Alumnus Magazine | Summer 2020

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CLASSOF 2020Shows ResilienceDespite ChallengingFinal SemesterBy James Carskadon, Photos by Beth Wynn,Logan Kirkland & Submitted by Graduates24 SUMMER 2020Alumnus_Summer_2020.indd 247/31/20 1:48 PM
This May, graduation day at Mississippi State looked differentfrom years past. Humphrey Coliseum stood empty. There wereno lines of families waiting to take photos at iconic campuslocations. There were no hugs from advisers, no handshakesfrom administrators and no in-person goodbyes between friends gettingready to go life’s separate ways. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemicchanged everything.For the first time since World War II, and only the third timein university history, Mississippi State didn’t hold an in-personcommencement ceremony. And much like those who received degrees in1918 when the Spanish Influenza outbreak halted celebrations or those inthe early 1940s who graduated without pomp and circumstance duringwartime, this spring’s 3,300 graduates showed impressive perseverance inuncertain times and are a vital part of the Bulldog family.During a May 1 virtual graduation ceremony to recognize the newestMississippi State alumni, President Mark E. Keenum encouraged thisyear’s graduates to remember the lessons from these difficult times whilenavigating life’s challenges.“My hope and prayer for each of you is that one day, you will beable to share with your grandchildren or great-grandchildren how youand your family overcame the many challenges through your courageand faith, and how you never lost sight of the importance of educationin order to be ready for a bright future and your special purpose in thisworld,” Keenum said.The class of 2020 joins the ever-growing ranks of MSU alumni aroundthe world, which now includes over 149,000 people. Jeff Davis, executivedirector of the MSU Alumni Association, commended graduates forshowing their Bulldog resilience during a difficult final semester.“On behalf of our alumni from around the world, I want tocongratulate our newest graduates on achieving one of life’s majormilestones,” Davis said. “Even though your time on campus was cut short,your degree and your connection to MSU will stay with you for the rest ofyour life.”Every graduate—whether they came to Mississippi State straight outof high school, transferred from a community college, resumed educationlater in life, completed an online program or came to MSU after yearsworking as a professional—leaves Mississippi State with memoriesthat will last a lifetime. While the institutional name on each degree iscommon, the experiences of each individual are as diverse as the studentbody itself.This spring’s graduates hail from each of Mississippi’s 82 counties, 41different states and 37 countries. At the institutional level, with 3,312degrees awarded, they represent the largest spring graduating class inuniversity history. At the individual level, each degree represents years ofhard work, late nights, proud families and lifelong memories.ALUMNUS.MSSTATE.EDU 25Alumnus_Summer_2020.indd 257/31/20 1:48 PM
Page 1 and 2: BULLDOGSTRONGCampus communityunites
Page 3 and 4: SUMMER 2020 | VOL. 97 | NO. 2PRESID
Page 5 and 6: Provost and Executive Vice Presiden
Page 7 and 8: MONTELLEO HOBLEYBully’s Closet an
Page 9 and 10: Mississippi State University and Mi
Page 11 and 12: Giving + Gettingthe most from your
Page 13 and 14: organization’s functions range fr
Page 15 and 16: Industrial and systems engineering
Page 17 and 18: Art by CAADlecturer RowanHaug’s s
Page 19 and 20: response, thoughtfulness and flexib
Page 21 and 22: STRONGER TOGETHERMississippi State
Page 23 and 24: Top-100 ModernGolf Course in the US
Page 25: KEEPING THINGS RUNNING: The dedicat
Page 29 and 30: DVM program, Caldwell said her time
Page 31 and 32: MSU President Mark E. Keenum recogn
Page 33 and 34: Benjamin Julian Malatesta of Olive
Page 35 and 36: Akira Shantel Bolton of Columbia, M
Page 37 and 38: Taylor Dion Bell of Laurel, MS | BB
Page 39 and 40: Marlee Gail Parkes of Louisville, M
Page 41 and 42: employee travel and screen universi
Page 43 and 44: well-being,” she continued. “I
Page 45 and 46: PRIMARY CAMPAIGN GOALS$626.5Million
Page 47 and 48: Brandi Karisch, Sundbeck Endowed Pr
Page 49 and 50: • The College of Forest Resources
Page 51 and 52: TILL THECOWBELLSCOME HOMEMississipp
Page 53 and 54: to putting funds away so we could h
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Page 57 and 58: “For the first time, I’vefelt a
Page 59 and 60: ~Since its inception, the apparel d
Page 61 and 62: MSU HEALTH CENTERCHIEF HELPS KEEPCA
Page 63 and 64: processes, his request made its way
Page 65 and 66: LAWRENCE-JEFFERSONDAVISCHAPTERPRENT
Page 67 and 68: MSU CAREER CENTERSERVICES FOR ALUMN
Page 69 and 70: Alumni Association announces incomi
Page 71 and 72: Get exclusive discounts atparticipa
Page 73 and 74: New members beginning inaugural thr
Page 75 and 76: State to You is a new video series
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Know a Bulldog who has news or a re
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Know someone who should be remember
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Back STORYWITH CHARLES WAXI joined
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Members of Mississippi State’s Fa
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