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.

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Tune In | Interesting Video Series Features Starkville Connection

With all the streaming services available today, many of us are watching tv in new ways through various devices and media sources. If you’re looking for an interesting series on one of these new venues, check out The Spa Guy’s channel on YouTube. The host, who refers to himself as the “Spa Guy,” travels around the Midsouth retracing the life of Elvis Presley. One of the most interesting segments is a threepart series featuring one of Elvis’s primary school teachers, Mrs. Opal Quay Camp, who also was the mother of the late, longtime developer, former Starkville mayor, and MSU alumnus Robert Dan Camp. An endowed scholarship, earlier established in honor of Mrs. Camp by her family, continues to benefit students in the MSU College of Education. Tune in to the first video in the three-part series using the QR code below to see the chance encounter that leads the Spa Guy into a discussion about MSU and a Starkville connection.

Authentic Country Music | Robert’s Western World in Nashville

From bowl games to SEC tournaments, and an upcoming fall football game against Vanderbilt on their turf, it seems the paths of Bulldog athletic teams often lead to Nashville, Tennessee. The next time you’re there, be sure to visit Robert’s Western World in historic downtown Nashville. This popular dive bar once served as home to the Sho-Bud Steel Guitar Company from the 1950s to 1980s. Robert Wayne Moore purchased the building in the 1990s and opened Rhinestone Western Wear, a western boot and apparel store. He eventually expanded offerings and transformed the business into the beloved joint it’s known as today. Order a bologna sandwich and fries and take in the authentic atmosphere and country music.

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Real Estate That Makes a Real Difference | Bulldog Properties and Bulldog Forest

Gifts of real estate can greatly benefit students and enable Mississippi State University to grow and thrive. Whether retained and preserved for educational purposes or liquidated for immediate support, gifts of real property create strategic opportunities in the donor’s area of choice and also provide certain personal benefits. The MSU Foundation proudly offers two programs to assist property owners with such gifts—Bulldog Properties and Bulldog Forest. Both avenues offer meaningful ways to begin a remarkable legacy. Contact the MSU Foundation’s real estate services team or visit www.msufoundation.com/realestate today to learn how easy it can be to make a real difference.

Good Reads | Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West

Renowned historian and acclaimed author Stephen E. Ambrose brings historical figures to life in this precise, scholarly work that reads more like an adventure novel. The book recounts the remarkable leadership and experiences of Lewis Meriwether throughout his unprecedented expedition of the unknown American west. Ambrose’s talent for storytelling is on full display in this piece, which is a must read for any American history enthusiast.

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On the Road | Delta Daytrip

Visit Greenwood for a memorable daytrip from Starkville. Stop for lunch at the Crystal Grill, owned by former MSU student, Johnny Ballas, and be sure to order a slice of pie before heading over to Turnrow Book Company. Next, check out The Mississippi Gift Company, owned by MSU alumna Cindy Tyler, for the largest collection of Mississippi-made goods handcrafted by more than 150 different artists and makers. Keep an eye out for former MSU Foundation board member Fred Carl Jr., who has done a lot to help revitalize downtown Greenwood. Finally, take a stroll on the boardwalk at Sky Lake WMA near Belzoni to see ancient cypress trees and enjoy the natural wonders of the Magnolia State.

Living Legacies | Campus Beautification

Mississippi State’s vibrant, historic campus is known for beautiful landscapes that make a good impression and instill senses of both pride and unity. The Campus Beautification Fund enables alumni and friends to invest in efforts to maintain and enhance the university’s outdoor spaces with gifts for trees and new plantings, benches, and other features across campus. Additionally, the beautification endowment also affords support to restore treasured, time-tested structures like the brick monument outside the Hunter Henry Center, which was a class gift from the graduates of 1922.