Upholding a legacy: Women

Alumna Linda Brannan

Upholding a Legacy: Women in philanthropy at M SU

When the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College opened its doors to the first class of students in October of 1880, very few women could be found on campus. Like many other higher education institutions of the time, the college climate was predominantly male-oriented—a nationwide trend that ensued until the 1940s and post-World War II era.

Today, the setting is much different with females consistently accounting for nearly half of MSU’s student population. However, the figures extend far beyond the demographics of the student population as women have and continue to play a critical role in the success of Mississippi State. In particular, the philanthropic leadership of female members of the Bulldog family has significantly impacted the university over the course of its history.

In 1962, the same year construction began on MSU’s first residence hall for women, Thera White, along with her husband Floyd, gave the first gift of land to Mississippi State. Shortly after, Addie Hester of Amory became the first individual female member of the MSU Foundation’s inaugural donor club, the Patrons of Excellence. Hester was part of the administration of the Mississippi State Extension Service for more than 30 years.

Another transformational gift came in 1987 through the trust of Ottilie Schillig following her death. A Port Gibson native who became a critically acclaimed concert singer of the 1920s, Schillig’s gift launched the university’s most prestigious scholarship awards and paved the way for the modern-day Presidential Scholars Program. The 1990s also saw significant female leadership. Jane Perry of Spanish Fort, Alabama, decided to honor her late husband George D. Perry, a loyal graduate and longtime alumni leader, by providing a much-needed gift to update Perry Hall. The building continues to serve as a university cafeteria and as a designated Mississippi Landmark. And a commitment from Winifred B. Hartwig of Leland pledged support for an excellence endowment and an endowed chair position. The endowed faculty

Brannan's parents, Anna Bufkin and the late Truett Bufkin

position was among the first to bear a woman's name at MSU.

From buildings and academic units to scholarships and advancement opportunities, every area at the 141-year-old institution has been shaped and impacted by women in many ways. As women continue to invest in the future of MSU, they are also encouraging others to join in their mission.

Among those inspiring members of the Bulldog family is Linda Brannan, a 1972 graduate of the MSU College of Education. Along with her husband Hines, a fellow alumnus who currently serves as chair of the MSU Foundation board, Brannan has been a loyal supporter of the university for many years. The Atlanta, Georgia, couple’s gifts have benefited areas across campus, including the College of Business and its Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy and the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. Their gifts also include funds for building and renovation projects,

Brannan visiting the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability

athletics, and student and faculty awards, among others.

Brannan’s love for MSU was first instilled by her father, Truett Bufkin, who earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from MSU in 1950 and 1965, respectively. He led a successful career as a county agent and soybean marketing specialist for the MSU Extension Service for many years. His wife, Anna, also shared his love for MSU. After his passing in 2016, Brannan began considering the ways she could further his legacy at their beloved alma mater.

In 2018, she fulfilled that mission through a gift that established the Truett and Anna Bufkin Scholarship Endowment. The award creates continuous support in memory of her father and in honor of her mother and assists full-time undergraduates who are residents of the Bufkins’ native Newton County. It also joins the Brannans’ earlier scholarship support for the D. Hines and Linda Brannan Scholarship established in 2008. In addition to the honorary scholarship, the gift also paid tribute to another way in which Brannan’s family is connected to Mississippi State by supporting the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability. Bearing the couple’s name, the Brannan Endowment for the T.K. Martin Center directly benefits the center’s Project IMPACT Preschool and IGNITE Dyslexia Services.

“I hope that the endowment will sustain and help raise awareness about the services offered by the T.K. Martin Center,” said Brannan. Having a grandchild with dyslexia, Brannan recognizes the importance of excellent, accessible assistance, especially in rural areas like Mississippi. Housed in the MSU College of Education, the T.K. Martin Center provides comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluations and utilizes assistive technology applications to enable individuals to participate in educational, vocational, and leisure activities

AKA Sorority alumni members at MSU's Chapel of Memories

without limitations of disabilities. The Brannans’ endowment will ensure the means for continuous upkeep and enhancement of innovative equipment, facilities, and resources for advanced therapy programming and outreach.

“It is gratifying to support programs that are meaningful to our family and can help others as well,” Brannan said.

Although much of Brannan’s devoted giving is rooted in her family’s connection to MSU, countless other drivers inspire the robust commitments held by patrons of Mississippi State. This esteemed characteristic is especially evident in the ongoing support from alumni members of MSU’s Lambda Eta chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority Inc. whose support serves as a tangible extension of their loyalty to a shared vision. While some of these women may share family ties to the university, their collective investments in current and future Bulldog students can be traced back to the organization’s chartering mission to serve others. Through their establishment of the Alpha Kappa Alpha – Graduates of Lambda Eta Endowed and Annual Scholarships, these women are upholding one of AKA’s exemplary purposes and creating opportunities for more ambitious youth to make a difference.

“As lifelong members of AKA, service is who we are and what we do,” said Chara Singleton, MSU Lambda Eta alumna. “What better way to demonstrate and share that endeavor than through a scholarship.” Founded in 1908, the AKA Sorority is one of nine organizations composing the National Pan-Hellenic Council Inc., which represents historically black Greek-letter organizations. AKA’s presence on the MSU campus initially began in 1975 through the establishment of the Roses Club. Two years later, the club’s journey to form a sorority culminated with the chartering of the then 13-member AKA Lambda Eta chapter, which today boasts some 50 active members and more than 500 alumni.

As the chapter marked 40 years in 2017, alumni members began discussing ways they could create more significant opportunities for MSU students to navigate their way to graduation. Putting their plan into action, the group united efforts to promote and build support for an endowed scholarship award. The annual award was also established to provide immediate assistance while the endowment grows to maturity.

“It’s important to give back to MSU students because as students, we wished for a chance to show we were capable and eager for success,” said Singleton. A native of Macon now residing in Laurel, Maryland, Singleton earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the MSU College of Arts and Sciences in 2008 and 2010, respectively. She credits MSU for her positive academic experience, as well

as valuable opportunities and mentors that better prepared her for the future. Accordingly, she, along with her fellow AKA alumni members, feels strongly about giving back to her alma mater. “I have always held a strong principle of giving back to what has given so much to me,” said Singleton. “Without MSU, I do not know if I would be where I am today.”

The Alpha Kappa AlphaGraduates of Lambda Eta Annual and Endowed Scholarships assist full-time MSU students and give preference to undergraduate students who demonstrate academic achievement. Further bolstering the resounding impact of women in philanthropy at Mississippi State, the award also gives preference to African-American female students in hopes of inspiring new generations of benevolent leaders.

Despite being initially outnumbered by their male counterparts in the land-grant institution’s early years, more and more women are making a real difference and leaving their mark daily at Mississippi State. Their support bears promises of progress and possibilities that give life to dreams.

It’s difficult to imagine a world without Mississippi State. And it’s even more challenging to imagine Mississippi State without the influence of generations of women who have helped shape it into the outstanding institution it is today. Their dedication has instilled a legacy of leadership and altruism that runs deep in the lifeblood of the Bulldog family that will stay there forever.

STORY ADDIE MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY BETH WYNN/ SUBMITTED

noteworthy news P r e s i d e n t i a l S c h o l a r s An academic heritage of engaging elite students

For the next four years, the newest group of Presidential Scholars will take their place at the head of the class at Mississippi State University. The eight new members join more than 39 already in the program that is part of the prestigious Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College.

In the 50 years since its inception, the honors experience at MSU has grown into a university-wide presence that fosters a close-knit community, of which the Presidential Scholars are among the elite students in the United States who enroll at MSU to further their educational goals. Some Presidential Scholars have later received national Truman, Udall, Mitchell, and Goldwater Scholarships, as well as professional internships. They also typically take part in the Shackouls Summer Study at Oxford Program, in Oxford, England, among other enhanced learning opportunities.

8 FOUNDATIONS | Fall 2019 2019-20 scholars with MSU President Mark E. Keenum

On campus, Presidential Scholars meet with special guest speakers and are expected to serve in various campus leadership capacities.

Alumni, friends, and corporations may establish endowments for Presidential Scholarships in a number of ways. Earnings from the endowment will help cover the cost of tuition, fees, and housing over the course of four years of study. The awards also include a one-time educational enrichment scholarship for study abroad, internships or other qualified educational pursuits, and an undergraduate research fellowship award. Recipients are also eligible for mentoring opportunities.

For more on the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College experience, visit www.honors.msstate.edu.

Juliet Buckholdt

Juliet Buckholdt of Ridgeland is a freshman studying art in the College of Architecture, Art, and Design. She receives the James D. and Kay B. Bryan Presidential Endowed Scholarship, named for the West Point couple who created its endowment. Originally from Washington, D.C., Buckholdt is the first in her family to attend MSU, and she believes it is a great place to creatively pursue her degree. She is preparing for a career in art with a graphic design concentration and plans to work with the Smithsonian Institution in a marketing and advertising role. Buckholdt has worked professionally in film since she was seven, most recently touring festivals with a short stop-motion animation. While in school, she plans to intern with various museums both nationally and internationally. A key to her success, she believes, will be the support system of the Shackouls Honors College.

Madison Dochety

The opportunity to major in biomedical engineering in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering led Madison Dochety to MSU from Tullahoma, Tennessee. The Dr. Brad Roderick Moore Memorial Presidential Endowed Scholarship, established by Rod and Jane Moore in honor of their late son, an alumnus and gastroenterologist, makes her studies possible. Both Dochety’s parents attended MSU, and she has other family in Starkville. Her goal is to become an M.D. and later enter a Ph.D. program; she plans to follow her passion for practicing medicine and for medical research. Dochety feels she is already benefiting from her generous Presidential Scholarship because of the close community and the academically-challenging environment of the honors college. At MSU, Dochety is a member of Chi Omega Sorority and the MSU Student Association’s Freshman Council.

Clark Hensley

Clark Hensley of Clinton is a freshman computer science major in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. He chose the major because of the diversity of the field, and he knows proficiency can open career doors from software development to research with artificial intelligence. With extra coursework, Hensley could also conquer fields like math, physics, or biology. He is the first Bulldog in his family, and his Presidential Scholarship was a great factor in his decision to enroll. As recipient of the Jim and Julia Rouse Presidential Endowed Scholarship that honors the Suwanee, Georgia, couple, Hensley has the privilege to study under faculty in an exceptionally strong Department of Computer Science and Engineering. His goal is to explore his passion and fulfill his potential as an engineer. He is a member of the Climate Reality Project, the MSU Academic Quiz Bowl, and the MSU Student Association’s Freshman Council.

Mia Robertson

For Mia Robertson, the opportunity to attend college as a Presidential Scholar in the town she has called home for the past five years is exciting. She came to Starkville with her parents from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and her dad’s Bulldog family hoped she’d choose MSU. Although, she had planned to attend college in a larger city, she found welcoming encouragement at MSU. Robertson enters her freshman year majoring in political science in the College of Arts and Sciences because she discovered she was good at debating legislation and public policy in high school. She receives the Malcolm and Olivia Portera Presidential Endowed Scholarship, which honors MSU’s 16th president and first lady. Robertson participates in the Chamber Choir, Hail State Speech and Debate Team, Mississippi Model Security Council, and the MSU Student Association’s Freshman Council. She also holds a student research position at the Social Science Research Center.

Olivia Russell

Southaven resident Olivia Russell is the first in her family to attend MSU. She is studying biochemistry with a pre-medicine concentration in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. As a freshman, she receives the Mark and Cindy Jordan Presidential Endowed Scholarship, named for the Ridgeland couple who created its endowment. Before enrolling at MSU, Russell had opportunities to shadow doctors at both St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. During that time, she became interested in patient care and research. In the future, Russell hopes to attend medical school and eventually research infectious diseases. Russell is grateful for her scholarship and for the research opportunities it presents. At MSU, she is a member of Chi Omega Sorority, the MSU Student Association’s Freshman Council, and MSU's TEDx student organization.

William “Will ” Jamison

Will Jamison comes to MSU from Germantown, Maryland, as a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. At MSU, he is settling into campus life—where he is director of programming for the residential experience at Griffis Hall, a member of the Formula SAE Club Engineering Competition Team, and the Theta Tau professional engineering fraternity. Jamison was drawn to engineering in high school and always had a passion for how things worked. He and his Dad visited MSU, since two family friends had attended, and found the campus and community were just as steeped in tradition and hospitality as was described. He receives the Johnny and Bessie Lynn Crane Presidential Endowed Scholarship that honors the Cranes who are Fulton residents and longtime MSU supporters.

Hutton Smith

Hutton Smith continues a family tradition by studying engineering. His mom is an industrial engineer, and his grandfather is a civil engineer, both with degrees from other institutions. However, Smith is proud his path has led him to become a Bulldog. He comes to MSU from Columbia, Tennessee, for his freshman year of study in mechanical engineering in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. For the next four years, Smith will receive the Bobby P. and Barbara M. Martin Presidential Endowed Scholarship, honoring the Ripley couple. He decided he wanted to attend an SEC school, and MSU won the competition hands down. Smith had earlier learned of the great engineering program in the Bagley College and when visiting he realized that MSU and the Starkville community provided by far the most welcoming atmosphere. Settling into campus life, he is already a member of Engineers Without Borders and the Spanish Club.

10 FOUNDATIONS | Fall 2019 Jayden Smith

Jayden Smith is majoring in biological sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences in anticipation of pursuing a veterinary degree. Becoming a veterinarian has been an aspiration for her from a young age. A freshman from Jackson, Smith receives the Hal and Linda Parker Presidential Endowed Scholarship, named for the Bolton couple. She is proud of her scholarship because it allows her to focus on academics and alleviates the burden of student loans. After seeing her family struggle to pay for her sister’s education, Smith was determined to earn a great scholarship. In the future, as a veterinarian, she hopes to own a private practice and provide services at a reduced cost or no cost to some qualifying clients and their pets. At MSU, she is a member of Animals in Focus, the Black Student Association, Day One Leadership, Freshman Groups, PreVeterinary Club, SCUBA Dawgs, Service Dawgs, and the University Christian Student Center.

Enjoy beautiful pictures of familiar campus scenes that bring back special memories of your time at Mississippi State. The official State calendar has become a Bulldog tradition. With pictures by MSU’s own award-winning photographers, it’s truly a one-of-a-kind treasure. Order online today at msufoundation.com or call 662-325-7000.

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.

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Road Trip | Mississippi Delta Take a tour of the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in Cleveland for an exciting, interactive experience. While you’re there, be sure to keep an eye out for alumnus and MSU Foundation board member Mike Sanders and his wife, Nan, who serves on the museum’s board of directors. Then, head south for lunch at Fratesi Grocery near Leland. Owned and operated by the MSU faithful Fratesi family since 1941, the establishment is well-known for po’boys, homemade sausage, and spaghetti.

Dawgs in Space | Spacecraft and Scholarship In addition to creating an endowed scholarship for fellow community college transfer students in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering, alumnus Terry Abel is part of the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company currently working on the Orion Crew Module to send astronauts back to the moon and eventually Mars.

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Bulldog Christmas | The MSU Idea Shop Discover unique and meaningful Christmas gifts while showing your support for university-based entrepreneurship at The Idea Shop in downtown Starkville. The innovative space houses the MSU Retail Product Accelerator and the Turner A. Wingo Maker Studio—the latter named for its benefactor, an MSU alumnus and Foundation board member who knows a thing or two about successful retail business.

Read All About It | Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long by Richard D. White Jr. A brilliant and compelling biographical account of Huey Long’s rise to power and how his radical governance over Louisiana crowned him as one of the most dangerous figures in the history of American politics. Author Richard White’s vivid description of New Orleans in the 1920s is worth the read alone.

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Listen Up | Your Money’s Worth A personal-finance podcast from Kiplinger that delivers timely and useful advice to help listeners earn, keep, and make the most of their money. Each week, new episodes discuss practical insights to a variety of topics, including tax filing tips, retirement planning, stock picks, and dealing with debt.

Photo courtesy of https://www.kiplinger.com/ fronts/archive/podcast/your-moneys-worth/.

Take It All In | Best Walk on Campus Stretch your legs while taking in the scenic views from the one-mile walking track around Chadwick Lake. Located next to the Joe Frank Sanderson Center on campus, the track was made possible through a grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation and offers sights of our top-notch athletic facilities and the muchanticipated Starkville Oktibbeha Partnership Middle School at MSU.

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