Mississippi State University Alumnus Spring 2002

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A hallowed landmark breathes new life

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CONTENTS

ALUMNUS Spring 2002 Volume 78 Number 1 USPS 354-520

Interim President Charles Lee Vice President for External Affairs Dennis A. Prescott Alumni Association Executive Director John V. Correro (’62) Mississippi State Alumnus is published three times a year by the Office of University Relations and the Mississippi State University Alumni Association at Mississippi State, Miss. Send address changes to Alumni Director, P.O. Box AA, Mississippi State, MS 397625526; telephone 662-325-2434; or access by web browser at http:// msuinfo.ur.msstate.edu/alumni/ alumni.htm. Editorial offices: 102 George Hall, P.O. Box 5325, Mississippi State, MS 397625325. Telephone 662-325-3442; fax, 662-325-7455; e-mail, snowa@ur.msstate.edu.

2 International Business puts some of the best and brightest to the test A unique double-degree program at MSU provides students with an exceptional grounding in the international business climate.

5 Bringing ozone down to earth Professor of chemical engineering Mark Zappi is on a mission to make sure ozone gets the respect it deserves.

9 Chapel tower gets new lease on life The renovation of a hallowed campus landmark has brought the sweet sounds of music back to campus after years of silence.

12 Iced gas research may solve storage dilemma Electric power generating plants fueled by natural gas promise to help solve the nation’s energy shortage.

Editor/Designer Allen Snow (’76) Designer Becky Smith Student Writer Jessi Parker (’02) Photographers Fred Faulk Russ Houston (’85)

Mississippi State University Alumni Association National Officers Robby Gathings (’81), national president; Allen Maxwell (’78), national first vice president; Gary Blair (’81), national second vice president; Keith Winfield (’70), national treasurer; Steve G. Taylor (’77), immediate former national president. www.msstate.edu Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race,

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14 Of time and place: T.S. Eliot English professor Nancy Hargrove’s research casts new light on contemporary influences that helped shape the work of one of the 20th century’s greatest poets.

Observations of a walk-on alumnus “Occasional” anesthesiologist Bill Hulett of Jackson, a wanna-be graduate of MSU, takes a humorous sidelong glance at Bulldog fans.

16 Campus News 28 Athletics On the cover: The Chapel of Memories’ George D. Perry carillon tower has just had a facelift, and the tintinnabulous melodies for which it is famous are once again drifting across the MSU landscape. Story on page 9. (Photo by Russ Houston.)

29 Alumni Activities 34 Philanthropy 39 Class News

color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.

43 In Memoriam


International Business

puts some of the best and brightest to the test

By Maridith Walker Geuder Artwork by Phillip Smith

Think about it. That’s the advice John Lox, director of the university’s International Business program, gives to students who want to enroll in the five-year academic undertaking. It’s not that he doesn’t want students in the program. He just wants to be sure they’re willing to go the distance. “I try to talk every single student out of enrolling,” he laughs. “Our curriculum is demanding, and I want students to know how difficult their five years will be.” Those who participate earn a double degree, receiving a B.B.A. in General Business Administration, with a concentration in a specialty such as marketing, finance, or business information systems, and a B.A. in Foreign Languages, with a specialization in a language such as French, German, or Spanish. There’s also a required international internship, followed by a required paper written both in English and in the student’s foreign language specialty. Students are asked to flex their academic muscles, to learn leadership skills in student organizations, and to develop the basis for lifelong corporate citizenship by becoming involved in community activities. All of this isn’t for those with low energy, low commitment, or a low tolerance for work, Lox tells potential students. Student numbers have steadily increased since the program began in 1995. Nearly 2

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Cut from a different mold Unlike programs at many other institutions, Mississippi State’s is unique in that it has a thorough grounding in two colleges— Business and Industry and Arts and Sciences— said foreign languages department head Edmond A. Emplaincourt. “You’ll often find international business programs that are based in a foreign languages department and are weaker in business, or those based in a business college that are weaker in foreign lan-

guages. I don’t know of another program that is as rigorous in two academic areas as is Mississippi State’s.” In the College of Arts and Sciences, for instance, international business students are expected to take advantage of courses ranging from international government to world literature to cultural anthropology. As they lay their groundwork in academics, students may boost language and work skills through several summer study-abroad programs offered by the foreign languages department, or may enroll in intensive two-week summer conversational courses that immerse them in language and culture. “We expect our students to be knowledgeable about much more than just the language itself,” Emplaincourt said. He added that even those students who ultimately work in the United States most often hold international responsibilities. “Employers like our students because they are so well-rounded and perform well in an international business climate.” The distinguishing feature of the Mississippi State program is its required internship, both Lox and Emplaincourt agree. Photo by Fred Faulk

260 are currently enrolled, with one in three achieving a 3.5 or better grade-point average (out of 4.0). “These students are some of MSU’s most valuable players,” Lox said. They include standouts such as Marco Baron of Gesté, France, a three-time AllAmerican tennis player who completed his career with the Bulldog netters last May. He was ranked No. 1 in the NCAA for two years and last year earned the 2001 Tennis Magazine/Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award, while maintaining a 3.91 grade point average in international business. During the spring, he will intern in the international marketing department of Major, one of France’s most well known brands. Linda Mattsson, who came to the United States from Sweden for a spot on the women’s tennis squad, also is completing the international business program and successfully interned with Greenwood, Miss.-based Viking Range. “One of the challenging aspects of the program is that you get to study all areas of business, even though you specialize in one,” she said. Her concentrations in marketing and German should help her achieve her goal of finding a job in the United States with a Swedish-based company such as Ericsson Mobile, she believes. “I believe Mississippi State’s program offers one of the broadest opportunities in business,” she said. “All business today truly is transacted in an international market.”

tennis lessons into practice on the court.” Senior Nicholas Lee of Cookeville, Tenn., last year completed a six-month internship with Citigroup Global Technology Infrastructure, based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Working in the finance department of an area responsible for Latin and Central America, Lee said he experienced first-hand the kind of career opportunities he hopes to pursue after graduation. “The internship was very challenging,” he noted. “I was given a lot of responsibility and held accountable for my projects. One of the most beneficial skills was learning to deal effectively in a business culture; it’s very different from academics.” Lee, who hopes to enter the financial management associate program with Citigroup after his May graduation, says Mississippi State’s international business program is distinguished by the caliber of its students. A former Student Association treasurer and business manager of the student annual, The Reveille, he says the IB program typically attracts high-achievers. “They’re driven to do well,” he believes. “People who enter the program are the kind of folks who want to make a difference.”

The proof is in the doing Still a young program, International Business has established ties with major international corporations that hire students both as interns and as full-time employees. Among the more than 100 companies with whom IB makes placements are FedEx, Citigroup, Dr. Edmond Emplaincourt, left, of Arts and Sciences and British American Tobacco, Sara John Lox of the College of Business and Industry direct Lee, Allianz, WorldCom, Siemens, the international business program. Xerox, Freeport McMoran, “These students must take what they’ve CoopersPriceWaterhouse, and Deloitte & learned in class and function as professionTouche. als,” Lox said. “It’s analogous to putting The type of work will vary by company A Spring 2002

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and student business emphasis area, Lox explained, but all students must intern for at least a semester in an international setting. Students may qualify for internships with a U.S.-based company only if they’ve lived abroad for a full cultural immersion experience. Before that, they usually have had introductory work experiences through study-abroad and other opportunities. And they’ve been put through some businessworld paces such as a résumé development and interviewing skills course taught by Lox. Bernardo Vizcaino, from Quito, Ecuador, a 2000 IB graduate, now works in Singapore as a management associate with the Global Corporate and Investment Bank of Citibank, where he also interned. While still a student, he worked on Citibank Bernardo projects ranging from Vizcaino, cost-reduction initiatives Citibank, to organizing corporate Singapore events. “The internship proved to be a fabulous opportunity for networking and career development skills, and it eventually opened the door for a position in the largest financial institution in the world,” Vizcaino said. He credits the IB program with providing more than just a solid academic foundation. “Without a doubt, my international business experiences helped me polish my interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and multi-tasking abilities. MSU helped me differentiate myself from the rest.” Candace and Charles Lockhart, now married and both working for Memphis, Tenn.-based FedEx, chose the international business curriculum because they had longestablished interests in languages and wished to expand their career opportunities. Candace, who graduated from Briarcrest High School in Memphis, had studied

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French and wanted to build on that bit of the homework, all the interviews, and background. “The international business the social interaction that I experienced program presented a great opportunity,” she were as close to what is ‘out there’ as I said. could imagine.” Candace added that Charlie, who graduated from Amory particularly useful skills included networkHigh School, had concentrated in high ing, résumé development, business writing, school on developing his Spanish-language and cultural sensitivity. skills. “International business seemed to be “My professors pushed me,” Charlie tailored to my needs and goals from the says. “I did all the work myself, but beginning,” he said. without those individuals at Mississippi In making the decision, both say they State to believe in me and push me to be learned firsthand why director John Lox the best I could be, I wouldn’t be living the always tells students to think twice about wonderful life I’m living today.” the choice they’re making. Saying that work should be challenging “The classes that had the most influand fun, he has these parting words for the ence on me were the toughest and the ones professors who made sure he went the I hated the most,” Candace admits. “It’s distance. amazing how much I actually use those “Thanks to all of you, and keep up the experiences at FedEx.” high standards.” Candace, whose specialty areas were marketing and French, now is an international marketer with the global planning and development arm of FedEx. Her area is responsible for FedEx’s marketing strategies in more than 150 countries around the world. Charlie is product manager for eCommerce Marketing and fedex.com, a position in which he’s responsible for writing business Candace and Charles requirements for Lockhart, both graduates of the international business new products that program, now work for will be used in Memphis-based FedEx. international shipping, as well as maintaining Web content for the fedex.com international section. Both say their Mississippi State preparation gave them a sense of what they’d really face on the job. “I was expected to think, act, study, and work as if I were already out of college and in the real world,” Charlie recalled. “Every


Chemical engineer brings ozone down to earth By Bob Ratliff Mark Zappi is on a mission to make sure ozone gets the respect it deserves. Ozone is a gas present in the atmosphere and it’s been in the headlines recently because of theories that its depletion may contribute to global warming. But for Zappi, a Mississippi State University professor of chemical engineering, ozone’s benefits are more down to earth. Zappi, along with forest products professor Hamid Borazjani and graduate students under their direction, are developing an ozone-based water treatment process for removing contaminants from polluted water. “Ozone is commonly used as a safe and effective drinking water treatment by some of the world’s major cities, including Paris and Los Angeles,” Zappi said. “It has not, however, been considered aggressive enough for removing chemicals from industrial wastewater.” An MSU team led by Zappi and Borazjani tested a pilot-scale unit constructed by Ozonology Inc. of North Brook, Ill., at an industrial site in South Mississippi last summer. Funding was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf Coast Hazardous Substance Center at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. After water for the test was pulled from the flow going into the site’s bio-reactor treatment system, it was treated, tested, and put back into the flow. The testing was done continuously over a two-and-a-half week period. The unit used in the test includes four 20-foot tall Plexiglas columns through which

Photos by Fred Faulk wastewater injected with hydrogen peroxide is pumped downward. At the same time, ozone is pumped upward through the columns. “The combination is very effective in destroying traces of wood-preserving wastes in the water in less than 10 minutes of treatment,” said Borazjani, who helped the host industry implement the microbe-based bio-reactor currently in use. “The process has promise for use by industries producing wastewater requiring a high degree of treatment.” Zappi said that the tests show the ozone treatment is price-competitive—at about 50 cents per 1,000 gallons— Checking a water sample are, from left, Allen Morr with and has advantages over some project partner Ozonology, Inc., professor of forest of the most widely used products Hamid Borazjani, and professor of chemical methods of removing toxic engineering Mark Zappi. chemicals from industrial wastewater. of gallons of water a minute,” he said. “The “One of the problems with bio-reactors— pilot project results indicate this type of which use living organisms to remove treatment can be used basically anywhere.” contaminants—is that if something happens The South Mississippi project, Zappi to kill off the organisms, you have downtime added, has shown that ozone can be an while they are replaced,” Zappi said. effective and efficient wastewater treatment, The data generated by the South Missisespecially for one of the South’s leading sippi pilot project can be used to develop a industries. system large enough for industrial use, “This process has particular promise with according to Allen Morr, president of wood-preserving waste streams and those Ozonology. containing similar chemicals,” he said. “The “We can take this technology and scale it result could be a new reliable and cost up so it can do a full treatment of hundreds effective treatment system for the numerous forest product industries in Mississippi and other Southern states.” Graduate students take water samples for testing in an onsite laboratory.

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New leader emphasize

pulli

Charles Lee and his wife Pat enjoy each other’s company. In their rare free time, they cook together, go fishing together (he likes to fish for crappie; she takes a book “My administrative style is not and reads), and travel together. These days, to run everything from the top,” he travel often means that she drives him to notes. “I believe that a leader sets engagements around the state while he the vision and the goals, but catches up on paperwork and phone calls. empowers vice presidents, deans, Accepting the position of Mississippi department heads, faculty, and staff State’s interim president was a decision to proceed.” The president’s role, made with his wife, Lee said in his first he says, is “to be clear about public comments after being appointed last directions and priorities” and to December by the Board of Trustees, “seek broad input, but clearly Institutions of Higher Learning. designate responsibility and “I would not be assuming this new role authority.” if it were not for my first lady of 42 years. I He brings a wealth of experiam confident that Pat will be a strong and ence to the undertaking. A involved first lady of our great university. longtime educator and administraBoth of us love Mississippi State and we tor, Lee had served since 1999 as are determined to serve and to represent the MSU’s vice president for agriculinstitution to the best of our ability,” he told ture, forestry and the Mississippi State veterinary medifamily. cine, assuming In the months since Lee additional responsiassumed his interim duties bilities in July 2000 Jan. 1, he and Pat have as dean of the been active and visible College of participants in the life of Agriculture and Mississippi State. He’s Life Sciences. He Pat and Charles Lee enjoy trying new recipes and often share co spoken to variety of earlier had served groups around the state, from 1978-83 as ranging from the Missisthe dean of MSU’s School sippi Cattlemen’s AssociaLee is “the right man for this job at this of Forest Resources and tion to local Rotary clubs, time in the life of Mississippi State Lee addressed December 2001 associate director of the as well as addressing MSU graduates. University,” said Board of Trustees Mississippi Agricultural December graduates. President Bill Crawford. “We are very and Forestry Experiment Station. She’s served as guest coach for Coach fortunate to have an administrator of his Lee began his academic career as head Sharon Fanning’s Lady Bulldogs, hosted experience and expertise to turn to at this of the forestry department at the University campus events, and been on the road with time.” of Arkansas, Monticello. In subsequent her husband to represent the university. Lee and his wife are North Carolina positions at Texas A&M University, he The team approach to serving Missisnatives. He earned bachelor’s and doctoral served as an associate dean, director of the sippi State is an important part of Charles degrees from North Carolina State Univeragricultural experiment station, interim Lee’s administrative philosophy as well. sity, the former in forestry management and executive vice president, and vice chancelDescribing himself as “a listener,” Lee the latter in forestry genetics with an lor for research, planning and continuing believes one of his primary roles is helping emphasis in statistics. education. others do what they do best. Among many honors, Lee has been

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es

By Maridith Walker Geuder Photos by Fred Faulk and Russ Houston

ng together

ooking duties.

recognized for outstanding service by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Texas A&M University Board of Regents, the Texas A&M College of Medicine, and the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

Challenging times He becomes interim president at a time when Mississippi is experiencing shortfalls in projected state revenues and reduced funding for state universities. “We’re approaching a third consecutive year of actual decreases in state support,

which will take us back to the level of funding we had in 1996,” Lee said. “At the same time, we have 18 percent more students than we did seven years ago.” For the fiscal year beginning in July, the Mississippi State faces a further reduction in state funding of about $8 million in the general university budget and about $5 million for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. Unless the Legislature acts to lessen the proposed cuts before its session ends in early April, the cumulative reduction in state support over three years will reach 26 percent. Lee believes his first priority is to maintain the academic and financial integrity of the university. “Mississippi State is vital to the economic, educational and social progress of Mississippi, and we have unique capability to deliver the services that meet the state’s needs.” Paramount to the university’s mission is pursuing excellence in teaching, he told a recent general faculty meeting. “Our first and most crucial responsibility is to develop leaders for the next generation,” he said. He cited as an example of outstanding teaching Michael Neumann, professor of mathematics and statistics, who was

recognized in 2001 as Mississippi Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He is the fourth faculty member in the past six years to earn the distinction. Professors also consistently have been included among the nation’s top student advisers in national competition. Lee noted that fall enrollment was a record 16,878 students statewide, and said that during his tenure Mississippi State will continue to focus on “attracting the state’s best students and those who are prepared to succeed at Mississippi State. We also need to continue to be candid with students whose chances of success here are not very great,” he said. This year’s average freshman ACT score is the highest among state universities, at 23.5, and MSU leads the state in freshman National Merit Scholars for the third year in a row, Lee said. At the same time, the university should “build on its history of serving all Missis-

Lee congratulates Dr. Michael M. Neumann of Mathematics and Statistics, Mississippi’s 2001 Professor of the Year.

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sippians,” Lee emphasized. “Our landgrant mission is not incompatible with our commitment to excellence and pursuit of national prominence.” MSU also has a key role in the state’s future through its research strengths, Lee said. Mississippi State now ranks 57th among public universities in the nation in science and engineering research expenditures, 5th in agricultural sciences research, and 34th in engineering research, according to the National Science Foundation. Even given a difficult economic environment, the university has made great progress in expanding its research program, Lee said. MSU now accounts for 61 percent of science and engineering research in all Mississippi institutions. The continued growth in research expenditures—a 20 percent increase to $133 million in fiscal year 2000—”is due to an aggressive approach by the MSU faculty, the Office of Research, the Extension Service, the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, and the strong support of our congressional delegation,” Lee said. He noted that the university research effort is paying benefits to the state. The capabilities of the Engineering Research Center played a key role in attracting Mississippi’s first automobile manufacturing plant, for instance. The university already is working with Nissan to design the assembly line of the plant under

construction near Canton and to reduce the time required to take a new model from concept to production. Lee emphasizes that a distinguishing characteristic of Mississippi State is its mission of service. “A feature of our university that brings great benefits to the state is our ability to reach beyond the borders of our campus to help business, government, communities, families, and individuals.” As an example, he cites the statewide 4-H program operated by the MSU Extension Service. “Last year, 125,000 Mississippi youth-one of every six eligible students-participated in 4-H activities.”

intend to initiate major changes that can’t be finished by the end of my term,” he said, “but I do intend to represent Mississippi State’s needs and opportunities to others, to create a sense of community among members of the MSU family, and to move ahead on actions that are critical to our work.” Charles Lee believes that Mississippi State University is moving in the right direction. His charge, he says, is to involve everyone connected to the university in contributing to its continued progress. “This is a great institution, and it takes every single one of us to make it even stronger.”

Building partnerships

Presidential search under way

To assure continued momentum in the current economic climate, the university will emphasize a planning process that links resources to institutional priorities, Lee said. The institution also will focus on management efficiencies, such as a new electricity rate agreement with TVA adopted in late 2001 that can save $1 million a year in energy costs, and will aggressively pursue non-state funding from competitive federal grants and industry partnerships. Mississippi State’s alumni and friends are an important part of the institution’s strength, Lee said, citing last year’s record of just under $56 million in gifts and pledges. A feasibility study conducted in 2001 determined that Mississippi State is well positioned for its next capital campaign, especially as the economy improves, he said. “We will work over the next several months to prepare, and the next president should have the opportunity to kick off a campaign soon after taking office,” he said. Lee is not just biding his time while the search for the university’s next president Dr. George L. Verrall, interim provost and academic affairs vice gets under way. “I do not president, is part of Lee’s administrative team. 8

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The search for Mississippi State’s next president got under way in January with the appointment of a six-member search committee made up of Board of Trustees members. Malcolm Portera, president from 1998 to 2001, resigned at the end of the year to become chancellor of the University of Alabama System. Board of Trustees President Bill Crawford named MSU alumnus Carl Nicholson of Hattiesburg to chair the Presidential Search Committee. Other board members serving are Amy Whitten of Oxford, Scott Ross of West Point, Bryce Griffis of Starkville, Roy Klumb of Gulfport, and Bettye Neely of Grenada. At its February meeting, the Board of Trustees named Bill Funk of the Korn-Ferry consulting firm to assist in identifying and screening applications for the position. Funk also assisted in the 1998 presidential search at MSU. During March, the College Board is expected to name an dvisory committee made up of 30 to 40 faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community representatives to assist in screening applicants for the president’s post. Dean of Libraries Frances Coleman chairs the advisory committee. Board officials have said they hope to be able to schedule three to five oncampus interviews in May and to name the university’s next president by early June.


Chapel of Memories

tower gets new lease on life By Dale Dombrowski Photos by Russ Houston A Spring 2002

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The silence has ended, and the timely musical refrains that were so much a part of the Mississippi State experience for students from the mid-’60s through the mid-’90s have returned to echo across campus. With the beginning of the spring 2002 semester, the carillon in the George D. Perry Tower in the courtyard next to the Chapel of Memories is once again chiming on the hour and half-hour and playing a variety of melodies. Having these melodies drift across campus throughout the day was the dream of Perry (’19) and his wife, Jane. That dream began in the mountains of Colorado. While visiting friends there, Perry was taken on a tour of his hosts’ manufacturing plant that featured, among other things, music that could be heard throughout the plant and its grounds. The music came from strategically placed speakers located in a tall tower. Perry was said to have been very affected. After Old Main Dormitory was destroyed by fire in 1959, President Ben F. Hilbun conceived the idea to use the salvaged bricks to build the Chapel of Memories. Perry, who had been impressed with the musical concerts played by this and another carillon tower he visited several times in Florida, suggested that a carillon and tower be built. He contributed $75,000 to fund the tower and carillon project. The Chapel of Memories, along with the George D. Perry Tower and carillon, were dedicated in October 1965. The ceremony featured a recital by carillonneur John Klein. The carillon played a variety of songs over the next 30 years until the hourly chimes and songs went silent in the late 1990s after physical plant employees found

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bricks that had fallen from the tower into the courtyard. “We went up to find out where the brick had come from and found a lot of loose masonry,” said physical plant assistant director Bob Johnston. Johnston said university officials decided to have an architect look at the tower, bricks, and masonry to see what needed to be done to repair it. “The condition of the masonry was worse than we thought,” he said. “The masonry on the top two levels was deteriorating from water penetration.”

George D. Perry The George D. Perry Tower next to the Chapel of Memories dominates the central campus of the Mississippi State landscape. Perry, a 1919 graduate of what was then Mississippi A&M College, maintained close ties to Mississippi State until his death in 1992. He lived in Tunica County, where he owned and operated a plantation and was the president of the Tunica County Bank. He helped develop and direct Mississippi Chemical Corp. and Coastal Chemical Corp. He also was a director of First Mississippi Corp. Perry was president of the MSU Alumni Association in 1946-47, was Alumnus of the Year in 1972, and was a founding member of the Mississippi State University Foundation. He presided over the foundation as its second president from 1968 until he retired in 1978. Among the many accomplishments during his term as the foundation’s president was Perry’s effort to establish and fund the John C. Stennis Chair in Political Science. In the early 1960s, Perry and his wife Jane provided the funding to build the tower that houses the carillon in the courtyard next to the Chapel of Memories. In 1993, one year after Perry’s death, the cafeteria building was renamed Perry Cafeteria in recognition of his many years of service to the university. A $1.5 million gift annuity was given by Perry’s wife, Jane Perry, who now lives in Spanish Fort, Ala., to help renovate and preserve the facility. The roadway which runs between the chapel and the YMCA Building also is named in his honor.


Sweet sounds

Johnston said the university decided it would be best for safety At the time of its construction in 1964, the George D. Perry Tower housed one of the largest carillon bell purposes to close the systems in the South. courtyard and put a The 183-bell instrument, made up of three 61-bell carillons, is an “Americana” carillon featuring “net” around the top of miniature bell-tone generators, which are struck by metal hammers to produce exact bell tones. The bell the tower to prevent vibrations then are amplified more than one million times to produce true bell music superior to that of cast loose brick from falling. bells. “The architect The basic tone comes from the 61-bell Arlington carillon, which is tuned as a Flemish cast bell. The recommended taking two others include a 61-Harp-bell carillon and a 61-Celestra-bell carillon, which produce the harmonic down the masonry on backgrounds to the Arlington carillon. the top two levels of the William “Bill” Gearhiser, who retired from MSU as a utilities supervisor in 1975, has been the “keeper tower and totally of the chimes” since the tower was built and the carillon first started playing in 1965. After he retired, he relaying it,” he said. continued to program and take care of the carillon until the bricks in the tower started falling and the Perry Tower has carillon was shut down. seven levels with The university updated the original carillon system in the fall of 1994. At that time, the old tube-type landings on each level, amplifiers were replaced because parts were no longer available. according to Johnston. Schulmerich Bells of Sellersville, Pa., made the carillon. The top is open to the elements because “you want the speakers located there to broadcast out of the archways so sound can travel seventh floor, so that the water that gets in they were removed so the bricks could be around campus.” there will drain out at the bottom of the reused. The main problem was in the design of tower,” said Johnston. “We also have built in “When we did this renovation, we didn’t this level. membranes and drainage systems through just knock the bricks down in the areas we “The floor on the the walls so water that needed to repair,” said Johnston. “We took seventh level had no way gets inside can come them down and preserved all that we could to collect and drain back out.” so they could be reused. The face brick is all water,” said Johnston. Construction on original brick that we reused from the tower.” “The rain would come in the tower renovation through the archways, began last June and and since there was no was completed in late drainage or collection December at a cost of system, it just ran down $292,000. the walls to get out and “The university that caused a big funded the hiring of problem.” the architects and Johnston said the engineers to look at masonry was so loose in the tower and prepare places that when bid documents for the physical plant employees work that needed to went up to check it, they be done,” said could actually see the Johnston. “The state bricks moving when the carillon would of Mississippi provided the funding for the sound. actual contracting and construction.” Several solutions to this problem have Johnston said that because bricks from been designed into the renovated tower. the landmark Old Main dormitory were used “The most important thing we did is put in the construction of the tower and Chapel in a collection and drainage system on the of Memories, special care was taken when

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Iced gas research may solve storage dilemma By Bob Ratliff Photo by Fred Faulk Illustration courtesy of Slim Films Electric power generating plants fueled by clean-burning natural gas can help solve the nation’s energy shortage, provided the facilities are equipped with safe, efficient storage systems. Developing an economical natural-gas storage system is the goal of a four-year, $1.2 million U.S. Department of Energysponsored project headed by MSU’s chemical engineering professor Rudy Rogers. “At times of peak electrical demand, power plants cannot pull enough gas out of pipelines fast enough to meet their needs,” Rogers said. “If they have to buy gas on the spot market at high prices or resort to storing liquefied natural gas or compressed natural

METHANE MOLECULE

ICE CRYSTAL

Gas hydrates are formed when methane molecules become trapped inside ice crystals. 12

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gas, electricity prices will increase. The amount of natural gas needed to fuel the new electric power plants projected to be built in the next 20 years is likely to far outstrip on-site storage capacity.” One way to solve the problem, Rogers said, is by using gas hydrates—essentially ice—to safely store a lot of natural gas in a small space. “For example, more than 180 standard cubic feet of gas can be stored in one cubic foot of hydrate,” he said. Gas hydrates are formed when gas is used to pressurize water and the temperature lowered to near freezing. The pressure causes two reactions—water solidifies at a temperature higher than 32 degrees Fahrenheit and the gas Chemical engineer Rudy Rogers with a frosty beaker of the becomes trapped in water gas hydrates that soon may help solve storage problems at molecules within the frozen power plants. mass. Rogers is working with colleagues at Rogers, who was among the first American scientists to research the industrial MSU’s Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Laboratory to develop a gas hydrate use of hydrates more than a decade ago, storage process. The DIAL scientists will added that the nature of gas hydrates makes design, build, and test a storage tank with them safer to store in above-ground tanks about a 40-gallon capacity. than pressurized or liquefied natural gas. “Water in the tank will be pressurized “Should a storage tank rupture, there with natural gas to about 550 pounds per wouldn’t be a sudden release of gas because square inch and chilled,” Rogers said. “Solid what you essentially have is gas encased in gas hydrates will pack on aluminum plates in ice,” he added. “This type of storage can be the tank and the hydrates can be formed or especially useful in heavily populated areas, decomposed by either cooling or heating such as the Northeast, were there is strong banks of transfer tubing.” energy demand and no natural storage sites such as the salt domes or depleted gas reservoirs that exist in the Gulf Coast region.”


Literary research O City city, I can sometimes hear

Beside a public bar in Lower Thames Street,

The pleasant whining of a mandoline

And a clatter and a chatter from within

— The Waste Land

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investigates influence of time, place These words from The Waste Land, T.S. Eliot’s landmark 1922 work, are rooted in a sense of the poet’s contemporary culture and time. Even though the poem opens with an epigraph referring to a Greek myth and ends with an injunction from a Hindu holy book, references throughout repeatedly call the reader into the dirty, grimy present of thenmodern-day London, Eliot’s adopted home. English professor Nancy D. Hargrove is fascinated by the contemporary influences on the writer whom many consider the greatest English-language poet of the 20th century. Hargrove, an honors graduate of Agnes Scott College and Giles Distinguished Professor at MSU, first discovered Eliot when she took an undergraduate course in British literature. Born in St. Louis, Eliot spent most of his adult life in London. “I had a fabulous teacher who taught The Waste Land,” Hargrove recalls. “It fascinated me so much that I did an independent study about Eliot.” She pursued the interest with graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin and the University of South Carolina, and she’s studied the literary giant ever since. Her research has generated a book-length study, Landscape as Symbol in the Poetry of T.S. Eliot, as well as essays, book chapters, and presentations about Eliot’s work. Currently, she is at work on a book about Eliot’s 1910-11 year in Paris, when he was a 22year-old student at the Sorbonne. The Waste Land “broke the old molds of writing poetry,” Hargrove said. More than 400 lines

By Maridith Walker Geuder

Photo by Russ Houston

on T.S. Eliot

long, it combines dense historical, literary, and cultural references to capture the sense of disjointedness in the early post-World War I days of the century. “Eliot introduced a form that abandoned traditional linear progression,” she said. Defying convention, he combined colloquial and classical language, formal and informal styles Dr. Nancy Hargrove visits informally with students about her research on poet T.S. Eliot. of poetry, and a range of ancient to ing newspapers and other primary sources of modern characters that convey his critique of the time, she tracks the great creative impact modern life. of the legendary dancer Isadora Duncan, the The Waste Land, as well as a body of Ballets Russes, painter Pablo Picasso, work that included poetry, essays, and plays, playwright Jean Cocteau, and many others was to have a tremendous impact on the who were forging a new, “modern” artistic generations of writers who succeeded Eliot. culture. The significance of his work was recognized “When our university supports research with a Nobel Prize awarded in 1948. “Eliot was truly a genius, a writer with an like this, it really pays off in scholarly encyclopedic mind,” Hargrove said. “He was activity and in the resources we’re able to bring to our students,” Hargrove said. In a dominant force in the development of addition to books and articles about Eliot, ‘modern’ literature.” she has published on the works of Sylvia An avid traveler, Hargrove is especially Plath, W.B. Yeats, William Faulkner, Eudora interested in the importance of place and Welty, and William Shakespeare. She is the contemporary culture on the writer’s art. author of a book-length study about Plath, As a new faculty member at Mississippi The Journey Toward Ariel: Sylvia Plath’s State in the 1970s, she earned Office of Poems of 1956-1959. Research funding for travel to England, In recognition of Hargrove’s classroom where she conducted work for her first book. teaching, the Carnegie Foundation for the Subsequent Fulbright lectureships to France, Advancement of Teaching and Council for Belgium, and Sweden, as well as a recent sabbatical in Paris, have given her access to a Advancement and Support of Education named her the 2000 Professor of the Year for wealth of primary sources on the Continent. “I’ve been able to have access to materials Mississippi. Among many other honors, she has received the Outstanding University I might never otherwise have seen,” she said. Honors Program Faculty Award, John From her research, Hargrove has generGrisham Master Teacher Award, MSU ated articles on the likely influence of Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher modern dance, drama, and art on Eliot’s Award, and Outstanding Humanist Award. artistic achievement. Reading and translatA Spring 2002

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Edited by Jessi Parker (’02)

Teachings put to use with backyard wetland Eric Dibble’s backyard doesn’t include an expanse of Bermuda grass, a sprinkler system, and manicured hedges. Instead, the associate professor of wildlife and fisheries has turned his 80acre “backyard” in western Oktibbeha County into a wetland laboratory for MSU students. “Wetlands provide benefits such as improved water quality and enhanced habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds, “ Dibble said. Basically, Dibble’s restoration effort involved the planting of bottomland hardwoods, such as oaks, cypress, and sweet gum on about 30 acres. “The students enjoy working in the wetland laboratory,” Dibble said. “It changes their perspectives on how information gathered during field exercises is applied to actual problems.” In recognition of his wetland laboratory, Dibble was named Oktibbeha County’s 2000 Outstanding Wetland Conservationist.

Hardin grant supports Meridian project The largest grant in the Phil Hardin Foundation’s history will help assure support for operation of the Riley Education and Performing Arts

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Center planned for downtown Meridian. The Meridian foundation is committing $2.5 million to an endowment whose earnings will help maintain and enhance the center being developed under the leadership of Mississippi State. The $2.5 million gift establishes three separate funds whose earnings will support major components of Riley Center programming, Hardin Foundation President Robert Ward said. The Phil Hardin Community Issues Endowment is funded at $750,000 and will support a regional forum to explore historic trends in East Mississippi communities and their implications for the future. The Riley Center Technology Enhancement Endowment, funded at $1 million, will be used to help purchase equipment, materials, and software for the center’s academic programming and community outreach programming. The planned restoration of the 1890 Grand Opera House and Marks-Rothenberg Building will be the culmination of years of effort to preserve and protect the historic buildings. The downtown development project was jump-started in February 2000 with a $10 million anchor gift from the Riley Foundation, also of Meridian, to support construction and renovation. The construction budget was rounded out with a

$3 million bond issue authorization by Lauderdale County and $6 million in federal grants. Earlier this year, the Grand Opera House of Mississippi Inc. transferred title to the historic properties to Mississippi State.

Alcorn, MSU join forces Sharing library resources, faculty expertise, and distance learning technologies, Mississippi’s two land-grant institutions are launching an academic partnership designed to enhance regional workforce skills. Beginning in January, Alcorn State and Mississippi State universities are offering a collaborative master’s degree program in workforce education leadership, said Clayborne D. Taylor, MSU dean of continuing education. Taylor said responding community college presidents identified an increased need for rural community college leaders with the skills necessary to coordinate collaborations among two-year institutions, K12 schools, industry, and government agencies. Responses showed a potential pool of as many as 1,000 individuals requiring or desiring a graduate degree in the major. The crossdisciplinary master’s will include academic training in agriculture, the arts and sciences, business and industry, and education.

MSU students go to sea Eight Mississippi State students recently traded classrooms and campus residence halls for the decks and bunks of a research ship sailing the Gulf of Mexico. The wildlife and fisheries majors were part of a weeklong collaborative project between the university and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research vessel Gordon Gunter, they conducted trawl surveys off the Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana coasts to determine the status of marine fisheries resources and environments. “The students gained experience in sampling techniques, fish handling and identification, and collection of environmental data, among other topics,” said Donald Jackson, the department of wildlife and fisheries professor who directs the program. The fall semester experience marked the fourth consecutive year such hands-on training has been offered by the College of Forest Resources as a component of Jackson’s fisheries science course. Prior to sailing, participants must complete water safety and survival swimming training, also conducted by Jackson.

Degrees at a distance Working adults seeking a degree or enhanced job skills may wish to consider numerous options at Mississippi State that bring instruction directly to the user.


▼ Through the Division of Continuing Education, the university currently offers more than 140 courses and more than 20 degree programs by distance learning. At Mississippi State, distance-learning courses are available through videotapes, the Internet, streaming video, electronic or regular mail, twoway interactive video classrooms, and CD-ROM. Persons seeking an MSU degree first must satisfy the admission requirements of a particular program. For those not entering a degree program, an unconditional admissions process provides convenient access to individual courses. Some programs can be completed entirely at a distance, while others require students to spend some time on campus, generally during the summer.

Verrall named interim provost A veteran faculty member, academic administrator, and financial manager has been named interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Mississippi State. George L. Verrall assumed the role on Jan. 1 of chief university academic Verrall officer and secondranking administrator. Verrall holds four degrees from Mississippi State and has served the university continuously as a faculty member and administrator for more than 35 years.

“Dr. Verrall is thoroughly familiar with every aspect of the institution and with the state’s system of higher education,” said Interim President J. Charles Lee. “He has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to the university throughout his professional career. Verrall began his career as an MSU faculty member in 1965 after completing a master’s degree in business administration. He previously earned bachelor’s degrees in both mechanical engineering and business administration, and later received a doctorate in business administration with an emphasis in economics.

Foster appointed to advisory board The dean of Mississippi State’s College of Forest Resources is a new member of the national policy group serving the United States Department of Agriculture. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman Foster appointed G. Sam Foster, who also directs the university’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center, to a two-year term on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board. Foster is the only board member appointed by Veneman to represent the issues and concerns of national forestry groups.

The 30-member group represents a variety of constituencies, including farm organizations, food and plant commodities, and food science, human health, and social sciences organizations, among others. Foster heads the forestry, forest products, and wildlife and fisheries academic department. He also is a board member of the Mississippi Forestry Commission and vice chairman of the Delta Council’s Forestry and Wildlife Committee.

Faculty member receives women’s leadership award A veteran Mississippi State faculty member is among 14 women receiving a one-time honor from an international education association. Linda F. Cornelious, professor of instructional systems and workforce development since 1990, is being recognized with a Bessie Gabbard Award celebrating the leadership of women. Presented recently Cornelius by Phi Delta Kappa honor society, it honors practicing educators excelling in professional, civic and community service activities. At Mississippi State, Cornelious has earned a number of honors, including College of Education awards for graduate teaching and for leadership and service. She

also has been recognized by PDK as its outstanding educator of the year at MSU. During the 1999-2000 academic year, she served as the Boeing Co. William Allen Endowed Chair and Distinguished Professor of Education at Seattle University. Cornelious is a member of the board of directors for the Mid-South Educational Research Association and an area coordinator for PDK in North Mississippi. A Minden, La., native, she holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southern University in Baton Rouge, and education specialist and doctoral degrees from Florida State University.

Teachers earn national board certification More than 80 state teachers in a Mississippi State mentoring and support network are among the latest group earning the highest national professional credentials in their field. Representing school districts throughout North and Central Mississippi, the participants in MSU’s World Class Teaching Program are among more than 400 state educators receiving 2001 certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. MSU program director Peggy A. Swoger of the College of Education said Mississippi’s success this year gives it the sixth-highest number of new board-certified teachers in the United States. “Teachers voluntarily undergo an assessment process in which they document their knowledge A Spring 2002

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▼ of their subject matter, provide evidence of effective teaching methods and demonstrate their ability to manage and measure student learning,” she explained. Mississippi teachers who successfully earn certification receive a $6,000 annual bonus.

Prototype commuter ‘car’ for those with disabilities Designing an “intelligent” wheelchair-accessible commuter vehicle is the latest major project for a special Mississippi State research center. The T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability recently received a $68,000 grant from the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities to develop a concept vehicle that meets the needs of persons who cannot drive in currently available vehicles. The Martin Center was established in 1996 and is the only one of its kind in Mississippi. “Our goal is to take an existing design and integrate it with cutting-edge technologies to develop a single-person vehicle to be used for short commutes,” said Gavin R. Jenkins, a Martin Center rehabilitation engineer. MSU researchers also will explore the potential for actual production by the automobile industry, he added. “It would allow us to broaden the boundaries for those with disabilities,” Jenkins said. For persons whose disabilities now make traveling independently impossible, such

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a car could provide improved access to employment, social, health, and recreational opportunities.

Project will expand recreational access for children Mississippi school-age children with developmental disabilities soon may have improved access to sports, clubs, or other out-of-class activities. Mississippi State’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability has launched a pilot project seeking ways to better integrate children with disabilities into school recreational and social activities. A one-year, $23,000 grant from the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities is funding the effort. The first of its kind in Mississippi, Project REACT (Recreation through Extracurricular Activities for Children with Technology) initially is targeting students and educators in the Starkville Public School District. The pilot project also will include specialized training for selected school personnel and the inauguration of a peer awareness program to encourage greater involvement of students with disabilities in non-class experiences. While some may participate only on a modified basis, many should be “full participants in the extracurricular activities that so many others take for granted,” Martin Center education specialist Denise S. Perkerson said.

Marketing faculty members, student honored by peers Mississippi State’s academic program in marketing will need considerable wall space to display a collection of new awards garnered at an international meeting in New Orleans. Four faculty members and a doctoral student in the College of Business and Industry took top honors at the Society for Marketing Advances’ 2001 conference. Recognitions included the selection of one faculty representative as an SMA Fellow and another for an award in classroom teaching innovation. The group also brought back three first-place awards for research studies they presented. Ronald D. Taylor, a marketing professor and head of the department of marketing, quantitative analysis and business law, was among two members inducted into the fellows program. An MSU faculty member since 1983, he is a doctoral graduate of the University of North Texas. Taylor and associate professor Brian T. Engelland earned first place in marketing research for their study of guidelines used in measuring consumer attitudes. They competed against faculty from the universities of South Florida and Texas, New Zealand’s Massey University, and the Universidad de Monterrey in Mexico. Engelland, who holds a doctorate from Southern Illinois University, joined the faculty in 1997. Assistant professor Melissa L. Moore, a faculty member

since 1999, received the annual Houghton-Mifflin Award for Innovations in Teaching. Specifically, she was cited for a class exercise that helps illustrate the concept of product brand positioning. She holds a doctorate from the University of Connecticut. Professor Cynthia Webster was first in the consumer behavior research category. Webster, who also holds a doctorate from North Texas, joined the faculty in 1989. Doctoral candidate Claire Stammerjohan of Starkville won over peers from six other schools. Her study dealt with the use of color in creating Web-based advertising. She graduated cum laude from MSU in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.

MSU assists Army in night-vision research Mississippi State’s largest continuing research program funded by the federal government now is assisting a team developing new night-vision technology for the U.S. Army. The university’s Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Laboratory is providing prototype fabrication, fieldtesting, data collection, and other research and development support for a six-year, $400 million project. The project team is led by E-OIR Measurements Inc., a Spotsylvania, Va., based defense contractor. DIAL began at MSU in 1980 with a major U.S. Department of Energy research contract. “The addition of DIAL to our team offers several new avenues of research to the Night Vision Laboratory,” said


RUN BANFIELD ANIMAL HOSPITAL AD HERE

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▼ Larry Bramlette, E-OIR program manager for the Night Vision and Electronic Sensor Directorate contract. Bramlette said the U.S. Army established its ongoing night vision and electronic sensor program in the early 1990s during the Persian Gulf War in Kuwait and Iraq. The technology currently is incorporated into gun sights, goggles, infrared trackers, and other equipment used by troops in the field. “Working with such a wellrespected contractor as E-OIR is providing a number of new areas in which to apply our expertise and broaden our Department of Defense customer base,” said DIAL marketing development officer Robert L. Kirkland.

Mathematician named Professor of the Year Mississippi State professor Michael M. Neumann uses a surefire method of measuring what his students have learned. He talks with them—at length. An exit Neumann interview process the mathematician implemented in his calculus class is among the innovations cited in Neumann’s selection as the 2001 Mississippi Professor of the Year. Presented by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the

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Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Neumann’s award is among 45 given nationally this year. More than 380 college and university faculty members were nominated. Neumann, who holds bachelors, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Saarbrucken in his native Germany, is the fourth faculty member in MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences to receive the top state honor over the past six years. He came to MSU in 1989. “Many people think math is a dry subject,” Neumann said. “I want my students to become excited about the possibilities mathematics offers.” One student nominator said, “I have told every one of my peers who plan to take math that they shouldn’t get their degree before experiencing at least one of Dr. Neumann’s classes.” In addition to teaching, Neumann has co-authored “An Introduction to Local Spectral Theory,” which was published last year by Oxford University Press. He also has written more than 70 papers for national and international journals. Neumann has received other teaching honors at Mississippi State, including an Outstanding Faculty Member Award from the University Honors Program, Outstanding Lower-Level Teaching Award from the university’s alumni association, and a Faculty Research Award from the College of Arts and Sciences.

USDA, MSU form aquaculture partnership Managing a crop you can’t see is risky business, but that’s one of the challenges of growing catfish and other aquaculture products. Helping producers reduce their risks is the goal of a partnership between Mississippi State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Keith Coble and Terry Hanson, both MSU agricultural economists, are the principal investigators for the four-year, $3.6 million national risk management feasibility program for aquaculture. They are working with USDA’s Risk Management Agency and Federal Crop Insurance Corp. Producers of the nation’s top farm-raised aquaculture species—catfish, salmon, trout and baitfish—received almost $700 million for their products in 1999. Catfish accounted for almost $500 million of that total and will be the initial focus of the research. In addition to assessing the risk factors for producers, the project will apply the expertise of MSU personnel to developing risk management plans for catfish and other aquaculture production systems.

One of the ways producers of cotton, corn, and other crops manage their risks is through the purchase of federal crop insurance. Traditional crop insurance is hard to apply to aquaculture, however, in part because the time it takes to produce a crop of fish is longer and because it is difficult to determine fish numbers and pounds in the pond. The agricultural economists hope to find ways of reducing the risks associated with those and other factors that are acceptable to producers.

Scientists developing weaponry power system Casting their eyes on the far horizons and beyond, scientists at Mississippi State are helping develop an on-board power system for future air force weaponry. The university’s Center for Advanced Energy Conversion is beginning a $4.6 million, fiveyear project to design and construct the prototype of a lightweight, high-output power supply for a new generation of aircraft armaments. MSU is part of a national team selected for the U.S. Air Force’s Hypersonic Vehicle Electric

Insurance Day set for April The 15th annual MSU Insurance Day will be held April 23 and 24 on the Mississippi State campus. Presented by the Peter K. Lutken Chair of Insurance, the program provides continuing education credit for attorneys, claims adjustors, property/casualty agents, and life/health agents. For more information or to register, contact Dr. Edwin H. Duett, Department of Finance and Economics, P.O. Box 9580, Mississippi State, MS 39762; telephone 662-325-2341; e-mail eduett@cobilan.msstate.edu.


▼ Power System project. “HVEPS will provide a short pulse of high-powered electrical output to fire laser, microwave, or particle beam weapons,” said center director Robert L. Cook. General Atomics, a San Diego, Calif.-based defense contractor, leads the effort to produce the on-board weapons power system for futuristic aircraft capable of traveling approximately 11,000 miles an hour—Mach 15, in aerospace jargon—and reaching any world location in two hours. The desired system must be capable of producing large amounts of electricity. How large? Keeping in mind that one megawatt is equal to one million watts of electrical power, the goal here is 10 megawatts. “The ultimate use for the HVEPS aboard these aircraft will be to power weapons used for missile interception,” Cook explained. “The systems also will supply power for disrupting communications and performing radar surveillance.” In addition to Cook, MSU team members include research engineers Perry Norton and Walter Okhuysen, aerospace engineering professor Keith Koenig, and professor C.F. Su and assistant professor David Ermer of physics. Cook is the principal investigator for the MSU phase of the project. The Mississippi State team is developing a magnetohydrodynamics—MHD, for short— generator that can produce large amounts of power with no moving parts, something MSU researchers have demonstrated during more than two decades of internationally recognized

4-H celebrates 100 years of service The Mississippi State University Extension Service is proud to celebrate 100 years of 4-H youth development. 4-H is the nation’s and Mississippi’s largest youth-serving organization. The National 4-H Council has designated 2002 as the centennial year of 4-H in America, and Mississippi is one of three states recognized for creating some of the original 4-H clubs. Although a couple of northern states are credited with starting boys’ and girls’ clubs as early as 1902, Mississippi was the first state to receive federal money from the U. S. Department of Agriculture to support boys’ corn clubs and girls’ tomato canning clubs. In 1907, USDA paid school superintendent W.H. Smith $1 to sponsor clubs in Holmes County. Smith later became famous nationally as “Corn Club” Smith after organizing clubs for boys who exhibited corn at local fairs. In Mississippi, 4-H has become one of the most popular and recognizable educational programs of the MSU Extension Service. In the early 1900s, professors of agriculture at Mississippi A&M organized Farmers’ Institutes to bring the latest research-based agricultural information to farmers and their families. 4-H played a leading role in getting farmers to adopt some of the latest farming methods by teaching their sons how to increase yields of corn per acre. Later, daughters passed on to their mothers the latest information about better cooking and canning methods they learned in 4-H tomato canning clubs. In 1914, 4-H was folded into the Cooperative Extension Service established by the Smith-Lever Act. Federal and state financial support provided a substantial boost for community-based 4-H educational programs. By 1918, 4-H counted more than one-half million club members nationally. Today, national membership exceeds 6.5 million youth. Mississippi boasts more than 125,000 4-H members. Through the years, 4-H has adapted to needs of youth in succeeding generations. Early educational programs revolved around agriculture and food preservation. Today’s programs and activities help young people develop life skills through “learning-by-doing” exercises. 4-H educational programs provide diverse learning experiences in environments that foster and nurture values such as responsibility, hard work, integrity, and teamwork. Community service programs teach the value of community involvement. 4-H Field and Stream programs teach the value of environmental stewardship. Mississippi will celebrate the birthday of 4-H on Saturday, July 20, at the Ag and Forestry Museum in Jackson. For more information about 4-H, contact your county MSU Extension Service office.

laboratory work. “An MHD power train consists of a high temperature conductive gas, or plasma, moving through a magnetic field,” Cook said. “It is the moving conductor in a magnetic field that produces

electric power.” In addition to the design and construction of a power train, Cook and his MSU colleagues are being called on to develop instruments to monitor the power train, evaluate materials for its components, fabricate a

test bed for appraising materials and collecting data, and use supercomputers to produce working simulations of the device.

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▼ Transportation system needs overhaul The Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington should be a wake-up call for drastic changes in the nation’s transportation system, according to a report by Mississippi State and University of Denver scientists. Released in February, “New Transportation Agenda for America” is based on a recent study by the National Center for Intermodal Transportation. A federally funded partnership between the Colorado and Mississippi schools, the center was created in 1998 to promote improvements in American passenger and freight transportation. The report calls for widespread reforms in all areas of the nation’s transportation systems, said NCIT deputy director Royce Bowden, an MSU industrial engineering professor. “The goal of the U.S. should be to overcome transportation defects and create an integrated system promoting, among other things, efficiency, safety, mobility, and national security,” Bowden said. “The heart of reforms is a need to link together all transportation modes, including rail, water, highway, and air. “The ultimate goal would be to create transportation systems similar to the duplicate communications networks the Defense Department produced when it created the Internet,” he explained. The report was prepared by NCIT personnel and consultants, including Meridian businessman Gil Carmichael,

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who serves as chairman of the Amtrak Reform Council and senior chairman of the University of Denver’s Intermodal Transportation Institute. According to the report, the 9/11 attacks demonstrated that the nation is too reliant on airlines as the single commercial mode of passenger travel, and alternative transportation modes generally are poor or nonexistent. The report calls on the federal government to commit $15 billion a year for the next 15 to 20 years to fund a new transportation approach, including a new system of highspeed trains and more frequent schedules of trains on some short routes.

Color forest industry economic impact green A recently completed Mississippi State report shows just how much of the state’s economy rests in the shade of its vast forestlands. While it’s well known that forestry is important to the state, most residents may not appreciate that “the more than 18 million acres of forestland in Mississippi means trees cover two-thirds of the state’s land area,” said Ian Munn of the university’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center. The associate professor of forestry said a center-sponsored study sought “to measure the total economic impact of the $1.3 billion worth of timber products harvested and delivered to mills and manufacturing plants in Mississippi each year.” Completed by Munn and

graduate student James E. Henderson, the project examined the forest industry’s four main sectors: logging, solid wood products, pulp and paper, and wood furniture manufacturing. Employing a computerized database and modeling software, they looked at employment, wages paid, total value of production, and value added through the manufacturing process. Using 1998 data—the most recent available—they found that the forestry/forest products industry employs more than 151,000 Mississippians and accounts for about 13 percent of Mississippi’s total economic activity, contributing $14.8 billion in total industrial output and generating $6.5 billion in value-added income.

West named new architecture dean A longtime educator and practicing professional is the new dean of architecture at Mississippi State. James L. West, former associate dean and, since last year, interim head of the School of Architecture, has been named to the top position by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of West Higher Learning. He succeeds John McRae, who left to join a private firm in Maryland. Associate dean since 1998 of Mississippi’s only professional architecture education program, West previously was an interior design professor at

Honored for student advising Michael Goatley, center, is Mississippi State’s Academic Adviser of the Year for 2001-02. The professor of plant and soil sciences will represent the university at the National Academic Advising Association conference in late September in Salt Lake City. For much of the past decade, MSU faculty members consistently have been included among the nation’s top student advisers in national competition. Donna S. Reese, left, an associate professor of computer science, and art professor Linda K. Seckinger also were honored for helping students schedule coursework and meet graduation requirements.


▼ the University of Florida, where he was named teacher of the year for the 1997-98 school year. He holds bachelor’s degrees in interior design and architecture, and a master’s in architecture, all from U.F. At MSU, he has taught courses in architectural design, interior design construction, lighting design, and furniture design. In addition, he has served as director and coordinator of the school’s Design Discovery, an annual eight-day summer studio for high school students. Among West’s research interests is designing for persons with disabilities, an area in which he has written and consulted extensively.

Camille Young aiding government relations Mississippi State graduate Camille Scales Young is now assisting the university with legislative relations at the state Capitol. Young, a government affairs representative for the Jackson firm of Watkins Ludlam Young Winter & Stennis, is working under a professional services agreement to monitor legislation and help educate state lawmakers about university-related issues. She previously spent four years as a government relations specialist for the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, working in both Jackson and Washington, D.C. She also was a public relations specialist for 24

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the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Camille is extremely talented and has a great deal of solid experience,” said MSU Government Relations Coordinator John Tomlinson. “Equally important is the fact that she is very well known and highly respected by members of the Legislature and other state officials. We’re lucky to have her.” Young attended Mississippi State as a Turner Catledge Scholar and received a bachelor’s degree in communications management in 1994. She earned a master’s in agricultural and extension education with an emphasis in public policy and administration in 1996. As a graduate teaching assistant at Mississippi State, she taught classes in public speaking. She also completed internships as a student with the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo and in the office of Sen. Trent Lott. Young is a native of Shannon. She and her husband, Keith Young, an Alcorn State graduate, have two children.

Bettersworth Lectures target high schools, community colleges Nearly 100 Mississippi State faculty members are participating in a visiting speakers program available at no cost to state high schools and community colleges. The university’s Office of Enrollment Services is sponsoring the John K. Bettersworth Leadership Lectures, which may be scheduled throughout the

school year with as little as three weeks prior notice. “To schedule a faculty member, school officials need only give us a call,” said enrollment services director John Dickerson. “We’ll handle the details from there.” In addition to three weeks notice, the office also asks that educators provide three possible dates for the faculty member to visit and details about audience size, Dickerson added. The lecture program is a memorial to MSU’s longtime vice president for academic affairs and author of The People’s University: A Centennial History of Mississippi State. Bettersworth also wrote the Mississippi history textbook used for many years in state schools. The lectures cover 13 topic areas, including agriculture, animals, and environmental issues; architecture; arts and culture; business; careers; communication; education; engineering; history; mathematics and science; personal development; society and politics; and technology. A complete list of the faculty members and their specific topics may be found at http://msuinfo.ur.msstate.edu/ lists/betters/bettersworth.html. To schedule a speaker or obtain additional information, contact Dickerson or assistant director Eric Bishop at 662325-3076 or LEAD@msstate.edu. The mailing address is Office of Enrollment Services, P.O. Box 6334, Mississippi State, MS 39762-6334.

Researcher examining social influences of aggression Identifying human traits that can lead to aggressive or violent behavior is the goal of a new research effort under way at Mississippi State. Kristine M. Jacquin, assistant professor of psychology, has begun investigating the circumstances that provoke “normal” people to respond with aggression. In a laboratory setting, she is creating a controlled environment to test reactions of young adults to similar situations. While much of the research to date has focused on individuals already identified as aggressive because of violent crimes or conduct disorders, Jacquin’s focus begins before the violent act occurs. She hopes to develop a system that can identify individuals most likely to react aggressively and determine why. Jacquin initially is examining the influence of narcissistic personality traits, or a tendency to view oneself as entitled or more deserving. The roles peer influence and gender play in establishing particular responses are among several issues that will receive special attention. “I want to determine if there’s a similar perceptual bias when one chooses to respond to a situation aggressively,” she explained. “The reason for aggression often is not a simple cause and effect.” Jacquin’s study is funded through an MSU Office of Research program that provides seed money to young faculty members with promising research projects.


‘Grass of champions’ search led scientists to many lots, plots Photo by Fred Faulk

by Bob Ratliff Imagine! Quiet, backwoods Mississippi cemeteries sharing a common bond with the perfectly manicured home field of the World Series-champion Arizona Diamondbacks. Grass, of course! But not just any old garden variety. For more than two and a half decades, Mississippi State scientists Jeff Krans and Wayne Philley searched high and low, east and west, front lawn and country cemetery for just the right sprigs of Bermuda grass. They could be found anywhere the prolific plant grows. “When people saw us crawling around in old country cemeteries, they usually thought we were searching grave markers for genealogical research,” Krans said. “In fact, we were collecting samples for our breeding program.” Krans, an agronomy professor in the department of plant and soil sciences, and Philley, a senior research assistant and departmental colleague, collaborated on a project that, to date, has yielded four Bermuda grass cultivars. Patented through Mississippi State, the cultivars carry the research names of MSChoice, MS-Express, MS-Pride, and MSSupreme. MS-Choice is the current star of the turf grass lineup, though each of the four features distinct characteristics and can be found on home lawns, golf courses, and other locations. Krans said Choice’s unique qualities are particularly well suited for gridirons like

Jeff Krans, front, and Wayne Philley.

MSU’s Scott Field, where it debuted in the early 1990s. “With its broad leaves and tightly closed canopy, MS-Choice creates a dense biomass that provides a cushion of grass so football players are running on top of the grass rather than through it,” Krans said. “The result is better traction for the players and less wear on the field.” This MSU-developed member of the plant family also has the dark green color most often desired for athletic fields. Its tolerance for shade was an equally important feature in being selected for the

Diamondbacks’ stadium, Philley said. “Ballpark One Stadium in Phoenix (where the Diamondbacks play) has a retractable dome, so the grass does not get as much sun as it would in an open field,” he explained. “The grass’s shade tolerance helps keep it attractive under those conditions.” About five years ago, MSChoice grew beyond its Magnolia State origins when Mississippi State granted a license under the name Bull’s Eye Bermuda to West Coast Turf, a widely known sports grass marketer with operations in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Krans said other stadiums now using MS-Choice include the Rose Bowl, Edison International Field (home field of the Anaheim Angels baseball team) and University of Nevada, Las Vegas. At present, Krans and Philley are turning their attention to St. Augustine grass, that favorite of Southern homeowners. Despite moving into new fields, so to speak, the green-thumb duo continues searching for another winning Bermuda grass. “We’re still on the lookout for Bermuda grass with unique characteristics,” Philley said as the two strolled through a cemetery near Starkville. “We never know when or where we might find another sprig with superior qualities.”

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Observations of a First and foremost, let me put your mind at ease. I am not a graduate of that Other University in Oxford. Just as athletics have those special individuals who by virtue of desire and upbringing wish to work out with the team and earn a place on the roster (despite no offers of scholarship or special prior attention from the coaches), I consider myself a “walk-on” alumnus of MSU. I suppose my having married a Dawg has something to do with it all, but mostly I have come to realize that I just prefer Mississippi State people to people with other leanings. Anyone who has attended a basketball game at the Hump has heard the distinctive voice of Hank Flick announce “Welcome to an evening of basketball . . . Mississippi State style!” Well, today’s essay is a paraphrase of Hank: Watching the Radio, Mississippi State style! Towards the end of this past baseball season, my lovely bride (of some 30 years) and I sponsored a “watch the radio” party for several of our State friends. We were listening to MSU battle Cal State Fullerton in the 2001 super-regionals that due to some boneheads’ decision was not played in the friendly confines of Dudy Noble, nor was it on the TV. I am sure that we were not alone that night as we listened to the melodious voice of our beloved Jim Ellis as he gave the play-by-play of what would eventually end in our defeat. After a wonderful potluck supper that would have made the faithful of the leftfield lounge envious (no true fan refers to

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as Super Bulldog Weekend, 1993 or some other memorial to past State history. Their eyes are focused on a point in front of them and they do not tolerate any interruptions such as requests for more food. They are aware of the pitch count at all times. Bathroom breaks are saved for rain delays only. Any questionable calls that go the other way are met with inaudible mutterings of disgust. When the inevitable pitching change is made their retort is usually to the effect of “why wasn’t he taken out two innings ago!” They have no need to consult Dawg’s Bite because they sweet-talked their mailman into They are the ones special delivery of it three who would wear their days earlier so as to memorize headphones to church if all the stats; not that they really One group in the den their wives would let them! needed to read it because they know They are frequently seen all the details of all the Dawg paced the floor or sat at live sporting events players from the past 20 years, quietly. You must know wearing headsets over including the names of the players’ the type; they are the ones who would wear baseball caps with ancient girlfriends and maybe even the girlfriends’ majors. Fans of this their headphones to MSU logos. type have been known to take church if their wives frequent breaks at weddings and would let them! They business conventions in order to call longare frequently seen at live sporting events distance to friends back home for score wearing headsets over baseball caps with updates. As the game progressed, the ancient MSU logos. The caps usually are pacing became more deliberate and the so time-worn and tattered that Goodwill cries of anguish more pronounced. would be hard-pressed to accept them. Out on the deck were those fans who Their shirts are (faded) maroon and white also listened to Jim but with a less severe and have some proclamation on them such intensity. They sat or walked around and would even be heard to ask for a quick that hallowed area as the outfield terrace!) we all settled down in groups to listen to and “watch the radio.” It quickly became obvious that there were several categories of listeners that I will now attempt to characterize.


Walk-On Alumnus By Bill Hulett

change to WWL to update the score of the hated LSU Tigers’ game. During live broadcasts they have been known to listen to the TV rather than the radio although most will deny this. They accept food offers and will comment on the game’s questionable calls with a mild display of anguish. They know the players and the players’ hometowns but haven’t checked out the girlfriend contingent yet. They are usually hatless inside but have visors for the sun with smart M-State logos Meanwhile, in the kitchen on them. Their maroon and dining rooms were and white shirts are newly those fans who had the bought from the Lodge. Bathroom breaks are radio on but tried to carry during the broadcast. (Heresy!) scheduled whenever Jim on civilized conversations Their color coordinated J. Crew announces 60 seconds for outfits of pink and green were in during the broadcast. local station breaks. They stark contrast to all the shades of think about the pitch count maroon scattered throughout the only when Jim reminds them. Frequent house. They would never consider wearing updates from Dawg’s Bite are necessary to a headset because it would mess up their try to discern just who the “R and R” boys “do!” If they had been at their own home, are who are hitting the ball out of the park they would have been listening to the radio with distressing ease. Pitching changes are in the kitchen while they ironed clothes, welcome but should have happened a batter washed dishes, or read the newspaper. or two ago when the game was still within Bathroom breaks are no bother. If reach. This observer probably best fits into questioned about the team they would this category but on the other hand perhaps probably know that nine men played at one not, as I have been known to change pager time but would have no idea who Paul coverage to nationwide in order to receive Maholm was or who was from Stow, Ohio! e-mail score updates while flying to They have seen issues of Dawg’s Bite but Columbus, Ohio, while the Dawgs were have not stained their manicured fingers playing ball. with its ink. Questionable ump calls are Meanwhile, in the kitchen and dining greeted with concerned looks but little rooms were those fans who had the radio on understanding of what it means to drop a but tried to carry on civilized conversations third-strike foul ball. During TV telecast

games, they will flip channels to catch up on the soaps or the HBO movie. As the night progressed and we all became painfully aware that this evening would not end in our favor, the friends gradually said their good-byes and left, all with saddened hearts. As a quiet descended over the now deserted deck, kitchen, and den, I looked at the M-State flag draped over the arbor and heard in my head the familiar sing-song cheer: It’s good . . . to be . . . an MSU Dawg. . . .

Bill Hulett, a.k.a. William B. Hulett, M.D., is not a graduate of MSU but is a wanna be. He is an occasional anesthesiologist practicing in Jackson but frequently can be found fishing at Browning Creek Lake in Oktoc. Comments may be directed to whulett@jam.rr.com.

Illustrations by Omar Grant, freelance artist and tattoo expert, who can be reached at 601-969-6044.

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2002

BASEBALL SCHEDULE

DATE

2002

SOFTBALL SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

TIME

7 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 16 17 19 20 23 29 30 30

MARCH at Florida State Sunshine Classic Tallahassee, Fla. Texas Florida State Kansas Semifinals Championship at Speedline Invitational Tampa, Fla. Florida Atlantic Central Michigan North Carolina Nicholls State Temple Single Elimination 1st Round Single Elimination 2nd Round Semifinals Championship Game SOUTH CAROLINA (DH) SOUTH CAROLINA at LSU (DH) at LSU at Georgia (DH) at Georgia (SEC-TV) TENNESSEE TENNESSEE (DH)

11 a.m. 3 p.m. 10 a.m. 4 p.m. 10 a.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m. 10 a.m./12 p.m. 2 p.m. 12 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 4 p.m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 6 p.m. 1 p.m.

3 6 7 10 11 13 14 18 20 21 24 27 28

APRIL at Southern Mississippi (DH) at Kentucky (DH) at Kentucky MISSISSIPPI (DH) MISSISSIPPI at Auburn (DH) at Auburn GEORGIA TECH (DH) ALABAMA (DH) ALABAMA JACKSONVILLE STATE at Arkansas (DH) at Arkansas

4 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 12 p.m. 12 p.m. 3 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 5 p.m. 12 p.m. 12 p.m.

1-3 1 2 2 3 3 7-10

MAY FLORIDA (DH) FLORIDA at SEC Tournament Chattanooga, Tenn. at NCAA Regionals Campus Sites at NCAA Women’s College World Series Oklahoma City, Okla.

4 5 9-12 16-19 23-27

TBA 8 p.m. 12 p.m. 4 p.m. 10/12 p.m. 2 p.m.

12 p.m. 12:30 p.m. TBA

1 2 3 6 8 9 10 12 13 15 16 17 20 22 23 24 26 27 29 30 31 2 3 5 6 7 9 10 12 13 14 16 17 19 20 21 23 26 27 28 3 4 5 10 11 12 14 15 17 18 19 22-26

TBA TBA

* All Times Relative To Game Site HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS

26 31-June 2 June 3 7-9 14-22

OPPONENT MARCH Jacksonville State Jacksonville State Jacksonville State Jackson State Loyola Marymount Loyola Marymount Loyola Marymount at South Alabama at South Alabama South Carolina South Carolina South Carolina Mississippi Valley State at Kentucky at Kentucky at Kentucky New Orleans New Orleans at LSU at LSU at LSU APRIL Tennessee-Martin vs. Mississippi Mayor’s Trophy Game Jackson, Miss Georgia Georgia (FOX Sports Net TV) Georgia Samford Mississippi Valley State Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas at Southern Miss at Southern Miss at Auburn at Auburn at Auburn UAB at Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt MAY Florida Florida Florida at Alabama at Alabama at Alabama at UAB at Samford Mississippi Mississippi (FOX Sports Net TV) Mississippi SEC Baseball Tournament Hoover Metropolitan Stadium Hoover, Ala. Regional Tournament NCAA Regionals Super Regional Tournament JUNE NCAA Super Regionals College World Series Omaha, Neb.

TIME 4 p.m. 2 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 2 p.m. TBA 6 p.m. 2 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 2 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 4 p.m. 2 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 1:30 p.m. TBA TBA TBA sites announced TBA TBA

All game times tentative and local to game site

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Ritter named MSU national alumnus of the year MSU’s 2002 National Alumnus of the Year Charles M. “Tex” Ritter (c) is congratulated by Interim President Charles Lee (r) and alumni association president Robby Gathings of Jackson.

A 1956 Mississippi State alumnus who has spent more than 40 years supporting the university in everything from academics to athletics is its 2002 national alumnus of the year. The selection of Charles W. “Tex” Ritter of Kosciusko, current president of the MSU Alumni Association Foundation, was announced Jan. 25 at the alumni

association’s annual leadership banquet. An agriculture graduate and former president of the MSU Student Association, Ritter today serves as president and chief executive officer of the Attala Co., a manufacturer of flour and pet food. In 1995, he was honored as the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ alumnus of the year.

One nominator praised Ritter’s longstanding devotion “to the betterment of his community, the state and his alma mater,” adding that “his service to Mississippi State University through a wide array of alumni activities has been phenomenal.” He is a past president of the alumni association’s Attala County chapter and a former president of the MSU Foundation board of directors. Ritter is a member of the foundation’s Lee Society donors group and the Athletic Department’s Bulldog Club support organization. Last year, he was among the first to provide a generous gift for the Hunter Henry Center, the new headquarters of the foundation and alumni association now under construction at the western edge of campus. He also has supported a variety of other university interests, including the President’s Cabinet Fund, Mitchell Memorial Library, and the social fraternity and sorority system. While an MSU student, he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

The Mississippi State University Alumni Association needs your help! We ask for your assistance in updating and adding alumni e-mail addresses to our database. You can update your information online at https://www.ur.msstate.edu/alumni_email/ or you can e-mail your change of address to mcm7@alumni.msstate.edu. If you would prefer to mail the information, please send the form to Frances Carr, MSU Alumni Association, P.O. Box AA, Mississippi State, MS 39762.

Name Social Security Number* Graduation Year

College or Major

Preferred e-mail address

Business

Home

*Your Social Security number will be used to match university records. It will not be published or used for any other purpose.

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Young alumna award winner announced Madrina Hazelton Bokenkamp of Katy, Texas, received the Outstanding Young Alumna Award for 2001 at the annual MSU Alumni Association Awards Banquet in January. Credited with reviving the Houston, Texas, alumni chapter, Bokenkamp currently serves as its president. Previously, she served as second vice president of the Oktibbeha County Alumni Chapter and was recognized with the chapter’s Alumnus of the Year Award in 1996. While a member of the Oktibbeha chapter, she served as scholarship fund chair, annual fund-raiser coordinator, annual meeting director, young alumni Bokenkamp chairperson, and was a member of the Phone-a-thon fund-raising committee. At MSU, Bokenkamp earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history in 1994 and 1997, respectively. While on campus, she was on the Dean’s List, a member of Phi Alpha Theta history honor society, Phi Eta Sigma freshman honor society, and Pi Sigma Epsilon marketing fraternity. In August 2001, she began teaching world geography and U.S. history courses to 9th and 11th graders in a Katy high school.

Distinctive cowbells For the Bulldog fan who has everything, these bells by Moen Bells of Norway are engraved with the M-State logo. The bells range in size from 2-3/4" to 6-1/4" and in price from $19.99 $49.99. They are cut from iron sheets, formed, and coated with brass recycled from ammunition cartridges from Norwegian military practice ranges. These bells can be worn, rung, hung, or displayed! Give as a gift or keep for yourself for your desk or bookshelf. These bells cannot be found in stores. They are exclusive to GoldiLocks Enterprises and can be ordered via the web site, www.thebullystore.com. (From the home page, click on the paw print to start shopping and then click on Collectibles). Or call 601-209-1716 to order by phone. 30

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HALF PAGE VERTICAL AD HERE FOR LICENSE TAG-AD PROVIDED ON DISK.


CALENDAR OF EVENTS Mississippi State University Alumni Association

College and School Alumni named

APRIL Super Bulldog Week Class Reunions—Classes of 1937, 1942, 1947, 1952 Alumni Association Executive Committee and National Board of Directors meetings Travel with MSU Alumni— Renaissance Cities of Italy. For details, contact Dianne Jackson at djackson@ djackson@alumni.msstate.edu or 662-325-3444. Faculty Recognition Banquet

April 1-7 April 5-7 April 5

April 26May 7

April 30

May 1-14

May 11

Alumni of the Year for MSU’s colleges and schools recently were announced. They include, seated, from left, James T. White of Dallas, president and director of H.C. Price Co., College of Engineering; Dr. Vivian M. Presley of Clarksdale, president of Coahoma Community College, College of Education; and Ken M. Tse of Dallas, with HKS Inc., School of Architecture. Standing, from left, are Dr. James R. Hailey of Cary, N.C., head of the National Toxicology Program, College of Veterinary Medicine; Leo W. Seal Jr. of Bay St. Louis, president and chief executive officer of Hancock Bank in Gulfport, College of Business and Industry; Dr. Brian T. Gray of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, director of conservation programs and information systems with Ducks Unlimited, College of Forest Resources; and Glenn L. McCullough Jr. of Tupelo, chairman of the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Outstanding alumni chapters honored The Alumni Association named outstanding chapters for 2001 at the Annual Alumni Awards Banquet in January. The recipients were selected from among chapters throughout the state and nation. In-state chapters honored for excellence in giving, chapter membership, chapter activities, and leadership were: Category I, selected for membership potential of under 325—1. Covington County; and 2. George-Greene County. Category II, selected from chapters with membership potential of 325 to 749—1. Lincoln County; 2. Tippah County; and 3. Union County.

Category III, selected from chapters with membership potential of 750 or more—1. Central Mississippi; 2. Lee County; and 3. DeSoto County. Outstanding out-of-state chapters for 2001 were—1. Mobile, Ala.; 2. Houston, Texas; and 3. Huntsville, Ala. Not counting chapters meeting their membership quotas, but accumulating a minimum of 400 points according to the Chapter Recognition Point System, were the Attala, Clay, Jackson, Lowndes, Oktibbeha, and Southeast Mississippi chapters within the state, and the Atlanta, Ga., Memphis, Tenn., Nashville, Tenn., and West Tennessee chapters out-of-state.

MAY Travel with MSU Alumni— Cotes du Rhone Passage. For details, contact Dianne Jackson at djackson@alumni.msstate.edu or 662-325-3444. Commencement

JUNE June 17-29 Travel with MSU Alumni— SEC Alaska Cruise-Tour (Cruise only June 22-29). For details, contact Dianne Jackson at djackson@alumni.msstate.edu or 662-325-3444. June 24Travel with MSU Alumni— July 2 Alumni College in Sorrento. For details, contact Dianne Jackson at djackson@alumni.msstate.edu or 662-325-3444. SEPTEMBER Sept. 13-14 Alumni Band Reunion. Maroon Band celebrates 100 years. For details, contact Karen Hudson at khudson@alumni.msstate.edu or 662-325-2284. OCTOBER Oct. 21-29 Travel with MSU Alumni— Alumni College in Normandy. For details, contact Dianne Jackson at djackson@alumni.msstate.edu or 662-325-3444.

Nov. 7-14

NOVEMBER Travel with MSU Alumni— Prague Escapade. For details, contact Dianne Jackson at djackson@alumni.msstate.edu or 662-325-3444.

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Two receive Distinguished Service Awards

Collum, left, and Allen Two Mississippi State alumni were honored at the annual Alumni Awards Banquet in January for their service to the university through their local alumni chapters.

William E. “Bill” Allen Jr. of Greenville and Edward C. Collum of Mobile, Ala., were Distinguished Service Award winners for 2001. Belzoni native Allen graduated in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in insurance. He returned to the Delta and has since been involved in recruiting students to his alma mater. One of his most successful endeavors is coordinating the annual MSU-Ole Miss Washington County Tennis Invitational. In 1996, the tournament was selected the outstanding event of the year by the Mississippi Tennis Association. Half of the amount raised—some $100,000—went to MSU scholarships for Washington County residents. Allen has served as a member of the Washington County Alumni Chapter board of directors since 1978 and was president of the chapter in 1984. In 1996, he was the group’s Alumnus of the Year. He also serves on the board of directors

for the Bulldog Club and on its executive board. He was Bulldog Club president in 1998 and 1999. In addition, he is a former member of both the Alumni Association national board of directors and the MSU Foundation board. He is district manager for the Social Security Administration in Greenville. Collum is a Moss Point native who graduated from Mississippi State in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in business and management. While a student, he was named to the university’s Who’s Who. He now practices as a certified public accountant in Mobile, where he joined the alumni chapter in 1989. Collum has been active in the chapter since the beginning and has served as an officer or board member since 1992. He was chapter president in both 1998 and 2001. In addition to his work on behalf of MSU, Collum serves on the board of directors for the Mobile Chapter of the Alabama Society of CPAs.

Henry Center study garden named for Correros The study garden on the grounds of the new alumni and foundation center will be named in honor of MSU Alumni Association Director John Correro and his wife Gloria. A $50,000 commitment from the Alumni Association’s national board of directors and friends of the Correros was announced during the annual leadership banquet on campus in January. Alumni and friends wanted to honor the Correros for their Commemorating the naming of the John and Gloria Correro leadership and service to the Study Garden are, from left, Vice President for External university, according to Robert Affairs Dennis Prescott, the Correros, MSU Alumni Association national treasurer Keith Winfield, and Alumni M. Gathings Jr., national alumni Association national president Robby Gathings. association president. “Of the remaining naming opportunities for the building, we selected the study garden because it was unique and set the Correros apart from other donors,” he said.

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The John and Gloria Correro Study Garden will be one of the principal exterior features of the new 41,000 square-foot Hunter Henry Center currently under construction on the western edge of campus. When completed, the complex will house the staffs of the Alumni Association and the MSU Foundation. The Correros, both education graduates and natives of Greenwood, have a long history with MSU. Dr. Gloria Correro is associate dean emeritus of the College of Education. John Correro has been affiliated with the alumni association for nearly 33 years, serving as executive director since 1994. For more on the Hunter Henry Center, see related articles on page 34.


Henry Center construction moves forward Construction on the new alumni and foundation complex, the Hunter Henry Center, is moving at a steady pace and fundraising efforts are gaining momentum as well. “It’s exciting to see the framework of the Henry Center taking shape on the site. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, we are on track and looking ahead to moving in this fall,” said Dennis A. Prescott, vice president for external affairs. Many significant naming opportunities are still available in the Henry Center for interested alumni and friends. “Three recent

major gift commitments for the new building were made by individuals or groups who wanted to honor others,” Prescott said. Among the latest commitments are a memorial gift from alumna Mary Jane Gardner of Indianola, who pledged her support by naming a room for her late husband. The G. Wayne Gardner Conference Room will occupy part of the alumni wing in the new building. Gardner was a 1966 civil engineering alumnus. “A memorial gift such as Mrs. Gardner’s is a wonderful way to remember a loved one. Mrs. Gardner’s gift will create a lasting tribute to her late husband within the Henry Center,” said Richard Armstrong, executive director of the MSU Foundation. Another recent gift is a commitment for one of the building’s internal pillars that will bear the names of contributors at the $50,000 level. Alumnus Lamar A. Conerly Jr. of Destin, Fla., and his wife Tracey have secured one of the 35 remaining columns. Construction workers poured concrete recently as work progressed on construction of the Hunter Henry Center. Located on the western edge of campus, the 41,000-squarefoot facility will house Alumni and Foundation offices, as well as meeting rooms, a ballroom, and other public spaces.

Other remaining opportunities within the facility include a unique donor recognition rotunda and executive committee rooms for the Alumni Association and the MSU Foundation. The outside garden area, planting beds, and a distinctive eye-catching spire provide remaining exterior opportunities. The center is named for the project’s lead donor, a 1950 alumnus and retired president of Dow Chemical USA. The Canton native made a lead gift commitment of $3 million in the spring of 2000. Since groundbreaking ceremonies in March 2001, donors have committed more than $7.75 million, including the lead gift from Henry, to construct the estimated $8.5 million facility. Designed by Foil Wyatt Architects of Jackson, the 41,000-squarefoot building will be the permanent headquarters for the Alumni Association and the Foundation. The Henry Center will stand on the western edge of campus at the intersection of Barr Avenue and University Drive across from the Bost Extension Center. “When completed, I think our alumni and friends will take great pride in the Hunter Henry Center as a campus landmark and wonderful, warm gathering place for many years to come,” Prescott said.

Henry Center flagpole will honor fallen alumnus The flagpole at the Hunter Henry Center will be named in memory of Lt. Col. Jerry Dickerson Jr., an MSU ROTC alumnus who died during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. The flagpole memorial is the goal of

Dickerson

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alumni and friends of the university’s Army Reserve Officers Training Corps. Organizers have launched a $50,000 fund-raising effort to name the monument for Dickerson, a 1983 economics graduate. “When constructed, the Dickerson Flag Monument will be a memorial to a fallen active duty alumnus and a lasting tribute to all MSU graduates who have served in the United States Army since the ROTC program’s inception in 1916,” said Richard

Armstrong, executive director of the MSU Foundation. In addition to the ROTC-based challenge, the university has established a scholarship endowment bearing Dickerson’s name. The $20,000 funded endowment will support an annual scholastic award designated for a community college transfer student majoring in a College of Arts and Sciences discipline. Proceeds received for the flag monument beyond the $50,000 goal will be applied to


Hunter Henry Center Named Features and Remaining Naming Opportunities NAMING OPPORTUNITY

AMOUNT

COMMITMENTS

Henry Center Parker Grand Ballroom Alumni Hall (Wing) Foundation Hall (Wing) Legacy Hall (Donor Recognition Area) Spire Vice President’s Suite Alumni Executive Committee Room Foundation Executive Committee Room Brunson Seminar Room Ritter Conference Room Gardner Conference Room Large Reflecting Pool Large Water Garden Gipson Amphitheater Griffis Meeting Room Hunt Meeting Room Seal Meeting Room Dow Chemical Meeting Room Durward Dunn Family Executive Director’s Suite (Alumni) Thompson Executive Director’s Suite (Foundation) Planned Giving Suite Small Water Garden Alumni Alley Spire Walk 50 Pillars @ $50,000 each Dickerson Flag Podium Correro Study Garden 12 Planting Beds @ $25,000 each Matching Pool from Alumni Association Gifts to meet Alumni Challenge

$2,500,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $2,500,000 $50,000 $50,000 $300,000 $600,000 $600,000

$3,000,000 $1,000,000

TOTAL

$500,000 $250,000 $250,000

$100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000

$700,000 $50,000 $50,000 $600,000 $600,000

Bristow joins Foundation Vance Bristow, a former West Point bank executive, is now leading the university’s efforts to raise private funding through Bristow charitable estate planning as the new director of planned giving. Since 1994, Bristow, a Tupelo native, has been community bank president for the Union Planters National Bank branch in West Point. He succeeds Richard Armstrong, who was promoted to executive director of development. Bristow is a 1986 general business administration graduate who also holds a graduate degree from the School of Commercial Lending at the University of Oklahoma. He previously held managerial positions with the Bank of America, Hibernia National Bank, and BancTexas, all in Dallas, Texas.

*$7,750,000 * includes a matching grant from the MSU Alumni Association and one anonymous gift

the Dickerson Scholarship, Armstrong said. Before losing his life in the Pentagon attack that took more than 189 civilian and military lives, Dickerson, a Durant native, had served with distinction for 18 years in a variety of domestic and overseas military assignments. At the time of his death, he was an assistant executive officer for the Army’s vice chief of staff, a four-star general. Dickerson’s Pentagon assignment was the culmination of a distinguished career

that began when he first served in the Mississippi Army National Guard as a student. His lifelong dream was to return to MSU as professor of military science and serve as the head of the Army ROTC program. He is survived by his parents, his wife, the former Page Dantzler of Jonesboro, Ark., and their children, Will and Beth. His widow is a 1983 MSU education graduate. “Jerry’s death is a great loss to MSU and our ROTC program,” said Lt. Col. W. Logan

Hickman Jr., the university’s professor of military science and Army ROTC commander. “His life epitomized the selfless service of all MSU graduates.” For more information or to make a contribution to the Dickerson Flag Memorial, telephone the Army ROTC office at 1800-811-5013 or 662-325-3503. For more information about the Dickerson Scholarship Endowment, telephone the MSU Foundation at 662-3253410.

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Endowed positions bring prominence to university At one time, Kirk H. Schulz thought he wanted to be a physician. Following a yearlong stint as an emergency room volunteer, he decided to pursue another goal instead—chemical engineering. Now Schulz holds an integral position at Mississippi State University. He is the inaugural holder of the Deavenport Chair in the Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, a major unit in the College of Engineering. He assumed the position in Schulz the summer of 2001. For active teachers and researchers like Schulz, there is no more prestigious academic position at the university than a chair or named professorship. The Earnest W. Deavenport Jr. Endowed Chair was created with a gift of $1.25 million from the Eastman Chemical Co. The endowment honors Deavenport, a 1960 engineering alumnus, who served as president and chief executive officer of the company. According to Schulz, the Deavenport Chair at MSU was a huge lure for him. “The endowed chair was a significant part of what made Mississippi State University so attractive,” Schulz said. “Private support for endowed chairs and professorships gives MSU an extra edge to offer something that you can’t find at other schools.” Schulz and his wife Noel, both engineers and natives of Virginia, had no qualms about relocating to Mississippi with their two sons, Timothy and Andrew. Schulz’s spouse is an accomplished teacher in her own right. An alumna of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and the University of Minnesota, she is now an associate professor in electrical and computer engineering at MSU. A combination of things led Schulz to Mississippi State. “I wanted to come to Mississippi State because of, basically, four things: Dean (Wayne) Bennett and his vision of where engineering at MSU could 36

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go; the outstanding faculty members in chemical engineering; alumnus Dave Swalm and his new chemical engineering building; and the endowed chair. The package here was so strong,” Schulz said. “When someone is committed enough to engineering and education to build a building and endow a chair, it makes a huge difference,” he added. Since Schulz joined the university, he has been busy with administrative duties, teaching, and forging relationships with alumni and friends. And, as Deavenport Chair, Schulz serves as director of the Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, where he plans to use private support to further enhance the program. “People want to be a part of something that’s happening,” he said. “When I explain to them how we plan to grow the program, they are enthusiastic. I tell them, ‘Here’s our plan,’ and ask how they would like to fit in.” Schulz has already set his plan for the Swalm School of Chemical Engineering in motion. One priority on his agenda is working to increase the number of endowed positions within the Swalm School. “Right now we have three endowed professorships among our 10- member faculty, he said. “I hope to see all of these positions become endowed in the near future.” Private support has allowed the engineering college to recently fill two more endowed positions—the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Chair in Civil Engineering and the Robert D. Guyton Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering—with nationally known individuals. “Being a chair holder brings national prominence and visibility,” Schulz said. “You have an opportunity to attract younger people at the right point in their careers and provide them with good incentives to stay.” The goal to endow faculty positions is one Schulz shares with other MSU administrators, including the dean of the College of Engineering. “An endowed chair is the most prestigious position in academe,” Bennett said. “Having the Deavenport Chair enabled us to recruit Kirk Schulz, a

nationally recognized engineering educator. It also sends a message that MSU engineering is on the move.” Schulz came to MSU from Michigan Technological University, where he was a department chair 1998-2001. While there, he was recognized for outstanding teaching and was an inaugural member of the Michigan Tech Academy of Teaching Excellence. Schulz strives to be a memorable educator. He works to create a classroom experience for chemical engineering students that is educational and fun. “My father was a math professor, so I was a faculty brat,” Schulz said. “That experience taught me to be active and foster relationships. The students need to feel that there’s someone who cares about them and their educational experience,” he said. “I think it’s a positive effect—being studentoriented.” Schulz’s first teaching position was at the University of North Dakota, where he enjoyed a four-year stint. He was honored as the university’s 1992 Outstanding Professor of the Year. He also has received numerous awards from the National Science Foundation and the American Society for Engineering Education. In all, Schulz has spent 10 years teaching, learning, and researching. His area of expertise is in interfacial science and engineering. He holds bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from Virginia Tech. Schulz is excited about what the future holds for the Swalm School of Chemical Engineering and his family, as well. “We continue to enjoy the warmer climate. It took us a while to get here from up North, but it was well worth the wait,” he said.


Don and Linda Martin Garrett: remembering the past; building for the future Don and Linda Martin Garrett hope their bequest to Mississippi State University will enable the College of Business and Industry to secure its place among the top business schools in the nation. The Garretts met in the late 1960s while pursuing their degrees at MSU. Don and Linda Linda and Don Garrett currently live in Atlanta, Ga., and are proud alumni of Mississippi State. They became contributors to the university for the opportunity to give something back to their alma mater, particularly the School of Accountancy. Both hold bachelor of science degrees in accounting; hers in 1969, his in 1968. “This is our way of thanking the institution for providing the leadership, encouragement, and inspiration of instructors such as William A. Simmons, R. Scott Wofford, Dora R. Herring, Joseph F. Curry, William L. Cross, and the late William W. Littlejohn, and to encourage the school to provide even greater assistance to students in the future,” the Garretts said. The Garretts decided to make a deferred gift to MSU in addition to their outright giving for several reasons, the

The Old Main Society recognizes donors who:

most obvious being for estate tax purposes. Although the couple has no children, they are encouraging their nieces and nephews to choose Mississippi State, the alma mater they hold close to their hearts. “Deferred gifts such as the Garretts’ will assist in guaranteeing the future of our great university for generations to come,” said Richard Armstrong, executive director of the MSU Foundation. The husband and wife team credit MSU for laying the foundation for their current success as owners and principals of Garrett Associates Inc., an Atlanta health-care executive search firm founded in 1982. The firm specializes in coast-to-coast healthcare executive search. Linda, a native of Nashville, believes that, “taking the ‘lessons in life’ learned at MSU as a young adult and applying them throughout my life” has contributed to their company’s reputation for honesty and integrity. Don attributes his success, in part, to the many influences in his life, from his mother to his minister in his hometown of Meridian, to his MSU roommate, Elliott Weir,

• Include the MSU Foundation as a beneficiary in a will (and provide a copy of the will or that portion of the will pertaining to MSU) • Make a deferred gift to the MSU Foundation (i.e., charitable remainder trust, charitable gift annuity, or life estate)

Benefits of membership include:

• Co-equal status with other donor recognition clubs, including invitations to special donor events on campus

“who had polio, yet never complained and was always upbeat.” He’s proudest of graduating as one of the top 10 accounting students in his class, becoming a CPA, establishing a successful business, and beating the odds after being diagnosed with cancer at age 25. Last year, the couple made an additional contribution to the Donald and Linda Martin Garrett Endowed Scholarship Fund, which they established in 1995 in the School of Accountancy. The endowed scholarship is an open fund in the MSU Foundation and may be increased through additional contributions. For their deferred gift, the Garretts are members of the Old Main Society, a distinguished group of donors who have made significant investments in the university. For more information on making a deferred gift, please contact: W. Vance Bristow Director of Planned Giving MSU Foundation P.O. Box 6149 Mississippi State, MS 39762 Phone: 662-325-3707 Toll-free: 877-677-8283 E-mail: vbristow@foundation.msstate.edu

• Make the MSU Foundation a beneficiary in a life insurance policy, IRA, qualified retirement plan (pension plan), or revocable trust and provide a copy of the form or document to the foundation

• A special edition copy of the book, Old Main: Images of a Legend

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New calling center generates funds for MSU, provides job opportunities for student callers For Candace Dulaney of Fulton, being a paid employee of the MSU Bulldog Calling Center has its advantages. Besides the obvious—a student job with a competitive salary—she gets to interact with alumni and friends, as well as concerned parents just like her own, each night. “I love it. Being a student caller fits in with my schedule. I can go to class in the day and work a reasonable schedule at night,” Dulaney said. “The experience I’m gaining also is helping me with my major, which is marketing.” Laveda Dubose, a junior industrial engineering major from Clinton, agrees. “I think the calling center positions are some of the better jobs on campus. You can make more on some nights (depending Ryan Gallagher, manager on incentives) and of the calling center, it offers flexibilprovides one-on-one ity,” she said. guidance to student The MSU Yvonne Young of HuntsFoundation ville, Ala. opened the stateof-the-art calling center on North Jackson Street in Starkville in an effort to enhance annual fund-raising efforts. In October, about 60 MSU students who are employees of the center began telephoning alumni and friends for contributions. The students work Sunday through Thursday nights placing fund-raising calls for each college and school, as well as for athletics, student affairs, and other areas with funding needs. Everybody wants to work for the calling center, according to manager Ryan Gallagher. “For students, this is one of the best jobs to have. I even have parents stopping by to ask how their children can become callers,” he said. 38

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The students call in four-hour shifts, completing at least three shifts a week. They earn $6.25 an hour and can boost their rate of pay to as high as $7 an hour at times by securing credit card gifts. The calling center provides callers with competitive salaries, tuition assistance, and growth opportunities. “Mississippi State’s students find this position to be a great resume builder and for some, a great start for a career in our industry,” Gallagher said. “All indications show that the new calling center is adding a highly effective dimension to our fund raising and that alumni and friends are responding to our efforts,” said Lori Smith, director of the Fund for Excellence. “We have entered the age when MSU must be competitive in the not-for-profit world and the new calling center is allowing us to accomplish this,” she said. Dulaney and Dubose think alumni and friends have been receptive to their calls and enjoy learning about what’s happening on the MSU campus. “They want to know what’s going on in the colleges and they want to talk about what’s going on with me,” Dulaney said. “Donors are really generous—one night I got a $5,000 credit card pledge,”she added. “Alumni and parents are on the other end of most of my calls,” Dubose said. “Typically, they want to make sure we are in Starkville so they ask questions about campus landmarks and other MSU things. After we assure them that we are calling for gifts for MSU, they are usually very cooperative,” she said. The calling center is fully managed by RuffaloCODY, a professional marketing company based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, that handles fund raising for many non-profit organizations. “Although RuffaloCODY is managing our center, alumni and friends can feel secure knowing that their names will not be given to outside solicitors,” Smith said. In addition, alumni records can be updated

quickly and conveniently over the phone. Future plans for the center include use by other campus units for student recruitment, alumni, or departmental survey calling, event planning, and even postseason athletic ticket sales. Since the center is open year-round, everyone within the MSU family will have an opportunity to take advantage of this tremendous asset, Smith said. The calling center also is being used to secure new memberships for the Bulldog Club. “We believe the calling center will play an integral role in the growth of the Bulldog Club over the next few years. The students did a great job in the fall for the academic areas and I look forward to having them call for us each spring,” said Mike Richey, assistant athletic director for donor relations. Smith urges alumni and friends to be open-minded about the new calling center. “Regardless of whether you choose to make a commitment over the phone or request additional information on giving opportunities or the university, I hope you will be available and answer the call,” she said. “This year, it may be the one call from Mississippi State that you will not want to miss.”

Students from almost every degree program place fund-raising calls for each college and school, as well as athletics, student affairs, and other funding needs.


and Water Management Award. The award recognizes him as the most efficient resource manager in the U.S. Air Force.

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Edited by Jessi Parker (’02)

48 James L. Flanagan, vice president for research at Rutgers University, was recognized by Eta Kappa Nu in its 2001 Eminent Member Recognition program. He has authored Speech Analysis and Syntheses and Perception. Flanagan received the National Medal of Science, the IEEE Centennial Medal, and the IEEE Edison Medal.

51 Sara Cagle Crawford of Marion, Ark., a retired schoolteacher, currently is serving as president of the Marion Rotary Club, vice president of the Marion Garden Club, and vice president of the United Methodist Women of the Marion United Methodist Church. She and her husband Ernest Crawford Jr. (’52) recently observed their 51st wedding anniversary. Howard Clark of Morton, a physician, has been named Country Doctor of the Year by Staff Care. He opened his family practice in Morton 44 years ago.

52 Ernest Crawford Jr. of Marion, Ark., building inspector for the Marion City Hall, has been selected as Citizen of the Year by the Marion Chamber of Commerce. He is retired following 50 years of service in the Marion Volunteer Fire Department. He and his wife Sara Cagle Crawford (’51) recently observed their 51st wedding anniversary.

55 Erwin C. Ward of Madison authored The Oddities of Time. His book analyzes the dimension of time and proposes a theory of universally applied spatial dynamics.

63 Jo G. Prichard III co-authored The Prichards of Mississippi and Tennessee, a book logging the Prichard family history. A copy was sent to Mitchell Memorial Library at MSU.

Sam Richey of Baldwyn, basketball coach at Baldwyn High School, has been named Mississippi’s all-time winningest basketball coach. He has won six state titles and has an overall record of 869-360 in his 35-year career.

64 Frank R. Chamblin of St. Louis, Mo., retired as vice president, human resources for Hubbell Electrical Products. Sonny Fisher received the Bill Wade Unsung Hero Award at the All American Football Foundation Banquet of Champions. He is director of the Small Business Development Center at Mississippi State.

65 Fred “Buddy” Hess retired following 32 years of federal civil service with the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command at Stennis Space Center. Daniel E. Hossley of Lindale, Texas, has sold his company, Hossley Lighting Associates Inc. He has retired from active involvement but remains as a member of the company’s board of directors. Tom Scarbrough (M.S. ’67, M.A. ’71) has been named Mississippi University for Women’s interim dean for enrollment and management. He has worked in enrollment management and in Mississippi higher education for more than 30 years. Most recently, he served as a consultant for universities and community colleges.

66 Larry Box (M.S. ’68, Ph.D. ’85) of Starkville has been named Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators for his work with the Starkville School District.

68 Thomas W. Waller of Columbus, certified energy manager and base energy manager/utility engineer at Columbus Air Force Base, has received the Federal Energy

Claire T. Field (M.A. ’69) authored Mississippi Delta Women in Prism. NewSouth Books in Montgomery, Ala., published the book. She is a community college English instructor in Alabama.

70 Rosemary C. Cuicchi (M.A. ’82) of Starkville has been inducted into the Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers. She teaches at Armstrong Middle School in Starkville. Jimmy Palmer of Grenada has been named region 4 administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the Southeast. He previously served as an environmental lawyer for the Jackson-based Butler Snow law firm and was head of Environmental Quality from 1987 to 1999.

71 Joe Edward Lauderdale of Jackson recently received the Mississippi Engineer of the Year Award from the Mississippi Engineering Society. He is the owner and president of Sunbelt Sealing Inc.

72 Randy McCoy of Oak Ridge, Tenn., has been appointed superintendent of the Tupelo Public School District effective July 1, 2002. Most recently he was superintendent in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

73 Stephen B. Gordon (M.A. ’75) of Nashville, Tenn., purchasing agent for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, has been elected 2002 president of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, a not-for-profit association representing more than 2,100 governmental agencies. Gordon

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75 Jane Lauderdale Flowers (M.A. ’77) of Vicksburg received the Mississippi Manufacturers Association Vocational Educator of the Year Award. She is a workbased learning coordinator at Hinds Community College in Vicksburg.

76 John Alan Colotta has received his M.B.A. from the University of Dallas. He is a principal software engineer with Lockhead Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth, Texas.

77 Joseph W. Taylor of New Port Richey, Fla., recently retired from the Pasco County School Board. He was a teacher of agriscience, FFA adviser, and vocational department chairman at Gulf Middle School.

78 W. Bruce Franklin of Franklin, Tenn., has been named an arbitrator by NASD Dispute Resolution, Inc. He is president of Franklin Financial Services of Tennessee Inc. Pedro Enrique Rodriquez of Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela, is teaching computer science at the Universidad Centrocciental Lisandro Alvarado. Franklin Brenda Mathis Smith of Greene County, along with her husband and several alumni, organized and solicited contributions for a scholarship program. The annual scholarship at MSU will be awarded to the winner of the Greene County Junior Miss Program.

79 Kathy Burnham recently achieved National Board Certification for Professional Teaching. She teaches gifted fourthgraders as well as drama in Oxford. 40

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Bobbie Daniels of Jackson has been awarded a $10,000 KPMG Minority Accounting Doctoral Scholarship to pursue a doctorate degree at Jackson State University. This scholarship is renewable for a total of five years. Dr. John Lovitt of San Antonio, Texas, has completed the first book in his Leadership Effectiveness Series, Who’s Listening Anyway? A Guide to Effective Listening. He is a corporate and personal coach, consultant, trainer, university professor, and writer.

Dominic Udoh (Ph.D. ’82) of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, has been appointed Commissioner for Agriculture for Akwa Ibom State. Initially, he was rector of the State College of Agriculture of Akwa Ibom.

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Kyle Roland Bowden has been promoted to product manager of secondary marketing tools at InterLINQ Software in Bellevue, Wash. Carl Burnham recently authored the book WEB HOSTING, A Complete Strategy.

Danny L. Tuck of Gainsville, Ga., has been appointed vice president of quality operations for Elan Pharmaceutical Operations.

83 Elizabeth Stone Frick of Tupelo was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of Mississippi State in 2001.

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93 ▼ He is a web developer, hosting consultant, and specialist in analyzing Internet-related technologies. Burnham is the founder of Southpoint.com, a travel destination portal, and co-author of Professional JSP, Wrox and Ace the Technical Interview, Fourth Edition, Osborne McGraw-Hill. Chris Dardaman, president of Polstra & Dardaman LLC of Norcross, Ga., recently was named one of the nation’s top 100 financial planners by Mutual Funds magazine. Polstra & Dardaman is a leading wealth management firm.

85 Kevin Ivey of Meridian was honored at the Technological/Engineering Emmy Awards in New York with the highest honor in the television industry. He received an Emmy for his work in creating the technology behind CNN Sports Illustrated and CNN Financial Network. He recently returned to Meridian to be an independent consultant. James E. Newsome (M.S. ’85) has been appointed by President Bush as chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Previously, he served as the executive vice president of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association and Beef Council.

87 Linda Holcombe-Coleman is executive director of SpikeForce Inc., a not-for-profit organization that coordinates volleyball camps, annual scholarship funds, and invitational tournaments to benefit less fortunate kids. John M. Landrum of Taylor Mill, Ky., has been named manager of coordination with the Marathon Ashland Petroleum joint venture. He most recently was a business analyst in the corporate planning and analysis group of Landrum Ashland Inc.

88 Jon B. Sanderson has been elected managing director of Morgan Keegan & Co. in Memphis, Tenn. Paul R. Snider of Pensacola Beach, Fla., has been named to Merrill Lynch’s Chairman’s Club. He has been a financial adviser with the firm Snider since 1992.

Nora W. Taylor of Lubbock, Texas, is band director at Smyer High School. Under Taylor’s direction, the Smyer High School Marching Band placed second in the Class 1A competition.

94 Brian Lee Hawkins of Starkville is managing editor for the Starkville Daily News. He is a member of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi. Frank E. “Buddy” McRae of Ridgeland has taken a job with the law firm of Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis. Kristin Flautt Zeppelin of Arlington, Va., was recently promoted from recruiting manager to director of human resources for SAVVIS Communications.

90 Jonathan K. Hasson (M.S. ’92) of Marietta, Ga., has been appointed district manager for the Georgia/Florida District of ADS Environmental Services. He previously was on assignment for Vivendi Water in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

91 Bert Greenwalt (Ph.D. ’91) of Hazen, Ark., was re-elected to the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. He is a professor of agriculture economics at Arkansas State University. Mardi Spayd Hasson has relocated with her family to Greenwalt Marietta, Ga., from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

92 Tanya K. Finch of Booneville is executive director of the Booneville Area Chamber of Commerce. Lane B. Reed of Meadville has been appointed city prosecutor for the town of Meadville. He is a member of the Mississippi Prosecutors Association.

95 Jonathan Britt Amacker was graduation speaker for the Darden School of Business class of 2001 at the University of Virginia. He currently is in the investment banking division of Deutsche Bank in London. Darryl Neese has been named a financial Neese representative for Strategic Financial Partners.

96 Kevin Duane Brooks recently relocated with his wife Barbara Wright Brooks to Frisco, Texas. Joy P. Lewis has relocated with her family to Dayton, Ohio, from Singapore.

97 David T. Gleeson (M.A. ’97) authored The Irish in the South, 1815-1877. He is assistant professor of history at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Ga. Shawn Hobbs has received the 2001 Francis Mah Travel Fellowship. Hobbs will study architecture in Rome and Florence, Italy. Hobbs most recently served as a Hnedak Bobo Group, Inc. intern architect.

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98 Gordon Collins Dendy of Olive Branch is a registered physical therapist for Physiotherapy Associates in Memphis, Tenn.

99 Jason C. Parham of Atlanta, Ga., has been named chief financial officer with ManufacturingQuote Inc., an Atlanta-based technology company.

Kim Johns of Knoxville, Tenn., is the marketing and development director for WATE-6 TV.

00 Sarah Catledge-Howard of McCool is pursuing a master’s degree in educational psychology at Mississippi State. She also works on campus as a graduate research assistant.

Stephen P. Fields of Peachtree City, Ga., is assistant band director at Starr’s Mill High School in Fayetteville, Ga. Jenny Moree Reeves currently is working for Sen. Thad Cochran as a legislative aide in Washington, D.C. Alice Elaine Rigby of Fort Worth, Texas, is a graduate student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Krisa L. Warnock is working as a programmer analyst for the U.S. Army Engineer Research Development Center in Vicksburg. Patricia Diane Williams of Ellisville was selected as New Counselor of the Year for the Pine Belt Counseling Association. She is a school counselor for South Jones Elementary School and Pine Belt Education Service Center.

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Brandon Scott Bell and Kayla Morgan Bell, Oct. 23, 2001, to Glenn Bell (’82) and wife Shannon of Atlanta, Ga. Brett Hayden Benjamin, June 26, 2001, to Brett Benjamin (’95) and Lisa Dunn Benjamin (’95) of Corinth. Caroline Grace Bowen, July 15, 2001, to Wes Bowen (’94) and Susan Scruggs Bowen (’94) of Memphis, Tenn. John Eric Clark, Jr., Dec. 27, 2001, to John Eric Clark (’87) and wife Jo Ann. Regan Claire Cooper, Sept. 10, 2001, to Mike Cooper (’92) and Terri Stewart Cooper (’92) of Southaven. Marshall Davis Dye, Oct. 16, 2001, to Marshall Leon Dye Jr. (’95) and Debra Baker Dye (’97) of Olive Branch. Lydia Michele Dyson, Aug. 31, 2001, to Eliska Daves Dyson (’91) and husband Shawn of Columbus. Anna Grace Gibson, Sept. 3, 2001, to William David Gibson (’89) and Sonia Gully Gibson (’89) of Tunica. 42

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Liza Clare Haynes, June 19, 2001, to Angie Jackson Haynes (’93) and husband Reggie of Tupelo. Connor Julian Hicks, Jan. 22, 2001, to Shaun Patrick Hicks (’92) and wife Teresa of Hernando. Sydney Doss Hill and Seth Thomas Hill, May 5, 2001, to Robin Boyt Hill (’89) and husband Ronnie of Irving, Texas. Jackson Wallace Joyner, Sept. 26, 2001, to Tommy Wallace Joyner Jr. (’93) and Kelly Mason Joyner (’93) of Madison. Phillip Andrew Ladd, June, 2, 2001, to Breck Theophilus Ladd (’97) and Laura Bumagin Ladd (’97) of Poplarville. Madeline Elizabeth Lee, July 18, 2001, to Jason Keith Lee (’97) and Barbara Lee (’97) of Ocean Springs. Camryn Welch McDonald, July 27, 2001, to Jim McDonald (’93) and Ryn McDonald (’91, ’93, ’97) of Raymond.

Emily Robin McLaughlin, Aug. 16, 2001, to Jennifer Felder McLaughlin (’93) and husband Brian of Gulfport. Stewart James Peeler, Aug. 29, 2001, to Michael J. Peeler (’93) and wife Marti of Lilburn, Ga. John Fletcher Perry IV, Aug. 23, 2001, to John Fletcher Perry III (’94) and Jamie L. Perry (’90) of Tupelo. Sophie Elizabeth Pittman, Dec. 12, 2000, to Hope Sheffield Pittman (’96, M.S. ’97) and husband Jeremy of Southaven. Andrew Edward Poole, Oct. 29, 2001, to John H. Poole Jr. (’82) and wife Diane of Birmingham, Ala. Bailey Christopher Pratt, Sept. 10, 2001, to Melonye Lewis Pratt (’90) and husband Leslie of Austin, Texas.

(continued next page)


▼ Devin Ray Putney, April 30, 2001, to Jamie Earnest Putney (’00) and husband Billy of Amory. Andrew Scott Riley, July 20, 2001, to Carrie McNeece Riley (’99) and husband Scott of Tupelo. James Owen Scott, June 21, 2001, to Stacy D. Scott (’90, M.A. ’97) and Jerri Cady Scott (’90) of Sherman.

Patrick Augustus Sullivan, Dec. 15, 2000, to Sean Sullivan (’94) and Susan Shute Sullivan (’93) of Portland, Ore. Mary Swayze Thornton, Sept. 5, 2001, to Rob Thornton (’90, M.B.A. ’91) and wife Melissa of Madison.

Edited by Jessi Parker (’02)

John Flowers Locke Sr. longtime faculty member John Flowers Locke Sr. of Starkville, professor emeritus of botany at Mississippi State, died Oct. 1, 2001. He was 92. The Montgomery County native received bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Mississippi State in 1930 and 1932, respectively, and a doctorate in cellular biology at the University of Chicago in 1934. He concluded his teaching career at MSU in 1974, having completed the longest known teaching career in the history of the institution. He served for many years in leadership roles in the Mississippi Academy of Sciences. His professional affiliations included the National Science Foundation and Sigma Xi Scientific Society. Locke was recognized in 1967 by the MSU Alumni Association as its Outstanding Faculty Teacher of the Year.

Lester Hand Fox (’27)—94, member of ATO fraternity and a Mason, Oct. 5, 2001. Mildred Evelyn Watts (’36)—Tupelo; retired employee of the American Embassy, Nov. 10, 2001. William L. Solomon Jr. (’36)—87, Belzoni; retired president of Y-D Lumber Co. Inc. and World War II veteran, Nov. 4, 2001. R.B. “Bernie” Ward Sr. (’38 )—87, Macon, Ga.; retired principal, Dec. 6, 2001. Samuel David Craig Sr. (’39)—85, Brandon; retired employee of Mississippi Farm Bureau and World War II veteran, Nov. 17, 2001. George B. Hammer (’40)—Bay St. Louis; salesman, January 2002. Prentiss M. Hartley (’40)—87, Brandon; retired veterinary services inspector with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and World War II and Korean War veteran, Dec. 4, 2001.

Claiborne Hall Bishop (’43)—79, Lumberton; retired owner of Western Auto in Lumberton, member of 1940-42 football teams, and World War II veteran, Aug. 20, 2001. Carl A. Haynes (’43)—Richmond, Va.; retired from the Reynolds Metals Company and World War II and Korean War veteran, Jan. 10, 2001. Luther W. Kea Sr. (’43)—80, Jackson; retired from the U.S. Treasury Service and World War II veteran, Dec. 18, 2001. John Kyle Scoggin Sr. (’43)—78, Winchester, Va.; retired research entomologist, World War II veteran, Oct. 15, 2001. Merrill Morris Hawkins (’44, Ph.D. ’50)—87, Starkville; retired professor and dean of MSU’s College of Education and World War II veteran, Oct. 19, 2001. George J. Taylor III M.D. (’44)—79, Madison; retired U.S. Navy captain, health

Jonathan Terrell Washington, Dec. 29, 2000, to Joycelyn Smith Washington (B.S. ’89, M.S. ’93) and husband Troy of Jackson. Bethany Ann Williams, May 10, 2001, to Frank G. Williams (’87) and wife Heather of DeRidder, La. Elias George Winterscheidt, Aug. 2, 2001, to Joe Winterscheidt (’91) and Jennifer Praul Winterscheidt (’90) of Tucker, Ga.

officer, and physician, Nov. 21, 2001. John S. Weems (’44)—Jackson; retired from Jackson Public School system, Jan. 28, 2002. William C. “Bill” Collier (’47)—78, Brandon; retired vice president of sales with Stokley Van Camp and World War II veteran, Aug. 29, 2001. Sallie M. Curtis (’47)—93, Jackson; retired schoolteacher, Nov. 2, 2001. Richard Donald Avara (’49)—78, Louisville; retired sales and marketing manager, Dec. 15, 2001. James E. Bailey Sr. (’49, M.S. ’51)— Greenville; retired contract representative for USA Rice Federation, former MSU football player, and member of Student Council, December 2001. Herschel G. Jumper (’49)—78, Jumpertown; retired schoolteacher, chancery clerk, highway commissioner, and farmer, Nov. 22, 2001. Samuel Wayne Barton (’50)—77, Starkville; World War II veteran, received the Prisoner of War Medal and the Three Oak Leaf Cluster, Dec. 1, 2001. Bernard H. Coggins (’50)—81, Baldwyn; former mayor, principal, middle school coach, and veteran of World War II, May 3, 2001. William A. Martin Jr. (’50)— Vicksburg; retired from the Farmers Home Administration, retired independent real estate appraiser, and World War II veteran, Oct. 18, 2001. Alvis Chester Pilgreen (’50)—75, Calhoun City; retired engineer for the Soil Conservation Service, Dec. 15, 2001. Mike King (’52)—Jackson; marine biologist, Sept. 24, 2001. Aubrey Lewis Germany Sr. (’52)— Leland; plant breeder employed at Phytogen Seed, Oct. 11, 2001. Clark Stringer (’52)—81, Ridgeland; founder of Hallmark Cleaners and World A Spring 2002

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▼ War II veteran, Aug. 8, 2001. Louise Holloman Matthews Davis (’53)—84, Starkville; retired schoolteacher, Dec. 11, 2001. Ann Elizabeth Heard (’55)—97, retired home economics teacher, Sept. 3, 2001. Olga Thompson Bunch (’56)—67, Clinton; retired schoolteacher and counselor with the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, Sept. 18, 2001. William E. Roper (’56)—71, Destin, Fla.; retired civil engineer and Korean War veteran, Oct. 24, 2001. Robert K. Causey (’57)—67, Madison; retired CEO of Mississippi Aggregate Co., Sept. 25, 2001. James Everett Bailey Sr. (’55, ’58)— 78, Greenville; retired member of the Mississippi Rice Council and former FBI employee, Dec. 7, 2001. Henry N. Eason (’58)—69, Jackson; self-employed, Sept. 2, 2001. Clara Pauline Peacock (’59)—89, Winona; retired schoolteacher, Nov. 19, 2001. John K. Turnipseed ( ’63)—61, Weir; lifelong dairy farmer, Dec. 13, 2001. Karen Lomax Benson (’64)—New York, N.Y.; injured Sept. 11, 2001, evacuating a train station in New York City; complications in surgery led to her death Nov. 4, 2001. John Wayne Roberts (’67)—56, Ackerman; employed with Johnson Oil Co. and referee for the Mississippi High School Athletics Association, Dec. 14, 2001. Linda Jeanette Lewis Sugg (’67)— retired schoolteacher, Nov. 12, 2001. Lucy Fraley Brown (’71)—78, Macon: retired schoolteacher, Dec. 3, 2001. Albert Lawrence Mclaughlin (Ph.D. ’71)—84, Kilgore; Dec. 24, 2001. Joseph Michael Portera (’73)—50, West Point; attorney, Oct. 9, 2001. Gary B. Mills (’74)—57, Northport, Ala.; former history professor at the University of Alabama and longtime associate editor of National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Jan. 25, 2002. John Hopkins Babb (’75)—48, Jackson; retired employee of Sound and Communications, Oct. 12, 2001. Elizabeth Montgomery (’75)—83, Jackson; retired schoolteacher and World War II specialist G in the U.S. Navy, Sept. 9, 2001. 44

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Nell Chism May (’76)—80, Columbus; retired professor emeritus at Mississippi University for Women, Aug. 21, 2001. Pamela Collier (’78)—44, Kosciusko; Dec. 25, 2001. Aaron A. Lowrey (’78)—45, Louisville; retired lieutenant with the Mississippi Highway Patrol and retired major of the U.S. Army Reserve, Dec. 31, 2001. Tom L. Wiley III (’97)—26, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; vice president of corporate communications for American School Directory, Sept. 15, 2001. Clifford Dewitt Dalton (’01)—24, Corinth; Eagle Scout and member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Nov. 24, 2001.

Charles L. “Chuck” Davis (attended)—50, Tupelo; senior respiratory therapist at North Mississippi Medical Center, Nov. 10, 2001. Sam Erwin Ezell Jr. (attended)—63, Columbus; industrial sealing specialist, Dec. 15, 2001. Charles J. Fisher (attended)—55, Madison; retail manager and buyer, Sept. 7, 2001. Fred L. Gaddis Sr. (attended)—79, Forest; former mayor of Forest and retired businessman, Dec. 9, 2001. George K. Galloway Jr. (attended)— 75, Jackson; retired interior designer and World War II veteran, Nov. 5, 2001. Arthur Rice Harned (attended, former employee)—77, Arlington, Va.; former professor of foreign languages, writer, and World War II veteran, Nov. 7, 2001. H. Power Hearn Jr. (attended)—77, Jackson; retired businessman and World War II veteran, Sept. 28, 2001. John J. Hubbard Jr. (attended)—72, Edwards; retired from the automobile business and former employee of Georgia Pacific, Dec. 25, 2001. Dianne Player Hufford (attended)— 55, Houston, Texas; Nov. 8, 2001. Lillian W. Beach Johnson (attended)—72, Starkville; homemaker, Dec. 7, 2001. Joseph W. Jones Sr. (attended)—80, retired salesman and World War II veteran, Sept. 5, 2001. Karen H. Jones (attended)—48, Laurel; Nov. 11, 2001.

Lawrence L. Jones (attended)—74, Jackson; retired schoolteacher, assistant principal, and World War II veteran, Nov. 19, 2001. Milton Walker Jones Jr., (attended)— Hernando; board member of Delta Council, DeSoto Economic Council, Farm Bureau, and Mississippi Farm Bureau, Aug. 27, 2001. Charles D. Lewis (attended)—retired lieutenant commander for the U.S. Navy, retired farmer, and mathematics teacher, Aug. 25, 2001. John Flowers Locke Jr. (attended)— 50; behavior therapist in Madison, Wis., Oct. 4, 2001. Jo Anne B. Massey (attended)—51; homemaker, Sept. 30, 2001. Jerry Lee McNair (attended)—52, Little Rock, Ark.; auto parts adviser and Special Olympics volunteer, Aug. 23, 2001. James B. Miskelley Jr. (attended)—63, Tupelo; retired civil engineer and president of Gumtree Woodworkers Club, Jan. 19, 2001. Ernest Chester Rundle (attended)— 77, Vicksburg; retired employee of Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical and World War II veteran, Sept. 13, 1999. James Larry Sanders (attended)—58, Louisville; insurance agent with Farm Bureau Insurance Company, retired as sergeant first class with the U.S. Army Reserve, Sept. 23, 2001. Jasper Wayne Senter Sr. (attended)— Fulton; retired from the funeral business and World War II veteran, May 22, 2001. Elisha Dennis Stevens (attended)— Hollandale; retired farmer and World War II and Korean War veteran, Sept. 8, 2001. James Jackson Webb II (attended)— 84, Sumner; retired farmer, vice president of the State Soil and Water Commissioners, and World War II veteran, Sept. 22, 2001. Robert Vaughn Wise (attended)—99, Plano, Texas; former co-owner of Wise Motor Co., retired president of Planters Bank, and retired president of Wise Oil Co., Aug. 13,2001. Smylie Lee Gebhart (former employee)—51, Meridian; former MSU football coach and sales representative for Graduate Supply Co., Nov. 29, 2001. Sue Abraham (friend)—73, Clarksdale; homemaker and mother of eight, seven of whom attended Mississippi State, Jan. 3, 2002. Lady Gill Corban (friend)—66, Rolling Fork; retired schoolteacher, Oct. 13, 2001. Mary Cain T. Henderson (friend)—90, Starkville; seamstress, Oct. 21, 2001.


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