Mississippi State Alumnus Fall 2007

Her future is the State of the Future. Make sure she has the facilities, professors and programs to make it a bright one. Make a gift today. Call 877-677-8283 or visit www.msufoundation.com.

A L U M N U S1

Fall 2007

featuresFrom MSU to CEO: It all adds up for Richard Adkerson | page 2Mississippi State has its share of successful alumni. Perhaps one of the most visible of

late is Richard C. Adkerson.

Leadership program provides students a ‘third dimension’ of understanding | page 6In May, a group of MSU students traveled to South Korea as part of the university’s new

Global Leadership Program, with the goal of broadening their world perspectives.

National engineering society honors Foglesong with top alumni award | page 10Tau Beta Pi, the world’s largest engineering society, is recognizing MSU President

Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong as its 2007 Distinguished Alumnus.

Behaviorist coaches both pets and their humans | page 12Dr. Jennifer Burgess has a photograph of a Suffolk ram named Raymond on her desk

at the Wise Center—and for good reason.

Parker remembered as perhaps ‘greatest of all time’ | page 16In November 2006, one of the greatest pro football players ever to come out of

Mississippi State died in Edmonton, Canada. Yet, many in the MSU family may not

recognize his name.

Paws for Health | page 18The American Kennel Club has donated $100,000 to the College of Veterinary

Medicine. The gift was used to purchase and equip a mobile vet unit to be used in

times of disaster.

New book examines effect of Civil War rumors | page 20MSU assistant professor of history Jason Phillips writes about Confederate rumors

during the Civil War in his most recent book, Diehard Rebels: The Confederate Culture

of Invincibility.

Foglesong reviews first year at MSU helm | page 22President Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong says that he’s learned the value of patience and has

been energized by his interaction with the Bulldog Family.

Campus news 25 | Alumni news 35

Foundation news 41 | Class news 48 | In memoriam 51

On the cover: The university’s new Global Leadership Program is helping students broaden their world views.Photo by Megan Bean.

Fall 2007 | Volume 83 | Number 3USPS 354-520

One State. One Team.

PresidentRobert H. “Doc” Foglesong

Alumni Association Executive Director and Associate Vice President, Development and AlumniJimmy W. Abraham (’75, ’77)

Vice President for Development and AlumniJohn P. Rush (’94, ’02)

Mississippi State Alumnus is published three times a year by the Office of University Relations and the Mississippi State University Alumni Association at Mississippi State, Miss. Send address changes to Alumni Director, P.O. Box AA, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5526; telephone 662-325-7000; or e-mail [email protected].

Editorial offices:102 George Hall,P.O. Box 5325,Mississippi State, MS 39762-5325.Telephone, 662-325-3442 Fax, 662-325-7455E-mail, [email protected]

EditorAllen Snow (’76)

Associate EditorKay Fike Jones

DesignersBecky SmithMary Howell (’93)

PhotographersRuss Houston (’85)Megan Bean

Mississippi State UniversityAlumni Association National OfficersDavid W. Jones (’81),national presidentAndrew D. Hunt (’70),national first vice presidentCharles Cascio (’79),national second vice presidentS. Keith Winfield (’70),national treasurerBetty Latimer Black (’74),immediate past president

Mississippi State

From MSU to CEO:

A L U M N U S3

Fall 2007

ississippi State has its share of successful alumni.

Perhaps one of the most visible of late is Richard C.

Adkerson.

Adkerson stands at the helm of the world’s largest

publicly traded copper producer as its chief executive officer.

Earlier this year, he led Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold

Inc., now headquartered in Phoenix, in the acquisition of a

company twice its size—Phelps Dodge. The $26 billion deal

r in the history of the mining industry.

-chairman of New Orleans-based

tion Co., a NYSE oi

mpany.

ordinary career movi

and driven alumnu

sy schedule for his b

s as leader of the ste

State of the Future cae

MSU Foundation bo

He also serves on the advisory boards for the Col

Business and Industry and the university’s Agribu

Institute. His longtime support of Mississippi Sta

to scholarships, several excellence funds and athle

In 1969, Adkerson earned a bachelor’s degre

highest honors from Mississippi State. He then p

master’s in business administration, which he atta

1970. Later, he completed the Advancement Man

Program at the Harvard Business School. Adkerso

named outstanding accounting alumnus at Missi

accomplishments in 1989, and in 1

mnus of the Year for the business colle

shes.

this year, Adkerson brought his association with

ull circle by giving back to the accountancy

ich he feels has given him so much. His

ift to Mississippi State’s School of Accountancy

wo endowed faculty positions—a chair and

Adkerson credits his MSU accounting degree for giving him the fundamentals to succeed in business.

Adkerson with his sons Ryan, Tyler and Clark following the announcement of his gift to create an endowment for MSU’s School of Accountancy.

RicKE

M

Former accounting professors, like Dora Herring (center), inspired Adkerson to succeed. Herring’s son Clyde (right) is now interim director of the school.

— Phot

From MSU to CEO: It all adds up for Richard Adkerson

-Richard Adkerson

a professorship—and establish an operating fund for the

tion of his generosity, the university renamed

nit the Richard C. Adkerson School of

n the College of Business and Industry.

ndowment, announced in August, enables

e to join the ranks of five other Southeastern

versities with named schools of accountancy.

l of mine to help the School of Accountancy

ng tradition of excellence in preparing

ccessful careers in the accounting profession,”

“My vision for the school is to see it move

a solid academic reputation in the Southeast

to one of the leading accountancy schools in the nation.”

For Adkerson, setting goals and striving to achieve them

has been a way of life. During his days as an MSU student,

he was proclaimed capable of “zooming up the corporate

ladder” by Bill Simmons, a now retired accounting professor

and Starkville businessman. Nearly 40 years later, the

prediction has proved true thanks to Adkerson’s unwavering

determination—what he calls his “Bulldog” nature.

Ambitious and motivated, he has never failed to

seek opportunities in the challenges placed in his path,

adapting to change at an early age as his

family migrated through Mississippi—

Corinth, Brookhaven and Tupelo—

while his dad managed

department stores. During Adkerson’s senior year in high

school, the family settled in Kosciusko where Adkerson

graduated and then enrolled in nearby Mississippi State

University.

While an MSU student, Adkerson developed lifelong

friendships with a group of ac

considers “family.” These spec

Curry, Dora Herring, R.S. “Sc

late W.W. Littlejohn, and the

Adkerson maintains a close co

so influential to his success.

Adkerson benefited from

accounting classroom as well.

began keeping the books for c

firm and worked for the Stark

Co. The hard work certainly

received the Elijah Watts Sells

second-highest grade nationally on the CPA examination,

an award he says he pursued thanks to a friendly challenge

from Professor Herring for him to study to compete for the

Mississippi Gold Medal.

It was also during his time at Mississippi State that

Adkerson married his former wife, San Adkerson of Tupelo.

She is an honor graduate of Mississippi State’s College of

Arts and Sciences and an ardent supporter of the university

as well. Together, they have three sons—Clark, Tyler and

Ryan.

Following graduation,

Adkerson was hired by a fellow

MSU accounting alumnus—H.

Devon Graham Jr.—as a

Arthur

Orleans,

quickly

erson

gest

“I encourage others to support Mississippi State in ways that are meaningful to them,”

A L U M N U S5

Fall 2007

partners ever admitted at Arthu

managing director of the firm’s W

Industry Practice.

In 1989, Adkerson joined F

headquartered in New Orleans,

“When I went to work for

understood that I needed to dev

and learn how to manage techn

resources industry in order to ea

become CEO of a major corpor

Of course, Adkerson again

continuing to climb the corporate ladder culminating in

his current post as CEO of the company, which now boasts

membership in the Fortune 150.

During a recent Mississippi State campus visit,

Adkerson shared his secret to success with a group of MSU

accounting students and faculty.

“Be a Bulldog,” he told a group of students assembled

in the new Taylor Auditorium in the College of Business

and Industry’s McCool Hall complex. “Persevere and

don’t let side issues distract you—go after what you want

and accomplish it. Having a goal, being driven, having a

competitive nature, and finding ways to succeed should be a

part of your life.”

Despite his success, Adkerson remains quite grounded

in his MSU roots. The connections and the friendships

forged at Mississippi State are always part of all that he does.

Adkerson and his wife Nancy have been significant

financial supporters of both the university’s academic and

athletic programs over the years. Mississippi State football,

baseball and basketball have always been a significant part

of Adkerson’s downtime, and he is an ardent financial

supporter of MSU athletics.

“Richard Adkerson is obviously a good business

person—that speaks for itself. He’s also a good person—

humble and genuine. He is also someone who has never

forgotten his roots an

says Rick Stansbury, M

If Adkerson coul

State, he undoubtedly

he will continue to su

with his time and fin

university’s accountin

process.

“Fond memories

of the accountancy pr

make this gift, and I e

State in ways that are

“I know a good inves

investment opportunity of a lifetime.”

Accountancy students visit with Adkersoarea of the College of Business and Indbusiness complex.

KoreaStudy Tour

2007

7Fall 2007

A L U M N U S

I’ve heard about Korea all my life. My

grandfather Pete Vowell served in the Korean

War, among others. Now, we all know about

war stories, those yarns spun by the veterans in

our families that seem to get more fanciful as

the years progress.

But, two of the

things Pete always

said about Korea

were how beautiful

the country was,

and how much

he respected and

admired the Koreans

he served with.

In March of

2007, my wife came

in with a press release

she received at work.

It told about the

Global Leadership

Program, an overseas study program Mississippi

State was offering that was to take place in

Korea.

“You need to do this. It’s a great

opportunity,” she said.

“Ten days? I’ll starve,” was my first

reaction, I’m ashamed to admit. Being a typical

American, the prospect of an utterly foreign

diet for a prolonged period of time gave me

pause. However, I could not deny that it was a

marvelous opportunity, and as I had let a couple

slip away during my undergraduate years, I was

determined to seize this one.

Dr. J.P. Shim, professor of management

systems and one of the driving forces in creating

the GLP Korea Study Tour, told me that the

graduate students would be acting as chaperones

and authority figures for the undergrads while

in Korea. It’s not my habit to back down from

responsibility, but the prospect of five graduate

students being in charge of 30 undergrads while

in a country where

I did not speak the

language was mildly

intimidating, to

say the least. But,

this was a small

price to pay for

the opportunity to

experience another

culture and people,

especially one

with whom the

United States has

such an important

friendship. This

was a “no-brainer.”

On a side note, upon learning that I would

be going to Korea, particularly that one of the

places we would be visiting was the DMZ,

Pete said, “Be sure to look around for my boot

prints. You should find many sets going in both

directions.” He’s a veteran and a hero, but he’s

also a realist.

I can’t say the plane ride was a bucket of

laughs. Fourteen hours is a long time to spend

in one building, much less in one chair. But,

once we landed, after a short trip through

customs, we were officially in Korea.

We arrived at roughly 5 in the morning.

Dr. Shim met us at the airport with a bus that

was graciously provided to us by Chew Young

Roo, a Korean food company that specializes

provides students

Leadershipprogram

‘ThirdDimension’of understanding

a33tuden

dershipog33hird

on’ng

By Marcus Vowell — Photos by Megan Bean

A L U M N U S8

Fall 2007

Leadership program provides students a ‘third dimension’ of understanding

in dumplings. Our schedule for the day would take us to

Samsung Electronics, TU Media, the Seoul Metropolitan

Council chambers, and the Dongui Bogam Health

Department Store.

None of us had showered in over 36 hours. I was worried

about the impression we were going to make on our hosts.

But, everywhere we went, we were treated like celebrities.

Someone was there taking our picture whenever we got off the

bus, and not just Megan Bean, the fantastic photographer we

brought with us. The level of hospitality we found at every

turn was amazing.

Samsung and TU Media were fascinating. Both are

on the cutting edge of technology. Samsung demonstrated

numerous electronic products that have not yet been released

to the public. A certain 80-inch plasma television is now on

my Christmas list. TU Media 1 is a content provider for

cellular television broadcasting, and we were amazed at how

developed and pervasive this technology is in Korea, while we

are only now getting a small taste of cellular television here in

the U.S.

Dongui Bogam Health Department store 2 was

particularly interesting, as this was the first real

exposure to Korean traditions we experienced. The

store is a department store, not too different from

what you would find in some of the larger cities here

in the United States, but the top floor is devoted to exhibiting

Korean traditional institutions such as the tea ceremony and

traditional music. Both were demonstrated for us beautifully.

The bottom floor of the store houses a museum honoring the

history of herbal medicine in Korea. It was beautifully done,

with dioramas depicting ancient places of healing and the

way of life of those who grew, prepared and administered the

herbal cures.

The first three days in Seoul were filled with visits

to numerous locations, including the American embassy,

the aforementioned Chew Young Roo 3, the ancient

Kyongbokkung Palace 4, Seoul Tower, and many others. All

were fascinating and we were always met with open arms.

But, the most profound stop we made while there was the

Unification Observatory at the DMZ 5. The other glimpses

into Korean culture were intriguing, but they also were from

demonstrations and performances. They were aspects of the

Korean culture they were proud and happy to share with us,

and rightly so. But, the DMZ provided an insight, at least for

me, into an issue that looms like a shadow over all of Korea. It

was real in a way that nothing else could have been.

I had always assumed that there was a sort of

rivalry between North and South Korea. Here,

in the United States, we’re used to looking at

North Korea as the bad guys. Besides, there is still

A L U M N U S9

Fall 2007

experiences…

gainedlearned a lot,We

valuable

5 3

Marcus Vowell: back row, far right.

something of a rivalry between the

North and South here in the States, and

that war was almost 100 years before

the Korean Conflict.

But, what I found wasn’t that, at

all. What I saw was a solemn sadness,

a sorrow of a people whose soul is

split in two and who long to be whole

again. The Koreans very much consider

themselves to be one people. There is

no such thing as a “North Korean” or

a “South Korean.” Anything that is

keeping them separate from each other

does so against their will, on both sides.

Many study with great interest

everything they can about the way of

life in the North. It’s not easy. There

is very little communication between

the North and the South. In fact, that

is why the Unification Observatory

was built: to observe the North. The

museum there displays the different

styles of clothes that are common in the

North, the ways in which the language

has diverged (a remarkable thing,

considering it has been only 50 years

since the end of the war), and many

other aspects of life across the DMZ.

There was a room in the museum

called the Unification Room. It

consisted of nothing but white walls

where visitors to the observatory have

written their prayers and hopes of

eventual unification with the North. WWAll of the Koreans who were

visiting the observatory kept a relelesilence while in the Unification Rleleand, indeed, throughout the museum.

To me, this was one of the most

important cultural experiences I have

ever had in my life. Needless to say, mvvviews on the North Korea-South Korevvissue have changed considerablyeeFrom Seoul, we split into gexexto travel to the universities we would

call home for the next week. My group

traveled to what they referred to as a

“smaller town,” only 2.5 million people.

If anything, once arriving at

Catholic University in Daegu, the

hospitality got even better. Our every

need was taken care of, we were given

uisite accommodations, and we were eerned a lrned a lrned a lorned a lostandoffish. It took some convincing to

i di ddidn’t needgainedgainedgainedgainedas much of uableuableuld. We aluablealuable

periencesperiencesperiencesperiencessamulnori (traditional drumming),

ppand, of course, taekwondo. I truly wish

that each one of these classes could

have been for a semester or longer.

Our Korean teachers showed almost

superhuman levels of patience and

1

2

A L U M N U S10

Fall 2007

Fall 2007

A L U M N U S11

Foglesong

hHonoring career accomplishments and guiding

principles, a national engineering honor society is

recognizing Mississippi State President Robert H. “Doc”

Foglesong with its highest professional honor.

Tau Beta Pi, the world’s largest engineering society, is

naming Foglesong its 2007 Distinguished Alumnus. The

award has been made each year since being established in

1997.

“The program was established to recognize alumni

who have continued to live up to the ideals of Tau Beta Pi

and to foster a career of liberal culture on the local, national

and international scales,” said James D. Froula, executive

director.

The two most recent recipients include an Apollo 8

astronaut and an endowed chairholder of engineering at

Princeton University.

A former president of the West Virginia Alpha

Chapter of Tau Beta Pi, Foglesong is being recognized for

outstanding lifetime achievements, the organization said.

President of Mississippi State since 2006, Foglesong

earlier spent 33 years in public service, retiring from the

U.S. Air Force as a four-star general. Since arriving at

the university, he has launched a comprehensive strategic

planning effort, FutureState 2015, and established

leadership initiatives for high school students, as well

as individual programs for incoming MSU freshmen,

sophomores, and juniors and a leadership academic minor.

Under his leadership, the university has adopted its

first-ever comprehensive honor code, established a Center

for America’s Veterans, initiated an African-American

studies program, and created new outreach and economic

development programs such as the Mississippi State

Community Action Teams.

Enrollment, which had declined or was flat the two

years before Foglesong’s arrival, hit a record high of 17,039

in fall 2007, with an all-time high in number of freshmen,

graduate students, and African-American students, among

others.

Since being at MSU, Foglesong has been designated

by President George W. Bush as co-chair of the U.S.-Russia

Joint Commission on POW/MIAs. During his military

career, he served as a national security adviser at cabinet and

presidential levels and as commander of U.S. Air Forces in

Europe. He has worked in 19 countries and, over his career,

accumulated 30 military awards for leadership and technical

skills. He is the author of 57 publications covering a wide

range of topics.

Foglesong earned three degrees in

chemical engineering from West Virginia

University.

By Maridith Walker Geuder

National engineering societyhonors

A L U M N U S12

Fall 2007

From MSU to CEO: It all adds up for Richard Adkerson

A L U M N U S13

Fall 2007

aAs a clinical instructor of animal behavior, welfare

and human-animal bond, it’s easy to understand her

affection for the Suffolk ram.

“I spent four years in the United Kingdom while

my husband was working on his Ph.D.,” she said.

“While there, I traveled all over England and Wales as a

veterinarian with a sheep research project. After this, I

did a clinical residency in companion animal behavior.”

Research has shown that sheep, like humans, are

able to identify other sheep—and humans—by sight.

Raymond seemed to like Burgess, in particular, and often

appeared very protective of her.

“There was another ram there named Damien who

was very aggressive and Raymond would place himself

between the two of us and butt at

Damien to keep him away from

me,” she recalled. “When I left

England, the people I worked with gave me a photo of

Raymond to take with me.”

Although classified as a part-time employee of the

state’s veterinary college, Burgess, who earned a degree

in forestry from MSU in 1990, busily divides her time

between teaching behavior, welfare and human/animal

bond classes to veterinary students and working with the

clinic’s clients.

However, don’t compare the animal behaviorist to

TV’s self-proclaimed “dog whisperer” Cesar Millan!

“The major difference between Millan and myself

Behaviorist

theirBy Kay Fike Jones — Photos by Megan Bean

Dr. Jennifer Burgess has Raymond’s photograph on her desk at the Wise Center, home of Mississippi State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.[ ]

coachesboth

humans&pets

Raymond, Burgess’ protector

A L U M N U S14

Fall 2007

Behaviorist coaches both pets and their humans

is that he relates everything to

dominance,” she explained. “This

is an oversimplification of behavior

problems and can lead to inappropriate

treatment. For example, ‘dominating’

a fearful dog could make it become

aggressive.”

In fact, Burgess considers Millan’s

methods to be fairly one-dimensional.

She added: “I don’t teach owners to use

‘dominance’ and physical punishment.

Instead, I teach boundaries by using

a consistent ‘learn-to-earn’ program

with positive reinforcement and non-

physical punishments like ‘time-outs.’

We don’t have to scare our animals to

get them to do what we want.”

There is one area in which Burgesss

agrees with Millan: the belief that a

person’s energy can affect a pet.

“I definitely believe we pass on

what we are feeling to our pets,” she

observed, citing a thunderstorm-related

example.

Burgess said that, while some

dogs become nervous during a storm,

they can come to understand that they

have little to fear if in the company

of calm dogs. Such usually isn’t the

case, however, when a human attempts

to comfort a nervous dog in similar

circumstances. Dogs don’t “comfort”

each other, so our reassurance acts as a

reward for their nervous behavior.

“It will backfire and make the dog

more anxious and frightened,” Burgess

said.

“Ignore them, but make sure they

have a place to go if they are nervous,”

she advised. “Some animals will get

under a table or bed so they can feel

safe. The worst thing owners can do is

to drag pets away from their safe havens

to ‘comfort’ them. Leave them where

they feel safe!”

Along that line, Burgess also

points out that some pets are quicker

than others to understand what benefits

them and how this knowledge can help

them manipulate their keepers. She

cites her family’s dog, Violet, as a good

example of “pets training their owners.”

When put outside one winter

day shortly after the family moved to

Starkville, Violet went to the floor-

length kitchen window and started

shaking. Burgess’ husband Shane felt

sorry for the “shivering” canine and let

her back in the house.

“Now this summer, she was out

there ‘shaking’ when it was 100 degrees,

just so she could come inside,” Burgess

said, with a laugh.

As with young children, it is easier

to stop behavior problems before they

start. It happens that this mother

of two youngsters lists prevention as

her favorite teaching topic. She is

a proponent of the “learn-to-earn”

program because, as she puts it,

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

For a well-behaved pet, she

encourages pet owners teach the dog

or cat the “rules of the house,” then

Ani

mal

s ar

e su

ch a

gree

able

frie

nds

- th

ey a

sk n

o qu

estio

ns, t

hey

pass

no

criti

cism

s.G

eorg

e E

liot

friendendend5dddieieienddanlike

Just

old

enforce them while providing ample rounds of exercise and

entertainment.

Cats also can be taught good manners through positive

reinforcement, especially for food rewards!

“Dogs are descended from wolves, but they aren’t wolves.

Domestication has changed their behavioral and physical

characteristics, so they won’t necessarily respond the same as

a wild animal,” Burgess said. “While dogs want to be around

people, they still have a pack mentality and look to the leader.

But, being the pack leader doesn’t have to mean physical

dominance. It’s all about control of resources.”

Burgess said she regularly encourages families to make

certain all humans in the home understand the importance of

supplying those resources. “Let the kids feed the pets to help

show that all the humans in the house are in charge,” she cited

as an example.

And when the pets inevitably “mess up,” what then?

Burgess said punishment for breaking the rules doesn’t

have to be physical. As a behaviorist, she tends to seek other

methods to modify a bad behavior. If Fido has been chewing

shoes, maybe he needs a time-out instead of a spanking and

then be shown what he is allowed to chew on.

The key, she added, is to be consistent in whatever reward

or punishment is chosen. Always look for good behaviors to

reward so that “no” is not the only thing your pet hears. Sadly,

she observed, behavior problems are the biggest single reason

animals are taken to shelters.

“We live in a disposable society, and if it’s not easy, we

don’t want to do it,” she remarked, with a sigh. “I became

interested in behavior problems because I wanted to decrease

the number of animals relinquished to shelters. Anything that

severs the human-animal bond can have welfare implications

for the human, as well as the pet.”

She said many pet owners never even tell their

veterinarians about behavior problems, possibly because it’s

somehow embarrassing, or they don’t realize that it can worsen

with time. Unfortunately, 75 percent of veterinarians never

ask their clients about their pet’s behavior. This is one thing

Burgess hopes to change by teaching future veterinarians.

In many cases, Burgess finds that training the owners

helps as much, if not more, as training the pet. Telling the

owners what to change in their own behavior can make a

difference, in most cases.

“Take a barking dog, for example. Reassuring or telling

off the animal, which, of course, are natural human responses,

only make the barking worse. I try to teach owners to ‘speak’

to their dogs in a language their dog understands—using body

language, calm tone, reinforcement—to get the behavior they

want,” Burgess said.

And, teaching is something this behaviorist hopes to do

more of in the future. After her children are older, she sees

herself spending considerable time in the classroom.

“I want to do as much teaching as I can do. I want a

whole program on behavior welfare and human/animal bond

in place,” she enthused. “I’d like to have public seminars for

the average person who is adopting a dog from a shelter, for

example.

“I want to get more information out to the public so we

will have fewer animals euthanized in shelters,” she continued.

One thing she is excited about is the new Nestle Purina

Human-Animal Bond Visiting Lecture Series. The lecture

series will debut in spring 2008.

Burgess also admits to wanting to work more with

production animals, like the sheep she studied back inJ tJ tten them, and, it seems, some of JustJustJustJustYears after she worked in Britain, Burgess returned on a

l ktrip to the island nation. While there, she visited the sheeplikelikflock where she once had worked. And, guess what? likelike“Raymond, ‘my protector,’ was in the group,” she recalled.likelikePausing, she continued, with a smile: “He saw me and came anan ldldrunning up to greet meaa

Just like an old friend.

A L U M N U S16

Fall 2007

i he

ers

r to come out of Mississippi Stateid in Edmonton, Canada, at theiige of 74. Yet, many in the MSU iimily would barely recognize his

ame.

John Dickerson “Jackie” Parker

ever played in the National Football

eague. He played for two years at

ate, 1952-53, before moving to

dmonton, Canada, where he played

r the Edmonton Eskimos of the

Canadian Football League and lived

for the rest of his life.

Born in Knoxville, Tenn., Parker

came to MSU by a circuitous route.

Most of the Southeastern Conference

schools and others of that era had

no interest in him because he had

married in high school.

Parker’s older brother knew

Paul Davis, who at the time was

head football coach at Jones County

Junior College and later would coach

at MSU. Davis agreed to let him

i of th

atest professional football playeiir to come out of Mississippi StaiiPARKER ered as perhapsbe

ST OF ALL TIME’ES

From

195

3 Re

veill

e

play at Jones, regardless of marital status, and Parker enrolled at Jones

in 1950.

He had two outstanding seasons there, but still no four-year

institution wanted him.

But following a divorce, Parker signed a baseball scholarship at

Mississippi State and made the football team, as well.

His first year as a Bulldog quarterback, he scored 120 points to

lead the nation in that department. During his two-year MSU career,

Parker twice was voted Most Outstanding Player in the Southeastern

Conference, and was Mr. Mississippi State his senior year.

So, how is it that such a talented and versatile player bypassed

the National Football League to play in the Great White North?

Parker’s coach during his junior year at State was none other than

the legendary Darrell Royal. By the time Parker graduated, Royal had

moved on to become head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos. Well

aware of Parker’s unique skills in the backfield, he enticed the young

phenomenon—with a handsome contract—to cross the border and

play for his team.

Thus, in 1954, Parker began a professional career that can only

be described as amazing. Playing mainly at quarterback, but variously

as a running back, receiver, and kicker, he took Canada by storm.

Over the course of his 14 years in the CFL, he ran for 88

touchdowns, passed for 88 more, kicked 40 field goals, scored 750

points, and passed for more than 16,000 yards.

“Ol’ Spaghetti Legs,” as he came to be known, is widely regarded

as the Canadian Football League’s greatest player of all time.

After his playing career, Parker coached the British Columbia

Lions for two years before being named general manager of that club.

He returned to the Eskimos organization in 1983 as head coach,

and retired from football in 1987.

Mississippi State has produced many football greats over the

years—Johnie Cooks, Joe Fortunato, Tom Goode, Kent Hull, D.D.

Lewis and Tyrone Keys, to name a few. But that list would be

woefully incomplete without the name of Jackie “Ol’ Spaghetti Legs”

Parker near the top.

[ ]Mississippi State has produced many football greats over the years—

Johnie Cooks, Joe Fortunato, Tom Goode, Kent Hull, and Tyrone Keys, to name a few.

A L U M N U S18

Fall 2007

HEALTHPAWSPPfor

By Erika Celeste — Photos by Tom Thompsonmeanie for short. Like most dogs, the one-mesn’t like going to the vet. After all, it’smmelling room, where someone may give mut for many pets like Theanie, the story mwas quite different after Hurricane Katrina. Injured, tired and

hungry, many were glad to see anyone who would help them.

To help make sure we humans provide better pet support

when a disaster occurs, the American Kennel Club recently

donated $100,000 to Mississippi State’s College of Veterinary

Medicine. The gift was used to purchase and equip a mobile

veterinary clinic.

Dr. Philip Bushby, a professor of surgery who also oversees

the mobile unit, is thrilled. “It’s wonderful to have it here. We’ve

been working on this for a little bit more than a year, trying to

get it here, so it’s great to finally have it.”

The new MSU mobile clinic includes a 32-foot trailer with

a full surgical suite, treatment room and small holding ward

capable of housing up to 16 animals. “When there is a

vehicle is fully equipped as a diagnostic lab

nd surgery clinic,” explains Bushby. “We

o the disaster zone, we can examine

ured animals. If we think there

are animals that have fractured

or broken legs, we can take

radiographs of them.”

Dr. Philip Bushby oversees the mobile veterinary clinic.

A L U M N U S19

Fall 2007

While the facility probably won’t do orthopedic surgery,

it will be of benefit because veterinarians will be able to

diagnose and stabilize animals, while searching for a more

equipped facility to handle such operations.

The mobile unit also has some other capabilities that

leave Bushby feeling like a kid in a candy store. “We have

equipment to do serum chemistry so we can figure out

what’s going on with an animal’s kidneys and liver. We

also have hematology so we can find out blood loss, anemia

or whatever. We are pretty much a fully equipped mobile

clinic.”

Bushby also points out that while the mobile unit is

mainly for small animals such as cats and dogs, disasters

don’t pick and choose which animals are affected. He says

that no animal will be turned away based on size.

“The radiology facility in the unit is mobile. It’s on

a pulley in the surgery room. We can remove it from the

pulley and take it outside and radiograph larger animals.

We have equipment and supplies so we can perform minor

procedures on larger animals.”

The mobile unit will not only help animals in their

times of need, but also will be a valuable tool, providing

hands-on experience for students.

“I am really excited,” says third-year student Lloyd

Reitz. “I can’t wait to go out for some of the clinics and

get the field experience. That’s something that would be

difficult for undergraduates to get at a larger

school. It just shows what a hidden gem

MSU’s vet school really is.”

Only three out of every 10 puppies or

kittens born find homes. So, students from the

College of Veterinary Medicine will be touring

the state and surrounding areas in the mobile

unit providing spay and neutering clinics, so

that dogs like Theanie won’t have puppies who

can’t find a home.

And working with shelters is a passion that Bushby

hopes to awaken in his students.

“I believe it’s criminal that we treat animals as

disposable items,” he says. “And anything that we can do in

this unit to help the shelters out to try and reduce the over-

population of puppies and kittens, that’s what I’m really

excited about. I guess the other aspect that I’m really excited

about is that we’re exposing our students to this because

we’re getting every one of our students into animal shelters.

They’re seeing the problem firsthand. I think our students

are graduating with a much better recognition of the

problem and the role they can play in solving the problem

than when I graduated veterinary school.”

However, Bushby adds that additional, long-term

funding will be required to maintain staffing, supplies and

expenses in the years ahead.

“After disasters, we’ll be going into areas that don’t

have electricity. The unit has a diesel generator, so we can

generate our own power. Obviously, the diagnostic and

surgical supplies that we need are going to be relatively

s a great opportunity for people who have a

imals—who really want to find a way to help

to contribute.”

ugh Theanie isn’t looking forward to going

he knife, she’s glad the mobile unit will be

to help other terriers, bulldogs and even

for years to come—and that has her tail

agging!

“It’s a great opportunity for people who have a heart for animals.”

A L U M N U S20

Fall 2007

By Robbie Ward

ty said the Yankee general died on a surgeon’s table in an operating t uly 1864, shortly after a Confederate cannonball ripped his arm fromt Since Confederates billed the Civil War as a battle between Gen. t Lee and Grant, his death certainly showed the South would win,tproving its superiority.

Not only did they spread good news of Grant’s agonizing, bloody death,

reports also surfaced about the North’s stock market collapsing and England

and France supporting the Confederacy.

These non-events didn’t make the cut for students

to read in history books, but Confederate soldiers

and civilians spread these rumors to keep morale

high in the South and to help convince themselves

their preferred reality existed. Mississippi State

assistant professor of history Jason Phillips writes

about Confederate rumors during the Civil War in

his most recent book, Diehard Rebels: The Confederate Culture of Invincibility,

which will be published by the University of Georgia Press in November.

New book examines effect ofCivil War rumors

They said Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s hubris cost him his life.[ ]

Jason Phillips

A L U M N U S21

Fall 2007

One essay from the book, “The Grape Vine Telegraph:

Rumors and Confederate

Persistence,” was included in

the prestigious “Best American

History Essays of 2008,” a

collection of about 10 essays

selected from several thousand.

The Organization of American

Historians, the premiere professional society of American

historians, selects essays for the collection.

Phillips’ research into rumors during the Civil War,

which lasted from 1861-1865, found very little previous

scholarly research analyzing how newspapers, soldiers’

journals and other documents helped continue doomed

hopes of a Southern army rising victorious against

“Northern aggressors.”

“They believed there was no way God would let them

lose a war to people who seemed so barbaric,” Phillips said.

Phillips had to dig back to research by Harvard

University psychologists on World War II soldiers’ rumors

to find something similar to his work. While rooted in

American history, Phillips’ book and essays also combine

threads of psychology and sociology.

A central theme of Phillips’ research revolves around

why some Confederate soldiers continued to fight and

expect to win after so many successive defeats.

“A culture existed in the South that believed it was

superior to the North,” Phillips said. “During the war, these

soldiers thought they were more than just superior. They

thought they were invincible, invincibility rooted in white

supremacy.”

While Southerners believed a higher power would

guide them to victory, they also had practical reasons for

pushing rumors of false hope. During the last months of the

Civil War, Confederate leaders experienced problems with

desertion among their armies.

False rumors during the Civil War provide insights into

early Southern psychology that likely served as a precursor

to popular Confederate and Southern ideologies such as the

“Lost Cause” and “Never, Never,” which supported their

ideals no matter the result and promoted the thought that

the South would emerge victorious some day.

“Even religious leaders would spread rumors from the

pulpit,” Phillips said of his research findings. “We can see

likenesses between wartime experiences of the soldiers and

the legacy of the Civil War and the South.”

Research by Phillips showed how some roots of the

political, social and economic parts of the New South can be

found in the Civil War in the South.

“So much of Southern history during the Civil War

can explain history long after the cannons stopped firing,”

Phillips said.

“They believed there was no way God

would let them lose a war to people who seemed so barbaric.”

A L U M N U S22

Fall 2007

rReviewing his first year as president of Mississippi

State, Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong says that he’s learned

the value of patience and has been energized by his

interaction with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and

friends.

“I’ve been the new kid on the block, and I’ve

logged thousands of miles getting to know the extensive

MSU family,” said the university’s 18th president,

named in 2006.

“Mississippi State has a presence in every

Mississippi county, and our more than 100,000 alumni

stretch literally around the globe. This has very much

been a year of hitting the ground running and being in

as many places as humanly possible,” he said.

Within weeks of arriving on the Starkville

campus in April 2006, Foglesong appointed a cross-

campus committee of faculty, staff, and students to

build a 10-year strategic plan. Called FutureState

2015, the resulting document yielded more than 100

recommendations, about 70 of which already have been

implemented or are substantially under way.

The former four-star general adopted a theme of

One State, One Team and announced the ambitious

goal of becoming the most respected land-grant school

in the region.

“To some, that seems audacious,” he admitted,

“but I believe that Mississippi State University has talent

and a work ethic that are second to none. After a year,

I’m more convinced than ever that this institution can

accomplish great things for the state and the region.”

n weeks

April 20

mmittee

year stra

esulting

recommendations,

implemented or ar

FOGLESONGe e s s yea a

MSU helmMSU helmyy

“I believe that Mississippi State University has talent and a work ethic that are

second to none.”-Robert H. Foglesong[ ]

A L U M N U S23

Fall 2007

Initiatives under way in the last year:

Center for America’s Veterans,

a national center that links

veterans with educational

benefits and provides support

as they transition to civilian

life. Drawing on resources

such as MSU’s Social Science Research Center, the

new venture also will be able to provide research

specific to national veterans’ issues.

to ground students in out-of-classroom skills for

success. An initial class of 29 sophomores and

juniors make up the Appalachian Leadership

Honors Program—Sonny Montgomery Chapter,

and the program will expand this fall.

New components in the leadership

continuum are a Day One program

for incoming freshmen and the Young

Guns summer program for rising

high school juniors. All focus on

mentoring young men and women and

involving them in service activities that foster community

engagement, Foglesong said.

linkages. A Global

Leadership Program is

building on an already

strong international

emphasis at MSU,

Foglesong said, with

a recently

completed Korea Study Tour the

first of many he hopes to see. “Our

students must be comfortable with

many cultures, and one of my goals has

been to create linkages that will foster

increased understanding,” he said.

In place for the fall, the program will

involve a variety of academic disciplines,

including literature, the arts, history, and political

science, among others.

Foglesong as the chief recruiter. “My goal is

to grow Mississippi State’s enrollment by a

manageable amount—300 to 400 more students

each year,” he explained. “I have traveled across

Mississippi and the South and have met literally

thousands of prospective students

over the last year to introduce

them to the Great Bulldog

Nation.”

Excellence fundraising effort

focused on academic excellence,

faculty development and campus

enhancements. “Our donors are

making a difference in helping us

move Mississippi State forward,” Foglesong said.

effort designed to ensure rising tuitions do not

squeeze deserving students out of

higher education. It has assisted

more than 120 students in the first

year.

Action Teams, a coordinated effort

that pulls together MSU resources to address

issues of significance to local governments.

MSCAT currently is working with nearly a dozen

communities around the state.

expectations of students to lead and learn with

character.

“We want to continue to build these programs,

to ensure that we have adequate support for our

academic foundation, and grow our research

programs to extend benefits to all Mississippians,” he

said.

If there’s been one surprise in the last year,

Foglesong says, it’s the amount he’s needed to travel.

A L U M N U S24

Fall 2007

Foglesong reviews first year at MSU helm

“I’ve often found myself jammed with recruiting,

fundraising, economic development, and alumni

events, often in different parts of the state on the same

day, and each important,” he noted. “But perhaps the

most important thing I’ve done was to visit separately

with many

of the

university’s

academic

departments,

and I look

forward to

meeting with the others as soon as I can.”

During his months on the job, Foglesong has

spoken to about 23,000 people at more than 140

alumni meetings, civic clubs, recruiting events, and so

on. He also received over 19,000 e-mails and covered

more than 2,000 miles during daily runs.

“To cram everything in

this busy year,” Foglesong

said, “I traveled tens of

thousands of miles—not

including the 2,000 I ran.”

While the travel required

energy, time and resources,

including many weekends, he adds that he’s seeing it

pay off.

“I was advised by alumni and those engaged in

higher education to spend this first year getting to know

people and agencies that could help move the university

forward,” he said. “That was good advice.

“I believe my personal contact is having an effect,

either directly or indirectly, in helping raise tens of

millions of

dollars for

research and

economic

development,

generating

a significant

return to Mississippi; boosting the extraordinary success

of our $400 million State of the Future campaign; and

contributing to a significant increase in our student

application rate for the coming year,” he said.

“There is still much more to do, and I intend to

stay as engaged this year as I was last year,” Foglesong

said. “I’m as excited today as I was the first day on the

job.

“This is the best gig I’ve ever had.”

Foglesong

“Our donors are making a difference in helping us move Mississippi State forward.”

Fall 2007

25A L U M N U S

newsCAMPUS

Mississippi State’s Challenge Xteam placed first overall among 16other universities this summer in thethird annual national competition to

find innovative ways of redesigning afuel-efficient and environmentallyfriendly SUV.

The university team of undergradu-ate and graduate students was awardedthe top position overall and in 10

HANDS OF TIMELocal clock hobbyist HaroldRone had lots of time—andhands—on his hands recentlyas he worked to wind someof the more than 400pieces in the Cullis andGladys Wade ClockMuseum. Located at theeast end of the WadeDepot, the display of thecouple’s lifelong collectionadjoins the MSU WelcomeCenter, which opened lastyear. The museum openedin August..

Engineering team wins fuel-efficiency challenge

Challenge X Team

individual categories at the nine-daycompetition in Milford, Mich. Thechallenge: to re-engineer a 2005Chevrolet Equinox crossover sports

utility vehicle usingadvanced propulsiontechnologies that increasefuel efficiencies and reduceenvironmental impact whileretaining consumer appeal.

Organized by GeneralMotors and the U.S. Depart-ment of Energy’s ArgonneNational Laboratory, thecompetition involved morethan a dozen evaluations,among them acceleration,off-road performance,greenhouse gas impact, fueleconomy, emissions, andconsumer acceptability.Oral presentations andtechnical research papers

also were part of the judging.Mississippi State will receive a total

of $31,500 in prize money, including$15,000 from the National ScienceFoundation for the outstanding facultyadviser, electrical and computerengineering professor Marshall Molen.

The team designed a “through-theroad parallel hybrid electric” vehiclewith a 1.9 GM direct injection turbodiesel engine fueled by B20 biodiesel.The vehicle increased its fueleconomy by 48 percent compared tothe original design.

MSU students worked many hoursover the last three years on thecompetition, which actually continuesfor another year. In 2006, the teamplaced third overall in the competi-tion, along with winning first place inindividual categories.

Mississippi State is announcing anew scholarship to honor students whoalready have achieved the highesthonors of the Boy Scouts of Americaand Girl Scouts of the USA.

Mississippi residents who haveachieved the levels of Eagle Scout orGold Award, respectively, are encour-aged to apply for a one-time, $1,000scholarship. Students meeting allrequirements will receive $500 for thefall and spring semesters.

Entering freshman applicants alsomust have a high school grade-pointaverage of at least 2.5, based on a 4.0scale. Community college transfersmust have completed at least 48 hoursof acceptable course credit toward anMSU bachelor’s degree, also with aminimum 2.5 GPA.

To begin the scholarship applica-tion process, visit the MSU home page,www.msstate.edu, and click on thelarge blue icon labeled “ApplyOnline.” Additional information maybe obtained by telephoning the Officeof Admissions and Scholarships at662-325-2224.

Scholarship honorsEagle Scouts, GoldAward winners

Fall 2007

26A L U M N U S

newsCAMPUS

Search for financevice president begins

Mississippi State is launching anational search for the vice presi-dent of finance and administration.

The position previously was heldby Ray Hayes, who became vicechancellor for financial affairs atthe University of Alabama System.

President Robert H. “Doc”Foglesong has appointed an eight-member search committee headedby Kirk Schulz, vice president forresearch and economic develop-ment, and has asked for a list ofqualified names by mid-November.

“We want to identify the bestcandidate possible and moveexpeditiously to fill this criticalposition,” he said.

Foglesong recently namedWayne Bland, longtime MSUcontroller, as associate vice presi-dent for finance and administration.“With the naming of a new vicepresident, we will have a strongteam in place,” he said.

Schulz said the committee “willbe aggressive in trying to secure astrong candidate pool.”

Committee members, in additionto Schulz are:

Mary Alexander, interim direc-tor, Office of Diversity and Equity;Bill Broyles, assistant vice presi-dent for student affairs; WayneBland, associate vice president forfinance and administration; JimJones, executive director of facili-ties; Melissa Mixon, associate vicepresident for agriculture, forestryand veterinary medicine; BarbaraSpencer, professor and director ofgraduate studies in business; andKevin Rogers, interim associatedean and professor, College ofBusiness and Industry.

As part of continuing emergency response efforts initiated by President RobertH. “Doc” Foglesong, the university has created a new communication programnamed Maroon Alert.

“We have reviewed our communication methods and have moved forwardaggressively with new ways of notifying the campus of dangerous situations,”Foglesong said.

A campus Crisis Action Team formed last year has worked closely with localand state responders in a series of periodic emergency drills, said Dean ofStudents Mike White, the team’s co-chair.

“In the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy, we revisited our ways ofcommunicating with the campus community, and we are implementing even moremethods of notifying students, faculty and staff of emergency situations,” Whiteadded.

The new text-message notification allows students and employees the optionof receiving emergency messages on their cell phones. They also may choose toutilize instant messaging options to receive emergency pop-up messages on their

personal computers.“We’re trying to reach

students with technologies theyuse, as well as provide nearlyinstantaneous notification ifneeded,” White explained.

Under the Maroon Alert system, other communication methods include:—An emergency Web page that provides continuous updates about the

situation;—A system of campus sirens to broadcast a warning signal;—E-mail messages sent to official campus addresses;—Announcements on campus radio station WMSV-FM [91.1] and through

other public media outlets;—Notifications from campus personnel authorized to use university radios;

and—Loudspeaker notifications from key campus locations and roving police

cruisers.“We take campus safety seriously,” Foglesong said. “We encourage every

individual at Mississippi State to take reasonable precautions for their personalsafety, and we’re committed to doing all we can to ensure the safest campusenvironment possible.”

For complete information, visit www.MaroonAlert.msstate.edu.

announcement system begins

MAROON A L E R T

‘Maroon Alert’ emergency

Fall 2007

27A L U M N U S

newsCAMPUS

For the third time since 2001,Mississippi State is earning designa-tion as a Center of Academic Excel-lence in Information AssuranceEducation, a program designed tosupport federal goals for a securecyberspace.

The designation by the NationalSecurity Agency and Department ofHomeland Security recognizesapproximately 80 colleges anduniversities meeting stringent criteria,said Ray Vaughn, MSU William L.Giles Professor of Computer Scienceand Engineering.

Computer security program again earns recognitionVaughn, who directs the university’s

Center for Computer Security Re-search, said the prestigious NSAcredential acknowledges MSU’ssuccess in meeting standards foracademic course offerings, state-of-the-art laboratories, faculty research,collaboration with other universities,and commitment to institutionalpractices, among others.

“In order to become a Center ofAcademic Excellence, a universitymust demonstrate that its computersecurity courses meet standardspublished by the Committee on

National Security Standards,” heexplained.

MSU was among the first 26institutions receiving credentialsunder the program and now holdscertification through 2012.

Mississippi State has providedscholarships to more than 50 students,with funding in place for several moreyears. Students currently are workingfor the Army, Navy, Air Force, na-tional intelligence community, andSandia National Laboratory, amongothers.

Fall 2007

28A L U M N U S

newsCAMPUS

Navy aircraft carriers now have anew safeguard to protect against firesand other related dangers.

The service’s first fire and smokesimulation computer model developedby Mississippi State’s Center forAdvanced Vehicular Systems receiveda certificate of verification, validationand accreditation from the Washing-ton, D.C.-based Naval ResearchLaboratory. In accepting the accoladein June, university scientists said theprogram creates a powerful trainingtool to prevent injuries and death anddecrease damages to the large ships.

Tomasz A. Haupt, associate researchprofessor and manager of CAVS’cooperative computing laboratory, saidbasic accessibility is among theprogram’s greatest strengths. “Anyonecan use it,” he explained.

Whether a deck fire or one deepwithin the mighty craft’s complexinterior, 21st century sailors will usethe training model to determine bestpractices for safety and extinguishingfires. The CAVS’ high-technologycomputing power that determined thebest ways to react to shipboard fire andsmoke is expected to result in consid-erable savings.

“The dollar savings is incredible,”said Frederick W. Williams, director ofNavy Technology Center for Safetyand Survivability, in presenting thecertification. “The accuracy of modelsis impeccable for what it’s used for,”he added.

Since carrier fires can result inmillions of dollars in crippling dam-age, constant testing is essential toassure the best safety practices. Now,instead of a single smoke-and-fire testsituation costing $250,000, Navy

Supercomputers help U.S. Navy ‘attack’ on-board fires

Navy Technology Center official Frederick Williams (second from left) presents thecertificate to MSU Vice President Kirk Schulz as CAVS officials Tomasz Haupt (left) andRand German look on.

researchers can employ virtuallylimitless tests by using the MSU-designed computer simulation model.

In addition to surface ships, theCAVS model, developed through apartnership among MSU, NavalResearch Laboratory and HughesAssociates Inc. of Baltimore, Md., hasthe potential to assist with safetyissues associated with submarines,aircraft and buildings. Hughes is aglobal company specializing in firesafety and protection.

MSU formed an additional partner-ship on the project with the NorthropGrumman Corp.’s Pascagoula ship-building operation, sharing informa-

tion that will help improve the safetyof its vessels currently under con-struction.

Additionally, Navy leaders will usethe model to assist with general shipdesigns and as a tactical tool. Incombat situations, for example, themodel can determine how smoke andfire caused by enemy weapons wouldspread for up to 30 minutes on anaircraft carrier.

While the technology now is beingused for military purposes, Williamsobserved that it likely will filter intocommercial cruise ship and othercivilian industries.

Fall 2007

29A L U M N U S

newsCAMPUS

REFLECTIONSNight lights along George Perry Street are mirrored on the perfectly calm surface ofChadwick Lake near the Joe Frank Sanderson Center.

Donna Clevinger selected to lead MSU-MeridianAn Ohio University administrator is

Mississippi State’s choice to lead theuniversity’s Meridian campus.

Donna L. Clevinger has servedsince 2004 as associate dean of OU’sZanesville campus. Prior to that, shewas professor and chair of the theaterdepartment at Hardin-SimmonsUniversity in Abilene, Texas, and, inthe mid-1990s, led the speech andtheater department at historic Blue

A new multi-use pavilion atStarkville’s Green Oaks Park,designed byMSU stu-dents, openedin August.

Theconstructionproject wascompletedover severalmonths as a community serviceproject by students in theuniversity’s College of Architec-ture, Art and Design and Collegeof Agriculture and Human Sci-ences’ department of landscapearchitecture.

The park is located just offstate Highway 12 West at theintersection of Whitfield Streetand Avenue of the Patriots. Itadjoins the eastern edge of GreenOaks Subdivision.

Students designed and built thepavilion largely from recycledmaterials.

For more information about theproject, visitwww.adaptivesystemskinetic.com.

Mountain College in NortheastMississippi.

Subject to formal approval by theBoard of Trustees, State Institutionsof Higher Learning, the Universityof Michigan-Ann Arbor doctoralgraduate began her new duties inearly August. She replaces theretiring Harold J. Nichols.

“We are pleased that Dr.Clevinger has accepted our offer tolead Mississippi State’s Meridiancampus,” said university ProvostPeter Rabideau in making theannouncement. “She is a veteranadministrator with a proven recordof budget planning and preparation,as well as a deep commitment tocommunity involvement in highereducation.

“It’s also to her credit that she hasprior experience in Mississippi

collegiate education,” the vice presi-dent for academic affairs added.

In addition to a 1980 doctoratefrom Michigan, Clevinger holdsbachelor’s and master’s degrees fromthe University of Kentucky in 1973and 1975, respectively. She also is agraduate of the Harvard UniversityInstitute for Management and Leader-ship in Education.

Established in 1972, MSU-Meridianoffers upper-level undergraduate andselected graduate programs throughits divisions of Arts and Sciences,Business and Industry, and Education.The campus also operates the down-town MSU Riley Center for Educationand Performing Arts, and provides acooperative degree program innursing with the University of South-ern Mississippi.

Pavilion designed withrecycled materials

Fall 2007

30A L U M N U S

newsCAMPUS

A new Mississippi State serviceoffered this fall allows students totransfer credit account balanceselectronically rather than standing inline for checks.

Developed for the university’sstudent account services office, theprogram, dubbed “Bull-e-buck$,”provides a number of new options fortransferring credit balances fromaccounts such as remaining financialaid, said Wayne Bland, associate vicepresident for finance and administra-tion.

“We traditionally have askedstudents to come personally to ouroffice in Garner Hall and stand inline,” he explained.

“Our new secure online system willbe much more convenient for studentswho choose to use it, and it will createmuch greater efficiencies for theuniversity,” Bland added.

While students still may opt to get apaper check, the new electronic fundtransfer will allow them to move all ora portion of their credit balance whilesitting at a computer.

“Or, they may simply leave thefunds in the existing account to applyto future charges,” Bland explained.

For more information, visit http://www.controller.msstate.edu/sas/more-beb.htm.

Students now haveaccount flexibility

eBull

Mississippi State ranks 61st in the United States for bachelor’s degrees awardedto African-Americans, according to a publication’s new survey.

By awarding 448 degrees to black students during the 2005-06 academic year, the university increased black collegegraduates by 11 percent, the Diverse: Issues in Higher Educa-tion survey reported. The Virginia-based magazine’s annuallisting of the top 100 colleges and universities awardingdegrees to black students includes both historically black andwhite institutions of higher learning.

MSU also was ranked according to degree programs,including ninth in education, 15th in agriculture and related fields, 27th in engi-neering, and 48th in physical science.

During the 2006 fall semester, some 2,280 African-American students attendedclasses on the Starkville campus. They represented nearly 20 percent of the main-campus enrollment.

Graduation achievement spotlightedby minority publication

Fall 2007

31A L U M N U S

newsCAMPUS

MAN-EATING TREE?When looking for bats, DaveRichardson must go where thenocturnal animals hang out—literally. While searching fora bat roosting and breedingsite to be featured on MSU’sNatural Wonders televisionfeature series, the NoxubeeNational Wildlife Refugebiologist and MSU alumnusmade a visual survey of thedark cavity in a water-lovingbald cypress tree.

Photo by Dave Ammon

Historian, author and scholarStephen Middleton’s life represents anexample of African-Americans’ accessto the American Dream and obstaclesthey had to overcome toachieve it.

For MississippiState, the new historyprofessor and director ofthe land-grantuniversity’s new African-American Studies programrepresents a long-termcommitment to research,statewide community engage-ment and teaching of a people’sstory within the larger context ofAmerican history.

A South Carolina native from afamily of eight children, Middletonspent time in his youth participating inthe civil rights movement of the1960s. Reared in a rural environmentwhere he worked as a plowman andcotton picker, he realized that life hadother opportunities for him.

“As a teenager, I decided to dosomething else,” Middleton said.

S.C.-born historian to lead African-American studiesMiddleton went on to complete a

bachelor’s degree in history fromMorris College in 1976 and, the

following year, a master’s inblack studies, with a concen-

tration in African-Americanhistory, from Ohio State

University. Later, heearned a history doctor-

ate from Miami Univer-sity (1987) and

attended New YorkUniversity Law

School for a time.Middleton

comes to MSUfrom North Carolina

State University, where he hadbeen a professor since 1989. He

earlier taught at the University ofCincinnati and Wilberforce (Ohio)University.

Middleton has written four books inhis research specialties, race and law.Among them is The Black Laws: Raceand the Legal Process in Ohio, 1787-1860 (2005, Ohio University Press).His current book project focuses on

Robert Heberton Terrell, a formerVirginia slave who became the firstblack person appointed to a U.S.municipal judgeship.

Middleton said his short-term goalsfor the African-American Studiesprogram include the development of anundergraduate minor and certificationprogram, along with a graduate minorand certification for master’s anddoctoral students. Long term, he ishopeful that MSU students will havethe opportunity to major in the field.

Middleton said MSU’s African-American Studies program has specialmeaning for Mississippi, consideredone of the major focal points duringthe civil rights movement.

“We’re committed to scholarshipand dissemination of knowledge,”Middleton said. “We’re seriousscholars committed to the Americandream, not just for African-Americans,but for all people.”

Mississippi State is receiving a$300,000 National ScienceFoundation research experiencegrant that will address bothscientific and human challenges.

In addition to having theuniversity’s Center for AdvancedVehicular Systems investigatesomething called high-ratephenomena, the award also isdesigned to encourage moreundergraduate students to pursueadvanced degrees in engineeringand science fields.

Heating, cooling, compression,and expansion are some examplesof high-rate phenomena.

NSF grant allowsundergrad research

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An internationally recognizedauthority on HIV and AIDS policiesand research has begun a four-yearterm on a federal review panel.

Janet S. St. Lawrence, a professor atMSU-Meridian, joins a team ofprofessionals chosen to considerresearch grant applications associatedwith prevention of the virus and life-threatening condition. They will meetthree times a year in Washington, D.C.

Longtime Mississippi State admin-istrator Vance H. Watson is beingnamed director of MSU Extension andOutreach, a position he has held on aninterim basis since 2005.

The new title was approved inAugust by the state Board of Trustees,Institutions of Higher Learning.

Watson also is vice president ofMSU’s Division of Agriculture,Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, aswell as director of the MississippiAgricultural and Forestry ExperimentStation and dean of the College ofAgriculture and Life Sciences.

Two members of Beta GammaSigma are being recognized foroutstanding achievements in theCollege of Business and Industry.

Juniors Jessica J. Faulkner ofNatchez and Corey Hancock ofLouisville recently received $1,000scholarships from the business honorsociety at the conclusion of the springsemester.

A Mississippi State graduatestudent is being honored for her workwith an electron microscope inresearch associated with SoutheasternNative American tribes.

Jennifer L. Seltzer of Starkville, agraduate student in applied anthropol-ogy, recently received the Southeast-ern Microscopy Society’s RuskaAward for Student Research. Micros-copy includes any technique forproducing visible images of structuresor details too small to otherwise beseen by the human eye, using amicroscope or other magnificationtool.

A graduate of the professional golfmanagement academic program whobecame an award-winning Profes-sional Golfers’ Association of Americainstructor is the new director of theuniversity’s public golf course.

Anthony L. “Tony” Luczak beganwork in May as director of golf in therecreational sports department, aDivision of Student Affairs unit. A1990 MSU graduate and PGA membersince 1992, he previously owned andmanaged a national golf academy inClifton Park, N.Y.

A computer engineering graduatestudent was selected to receive ahighly competitive fellowshipawarded annually to about 1,000students nationwide.

Wesley James Holland of Florencewas awarded a 2007 National ScienceFoundation graduate research fellow-ship. The foundation awards fellow-ships to students who demonstrate thepotential to contribute significantly toresearch, teaching and innovations inscience and engineering.

The head of the department ofelectrical and computer engineering isadding the prestigious title of Fellow

of the American Society for Engineer-ing Education to her list of profes-sional achievements.

Sarah A. Rajala also has beenselected as an educator of the year bythe international organization.

A veteran administrator is assumingnew responsibilities at the land-grantinstitution.

Controller and Treasurer WayneBland is the university’s interimassociate vice president for financeand administration.

An MSU employee since 1980, hewill oversee functions that include theoffices of procurement and contracts;receiving and property control;accounts payable and travel; printing;office supply; and mail services, aswell as controller and treasurer.

Sandra H. Harpole of West Point, anassociate vice president and physicsprofessor, is part of the 2007 class ofthe Mississippi Business Journal’s“Mississippi’s 50 Leading BusinessWomen.” She is among the latestgroup selected by the Jackson-basedpublication for its annual recognitionof professional women makingsignificant contributions to societyand the workplace.

The National Society of Profes-sional Engineers is bestowing a majorhonor on the undergraduate coordina-tor in the Bagley College of Engineer-ing.

Robert A. Green recently wasnamed to the organization’s 2007Fellows class. Chosen by active NSPEmembers, the designation recognizes

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exemplary service to the profession,organization and community.

H. Michael Barnes is a new Fellowof the Society of Wood Science andTechnology.

Barnes, of the university’s Forestand Wildlife Research Center, recentlyreceived the honor by the professionalorganization for his work in woodpreservation and durability, woodtreatment and treatment effects onwood properties.

Mississippi State’s Gulf CoastCommunity Design Studio is beinghonored by the American Institute ofArchitects’ regional organization forits work with the post-HurricaneKatrina recovery effort.

The AIA/Gulf States Region pre-sented the College of Architecture, Artand Design’s Biloxi-based outreachprogram with a 2007 Honors Citationduring the national professional body’sannual convention.

Selected from more than 120submissions, the Gulf Coast studio wasamong only 22 recognized for designexcellence.

Two seniors from Starkville againare champions in national competitionsponsored by the American Institute ofFloral Designers.

For the second consecutive year,Mariah R. Baird and Jena Oh took bestoverall team honors in the studentchallenge held this year at Palm Desert,Calif. Oh also won best overallindividual honors, as well as first inflowers-to-carry and second in dried-flower design.

Mark W. Lehman is being honoredas the Mississippi Society of CertifiedPublic Accountants’ 2007 OutstandingEducator.

An associate professor in theuniversity’s School of Accountancy,he received the annual tribute at theorganization’s recent summer gather-ing.

Five Mississippi students, threefrom Louisiana and one from Illinoisare receiving Mississippi State’s topscholarships for the 2007-08 schoolyear.

MSU’s latest Distinguished Scholarclass includes Matilda I. Asuzu ofBaton Rouge, La., Caleb Y. Brasher ofWest Monroe, La., John R. Carroll ofMeridian, Halston R. Hales of Clinton,and Brooke N. Harris of Florence.

A nationally recognized administra-tor in the College of Forest Resourcesis on track to become president of TheWildlife Society.

Bruce Leopold, head of the wildlifeand fisheries department, recently waselected as TWS vice president. In2009, he moves to the top administra-tive office of the 10,000-memberinternational organization founded in1937.

Leopold is a longtime WildlifeSociety member who previouslyserved on its governing council and asSoutheastern Section representative.

Mississippi State’s student chapterof the Society of American Foresterscontinues among the top organizationsof its kind in the nation.

The 40-member body recentlyplaced first in the SAF Student ChapterWeb site competition and now rankssecond overall in the outstandingstudent chapter category.

The chapter now has won first placefor five years in Web site competition.Designed and maintained by members,the site—www.cfr.msstate.edu/studentorgs.saf/—was judged ondesign and content, among othercriteria.

A member of the mathematics andstatistics faculty is joining theShackouls Honors College as itsassociate director.

Kevin P. Knudson began his newduties in mid-August, working withcollege director Nancy McCarley. Theassociate professor will serve asmentor for the Distinguished ScholarsProgram and coordinator of theHonors Undergraduate ResearchProgram.

An alumnus and fundraisingveteran is the university’s new execu-tive director of development.

James V. “Bo” Hemphill IV now willlead efforts to obtain non-publicfunds, including constituency-basedmajor fundraising, annual giving,planned giving, and corporate andfoundation support.

A Starkville native, Hemphill hasbeen serving as development directorfor the College of Business andIndustry. He becomes the secondmember of his family to serve asfoundation director. His father, JamesV. Hemphill III, held the position in the1980s.

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ALUMNInews

Local chapters play vital role with scholarshipsMississippi State’s alumni chapters

are making a difference across theuniversity through annual and en-dowed scholarships that enabledeserving students to attend MSU.

Currently, 39 chapters across thecountry sponsor MSU scholarships,typically awarded to students in thechapter’s local area.

Most recently, the Central Missis-sippi Alumni Chapter established anendowed scholarship with a $25,000gift. Earnings from the endowmentwill be used to fund the annualscholarship payouts. The chapter isalso continuing its fundraising effortsto add to the amount of scholarshipmoney available annually.

Several alumni chapters haveestablished multiple scholarships forlocal students. The George-GreeneCounty Chapter has a total of threeseparate scholarships available toincoming students, two of which areendowed. Other alumni chapters withmultiple scholarships include thechapters in Lee, Oktibbeha, andWarren counties.

“We are so pleased with the effortsof all alumni chapters who have set upscholarships,” said Jimmy Abraham,associate vice president for develop-ment and alumni and executivedirector of the alumni association.“They mean so much to so many, asthey provide deserving students withthe funds they need to attend MSU, aswell as give our alumni chapters a wayto give back in a tangible, meaningfulway.”

The MSU Alumni Association has87 chartered alumni chapters through-out the United States. Local chaptermembers serve as MSU representativesin local communities by hosting eventsranging from socials to studentrecruitment parties to communityservice projects. The association has

chapters in Alabama, Arkansas,Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,Mississippi, North Carolina, New York,Tennessee, Texas, and Washington,D.C.

“The local chapters are the life-blood of our Alumni Association,” saidAbraham. “They reach students,friends, and MSU fans at thegrassroots level—something we wouldnot be able to do without them. Theircontinued financial support of chapterscholarships is invaluable, and we are

Central MississippiChapter leadershippresented a$25,000 gift to theMSU Foundation atits annual SummerExtravaganza in July.

Atlanta, Ga.Attala CountyBaton Rouge, La.Birmingham, Ala.Bolivar CountyCentral MississippiClaiborne-Jefferson CountiesClay CountyCoahoma CountyCovington CountyDeSoto CountyGeorge-Greene CountiesHancock CountyHarrison-Stone Counties

excited about a long future of growthand development with them.”

Gifts of any amount from individualdonors may be designated to a specificchapter’s endowed or annual scholar-ship fund.

For more information about contrib-uting to an existing scholarship orestablishing a new chapter scholar-ship, contact Cathy Lammons, directorof donor relations, at 662-325-7843 [email protected].

Houston, TexasHuntsville-Decatur, Ala.Jackson CountyLauderdale CountyLee CountyLeflore-Carroll CountiesLincoln CountyLowndes CountyMemphis, Tenn.Mobile, Ala.Monroe CountyNashville, Tenn.Neshoba CountyNew Orleans, La.

Oktibbeha CountyPearl River CountyPrentiss CountySharkey-Issaquena CountiesSoutheast MississippiSunflower CountyTippah CountyUnion CountyWarren CountyWashington CountyWest Tennessee

Currently, 39 local alumni chapters have established endowed scholarships forMSU students. These include the chapters in:

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You can receive a “Future Bulldog”certificate for your son or daughter bysimply calling the Office of Admissionsand Scholarships at 662-325-2224, bye-mailing [email protected], orvisiting http://msuinfo.ur.msstate.edu/friends/futurebulldog.html.

You must include the child’s fullname, your address, and the year he orshe will be a freshman at MississippiState. Start your Bulldog traditionsnow.

BULLDOG?

Want to make your newestaddition an official

Each month, the AlumniAssociation and its local alumnichapters host events on campus andacross the country. We just may bein your neighborhood!

Visit www.alumni.msstate.eduoften for an updated calendar ofevents.

More than 2,500 alumni, friends, students, prospective students and parentsattended a local MSU Alumni Association Send-off Party this summer.

The series of send-off parties was designed to introduce incoming and pro-spective students and their families to Missis-sippi State. In all, 32 parties were held in sixstates over a two-week period beginning July24 and ending Aug. 10.

The 2007 events were jointly sponsored bythe MSU Alumni Association, local alumnichapters, and the Office of Admissions andScholarships.

“The annual send-off parties are truly one-of-a-kind events, and they have had a tremen-dous impact on our newest members of theBulldog Family,” said Jimmy Abraham, associ-ate vice president for development and alumniand executive director of the alumni associa-

tion. “They’re a great recruiting tool, provide local recognition for our alumnichapters, and are a wonderful opportunity for MSU faithful to get together.”

Representatives from theMSU Alumni Associationand the Office of Admis-sions and Scholarships wereon hand at each local eventalong with many MSUfaculty and staff.

Drs. Rodney and AllisonPearson, a husband-and-wifeteam of professors in MSU’sCollege of Business andIndustry, were among themany faculty membersparticipating in the 2007 events.

“This is our second year to be part of the send-off parties,” said AllisonPearson, professor of management for the business college. “Rodney and I love

the opportunity to be involved in theseevents. It gives us the opportunity to seeformer students, now alumni, hosting andattending the parties, as well as do our partto welcome the newest Bulldogs to thefamily. We’re honored and excited to be partof this new MSU tradition.”

“We were so pleased that all our alumniand friends could come together to supportour incoming students in this special way,”Abraham said. “And we hope everyone willmark their calendars next summer for the2008 send-off parties.”

Send-off parties conclude with success Want to stay INVOLVED?

East Texas Send-off Party

West Tennessee Send-off Party

Atlanta Send-off Party

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ALUMNInews

When the timecomes to renewyour license plateor purchase onefor your automo-bile, show theworld that Missis-sippi State is yourinstitution ofchoice with theMSU tag. The costof a collegiatelicense plate is

just $51 per year in addition to the normal cost, and $32.50 of that fee is a tax-deductible gift to the university. Proceeds from the sale of MSU license platesfund priority programs at your alma mater. So go ahead—show your support forMississippi State with the official MSU tag.

Make a

with the official MSU license plateSTATEment

Alumni and friends can travel in “Bulldog-style” to many exotic domesticand international destinations in 2007-08. All Traveling Bulldogs endorsedtrips include informative education programs, the services of a professionalcampus director and expert local guides. Schedule your next great Bulldogadventure today or visit www.alumni.msstate.edu for more information.

Peru, featuring Machu PicchuFeb. 14-21, 2008

Legends of the Nile, EgyptMarch 5-15, 2008

Voyage of the Western MediterraneanApril 30–May 8, 2008

Cruising the Baltic Sea and Norwegian Fjords(hosted by MSU President Robert H. “Doc”Foglesong and First Lady Mary Foglesong)

June 4-16, 2008The Great Journey through Europe

July 3-13, 2008Alaska

July 19-26, 2008Italy—Sorrento and Orvieto

Sept. 9-20, 2008Village Life in the Italian Lake District

Oct. 4-14, 2008

Traveling BulldogsTraveling Bulldogs

Donald “Duck” Mosley, left, andJames Wray Bush were among 39brothers of the Delta Chi chapter ofKappa Sigma from the 1950s andtheir spouses who gathered oncampus in April for their secondbiannual reunion. A highlight of thedinner dance was the returnappearance to campus for the firsttime since 1956 of the legendaryZeus. Mosley died in July.

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ALUMNInews

The Alumni Association participated in the 28th annual Missis-sippi in the Park Picnic in New York City’s Central Park in June.

Hundreds of native Mississippians and local New Yorkers were inattendance for the event, which is a celebration of Mississippi – itspeople, history, culture, organizations, businesses, and much more.Mississippi in the Park provides an annual opportunity to showcaseMSU and the state of Mississippi.

Members of the Mississippi state govern-ment, including Governor Haley Barbour,attended the celebration, as well as severalMississippi organizations, businesses, and sixinstitutions of higher learning.

Several representatives from MississippiState were on hand, including staff of theMSU Alumni Association, academic collegesand units, the Division of Academic Outreachand Continuing Education, and the Divisionof Student Affairs.

Several local prospective students alsoattended the picnic, where they receivedinformation about Mississippi State and otherMississippi colleges and universities.

“We always enjoy participating in Missis-sippi in the Park,” said Jimmy Abraham,

associate vice president for development and alumni and executivedirector of the MSU Alumni Association. “One of the richest rewardsof the event is the opportunity for MSU alumni who live so far awayfrom campus to interact on a personal basis with Mississippi StateUniversity. We are thrilled to be part of this special experience andextraordinary celebration.”

Alumni Association Joins Mississippi Celebration in the

Big Apple

Miss MSU Danielle Smithand Alumni AssociationExecutive Director JimmyAbraham were amongthose representingMississippi State in NYC.

Hundreds visited with Mississippi Staterepresentatives at the Alumni Association andMSU Foundation tent in Central Park.

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ALUMNInews

Class pin and pendant offer alternative to class ringIn addition to the

traditional class ring, theAlumni Association nowis offering a class pin orpendant for ladies.

The official pin andpendant were designedrecently with the inputof MSU alumni andcurrent students. Itfeatures the MississippiState University seal,surrounded by alternatinggarnets and cubic zirconias. As an option, diamonds areavailable in place of the cubic zirconias. The price of the pinor pendant starts at $415.

The class pin and pendant, like the official class ring, areoffered exclusively by Balfour and the MSU Alumni

Association. All students andalumni are encouraged topurchase and proudly wear an

official MSU class ring, pin orpendant to show the world—wherever you go—thatMississippi State University isyour institution of choice.

For specificquestions regardingthe new pin andpendant, contact

Libba Andrews,associate director

of the association,at 662-325-3479 or

[email protected].

Student’s name

Address

City, State, ZIP

Phone E-mail

High school or community college Graduation date

GPA ACT/SAT Gender

Academic interest

Your name MSU class year

Relation to prospective student

Your phone Your e-mail

We’re looking for a few good Bulldogs.Do you know a potential Mississippi State student who may not be aware of the opportunities our greatuniversity has to offer? If so, please complete as much of this form as possible and mail to Office ofAdmissions and Scholarships, P.O. Box 6334, Mississippi State, MS 39762, or fax to 662-325-1MSU. Youcan make a positive difference for a high school or community college student by introducing him or herto your alma mater.

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FOUNDATIONnews

As part of its commitment toimproving the quality of life in thecommunities it serves, Cellular South,the nation’s largest privately heldwireless company, has contributedmore than $300,000 to student schol-arships at Mississippi State since1998.

Most recently, representatives fromthe Jackson-based company presenteda check for $15,000 to the MSUFoundation to fund five $3,000scholarships for currently-enrolledstudents. In addition to these annualscholarships, which have beenawarded since 2005, Cellular Southalso has two endowed scholarshipsthat were established in 1998. Earn-ings from the endowments are used toaward a scholarship to one accountingmajor and one computer science majoreach year.

In addition to providing financialresources to help students mitigate thecosts of a college education, thecompany also offers internshipopportunities to the recipients.

“We place an emphasis not just onthe scholarships but also on therelationship with the students,” saidJim Richmond, director of corporatecommunications for the company.“Our program allows scholarshiprecipients to participate in asummer internship to gain first-hand knowledge of the wirelessindustry, the Cellular Southbusiness model, and the businessworld as a whole.

“Cellular South looks at oureducation platform and financialawards as more than just funding ascholarship,” Richmond said. “Webelieve that we are investing in thestudent’s education and future.”

Cellular South continues investment in educationJim Richmond, second fromleft, director of corporatecommunications for CellularSouth, presents a $15,000gift to Bo Hemphill, far left,executive director ofdevelopment for the MSUFoundation, to fund the2007-08 Cellular Southannual scholarships. Alsorepresenting Cellular Southare Bryan Templeton,market manager for theStarkville area, and AmyNash, public relationsspecialist.

A new interdisciplinary degree program at Mississippi State is receivingsupport from a Ridgeland-based contracting firm and its founder.

Mike Harrell and Harrell Contracting Group LLC recently made a $50,000commitment to the university’s College of Architecture, Art and Design toprovide funds for the new academic program in building construction science.

The bachelor of science curriculum is designed to prepare graduates forcareers in construction or construction-related fields by drawing upon academicexpertise within the colleges of Architecture, Art and Design and of Business andIndustry, as well as the Bagley College of Engineering. The program was ap-

proved by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of HigherLearning earlier this year.

Harrell’s gift to the program’s advancement fund isin response to growing needs of the existing construc-tion industry, as well as new enterprise developmentsthroughout the Southeast.

“Ours is a very mature industry and efforts likethose of Mississippi State to attract and educate new

talent are appreciated by the entire construction community,”said Harrell, company president since its inception in 1995.

“The new degree program will train students in the technical aspects ofconstruction and build on the strengths offered through exposure to classes inMSU’s architectural, business and engineering colleges,” he added.

Companies or individuals desiring to join Harrell in supporting the newprogram may contact Bennett Evans, development director for the College ofArchitecture, Art and Design, at 662-325-2542 [email protected].

Ridgeland company assists withnew MSU degree program

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FOUNDATIONnews

Michael and Wanda Dean arealways looking toward the future. Infact, they’ve recently taken the time tomap out a few retirement plans–puttingsome thought into providing for familymembers and their church, assistingothers with health care, and supportingpublic education.

The Lafayette County couple isbequeathing an estimated $250,000 toMississippi State. The bequest will bedivided between the MSU Librariesand general university scholarships.

“We wanted to select some areas ofMississippi State that could definitelybenefit from our bequest, and wedidn’t want to put restrictions on ourgift,” said Michael. “The proceeds willsimply be used by our designated areasas needed.”

The fact that the couple has nochildren, and that Wanda is a breastcancer survivor, weighed heavily intheir decision to establish a long-termplan.

“The earlier you can sit down andbegin to think about planning for whenyou just won’t be around, the better. Bythe time you are, say 50, I think youneed a will and you need to considerwhat’s important to you, particularly ifyou have no one immediate to benefitfrom it,” Michael suggests.

Wanda agrees. “Facing your ownmortality is not fun, but it is somethingyou just have to do,” she offers.

The Deans also are supporters ofMSU athletics. “We always try tobalance our contributions betweenacademics and sports,” Wanda says.

This is most fitting as Michael, aFlorida native and a graduate of EmoryUniversity, recalls meeting Wandaduring the football season of 1970. Thetwo met by chance and Michael asked

for Michael and Wanda Dean

We wanted to select some areas of Mississippi State

that could definitely benefit from our bequest, and we

didn’t want to put restrictions on our gift.

her to the Mississippi State vs. Ala-bama football game. She accepted, butit posed a problem since Michael hadno tickets to the sold-out game. So, thepair compromised and listened to thegame on the radio.

The two married in 1971 as Michaelcontinued to work on his master’sdegree in English at MSU while Wandataught at Starkville Junior HighSchool. She holds a bachelor’s degreeand a master’s inspecial educa-tion fromMississippiState, and laterearned adoctorate fromthe Universityof Mississippi.

After Michael earned his doctorateat the University of South Carolina, thecouple relocated to Lafayette County.Michael joined the University ofMississippi faculty as a professor inthe English department. He enjoyed a24-year career with Ole Miss, retiringas associate dean of the College ofLiberal Arts, a position he held for adecade.

While with the Oxford SchoolDistrict, Wanda held a number ofpositions—from director of a centerserving children with severe disabili-ties, to director of special education, toelementary principal, to middle schoolprincipal. Her final position with thedistrict was director of curriculum andinstruction. She also served as anadjunct professor for the University ofMississippi.

Wanda retired after 28 years inteaching and assumed a new, morechallenging role as a consultant for theU.S. Department of State’s Office ofOverseas Schools and a professor in

the International Graduate Program forEducators through the State Universityof New York at Buffalo. In thesepositions, she has already traveled tomore than 35 countries and she workswith embassy schools to offer curricu-lum design suggestions or teachgraduate classes.

“I have an incredible job. Some-times I teach a graduate class or workwith curriculum design,” she said.

“When I finish my work in acountry, I get to travel with the localsso I’m not just getting the tourist viewof the country,” Wanda explained.

Since that’s often the case, Michaeljoins her as his schedule permits. Shereturns the favor by accompanyinghim to MSU sporting events. Now,Michael always makes it a point tohave season tickets.

The MSU Foundation’s Office ofPlanned Giving is available to assistwith bequests and other gift planning.Call toll-free 877-677-8283 or [email protected].

Timing is everything

-MICHAEL DEAN-

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FOUNDATIONnews

Many of Mississippi StateUniversity’s alumni from the 1940sand ‘50s will remember Van Bristowfor his “Cow College Comedy” comicstrip that appeared in The Reflector, aswell as other cartoons in the Reveille,the Mis-A-Sip Magazine and even onhis window shade at Old Main dormi-tory. The rest of the world got to knowBristow’s brand of art as he laterpursued a career in cartooning thatincluded working for the syndicatednewspaper strip “Snuffy Smith,”serving as contributing cartoonist forseveral magazines and newspapers,and eventually establishing his ownadvertising agency.

Bristow’s career as an artist,however, was cut short in 1971 whenhe died at age 41 after a five-yearbattle with cancer. To honor hismemory, Bristow’s widow BettiRenshaw and their six childrendecided to establish an endowed

scholarship fund tomemorialize his passionfor art, and to encouragestudents to pursue art atMississippi State. Theendowment is an openfund established in theMSU Foundation thatalso can benefit fromadditional contributionsfrom friends, formerclassmates or otherrelatives.

“Hopefully, thisscholarship will helppreserve his legacy atMississippi State andhelp students get toknow what a special

person and unique talent he reallywas,” Renshaw said. “He loved Missis-sippi State, and he would have enjoyedseeing the old “Cow College” growinto what is now Mississippi StateUniversity.

Bristow entered MSU in 1948, afterspending a year at the University ofNotre Dame. Soon after he joined thestaff of The Reflector that year, helaunched the “Cow College Comedy”strip, which is believed to be one of thefirst college comic strips to appear ona regular basis. During these years atMSU, he also played trombone in theFamous Maroon Band.

In 1951, he put his college educa-tion on hold to serve in the Marinesduring the Korean War. While in themilitary, he continued his passion forart by serving as a cartoonist for theLeatherneck Magazine, and rose to therank of master sergeant. He returned to

MSU and graduated with a degree inEnglish in 1955.

After graduation, Bristow pursuedart as a career as he served as acontributing cartoonist to severalmajor magazines and newspapers fromhis home in Tupelo while working withhis family in real estate planning anddevelopment. In 1959, he joined thenationally syndicated comic strip“Snuffy Smith” as an assistant to FredLaswell, the creator of the famedcartoon.

In 1962 he again relocated toTupelo to join the family business andin 1964, along with Bill Miles, estab-lished the Bristow-Miles AdvertisingAgency and the See Tupelo publica-tion.

“Van was a wonderful father to hischildren, but unfortunately he diedwhen they were young so they neverreally got to know him,” Renshaw said.“In recent years, they’ve learned muchabout him and his art from others,” sheadded.

Son Vance Bristow, who serves asMSU’s director of planned giving,explains, “My father’s gift for art andexpression not only influenced thelives of my siblings and me, butcountless others who still contact ustoday about his art work.”

He continues, “My family and Idesire to preserve the memory of histalents and his accomplishments forgenerations to come by endowing thisscholarship to support students in theMSU Department of Art.”

For more information regarding theVan Bristow Memorial EndowedScholarship in the College of Architec-ture, Art and Design, contact the MSUFoundation at 662-325-3707.

Family remembers MSUcartoonist with scholarship

Van Bristow drafting one of his cartoons in his dorm room at115 Old Main.

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FOUNDATIONnews

Names and special messages maybecome a part of the Maroon Mile – acampaign to pave the sidewalks andwalkways of the historic Drill Fieldand other parade grounds with indi-vidualized brick pavers that, when laidend-to-end, would stretch one mile ormore.

Donors may purchase a 4" x 8"brick with a $500 gift and engrave itwith a three-line message of up to 14characters per line. Currently enrolledstudents and recent graduates (withinthe last 12 months) may secure a brickat a reduced price of $250. For a largerdonation, individuals or groups may

Reserve your place on the

purchase a 28" x 16" paver which canbe engraved with a four-line messageof up to 16 characters per line.

As with gifts of any amount, thepurchase of a Maroon Mile brick willactivate a donor’s membership in theMSU Alumni Association and willcount toward the university’s ongoingState of the Future campaign. Giftsdesignated to the Maroon Mile willbenefit the Division of Student Affairs,which works to enrich the totalMississippi State student experiencethrough student services, organiza-tions and activities. Bricks purchasedby Dec. 31, 2007, will be installed in

time for Super Bulldog Weekendfestivities in spring 2008.

Alumni, parents and friends inter-ested in purchasing a brick maycontact the MSU Annual Fund at 662-325-2466 or via e-mail [email protected] download an order form by select-ing Maroon Mile from the list ofopportunities atwww.msufoundation.com.

Maroon Mile

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FOUNDATIONnews

Although students of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Class of 2010have several more years of instruction ahead, class members already realizethey can positively impact their future profession and assist their college withits goals.

The class recently pledged $10,000 to the Pegasus Partners Fund–anendowment that will aid the veterinary college in perpetuity.

“Our class is serious about our education and about those students whofollow behind us,” said Keith Youngblood of Laurel, president of the Class of2010. “The contributions made by people that preceded us have made itpossible for us to have a better opportunity for an education.”

The Pegasus Partners Endowment Fund was established as a way to enrichthe activities within the veterinary college. The fund serves as a discretionaryfund that provides critical support for various supplemental activities thatcomplement, enhance or expand the mission of the CVM.

Youngblood and his classmates will donate $500 of class dues annually tothe fund. Additional funds to fulfill the $2,000 per year pledge will be securedin various ways.

The College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking additional funds to reach the$2.5 million goal for the Pegasus Partners endowment. Individuals or groupsmay become Pegasus Partners by contributing $10,000 or more over a five-year period.

“We are pleased to have students who truly understand the importance ofphilanthropy and the impact it can have on their college,” said Keith Gaskin,CVM’s senior development director.

For more information on how you can join the CVM Class of 2010 andbecome a Pegasus Partner, contact Gaskin at 662-325-3815 [email protected].

Creating its legacy todayCVM Class of 2010:

With the aid of a significant grantfrom the Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofMississippi Foundation, the Missis-sippi State University ExtensionService has implemented a statewideprogram to promote physical fitnessand healthy nutrition among Missis-sippi residents.

Mississippi in Motion, an initiativeendorsed by Mississippi Gov. HaleyBarbour, is designed to promotehealthy lifestyles through exercise,proper nutrition and social support.The Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofMississippi Foundation, the philan-thropic arm of the insurance company,is funding the project. Thefoundation’s grant resulted from thesuccesses of a pilot version of theprogram by the MSU Extension

Service.“We’re

trying tochange thehealthculture inMississippiwith a focuson preven-tion andhealthylifestyles,”said WadeOverstreet,

executive director of the foundation.The program is more than just a way

to lose weight, said Jane Clary, anassociate extension professor in theDepartment of Food Science, Nutritionand Health Promotion and administra-tor of the program.

“This grant from the Blue Cross andBlue Shield of Mississippi Foundationto implement the program will helppeople improve their quality of lifethrough positive lifestyle behaviors,”Clary said.

BCBS Foundation gift propels Mississippi in MotionMississippi in Motion gives

individuals the skills, knowledge andsupport to adopt healthy habits for alifetime, she added. The programinvolves a statewide, community-based, 12-week intervention designedto promote healthy eating and toencourage positive physical activitybehaviors among adults.

The initial Blue Cross and BlueShield Foundation grant in 2006brought Mississippi in Motion to a 10-

President Robert H. “Doc”Foglesong, center, is joined by

Melissa Mixon and Bill Kibler fora Bulldogs in Motion run at the

Sanderson Center.

county area—Attala, Claiborne,Lowndes, Scott, Simpson, Hancock,Newton, Wayne, Wilkinson andWinston, as well as the MSU andMississippi University for Womencampuses.

For more information on Missis-sippi in Motion, visitwww.msucares.com/health/health04/ms_in_motion/

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The following individuals, corporations and foundations have made commitments of more than$50,000 from June 1 through August 31, 2007, for State of the Future: The Mississippi State Campaign.

STATE OF THE FUTURE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN EDGES CLOSER TO GOAL

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ADTRAN, Inc.Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. James W. Bagley

J. W. Bagley Foundation

Dr. and Mrs. William M. Cobb

The Community Foundation of Louisville

Mr. Steve Davenport

Design Integrations, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. S. Elliott Dubuisson

Mr. James C. Forbes

Mr. W. Bruce Franklin and Mrs. Donna B. Franklin

Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Haley

Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Johnson

Mississippi Power Company

The New York Community Trust

Renasant BankMr. and Mrs. George T. Rosenbury

The Shackouls Family Foundation

Tuplagum Farms, LLC

A recent $5 million gift to create anendowment for Mississippi State’s School ofAccountancy brings campaign counting to morethan $385 million for State of the Future: TheMississippi State Campaign.

The gift from alumnus Richard C.Adkerson, an international executive and chairof the steering committee for State of the Future,is the third for a named academic unit thus farin the State of the Future campaign, and thefourth in Mississippi State’s 129-year history.

Since the launch of State of the Future in2001, almost $64 million has been received forendowed scholarships and fellowships, whichhelp Mississippi State University compete forthe best and brightest students and maintain itscompetitive academic position. More than $35

million has been raised for endowed facultypositions, which recruit nationally-recognizedscholars and researchers to the university toteach and mentor our students. And just over$41 million has been earmarked for new andrenovated facilities and campus enhancements,including the newly-expanded McCool Hallcomplex–which houses the College of Businessand Industry–and the College of Education’snew band and choral rehearsal facility.

In addition, over $49 million has been usedto enhance educational and other programs,including the Shackouls Honors College, theThad Cochran Endowment for Entrepreneur-ship, and the development of learningcommunities, just to name a few. Donors may

earmark their gifts for a particular college,school, initiative or priority of theirchoosing.

Gifts for program enhancements andannual support are needed throughout theuniversity over the life of the campaign.All outright gifts, pledges or deferred giftsfor Mississippi State through December31, 2008, including those to athletics, willbe considered State of the Future contribu-tions.

For more information on State of theFuture, contact Bo Hemphill, executivedirector of development, at 662-325-3686 or visit www.msufoundation.com.

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BOBBY P. MARTIN of Ripley,chairman, president and chief executiveofficer of The Peoples Bank, has beeninducted into the Mississippi BusinessHall of Fame by the MississippiBusiness Journal.

NICK CASTANIS, a retired engineerand fire marshal, has written his secondnovel, Justice West of the Pecos. Thebook is available through major Internetbook sellers.

HARTLEY PEAVEY of Meridian,founder of Peavey Electronics, and Gov.Haley Barbour recently presentedPeavey Awards to Mississippi Grammyaward winners and nominees Jerry LeeLewis, Marty Stuart, the WilliamsBrothers, James Burton, and the NorthMississippi Allstars. Gov. Barbour andfirst lady Marsha hosted a reception forthe group at the Governor’s Mansion.Peavey also has received the prestigiousTorchbearer Award for 2007, presentedby the Mississippi Business Journal andthe Better Business Bureau ofMississippi.

CLAUDE PASSEAU of Lucedale isowner and general manager of FarmersSupply Co. in Lucedale. The companyrecently moved to a new location andexpanded merchandise and services.

J.B. STROUD (M.B.A. ’75, D.B.A.’85) of Thibodaux, La., has received theSociety of Louisiana CPA’s LifetimeAchievement in Accounting EducationAward. He is retired as director ofgraduate studies at Nicholls StateUniversity in Thibodaux, and is anemeritus professor of accounting.

CLASSnews

BILL FORD WATERS of Tupelo,vice president of B&B Concrete Co., hasbeen elected president of the State ofMississippi Board of Licensure forProfessional Engineers and LandSurveyors.

JULIAN WATSON, a tree farmer andboard member of the MississippiForestry Association, appeared on theweekly Farmweek television show andRFD-TV in August, discussing hisfamily’s tree farm operation. Farmweekis produced by the Mississippi StateExtension Service.

GARY DURHAM, president ofDurham Geo-Enterprises in StoneMountain, Ga., has received the Awardof Merit from ASTM InternationalCommittee D18 on Soil and Rock. Theaward honored his service to thecommittee in standards development,publications and committee operations.

JAN GWIN, a wealth asset managerfor Morgan Keegan in Memphis, Tenn.,and former MSU football player,recently delivered a motivational speechat the Northwest Mississippi CommunityCollege Football Showcase in Senatobia.

CURTIS R. HOPKINS (M.S. ’73) hasbeen promoted to director of theSouthern Regional Office of DucksUnlimited Inc. in Jackson. He was the2006 College of Forest ResourcesAlumni Fellow at MSU.

DWIGHT DYESS (M.S. ’80) of WestPoint, a retired Army colonel andpresident of BancorpSouth in West Point,has been inducted into the MSU ArmyROTC Hall of Fame. He is a member ofthe Mississippi Army National Guardand a veteran of Operation Desert Storm.

WALTER G. LYONS has joinedMichael Baker Jr. Inc. engineering firmas vice president and manager of itsJackson office. He previously workedwith the Mississippi Department ofTransportation for more than 30 years.

JAMES H. CLAYTON (M.B.A. ’74)of Indianola, chairman of the board andchief executive officer of Planters Bank& Trust Co., has been elected chairmanof the Mississippi Bankers Associationfor 2007-08.

VICTORIA JOHNSON HOGGATThas opened a law practice in Tupelo.She is director of the CurrentConstitutional Application Project.

ROBERT HUNTER of Birmingham,Ala., general counsel for Altec Inc. andits subsidiaries, is president-elect of theInternational Association of DefenseCounsel.

ALAN WHITE of Burlington, N.C.,has been inducted into the ElonUniversity Sports Hall of Fame. Heretired last year as Elon’s director ofathletics. White also is a member of theNorth Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

TOM AUSTIN has joined Ferro Corp.as vice president of operations. Hepreviously worked for Dow ChemicalCo. for 30 years.

DAVID EARL JOHNSON (M.B.A.’77) of Hattiesburg, chairman and chiefexecutive officer of The First BancsharesInc., has been elected as an at-largedirector of the Independent BankersAssociation for 2007-08. He also is adirector of the New Orleans branch ofthe Atlanta Federal Reserve.

BIG JOE SHELTON of Columbushas been awarded a $500 grant from theMississippi Arts Commission to be used

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to promote his soon-to-be-releasedalbum, “Black Prairie Blues.” He alsowas selected to be included in thecommission’s prestigious Artist Rosterfrom 2007 to 2010.

MANSELL MCCORD JR., anattorney in Atlanta, Ga., has been re-elected chairman of the GeorgiaRepublican Party for the 5thCongressional District of Georgia.

BETTYE MCPHAIL STROUD(M.B.A. ’77) of Thibodaux, La.,received the 2006 Community ServiceAward of the National Council of SocialSecurity Management Associations. Sherecently retired as a district manager forthe Social Security Administration.

GLENN L. MCCULLOUGH JR. hasbeen named chairman of the board ofdirectors for NuVision Engineering. Hepreviously served a four-year term aschairman of the board of the TennesseeValley Authority.

W. RAY BALENTINE has retired asdirector of intermodal planning andtransportation for the MississippiDepartment of Transportation. He hasjoined Wilbur Smith Associates as seniortransportation manager in the company’sJackson office.

BRENDA SMITH AND HUSBANDSTEVE (’77) established the GreeneCounty Junior Miss Fitness Awardpresented by the Greene County Chapterof the MSU Alumni Association.

ANGIE BUKLEY (M.S. ’81) hasjoined the University of Tennessee SpaceInstitute as assistant vice president forresearch and development. She

previously was associate dean forresearch and graduate studies at OhioUniversity.

FELICIA SIMPSON of Lucedale, ateacher at Lucedale Intermediate School,has been named a Teacher of the Year bythe local school district.

SHARI TUCKER VEAZEY ofJackson has been named deputy directorof the Mississippi Municipal League.

RICHARD GILBRECH has beennamed associate administrator for theExploration Systems MissionDirectorate, the NASA divisiondesigning the next generation ofspacecraft to return astronauts to themoon and eventually journey to Mars.Gilbrech previously served as director ofNASA’s Stennis Space Center inMississippi.

JANIE WARD JARVIS of Madison isinvolved in lobbying efforts for fullfunding of the Mississippi AdequateEducation Program, the fundingmechanism for K-12 public education.In May, she was named MississippiParent of the Year by the stateSuperintendent of Education’s Office.

STEPHEN L. TIMME, professor ofbotany and director of the Theodore M.Sperry Herbarium at Pittsburg StateUniversity in Kansas, has had a newedition of his book, Wildflowers ofMississippi, published by UniversityPress of Mississippi.

NORMAN FORD of Vicksburg,director of business and operations forVicksburg Convention Center andVicksburg Auditorium, has been namedto the board of directors of theAssociation for Convention OperationsManagement.

CLAYTON LAWRENCE of Lucedaleis chair of the Peanuts AdvisoryCommittee for Mississippi Farm BureauFederation and vice president of theMississippi Peanut Growers Association.

LAURA CONNOR (M.B.A. ’89) ofButler, Ala., environmental, health andsafety manager for Georgia-Pacific’sNaheola Mill, has received thecompany’s Woman of AchievementAward.

DANNY INGOLD, a professor ofbiology at Muskingum College in NewConcord, Ohio, is the inaugural recipientof the Homer A. Anderson DistinguishedProfessorship of Natural Sciences.

CHAD SMITH has opened a lawfirm, Chad Smith & Associates, inRidgeland. It is a general litigationpractice.

JOHN MILLER of Lucedale, a mathteacher at George County High School,was selected the school’s STAR Teacherby STAR Student Clint Diamond.

GINGER TURNER has been namedregistrar at Hinds Community College.

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HOLLAND CARLEY of Nashville,Tenn., has joined Vanderbilt UniversityMedical center as departmentadministrator for the department ofpsychiatry.

ROBBIE HAYES has been namedassistant city attorney for the City ofSouthaven.

SISTER MARY PIUS PRATS (ERINPRATS) of Nashville, Tenn., is amember of the Dominican Sisters of St.Cecelia Congregation in Nashville. Shehas been a nun for nine years.

MICHAEL SHARP of Vicksburg hasbeen named technical director for WaterResources Infrastructure at the U.S.Army Engineer Research andDevelopment Center in Vicksburg.

PETER HAIRSTON of Marietta, Ga.,a physician’s assistant at PinnacleOrthopedics and Sports Medicine, hasbeen named 2007 Physician Assistant ofthe Year by the Georgia Association ofPhysician Assistants. In 2006, he servedas GAPA president.

EDDIE STRINGFELLOW of Laurel,a Mississippi Department ofTransportation engineer, has been namedMississippi Government Engineer of theYear by the Mississippi EngineeringSociety.

MARK DUMAS is chief executiveofficer and chairman of SPADAC, aWashington, D.C.-based company thatdelivers predictive analysis products andservices. Inc. magazine recently rankedSPADAC No. 32 on its 26th annual Inc.500 list of the fastest-growing privatecompanies in the U.S.

CLAY WILLIAMS of Ocean Springshas opened an office for CapitolResources LLC, a government relationsfirm, in Gulfport. He previously waseconomic development coordinator forSen. Trent Lott and legislative directorfor Rep. Chip Pickering.

CHRISTI ROBY MATENS, a fourth-grade teacher at Barton CreekElementary School in Austin, Texas, hasbeen chosen the 2007 Barton CreekElementary Teacher of the Year.

CHAD BRUMFIELD has beenpromoted to senior brand manager in theGulf Coast region office ofGodwinGroup.

JOHN STEWART HROM III has justcompleted a chief resident year atUniversity Medical Center and hasbegun a three-year fellowship inoncology and hematology at Universityof Texas Southwestern Medical Centerin Dallas.

ALICIA PELLEGRINO EWING hasjoined Green Hills Pediatric Associatesin Nashville, Tenn., as its newestpediatrician.

ELISA MAYO has written a romancenovel titled Let Me Fly, which is availablein bookstores. She is pursuing aprofessional writing career.

MATT FAHRNER, a captain in theU.S. Air Force, is working as a contractoradministrator in Iraq, overseeing servicecontracts as part of the rebuilding efforts.

KYLE KISH of Birmingham, Ala., hasjoined HKW Associates architectural firmwith responsibilities for projectmanagement and constructiondocuments.

MEGAN ANDERSON of Honolulu,Hawaii, has been named marketingmanager for Bishop Museum. She alsowill oversee marketing initiatives for themuseum’s other entities, Hawaii maritimeCenter and Amy B.H. GreenwellEthnobotanical Garden.

JOSH DALY (M.B.A. ’04) of NewYork, a third-year student at New YorkCollege of Podiatric Medicine, has beenelected president of his class. He willgraduate in May 2008 and begin a three-year foot and ankle surgical residency.

PAMELA HARMAN of Hoover, Ala.,an earth science teacher at Spain ParkHigh School in the Hoover City SchoolSystem, has been named 2007-08Alabama Teacher of the Year.

ZHIJUN LIU of Starkville, a post-doctoral associate in the Department ofPlant and Soil Sciences at MississippiState, has received Phi Kappa Phi honorsociety’s Love of Learning Award.

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announcementsBIRTH

INmemoriam

DEAN WALLACE COLVARDFormer Mississippi State president

Dean Wallace Colvard of Charlotte,N.C., Mississippi State’s 12th president,

died June 28, 2007.He was 93.

A North Carolinanative, Colvardserved as MSUpresident 1960-66.In 1963, he capturednational headlineswhen he defieduniversity policy andallowed the men’sbasketball team to

Elizabeth Lorraine Boykin, Aug. 8,2007, to LORRAINE WALTERSBOYKIN (’00) and husband Smith ofJackson.

Robert Wayne Carlton IV, May 1,2007, to ROBERT W. CARLTON III(’94) and wife Melissa of Union.

Barrett Oliver Cox, April 20, 2007, toWILL COX (’97) and SHANNONKYLE COX (’97, M.S. ’99) of Canton.

John Thomas Draper, Aug. 24, 2006,to MIKE DRAPER (’91, M.S. ’93) andKATIE STRICKLAND DRAPER (’93)of Corinth.

Madeline Wellborn Easley, June 25,2007, to JOHN F. EASLEY (’03) andwife Suzanna of Gulf Shores, Ala.

Henry Thomas Fyke, Dec. 1, 2006, toKRISTEN TOMLINSON FYKE (’01)and Robert Henry Fyke III of Clinton.

Matthew Jerome Golemon, April 14,2007, to HARRY GOLEMON (’99) andwife Ana of Findlay, Ohio.

George Elliot Hampton, Oct. 2, 2006,to DANIELLE LOUYS HAMPTON(’96, M.B.A. ’99) and husband George.

Emma Grace Hayes, March 29, 2007,to ROBBIE HAYES (’92) and EMILYTURNER HAYES (’95) of Southaven.

Madelyn Kylie Hayes, May 7, 2007,to SHANNON LOUYS HAYS(attended) and husband Jesse.

Thomas Ervin Hicks, June 8, 2007,to SUSANNE LOFTIS HICKS (’85,M.A. ’87) and husband George ofNashville, Tenn.

Laura Kathryn Hrom, May 3, 2007,to REAGAN JOHNSON HROM (’04)and JOHN STEWART HROM III (’99)of Dallas, Texas.

Landen Reece Huber, May 3, 2007,to COREY HUBER (’02) andJAMANDA HUBER (’01) ofHattiesburg.

Benjamin David Hughes and EmmaNobile Hughes, Aug. 2, 2007, toKIMBERLY NOBILE HUGHES (’97)and DAVID GLYNN HUGHES (’95) ofRidgeland.

Camille Ciro Hutchinson, Jan. 2,2007, to HAL HUTCHINSON (’90)and wife Christine of Chicago, Ill.

Jase Harper Mathis, Dec. 13, 2006,to JENNIFER MATHIS (’00) andhusband Jeff of Lucedale.

Grayson Elizabeth McDade, Oct. 16,2006, to DANA WILSON MCDADE

(’02) and ROBERT MCDADE (’01) ofDeKalb.

Callee Frances Moore, May 16,2007, to MARY LEE HODGESMOORE (’04) and JOSHUA RUSTINMOORE (’04) of Lake City, Fla.

Emma Kate Purviance, June 17,2007, to LEIGH ANNE PURVIANCE(’06) and husband Chris of Brandon.

Owen Andrew Richey, Feb. 15,2007, to DREW RICHEY (’99) andKRISTEN HALL RICHEY (’99) ofNew Albany.

Gabriella Grace Russo, Feb. 5,2007, to RICHARD D. RUSSO II(’00) and SARA BAILEY RUSSO(’00) of Batesville.

Emmy Elise Tolar, May 29, 2007, toTRENT ALLEN TOLAR (’98) andwife Melissa of Columbia.

Hunter Anthony Ward, Feb. 27,2007, to EMILIE WARD (’00) andhusband Russ of Starkville.

play against the integrated LoyolaUniversity of Chicago team.

During his tenure at Mississippi State,the University Honors Program and theMSU Development Foundation wereestablished, and a constructionexpansion saw four new dormitoriesbuilt. Colvard secured funds forconstruction of a student union building,which today bears his name.

President Robert H. “Doc” Foglesongsaid of Colvard, “He is remembered asone of the most effective and mostcourageous leaders in the university’shistory. He presided during a time ofgreat social change and rapid growth,and is often credited with overseeing the

beginnings of Mississippi State’stransition into a modern, comprehensiveuniversity.”

Colvard left MSU in 1966 to becomethe first chancellor of the University ofNorth Carolina at Charlotte, a positionhe held until his retirement in 1978.While at UNC-Charlotte, he wasinstrumental in increasing enrollmentfrom 1,700 students to more than 8,700.

Before coming to Mississippi State,he had served as dean of agriculture atNorth Carolina State University.

Colvard

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INmemoriam

Please send obituaries to Allen Snow, P.O.Box 5325, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5325or e-mail to [email protected].

PAUL AUSTIN SMITH (’33)—92,Galax, Va.; retired Carnation Milk Co.employee, Feb. 19, 2003.

BERNARD SENTER (’37)—91,Macon; retired businessman and civicleader, May 5, 2007.

A.J. HUFF (’40)—89, Leakesville;retired president and chief executiveofficer of the Bank of Leakesville andWorld War II veteran, Feb. 21, 2007.

JAMES O. MAYO (’41)—87,McLean, Va.; retired U.S. Navy rearadmiral, former executive vice presidentfor Kiplinger Washington Editors Inc.and World War II veteran, Aug. 18, 2007.

HARVEY SHARP BUCK (’42)—86,West Point; retired circuit judge, formerdistrict attorney and World War II andKorean War veteran, Aug. 11, 2007.

WILLIAM J. MOATES (’44)—87,Union, N.J.; June 9, 2007.

SAMUEL P. LUCKIE (’46)—86,Reydell, Ark.; retired farmer andveterans teacher and World War IIveteran, June 26, 2007.

NEWTON W. CARVER JR. (’47)—82, Ruleville; retired farmer and WorldWar II veteran, April 8, 2007.

CLIFTON D. MCLEOD SR. (’47)—87, Leakesville; agriculture instructor,Dec. 1, 2006.

ROBERT ALLEN SMITH (’47)—Tupelo; retired businessman and WorldWar II veteran, July 16, 2007.

JOHN RIMMER CRAFT (’48)—83,Greenville; Retired Mississippi Power &Light Co. employee and World War IIveteran, May 5, 2007.

SARAH ALINE HILLMAN SMITH(’48)—89, Austin, Texas; retired WorldBook Encyclopedia sales representativeand World War II veteran, June 14, 2007.

P.O. BEARD SR. (’49)—81,Hattiesburg; retired forester and realtor,April 21, 2007.

WILLIAM M. MORRIS (’49)—81;retired soil scientist for the SoilConservation Service and World War IIveteran, June 25, 2007.

JOSEPH ODELL JOHNSON (’50)—80, Laurel; retired president and chiefoperating officer of Sanderson Farms,member of the Mississippi Poultry Hallof Fame, and World War II veteran, May26, 2007.

HAROLD STRINGFELLOW (’50)—79, Lucedale; owner of StringfellowFarm Tractors and Equipment Co., Feb.28, 2007.

FAHOMA CRUMBY HORN (’52)—75, Houston; homemaker, June 19, 2007.

MURRAY MAXWELL (’54)—77,Columbus; retired engineer for GeneralTire (now Omnova Solutions) andKorean War veteran, April 26, 2007.

CURTIS DEAN FULGHAM (’57)—76, West Point; retired MississippiForestry Commission employee andKorean War veteran, Aug. 22, 2007.

THOMAS W. HARDAGE (’58)—81,Jackson; retired Mississippi ForestryCommission employee and World War IIveteran, June 5, 2007.

WILLIAM C. BOYD (’60)—Summit;May 2, 2007.

DONALD EDWIN WALSH (’61)—70, Woodville; attorney, April 14, 2007.

THOMAS RODNEY LOWE (’62)—70, Luray, Va.; retired chief ofmaintenance for National Park Serviceand retired Army National Guardcaptain, July 17, 2007.

MARY DUNCAN HOWELL (’67)—58, Brandon; homemaker, Jan. 4, 2007.

JACQUELINE CULP VALENTINE(’67)—61, Lucedale; Jan. 10, 2007.

BROOKS JACKSON THOMAS(’72)—61, Hazlehurst; State FarmInsurance agent, July 21, 2007.

BRUCE LAMAR CAIN (’79)—51,Starkville; associate professor ofmechanical engineering at MississippiState, Aug. 27, 2007.

ADELE BETHANY KETTE (’86)—43, Jackson; certified public accountantfor Ergon Inc., July 21, 2007.

PAUL R. VOWELL (M.S. ’96, PH.D.’98)—55, Kingsville, Texas; associateprofessor of sociology at Texas A&MUniversity-Kingsville, June 13, 2007.

James Lonnie Allen (attended)—88,Clinton; retired division chief forMississippi Employment SecurityCommission and World War II veteran,July 1, 2007.

Clint Ogletree Greer (attended)—82,Shelby; retired music teacher, May 8,2007.

Charles Edwin Holmes Jr.(attended)—71, Greenwood; retiredflorist and cotton factor, July 24, 2007.

Lynn Purdom Mastin (attended)—58,Nettleton; professor of biology andmicrobiology at Itawamba CommunityCollege, June 1, 2007.

Bess Davis Bragg (formeremployee)—72, Starkville; retiredaccountant at Mississippi State, Sept. 1,2007.

Viola Faye Boles (friend)—91,Abilene, Texas; May 27, 2007.

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