Foundation Favorites

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.

1.

Riding in Style | Superstar Solutions

Bulldog alumnus and current MSU Foundation board member George D. Pillow Jr. knows a thing or two about riding in style. His Florence, Alabama-based business, Senators Coaches, crafts luxury buses that are the preferred choice of travel among music royalty and other celebrities. Among the organization’s clientele are AC/DC, Jimmy Buffett, Elton John, John Mayer, The Rolling Stones, and ESPN’s “College GameDay” crew, just to name a few.

Spring Destination | Red Rock Country in Arizona

After catching a flight to Phoenix, rent a car and head north. Visit the artist community of Jerome before spending a few days taking in the sights at Red Rock State Park in Sedona. While you’re there, be sure to have dinner at Mariposa—it’s top shelf and has an awesome view. For breakfast, stop by the Wildflower Bread Company.

2.

3.

Pigging Out | Neon Pig Cafe

For a great lunch, stop by the Neon Pig in Tupelo. This old-school butcher shop is famous for its Smash Burger, but if you’re looking for a different option, I always recommend ordering whatever is listed as the daily special. Before you leave, make sure to buy some meat to take home for the grill.

Read All About It | “Geronimo: Leadership Strategies of an American Warrior,” Mike Leach and Buddy Levy

In preparation for the upcoming 2020 football season and to better understand the brilliant mind of MSU’s new head football coach

Mike Leach, check out his inspiring historical account of Apache leader Geronimo. This compelling book illustrates timeless lessons in leadership and the tactics we can all apply to succeed when the odds are against us.

4.

5.

Photo courtesy of PBS

Tune In | “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea”

If you enjoyed director Ken Burns’ recent miniseries, “Country Music,” you should also watch another sweeping documentary from the talented filmmaker, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” This six-episode series tells the story of some of nature’s most incredible features and the Americans who devoted themselves to saving these treasured lands.

The Scenic Route | MSU’s Tree Campus In honor of MSU’s Tree Campus USA designation by the Arbor Day

Foundation and to see the university’s beautiful landscape from a unique perspective, take a young person around campus with a tree identification book. I highly recommend “The Sibley Guide to Trees.” Across the scenic campus stand more than 150 memorial trees planted as tributes to beloved members of the Bulldog family, as well as the famed “Moon Sycamore” in The Junction, which was grown from one of the 500 seeds that accompanied the Apollo 14 astronauts into the cosmos in 1971.

6.