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When I started my job with the MSU Foundation in 1997, I never could have imagined the ways my life would be shaped by the people I’ve met throughout my career. Hunter Henry was one of the first alumni I was introduced to in my new role as a development officer.

Hunter, who had previously retired from Dow Chemical Company after more than four decades of service, was an encouraging mentor to me as I navigated my own career path. He was always there to listen and offer great advice— much of which I still rely on today.

Despite his passing in 2011, Hunter’s connection to MSU continues today through the investments he made in his lifetime. Many individuals, myself included, benefitted from his involvement and interest in the success of our university, and I’m thankful to have called him a friend.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Hunter Henry Center that is home to the Division of Development and Alumni. When we left the Butler Williams Building, the Hunter Henry Center seemed enormous. Now, we have staff members filling every office. Such growth wouldn’t have been possible without his visionary foresight that allowed us to enter a new space—physically and figuratively—in the realms of fundraising and alumni engagement.

Hunter’s cornerstone commitment for this facility contributed to the unrivaled $55.8 million raised in private support for the 2000-2001 fiscal year. Through the evergrowing support of the Bulldog family, we’re now celebrating a new record-high of $125.3 million and 9 consecutive years of giving over $100 million. I can’t imagine the pride and joy Hunter would have in seeing how far we’ve come.

I am fortunate that, in terms of esteemed mentorship and valued friendships, Hunter was just the beginning for me in my professional life. Throughout my career, I have encountered a growing number of genuinely good people who not only see the untapped potential in others, but also willingly offer their time and resources to bring it to fruition. And in doing so, I’ve realized that sense of shared success is both a catching and defining hallmark of the Bulldog family.

More than a building, The Hunter Henry Center, is a prominent reminder of the strides we have taken in the brief 20 years of its existence. It is a purveyor of the generous support and meaningful connections of countless alumni and friends who make unimaginable successes a reality. And it is a lasting legacy of those, like Hunter and you, who care enough to make a real difference in the lives of others. Thank you for being a part of this prolific journey that is fueling monumental milestones for the next generation to build upon at Mississippi State.

One would be hard pressed to find someone more passionate about people and Mississippi State University than Eileen Carr-Tabb. A proud alumna of the university she calls home, she has a lifetime of memories connected to MSU—many of which are recalled with tears of joy and gratitude. And she doesn’t miss a home game when the Bulldogs are playing. Recognizing what it took to get her MSU degree, she’s doing her part to help other ambitious Bulldogs become a part of the great tradition.

Carr-Tabb was raised in a home on Vine Street, no more than a mile from MSU’s campus, just off Highway 12. Growing up, she fondly recalls the many walks she made with her sisters to watch the passing cars on their way to the football game at Davis Wade Stadium.

“We could hear the cowbells and see the lights during the night games and always said that one day it would be us in one of those cars going to watch the Bulldogs play,” she said. “All we knew was Mississippi State and we wanted to be a part of it.”

Her parents were some of the hardest working people she’s ever known. They worked multiple jobs, including serving as staff members on MSU’s campus, to take care of their family. Carr-Tabb’s father, John Carr Jr., worked in the university laundry services before going to work for Peoples Bank as a courier. Her mother, Queen Carr, was a custodian. When their day-jobs at MSU ended, the couple began another shift cleaning local business in the evenings.

“After school, our parents would take my sisters and me with them to their job. While they cleaned, we sat on the floor and did our homework assignments,” said Carr-Tabb, the youngest of the three daughters. “They worked so hard to make sure the three of us would have opportunities to go to college like we had always dreamed. They were wonderful parents.”

When Carr-Tabb graduated high school, there was no doubt where she was going to pursue her degree. She had received scholarship offers to other schools, but after all the years she spent as a little girl watching cars pass on Highway 12, she knew she’d never go anywhere but Mississippi State.

She enrolled at MSU and officially joined the Bulldog family. Like her elder sister Aurora Carr Baugh (’84), Carr-Tabb also chose to study communications. One of her favorite memories from her undergraduate year was traveling to her first away game—an experience with which she is now well accustomed.

“I never dreamed I would be able to travel to a game. I was just grateful to be able to go to school. My friends and I always heard about the big rival game State played against Ole Miss in Jackson, so when we finally had a chance to go, we took it,” she said. “To be able to go to Jackson and watch MSU beat Ole Miss— I can’t even describe the atmosphere. We still talk about that trip!”

In addition to being her first time traveling to an away game, the trip brought another “first” as Carr-Tabb and her friends made special purchases for the occasion.

“I had never owned a cowbell. I wasn’t sure if I could afford it because I was just trying to go to school, but we all splurged, and it was money well spent. We rang those bells all the way to Jackson and back,” said Carr-Tabb, who has substantially grown her cowbell collection over the years since.

Carr-Tabb graduated with her bachelor’s degree in communication in 1985, and later earned a master’s degree in health promotion. She began her career with the Shelby County Health Department, where she helped trace and minimize the spread of HIV/AIDS through public health education and related outreach services. As her career progressed and she became more interested in public health issues, Carr-Tabb assumed similar progressive roles in Dallas, Texas, with the Dallas Urban League and later in Chicago, Illinois, with the Cook County Health Department.

She eventually returned home to work with the Mississippi Department of Health. Based in Oktibbeha County, she promoted health and safety across ten surrounding counties for more than 24 years. Carr-Tabb retired in 2020 as senior community health educator but continues her diligent service to the community through her ongoing volunteer efforts.

Over the years, she has been actively involved with more than 15 different community service organizations in Starkville and the surrounding areas. She has held executive positions for many, including the Starkville Lions Club, Starkville-MSU Multi Cultural Lions Club, the local American Red Cross chapter’s disaster preparedness team and the Greater Starkville Partnership’s Minority Task Force. The Partnership honored Carr-Tabb with the esteemed T.E. Veitch Community Service Award in 2017.

Her late husband Robert Tabb Sr. shared Carr-Tabb’s passion for helping others. As the oldest child in his family, Tabb went to work right out of high school to help take care of his younger siblings. Although he never had the chance to go to college, he worked hard and taught himself the skills needed to be successful.

Looking back on the difficult journey her husband faced without a college education and thinking about the sacrifices her parents endured to put three children through college, Carr-Tabb knew she would do whatever it took to help create opportunities for other students to further their education.

“I watched the financial struggles my parents faced as one, and then both of my older sisters were enrolled in college. I was afraid I might not be able to go because three children in school might be too much to afford, but they made it work,” said Carr-Tabb, remembering the worrisome feeling like it was yesterday.

She continued, “I always thought, if I can make a difference or make it easier on one person—it might not be much—but if I can help someone not have to worry about whether or not they can go to college, I will. I don’t want young people to hear the cowbells and the cheering, like my sisters and I did, and not be able to come here and be a part of this wonderful place.”

As a result, she created the Eileen Carr-Tabb Loyalty Scholarship at MSU in 2020. The scholarship benefits fulltime entering freshmen or community college transfer students and serves as a meaningful testament to the transformative support poured into her life and education by those she has loved.

An active member of the MSU Alumni Association and Black Alumni Advisory Council, Carr-Tabb has been giving back to the university for a decade. Her gifts have supported areas such as the Black Alumni Advisory Council Scholarship and the Access, Diversity and Inclusion Emergency Fund. Unsurprisingly, she also is a longtime supporter of Bulldog athletics.

“I love this university. I still get emotional about it because I know what it took to get me here,” she said. “My dad always said, ‘Make something out of yourselves. The only way you can do that is with an education. Houses, cars, clothes—they can be taken away from you, but the one thing that cannot be taken away from you is what you have in your head’.”

As a result of her parents’ dedication and the values they instilled in their children, Carr-Tabb is now one of five MSU alumni in her family—four of which are postgraduates. Her eldest sister, Shelia Carr Williams, and one niece are “honorary Bulldogs,” having graduated from Rust College in Holly Springs, but sharing their family’s love for MSU.

“It means so much to think of what came from the sacrifices my parents made to get me to State. And even more to think that there are now four people in my family with not just one, but two degrees from MSU,” she said.

Today, when Carr-Tabb takes her seat in the Scoreboard Club of Davis Wade Stadium to watch the Dawgs play, she thinks of how far she’s come from her childhood home on Vine Street. She also is reminded of an especially memorable game she attended with her father, who, despite working on campus most of his life, had never watched the Bulldogs play from a seat inside the stadium until that day.

The Scoreboard Club wasn’t built at the time, but CarrTabb had season tickets. As she guided her elderly father down to her seats on the 50-yard line near the field, he began to get emotional. Carr-Tabb will never forget the awe in her father’s expression when he asked, “You mean we get to sit down there by the field?”

The highlight of the game came when Carr-Tabb’s nephew, her father’s grandson and an MSU student at the time, walked onto the field to sing with the MSU choir. “He was so proud of us, and I was so happy to share that moment with him,” said Carr-Tabb.

Carr-Tabb’s husband passed away last December. As the only member of her family still residing in Starkville, she said it’s common for people to ask when she’s going to leave and move closer to family. But her response is the same as it has always been.

“Mississippi State is my home. I’m here by myself because of this doggone university, but I love it,” she laughed. “Living here, I get to still be involved and I enjoy going to everything MSU-related I can fit into my schedule.”

A season ticket holder for multiple Bulldog athletic teams, Carr-Tabb is a regular at football, women’s and men’s basketball, softball and baseball games, making a point to be at every home game and at least two away games each year. This year, she and her sisters are looking forward to traveling to the Egg Bowl together to cheer on their Dawgs.

“After all those years of dreaming about being a Bulldog, it seemed like a miracle for me to finally hear the cowbells ringing from inside the MSU football stadium,” said Carr-Tabb. “Now I get to hear those same cowbells in stadiums in other cities. It never gets old.”

Photography Submitted

Selected for 2022-2023

Presidential Scholars are known for their academic skills, creativity and desire to excel. They are among the elite students in the United States who enroll at Mississippi State University to further their goals as part of the prestigious Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College.

Earnings from endowment-level gifts for Presidential Scholarships help cover the cost of attending MSU over the course of four years. The experience provides a one-time educational enrichment scholarship for study abroad, internships or other qualified academic pursuits, an undergraduate research fellowship award and exceptional mentoring opportunities.

Hayden Anderson

Columbus, MS Biochemistry

Nichole Moore Ray Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Hunter Anderson

Mountain Brook, AL

Animal and Dairy Science, Pre-Vet Hal and Linda Parker Presidential Endowed Scholarship

David Anzola

Hattiesburg, MS

Mechanical Engineering

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Grace Belk

Biloxi, MS Chemistry

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Abby Berger

Jonesboro, AR Biochemistry, Pre-Vet John Grisham Presidential Endowed Scholarship

William Carter

Jackson, MS

Electrical Engineering

Berenice and Lamar A. Conerly Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Sneha Cherukuri

Madison, MS

Biological Sciences

Ottilie Schilling Leadership Scholarship

Gertarryan Coleman

Clinton, MS Biological Sciences

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Eli Coleman

Meridian, MS

Mechanical Engineering

Mark and Cindy Jordan Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Payton Davis

Ocala, FL

Environmental Economics and Sustainability

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Kylar Deloach

Stonewall, MS Computer Engineering

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Annalyn Fayard

Biloxi, MS Biomedical Engineering

Hassell Franklin Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Rowan Feasel

Union, MS English

G.V. Sonny Montgomery Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Regan Felder

Madison, MS Biomedical Engineering

Lila and Hunter Henry Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Lewis Fuller

Birmingham, AL Economics

Brad Roderick Moore Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Madelynn Green

Russellville, AL Anthropology

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Claire Green

Little Rock, AR Biochemistry

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

APRIL

GUO-YUE

Starkville, MS Biomedical Engineering

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Rachel Guynes

Greenville, MS Computer Science

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

AMELIA

Missouri City, TX

Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

LOGAN

Jackson, MS

Mechanical Engineering

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

CHRISTOPHER JOLIVETTE

McCalla, AL Psychology

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Olive Branch, MS Accounting

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Shannon, MS Biomedical Engineering

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Bartlett, TN Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation

John Grisham Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Jenna Kasselman

Enterprise, MS Computer Science

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Madison, MS Chemical Engineering

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Jaren Lee

Starkville, MS Finance

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Christopher Martinez

Huntsville, AL Computer Engineering

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Caleb Mcconaha

New Albany, MS Kinesiology

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Sadie Morris

Greenwood, IN

Geoscience, Broadcast Meterology

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Jalen Nixon

Vossburg, MS Computer Science

Hassell Franklin Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Anne Phillips

French Camp, MS English

G. V. Sonny Montgomery Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Chloe Puckett

Muscle Shoals, AL Chemical Engineering

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Zamiya Warner

Pearl, MS

Kinesiology, Neuromechanics

Charles and Pat Lee Presidential Endowed Scholarship

William Word

Madison, MS Microbiology

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Madeline Raynor

Diberville, MS

Chemical Engineering

Hunter and Lila Henry Presidential Endowed Scholarship

ABBY REEVES

Cushing, TX

Aerospace Engineering, Astronautics

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

LUKE SALISBURY

Long Beach, MS

Mechanical Engineering

Ottilie Schilling Leadership Scholarship

HAILEE SEXTON

D’Iberville, MS

Philosophy

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. S Presidential Endowed Scholarship

Vineeth Vanga

Madison, MS

Biochemistry, Pre-Med

Charles and Pat LeePresidential Endowed Scholarship

ETHAN WARING

Westlake, OH

Mechanical Engineering

Louis A. Hurst, Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholarship

My Bulldog Experience:

Class: Freshman

Major: Business Administration

Hometown: Columbus, MS

I grew up in a home where we bled Maroon and White. At the end of my high school years, I started touring colleges. MSU was the first college tour I went on. Throughout the tour, there was a sense of peace that surpassed me. I could see how enthusiastic others were about being on campus and the sense of family that MSU creates. Since then, I’ve known that Mississippi State was where I was meant to be.

MSU not only offers a community, but also tons of organizations to get involved in. As I freshman, I am still learning all about the opportunities, however I hope to get involved in as many student activities as my schedule will allow.

I chose to pursue a business degree because I want to start and run my own business in the future. I hope that one day I will be a woman in business that makes an impact. None of the opportunities I am currently navigating would be possible without the financial support I received through the George Bishop Family Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship inspires me to work hard and is helping me achieve my career goals. I am so thankful for the support that has been given to me at MSU.

Becoming a Bulldog has been one of the best decisions that I have made. I am so excited to dive into my studies, get involved in organizations and simply experience the life of a student at MSU. Hail State and Go Dawgs!

1. Campus STATE-ment • Hail State Icon

Bulldogs interested in seeing one of the many campus beautification efforts that has emerged over the summer should add another location to their campus pilgrimage bucket list. A massive installation of life-size letters that read “Hail State” has been firmly affixed to the ground between Montgomery Hall and the Perry Cafeteria, offering a highly photographable moment in a prominent location. Like The Drill Field and the Bulldog statues in The Junction, this vividly iconic sign will undoubtedly be a hit destination for social media trends and memorable snapshots alike. The monument, inspired by the “Memphis” sign on Mud Island, also adds to the growing list of public art displays woven throughout campus and downtown Starkville. Be sure to send us your photo in front of the “Hail State” sign after your next visit!

2. Make it Count • IRA Transfer

Fun fact- MSU’s iconic new “Hail State” sign was made possible through a generous gift in the form of an IRA transfer. Individual retirement account (IRA) transfers are very popular among individuals who are 70 ½ years and older as they can make a direct, taxfree transfer of up to $100k annually from their IRA to a public charity like the MSU Foundation. This unique method of giving may also reduce your taxable income and can count toward your annual required minimum distribution.

Scan the QR code to learn more about IRAs and other gift planning options available through the MSU Foundation’s Office of Gift Planning.

Jack McCarty, a proud alumnus and executive director of development for the MSU Foundation, enjoys sharing more than just investment advice with alumni and friends. His passion extends to sparking people’s interest in a range of topics from entertainment to news. Here’s a sundry of Jack’s latest “top picks” that he hopes all Bulldogs will pass along to others.

3. Read All About It • A Season in the Sun by Lars

Anderson

In a previous issue of Foundations, I featured Bruce Arians’ book, The Quarterback Whisperer. A great follow-up read to that is A Season in the Sun: The Inside Story of Bruce Arians, Tom Brady, and the Making of a Champion by Lars Anderson. It’s an extraordinary behind-the-scenes story of how Arians, Brady, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came together to deliver one of the most improbable Super Bowl victories in NFL history. Enjoy!

4. Seeing is Believing • Binocular Top Picks

A good pair of binoculars are an essential appendage for ballgame-goers, wildlife enthusiasts and everyone else on your Christmas list. Here are my top picks for any budget.

Top shelf: Leica Ultravid 8x42. Before making a purchase at this level, I recommend comparing these to the Swarovski EL 8.5x42. Then, I wouldn’t hesitate to elevate your viewing life with whichever pair fits your eyes and hands the best. These are true game changers that excel in every situation.

Middle of the road: Pentax 8x42 DCF – WP II. These are hard to beat for the money—crystal clear and ergonomic. Another great option is the Vortex Diamondback 8x42.

Economical: Wingspan Optics Fieldview 8x32. Great entry-level pair that you will carry with you everywhere. Also try the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD E – Series 10x42.

6. Southern Comfort • Norma Jean's Diner

5. Road Trip •

Fall is the perfect time to visit the beautiful John James Audubon State Park Museum. Housed in a historic stone chateau-style building perched on the edge of the park’s beautiful nature preserve, the facility is home to one of the largest collections of materials from wildlife artist and naturalist, John James Audubon. Several hiking trails begin/end near the building as well, allowing for great outdoor experiences. Before you go, take an hour to watch the documentary “Audubon” on Amazon Prime. Then, trace the steps of the remarkable namesake by visiting London (England), Labrador (Canada), New Orleans, Louisiana or St. Augustine, Florida. Audubon followed the birds, and the birds obviously know the best places to visit.

The next time you’re craving authentic, down-home Southern comfort food in an equally comfortable and friendly setting, grab a table at Norma Jean’s in Pachuta. The diner is a hidden gem that serves country classics like fried chicken, greens and cornbread in a cafeteria-style line, so you can pick what you like. It’s an easy drive from Starkville, just off exit 126 on I-59. Stop by for lunch during the week and tell her I sent you.

Volunteers painted a large cowbellthemed mural in the center of University Drive near MSU's campus this summer. Similar murals and crosswalk art were also added. The project strengthens the corridor between campus and the city of Starkville with creative imagery representing the positive town and gown partnership.