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Scholarship honors Bushong’s legacy at MSU

Amanda Bushong’s never-ending love for her late father and pride in his legacy at Mississippi State and beyond prompted her to establish a scholarship in his honor.

The Dr. Rex D. Bushong Memorial Endowed Scholarship will assist students enrolled in the Department of Poultry Science who demonstrate academic achievement and financial need. The scholarship bearing his name has also been instated to provide immediate support until the endowment reaches maturity. Through the awards, Bushong hopes to give others a chance to succeed at MSU, like her father did many years ago.

“We are very excited to be able to do start this scholarship,” said Bushong, who is joined by her brother Ashley in establishing the award. “Our hope is that the recipient will carry on my dad’s legacy of dedication by being the best they can be in their fields, while continuing to give back to the industries they serve and the people in their communities.”

A Union City, Tennessee native, Dr. Rex Bushong had a passion for learning, being challenged, and thinking outside the box. He attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee before joining the Bulldog family.

Upon relocating to Starkville to enroll as a student at MSU, Dr. Bushong met his wife, Vickie. The couple initially met off campus, but Vickie later began working in the MSU poultry department, where Dr. Bushong was studying, and the two quickly fell in love.

Bushong credits her mother’s influence on Dr. Bushong’s commitment to his education and accomplishment of his doctoral degree. “She whipped him into shape to finish his PhD. Otherwise, he might still be fishing or duck hunting to this day,” said Bushong.

At MSU, Dr. Bushong earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1964 and a master’s degree in poultry science with a concentration in poultry nutrition in 1966.

Dr. Rex D. Bushong, seated center, surrounded by his family.

Furthering his studies in poultry physiology and organic biochemistry, he completed his PhD in 1971.

Dr. Bushong went on to become one of the top and most recognized poultry nutritionists of his time, known nationally and internationally as “the chicken doctor.” Throughout his career, he worked with many institutions and companies including the Alabama Cooperative Extension at Auburn University, Dawe’s Laboratories, HyLine Indian River International, and Hudson Foods, Inc.

In 1998, after settling in his wife’s native Texas, Dr. Bushong founded Texan Six Consulting. Through the San Angelo, Texas-based business, he served as an avian nutritional consultant for poultry and allied industry leaders including AZOMITE, Pfizer, and Elanco Animal Health, among others, in his pursuit of ensuring the best poultry products on the market.

“MSU and the foundation it laid for my dad, in many ways, is why he was able to achieve such a high level of success throughout his career,” said Bushong.

Aside from his professional work, he was a generous man who spent much of his time giving back to those who were less fortunate. Dr. Bushong served on the Fort Concho Foundation board, was a member of the Texas Heart Institute’s Cooley Circle, and was a loyal supporter of the Robert Lee Brothers, Jr. Memorial Library in Gonzales, Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and St. Joseph's Indian School.

“His passion for helping others was a major part of his life,” said Bushong, who resides in Kansas City, Missouri.

Bushong says although her father was well-known for his work-ethic, he was no stranger to fun. He was notorious for playing pranks on collogues and humorous, captivating story telling.

Most of all, Bushong remembers her father for the kindhearted man at the core of his identity. “He never wanted praise, but only the ability to give someone a better place than before or an opportunity they might not have,” she said.

With the establishment of the Dr. Rex D. Bushong Memorial Endowed Scholarship, his legacy of mentorship, passion for learning, and heart of gold will live forever at the place that started it all—MSU.

STORY GEORGIA SISSON PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED