Modernizing McCool

A Message from the Director of Development

The year was 1972. You could feel the hint of spring in the air that would soon bring about new beginnings and new growth. Among those beginnings was the dedication and groundbreaking of McCool Hall – where the historic Old Main dormitory once stood – a building meant to be a visual representation of the creativity and innovation that would define Mississippi State University’s College of Business for many years to come.

A little backstory on how business students and faculty found their home in the heart of campus: By the end of the ’60s, the College of Business – then called the College of Business and Industry – had grown exponentially since moving into Bowen Hall in 1943. The building was practically bursting at the seams. There was a need for a new home for the College, and MSU alumnus E.B. “Dutch” McCool, a founder of the Holiday Inn motel chain, decided to fill that need in 1971, matching funds approved by the Mississippi Legislature.

Fast forward to 2021. Many changes have occurred in McCool Hall over the last several years. The building is now home to the world-class Market Innovation Lab & Observatory, a Strategic Finance Lab, the Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach and most recently, a newly designed and renovated multimedia studio for Master of Professional Accountancy and Master of Taxation online courses. Within the last four decades, it has grown to be a hub for students from all over campus. Whether delivered by handwritten note in the ’70s or texted in 2021, the message has not changed: “Meet me in McCool.”

Last October, we welcomed Lilly Pogue as our new Assistant Director of Development. A native of Galesburg, IL, Lilly earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from the University of Missouri in 2017, where she also interned with the Alumni Association. Most recently, Lilly spent three years as a Development Specialist for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s national office in Chicago. Her previous experience dealing with fundraising and development have proven to be invaluable in her role in the College of Business.

Now to celebrate the 50th anniversary of McCool Hall’s groundbreaking, Lilly and I ask you to join us as we push the boundaries even further. Focusing on classrooms, creative spaces, departmental suites and even hallways, our goal is to ensure that we create an environment for our students and faculty that will continue to foster creativity and innovation in McCool Hall for the next 50 years!

With projects ranging from small to large, there are opportunities for everyone to make an impact. Follow along with the movement to #ModernizeMcCool on our social media channels, @MSUBusiness, and stay tuned for more information in January of 2022.

We’re excited to have you on board and can’t wait to reveal the full extent of this project to you! So please join us in 2022 as we Modernize McCool Hall!

Stephen Lack

Director of Development, College of Business slack@foundation.msstate.edu; (423) 292-9932

Lilly Pogue

Assistant Director of Development, College of Business lpogue@foundation.msstate.edu; (309) 371-5503