Leadership Matters | September 2023

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News from Mississippi State University | September 2023

In recent weeks, I’ve had the honor of informing new students that they’re making history as members of Mississippi State’s largest freshman class ever. That sets an upbeat tone as a new year unfolds at MSU.

We officially kicked off the fall semester during Convocation on Aug. 22, when alumnus Stanley Blackmon encouraged students to embrace the many opportunities that come with being part of the Bulldog family. Each freshman left the event with a commemorative coin they were asked to bring to their graduation ceremony—a keepsake symbolizing a key milestone in their life journey.

Being recognized as one of “America’s Best Employers By State” has been another high point of the year. MSU was ranked second in Mississippi behind first-place NASA in Forbes’ latest listing. We couldn’t have arrived at this exciting place in time without the contributions of our employees, and we’ll continue striving to create the best work environment possible for them.

This fall there’s also much to look forward to in the realm of sports. With eight home football games this season, Mississippi State is providing many opportunities to see Coach Zach Arnett’s Bulldogs in action while welcoming thousands of alumni and visitors to our campus.

One thing everyone is certain to notice is growth, renovation and construction happening everywhere. Projects in progress include Humphrey Coliseum, Ballew Hall, the new High Performance Computing Data Center, and preparations for the Jim and Thomas Duff Center.

In addition, we recently hosted ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the College View Connector multi-use pathway in Starkville and the expansion and renovation of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Animal Emergency and Referral Center in Flowood.

Construction work on campus can be disruptive. As the saying goes, “Please pardon our progress” as efforts are made to coordinate projects with everyone’s safety in mind. It may require patience at times, but the results will be well worth it.

As always, there’s lots going on and much more in store at Mississippi State. We hope you’re able to visit this fall and experience history in the making.

Convocation at Dudy Noble: New MSU students encouraged to seize opportunities

MSU welcomed its largest-ever freshman class, as well as new transfer students, to campus with fall convocation, marking the beginning of their academic journey at MSU. [Read More]

MSU continues support of federal cyber workforce with $4.1 million in new NSF CyberCorps Funding

MSU has a longstanding history of sending Bulldogs to the front lines of federal cybersecurity efforts, and that tradition will continue as MSU receives $4.1 million over five years from the National Science Foundation to renew its CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service Program. [Learn More]

MSU works toward better prediction of Pearl River flooding through drones and data-driven models

Using drone technology, MSU is creating an advanced river mapping system to better predict future flooding by the Pearl River, home to one million people who live in neighborhoods and communities that border its banks. [Learn More]

Keenum notes record-breaking MSU successes, recommits to faculty support in fall address

As record-breaking freshman enrollment, fundraising and research propel MSU into the new academic year, President Mark E. Keenum committed to his top annual legislative priority: seeking additional funding to support faculty wages. [Learn More]

Ribbon Cut for MSU CVM Animal Emergency & Referral Center

The ribbon was recently cut for the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s newly renovated and expanded Animal Emergency & Referral Center in Flowood. [Learn More]

MSU receives $4 million in NSF EPSCoR funding to study Mississippi Delta climate impacts, resilience

MSU is leading a $4 million, five-year National Science Foundation-funded effort to study climate change impacts in the Mississippi Delta and increase resilience among vulnerable populations. [Learn More]