You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. We take that to heart at Mississippi State University by making sure everyone knows they’re welcome at this special place we treat with love and respect.
 
The university has always taken pride in maintaining a clean, stately, attractive campus that highlights the natural beauty of Mississippi. As we prepare for the fall semester, I appreciate those MSU employees who are making sure that buildings and classrooms are ready for students and that our landscaping looks its very best. Their attention to detail makes all the difference.
 
The first day of class is Aug. 16, but our campus will be bustling with activities all month. August kicks off with New Maroon Camp, a week-long retreat that prepares first-year students for the transition to Mississippi State. New faculty orientation is set for Aug. 10 followed by convocation on Aug. 22 and the fall general faculty meeting on Aug. 30.
 
I plan to speak at each of these events as we welcome new students and faculty to Mississippi State and continue building on our mission of teaching, research and service.
 
Like all universities, philanthropy is a critical focus area for Mississippi State—one that has reached new heights thanks to the generous support of our alumni, friends and partners. The fiscal year that ended June 30 was the highest fundraising year on record with $259.9 million in gift commitments.
 
When you look deeper into the numbers, you’ll find more impressive facts about the campaign. Alumni participation of over 19% more than doubled the national average for support among former students, and nearly 6,600 gifts came from first-time contributors. It also marked the 10th consecutive year of private gifts totaling $100 million or above.
 
Growth, momentum, new milestones and an exciting future—all around us are signs that Mississippi State is moving in the right direction, and the year ahead is shaping up to be the best yet.