Campus Views

Spring unfolds at historic MSU

Spring and sunshine have arrived at Mississippi State University. The landgrant institution has one of the most striking campuses in the Southeast and is known for its lush grounds that welcome many visitors and prospective students. In particular, beds of daffodils can be seen across the campus along with a variety of other flowers and plants. The bountiful landscape brings opportunities for both scientific study by students and faculty and opportunities for instruction and public education.

PHOTOGRAPHY MSU OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Donna (center) and Boyce Adams (back, right) with their family

Worth the risk Alumnus encourages others to chase their dreams

Entrepreneurs are imaginative pioneers who dedicate their work to bringing new visions to life. As exciting and adventurous as their endeavors can be, they can also be equally as frightening and challenging because entrepreneurship in short is risky business. Thankfully, budding innovators at Mississippi State can confidently pursue their novel ventures knowing they have the muchneeded guidance and support of a seasoned mogul and fellow Bulldog, Boyce Adams.

Adams and his wife Donna recently extended their previous commitment to the Entrepreneurship Advancement Fund. The Columbus couple’s initial gift to the fund in 2014 was critical to the establishment of the MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach (E-Center) in McCool Hall. Likewise, their latest gift will provide valuable assistance for business start-ups, competitions, student and faculty travel, guest speakers, and additional administrative and operational support to promote and enhance E-Center programming and outreach.

Founded in 2009, the MSU E-Center is a universitywide resource with a vision to create a culture of entrepreneurial activity that empowers students, faculty, and community members to launch and grow successful companies. Beyond its main office, located on campus in McCool Hall, the center also serves patrons through additional locations in Starkville including the Business Incubator in the Thad Cochran Research and Economic Development Park, E-Center Downtown in the Greater Starkville Development Partnership building, and the Idea Shop, which houses the Turner A. Wingo Maker Studio.

In addition to providing well-equipped spaces dedicated to creation and imaginative exploration, the MSU E-Center provides support for business and product development and links rising entrepreneurs with valuable mentorship

opportunities through a collaborative and growing network. Faculty advisers from across disciplines coach students on a range of areas from technology to finances and an executive-in-residence program makes senior business leaders throughout the region accessible to budding entrepreneurs seeking advice and encouragement.

The ultimate goal of the MSU E-Center is to cultivate outcomes which form real cash flowing businesses that employ people in Mississippi. It’s not just a great educational experience, but also is a true business experience in a concrete way.

Over the last decade, the MSU E-Center has generated an incredible amount of success that is not only benefiting makers, but also is contributing to economic development throughout Mississippi. On average, MSU students are launching about 80 new businesses a year, resulting in the creation of full-time jobs upon establishment. Such investments are especially important for growth and development in rural communities.

No stranger to the ins and outs of business development, Adams understands that sometimes it takes a little extra encouragement for a person to take the next step and act on their idea. Accordingly, the longtime MSU benefactor was eager to extend his support to an area that does just that. “Fear of failure can keep people from pursuing their goals. I have always said that everyone needs mentors to help in their development, and the E-Center embodies that by offering built-in mentors to help along the way,” said Adams. “I am glad to support a program that helps others see just how far their dreams can take them when they put their minds to it.”

In addition to his recent support for the Entrepreneurship Advancement Fund at MSU, he also is currently involved with the Innovate North Mississippi Angel Fund and the Bulldog Angel Investment Group. Both groups invest in and mentor start-up student companies that originated from the university and throughout the state.

“Having programs that support entrepreneurship in Mississippi is extremely valuable, especially in technological and software development,” Adams said. “These types of jobs will grow opportunities and help keep talented young people in the state.”

A Mississippi native, Adams was born in Macon, and his family soon moved to Gulfport where he was raised. He graduated with a degree in marketing from the MSU College of Business in 1980 and relocated to Columbus. There, he began his career in the oil industry, developing software to improve operations from the field to the front office. In that role, he saw firsthand the importance of automation with the emerging development of early Windows operating systems.

Adams later worked with an accounting firm, where he brought the same keen vision to the profession during a time when technological advances transformed the financial services industry.

In 1992, Adams co-founded BankTEL Systems with a mission to develop software solutions that would use automation to improve efficiencies and reduce costs among banking and accounting institutions. Under his leadership, BankTEL became a leading supplier of auxiliary financial software in the industry and was recognized as one of the fastest growing private companies in the state.

Following BankTEL’s acquisition last year by Charlotte, N.C.- based AvidXchange, Adams remains active as a consultant and adviser. BankTEL continues to serve over 1,800 financial institutions in 50 states, as well as many countries in the Caribbean and Central America.

The MSU College of Business recently honored Adams’ professional accomplishments and outstanding commitment to service by selecting him as its 2020 College Alumnus of the Year. He was previously recognized as the college’s 2014 Alumni Fellow and was named among the Top 100 business graduates for the college’s centennial celebration. At MSU, Adams is a current member of the advisory boards for the MSU Entrepreneurship Center and the College of Business and serves on the Bulldog Club board for athletics.

Adams’ wife Donna, a graduate of the Mississippi University for Women and the University of Mississippi, shares his passion for investing in others. The couple has generously given to MSU athletics over the years and also established the BankTEL Systems Annual Scholarship.

Support for the MSU E-Center from visionary contributors like the Adams family is vastly important in cultivating rising innovators whose dreams have the potential to define tomorrow’s markets and shape a new era. They are demonstrating to others that by investing in the pioneers of the roads less traveled, greatness is found— and the risk is worth it.