Foundation Leaders

noteworthy news

Anthony L. Wilson Rodger L. Johnson Paul J. Karre

Leading the way

Foundation announces leaders, new members

Through the years, the Mississippi State University Foundation has worked to attract and grow private support for the university under the guidance of dedicated alumni and friends. The university is grateful for these loyal individuals who willingly volunteer their time and service to advance the institution’s fundraising endeavors. In January, the Foundation announced its leaders and new incoming members of the board of directors for 2022.

Incoming officers with new one-year terms that began Jan. 1 include three alumni: Anthony L. Wilson of Gulfport as chair; Rodger L. Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia, as vice-chair; and Paul J. Karre of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, as treasurer.

A Mississippi native of D’Iberville, Wilson is a loyal member of the MSU Foundation board who earlier served as vice chair for three terms. He earned an electrical engineering degree from MSU in 1987, and also holds an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi. He currently serves as chairman, president and CEO of Mississippi Power Company. Prior to assuming his current role, he served as executive vice president of customer service and operations for Georgia Power.

Johnson is a 1971 civil engineering graduate of MSU. He also earned an MBA from Georgia State University in 1982. A native of Greenwood, he currently serves as president and CEO of JKC Holdings, Inc.

Karre is the retired senior vice president of human resources and communications of International Paper. He earned a BBA in management from MSU in 1974. The Natchez native is a current member and past president of the executive advisory board for the College of Business.

Rounding out the remaining board officers are MSU personnel: John P. Rush, vice president for development and alumni, is the board’s president and CEO; Janet H. Carraway, executive director of finance, is chief financial officer; and Jack McCarty, executive director of development, serves as board secretary. All are MSU graduates.

Chartered in 1962, the MSU Foundation administers most of the campus-based fundraising activities and endowment funds. A complete list of the Foundation board of directors can be found on the inside back cover of this magazine and more information is available at www. msufoundation.com.

New members beginning inaugural terms are:

J. Michael “Mike” McIlwain of Kildeer, Illinois. A 1987 accounting graduate of MSU, he is the retired president and CEO of PSAV, an internationally recognized leader in event technology services within the hotel, resort and conference center industry. At MSU, McIlwain also serves on the advisory board for the Adkerson School of Accountancy. He also holds a Master of Taxation from the University of Alabama.

Becky E. Murphy of Dallas, Texas. A 1983 home economics graduate of MSU, she retired from Sirius Computer Solutions Inc. as senior vice president of sales in 2019. Before joining Sirius, Murphy served for more than two decades in progressive leadership roles in sales at IBM.

R. Patrick White of Spring, Texas. A 1990 communication graduate of MSU, White serves as an account executive for LSI Industries. At MSU, he also leads the National Alumni Association board of directors as president.

Albert J. “Al” Williams of Humble, Texas. He is vice president of Corporate Affairs for Chevron Corporation and holds a 1990 electrical engineering degree from MSU, as well as a 1998 MBA from Tulane University. Williams also is a member of MSU’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Advisory Board and Bagley College of Engineering Diversity Advisory Board.

Members who have previously served are returning to the board in new terms. They are:

Mary Childs of Ripley. President, CEO, COO and vice chairman of The Peoples Bank, she is a 1980 banking and finance graduate of MSU. Mike M. McDaniel of Houston, Texas. He earned a mechanical engineering degree in 1979 from MSU and is the retired president of Saber Power Services LLC.

Timothy S. “Tim” Duncan of Kingwood, Texas. A 1995 petroleum engineering graduate of MSU, Duncan is president and CEO of Talos Energy LLC. Jay Pryor of Houston, Texas. A 1979 petroleum engineering graduate of MSU, Pryor is vice president of Business Development for Chevron Corporation.

David B. Hall of Meridian. CEO and president of Hall Timberlands, Hall earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry in 1999 and an MBA in 2002, both from MSU. Leo W. Seal III of Bay Saint Louis. He earned a bachelor’s degree in geoscience in 2000 from MSU and is president of the Leo Seal Family Foundation.

Malcolm B. Lightsey Sr. of Ridgeland. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from MSU in 1961 and 1969, respectively, and is the retired president and CEO of SunTech Inc. Turner A. Wingo of Collierville, Tennessee. A 1967 business graduate of MSU, he is a retired real estate developer and the former owner of Sherry’s Hallmark.

Crooked Letter Crossword

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12 11 5

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SCAN QR CODE FOR ANSWERS

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18

Across:

1. Name of the field at Davis Wade Stadium 4. Name of the building that mirrors Lee Hall 6. MSU's birthday month 8. Name of current Bully 10. MSU's mascot 13. Ground zero for Bulldog football tailgating 14. Name of Bully I's littermate, State's first “unofficial” mascot 17. 2021 National Alumna of the Year 18. “ dear ol' State!”

Down:

2. Legendary voice who coined “wrap it in Maroon and White” 3. 1862 Congressional act responsible for MSU's establishment 5. Location of MSU's College Park Campus 7. Number of former MSU presidents 9. Current MSU President 11. Nickname for historic Industrial Education Building 12. Pond near MSU President's home 15. 2022 Foundation Board Chair 16. Number of academic colleges at MSU