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Dowdle pictures rewarding
Dowdle pictures rewarding lifetime of giving
It has been said that it is better to give than to receive. However, Walter Dowdle knows that sometimes it’s possible to do both.
A native of Grenada, Dowdle graduated from Mississippi State University in 1967 with a degree in petroleum engineering. He began his career as a reservoir engineer and well log analyst with Chevron Oil and continued his education to earn a master’s degree from Stanford University in 1970.
After six years with Chevron, Dowdle joined Intercomp Resource Development Engineering of Houston, Texas, where he assumed the role of vice president. Throughout his career, Dowdle continued to serve in various leadership positions within the oil and gas industry. In 1991, Dowdle made the ultimate decision to put his experience to work and established his own independent consulting firm, Dowdle & Associates. Despite living and running a business nearly 600 miles away in Katy, Texas, Dowdle has always felt close to his roots at Mississippi State. When the petroleum engineering degree was re-established at MSU in 2015, Dowdle was eager to show his support for the program, but wasn’t sure how he could actively contribute. When a few of his former classmates and fellow Bulldog engineers suggested he join the program’s advisory board, he jumped at the opportunity.
“I’ve always tried to stay close to MSU and have maintained many connections over the years,” said Dowdle, who enjoys returning to campus and growing his involvement with students, faculty, and fellow alumni. “It’s an honor to be able to be a part of the petroleum engineering advisory board and to be back at Mississippi State.”
As a Legion of Honor inductee in the Society of
Framed illustration of YMCA building by MSU alumna Tracie Grace Riesgo
Petroleum Engineers, Dowdle understands the importance of building professional relationships to advance knowledge and build new opportunities. This quality has not only benefited his career endeavors, but also brings valuable insight to his commitments at MSU. In 2017, the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering honored Dowdle’s accomplishments and dedication to the field of engineering by recognizing him as a Distinguished Fellow.
In addition to his service at his alma mater, Dowdle has also been an avid financial supporter of the university for more than 30 years. Along with his wife Margaret, a Jackson native and graduate of the Mississippi University for Women, Dowdle has contributed to various areas across campus, including the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering, Student Affairs, and the Petroleum Engineering Advisory Board Excellence Fund, among others. The couple also created the Walter and Margaret Dowdle Legacy Scholarship in 2017.
Seeing his gifts as a way of “giving back” to MSU, Dowdle never expected anything in return. However, when his lifetime giving to Mississippi State reached a qualifying level for membership in the Legacy of Leadership earlier this year, he was pleasantly surprised to receive a framed print from the MSU Foundation.
The print, featuring an original illustration of the historic YMCA building on MSU’s campus, is one of four in the “MSU Foundation Series,” crafted by fourth generation and fine arts alumna Tracie Grace Riesgo of Nashville, Tennessee. Also included in the series are architectural drawings of Lee Hall, the Chapel of Memories, and the Industrial Education Building, nicknamed the “Twin Towers.”
“I realized that although my gift might not be much, every little bit counts. You don’t have to make a onemillion-dollar gift—you can do a small gift and still make a difference.” - Walter Dowdle
Each of these framed prints is presented to donors as they reach a certain amount within MSU’s Legacy of Leadership giving program. Beyond the framed-print series, other gifts are also associated with the MSU Foundation’s additional giving societies.
Donor recognition programs exist at a variety of levels to acknowledge gifts to Mississippi State University. Benefactors within these levels have made significant contributions that will leave a lasting impact on the land-grant institution. Each year, the names of all Legacy of Leadership members are published in the MSU Foundation's annual report publication, recognizing them at their highest level.
The Legacy of Leadership program for which Dowdle was acknowledged, is based on a donor’s cumulative giving to the university and recognizes lifetime support from $50,000 and above. However, it doesn’t take a large gift to make a real and lasting impact. Many contributors, like Dowdle, gradually grow their giving over time and become Legacy of Leadership members through smaller commitments.
Thanks to the dedication of Bulldog alumni and friends like Dowdle, Mississippi State University continues to move forward and reach greater heights. The commitments of each donor become a legacy—an investment in the ongoing endeavors in education and outreach and also in rising opportunities, which leaves the donor’s mark on the
students, faculty, and programs of Mississippi State and ensures a bright future.
“Mississippi State always has been a great institution,” said Dowdle. “But it’s really grown and experienced a lot of progress in recent years. I’m grateful to be able to contribute and give back, and I am excited about the future of our university.”
STORY ADDIE MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY LOGAN KIRKLAND
Legacy of Leadership
30 The Legacy of Leadership at Mississippi State University consists of eight levels from $50,000 to over $25 million. Membership is based on the donor's cumulative lifetime gifts. This recognition also includes the Old Main Society, acknowledging donors who include MSU as a primary beneficiary in their wills or who make other deferred gifts. Donors in both the Legacy of Leadership and the Old Main Society are placed at their highest membership level. These levels are:
DONALD W. ZACHARIAS ROUNDTABLE $25 million and above The Donald W. Zacharias Roundtable honors MSU's 15th president, Donald W. Zacharias, who served from 1985-1997.
JAMES D. MCCOMAS BENEFACTORS $10,000,000 to $24,999,999 The James D. McComas Benefactors honors MSU's 14th president, James D. McComas, who served from 1976-1985.
WILLIAM L. GILES PARTNERS $5,000,000 to $9,999,999 The William L. Giles Partners honors MSU's 13th president, William L. Giles, who served from 1966-1976.
DEAN W. COLVARD FOUNDERS $1,000,000 to $4,999,999 The Dean W. Colvard Founders honors MSU's 12th president, Dean W. Colvard, who served from 1960-1966. STEPHEN D. LEE SOCIETY $500,000 to $999,000 Originally MSU's highest donor club, this level honors MSU’s first president, Stephen D. Lee, who served from 1880-1899.
J. CHARLES LEE ASSOCIATES $250,000 to $499,999 The J. Charles Lee Associates honors MSU's 17th president, J. Charles Lee, who served from 2002-2006.
EUGENE BUTLER FELLOWS $100,000 to $249,999 The Eugene Butler Fellows honors the 1913 graduate who demonstrated his love and support by contributing generously to various programs and projects.
BEN F. HILBUN TORCHBEARERS $50,000 to $99,999 The Ben F. Hilbun Torchbearers honors MSU's 11th president, Ben F. Hilbun, who served from 1953-1960.
learning to lead MSU Foundation Ambassadors
The Mississippi State University Foundation Ambassadors is a student organization created to support the MSU Foundation. The organization’s core purpose is the development and sustainability of student leaders who promote and encourage scholarship, leadership, and service activities that will stimulate commitment and philanthropy. Members promote the university's positive image and serve as liaisons between students, administration, alumni, and friends of the university.
Officers of the 2019-20 MSU Foundation Ambassadors include:
Jes Miller Office: President | Hometown: Houston, TX Major: Finance (Risk Management and Insurance) | Class Year: Senior Scholarships: Academic Excellence, Alumni Non-Resident Tuition, and Non-Resident Tuition Campus Involvement: MSU Student Association Treasurer, Co-Director of Recruitment for Interfraternity Council, Treasurer of Gamma Iota Sigma RMI Society, and Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity Favorite Maroon Moment: Attending the Legacy of Leadership dinner and dancing with donors
Matthew Roberson Office: Vice President | Hometown: Crystal Springs Major: Chemical Engineering | Class Year: Junior Scholarships: Academic Excellence Scholarship, Valedictorian Scholarship, and James P. Applewhite Engineering Scholarship Campus Involvement: Director of Fundraising for MSU Student Association, and Vice President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity Favorite Maroon Moment: Crawfish boil at our annual Foundation Ambassadors retreat last year
Mary Catherine Sobiesk Office: Secretary | Hometown: Hattiesburg Major: Finance (and pre-dental) | Class Year: Senior Scholarship: Academic Excellence Scholarship Campus Involvement: Kappa Delta Sorority, and Pre-Dental Society Favorite Maroon Moment: The opportunity to invest my time in MSU, meet many new people, and make great connections
Bryson Marretta Office: Recruitment | Hometown: Destrehan, LA Major: Mechanical Engineering | Class Year: Senior Scholarships: Academic Excellence Scholarship, Academic Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship, Litton Industries Scholarship, and New Orleans Alumni Chapter Scholarship Campus Involvement: Vice president of three organizations: Phi Gamma Delta, Men’s Club Soccer, and New Maroon Camp Favorite Maroon Moment: In 2017, MSU beat LSU, my hometown’s favorite team. After a long game, the entire stadium huddled and sang MSU’s Maroon and White alma mater.
The Junction becomes leisure epicenter of campus Then and Now
The “Don’t Never Ever Enter” sign from the 1960s (top) was removed as five congested MSU roadways known as “Malfunction Junction” gave way to The Junction in 2006. What once was known as the Five Points intersection, and, earlier, a rail line, was extensively redesigned and re-landscaped into a green space inspired by students. Anchored by Davis Wade Stadium and the Cullis Wade Depot and Welcome Center, which honor the late MSU graduates and supporters for which they are named, The Junction area has become an epicenter for leisure in the more than decade since its transformation. This pedestrian-friendly focal point is now a significant gathering place for students and alumni. Also located at The Junction is the Compass Scholars Walk, of which engraved bricks and pavers can be secured with contributions benefiting the university’s Compass Scholarship Program. The Junction and Compass Walk are linked by other walkways that take the MSU family and visitors to the university’s other “lawn, the historic Drill Field.
16” X 16” BLACK GRANITE PAVER: Compass Scholarship pledge of $1,500 or more annually over five years per paver
8” X 4” BRICK: Gifts of $500 each
The compass scholars walk, located south of Davis Wade Stadium in The Junction, offers opportunities for the Bulldog family to acquire customizable bricks and pavers to be placed in the heart of gameday territory. Your contributions to the Compass Scholarship Program give us a competitive advantage as we recruit the best students who will excel and uphold MSU’s long-standing tradition of excellence and service.
The most popular choice is to engrave a brick with your name and class year, but many other opportunities exist. You could: • memorialize a loved one, • recognize a family member, or • pay tribute to an influential faculty member.
TO ORDER: Visit msufoundation.com/ compasswalk, scroll to the bottom, and click “purchase your brick here.” Secure as many as you like and include your inscription(s) (subject to approval by the MSU Foundation).
FOR QUESTIONS: Contact the Office of Annual Giving at (662) 325-5975.
8” X 8” BRICK: Gifts of $750 each
