Mississippi State Alumnus Fall 2008

Dr. Mark Keenum

NAMED MSU’S 19TH PRESIDENT

PORTER AGRONOMY 2026

His future is the State of the Future. Make sure he has the facilities, professors and programs to make it a bright one. Make a gift today. Call 877-677-8283 or visit www.msufoundation.com.

Fall 2008 | Volume 84 | Number 3 USPS 354-520

features Storm chasers provide early weather warnings | page

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The People’s University

When severe weather moves into the Golden Triangle area and storm warnings send most people seeking shelter, a group of students at MSU springs into action.

Interim President

Bringing the People’s University to the people | page

Roy H. Ruby (’61, ’66)

In 2008, a group of MSU employees traveled more than 3,800 miles to interact with alumni, friends, students, prospective students, and parents.

Alumni Association Executive Director and Associate Vice President, Development and Alumni Jimmy W. Abraham (’75, ’77)

Vice President for Development and Alumni

Magic man Turner pulls new career out of hat | page

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Schillig Scholar Joe M. Turner graduated in 1992 with a degree in physics and chemistry education and embarked on a magical career.

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John P. Rush (’94, ’02)

Wind ensemble travels abroad | page

Mississippi State Alumnus is published three

Members of Mississippi State’s wind ensemble spent nine days this summer in Ireland, Wales and England for the band’s first trip abroad.

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 662-325-7000; or e-mail fcarr@advservices.msstate.edu.

Editorial offices: 102 George Hall, P.O. Box 5325, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5325.

Telephone, 662-325-3442 Fax, 662-325-7455 E-mail, snowa@ur.msstate.edu www.msstate.edu

Back home again | page

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Dr. Mark Keenum became Mississippi State’s 19th president Nov. 12. Keenum earned three degrees from Mississippi State and most recently served as undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.

More than just a knife | page

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For MSU alumnus and Purple Heart recipient Aaron Rice, a knife he carried into Iraq was destined to be a family keepsake from the moment he received it as a Christmas gift.

Design studio helps Gulf Coast rebuild | page

16

The Gulf Coast Community Design Studio has helped renovate or rebuild more than 100 homes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Advertising: Contact Libba Andrews at 662-325-7000 or landrews@alumni.msstate.edu.

Editor Allen Snow (’76)

Associate Editor Kay Fike Jones

Designers Mary Howell (’93) Judy Smith

Photographers Russ Houston (’85) Megan Bean Kristen Hines Baker Kenny Billings

Mississippi State University Alumni Association National Officers Andrew D. Hunt (’70), national president Charles A. Cascio (’79), national first vice president Karen Dugard Lawler (’83, ’94), national second vice president Jodi L. White (’97, ’99), national treasurer David W. Jones (’81), immediate past president

Campus news ............19 Alumni news ..............28 Foundation news ... 34 Class news ................. 42 In memoriam ............ 44 On the cover: In November, the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning selected Dr. Mark Keenum to serve as Mississippi State’s 19th president.

Photo by Russ Houston.

STORM CHASERS PROVIDE EARLY WEATHER

Warnings 2 Alumnus Fall 2008

Story by Kenny Billings

When severe weather moves into the Golden Triangle area and storm warnings send most people seeking shelter, a group of students at MSU springs into action scouring the area for funnel clouds, hail and other dangerous conditions.

The 50-plus-member, storm-chasing North Mississippi Storm Intercept Team, or NOMISSIT, isn’t a bunch of thrill-seeking adrenaline junkies, but, rather, part of a coordinated effort through Mississippi State’s Broadcast Meteorology Program to monitor and observe storm activity.

From the Climate Lab located on the third floor of Hilbun Hall, associate meteorology professors Mike Brown and Grady Dixon examine incoming storm systems using radar and satellite imagery, while in constant communication with the National Weather Service to identify storms with the most severe potential.

Once such a storm is identified, teams of five students each, all trained in safety and storm identification, mobilize and monitor the situation on the ground while keeping in touch with Brown and Dixon at the command center. They, in turn, forward any information they collect to the National Weather Service and other regional authorities as soon as possible.

Brown said having NOMISSIT, the only true coordinated storm-spotting team in the state, working on the ground when storms move in can and has made the difference in residents getting prompt warnings when tornadoes develop.

Having spotters on the ground “validates what we are seeing on radar, but also helps us disseminate the information more quickly, because no matter how good the technology, nothing beats the naked eye for finding out what is really going on in a system,” he added.

Many times, Brown said, a storm system will have a weak rotation, and because radar systems update only every five or six minutes, a funnel cloud can develop and be on the ground before being detected by weather systems. In these instances, he said, storm spotting teams are invaluable in getting warnings out promptly.

While chasing possible tornadoes provides team members with an adrenaline rush from braving harsh conditions and rushing into harm’s way, the spotters—all meteorology students—get a greater benefit than just the thrill of the hunt.

“By being a part of this team, the students get hands-on experience in identifying storms, and that will be a great benefit when they enter the work force in their chosen field,” Dixon said. “Whether they are pursuing broadcast meteorology or plan to work behind the scenes, their experiences in NOMISSIT give them instant credibility by having experience in field identification. When they are putting their education into practice in the real world, they won’t just be talking about something they read in a book. They will have seen it with their own eyes and experienced it in real time.”

Each year, members of the team have an opportunity to travel to the Midwest, where they spend two weeks in the plains states where the highest incidents of tornado activity can be found. With safety a priority, team members get intensified on-the-ground experience identifying storms and often chasing tornadoes across the vast landscape while regularly capturing photo and video mementos.

Top: Storm chasers pose before the object of their labor.

Alumnus Fall 2008 3

It’s just Mississippi State, all of us working together to move our university forward.

} From left, Jan Gwin (‘71), head football Coach Sylvester Croom, Leonard McCullough (‘49, ‘69), and Lloyd McDougal (‘45) gathered at the Memphis stop on the 2008 Road Dawgs Tour.

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4 Alumnus Fall 2008

When the Alumni Association and Bulldog Club joined forces in 2007 to host the first Road Dawgs Tour, both knew they were embarking on an exciting journey that would include Mississippi State alumni and fans throughout the Southeast. Neither knew, however, just how successful the tour, which concluded its second annual trip in May, would prove to be.

In 2008, MSU representatives from athletics, alumni and the admissions and scholarships office traveled more than 3,800 miles to 15 cities throughout the Southeast in less than two weeks and interacted with more than 2,300 alumni, friends, students, prospective students, and parents along the way.

“The idea behind the tour is to take Mississippi State on the road to our alumni and friends,” said Jimmy Abraham, executive director of the association. “We love for our Bulldog family to return to campus to visit with us, but it’s also important to get off campus and take our university into local communities. The Road Dawgs Tour lets us do just that.”

Sponsored by the Alumni Association, Bulldog Club and local alumni chapters, each event strives to promote enthusiasm for the association, athletics and for the university as a whole, while also communicating valuable news and information to members of the MSU family.

The tour stops featured MSU head football Coach Sylvester Croom and other university representatives, including Athletic Director Greg Byrne and men’s basketball Coach Rick Stansbury, among others.

“One of our most important priorities is to communicate with our fans and stay involved with MSU supporters,” Byrne said, while speaking to those in attendance

brings the people’s university to the people Story by Kristy Riley Photos by Russ Houston

at the Tupelo tour stop. “We want you to know where we’re headed and the direction we’re going so that everyone can take an active role in helping Mississippi State grow.”

For Byrne, the tour is more than another great way to interact with fans and supporters.

He believes it’s also a great way to showcase the success of campus partnerships.

“Through the Road Dawgs Tour, I was able to come in contact with so many of our supporters and hear their excitement and concerns,” he added. “And it was great to be involved in such a cooperative effort–it wasn’t the Bulldog Club or the Alumni Association, it’s just Mississippi State, all of us working together to move our university forward, and that’s exciting.”

Alumni and fans, along with local news media, were drawn to the events for the opportunity to hear Coach Croom relay information about the 2008 season. Always a crowd pleaser, Croom talked frankly about the Bulldog football program and the improvements he sees overall.

“I am so proud to be a small part of this program,” Croom said. “I take great pride in the maroon, great pride in our university, and great pride in our state.”

Tour stops for the 2008 Road Dawgs included Birmingham and Mobile, Ala.; Atlanta, Ga.; Memphis, Tenn.; Houston, Texas; and the following Mississippi cities: Batesville, Brookhaven, Clarksdale, Columbus, Greenville, Hattiesburg, Jackson, Meridian, Olive Branch, and Tupelo.

Plans are already under way for the 2009 tour, which will take place next summer.

“It’s a long journey, but it’s something we really enjoy,” Croom said. “You can get too insulated on campus sometimes, so it’s good to get out and meet people, because that’s what it’s all about–people.”

MSU special assistant to the president Amy Tuck and Alumni Association executive director Jimmy Abraham help take MSU “on the road.”

5 Spring 2008

Alumnus Fall 2008 5

Story by Kay Fike Jones Photos by Kristen Hines Baker

When Joe M. Turner joined the university’s first class of prestigious Schillig Scholars in 1987, he planned to major in aerospace engineering. Five years later, he graduated with a degree in physics and chemistry education.

“After I got to Mississippi State, my interests broadened on a massive scale and I explored so many different areas, my plans changed,” Turner explained.

In fact, his plans changed so much that instead of a career as an astronaut, he now makes a living as a professional corporate magician. Of course, this change didn’t happen overnight.

As a Schillig Scholar (now called a Distinguished Scholar), Turner and the other three Schilligs met monthly with then-MSU president Donald W. Zacharias.

“I loved those meetings,” Turner enthused. “Dr. Zacharias challenged us to think of things in terms of the larger impact you can have. He also gave us a book to read that was a huge influence on me: The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom.”

While the Brandon native counts Zacharias as a major influence in his college life, he also puts the late Famous Maroon Band director Kent Sills in his “top two” list.

6 Alumnus Fall 2008

A trumpet player in the marching band and pianist in the jazz band, he explained, “From Dr. Sills, I got such a sense of how to be a leader. He also said that when you wear the maroon and white (band uniform), you represent the university.”

He added, “If you respect the university and give back, it will reward you.”

Under the influence of those two men, Turner continued working on a degree from the College of Education and earned a bachelor’s in 1992. However, while working on that degree he made another decision that would affect his future dramatically.

“I went to a musical here, ‘HMS Pinafore,’ and loved it and thought that would be fun and that maybe if I tried out, I could be a tree or something,” he said, laughing. “Well, I did try out and got a principal part in the production of ‘The Pirates of

officials wanted to transfer him from Atlanta. At that point, he decided to quit banking and perform magic full time.

Now, magic was something Turner had been dabbling in off and on for years, at least since he was 5 years old, and he had gotten pretty good at it. He was so good, in fact, that one of his first full-time gigs was with Coca-Cola. The company was a sponsor of the first Harry Potter movie, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” and it was seeking a proposal for a big literacy promotional tour to tie in with the movie’s release.

“So, I wrote a proposal for what was, basically, a consulting project that involved theater, education, training, and magic. I got the gig,” Turner said.

“My work with Coke gave me credibility and proved that this is not just children’s birthday parties,” he continued.

In addition to belonging to professional magician organizations, he has his own Web site, turnermagic.com.

If you respect the university and give back, it will reward you.

Penzance.’ And, I loved it and continued to act in shows while I was in school.”

He explained that acting was something he had “never, ever” considered doing before, but he enjoyed it immensely, garnering awards and two summer internships in musical theater in Maine.

“I found all this at State,” Turner explained. “None of this existed in my world when I graduated from high school.”

At MSU, he also found time to continue in both marching and jazz bands, take vocal and piano lessons, learn German, and try his hand at creative writing. In addition, he was, in his words, “the only physics major in the student chapter of the Center for International Security and Strategic Studies” before changing his major once again, this time to education.

After earning a degree, a job offer in Atlanta took Turner and new wife Rosemary, who also was an MSU student, to Georgia. He was working for Bank of America in 2000 when

Being a serious magician is a long way from the card tricks Turner used to perform in his dorm. He has gotten so good that he has performed numerous times at Magic Castle in Hollywood, considered the Carnegie Hall of magicians.

And, as a member of the committee that selects the next batch of Distinguished Scholars, Turner is proud to be a part of the university that helped determine his life’s course.

“I’ve found the most important thing about education is to not compartmentalize what you learn,” Turner said. “The real mark of an educated person is to cross the lines of each discipline.”

Although his intention of becoming an astronaut wasn’t realized, Turner still is over the moon about his career, admitting, “I can’t believe what I get to do for a living.”

Alumnus Fall 2008 7

Wind ensemble travels abroad Members of the MSU Wind Ensemble spent part of their summer in Ireland, Wales and England for the band’s first trip abroad. During the nine days of the trip, MSU students toured and performed in several historic venues, including the Town Hall Center in Galway, Ireland; Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Church; and Knellar Hall at the Royal Armed Forces School of Music in London. Michael Huff, trumpet instructor and assistant professor in the department of music, served as soloist with the ensemble.

Clifton Taylor and Craig Aarhus, additional members of the band staff, served as assistant conductors.

Elva Kaye Lance, MSU alumna, director of bands and principal conductor of the wind ensemble, hopes to offer an international performance tour every four years as an additional educational experience for band members. For more information about the band program, visit www. msstate.edu/org/band.

8 Alumnus Fall 2008

Tower Br

Kylemore Ab

ridge

bbey C hapel

Royal Military School

Kneller Hall

Trafalgar Square

Buckingham Palace

Alumnus Fall 2008 9

Keenum, wife Rhonda, triplets Mary Phillips, Katie and Rett, and young Torie pose with Bully.

Back Home Again

By Maridith Walker Geuder Photos by Russ Houston

10 Alumnus Fall 2008

e is m i t l of al John e i v o te m ,” a 1952 i r o v a His f uiet Man lm.

Q ls. ne fi w y o a “The B W Egg t h g i ugh stra o 0 n e 2 y d l near on is a tende t t a o e n H , but ear-old s f l o g ays My 4-y l p e es. “ H k o j . e d h oo tate to be g natural,” S i p issip y soul.” s s i oves M core of m l e h And ity “to the rs e v i n U

Mark Keenum, born in the old Felix Long Hospital in downtown Starkville and as an infant brought home in a maroon and white blanket, became Mississippi State’s 19th president Nov. 12. Following a day of back-to-back meetings with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community leaders, Keenum stood with his wife Rhonda as the Board of Trustees, state Institutions of Higher Learning, officially named him to a position he says is a dream come true.

Surrounded also by his four children— 4-year-old triplets and a 2-year old— Keenum raised a silver-plated cowbell in celebration of the moment. “I hope you sense our passion for this university,” he said. “We want to be friends, associates, colleagues. We ask for your help.”

It’s been a cherished road back to Starkville for the 47-year-old Corinth native, who earned three degrees from Mississippi State and who, after a distinguished public service career spent mostly in Washington, D.C., says he’s finally come home. He and his family will officially assume their new roles early in January, after wrapping up his duties as Undersecretary, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture third-ranking position.

Rhonda Keenum, who earned a marketing degree from MSU and has served in a senior White House role under Top: Keenum and wife Rhonda delivered the dual President George W. Bush, will be a vital MSU commencement addresses in May 2007. part of the Keenum presidency, supporting initiatives that range from increased alumni Bottom: Keenum and College of Agriculture and Life participation in philanthropy to enhancing Sciences associate dean Lynn Reinschmiedt discuss faculty-related issues. the visibility and image of Mississippi

Mark Keenum

AT A G NCE: A

• Bachelor’s (1983), master’s (1984) and doctoral (1988) degrees from MSU in agricultural economics • MSU adjunct professor in agricultural economics, 19972006 • Staff of Sen. Thad Cochran, 1989-2006, first as legislative assistant for agriculture and natural resources, then as chief of staff • Undersecretary, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2006-present • Alumni Fellow, MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 1997 • Distinguished Service Award, Mississippi Farm Bureau, 2003

Mississippi State’s new president said his three immediate goals would be to “Listen. Listen. And listen.”

State nationally and internationally. A Booneville native, she is a founding partner of WIT, a Washington, D.C. public affairs firm specializing in strategic counsel, government relations and communication services.

Mississippi State’s new president said his three immediate goals would be to “Listen.

Listen. And listen.”

During a day of interaction with major university constituencies, Keenum laid out a vision of moving Mississippi State into the top tier of national universities, reaching a ranking as a top 50 research university, and earning both Phi Beta Kappa and Association of Research

Alumnus Fall 2008 11

HOME

Again

“I’m going to roll up my sleeves and work very hard, and work with all of you.”

-Mark Keenum

The Keenum family enjoyed a warm reception during their campus visit in November.

12 Alumnus Fall 2008

Libraries status. “We want to come here and build on successes,” he said, noting that Mississippi State leads the state in both student retention and in graduation rates.

Highlighting the achievements in many areas, he said, “I believe we can grow and expand.”

Keenum cited a desire to see the university’s enrollment increase 25 percent by 2015, including expanding MSU’s current 20 percent African-American enrollment. “I want this university to be the first choice for students, and to provide mentoring, leadership, service, and study-abroad opportunities,” he said. Acknowledging the competitive student recruitment environment, he promised that “we will be visiting with schools and alumni chapters to get out and tell our story.”

He called the faculty of Mississippi State “the bedrock of this institution,” and said that one of his primary goals would be to bring faculty salaries into line with Southern University Group averages. “I am committed to getting the resources you need to do your jobs effectively,” he told several hundred faculty members. He noted the importance of merit pay raises, endowed professorships, and scholarships “because our students deserve the best.”

While MSU is “the flagship research university in Mississippi,” Keenum said that he believes the university also has to offer an education that is broadly based in the arts and humanities. “We must provide a well-rounded education of value,” he said.

In a lively session with students, he told them that “our number one mission is to help prepare you to give back to society.” He promised students to be engaged with them and to be accessible. “I want to be back in the classroom teaching,” he said, adding “you’re going to see us very active on campus.”

“As Mississippi State goes, so goes the state,” Keenum told a packed room of community leaders and alumni, offering a commitment to work closely with city and state officials to broaden economic development opportunities.

“Our core mission, our heritage is that we will always be a land-grant university,” Keenum said. “We are unique. We are a presence in helping this state be all that it can be. I know this university will never forget where it came from.”

And like the university he so loves, Mark Keenum says he also will never forget his heritage.

“Who you see standing before you is a direct product of this university,” he said. “My vision is not unlike that of many of you. I want MSU to be all that it can be.”

And with that, he said, “I’m going to roll up my sleeves and work very hard, and work with all of you. That’s what Bulldogs are all about—we’re a family.”

A T S U J N A H T E MOR

By Kenny Billings

Alumnus Fall 2008 13

Aaron Rice, right, and brother Ryan.

and Vietnam veteran, presented the young Marine with a uniquely symbolic gift.

In a simply wrapped package, Dean presented Rice with a prototype KaBar OKC3S bayonet that would soon become standard military issue. On its side was inscribed “LCpl Aaron R. Rice, World War on Terrorism.”

“From one Marine to another, it was a very symbolic gesture,” Rice said. “It

blast mangled his left leg, requiring an amputation below the knee.

Following rehabilitation and a long stay at Walter Reed Hospital, Rice finally returned to Mississippi without his gear, including his treasured knife, to continue his recovery. Nine months after the attack, his gear still had not arrived.

Dejectedly, he began to consider the possibility it could be gone for good.

“There are good people still out there and America really is the greatest country in the world.”

Sometimes a knife is more than a knife. To most Marines, their bayonet is an invaluable tool and in extreme circumstance can be the difference between life and death as a weapon of last resort. For MSU alumnus and Purple Heart recipient Aaron Rice, the knife he carried into Iraq was destined to be a family keepsake from the moment he received it as a Christmas gift.

The story of its journey, however— being lost, then found, then stolen and returned through an act of patriotic, selfless generosity—would add as much character to the piece as the scars of war it bore on its sheath and blade.

After a year at MSU, Rice enlisted in the Jackson-based Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment in January 2004, and after completing training, awaited deployment with his unit to Iraq. For Christmas that year, his wife’s uncle Bob Dean, a retired Marine

14 Alumnus Fall 2008

was a way of saying, ‘I believe you will return, I have faith you will survive.’ He had become an important person in my life and for him to give me something that represented that bond was very special.”

Rice cherished the gift, viewing it as a future family heirloom and war souvenir to pass on to his children and grandchildren.

A few short weeks later, when Rice left with his unit for Iraq, the knife was by his side, strapped to his flak jacket for a mission that would be cut tragically short less than two months later by an insurgent’s bomb.

On March 18, the now 25-year-old Sumrall native was driving a Humvee (he was 21 at the time) during a mobile assault in Al Anbar Province when his vehicle struck a land mine. The explosion left a heap of twisted metal and mangled body parts entwined along the desert highway west. Rice survived, but the

Meanwhile, his twin brother Ryan, a 2007 MSU graduate, had followed his brother’s lead and enlisted in the Marines and was awaiting his own orders for deployment.

When his gear finally arrived, Aaron Rice saw an opportunity to attach even more familial sentiment by passing the knife on to his brother. However, a thief would interrupt his plans when the knife was stolen from Ryan’s vehicle shortly before he was to deploy.

“Ryan was supposed to deploy to Iraq in the winter of 2005,” Aaron Rice said.

“I wanted this to be a family heirloom with significance for our whole family, so I asked him to carry it with him to Iraq. I was very upset when it was taken because, especially after what I had been through, it had so much significance, and now somebody had just taken it.”

Unable to return to duty, Aaron Rice resumed his education at MSU while

his brother’s orders changed and sent him to Djibouti, Africa, instead of the Middle East.

Applying a Marine-like work ethic, Rice excelled at his studies, receiving the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Leadership Award and becoming Student Association attorney general. In March 2007, he was one of 65 college students nationwide to receive the distinguished Truman Scholarship, and in May 2008, graduated magna cum laude.

Rice is now a first-year law student at the University of Mississippi, planning a career in public service, and his twin has returned from Africa and is awaiting deployment for his first tour in Iraq.

When his boots hit the ground, the treasured knife his brother carried into combat will likely be strapped to his side after all.

Shortly after classes began for the fall 2008 semester, Rice received an unexpected e-mail from a Florida man.

After three years, his knife had been found.

Lakeland, Fla., knife enthusiast Jim Spurlock was in Pensacola on business and visited a local gun and knife show during some of his down time.

“I collect knives as a hobby and I am always on the lookout for special knives with character,” the 61-year-old Auburn alumnus said. “As soon as I saw it, it jumped out as being different and I knew it was special. It had obviously seen use because of the scratches and scars. I knew it had a story.”

Seeing the name on the blade, he surmised it very well could have belonged to a fallen war hero. A hundred dollars seemed a small price to pay for a piece with such a history attached, so he paid the price and left determined to learn the full story of Lance Cpl. Aaron Rice.

As he studied his acquisition, a second possibility of how the unique knife wound up at the Pensacola knife show continued to creep into his mind.

It was just as likely the knife had been stolen from a soldier who had served in Iraq.

Googling the young Marine’s name, Spurlock soon learned of Rice’s Iraqi service and the injury that cut it short.

He knew what he had to do.

Contacting a university official, he was put in contact with Rice, and through e-mail correspondence with him, learned the knife had indeed been stolen.

“He called me and we talked for quite a while,” Spurlock said. “He was very enthusiastic that I had found the knife, but throughout the entire conversation, he never asked for it back.

I knew as soon as I bought the knife what I intended to do if I ever found the person it belonged to. This was a special opportunity to do the right thing, especially in appreciation for someone like Aaron.”

In an e-mail, Spurlock told Rice of his intention to return the knife, with a lone caveat.

“As much as I cherish this knife, I know it means more to you and your

family than to me,” he said in his letter.

“I wish to return the knife to you so you can give it to your brother in service to this country in Iraq.

“The only thing I ask is that when you are a successful lawyer, and your brother returns safely from Iraq, please send me a replacement military knife of your choosing—a knife that has the kind of character, uniqueness, real use, wear, and dings that you and your brother have from serving our country,” Rice said Spurlock’s selflessness and generosity is humbling and confirms what he has always known to be true about the American spirit.

“There are good people still out there and America really is the greatest country in the world,” Rice said.

As for Spurlock’s request for a replacement? Rice said that is already taken care of. When Ryan Rice leaves for Iraq, the brothers’ close friend Sgt. Jeff Schuller, a Silver Star recipient who was with Aaron Rice during his tour in Iraq, also will be heading out on his second tour, and strapped to his side will be a brand new KaBar OKC3S. Upon his safe return from duty, the pair will present it to Spurlock and it, too, will be more than just a knife.

Alumnus Fall 2008 15

Design studio staff members haul concrete to a construction site.

16 Alumnus Fall 2008

Nearly three-and-a-half years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans, the scars of the category three hurricane are still etched deep in the landscape along Highway 90, where multimilliondollar homes have been replaced by FEMA trailers and makeshift dwellings.

Story and photos

by Kenny Billings

helps Gulf Coast rebuild Mere blocks from the major east-west highway, where Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers and makeshift dwellings have replaced multimillion-dollar homes, Division Street traverses the heart of the city of Biloxi. Separated from the hotels and casinos, once bustling neighborhoods now boast mostly vacant lots with empty slabs where homes were washed away, the only evidence of their prior lives. Quietly and with little fanfare, the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio, working in cooperation with the East Biloxi Coordination, Relief and Redevelopment Agency—a community-led effort usually referred to as the Hope Coordination Center— has helped renovate or rebuild more than 100 homes for residents, most of whom lost everything in the hurricane and ensuing flood.

Recovery has been slow for most from this area,

as many are elderly or of modest means, but the community outreach branch of Mississippi State’s School of Architecture has been on the ground since shortly after the storm, helping residents recover from its aftermath.

GCCDS director and architecture associate professor David Perkes operated a similar design center in Jackson when the storm hit.

“When Hurricane Katrina came ashore, it only made sense to me that the community design program should relocate to the coast,” Perkes said. “We basically closed shop in Jackson and came down with a small staff and got things running.”

Perkes and his handful of staff hit the ground running and haven’t looked back. Funded largely by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant, the GCCDS now has a staff of 10, and students

Alumnus Fall 2008 17

DESIGN

Studio

Architecture major Emily Parsons helps to rebuild.

from MSU and other partner universities spend a semester earning course credit while gaining hands-on experience in design and construction. In January 2008, a small branch studio was opened in Bay St. Louis to better serve residents on the eastern end of the Mississippi Coast.

The GCCDS operates under the larger umbrella of the Hope Coordination Center, located on Division Street, which provides residents a one-stop resource for recovery. Those seeking to rebuild or renovate damaged homes meet with center representatives to begin the process and arrange financing. Once the financial issue is settled, they are shifted to the design studio, which handles drawing the plans for the home before it goes to the construction phase.

Perkes said the close cooperation among independent entities working toward a common goal has made all of their efforts a success. The majority of the actual construction is being done by both short-term and long-term volunteer organizations.

That the GCCDS is housed in the Hope center—in the middle of neighborhoods virtually wiped out by the storm—is a huge benefit.

“We wanted to be right in the middle of things, where the work is. Being

“The personal aspect—knowing homeowners by name— makes our contributions here so much more meaningful.” there allows us to be a familiar part of the community and lets residents get to know us and not see us as outsiders, but part of community,” Perkes said.

And, it is a formula students say works both ways. As part of the semester-long tour of duty, students spend nearly as much of their time in the field driving nails and running saws as they do behind a computer screen.

“The personal aspect—knowing homeowners by name—makes our contributions here so much more meaningful,” said junior architecture major Emily Parsons of Starkville. “When we are working on this, it isn’t project number such and such. It’s Patty’s house. The big thing for me is to be able to do something for someone else. This is about the people I am going to be able to help and lives I am going to be able to change. It is very important to me being able to give someone a home—not just a building or a roof over their head, but a home.”

Perkes said that although the initial HUD funding for the design studio is nearing an end, its mission is far from over, and, in fact, is picking up speed as new projects are added daily. He said new funding sources are being explored and will soon be in place to ensure the future of the GCCDS. The satellite design studio in Bay St. Louis, Perkes said, has been steadily gaining momentum on that part of the coast, as well.

For more information about the GCCDS, visit www.gccds.org.

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MSU announces new general science postprofessional degree option for medical professionals Medical and dental professionals who began their educational career at Mississippi State, but left the university to attend professional schools before receiving a bachelor’s degree may now be eligible to receive an MSU diploma recognizing their baccalaureate work at the landgrant institution.

Medical/health professionals who matriculated to a professional school from MSU prior to earning an undergraduate degree could earn a bachelor’s degree in general science, a program option recently approved by the university’s Office of the Provost.

“We have occasionally had individuals who have received medical or dental professional degrees, but who left MSU before completing the requirements for an undergraduate degree,” said Elaine Reed, academic coordinator for the College of Arts and Sciences which administers the general science degree. “Many of these individuals continue to have strong ties to their first university and have expressed interest in obtaining an official undergraduate degree. This flexible and wellrecognized degree program enables us to recognize the undergraduate efforts of these individuals.”

The general science degree is a rigorous course of study with a well-established science curriculum. Many of the required courses for the degree are also those needed to meet entrance requirements for medical and dental professional schools, thus, the curriculum contains many of the courses previously taken by practicing medical and dental professionals, Reed said.

Medical/health professionals interested in applying for a general science degree must meet the following criteria:

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Have completed at least 90 hours of coursework prior to leaving MSU, of which at least 31 hours must be from upper-division courses.

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Meet university/college core.

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Meet general science major core.

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Send professional transcript(s) to MSU for verification of hours used to complete the degree. The transcripts will be reviewed to determine which professional school courses, if any, may be used for substitutions.

All candidates will be evaluated by the academic coordinator in the College of Arts and Sciences, in consultation with the associate dean of academics and the general science adviser. All waivers and substitutions must be approved by the university provost.

“Not everyone will qualify for this degree,” Reed added. “But we encourage those who are interested in adding a Mississippi State diploma to their prestigious professional degrees to explore this new opportunity.”

For more information or to find out if you are eligible for this degree option, contact Reed at 662-325-2646 or ereed@deanas.msstate.edu.

Sanderson Center birthday On June 1, 1998, Mississippi State entered a new era in recreational sports when the doors of the Joe Frank Sanderson Center opened. To celebrate 10 years of the Sanderson Center, the department of recreational sports hosted two celebrations-one actual and one virtual.

Celebrants could “attend” the Sanderson virtual birthday party at www. recsports.msstate.edu. The virtual party provided an overview of the history of the department, fun facts and a photo album of the center. Visitors were encouraged to sign the guest book and write greetings, comments or memories in the birthday card.

The actual birthday party was held Sept. 5, where partygoers enjoyed cake and ice cream at the center.

Named an “Outstanding Indoor Recreation Facility” by the National Intramural/Recreational Sports Association in 2000 and the “Best Fitness Center” in the state by Mississippi Magazine in 2007, the Sanderson Center offers students, faculty, staff, alumni, and others opportunities to exercise, play sports, learn skills, and socialize. Since its opening, more than five million people have used the 150,000-square-foot facility.

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Student team wins national aircraft competition A Mississippi State team is the victor over students from 13 other universities for a top prize of more than $10,000 in competition to navigate an unmanned radiocontrollable aircraft system in a simulated combat zone.

MSU’s 17-member unmanned aircraft systems group—working under the title “Team Xipiter”—recently took the 2008 Best Flight Award of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.

The organization’s sixth annual student competition took place at Webster Field in St. Inigoes, Md. The challenge involved the identification of 10 targets on a mission similar to what might be encountered by a military strike team seeking strategic targets for attack.

Team adviser Calvin R. Walker said the MSU group also finished with the highest score ever logged in the event’s six-year history.

“This team truly is an integrated product team for unmanned aircraft systems,” the senior flight engineer at MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory added.

Electrical and Computer Engineering professor, Randolph Follett, is co-adviser for Team Xipiter.

“This team truly is an integrated product team for unmanned aircraft systems.”

–Calvin R. Walker

Team Xipiter

School psychology program again earns full accreditation A doctoral program in school psychology again holds full accreditation with the American Psychological Association. First accredited in 1997, the terminal-degree curriculum is being renewed through 2014. It also is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists through 2011.

“This is a recognition of the highest level of professional practice by our school psychology faculty members,” said Glen Hendren, interim head of the counseling and educational psychology department.

“It’s also an outstanding recognition of the leadership provided by our late department head Tom Hosie,” he added.

Hosie, who had led the department since 1996, died suddenly earlier this year. He was a distinguished professional service honoree of the American Counseling Association.

The American Psychological Association is the world's largest professional association for psychologists. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., the organization has nearly 150,000 members.

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Effort seeks to shrink costly fertilizer need Two biology faculty members are receiving more than $460,000 from the National Science Foundation to support new agriculture-related research that could help reduce the nation’s burgeoning energy costs.

Professors Lakshmi Pulakat and Nara Gavini of the biological sciences department are working with a three-year grant to develop innovative approaches that help crop plants utilize atmospheric nitrogen instead of depending on ammonia-based nitrogen fertilizers for their growth.

Pulakat said their long-term goal is reducing the agricultural community’s dependence on the ammoniabased product.

“Only lower organisms and bacteria can convert atmospheric nitrogen, but if we can find a way for plants to utilize atmospheric nitrogen, we can go a long way to addressing the problems associated with producing and using chemical fertilizers,” she explained.

In addition to being expensive, ammonia-based nitrogen fertilizer presents pollution concerns when groundwater carries the chemicals into rivers and streams, Pulakat added.

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Social work program maintains ‘good standing’ rank Mississippi State’s social work academic program is being reaccredited through 2016.

The Alexandria, Va.-based Council on Social Work Education recently notified the university of the program’s eight-year renewal in good standing.

Founded in 1952, CSWE is recognized by the Council for Higher Education as the sole U.S. accrediting agency for social work education. Membership includes more than 3,000 professionals, as well as collegiate programs at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

In 1975, Mississippi State became among the first institutions to receive CSWE’s stamp of approval.

biofuels

Mississippi State student workers and plant and soil sciences graduate students plant miscanthus seedlings at the South Farm research field during the spring. The seedlings belong to 40 different miscanthus cultivars sought for their bioethanol potential. Plant and soil sciences associate professor Brian Baldwin, far left in maroon shirt, said gasoline prices have passed the threshold that makes the cost of producing bioethanol an economically viable fuel source.

MSU expands role with National Security Agency Mississippi State is among some two dozen universities being designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Research.

The National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security recently announced the schools’ inclusion through 2013, citing a continuing need for academic institutions to help prevent and respond to national catastrophic events.

Ray Vaughn, a Giles Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Engineering who directs MSU’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Center, said MSU has established a reputation in the field due, in part, to having one of the largest computer security programs in the nation, coordinating a cyber-corps program and training law enforcement officials in computer forensics techniques.

In 2001, MSU was among an initial list of higher education institutions selected for NSA’s Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.

22 Alumnus Fall 2008

All-student engineering team among world leaders A Mississippi State team is the sole U.S. entry ranked among the top five in a recent worldwide computing competition attracting more than 2,000 submissions.

MSU also is the only one among the five with an all-student team in the 2008 Data Fusion Contest, a part of the International Geosciences and Remote Sensing Symposium held this year in Boston, Mass.

Final scores were so close and number of entries so large that a 1-5 ranking was not issued. The four other top teams came from France, Italy and Spain.

Representing MSU—and the United States—in the final recognition were Jacob A. Bowen of Belden; Jeffrey S. “Jeff” Brantley and Terrance R. West, both of Meridian; Matthew A. Lee of Millbrook, Ala., and Saurabh Prasad of Starkville.

In addition to the team achievement, Prasad received the first-place award for student research papers. His entry in this category was selected over those of peers at Colorado State and Ohio State universities, University of MarylandBaltimore County, and institutions in China, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

A Mississippi State team is the sole U.S. entry ranked among the top five in a recent worldwide computing competition attracting more than 2,000 submissions.

Computer science student uncovers major software flaw MSU, local business launch partnership A Mississippi State graduate student working with the university’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Center could be nicknamed “Johnny On The Spot.”

Robert W. “Wes” McGrew of Collinsville recently discovered what is being called “a significant software vulnerability” that could allow hackers the ability to gain entry to computer control systems of numerous industries and potentially threaten national security.

Center director Ray Vaughn said the computer science doctoral student found serious flaws in software commonly used in worldwide nuclear power and oil and gas industries.

The National Security Agency was notified immediately of McGrew’s discovery. Shortly thereafter, the Department of Homeland Security broadcast an alert that included information on how to rectify the problem.

Mississippi State and a Starkville high-technology business are forming a partnership to develop small, lowcost satellites for the U.S. market.

University officials recently joined with InfiniSat, a company spun off from MSU research, to work with the federal research agencies in developing less expensive, but highly effective technologies that can be deployed quickly.

David Shaw said the goal is construction of “a full spaceflight mission operations and training center for Mississippi with capabilities to track and communicate with satellites passing overhead.”

Information from these satellites will be used for everything from weather prediction and earth imaging to disaster monitoring and communication, said Shaw, director of the Northern Gulf Institute, an MSU-based cooperative program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

University leaders said the new partnership continues an institutional commitment to bring world-class capabilities to the Magnolia State.

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Community physicians can improve economy A recent study by a Mississippi State economist concludes that one new doctor practicing in a Mississippi county can have an economic impact ranging from $120,000-$2 million.

In a policy report for the Mississippi Center for Health Workforce, university associate professor Benjamin F. Blair analyzed the economic impact new physicians can have on a county’s financial standing. According to the finance and economics department faculty member, the addition of new practicing physicians has measurable impacts on both local healthdelivery services and job creation.

“The increased economic activity associated with a physician's practice supported an average of 31 jobs in the county economies,” said Blair, also a research fellow at Mississippi State's Social Science Research Center and a university faculty member since 1997.

Blair’s investigation involved 77 of Mississippi's 82 counties. Insufficient data was available for Carroll, Issaquena, Jasper, Jefferson, and Noxubee counties.

“The increased economic activity associated with a physician’s practice supported an average of 31 jobs in the county economies.”–Benjamin F. Blair 24 Alumnus Fall 2008

Forestry, forest products programs reaccredited The Society of American Foresters reaccredited Mississippi State’s academic program in forestry through 2017. The university major includes five bachelor-degree options: environmental conservation, forest management, forest products, urban forestry, and wildlife management.

SAF is recognized by the Council on Post-secondary Accreditation and U.S. Department of Education as the sole accrediting body for forestry education.

In addition to the SAF, the major’s forest products option is receiving reaccreditation from the Society of Wood Science and Technology. It is the only one in the nation holding this dual recognition.

CRICKET CLUB In a Southeastern university tournament held on campus this summer, the MSU Cricket Club was both host and overall winner.

In mid-July, Captain Karthikeshwar Vangala and other team members presented the trophy to Nick Tasich, assistant director of recreational sports. The other teams represented Auburn, Jackson State, Tennessee Tech, and Vanderbilt universities, along with the universities of Alabama-Huntsville, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Rajala takes helm at engineering college The former head of Mississippi State’s electrical and computer engineering department is dean of the Bagley College of Engineering.

Sarah A. Rajala’s appointment was approved formally by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning during its May meeting.

Rajala was named department head in 2006 after having served for more than two decades as a professor and administrator at North Carolina State University. At NCSU, she was associate dean for research and graduate programs, among other duties.

Rajala replaces Kirk Schulz, who now is MSU’s vice president of research and economic development.

Parents connect with Office of Parent Services The Office of Parent Services serves as MSU parents’ liaison to the university, a one-stop shop that will connect parents with the appropriate department and contact to address any questions or concerns about their student.

One way parent services connects with parents is the MSU Parents’ Club. The club serves as a support group for MSU parents and also allows them to become a part of life on campus. Members of the Parents’ Club receive special offers and opportunities as part of the membership. All proceeds from membership dues are used to help pay for parent–student programs on campus.

Another way for parents to understand their students is through the Parent Handbook. At Orientation, parents of new MSU students are provided a copy of the handbook. In addition, a copy may be viewed online at www.parents.msstate.edu/resources/ pdf/2008parenthandbook.pdf. For a paper copy, telephone the Office of Parent Services at 662-325-3611, e-mail lcox@saffairs. msstate.edu or write Office of Parent Services, P.O. Box DS, Mississippi State, MS 39762.

And, lastly, every other week, a copy of the Parent E-Newsletter is distributed to MSU parents. Each edition includes information on current campus events and tips for parenting college students.

To receive the MSU Parent E-Newsletter, send an e-mail to lcox@ saffairs.msstate.edu.

sa OFFICERS Leading MSU's Student Association for the 2008-09 academic year are (from left) Treasurer William C. "Will" Moon of Columbia, Tenn.; Vice President Braxton D. Stowe of Fayette, Ala.; President Braxton T. Coombs of New Albany; Secretary Whitney E. Holliday of Gulfport; and Attorney General Blake Jeter of Brandon.

They were chosen in campus-wide elections during the spring semester.

Read about the People’s University people “Our People” is a new feature on the MSU Web site, www. msstate.edu, that highlights people at The People’s University.

Check out the latest person of interest by clicking on the Our People link on the home page, or read about past faculty, staff and students in the archive. The site is updated weekly.

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State your pride

Terry L. Amburgey is a new Fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science. A professor in the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Amburgey is being honored by the professional organization for outstanding contributions to the field.

A retired member of the Mississippi State architecture faculty is a recent national honoree of the Society of Architectural Historians. Michael W. Fazio, a professor emeritus at the university, received the society’s 2008 Alice Davis Hitchcock Book Award for co-authoring a comprehensive study of Benjamin Henry Latrobe (17641820), the country’s first professional architect and engineer.

Mississippi State’s undergraduate landscape architecture program is once again among the top 15 in the nation as ranked by a national publication in its annual survey of architecture and design schools. A bi-monthly publication that promotes quality design education, DesignIntelligence ranked MSU 14th nationally among 54 schools in its ninth edition of “America’s Best Architecture and Design Schools.”

A team leader at the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems is this year’s selection for the university’s Ralph E. Powe Excellence Award. Mark F. Horstemeyer, leader of CAVS’ computational manufacturing and design group and a mechanical engineering professor, was recognized for the significant impact of his research on the economic welfare of the nation, state and university.

First earning the distinction in 2005, Mississippi State’s police department again is receiving a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Headed by Police Chief Georgia B. Lindley, the 31-officer department, a part of MSU’s Division of Student Affairs, remains the only university police department in Mississippi with the national accreditation. Only two other law enforcement agencies in the state have CALEA accreditation.

26 Alumnus Fall 2008

Domenico “Mimmo” Parisi, a professor of sociology and director of the National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center, received a Rural Sociological Society award recognizing the positive impact of his sociological research. The RSS is a North American-based organization working to apply research-based knowledge to enhance the quality of rural life, communities and environment.

A top administrator in Mississippi State’s Bagley College of Engineering is among 11 being honored nationally by the Women in Engineering Programs and Advocates Network. Associate dean Donna Reese recently received a WEPAN Presidential Award for her work as a committee chairman with the Denver, Colo.based organization. The honor recognizes individuals or groups whose contributions have helped improve engineering education and the success rate of young women aspiring to enter the engineering profession.

Mississippi State’s vice president for research and economic development was named a Fellow Member of the American Society for Engineering Education. Kirk Schulz came to the university in 2001 as director of the Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering. Four years later, he was named dean of the Bagley College of Engineering and was appointed to his current position in 2007.

Laura Walton, assistant professor of communication, is being recognized as the 2008 Educator of the Year by the Southern Public Relations Federation. The award was made at the organization’s recent annual conference.

Walton, who serves as adviser for MSU’s Public Relations Student Society of America, is the first recipient of the award, which will be given annually to recognize outstanding professional educators in public relations.

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Traveling Bulldogs visit ‘City of Love’ Twenty Mississippi State alumni and friends traveled recently to Paris, France, for a seven-day tour of the “City of Love,” one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, as well as surrounding sites.

While there, the travelers toured the city with stops at the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, Montmartre and the SacréCoeur basilica. Other optional tours outside of Paris included the Châteaux country, Palace of Versailles, Giverny and Monet’s house, Normandy, the Champagne Country, and the Louvre Museum. Many also visited the French cities of Tours, Hautvillers, Dom Perignon and Reims. In addition, several of the group members chose to take a boat cruise on the Seine River at dusk and tour the Eiffel Tower.

Janet Downey, associate coordinator of chapter programs for the Alumni Association, who served as hostess for the trip, said it could not have gone better.

“Our group of Bulldogs made my hostess duties so easy,” Downey said. “I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each person and sharing this experience with ‘family’ members.

There we were, our little MSU group, taking a photo in front of the Palace of Versailles!

“This was my first trip abroad and it could not have been any better, especially sharing the experience with my mom.

Paris really wasn’t a destination on my ‘bucket list,’ but the travel company was extremely organized and the daily tours and guides were phenomenal. I actually signed up for every tour and was glad I did. This truly was the way to travel.

Language was not even a barrier.”

Sonja Murphy, a 1995 alumnus from Cumming, Ga., also took part in the Paris trip.

“I’ve actually always wanted to go to Paris,” Murphy said.

“The itinerary was great and every detail was taken care of, but I also had the flexibility to do as I wanted.”

According to Murphy, representing her university and spreading the maroon and white across the world is another great perk of the travel opportunities.

“It was a thrill and an honor to represent my university, even if it was for a vacation,” Murphy said. “Since other schools throughout the U.S. participate in the same trip, it gives you a chance to meet new people outside the school. It was also a great thrill to see the Mississippi State banner in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral.”

Each year, the Alumni Association strives to provide alumni and friends with a wide variety of exotic domestic and international travel destinations. All Traveling Bulldogs endorsed trips include informative education programs, the

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services of a professional tour director and expert local guides.

The program has grown considerably since 2007, with a 246 percent increase in travelers and a 33 percent increase in the number of trips offered, according to Libba Andrews, associate director of the association.

“We’re seeing more and more alumni and friends turn to the Traveling Bulldogs trips for their vacations and we’re also seeing an increase in repeat travelers,” Andrews said.

“The program offers no-hassle trips that are safe, and they are directed by experienced tour operators. I encourage all alumni and friends to take a few minutes to explore the upcoming trips and consider becoming a ‘Traveling Bulldog.’”

lude: c n i 9 0 0 2 sed for r o d n e s p i r -26, 2009 Upcoming t LIFE IN TAHITI AND FRENCH POLYNESIA: Jan. 18 • • • • • • • • • •

ISLAND 09 pril 28-May 11, 20 A : IA N A M RO D UKRAINE AN , 2009 ONA: June 3-11 TUSCANY~CORT ne 6-16, 2009 UGH EUROPE: Ju RO TH EY N UR JO 2, 2009 THE GREAT COAST: July 14-2 N TIA A LM A D E NG TH . 3, 2009 VILLAGE LIFE ALO LDS: July 26-Aug O W TS O C ’S D N ENGLA VILLAGE LIFE IN 09 ug. 22-Sept. 2, 20 CELTIC LANDS: A . 2, 2009 NE: Sept. 24-Oct G O RD O D IN FE VILLAGE LI -Oct. 5, 2009 REECE: Sept. 27 G T N IE C N A IN ISLAND LIFE . 4, 2009 DE: Oct. 26-Nov PA A C ES N A IC SOUTH AFR

whom you elers with av tr w o ll eb site often udes fe ce that incl ciation’s W n so ie as er e p th ex it rews at 662 n! Vis up travel Libba And i Associatio ct want a gro n ta d m n an lu co e A , n m U ti MS rmatio a life ad with the acation of r more info travel abro g for the v ities. Or fo in en n k u th o rt , lo o n p o e p m ar o ogs If you g in com eling Bulld e somethin citing Trav ex t u actually hav o ab n du. formatio i.msstate.e for more in ws@alumn re d n la r o 325-3479

Alumnus Fall 2008 29

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Send-off Parties welcome newest Bulldog class More than 550 incoming and prospective students and nearly 2,000 parents and alumni were on hand to “send off” Mississippi State’s newest Bulldogs as they began their academic journey at the state’s largest institution.

This year, 32 local alumni chapters, in conjunction with the Alumni Association and the Office of Admissions and Scholarships, hosted these exciting events designed to bring together alumni and friends with current, incoming and prospective students and their parents. Local parties were held across the Southeast and spanned as far west as Houston, Texas, and as far east as St. John’s, Fla. This year’s events marked a record in both number of parties held and total attendance since the tradition’s introduction in 2006.

30 Alumnus Fall 2008

Send-off Parties enable incoming freshmen and transfer students to get a feel for university life, while allowing alumni and friends the opportunity to offer advice and best-wishes as incoming students embark on their individual educational journeys. The events are also a great opportunity for prospective students and their parents to learn more about what Mississippi State has to offer.

At each Send-off Party, students received a Send-off Party T-shirt, which for some, was their first piece of MSU paraphernalia. Some local chapters also gave students their first cowbells.

“We found that the students and parents were very appreciative of the efforts that the local chapters made to bring MSU to their hometowns,” said Michael Richardson, chapter programs coordinator for the Alumni Association.

“What makes us feel good about it all is that there were students in other areas wondering why they didn’t have a Send-off Party in their hometown, and that gives us hope that this event will continue to grow and expand to other areas in the future.”

The following Mississippi chapters hosted a 2008 Send-off Party: Alcorn County, Attala County, Bolivar County, Central Mississippi, Clay County, George-Greene Counties, Harrison-Stone Counties, Jackson County, Lauderdale County, Lee County, Leflore-Carroll Counties, Lincoln County, Oktibbeha County, Panola County, Scott County, Tippah County, Union County, Warren County, Washington County, and Yazoo County.

In addition, the following out-of-state chapters hosted a local event: Birmingham, Huntsville/ Decatur, Montgomery and Northwest Alabama; Memphis, Nashville, and West Tennessee; Northeast Florida; Atlanta, Ga.; New Orleans, La.; and Houston and East Texas.

Plans are already under way for the 2009 Send-off Parties to be held next summer. For more information about hosting or attending a Send-off Party in your area, please contact Michael Richardson at 662325-3659 or mrichardson@ alumni.msstate.edu.

08

SEND-OFF Parties

, Ala. E ILL V S T hUN

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“We found that the students and parents were very appreciative of the efforts that the local chapters made to bring MSU to their hometowns.�

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Plans are already under way for the 2009 Send-off Parties to be held next summer. For more information about hosting or attending a Sendoff Party in your area, please contact Michael Richardson at 662-325-3659 or mrichardson@alumni.msstate.edu.

Alumnus Fall 2008 31

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Alumni Association welcomes new admissions counselor Since June 2007, the MSU Alumni Association and the Office of Admissions and Scholarships have worked closely together to strategically recruit the children and relatives of MSU alumni and to aid alumni chapter representatives in the successful recruitment of prospective students in their respective areas. Since this time, the Alumni Recruiting Network has been launched and has now grown to include more than 100 alumni volunteers throughout the country who routinely contact prospective students in their areas on behalf of the university.

MSU alumna Meredith Clifton was recently tapped to lead these alumni recruiting efforts as the new alumni recruitment admissions counselor.

“We’re very excited about Meredith joining the staff,” said Dan Coleman, associate director of admissions and scholarships. “I have no doubt that she will continue to build on the success of the alumni recruiting network. I’m looking forward to all the great ideas Meredith brings to our team this upcoming year.”

Clifton will be responsible for working closely with alumni chapter representatives in the recruitment of prospective students, including the coordination of in-home receptions for prospective students and other outreach programs.

“We are excited to have Meredith serve as this important link between admissions and alumni,” said Dr. Jimmy W. Abraham, associate vice president for development and alumni and executive director of the Alumni Association. “Meredith is an outstanding individual who is very passionate about Mississippi State, and our alumni and friends will enjoy working with her as we encourage more prospective students to join our Bulldog family.”

A Florence native, Clifton earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from MSU in 2008.

While a student at Mississippi State, she was actively involved in her academic department, where she served as secretary of the university’s chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association and was a member of the academic economic quiz bowl team. She was also involved in MSU’s Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association.

Clifton officially assumed her job responsibilities July 21 and may be reached at 662-325-1566 or mclifton@saffairs.msstate.edu.

50th anniversary of Old Main burning, January 22, 2009 Mark your calendar now! On Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, the MSU Alumni Association will observe the 50th anniversary of the infamous January night when Old Main burned into the early hours of the morning.

Once thought to be the country’s largest residence hall, housing more than 3,000 students, the legacy of Old Main is an integral part of the university’s history. Former Old Main residents and students from that time period are invited to share “memories that refuse to die” as the legendary dormitory is commemorated through displays, videos and stories. Visit www.alumni.msstate.edu later this year for more information as details become available.

32 Alumnus Fall 2008

aOtlde!Main Burning aAvnentivherseaD S ry of 50th Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009

Dawgs gather in the Big Apple On June 7, Bulldog fans gathered in New York City’s Central Park to celebrate Mississippians in the Big Apple. The 29th annual Mississippi in the Park picnic united current residents of the state of Mississippi with those now living in the Northeast. Representatives from around Mississippi State’s campus were on hand to visit with MSU alumni and friends at the event. Attendees enjoyed free food and received T-shirts and giveaways provided by the MSU Alumni Association and Foundation, along with other campus units.

• 29th annual • Mississippi in the P

ark

Miss MSU Corie Stanford with Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour

Representatives from throughout campus were on hand to help bring MSU to Central Park.

Pictured from left: Mike McGrevey, vice president of finance and administration; former Interim MSU President Vance Watson and JoAnne Watson; Janet Downey, associate coordinator of chapter programs for the Alumni Association; Tamra Swann, academic outreach and continuing education; Miss MSU Corie Stanford; John Rush, vice president for development and alumni; and Emily Shaw, academic outreach and continuing education.

< Alumnus Fall 2008 33

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MSU announces waterfowl and wetlands chair Waterfowl- and wetlands-related teaching, research and service will continue at Mississippi State indefinitely thanks to a significant gift from Cox Enterprises Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Kennedy.

Kennedy, a native of Hawaii, recently established the James C. Kennedy Endowed Chair in Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation in the College of Forest Resources at MSU. The first endowed chair in the college, the Kennedy Chair will continue leadership in the waterfowl and wetlands arena.

“This gift demonstrates Mr. Kennedy’s dedication to conservation and his support of waterfowl and wetland resources,” said George Hopper, dean of the College of Forest Resources.

Kennedy, a longtime conservationist and philanthropist, recently launched a new initiative, Cox Conserves. The program seeks to reduce the annual carbon footprint or greenhouse gas emissions of Cox Enterprises by 20 percent in the next 10 years.

Since 2000, the company has eliminated the production of 118,000 tons of greenhouse gases.

“The reason I decided that Cox should be more involved in conservation is our long history of being a great corporate citizen and the idea that if everyone does a little, we can make a difference,” Kennedy said. “Given the challenges facing future generations, I believe that man’s impact on the environment is incredibly important and we have to do something.”

Kennedy’s fondness for waterfowl is demonstrated widely, but locally in Mississippi in his conservation-easement property, York Woods, near Charleston. When Kennedy is not residing in Atlanta and running Cox Enterprises—one of the nation’s leading media companies and providers of automotive services—he enjoys time at York Woods.

“I find great pleasure in restoring land and improving habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife,” Kennedy said.

“York Woods is a retreat for me and a place where I enjoy hunting and relaxing outdoors.”

Kennedy’s passion for conservation also can be found in his consistent support for increasing waterfowl and wetlands habitat, serving on the executive board of Ducks Unlimited Inc. and as former president of Wetlands America Trust. In 2003, he and wife Sarah were recognized as the Philanthropists of the Year by the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals, in recognition of their many generous contributions to the community.

“My grandfather, James M. Cox, former Ohio governor and U.S. presidential candidate, instilled in me the need to serve your community,” Kennedy said.

“The endowed chair at MSU is one way that I can give back and ensure that future generations will have waterfowl and wetlands, and people to study and steward these valuable natural resources,” Kennedy added.

An endowed chair is a prestigious faculty position filled by an outstanding scholar and teacher, as judged by rigorous, nationally accepted standards. The minimum giving level for an endowed chair at MSU is $1.5 million.

“To my knowledge, only one similar endowed university waterfowl program currently exists nationwide,” Hopper said.

“The Kennedy Chair is the first endowed waterfowl and wetlands university chair in the 14 states of the Mississippi Flyway along the Mississippi River and its tributaries.”

Mississippi is an important state for waterfowl, and MSU has a nationally respected program in wildlife science and management; hence, it is fitting for the college to house the chair, Hopper added.

Throughout the United States and Canada, university programs focused on waterfowl and wetlands are declining in number, according to Bruce Leopold, head of the department of wildlife and fisheries.

“The decline in university waterfowl programs was one of Mr. Kennedy’s major reasons for establishing the chair. The chair and associated program will ensure in perpetuity that the university will continue to provide needed research to improve waterfowl habitat and populations,” Hopper said.

WATERFOWL and Wetlands Conservation 34 Alumnus Fall 2008

Enjoy the beauty and spirit of the MSU campus each month with the 2009 hanging wall calendar. The beautiful pictures of familiar places and campus scenes will bring back memories of times shared with MSU colleagues, friends and family. The official MSU calendar has become a Bulldog tradition. With pictures taken by MSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very own award-winning photographers, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s truly a special piece.

To get your calendar today or to order one as a gift for an MSU friend or family member, contact the MSU Foundation at 1-877-MSSTATE or order online at www.msufoundation.com.

MSU2008 is an AA/EEO Alumnus Fall 35university.

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State of the Future nears finish; looks to fulfill other goals The State of the Future capital campaign will draw to a close at the end of December, but much is left to be done at Mississippi State as the university’s fundraising staff works to fulfill unrealized goals.

“We continue to seek the support of our alumni and friends in fulfilling many of the still unmet needs at our university,” said John Rush, vice president for development and alumni. “With campaign counting nearing the $450 million mark, the MSU development team has the opportunity to zero in on specific goals for academic units and the university in general.”

With many of State of the Future’s unit goals within reach, fundraising staff are now focusing their efforts on private gifts for specific scholarships, endowed positions in crucial areas, necessary facilities and upgrades as well as campus enhancements.

Gifts for Scholarships One of the key goals of the State of the Future campaign remains scholarships. While many areas have received generous support for annual and endowed scholarships, gifts for scholarships are still needed for all areas, especially those designated for general university.

Because of the rising costs of college tuition, many students cannot afford higher education without financial assistance. The Medallion Scholarship Program, launched in the 2008-09 academic year, helps combat this growing problem. The need-based financial awards are helping qualified Mississippi students attend MSU and pursue their dreams of higher education.

“Donors who support the Medallion Scholarship Program give students an opportunity to obtain their degrees without bearing a burden of debt,” said Bo Hemphill, executive director of development for the MSU Foundation.

“In turn, the students will go out into the workforce and make a positive difference in the economy of their state.”

Scholarships for students attending 36 Alumnus Fall 2008

the MSU-Meridian campus are also a priority for the campaign. Mississippi State continues to seek $5 million earmarked for scholarships to assist traditional and non-traditional students as they pursue and continue their education at MSU-Meridian. The campus serves primarily East Central Mississippi and West Alabama.

Gifts for endowed positions During the State of the Future campaign, the university has been able to secure commitments to establish endowed positions in six of its eight colleges. These endowed chairs and professorships will provide outstanding students with the opportunity to learn and research with high-caliber teachers and mentors.

Additional endowed positions will allow Mississippi State to lure top educators to the academic community, who in turn attract significant research support, outstanding graduate students and other distinguished faculty. It takes high-caliber faculty in every area of the university to challenge the best and brightest students to excel in all learning environments.

“Gifts for endowed positions provide our colleges with a competitive edge when compared with peer academic programs throughout the Southeast,” Rush said. “Endowed faculty positions are an incredible asset to our university because they enable our academic units to attract and retain the very best faculty to teach and mentor our students.”

Professorships may be established at Mississippi State with a minimum gift of $500,000. Over time and with additional contributions, professorships may become endowed chairs. A commitment of $1.5 million is needed to endow a chair. Amounts required in some colleges may vary.

Gifts for facilities Long after the campaign closes, its impact will continue as private gifts are used for the renovation and expansion of several campus academic and administrative facilities. To accommodate

growth, three of the university’s eight colleges are looking toward expanding their facilities.

A planned major renovation of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Lloyd-Ricks building will return many of the original architectural features to the structure. While much of the funding for the Lloyd-Ricks renovation and expansion project is being supplied by the federal government and the state of Mississippi, a significant amount must be raised through private gifts. The renovation will provide growth areas for the two academic units housed in the facility, the School of Human Sciences and the Department of Agricultural Economics.

The State of the Future campaign ushered in many changes for MSU’s architecture school - not the least of which was its reorganization into a college to include the academic areas of art and design. As the college plans for its future growth, it seeks funds for an addition to Giles Hall which will allow for expansion. In addition, the Bagley College of Engineering seeks private gifts for the planned construction of a building for its Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Alumni and friends may leave a lasting mark on Mississippi State by supporting these facilities. Fundraisers are currently working to pair interested donors with specific opportunities to name classrooms, conference rooms, offices, lounges, and laboratories.

Gifts for campus enhancements Mississippi State is seeking private gifts totaling at least $25 million for a perpetual fund for the appearance, maintenance and preservation of its campus and grounds. Such an endowment will allow the university to ensure the campus infrastructure and physical appearance are both inviting and prideinspiring for future generations.

To enhance the central part of campus, a new pedestrian corridor is being developed between the recently renovated Colvard Student Union, Perry Cafeteria

and McCool and Montgomery halls. The area, which will be known as Old Main Plaza, will commemorate Old Main, once thought to be the largest American dormitory under one roof until it was destroyed by fire in 1959. The estimated $5 million project will be implemented in several phases, each revolving around key areas of the plaza including the courtyard, the allee and Bell Island Commons.

Among the select naming features are: replica arches that duplicate those of Old Main on the approximate site of the originals; a 30-foot pedestrian corridor that will link the surrounding buildings and will encompass Old Main Plaza; and a pedestrian walkway that creates space for outdoor gatherings.

Gifts for State of the Future may be made in honor or in memory of a family member, a classmate or even a mentor. All outright gifts, pledges or deferred gifts for Mississippi State through December 31, including those to athletics, will be considered State of the Future contributions. Donors may earmark their gifts for the college, school, initiative or priority of their choosing. For more information on State of the Future, contact Hemphill at 662.325.8852 or bhemphill@ foundation.msstate.edu.

$449,669,411 AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2008

The following individuals, corporations and foundations have made commitments of $50,000 or more from May 1, 2008, through Oct. 31, 2008, for State of the Future: The Mississippi State Campaign.

Mr. Richard C. Adkerson; Asbury Foundation; AviTech LLC; Betsy Barrell Weems Estate; Mr. Peter E. Blum; Mr. Tom Bradshaw; Hines and Linda Brannan; Brasfield and Gorrie Contractors Inc.; Mrs. Gail Harpole Cheek; ChevronTexaco Corp.; Citicorp; Dr. and Mrs. John C. Clay Sr.; Mr. and Mrs. Larry A. Cooley; Mr. Steve Davenport; *Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Driskill; Entergy Services Inc.; Mr. John H. Everett; Bill and Sara Foster; Mr. Harry M. Freeman Jr.; Graphisoft U.S. Inc.; The Griffith Foundation for Insurance Education; The Hall Foundation Inc.; Henry Mize Charitable Foundation; Hillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pet Nutrition Inc.; Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Holliman; Mr. Louis A. Hurst Jr.; Mr. Frank T. Jackson; *Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Johnson; Mr. Herbert V. Johnson; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. Johnson; Mr. Ben H. Kennett; Mr. B. Danny Lott Jr.; John F. and Jeanne A. Marszalek; Mr. and Mrs. Bobby P. Martin; Dr. Eugene F. Martin and Ms. Pandra Kay Evans; Dr. J. Chester McKee Jr. and Rev. Barbara McKee; Merial Limited; PACCAR Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Puckett; Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Saino Jr.; Mr. Bobby Dale Sanford and Dr. Regina L. Sanford; *Mr. and Mrs. Leo W. Seal Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Mark M. Seymour Sr.; Syngenta Crop Protection â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Leland; W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. David Waldorf. *denotes deceased

Alumnus Fall 2008 37

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Paccar partners with Bagley College of Engineering The Bagley College is among the top 15 percent in engineering research expenditures—a ranking above most Southeastern Conference universities—and is included nationally among the top 25 engineering colleges in graduating AfricanAmerican engineers.

The mechanical engineering department focuses on energy and mechanical systems. Graduate studies are available in all the major areas of the career field.

Additional information about PACCAR is available at www. paccar.com. Its stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol PCAR.

Interim President Vance Watson, left, and engineering Dean Sarah Rajala accept a check from PACCAR plant manager Lex Lemmers.

PACCAR is creating a new academic chair in the university’s James Worth Bagley College of Engineering, with a $2 million donation. The endowed professor also will head the mechanical Engineering department.

PACCAR is a global leader in the design and manufacture of light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. It is building a 400,000-squarefoot plant in Lowndes County to manufacture fuel-efficient medium- and heavy-duty diesel engines. The $400 million, hightechnology facility is scheduled to open in late 2009.

“The Bagley College is very appreciative of PACCAR’s support of the engineering faculty and students,” said Dean Sarah Rajala. “The endowed chair will help the department retain faculty members, as well as recruit top scholars in the future and assist others already enrolled.”

Endowed positions are among the most significant awards given to tenured faculty members. The invested funds provide salary, benefits and research support, along with a long-term commitment that enables cutting-edge educational development and research projects.

In his remarks, PACCAR plant manager Lex Lemmers praised the 130-year-old land-grant institution and its engineering college, one of the two oldest academic programs on campus.

“PACCAR values the strength of Mississippi State’s engineering programs and looks forward to further partnering with the university and its engineering college,” Lemmers said. “PACCAR is committed to being a community leader in supporting education.”

In addition to the PACCAR Chair in Mechanical Engineering, the gift creates the PACCAR Student Projects Endowment to provide assistance for student projects in the college’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems.

38 Alumnus Fall 2008

“PACCAR values the strength of Mississippi State’s engineering programs and looks forward to further partnering with the university and its engineering college,” Lemmers said. “PACCAR is committed to being a community leader in supporting education.”

Forever Maroon & White?

SHOW YOUR TRUE COLORS Official Alumni Association Merchandise Exclusively Available at Barnes & Noble at MSU www.ShopMissState.com

Prestigious scholarship honors former MSU president The Presidential Endowed Scholarship Program was established in 2001 at the urging of thenMississippi State President Malcolm Portera with the goal of attracting the region’s most academically talented students to the land-grant institution.

Today, 30 of the nation’s brightest students are attending MSU with the aid of this prestigious scholarship program. And, fittingly, one of the scholarships was recently endowed in Portera’s honor.

Through a gift of $500,000, Leo W. Seal Jr. of Gulfport has established the Malcolm and Olivia Portera Presidential Endowed Scholarship to honor the couple’s service and dedication as 16th president and first lady of Mississippi State.

Natives of West Point, both Dr. and Mrs. Portera earned degrees at MSU and maintain longstanding family ties with the university and the state.

“Olivia and I come from State families,” Portera said. “There were five boys in my family and all of us completed our undergraduate work at MSU. Olivia is an MSU graduate and so is her brother.”

Olivia’s father, the late Homer Catledge, was a 70-plus-year member of the M-Club, having lettered in two sports.

Portera began his tenure as president in 1998, returning to the institution from which he earned an undergraduate degree in 1969 and a master’s of political science in 1971. During his administration, he established university priorities to improve undergraduate instruction and residential life, expanded research and graduate programs, and enhanced the university’s efforts to the state in economic development. Portera left the university in 2001 to accept the position of chancellor of

the University of Alabama System, where he still serves.

Seal, who met Portera at a Mississippi State football game in the 1970s, said that he admired the way Portera aggressively pursued ways to improve the status of the university. “He was constantly trying to set up endowments and scholarships, as he was very intent upon State attracting the brightest high school students,” Seal said. “He created the Presidential Endowed Scholarship Program with the intent of attracting high school seniors who scored a perfect 36 on their ACT exam.

“Even after he announced he was leaving his presidential post, he was still urging people to contribute to build the scholarship program. I felt I should do my part to help his plans succeed and to let him know we appreciated his efforts in a substantial way.”

During the program’s first year, five high school seniors in Mississippi earned a perfect ACT score. Two of these graduates came to MSU, while one each went to Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech and Harvard.

“The Presidential Endowed Scholarships made it possible for us to keep some of our best and brightest at home,” Portera said.

The Presidential Endowed Scholarships, along with the Ottilie Schillig Scholarships, are the university’s most prestigious awards. Collectively, the recipients are known as Distinguished Scholars.

The scholarship awards cover tuition, fees, room and board, and books for four years of undergraduate study. Each scholar may also receive assistance in finding a suitable summer research or work internship or an appropriate travel abroad experience to take place following his or her sophomore or junior year. To further enhance the students’ educational experiences, each scholarship recipient is assigned a mentor who is an outstanding researcher and teacher in the student’s field of study.

Aside from the obvious financial benefits, Distinguished Scholars are provided with numerous opportunities to grow as leaders on campus. Indeed, it is expected that each scholar will take

an active leadership role in some aspect of campus life. Scholars have led Greek organizations, academic clubs, service organizations, and even the Student Association. Many volunteer with organizations in Starkville and other nearby communities. Still others become leading scholars in their fields, participating in research projects along with MSU faculty.

The scholars’ impact is felt throughout campus.

“Both Olivia and I were overwhelmed when Leo told us that he wanted to endow a Presidential Scholarship in our names,” Portera said. “For Mr. Mississippi State, Leo Seal, to make such a gesture was very gratifying. We feel honored that he would do this, and it is especially meaningful to us as this program was initiated while we served as president at our alma mater.”

A 1949 banking and finance graduate, Seal is a significant university supporter and longtime Hancock Holding Co. president. He and his family have made important contributions to the university’s business college and also established the Seal Vice President’s Suite in the Hunter Henry Center, home of the MSU Foundation and Alumni Association. In addition, the family has created a variety of student scholarships in business, engineering and forestry. A former Bulldog football player, Seal provided funding for the M-Club building named in honor of his father, the late Leo W. Seal Sr., a two-year football letterman and 1911 graduate of then-Mississippi A&M College.

“Leo is a friend for whom I have great admiration,” Portera said, “and there are three things that I would say about Leo’s commitment to MSU that come from my personal experiences with him. First, his commitments are always significant.

Second, they come with no strings attached. Third, they always come early.

This man is always first in line to repay his alma mater.”

A Presidential Endowed Scholarship may be established with a minimum gift of $250,000 that can be paid over a period of five years. For more information, contact Bo Hemphill, executive director of development, at 662-325-3686 or bhemphill@foundation.msstate.edu.

Alumnus Fall 2008 39

RS PH O TO G RA PH E G IN N IN W AW AR D Mississippi State alumni and friends desiring a favorite photograph of campus or a memorable athletic moment may obtain it with the click of a few computer keys.

Nearly 120 selected images captured by the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award winning photographers now are available for online purchase. The site, http://www.replayphotos.com/mississippistatephotos, is operated by Replay Photos, a Web-based company specializing in producing high-quality prints for universities, said Russ Houston, coordinator of photographic services in MSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office of University Relations.

www.replayphotos.com/mississippistatephotos

MSU bids farewell to faithful Bulldog Leo Seal The passionate Bulldog spirit Leo W. Seal Jr. felt for his alma mater will forever manifest itself in the “paw prints” he left behind at Mississippi State.

When Seal died on Nov. 18, 2008, at the age of 84, Mississippi State lost one of its most endearing and recognizable alumni. A 1949 MSU banking and finance graduate, Seal leaves behind a legacy of philanthropy and service at MSU, as well as in the state of Mississippi.

His influence and leadership made a resonating impact on Mississippi’s banking and business community, as well as many other areas.

A Bay St. Louis native, he succeeded his father, Leo W. Seal Sr., as president of Gulfport-based Hancock Bank in 1963. He served as president of Hancock Holding Company, its parent company, until his death.

The Seal family connection with Mississippi State spans three generations. Leo Jr.’s father was an MSU graduate as are his twin sons, Lee Seal and Leo Seal III. Through the years, Seal maintained his Bulldog ties by serving on advisory boards and attending countless athletic events. And, through it all, he never forgot what lies at the heart of the university–the MSU student. Seal supported the university’s Presidential Endowed Scholarship Program, which provides four-year scholarships and mentoring opportunities for the university’s best and brightest incoming students. He also supported a variety of academic scholarships in business, engineering and forestry.

A cornerstone contribution by the Seal family resulted in the Leo Seal Family Business Complex, which is allowing for growth and expansion of MSU’s business college and the Adkerson School of Accountancy. In addition, another significant gift from Seal created an excellence fund for Mitchell Memorial Library.

Beyond academics, Seal was a major supporter of MSU athletics and provided funding for the Seal M-Club building named in honor of his The Bulldogs paid tribute to Seal at the MSU-Arkansas father, a 1911 graduate of then-Mississippi A&M College. football game.

Seal was a member of the freshman football team in 1942, and following service in World War II, was a tackle on the varsity teams of 1946-1948.

Recently, he made the lead gift for the newly opened Templeton Athletic Academic Building.

Seal first joined the MSU Foundation Board of Directors in 1966 and served numerous terms as a board member, including serving as president 2000-03. He was vice chairman of the university’s first major gifts campaign, The Campaign for Mississippi State: Serving Mississippi and Beyond, and was also a member of the steering committee for MSU’s current State of the Future campaign.

Among his many accolades include being honored by MSU in 1999 with an honorary doctorate in public service. He also was named National Alumnus of the Year in 1983 and honored as the College of Business Alumnus of the Year in 2002.

The generosity and guidance of Leo W. Seal Jr. will forever be entwined with Mississippi State University and his impact is immeasurable.

Mississippi State lost one of its most endearing and recognizable alumni.

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Billy T. Gaddis of Madison, retired state forester for the Mississippi Forestry Commission, has received the Golden Membership Award for 50 years of service to the Society of American Foresters. He has been a Fellow of the society since 1984.

’55

Angela J. Bowen of Olympia, Wash., founder and president of the Western Institutional Review Board and former practicing endocrinologist, has received the Association of Clinical Research Professionals’ Lifetime Achievement Award.

’56

Ernest Randall Jr ., a Dallas, Texas, real estate developer and member of MSU’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Advisory Board, recently welcomed Gov. Haley Barbour to Dallas, where the two discussed the need for a new civil and environmental engineering facility at the university.

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Davis A. Richards III (M.B.A. ’75, M.S. ’78) has been promoted to vice president of physician relations for Health Management Associates’ Mississippi Division.

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Joel C. Clements, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Waynesboro-based First State Bank and the bank’s parent company, First State Corp., has been elected treasurer of the Mississippi Bankers Association.

Horton Hobbs, a professor of biology at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, has been elected president of the Ohio Academy of Sciences.

42 Alumnus Fall 2008

Roy Hal Parker Jr., a partner in several real estate ventures, has joined the board of directors of BancPlus Corp. and BankPlus bank.

’71

Udai R. Bishnoi, professor of agronomy and seed technology at Alabama A&M University, has been honored by Mississippi State for his contributions to research and teaching in seed science and crop production and for developing projects related to seed production, seed biology and seed testing techniques.

’73

Robert D. Hunter of Birmingham, Ala., general counsel for Altec, Inc., has been elected to the board of directors of the International Association of Defense Counsel.

’76

Kee Sloan is the new Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama

’77

Sylvia Janice Daws of Louisville has published a novel, If Worms Had Machine Guns (My Name is John), available through Barnes & Noble.

Sam Hamilton of Lawrenceville, Ga., Southeast regional director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has been awarded the Department of the Interior Secretary’s Executive Leadership Award.

’78

Sebetha Jenkins of Hawkins, Texas, has announced her retirement as president of Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, effective Dec. 31, 2008. She has served as the college’s president since 1991.

Peggy J. Long of Owens Cross Roads, Ala., has been promoted to special education collaborative coordinator for the Huntsville City Schools.

’79

Darrell D. Jones, a brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force, and his wife Holly Jones (’80) have received the 2008 General and Mrs. Jerome O’Malley Award for their contributions while Gen. Jones served as commander of the 37th Training Wing at Lackland Air Force Base from June 2006 to January 2008.

’80

Alan Nunnelee of Tupelo, District 6 state senator, has been appointed vice chairman of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Health Committee.

’81

Bob Burgin is executive vice president and general manager of Chateau Morrisette, a winery in Floyd, Va.

’82

Nancy Dorman-Hickson of Birmingham, Ala., has been named a national winner in the annual National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest. Formerly an editor for Southern Living and Progressive Farmer magazines, she now is a freelance writer and editor.

Mark Johnson of Montgomery, Ala., a commercial and industrial sales manager for Alabama Power Co., was honored for a presentation he made at the 2008 Construction Specification Institute’s Gulf States Regional Annual Conference.

’83

Carolyn Shanks of Jackson is joining Enexus Energy Corp. as senior vice president, administration and corporate support. She recently served as president and chief executive officer for Entergy Mississippi. Enexus is an independent, publicly traded nuclear power company Entergy is spinning off this year.

’84

Chip Broadfoot is a new Transitional Deacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama and a recent graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South.

’86

Dee Boykin of Lucedale, a certified public accountant and partner with Horne LLP, has been re-elected to the firm’s board of directors for a three-year term.

Denise Strub of Cleveland, managing editor of the Bolivar Commercial newspaper, has been installed as president of the Mississippi District Exchange Clubs.

Terry L. Turnipseed of Syracuse, N.Y., has been promoted to associate professor of law at Syracuse University College of Law.

’87

Haley Fisackerly (M.P.A. ’93) of Jackson has been named president and chief executive officer of Entergy Mississippi. He previously was vice president of governmental affairs for Entergy Nuclear.

’88

Michael Gann has been named director of the Department of Communications and Marketing at Delta State University in Cleveland.

Jerry Munro of Ocean Springs has been reappointed to the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks by Gov. Haley Barbour. Munro is vice president of Munro Terminal Inc. and community director of BancorpSouth.

’91

Shannon Campbell of Collins has been named academic dean at Jones County Junior College. She previously was dean of the Advanced Technology Center at JCJC. Phillip Hunter of Birmingham, Ala., founder and co-owner of Hunter

Trees, has received the 2008 David.

E. Laird Sr. Memorial Award for his contributions to the landscaping industry. He also is a board member for the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association.

William M. Stovall has been named vice president of institutional advancement at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tenn. Previously, he was director of development at Central State University.

’92

Kristi Vandevelde Brown (M.S. ’01) of Starkville recently published an inspirational book, To Walk on Fertile Ground.

Chanda Thomas Sykes, a Spanish and Latin teacher at Winona Secondary School, has been selected from a national applicant pool to attend one of 27 summer study opportunities supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

’93

Jerald F. Cammack has received a master’s degree in hospitality, tourism and management from the University of New Orleans.

Clay Williams of Flowood has been named director of the Old Capital Museum, which is scheduled to reopen in January 2009 following a major renovation.

a field account manager for the St. John & Partners public relations firm. She will be based in Montgomery, Ala., and serve with the firm’s Winn-Dixie account team.

’99

Kevin Brewer of Starkville, vice president and commercial banker for Starkville-based Cadence Bank, has been appointed councilman-at-large of the Mississippi Young Bankers.

’01

Brad Carpenter has been promoted to manager of Web applications for Cellular South in Jackson.

’04

Jason W. Franklin earned a master of divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary in May 2008. He is associate pastor at Starkville First United Methodist Church.

Michael Posey, assistant course superintendent at Old Overton golf course in Birmingham, Ala., served as a volunteer at the U.S. Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines in San Diego, Calif.

’05

’94

Heather Joy Tomlinson Skaggs of Hattiesburg has joined Rare Design as project manager. She previously was director of marketing for the department of residence life at the University of Southern Mississippi.

’96

Eden Pepper of Canton has joined the Mississippi Bankers Association as executive assistant.

Kelli Johnson of Richmond, Va., is an International Mission Board missionary currently serving in Bolivia.

Thomas Duane Gordon of Middleton, Ohio, has joined the Middleton Community Foundation as executive director and chief executive officer. He previously was director of finance and technology for the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson (Miss.).

Dawn Renee West has been named

’07

Alumnus Fall 2008 43

In

MEMORIAM

08

John William Oakley (’36)—98, Starkville; retired sociology professor at Morehead State University, retired U.S. Army Reserve major and World War II veteran, July 27, 2008.

Homer E. Catledge (’38)—94, West Point; retired administrator of Ivy Memorial Hospital and World War II veteran, June 4, 2008.

Lloyd Clayton McDougal Jr. (’45)—87, Collierville, Tenn.; retired coach, teacher and administrator for Memphis Public Schools and World War II veteran, Aug. 30, 2008.

Birth

ANNOUNCEMENTS Willow Kai DiMichele, May 8, 2008, to Patrick DiMichele (’06) and wife Ashley.

Colton Wade McGee, Feb. 21, 2008, to STEPHANIE EATON MCGEE (’98) and STEVEN WADE MCGEE (’98) of Collierville, Tenn.

Anna Katherine O’Dell, Nov. 29, 2007, to JEREMY ALLEN O’DELL (’97) and wife Candice of Bowling Green, Ky. Christopher Riles, May 20, 2008, to CHRIS RILES (’98) and wife Summer.

Emily Jayne Riley, July 15, 2008, to Kristy Irons Riley (’04) and Jon Riley (’04) of Columbus.

Sage Addison Smiley, March 26, 2008, to CHARLIE SMILEY (’92) and wife Sherri of Canton, Ga. Nathaniel Lewis Stockton, April 15, 2008, to Cara Jackson Stockton (’99) and husband Lewis of Starkville.

John Miller St. Clair Tate, Aug. 1, 2008, to Kristal McKenzie Tate (’07) and Justin St. Clair Tate (’04).

Witt Barker Wells, May 9, 2008, to JACK WELLS (’88) and AUBRE WELLS (’97) of Tupelo.

Kate Loflin Rush, July 31, 2008, to John P. Rush (‘94,’02) and wife Jennifer of Starkville.

44 Alumnus Fall 2008

Please send obituaries to Allen Snow, P.O. Box 5325, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5526 or e-mail to snowa@ur.msstate.edu.

FALL Alumnus

Mary Cowsert Oakley (’45)—83, Starkville; homemaker and bookkeeper for Oak-Ayr Farm, July 24, 2008.

Augustine Day (’47, M.S. ’52)— 87, Starkville; retired entomologist, May 4, 2008.

Robert L. Daniels Jr. (’49)—83, Gulfport; retired court reporter, author and licensed lay Eucharistic minister of the Episcopal Church, June 6, 2008.

Mark George Hunter (’49)— 84, Decatur, Ala.; retired University of Alabama finance and accounting employee, certified public accountant, Army Reserve lieutenant colonel, and World War II veteran, March 22, 2008.

Randall E. Roberts Sr. (’49)— 84, Amarillo, Texas; retired national monitoring coordinator for the United States Department of Agriculture’s PlantPest Control Division and World War II veteran, Oct. 11, 2007.

Joseph B. Whiteside (’49)—Tupelo; retired owner of Triangle Distributors, Sept. 14, 2008.

Henry Joe Bearden (’50)—Starkville; retired head of the dairy science department at Mississippi State and World War II veteran, Sept. 14, 2008.

Walter Whitfield Chapman (’50)—81, Frisco City, Ala.; retired director of public and governmental affairs for West Point Pepperell and World War II veteran, June 19, 2008.

Frank Fugitt (’50)—Morton; retired vocational agriculture teacher at Morton High School and World War II veteran.

Robert M. McLeod (’50)—Gambier, Ohio; retired professor of mathematics at Kenyon College, Jan. 22, 2008.

Clayton D. Ott (’50)—85, Selmer, Tenn.; retired head accountant for Pickwick Electric Cooperative and World War II veteran, May 2, 2008.

William Jesse DuBard Sr. (’51)—77, Drew; founder of DuBard Agricultural Service, former county agent for Attalla County and Korean War veteran, Dec. 22, 2007.

Charles Trevillion (’51)—80, Woodstock, Ga.; retired Lockheed engineer and World War II veteran, March 3, 2008.

Richard H. Johnson (’52, M.S.

’53)—Dallas, Texas; former professor of aerospace engineering at MSU and retired aerospace engineer and consultant, July 23, 2008.

Charles P. Egger (’54)—87, Union City, Ga.; retired employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Coast and Geodetic Survey and World War II veteran, April 5, 2008.

Thomas Niles Wallin (’57)—73, Gulf Breeze, Fla.; retired chemist and patent attorney, Jan. 23, 2008.

Al Marion Horton (’58, M.S. ’59)—77, Madison; feed nutritionist and consultant and Korean War veteran, Aug. 2, 2008.

Charles Lee Shelton (’60)—80, Magee; retired Mississippi Employment Security Commission employee, June 7, 2008.

Harold Don Unland Jr. (’64)—Henderson, Nev.; retired vice president for Advance Silicone Materials Inc. and senior adviser to AE Polysilicon Corp., May 20, 2008.

Charles Prophet (’71)— Greenwood; retired athletic director and sports information director at Mississippi Valley State University, June 20, 2008.

George E. Nicholson Jr. (’76)—53, Forest; senior vice president for Community Bank of Mississippi, Oct. 15, 2007.

Wayne T. Smith (’76, ’82)—53, Pensacola, Fla.; architect, June 3, 2008.

D.W. Burkes (former employee)—87, Starkville; retired assistant director of student housing at MSU, retired Air Force chief warrant officer and World War II veteran, June 23, 2008.

James Robert Heitz (former employee)—67, Birmingham, Ala.; professor emeritus of biochemistry and molecular biology at MSU, Aug. 1, 2008.

Troy James Laswell (former employee)—87, Starkville; retired department head and professor of geology and geography at MSU, Sept. 18, 2008.

Jim Garrett (friend)—93; Aug. 3, 2008.

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