earned recognition as one of the most-cited researchers in business and economics in the world.

Anna Linhoss, an assistant professor in biological engineering, was named assistant director of the university’s Northern Gulf Institute and Geosystems Research Institute.

Kathleen Thomas, a professor of economics, is now leading the university’s Department of Finance and Economics.

Shandrea Stallworth, a doctoral student in MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is the recipient of the $20,000 ASA/Mississippi Space Grant Consortium Graduate Research Fellowship designed to help produce engineers and scientists of the future.

The fellowship will provide support for Stallworth’s research and academics, as well as a K-12 outreach project.

Shahram Rahimi, a recognized leader in the field of computational intelligence, is the new department head for computer science and engineering in the Bagley College of Engineering.

Katrina Henn, a senior forestry major, has received the competitive $5,000 Robert Felix Memorial Scholarship from the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund, a charitable trust affiliated with the International Society of Arboriculture and the Tree Care Industry Association.

Kevin Enroth, a graduate of the College of Business, is now leading the university’s Office of Sponsored Projects.

David Jenkins, a senior music education major from Franklinton, Louisiana, recently finished in the top three at the 2018 New York International Percussion Competition. He competed in three categories, placing third in marimba and timpani, second in snare drum, and receiving an overall placement of third among a field of nine competitors in the university category at the New York University campus in New York City.

Elizabeth Gregory North, head of the Mississippi State University Extension Service Office of Agricultural Communications, is the newest member of the Southern Public Relations Federation’s Hall of Fame.

Stephen “Lux” Luxion is the new director of the Mississippi Stateled Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE).

AROUND CAMPUS John E. Forde, a professor and leader of Mississippi State University’s Department of Communication, has been inducted into the Arthur W. Page Society during the group’s annual conference in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1983, the invitation-only organization includes approximately 800 members from more than 20 countries.

Laura Allen, an assistant professor of psychology, is receiving approximately $2.8 million from the Institute of Education Sciences to create a tool for writing analytics and feedback, as well as to investigate how students process complex information in today’s technology-driven society.

Mississippi State University student and Air Force ROTC cadet Shelby Patti is one of only three recipients in the U.S. receiving an Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association ROTC Medal of Honor Scholarship.

Mississippi State remains ranked among the nation’s top 100 research institutions and the Magnolia State’s leading research university in a new report from the National Science Foundation. The NSF Higher Education Research and Development Survey for Fiscal Year 2017 places the university at 94th overall among public and private institutions in the country, based on nearly $241 million in total research and development expenditures. It is ranked 58th among non-medical school institutions and 64th among public institutions.

Mississippi State University will lead a new $15 million U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) initiative that continues efforts to reduce poverty and improve health outcomes for global populations dependent on aquaculture-led economies.

FRONT ROW L-R: Kenya Williams, Taylor Ann Bailey, Danielle Wolfe, Jenna Hull and Amelia Kundel; BACK ROW L-R Emilio Luna-Suarez, Hallie Murtagh Rutledge and Marianna Tollison. Not pictured is Katelyn Jackson.

Six current students and three Mississippi State University graduates will receive $30,000 per year to attend medical school as part of the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program.

MSU Alumni Delegate leaders for 2019 include (L-R) Osvaldo Ballesteros Garcia, Brittany Corder, Kerry Steen and Nathaniel S. Bell.

ALUMNI DELEGATE OFFICERS Alumni Delegates are the liaison between the MSU Alumni Association and MSU students. The 40-member group helps the association maintain strong ties with the university’s nearly 145,000 living graduates.

Alumni Delegate officers for 2019 include: • President Brittany Corder of Bay St. Louis, a senior chemical engineering major; • Kerry Steen of Marietta, Georgia, a senior finance and Spanish major concentrating in international business, serving as vice president of member education; • Osvaldo “Ozzie” Ballesteros Garcia of Kosciusko, a junior medical technology major, serving as vice president of public relations; and • Nathaniel Steven Bell of Atlanta, Georgia, a senior finance major, serving as secretary.

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 61

STATE ments With Jake Mangum ’s win of the 2019 Ferriss Trophy, he became the first two-time winner of the award given to the top collegiate baseball player in the state of Mississippi. The win also secured Mississippi State as the first university to sweep the state’s five awards for best college athlete in an academic year. In addition to Mangum’s win, junior defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons picked up the Conerly Trophy for football; seniors Teaira McCowan and Quinndary Weatherspoon earned the Gillom and Howell Awards for women’s and men’s basketball, respectively; and senior offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins received the Kent Hull Trophy for football.

Mississippi State University has announced “Hold On with a Bulldog Grip: A Short Study of Ulysses S. Grant” as its selection for the 2019 Maroon Edition, the university’s common reading program. Written by Mississippi State historians John Marszalek, David Nolen and Louie Gallo, and university benefactor and scholar Frank Williams, with an afterward by MSU President Mark E. Keenum, Bulldog Grip offers a concise but no less compelling account of Grant’s remarkable life as soldier, general, president and bestselling author. Members of the Bulldog family are encouraged to include the book in their summer reading selection. It being made available to incoming freshmen and transfer students in their Orientation packets. Others can purchase the book at MSU’s Barnes & Noble bookstore or through other booksellers.

With a two-run homer over Seattle University in the NCAA regional, Bulldog softball’s Mia Davidson became the first SEC player to hit 26 home runs in a season. The 45th bomb of her career also put the sophomore catcher in possession of Mississippi State’s home run record. She was named a top 10 finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

Mississippi State men’s tennis senior Nuno Borges was SEC Player of the Year for the third year in a row—the first to achieve that feat. The SEC tournament MVP was also named the conference’s men’s tennis Scholar Athlete of the Year, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southern Region’s Senior Player of the Year and Google Cloud CoSIDA Academic AllDistrict. He also earned the ITA Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award. He earned No. 1 and No. 3 national seeds in both the 2019 NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships.

The Bulldog’s head tennis coach Matt Roberts and assistant coach Andrew Goodwin earned Wilson Coach of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year, respectively, for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Southern Region.

Alexandra “Alix” Hui and Matthew Lavine, both associate professors in MSU’s history department, have been named the first co-editors of their field’s flagship society, the History of Science Society.

62 SPRING 2019

For the first time in program history, three softball Bulldogs—sophomore catcher Mia Davidson, junior utility plater Fa Leilua and senior outfielder Kat Moore—earned First Team All-SEC honors. Outfielder Anna Kate Segars was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

AROUND CAMPUS

The Poultry Science Association recently recognized Kelley Wamsley as the 2018 selection for the PSA Early Career Teaching Award, presented during the 107th Annual Poultry Science Association Meeting this summer in San Antonio, Texas. Accompanied by a $1,000 stipend, the award spotlights the achievements of poultry science members within the first six years of their careers in four categories—teaching, research, extension and industry.

The Carnegie Foundation released an update of the influential Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, and Mississippi State is designated as a “Very High Research Activity” doctoral university. This classification represents the highest level of research activity for doctorate-granting universities in the country. MSU is one of only 120 schools to achieve the distinction. Of note, the university also holds the Carnegie community engagement classification.

Courtney Conway of Oxford, an MSU senior mathematics major and Air Force ROTC cadet, is receiving the 2018 Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association’s Maj. Gen. Robert Sadler, USAF, Honor Award. She also has been selected to join the Air Force Office of Special Investigations after graduation.

Foundation welcomes Lack, Baldwin

The MSU Foundation has welcomed two new development team members– Stephen Lack and Mary Beth Baldwin. Both are MSU graduates.

Lack of New Orleans, Louisiana, has joined the MSU Foundation as assistant director of development in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. He assists fellow assistant director Paul Zimmerman and Bennett Evans, senior development director, in working to secure gifts for the Bagley College, one of the university’s oldest academic units.

Most recently, Lack worked with the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, where he served as business resource coordinator and accomplished great success. Prior to that, he was employment services supervisor and designed and developed the Refugee Employment Services Program. He received a Bachelor of Arts in international studies from the University of Southern Mississippi. Later, he earned a Master of Arts in migration and refugee studies from the American University in Cairo, Egypt.

Additionally, Mary Beth Baldwin of Bruce is associate director of annual giving, working with the team led by Georgia Carter, director. In this position, she secures leadership-level annual giving commitments, assists with special campaigns and focuses on specific university programs such as Compass Scholarships.

The MSU Annual Fund provides an avenue for donors to support colleges or schools, academic departments, scholarship funds or any other area of the institution.

Baldwin graduated in 2009 from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing, followed by a master’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sport administration in 2012. After attending MSU, Baldwin managed premium seating and hospitality with MSU Athletics while she worked for the Colonnade Group Inc. as suite director.

Most recently, she was office manager for Columbus Orthopaedic Clinic’s Starkville location.

A complete list of MSU fundraisers, their contact information and a link to the university’s Guide to Giving is available at www. msufoundation.com.

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THE RING CELEBRATES PRESTIGIOUS ALUMNUS

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The MSU Alumni Association hosts The Ring at MSU, a ceremony for the presentation of the university’s official class rings purchased during ring days, prior to each spring and fall commencement. The historic Chapel of Memories provides a traditional setting twice yearly for celebrations with family and friends as MSU President Mark E. Keenum (front left) presents the official rings. In December 2018, some 40 recipients received rings, and a special part of the ceremony acknowledged the association’s first honorary recipient for his legacy of service—Hal Parker Jr. (front center) of Bolton, a 1969 business administration alumnus and partner with Parker Land LLC. Parker is a steadfast proponent of education who serves as president of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning board of trustees. At MSU, he has been an Alumni Association national board member, an MSU Foundation board member and served as president of the Bulldog Club board. Among proud December ring recipients was Parker’s son, Cameron (front right), a 2018 sociology graduate of Starkville. For more information on official MSU class rings, visit alumni.msstate.edu/classring.

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GIVING BACK

PRESLEY WINS ‘FREE’ TUITION Jonathan P. Presley of Olive Branch is the latest winner of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association’s tuition drawing. A freshman marketing major, Presley received full-time tuition for 12 academic credit hours for the spring semester. His name was drawn in November 2018 from 3,595 tickets purchased from parents of eligible students.

Established in 2013, the tuition Jonathan P. Presley of Olive Branch (fifth from left) receives “free” tuition from members of the MSU Alumni Delegates. drawing program is available each fall and spring semester to parents of Mississippi underclassmen who are enrolled full time. Beyond the cost of tuition for the recipient, the excess funds from the sale of tickets benefit future scholarships and priority alumni programs.

The program has become a proud tradition for the organization because it serves as a way for Alumni Delegates to positively influence the college experience of fellow students. For more information about the MSU Alumni Association’s tuition drawing, contact Jordan Ramsey, association associate director, at 662.325.7000 or jramsey@ alumni.msstate.edu.

ASSOCIATION DEBUTS YOUNG ALUMNI ADVISORY COUNCIL The Mississippi State University Alumni Association convened its inaugural Young Alumni Advisory Council in March. The newly organized group of volunteer leaders, which met for the first time during the association’s annual leadership conference, is charged with helping young MSU graduates transition into their professional lives while engaging them in lifelong relationships with fellow alumni and the land-grant institution.

Consisting of 38 MSU graduates under the age of 35, council members are ambassadors of MSU in areas of the nation where high concentrations of young graduates reside including Jackson; Atlanta, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; Houston,

Texas; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; and Washington, D.C. Inaugural officers are Paul Minor, a 2011 geoscience graduate who lives in Houston, Texas, and Evann Berry, a 2014 biological engineering graduate living in Mount Rainer, Maryland, serving as chair and vice chair respectively. Other members are: Anna Barker ’17, Starkville Amanda Bobo ’11, ’13, Ft. Worth, TX Ashton Braddock ‘16, Knoxville, TN Joey Brown ’07, Nashville, TN Kelly Butler ’11, ’12, Columbus Ashley Chism ’14, Memphis, TN Victoria Cvitanovic ’11, New Orleans, LA Sunny Desai ‘08, ’10, Jackson JoJo Dodd ’16, Jackson Jessica Dougan ’13, Germantown, TN Cole Glass ’10, Birmingham, AL Adam Gough ’11, Nashville, TN Courtney Griffin ’18, Chattanooga, TN

John Guyton ’13, Pearland, TX Victoria Hall ’15, Washington, DC John Holland ’16, Atlanta, GA Kyle Ladner ’11, Meridian Katie Landry-Guyton ’12, Pearland, TX Bradley Mason ’16, Charlotte, NC Jeff Mayeaux ’17, Irving, TX Jasmine Morgan ’14, Lawrenceville, GA Grant Nerren ‘15, Washington, D.C. Maggi Polk ’08, Huntsville, AL Walker Price ’11, Germantown, TN Logan Reeves ’17, Brandon Kylie Rigdon ‘13, Centennial, CO Nikki Robinson ‘18, Starkville Rachelle Sanderson ’14, New Orleans, LA Lauren Scheel ‘13, Madison Jeral Self ‘09, New Orleans, LA Heather Smith ‘08, Bay St. Louis Evante Topp ‘13, Baton Rouge, LA Mathew Waldrop ‘13, Greenwood Edward White ‘17, Metairie, LA Randall White ’10, ‘11, Brandon Alexandria Wilson ’15, Brooklyn, NY ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 65

STATE ments

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Five Bulldogs highlighted for spirit of volunteerism

Omaha in time to watch our Bulldogs win their opening game that night.

WHY I VOLUNTEER: I grew up watching my

parents, as owners of Allen’s Big Star grocery store, volunteer and give back to those in need in our community of Olive Branch.

Seeing how their small efforts helped others excel left a lasting impression on me.

FAVORITE VOLUNTEER MEMORY: Every year the Desoto County Alumni Chapter gives a $1,000 scholarship to each of the nine high schools in the county. That’s a total of $9,000 each year. As part of their acceptance of our scholarship, the university asks all recipients to write a thank-you note to the donor. Reading notes and letters every year from deserving students about their plans and expectations always makes me excited for every one of these young people and their futures.

early ’60s men’s basketball teams win the SEC Championship three out of five years and seeing players like Red Stroud, Joe Dan Gold, Leland Mitchell, Doug Hutton, Bobby Shows and Mack Whyte under Coach Babe McCarthy. It was certainly a privilege to have seen those guys play in their prime. One memorable event happened at halftime during a game with Kentucky when a funeral procession carried a casket, containing a not so recently deceased skunk, and placed it on the Kentucky bench.

WHY I VOLUNTEER: My years at MSU were absolutely the best college experience I could have imagined. I enjoy sharing my passion for all things Maroon and White with incoming freshmen and prospective transfer students. Perhaps my greatest satisfaction comes from raising money for scholarships to benefit students from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Last year, we set a record by awarding $19,000 in scholarships.

FAVORITE VOLUNTEER MEMORY: Receiving

David Randall “Randy” Allen

the 2013 Distinguished Service Award from the MSU Alumni Association was both an honor and a humbling experience.

of Olive Branch Bachelor of Business Administration, 1987 CAREER: Senior vice president, Commercial Lending Department, BancorpSouth MSU VOLUNTEER POSITIONS: • MSU Alumni Association national board of directors Past North Mississippi Region director for four terms • DeSoto County MSU Alumni Chapter Treasurer and past vice president; Founder and chairman, DeSoto County Scholarship Fundraiser Golf Tournament

FAVORITE MSU MEMORY: I have been

a football season ticket holder since graduation. Most of my favorite memories are related to watching the Bulldogs play on Saturdays with my family and friends over the last 30 years. My most recent “favorite memory” is that of me and my 17-year-old son deciding on Friday afternoon to attend the 2018 College World Series. We left early the next morning and drove straight to

66 SPRING 2019

Mike Eley

of Pascagoula Bachelor of Science in industrial technology, 1964 CAREER: Thirty-six years at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, as an industrial engineer and administrator in the machinery and tests and trials departments MSU VOLUNTEER POSITIONS: • Jackson County Alumni Chapter, now Mississippi Gulf Coast Alumni Chapter Treasurer for more than 20 years and Vice president for three years

FAVORITE MSU MEMORY: Some of my

favorite memories include watching the

Amanda Mitchell

of Mansfield, Texas Bachelor of Science in education, 1993 CAREER: AP Government teacher, Lake Ridge High School MSU VOLUNTEER POSITIONS: • MSU Greater Fort Worth Alumni Chapter

GIVING BACK President, 2016–Present and vice president, 2014–16

FAVORITE MSU MEMORY: My favorite

memory as a student at State was playing racquetball on the old cinder block courts with a random guy who would eventually become my husband. Darrell and I have been married more than 25 years.

WHY I VOLUNTEER: Volunteering with

our local chapter gives me the ability to help organize events that allow alumni the opportunity to network, as well as build a sense of community in the Fort Worth area.

FAVORITE VOLUNTEER MEMORY: My

favorite volunteer-related memory was having the opportunity to attend the 2017 Women’s NCAA Final Four in Dallas. It was an amazing experience to share with alumni from the Dallas and Fort Worth areas, as well as alumni from other areas of the country.

FAVORITE MSU MEMORY: I have so many,

it is tough to narrow down. My favorite memory is probably the day I truly became a Bulldog. It was the 2007 Egg Bowl, and I was on my first MSU campus visit as a junior in high school. It was cold, and we were down by two touchdowns with 10 minutes left. I wanted to leave, but my mom said, “You never leave a football game early.”

So, we stayed. Sure enough, the Bulldogs battled back and not only won the game 1714, but they also won my heart.

WHY I VOLUNTEER: I volunteer with the chapter to say “thank you” to Mississippi State for all of the wonderful opportunities and cherished memories that I had as a student. Also, when I moved to Atlanta, the chapter events were a great way to meet new people. Some of my favorite Atlanta friends are fellow Bulldogs I met through the chapter. I volunteer so other Bulldogs moving to Atlanta have a community that is ready to welcome them.

Favorite Volunteer Memory: Without a doubt, my favorite volunteer memory with the Atlanta Chapter, so far, was receiving an email from a prospective student after he opened my handwritten “Welcome to the Bulldog family” card in the mail. He thanked me and said my card was just one more reason why he was looking forward to being “the right kind of Bulldog.”

CAREER: Director of tax management CPA, MAA SVP MSU VOLUNTEER POSITIONS: • MSU Alumni Association national board of directors • Memphis Maroon Club Board member, treasurer, vice president, golf chair

FAVORITE MSU MEMORY: From 2005-09,

being able to spend time with my parents, especially my dad, at MSU sporting events.

My dad passed away in 2009, but my mom has continued going—121 straight home and away football games, two College World Series and two NCAA Women’s Final Fours.

WHY I VOLUNTEER: Volunteering is my way of giving back to Mississippi State University. MSU has shaped so much of my life, including job opportunities, helping provide financial stability, athletics, friends and most importantly, family.

Hearing people talk about Mississippi State, encouraging a high school student to consider and hopefully attend Mississippi State, or getting alumni to volunteer or donate to Mississippi State is partly why I volunteer. However, I feel more like an ambassador than a volunteer—I just love to share my passion for Mississippi State University with others, and I enjoy promoting MSU as much as I can.

FAVORITE VOLUNTEER MEMORY: My

favorite memory of volunteering is really any event that promotes Mississippi State—participating in send-off parties, planning our local Road Dawgs Tours, supporting our Hail State Spirit Groups, disbributing stickers with the Alumni Association at athletic events, and serving the Memphis Maroon Club and the Alumni Association boards.

Blaire Wilson

of Decatur, Georgia Bachelor of Science in mathematics, 2012 Master of Public Policy and Administration, 2013 CAREER: Associate director of the Honor Council and deputy Title IX coordinator, Emory University MSU VOLUNTEER POSITIONS: • Atlanta, Georgia Chapter vice president, 2017–Present; Community service chair, 2016–17; Student recruiting chair, 2015–17; Young alumni chair, 2015–16

Stephen Woo

of Cordova, Tennessee Bachelor of Professional Accountancy, 1994 Master of Accountancy with a concentration in taxation, 1995

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING AN ALUMNI VOLUNTEER, VISIT WWW.ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU/ SPRING19/VOLUNTEERS ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 67

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Wes Gordon, Director of Planned Giving (662) 325-3707 | wgordon@foundation.msstate.edu MSU is an AA/EEO university.

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8/30/18 11:14 AM

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STATE ments

1960s

Harris H. Barnes, III (B.A. political science) is president of Barnes Law

Firm, which was recently selected by the American Institute of Legal Counsel as one of the 10 Best Estate Planning Law Firms in the state of Mississippi.

1970s Charles S. Wasson (B.S. electrical engineering, ’71; MBA, ’72) was

honored in Washington, D.C. by the International Council on Systems Engineering with the 2018 INCOSE Fellows Award. One of only 200 worldwide with the Expert Systems Engineering Professional certification.

He has published two textbooks on systems engineering with Wiley Publishers. “System Analysis, Design and Development” was published in 2006 and won the International Academy of Astronautics Book of the Year Award.

A second edition was released in 2016.

James L. MacLeod (Ph.D. education, ’72) received the Albert Nelson Marquis

Life Achievement Award from Marquis Who’s Who.

Sebastião Barbosa (M.S. entomology, ’73; SCD ‘14) was

named president of the Brazilian equivalent of the U.S. Department of Agriculture—the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corp. He has decades of experience in addressing food security challenges and promoting integrated pest-management principals in more than 50 developing countries as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s officer for integrated pest management worldwide.

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Stephen P. Cohen (B.S. economics, ’74; M.S. computer science, ’78; MBA ’92),

earned a graduate certificate in trumpet performance from the University of Central Arkansas in May 2018 following his retirement from an IT career. He has performed with the UCA Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Symphonic Band, numerous chamber groups, the Conway Symphony Orchestra and the UCA Wind Ensemble, including its recent performance at Carnegie Hall.

Ed Dedeaux (B.S. civil engineering, ‘74), a licensed civil engineer and

professional land surveyor, last year celebrated his 40th anniversary at Allen and Hoshall, where he serves as a principal.

Jim Koerber (B.S. banking and finance, ’74)

authored two chapters on personal injury, wrongful death, employment discrimination and wrongful termination for a newly published fifth edition of “The Comprehensive Guide to Economic Damages.” He is a shareholder in The Koerber Company in Hattiesburg.

Patrick R. “Pat” Biglane (B.S. general business administration, ’76)

was named chairman of the Louisiana Bankers Association for 2018-19. He is president and CEO of Concordia Bank and Trust in Vidalia, Louisiana.

Lynn Phillips-Gaines (B.A. communication, ‘78) was recognized

by InvestmentNews as a 2018 Women to Watch honoree. She was among 20 selected for the honor from several hundred nominations.

Jeff McCoy (B.S. banking and finance, ‘79) has

been elected to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Mississippi Bankers Association. He will represent an 11-county region of the 129-yearold trade association. He is president and CEO of Great Southern Bank in Meridian. In his 39-year career, he has held executive positions with Great Southern and several other Mississippi banks.

1980s Mary Childs (B.S. banking and finance, ‘80), who

serves as president and CEO of The Peoples Bank, was elected chairman of the Mississippi Bankers Association.

With 38 years of experience in the financial services industry, she is the first woman elected to the position.

Karen Herrington (B.S. computer science, ’80; M.S. undeclared, ‘82) was

appointed director of IT data analytics and visualization in the Division of Information Technology at Virginia Tech. She was previously director of identity strategy and administration in Secure Identity Services where she led the design and delivery of identity and access solutions and planning for the university.

Scott Hutchins (M.S. entomology, ‘83) has been appointed U.S. under secretary of agriculture for research, education and economics. He recently retired from CortevaTM AgriScience after almost 32 years.

Know a Bulldog who has news or a recent promotion? Send an email to alumnus@msstate.edu.

Jennifer G. Carter (B.A. psychology, ‘84) has joined Brown & Brown Gulf

States as an insurance and risk adviser with its commercial lines department.

She has 34 years of experience in the insurance industry in areas including marketing, account management, underwriting, information technology, risk management and education.

A book from acclaimed journalist Jan Risher (B.S. secondary education, ‘85) is now available from Sans Souci Press.

“Looking to the Stars from Old Algiers and Other Long Short Stories” is a collection of 182 of the “greatest hits” from her journalism career that produced more than 850 Sunday columns since she began writing weekly installments for The Scott County Times in 1993.

Renee Rice (BBA banking and finance, ‘87) joined BankFirst Financial Services

as community banking president for Madison County. She serves on several local and state boards including Madison County Community Trust, the finance and economics advisory board for Mississippi State and the Jackson Academy board of trustees.

Scott Alsobrooks (B.S. industrial engineering, ’89)

has been named president of East Mississippi Community College.

With more than three decades of higher education and professional experience, he was previously vice president of economic and community development at Pearl River Community College.

1990s Brig. Gen. Damon S. Feltman (BBA business information systems, ‘91) is now

the mobilization assistant to the Commander 14th Air Force, Air Force Space Command, and Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, United States Strategic Command at the 30th Space Wing, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

Sydney Freeman (B.A. communication, ‘92) was named

executive director of the Demopolis (Alabama) Area Chamber of Commerce.

Michael Pepper (B.S. agribusiness, ’94), who serves as executive director

of the Mississippi Road Builders Association, was named to the third annual Mississippi Top 50 list of influential leaders in the state. He has held leadership roles in many professional organizations including the Mississippi Society of Association Executives and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Jackson.

Camille Scales Young (B.A. communication management, ’94; M.S. agriculture and extension education, ‘96)

was elected to the Mississippi Power board of directors. She is a principal and director at Cornerstone Government Affairs and previously worked with Watkins Ludlam, Winters, and Stennis, P.A., and the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.

CLASS NOTES

Frederick C. Walker (B.S. chemical engineering, ’97) was appointed vice

president of strategy, planning and technology for Oronite in San Ramon, California. He previously was Americas regional manager for manufacturing and supply.

2000s Paul Kelsey (BARC architecture, ’01) was promoted to oversee the new Allen & Hoshall office in Jackson. He is an architectural project coordinator and will assist in converting the office into a fullservice firm offering all engineering and design opportunities.

A book by Timothy B. Smith (Ph.D., ‘01) has been released by Savas Beatie.

“The Real Horse Soldiers: Benjamin Grierson’s Epic 1863 Civil War Raid Through Mississippi” is based upon years of research and, according to a synopsis, is presented as fast-paced prose to capture “the high drama and tension of the 1863 horse soldiers in a modern, comprehensive, academic study.”

Russell Bozeman Jr. (B.S. forestry, ‘02)

was named Mississippi’s 13th state forester by the Mississippi Forestry Commission’s board of commissioners.

He will oversee the agency’s leadership team in the areas of forest protection, forest management, wildland fire management, forest inventory and forest information distribution. He previously served as assistant state forester.

Lt. Cmdr. Alfred Nuzzolo (B.S. computer engineering, ‘02) was named

the 2019 Military Engineer of the Year by the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Command, a military command for the U.S. Navy located in Port Hueneme, California. He serves as deputy department head for the unit’s Capital Improvements Business Line Department.

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 71

STATE ments Miranda Moore Reiter (B.S. international business, ’03) earned a

competitive Diversity Scholarship from the Financial Planning Association, the country’s largest association for certified financial planners. She is a doctoral student at Kansas State University and a financial adviser with USAA based in Tampa, Florida.

Joshua O. Blades (B.A. political science, ‘04) a senior adviser for

government affairs and economic development at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, was recognized by Yellowhammer News as one of Alabama’s most powerful and influential lobbyists, consultants or economic developers.

Mike Lebel (BARC architecture, ‘05)

was appointed as a principal and the head of Allen & Hoshall’s architecture department. His projects include the new Tunica Blues Museum, which involved the adaptive reuse of a historic train depot.

Brett Aldridge (B.A. communication ‘06; MBA ‘10) has been

selected to serve as vice president of strategy and business development for Baptist Health Care. He joined Baptist Health Care in 2010 as director of development for the Andrews Institute.

He previously worked with the MSU Foundation.

Chawanpon “Charles” Bunniran (B.S. civil engineering, ‘07) is a licensed

civil engineer who recently assumed management of Allen & Hoshall’s Jackson office. He specializes in airport and utility projects.

“Air Fry Every Day: 75 Recipes to Fry, Roast, and Bake Using Your Air Fryer,”

by Ben Mims (B.A. communication, ‘07) was named to Epicurious’ list of 72 SPRING 2019

best cookbooks of 2018. A food writer, cookbook author and recipe developer, he formerly worked as director of the test kitchen at Lucky Peach magazine, food editor at Saveur magazine and Food & Wine, and was pastry chef of Bar Agricole in San Francisco. His other cookbooks include “Coconuts” and “Sweet and Southern: Classic Desserts with a Twist.”

Aaron Rice (B.A. political science, ‘08) was named

director of the Mississippi Justice Institute, which serves as the legal arm of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy. A native of Hattiesburg who joined the Marines after Sept. 11, he served in Iraq and received a Purple Heart. Upon his return, he enrolled at Mississippi State and was awarded the national Truman Scholarship to pursue graduate studies. He built his career as a litigator and is a Fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates’ National Trial College at Harvard Law School, and a graduate of the International Association of Defense Counsel’s Trial Academy at Stanford Law School.

Austin, Texas-based artist Will Bryant (BFA art, ‘09) had

some of his work displayed on the gridiron last fall as Mississippi State players donned compression sleeves adorned with his designs he created for Adidas.

2010s Cory Lowery (BARC architecture, ’10)

joined Allen & Hoshall as an architect.

He is responsible for overseeing all

phases of the architectural design process, from construction to administration.

Eric Cranford (B.S. civil engineering, ’11), who serves

as an A1 project manager at the Stennis Space Center, was one of six people to earn a Space Flight Awareness Silver Snoopy award from the organization. Established in 1963, the award recognizes outstanding contributions by civil service and contract employees in support of human space flight.

Nicole Beck (B.S. microbiology, ‘12) was awarded

first place in the Portrait/Figure (Student) category in the 35th Artist Magazine Annual Art Competition for her oil painting “Brooke.” She earned a nursing degree before beginning a private painting practice in Tennessee. She has been featured in two private gallery shows in Colorado Springs, as well as several group exhibits. She currently works in San Francisco, California, as an artist and travel NICU nurse.

David Jackson (B.S. kinesiology, ‘12)

completed the flyover before Mississippi State took on Auburn at Scott Field last fall. He is a captain and a B-1 Bomber pilot who was commissioned through the MSU Air Force ROTC. He is currently assigned to Columbus Air Force Base as a flight instructor for T-38 jets and has flown combat missions in Iraq and Syria.

Joshua Stover (B.A. political science, ‘13) has joined

Burr & Forman LLP as part of the firm’s Construction

Know a Bulldog who has news or a recent promotion? Send an email to alumnus@msstate.edu.

CLASS NOTES

Practice Group. He will be based in Jackson and represent clients in various stages of construction and legal malpractice litigation including drafting motions, briefs, pleadings, discovery and settlement agreements.

Regan Stewart (B.A. communication, ’14) released her

second single,” Hold Me Like That,” in November on the heels of the announcement of her participation on USA network’s competition show “Real Country.”

Taylor McNair (B.S. agribusiness, ‘17) was

crowned Miss Rodeo America after a weeklong pageant in Las Vegas. The Learned native is the third Mississippian to win the crown. Competitors are judged on horsemanship, a written test on equine science and rodeo knowledge, interviews, public speaking and a fashion show.

Along with the crown, the honor comes with more than $20,000 in scholarships and prizes.

Wesley Donald (B.S. kinesiology, ‘18) has been promoted to group

sales executive with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos minor league baseball team after serving as a trainee. A native of Quitman, he helped host the 2017 National Junior College Athletics Association National Softball Championship with the Clinton Parks and Recreation Department.

Sarah Tewolde (BFA art, ‘18) has

joined Ridgeland-based advertising and creative production firm Mad Genius as a graphic designer.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS Hannah Allene Harden, Sept. 1 to John Harden (’02, ’06) and Grace Harden of Magnolia,

Arkansas.

Alline Jones Gregory, Sept. 7 to Kate Gregory (’12) and Nathan Gregory (’09) of Starkville.

Clara Ryan Main, Sept. 15 to Dr. Jennifer Austin Main (’06) and Tylor Edwin Main

(attended) of Oxford.

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 73

STATE ments

TAKE IT TO

the House The MSU Alumni Association tailgate

celebrations will relocate this fall from The Junction to the Hunter Henry Center, home of the MSU Division of Development and Alumni. Visit our website to learn more and purchase your tickets to join us for food, drinks, and fun with fellow alumni and friends as we cheer for the Bulldogs during home games!

alumni.msstate.edu/tailgate

74 SPRING 2019

CLASS NOTES

PURCHASE YOUR MSU TAG IN THESE STATES:

MSU Mississippi

Alabama

Tennessee

South Carolina (coming soon)

Georgia

Texas

Washington, D.C.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about purchasing a Mississippi State University car tag, visit our website.

ALUMNI.MSSTATE.EDU/CARTAG

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 75

Forever MAROON Robert Irwin Abbay III (attended) 71, Tunica – He spent his career doing what he loved—farming.

Throughout his life, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America and Robinsonville United Methodist Church. He was past president of Norfolk Gin and a commissioner with the DeSoto County Soil and Water Conservation District. – Sept. 9, 2018 Tom Bailey Sr. (attended) 91, Memphis, Tennessee – He served in the Army after World War II. He began his 40-year career with the Bell Telephone Company.

He retired in 1991 as North Mississippi district manager for the company’s commercial division. An active member of his community, he served as the Community Development Foundation president, received the Boy Scouts’ Silver Beaver Award, chaired the Lee County Library board, was an active Rotarian and served as president of the country club while living in Tupelo. – Oct. 27, 2018 Stanley Ross Black (B.A. general business administration, ’77) 62, Madison – He attended Mississippi State on a football scholarship and went on to be a two-time AllSoutheastern Conference safety and a 1975 All-American. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1977 NFL draft. He and his wife founded Bulldog Construction 25 years ago and worked on numerous commercial construction projects throughout Mississippi. – Aug. 24, 2018 John H. Bryan Jr. (MBA, ’60; Ph.D., ’99) 81, Lake Bluff, Illinois – He joined the food industry at 23 years old as part of Bryan Foods, his family’s business located in West Point. He later served as president and CEO of Sara Lee Corp. and its predecessor firm, Consolidated Foods, from 1975 until 2001. A lover of the arts, he was a driving force behind the creation of Chicago’s Millennium Park and a respected fundraiser for the expansion and renovation 76 SPRING 2019

of the Art Institute of Chicago— whose board he chaired and served on for 23 years—and the Civic Opera House and Orchestra Hall.

He was responsible for donating as much as $100 million of Sara Lee’s corporate art collection to American museums. He served on numerous corporate boards including General Motors, Bank One, BP Amoco and Goldman Sachs. – Oct. 1, 2018 Laura Bess Greer Clapp (M.Ed. counselor education, ’83) 75, Florence – She taught for 30 years in Rankin County public schools and achieved National Board Certification while teaching gifted students. As a member of the Episcopal church, she was a licensed lay reader, chalice bearer, lay eucharistic visitor and delegate to the diocese of Mississippi annual council. She served on medical missions to Honduras and Panama.

– July 25, 2018 Alan Clayton Crockett (B.P.A., ’90) 49, Senatobia – He is a former executive vice president at Fred’s Inc. and served on the executive advisory board for the College of Business. – March 23, 2018 Katherine Sorrels Crosby (attended) 87, Germantown, Tennessee – She was a majorette in the Famous Maroon Band and accompanied her husband of 68 years, (Ret.) Lt. Col. George Crosby across the country over the course of his military career.

She was an avid gardener and won many local Yard of the Month awards, along with several national ones. – June 14, 2018 Tom Crumby (B.S. agricultural engineering, ’66) 75, Madison – He played the clarinet in the Famous Maroon Band. Following graduation, he worked for the Pet Milk Co. as a plant manager until the 1970s when he returned home and farmed soybeans until joining FMC Corp in 1977. He retired from FMC as a technical service representative. – Sept. 24, 2018

Robert “Bob” Louis Echols Sr. (B.S. civil engineering, ’51) 91, Paducah, Kentucky – He retired from Union Carbide/Martin Marietta in 1990 as manager of the civil engineering department after more than 38 years. A veteran of World War II, he served with the Navy 61st Naval Construction Battalion in the South Pacific. He was a fellow member of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Engineering Technology where he was national chairman of the Engineering Technology Commission. He was a Silver Life Master and member of the American Contract Bridge League National Goodwill Committee. – July 29, 2018 Robert Fuller “Bob” Ellis (B.S. chemistry, ’62) 78, Brigham City, Utah – An active member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, he served in various offices including elder, high priest and seventy, as well as many volunteer assignments. He worked as a computer programmer and data processing manager and later taught computer programming at East Mississippi Community College. – June 15, 2018 Billy Joe Farr (B.S. agriculture and extension education) 78, New Albany – He joined the Army in 1957 and served in telecommunications during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his graduation from Mississippi State he returned home to open a dairy with his father. During that time, he also served as general manager of Union Grain Company in New Albany and was an algebra teacher at Ashland High School.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a lifelong member of the Cornersville Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. – Aug. 23, 2018 James Jagers Foreman (B.S. forestry, ’58) 88, Hendersonville, North Carolina – He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-54 and worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 16 years before turning to private real estate for the remainder of his career. – Nov., 20, 2018

John R. Fulcher (B.S. agriculture and extension education, ’51; retired Extension agent) 89, Clarksdale – He served in Korea with the U.S. Army and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone as a platoon sergeant. He spent 31 years with the Extension service in the Delta and was a Life Member of the Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents, which he served as state association president in 1975. He also served as president of the Tri-State Soybean Association and later had a second career with Stoneville Pedigreed Seed and DuPont Pioneer. He was a Rotarian and a member of Lyon Methodist Church. – Aug. 8, 2018 Col. Kenny Bert Gilmore (B.S., M.S. agriculture and extension education, ’83, ’86; Extension agent) 57, Union – He joined the Extension service in 2013 following a career in the Mississippi National Guard, serving as a battalion operations officer, recruiting battalion commander and primary staff officer to the adjutant general of Mississippi. Among his numerous military awards, are a Bronze Star for Service and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. As an agent, he enjoyed working with cattle and helping others with herd management. He also worked to build a competitive 4-H shooting sports program. – Aug. 28, 2018 Paul Wesley Graham (B.S. education, ’37) 97, Lake Worth, Florida – He served in the southwest Pacific theatre during World War II. He remained in the Air Force Reserve and was honorably discharged as a captain.

He spent his career in higher education and retired as vice president of academic affairs at Palm Beach Community College after 25 years of service to the school. – Jan. 2, 2017 Stanislaw Grzybowski (Professor Emeritus, electrical and computer engineering) 85, Starkville –

Know someone who should be remembered in Forever Maroon? Send an email to alumnus@msstate.edu.

He was passionate about the study of high voltage electricity and served for many years as director of Mississippi State’s High Voltage Laboratory, the largest of its kind among universities in North America. A native of Poland, he joined the Mississippi State faculty in 1987 after achieving the rank of Doctor Habilitated from Wroclaw University of Technology. He was internationally known in his field and was named a Life Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He held a bachelor’s degree from Poznan University of Technology and master’s and doctoral degrees from the Warsaw University of Technology, all in electrical engineering. – July 15, 2018 Jack Watson Haynes (B.S., M.S. entomology, ’62, ’63) 79, Starkville – He was a retired entomologist with the USDA and was on the team that eradicated the boil weevil. He was published in a number of scientific journals and National Geographic. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and a veteran of the Army National Guard. – Sept. 10, 2018 William Henderson (attended) 74, Diamondhead – He served in the United States Marine Corps as an E-5 radar technician in Vietnam.

He worked in Starkville for 35 years as a project engineer with Motor Guide Trolling Motors, where he not only designed motors but also earned more than a dozen patents. – June 26, 2018 Douglas Chatham Herbert Sr. (B.S. education, ’54) 88, Mendenahall – He devoted his life to public education, retiring as Mendenhall Junior High School’s principal. During his career, he was a coach, teacher or principal at West, Columbia, Ruleville, Booneville, West Marion and Mendenhall. He served in the Navy during the Korean War and was a member of the Mendenhall United Methodist Church. – July 25, 2018

George M. Hess (Ph.D. sociology, ’71) 85, Hammond, Louisiana – He earned a bachelor’s degree at Southeastern Louisiana College, where he also played basketball, before earning a master’s degree at Southern Methodist University.

After earning his doctorate at MSU, he was director of the Wesley Foundation at Southeastern and later became a professor and head of the sociology department. – July 19, 2018 John L. Hinton Jr. ( B.S. general science, ’54) 87, Silverhill, Alabama – Born in Richton, he served in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed traveling, having called many places home during his career. – Jan. 26, 2018 James Forrest Keathley (B.S. general business administration, ’69) 71, Memphis, Tennessee – He retired from Dun and Bradstreet after 34 years. He was active in the Cherry Road Baptist Church of Memphis for 30 years before moving to DeSoto County and joining Gracewood Baptist Church. – Nov. 13, 2018 David Kelley (B.S., M.S. education, ’61, ’65) 81, Quitman – He attended Mississippi State on a football scholarship, earning co-captain his senior year and an honorable mention in the All-Southeastern Conference Scholastic Team. He began his teaching career with Laurel City Schools before moving to the Gulfport Public Schools for the next 31 years. He was named Gulfport’s Outstanding Young Educator, Outstanding Leader in American Secondary Education and chairman for the Gulfport High School Key Club. He was also awarded Gulfport Kiwanis Club’s Outstanding President’s Award and the MSU Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 1988. He was president of the Harrison County Alumni Association and the Quitman First United Methodist Church. – Nov. 12, 2018

Nancy Higdon King (M.S. mathematics, ’77; retired faculty) 65, Starkville – She earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and German from Ole Miss before coming to MSU for graduate school. Making her home in Starkville, she was a member of First United Methodist Church and an instructor of mathematics at MSU for 28 years. – Aug. 13, 2018 Floyd Kirk (B.S. civil engineering, ’59) 80, Florence – A civil engineer, he worked for the Mississippi Department of Transportation and was appointed state aid engineer

by Gov. Kirk Fordice in 1995, ultimately retiring in 2001. He was a member of the New Zion Baptist Church. – June 16, 2018 James Lacey Jr. (B.S. marketing, ’51) 88, Mer Rouge, Louisiana – He developed a love of sports and got his first taste of the newspaper business as a high school student in Columbia. Those things followed him to Mississippi State where he played baseball and was editor of The Reflector. He was also a member of Blue Key and the student council. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War, achieving the rank of lieutenant before returning to the newspaper business. During his career he worked for newspapers in Pickens, Madison County and Yazoo City before purchasing the Aberdeen Examiner, which he later sold to purchase four Delta weeklies before ultimately joining his family’s business in Canton.

He was recognized across the state and nationally for writing and photography. He served on the boards for the United Way, Boy Scouts of America, Mississippi Economic Council, Mississippi Historical Society, Mississippi Public Radio and TV and many chambers of commerce.

– April 24, 2018 Jimmy Langdon (B.S. civil engineering, ’87) 54, Madison – He served as chief operating officer of Ergon Inc. and its subsidiaries and held leadership positions

with Ergon Refining, ErgonWest Virginia, Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions and Corporate Services throughout his career. – July 27, 2018 William Freddie Lewis (B.A. agriculture economics, ’64) 77, Terry – He was an insurance safety director for MFC Services, retiring after 28 years. He served for 6 years in the Air National Guard and was a member of the Alta Woods United Methodist Church and the Hinds County Cattleman’s Association. – July 14, 2018 Frances M. Metts (BBA, ’83) 56, Clinton – She spent her career at Mississippi College and White and Company, and was an active member at First Baptist Church in Clinton. – July 3, 2018 John Stuart “Johnny” Moore (B.P.A. accounting, ’82) 58, Starkville – He earned a juris doctorate in 1984 and began practicing law with his father in Starkville at the Moore Law Office. He primarily practices real estate and probate law and represented the citizens of Oktibbeha County as the board of supervisors-appointment attorney for clients facing civil commitment due to alcohol and drug dependency, as well as mental illness. He was a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, as well as the Oktibbeha County Bar Association. – Aug. 30, 2018 Angela Nunnally (B.S. accounting, ’70) 70, Midlothian – She practiced professional accounting her entire career and retired from Philip Morris with 30 years of service. She spent her formative years in Yazoo City and enjoyed traveling. – Nov. 23, 2018 Ira Edwin Owen Sr. (B.S. accounting, ’49) 93, Meridian – He joined the army in 1944, serving as an infantryman before joining the Army Rangers and being offered an appointment at the Military Academy at West Point. Following his military ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 77

Forever MAROON service, he completed his formal education at Mississippi State and had a distinguished career with the Mississippi State Tax Commission, retiring as regional manager of the Meridian office. – Nov. 22, 2018 Paul Anthony Portera (B.S. social studies education, ’75) 65, Grenada – He was the youngest principal hired in the West Point School District and served as principal in West Point and Grenada for 38 years. He also served as personnel director for the Grenada School District and was named Outstanding Educator in Mississippi. He was a member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church where he served on the Little Saint’s Preschool board of directors and volunteered at the food pantry, as well as the St. Nicholas Treasure Chest every Christmas. – Aug. 19, 2018 Bobby G. Richardson (B.S. civil engineering, ’62) 81, Mooreville – He was highway commissioner for the northern third of Mississippi from 1976-84.

During that time, he did work that led to the 1987 highway program that expanded access to four-lane roads. – Aug. 22, 2018 Ned H. Riddell (B.S. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ’70) 72, Corinth – He retired in 2000 as director of Alcorn County Vocational Center after working as an educator for 32 years. He served in the First Baptist Church of Corinth and enjoyed camping, boating, motorcycles, and Bulldog sports. – June 28, 2018 Sydney Elizabeth Robbins (B.S. educational psychology, ’18) 23, Franklin, Tennessee – A 2014 graduate of Centennial High School, she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. Following her graduation from Mississippi State, she joined the staff at Poplar Grove Middle School. – Oct. 28, 2018

78 SPRING 2019

James R. “Bud” Roberts (B.S. general agriculture, ’46) 97, Greenwood – He worked for 45 years as plant manager for Farmers Supply Co-op at Rising Sun. He served in the U.S. Army in the 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion.

He was part of the fifth wave of troops that landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Indian Arrow Head and a certificate from the French Consulate. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and treasurer before moving to North Greenwood Baptist Church, where he was also a deacon. He was a member of the American Legion Post 29 and a charter member of the honor guard. – Oct. 27, 2018 Ralph M. Rone Jr. (B.A., M.S. undeclared, ’70, ’73) 69, Kosciusko – He was a rural mail carrier who loved the outdoors. He was a deacon and member of Ethel Baptist Church. – April 17, 2018 David W. Runnels (B.S. mechanical engineering, ’92) 52, Starkville – He returned to Starkville after serving in the military. An avid Bulldog fan, he enjoyed umpiring and playing recreational sports and coaching his children. – July 21, 2018 Robert Earl Rutledge (B.S. agriculture and extension service, ’55; retired Extension agent) 86, Jackson – After two years in the Army, spent mostly in Germany, he served with the Extension service for 30 years in Benton and LaFayette counties. He received the Distinguished Service Award at his retirement. Since that time, he enjoyed cultivating exotic plants and trees and fishing across North Mississippi. – March 22, 2018 Phillip Rutter (D.V.M. ’03) 40, McDonough, Georgia – He was a veterinarian and owner of Lake Harbin Animal Hospital in Marrow, Georgia. He served on the board of directors of the

Flint River Astronomy Club and appeared on stage as a member of the Henry County Players. – Nov. 16, 2018 J.L. Slay Jr. (B.S. agricultural engineering, ’64) 76, Brandon – After working as an agriculture teacher at West Tallahatchie High School, he joined the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation as a field representative in the Delta, later becoming director of commodities.

– July 26, 2018 Annette Brent Smith (B.S. elementary education, ’63) 77, Starkville – A native of Strong Hope and longtime resident of Starkville, she was a grade school teacher for more than 25 years and taught sixth grade Sunday School at First Baptist Church for over 27 years. – Oct. 15, 2018 Ernest “Ernie” Smith (MBA) 70, Tupelo – Served for four years in the U.S. Army, later working as a software implementation consultant for Fortune 500 companies. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, attending MSU sporting events and riding motorcycles. – June 18, 2018 Rayburn E. Smith (B.S. electrical engineering, ’50) 90, Trussville, Alabama – Following his graduation from MSU he was drafted into the Korean War, spending most of his Army years at the Pentagon. Following his discharge, he moved yearly for five years in the construction division of E.J. Dupont before moving to Birmingham, Alabama, where he spent the rest of his career with Rust Engineering Company.

At the time of his retirement he was chief electrical engineer. He maintained professional licenses until he was 85 years old. After retiring he took up golf, traveled the world and participated in mission trips across the U.S. He spent 35 years raising money for Rotary International and supported ATO and Mississippi State. – Dec. 22, 2018

Travis J. Tadlock (B.S., M.S. agriculture, ’48, ’69) 96, Brookhaven – He served in the U.S. Navy as a pharmacy mate, first class during World War II. – Sept. 10, 2018 Michael R. Talley (B.S. animal science, ’80; DVM, ’86) 63, Knoxville, Tennessee – He was a veterinary medical officer with the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine for 22 years prior to retirement in 2012. Prior to that he practiced mixed animal medicine in Oklahoma, Alabama and Maryland. – Feb. 15, 2018 Larry Miller Tate (B.S. business administration, ’62) 77, Madison – He owned Alloy Metals and Products Inc., a custom machining business. He had patents for commercial food service equipment. He moved his business from Cookeville, Tennessee in 2001 so he could enjoy Bulldog sports in retirement.

Before retiring from his company, he did machining work for CAVS and the mechanical engineering department to support research. – March 17, 2017 Boyce Roebuck Verell (B.S. general business administration, ’48) 91, Terry – She was an active member of Alta Woods Baptist Church in Jackson and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha while at Mississippi State. – Sept. 2, 2018 Connie Correro Wells (B.S. petroleum engineering, ’84) 56, Madison – She joined Entergy Corp. in 1984 and retired after 30 years. – Oct. 12, 2018 Diane Denman “Sissy” Wolfe (B.S. basic business education, ’66; retired staff ) 74, Starkville –She worked as a guidance counselor at Starkville Academy and was a teacher at Strider Academy before joining the staff at Mississippi State where she spent 15 years before retiring as director of admissions. – June 14, 2018

Know someone who should be remembered in Forever Maroon? Send an email to alumnus@msstate.edu.

Remembering

IN MEMORY OF MARY ANN DEAVENPORT

Jack Hammons White, who administered Mississippi State’s honors program for 20 years, died July 7. He was 76.

Born in Greenwood, he earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Texas A&M University, Commerce in 1965 before completing a master’s in American literature and theater history in 1967. He completed a doctoral degree, with a specialization in medieval studies, at Texas Tech University, Lubbock in 1977.

White began his career at Mississippi State in 1967 and retired in 2004 as Director Emeritus of the University Honors Program, now the Shackouls Honors College. While at State he served at various times as director of freshman English, assistant dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, director of the Distinguished Scholarship Program, chair of the Performing Arts Committee, Fulbright adviser and liaison, and chair of the Rhodes Scholarship Preparatory Committee.

As director of the writing program, he was selected for the National Institute on Writing at the University of Iowa and contributed a chapter for its seminal book on writing theory, which led to extensive work as a consultant and speaker. He was also one of the competitively selected administrators that participated in the Council for Educational Exchange Symposium in Berlin, Germany. He went on to conduct research, give scholarly presentations and serve as an invited lecturer at Oxford University, as well as other institutions in England, Germany and Italy. As director of MSU’s study abroad program in Italy, White was awarded a medal of recognition by the Commune di Perugia.

During his career, Mississippi State honored White with the Outstanding Faculty Member Award, 1987; the Housing and Residence Life Service Award, 1994; and Outstanding Service as an Adviser Award, 1995 and 1996. He was presented the Meritorious Service Award by the Golden Key National Honor Society in 1996 and also received the Distinguished Service Award for the Southeast/South Region from the National Association of Academic Affairs Administrators. The year of his retirement, he was named to the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

White served on the National Collegiate Honors Council Executive Committee and Southern Regional Honors Council, for which he was Mississippi coordinator. As twice-elected chair of the Mississippi Humanities Council, 1996-1999, he received the Humanities Scholar of the Year award in 2003. That year he was also recognized for “his extraordinary career achievements in higher education” by joint resolution of the House of Representatives and the Senate, presented in a joint session of the Mississippi Legislature.

With a devotion to community service, White served the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education as a board member and the Mississippi Cultural Alliance as a founding member. Membership and board service included the Mississippi Historic Trust, the Starkville-MSU Symphony Association, the Starkville Community Theatre and the Starkville Arts Council. In 2000, he participated in the organization of the Tennessee Williams Tribute for the Columbus Historic Foundation. He was a Life Member of Friends of the Library and a board member of the Columbus Arts Council, with special recognition as one of the 2018 Arts Council Members of the Year. In the Columbus Rotary Club, he was a Paul Harris Fellow and Rotarian of the Year, 2010-2011. He received the Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Citation in 2014. Pi Kappa Alpha, his fraternal organization, identified him for the Delta Region as Chapter Adviser of the Year, 1999-2000, for the Gamma Theta Chapter, Mississippi State University.

Mary Ann Penton Deavenport (longtime friend) 80, Greenville, South Carolina – A Mississippi native of Bay Springs and 1960 University of Southern Mississippi business education graduate, she was an executive assistant with Eastman Kodak Company in Kingsport, Tennessee, where she met her husband, Mississippi native and 1960 MSU chemical engineering alumnus E.W. “Earnie” Deavenport Jr. She formally remained with Eastman until 1966 and later traveled worldwide during her husband’s tenure as chairman and CEO of Eastman Chemical Company. She also devoted her time to rearing their children, Lisa and Scott. Additionally, she assisted with charitable endeavors, including hospital fundraising in northeastern Tennessee. The Deavenports’ support of MSU includes endowed scholarships and two endowed chairs, one held by the dean of the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering and another that directs the Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering. The naming of Deavenport Hall honors the couple’s philanthropic legacy at Mississippi State. — Nov. 29, 2018

Jack Hammons White

318 Howard St • Greenwood, MS 662.453.2114 • thealluvian.com

ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 79

Back STORY

WITH DONALD SHAFFER The story of my coming to Mississippi State is archetypical, so to speak. It is a story of homecoming, of coming full-circle in life.

And like most good stories, it is not without its share of irony. That is to say, it is a story of new beginnings in old places that I thought I would never see again. In fact, I was so certain of not returning to my home state that the very possibility seemed to me remote at best.

Leaving in the first place was as much an act of hope for me as it was the pursuit of opportunity elsewhere. But I suppose the sage words of Epictetus resonate in my case: “neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.” My college mentor, the late Dr. Gene Young, was perhaps the anchor pulling me home to Mississippi, to what he described as a “good opportunity to contribute to the building of an African American Studies program” at MSU. The hope therein would come later, although not much later. I had smaller fish to fry, I thought. The academic jobs I coveted did not require that I assist in the building of the very program that would employ me, and that seemed like a very sensible condition of employment. So, it was with some reluctance that I answered the job ad, but it was with even greater diffidence that I informed my wife, a Chicago native and self-described “suburbanite,” of the possibility of returning to the rural South. Still, the likelihood of making the move remained remote, but that would change very soon.

Richard Raymond greeted me at the visitor parking lot in front of Burger King, apparently the only place I could park my car on campus at the time, and then gave me a ride through the gated entry leading to Lee Hall, which housed the English Department.

“Note to self,” I thought, “if I land the job, be sure to opt for gated parking.” Dr. Raymond was then department head, but his demeanor reflected that of a concerned parent more than an administrator charged with making a hire.

“Are you all set for your job talk,” he asked with genuine concern. “I haven’t written anything down yet,” I said, apparently with not enough indication of humor, so when I continued by saying that I would probably just “wing it,” he implored me to prepare something ahead of time. “Just kidding,” I reassured him, although his wry smile seemed to convey equal parts relief 80 SPRING 2019

and mild annoyance. “Note to self,” I thought, “get serious.” That is still a work in progress.

I met more people that day than I have ever met on a single day, perhaps in a single week.

This is still true. They treated me as though I already had the job, as though I was already a colleague, something I appreciate to this day. Anyone in academia will tell you that the first couple of years after receiving a doctorate are surreal; you are no longer a graduate student, but nothing really distinguishes you as a “professor” except your title and a piece of paper. Indeed, I felt like an imposter until that day when Dr. Raymond introduced me as “Dr. Shaffer, a promising young professor who studies African American and Southern literature.” I had finally arrived.

The African American Studies program then directed by Dr. Stephen Middleton was not unlike most other interdisciplinary programs that offer a minor. But it was a bold new experiment at a place long overdue for such a program—not merely because it was in sore need of an African American Studies program, which it was, but rather because it was the best place for such a program. A land-grant institution, in the State of Mississippi, a state where black and white strangers across the color line created a cultural and intellectual tradition that entire nations would envy. That was the legacy we reaped by accident of birth, and that was the history I could not escape, the ubiquitous past that for Faulkner, as well as many others, was never past. So, what was once the remote possibility of coming back to Mississippi became for me definitive hope— hope that I could learn from that past, hope that I could teach others.

Donald M. Shaffer Jr. is an associate professor of English and African American studies at Mississippi State. He joined the university in 2008 following nine years at Dominican University in Illinois. A student of the English language, he holds a doctoral degree from the University of Chicago (’05), a master’s from the University of Illinois at Chicago (’97) and a bachelor’s from Jackson State University (’95).

RESPONSES Back STORY

Winter 2018

NEWTON COLE III (B.S. EDUCATION, ’64) I graduated from high school on a last Friday night of May and found myself at State the next Sunday. I heard of potential jobs at various places on campus, but settled on working feeding the “green lizard”—bussing tables and putting the trays on the green conveyor belt that ran north to south along the east wall of the cafeteria. I was mightily impressed with the rather regallooking crossed beams in the ceiling of the Perry cafeteria.

That was the prime eating venue of the day–followed by the Grill down below and the snack bar in the “Y” that was operating back then—this being the early ‘60s.

I enjoyed the work and getting my meals free as we worked 20 hours per week on the cafeteriastyle lines.

All went uneventfully for a number of years until one Sunday, I got to work early to have supper before shift start at 5 p.m. It was a lazy spring day and nothing much was happening until the commotion in the kitchen area began. A fire slowly broke out and some of us did not think many of the permanent help back there were doing much to put out what appeared to be a simple grease fire . . .

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Sorry, AC DC, rock and roll is noise pollution, after all Nearly 40 years after AC/DC famously sang “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution,” a Mississippi State assistant professor has tested and disproven the theory in a Harned Hall biology lab.

Working with a team of student researchers and an ecosystem of lady beetles, aphids and soybean plants, Brandon Barton worked to see if rock music would leave the plants and insects “Thunderstruck” or if the Australian band had been right all along.

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