You can feel it in the air and see it all around—the anticipation and excitement that spring always brings to the Mississippi State campus.

As students wrap up the semester with final exams and other activities, we’re preparing for the grand finale on May 12, when graduates will be honored in Davis Wade Stadium. The university also will present honorary doctorates to two of our stellar leaders—Rodger L. Johnson and Thomas B. “Tommy” Nusz—for their lifetime achievements and unwavering commitment to MSU.

Very often, we see graduates from the past reaching forward to help students realize their dreams for the future. Such generosity reached new heights this year with the announcement of a $100 million gift from George and Kathy Bishop—the largest ever to a higher education institution in Mississippi and among the largest designated solely for scholarships made to any university in the world.

Many students have benefited from the George Bishop Family Endowed Scholarship, which was established in 2018 with a $10 million commitment. The Bishops’ continued generosity will open new worlds of opportunity for many generations of students, their families and their communities. The impact being made by the Bishop family is truly overwhelming, and the Bulldog family’s appreciation is beyond words.

Just about everywhere we look, we see alumni who are making the world a better place. That describes our 2023 National Alumnus, Albert C. Clark, whose personal, professional and civic leadership has enriched Starkville and Mississippi State in many ways. We look forward to honoring Albert during a ceremony on May 19, along with a host of other outstanding alumni.

In keeping with the momentum of spring, Mississippi State recently launched a new “Transforming MSU” branding campaign that includes the tagline, “Taking Care of What Matters.” I feel encouraged by the positive comments I’ve received about the university’s blueprint for the future and our mission to provide experiences that enrich students’ lives and careers.

It's a commitment made 145 years ago when Mississippi State was founded on the principles of learning, research and service. It’s the same commitment guiding our path into the future. I’m thankful to be on this journey with you.