� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� � ��

��������������� �������������

Mississippi State UniversityAlumni Association NationalOfficersRobby Gathings (’81),national president;Allen Maxwell (’78),national first vice president;Gary Blair (’81),national second vice president;Keith Winfield (’70),national treasurer;Steve G. Taylor (’77),immediate former nationalpresident.

DesignerBecky Smith

Student WriterJessi Parker (’02)

PhotographersFred FaulkRuss Houston (’85)

Editor/DesignerAllen Snow (’76)

Mississippi State University does not

discriminate on the basis of race,

color, religion, national origin, sex,

age, disability, or veteran status.

Spring 2002 Volume 78Number 1

USPS 354-520

www.msstate.edu

On the cover:The Chapel of Memories’ George D. Perry carillontower has just had a facelift, and the tintinnabulousmelodies for which it is famous are once againdrifting across the MSU landscape. Story on page 9.(Photo by Russ Houston.)

Campus News

Athletics

Alumni Activities

Philanthropy

Class News

In Memoriam

16

28

29

34

39

43

5

2

C O N T E N T SC O N T E N T SC O N T E N T SC O N T E N T SC O N T E N T S

14

Interim PresidentCharles Lee

Vice President forExternal AffairsDennis A. Prescott

Alumni AssociationExecutive DirectorJohn V. Correro (’62)

Mississippi State Alumnus ispublished three times a yearby the Office of UniversityRelations and the MississippiState University AlumniAssociation at Mississippi State,Miss. Send address changes toAlumni Director, P.O. Box AA,Mississippi State, MS 39762-5526; telephone 662-325-2434; oraccess by web browser at http://msuinfo.ur.msstate.edu/alumni/alumni.htm.Editorial offices:102 George Hall,P.O. Box 5325,Mississippi State, MS 39762-5325. Telephone 662-325-3442;fax, 662-325-7455;e-mail, snowa@ur.msstate.edu.

129

International Business puts some ofthe best and brightest to the testA unique double-degree program at MSU providesstudents with an exceptional grounding in theinternational business climate.

Professor of chemical engineering Mark Zappi ison a mission to make sure ozone gets the respectit deserves.

Bringing ozone down to earth

Chapel tower getsnew lease on life

The renovation of a hallowed campus landmark hasbrought the sweet sounds of music back to campusafter years of silence.

Electric power generating plants fueled by natural gaspromise to help solve the nation’s energy shortage.

Iced gas research may solve storagedilemma

Of time and place: T.S. Eliot

English professor Nancy Hargrove’s research castsnew light on contemporary influences that helpedshape the work of one of the 20th century’s greatestpoets.

Observations of a walk-on alumnus“Occasional” anesthesiologist Bill Hulett of Jackson,a wanna-be graduate of MSU, takes a humoroussidelong glance at Bulldog fans.

26

A L U M N U S

Spring 2002

2A L U M N U S

Think about it. That’s the advice John

Lox, director of the university’s Interna-

tional Business program, gives to students

who want to enroll in the five-year aca-

demic undertaking.

It’s not that he doesn’t want students in

the program. He just wants to be sure

they’re willing to go the distance.

“I try to talk every single student out of

enrolling,” he laughs. “Our curriculum is

demanding, and I want students to know

how difficult their five years will be.”

Those who participate earn a double

degree, receiving a B.B.A. in General

Business Administration, with a concentra-

tion in a specialty such as marketing,

finance, or business information systems,

and a B.A. in Foreign Languages, with a

specialization in a language such as French,

German, or Spanish. There’s also a

required international internship, followed

by a required paper written both in English

and in the student’s foreign language

specialty. Students are asked to flex their

academic muscles, to learn leadership skills

in student organizations, and to develop the

basis for lifelong corporate citizenship by

becoming involved in community activities.

All of this isn’t for those with low

energy, low commitment, or a low tolerance

for work, Lox tells potential students.

Student numbers have steadily increased

since the program began in 1995. Nearly

International Businessputs some of the best and brightest

to the testBy Maridith Walker Geuder

Artwork by Phillip Smith

Spring 2002

3A L U M N U S

260 are currently enrolled, with one in three

achieving a 3.5 or better grade-point

average (out of 4.0).

“These students are some of MSU’s

most valuable players,” Lox said.

They include standouts such as Marco

Baron of Gesté, France, a three-time All-

American tennis player who completed his

career with the Bulldog netters last May.

He was ranked No. 1 in the NCAA for two

years and last year earned the 2001 Tennis

Magazine/Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and

Sportsmanship Award, while maintaining a

3.91 grade point average in international

business. During the spring, he will intern

in the international marketing department

of Major, one of France’s most well known

brands.

Linda Mattsson, who came to the United

States from Sweden for a spot on the

women’s tennis squad, also is completing

the international business program and

successfully interned with Greenwood,

Miss.-based Viking Range.

“One of the challenging aspects of the

program is that you get to study all areas of

business, even though you specialize in

one,” she said. Her concentrations in

marketing and German should help her

achieve her goal of finding a job in the

United States with a Swedish-based

company such as Ericsson Mobile, she

believes.

“I believe Mississippi State’s program

offers one of the broadest opportunities in

business,” she said. “All business today

truly is transacted in an international

market.”

Cut from a different moldUnlike programs at many other institu-

tions, Mississippi State’s is unique in that it

has a thorough grounding in two colleges—

Business and Industry and Arts and

Sciences— said foreign languages depart-

ment head Edmond A. Emplaincourt.

“You’ll often find international business

programs that are based in a foreign

languages department and are weaker in

business, or those based in a business

college that are weaker in foreign lan-

guages. I don’t know of another program

that is as rigorous in two academic areas as

is Mississippi State’s.”

In the College of Arts and Sciences, for

instance, international business students

are expected to take advantage of

courses ranging from interna-

tional government to world

literature to cultural

anthropology. As they

lay their groundwork

in academics, students

may boost language and work

skills through several summer

study-abroad programs offered by

the foreign languages department, or

may enroll in intensive two-week summer

conversational courses that immerse them

in language and culture.

“We expect our students to be knowl-

edgeable about much more than just the

language itself,” Emplaincourt said.

He added that even those students who

ultimately work in the United States most

often hold international responsibilities.

“Employers like our students because they

are so well-rounded and perform well in an

international business climate.”

The distinguishing feature of the

Mississippi State program is its required

internship, both Lox and Emplaincourt

agree.

“These students must take what they’ve

learned in class and function as profession-

als,” Lox said. “It’s analogous to putting

tennis lessons into practice on the court.”

Senior Nicholas Lee of Cookeville,

Tenn., last year completed a six-month

internship with Citigroup Global

Technology Infrastructure,

based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Working in the

finance department of

an area responsible

for Latin and Central

America, Lee said he

experienced first-hand the kind

of career opportunities he hopes to

pursue after graduation.

“The internship was very challenging,”

he noted. “I was given a lot of responsibil-

ity and held accountable for my projects.

One of the most beneficial skills was

learning to deal effectively in a business

culture; it’s very different from academics.”

Lee, who hopes to enter the financial

management associate program with

Citigroup after his May graduation, says

Mississippi State’s international business

program is distinguished by the caliber of

its students.

A former Student Association treasurer

and business manager of the student annual,

The Reveille, he says the IB program

typically attracts high-achievers.

“They’re driven to do well,” he believes.

“People who enter the program are the kind

of folks who want to make a

difference.”

The proof is in the doing Still a young program,

International Business has

established ties with major

international corporations that hire

students both as interns and as

full-time employees.

Among the more than 100

companies with whom IB makes

placements are FedEx, Citigroup,

British American Tobacco, Sara

Lee, Allianz, WorldCom, Siemens,

Xerox, Freeport McMoran,

CoopersPriceWaterhouse, and Deloitte &

Touche.

The type of work will vary by company

Dr. Edmond Emplaincourt, left, of Arts and Sciences andJohn Lox of the College of Business and Industry directthe international business program.

Ph

oto

by

Fre

d F

aulk

Spring 2002

4A L U M N U S

and student business emphasis area, Lox

explained, but all students must intern for at

least a semester in an international setting.

Students may qualify for internships with a

U.S.-based company only if they’ve lived

abroad for a full cultural immersion

experience.

Before that, they usually have had

introductory work experiences through

study-abroad and other opportunities. And

they’ve been put through some business-

world paces such as a résumé development

and interviewing skills course taught by

Lox.

Bernardo Vizcaino, from Quito,

Ecuador, a 2000 IB graduate, now works in

Singapore as a manage-

ment associate with the

Global Corporate and

Investment Bank of

Citibank, where he also

interned.

While still a student,

he worked on Citibank

projects ranging from

cost-reduction initiatives

to organizing corporate

events. “The internship

proved to be a fabulous opportunity for

networking and career development skills,

and it eventually opened the door for a

position in the largest financial institution

in the world,” Vizcaino said.

He credits the IB program with provid-

ing more than just a solid academic

foundation. “Without a doubt, my interna-

tional business experiences helped me

polish my interpersonal skills, critical

thinking, and multi-tasking abilities. MSU

helped me differentiate myself from the

rest.”

Candace and Charles Lockhart, now

married and both working for Memphis,

Tenn.-based FedEx, chose the international

business curriculum because they had long-

established interests in languages and

wished to expand their career opportunities.

Candace, who graduated from Briarcrest

High School in Memphis, had studied

French and wanted to build on that

background. “The international business

program presented a great opportunity,” she

said.

Charlie, who graduated from Amory

High School, had concentrated in high

school on developing his Spanish-language

skills. “International business seemed to be

tailored to my needs and goals from the

beginning,” he said.

In making the decision, both say they

learned firsthand why director John Lox

always tells students to think twice about

the choice they’re making.

“The classes that had the most influ-

ence on me were the toughest and the ones

I hated the most,” Candace admits. “It’s

amazing how much I actually use those

experiences at FedEx.”

Candace, whose specialty areas were

marketing and French, now is an interna-

tional marketer with the global planning

and development arm of FedEx. Her area

is responsible for

FedEx’s marketing

strategies in more

than 150 countries

around the world.

Charlie is

product manager

for eCommerce

Marketing and

fedex.com, a

position in which

he’s responsible for

writing business

requirements for

new products that

will be used in

international

shipping, as well as maintaining Web

content for the fedex.com international

section.

Both say their Mississippi State

preparation gave them a sense of what

they’d really face on the job.

“I was expected to think, act, study, and

work as if I were already out of college and

in the real world,” Charlie recalled. “Every

bit of the homework, all the interviews, and

the social interaction that I experienced

were as close to what is ‘out there’ as I

could imagine.” Candace added that

particularly useful skills included network-

ing, résumé development, business writing,

and cultural sensitivity.

“My professors pushed me,” Charlie

says. “I did all the work myself, but

without those individuals at Mississippi

State to believe in me and push me to be

the best I could be, I wouldn’t be living the

wonderful life I’m living today.”

Saying that work should be challenging

and fun, he has these parting words for the

professors who made sure he went the

distance.

“Thanks to all of you, and keep up the

high standards.”

Candace and CharlesLockhart, both graduates ofthe international businessprogram, now work forMemphis-based FedEx.

BernardoVizcaino,Citibank,Singapore

5

Spring 2002

A L U M N U S

wastewater injected with

hydrogen peroxide is pumped

downward. At the same time,

ozone is pumped upward

through the columns.

“The combination is very

effective in destroying traces

of wood-preserving wastes in

the water in less than 10

minutes of treatment,” said

Borazjani, who helped the host

industry implement the

microbe-based bio-reactor

currently in use. “The process

has promise for use by

industries producing wastewa-

ter requiring a high degree of

treatment.”

Zappi said that the tests

show the ozone treatment is

price-competitive—at about

50 cents per 1,000 gallons—

and has advantages over some

of the most widely used

methods of removing toxic

chemicals from industrial

wastewater.

“One of the problems with bio-reactors—

which use living organisms to remove

contaminants—is that if something happens

to kill off the organisms, you have downtime

while they are replaced,” Zappi said.

The data generated by the South Missis-

sippi pilot project can be used to develop a

system large enough for industrial use,

according to Allen Morr, president of

Ozonology.

“We can take this technology and scale it

up so it can do a full treatment of hundreds

of gallons of water a minute,” he said. “The

pilot project results indicate this type of

treatment can be used basically anywhere.”

The South Mississippi project, Zappi

added, has shown that ozone can be an

effective and efficient wastewater treatment,

especially for one of the South’s leading

industries.

“This process has particular promise with

wood-preserving waste streams and those

containing similar chemicals,” he said. “The

result could be a new reliable and cost

effective treatment system for the numerous

forest product industries in Mississippi and

other Southern states.”

Checking a water sample are, from left, Allen Morr withproject partner Ozonology, Inc., professor of forestproducts Hamid Borazjani, and professor of chemicalengineering Mark Zappi.

Graduatestudents takewater samples fortesting in an on-site laboratory.

Mark Zappi is on a mission to make sure

ozone gets the respect it deserves.

Ozone is a gas present in the atmosphere

and it’s been in the headlines recently

because of theories that its depletion may

contribute to global warming. But for Zappi,

a Mississippi State University

professor of chemical

engineering, ozone’s

benefits are more down to

earth.

Zappi, along with

forest products professor

Hamid Borazjani and

graduate students under

their direction, are develop-

ing an ozone-based water

treatment process for removing

contaminants from polluted water.

“Ozone is commonly used as a safe and

effective drinking water treatment by some

of the world’s major cities, including Paris

and Los Angeles,” Zappi said. “It has not,

however, been considered aggressive enough

for removing chemicals from industrial

wastewater.”

An MSU team led by Zappi and

Borazjani tested a pilot-scale unit con-

structed by Ozonology Inc. of North Brook,

Ill., at an industrial site in South Mississippi

last summer. Funding was provided by the

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s

Gulf Coast Hazardous Substance Center at

Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

After water for the test was pulled from

the flow going into the site’s bio-reactor

treatment system, it was treated, tested, and

put back into the flow. The testing was done

continuously over a two-and-a-half week

period.

The unit used

in the test includes

four 20-foot tall

Plexiglas columns

through which

Chemical engineer brings ozonedown to earth

By Bob Ratliff Photos by Fred Faulk

Spring 2002

6A L U M N U S

Charles Lee and his wife Pat enjoy each

other’s company. In their rare free time,

they cook together, go fishing together (he

likes to fish for crappie; she takes a book

and reads), and travel together. These days,

travel often means that she drives him to

engagements around the state while he

catches up on paperwork and phone calls.

Accepting the position of Mississippi

State’s interim president was a decision

made with his wife, Lee said in his first

public comments after being appointed last

December by the Board of Trustees,

Institutions of Higher Learning.

“I would not be assuming this new role

if it were not for my first lady of 42 years. I

am confident that Pat will be a strong and

involved first lady of our great university.

Both of us love Mississippi State and we

are determined to serve and to represent the

institution to the best of our ability,” he told

the Mississippi State

family.

In the months since Lee

assumed his interim duties

Jan. 1, he and Pat have

been active and visible

participants in the life of

Mississippi State. He’s

spoken to variety of

groups around the state,

ranging from the Missis-

sippi Cattlemen’s Associa-

tion to local Rotary clubs,

as well as addressing MSU

December graduates.

She’s served as guest coach for Coach

Sharon Fanning’s Lady Bulldogs, hosted

campus events, and been on the road with

her husband to represent the university.

The team approach to serving Missis-

sippi State is an important part of Charles

Lee’s administrative philosophy as well.

Describing himself as “a listener,” Lee

believes one of his primary roles is helping

others do what they do best.

“My administrative style is not

to run everything from the top,” he

notes. “I believe that a leader sets

the vision and the goals, but

empowers vice presidents, deans,

department heads, faculty, and staff

to proceed.” The president’s role,

he says, is “to be clear about

directions and priorities” and to

“seek broad input, but clearly

designate responsibility and

authority.”

He brings a wealth of experi-

ence to the undertaking. A

longtime educator and administra-

tor, Lee had served since 1999 as

MSU’s vice president for agricul-

ture, forestry and

veterinary medi-

cine, assuming

additional responsi-

bilities in July 2000

as dean of the

College of

Agriculture and

Life Sciences. He

earlier had served

from 1978-83 as

the dean of MSU’s School

of Forest Resources and

associate director of the

Mississippi Agricultural

and Forestry Experiment Station.

Lee began his academic career as head

of the forestry department at the University

of Arkansas, Monticello. In subsequent

positions at Texas A&M University, he

served as an associate dean, director of the

agricultural experiment station, interim

executive vice president, and vice chancel-

lor for research, planning and continuing

education.

Lee is “the right man for this job at this

time in the life of Mississippi State

University,” said Board of Trustees

President Bill Crawford. “We are very

fortunate to have an administrator of his

experience and expertise to turn to at this

time.”

Lee and his wife are North Carolina

natives. He earned bachelor’s and doctoral

degrees from North Carolina State Univer-

sity, the former in forestry management and

the latter in forestry genetics with an

emphasis in statistics.

Among many honors, Lee has been

New leader emphasizepulli

Lee addressed December 2001graduates.

Pat and Charles Lee enjoy trying new recipes and often share co

Spring 2002

7A L U M N U S

recognized for outstanding service by the

U.S. Department of Agriculture Joint

Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences,

the Texas A&M University Board of

Regents, the Texas A&M College of

Medicine, and the Mississippi Forestry

Commission.

Challenging timesHe becomes interim president at a time

when Mississippi is experiencing shortfalls

in projected state revenues and reduced

funding for state universities.

“We’re approaching a third consecutive

year of actual decreases in state support,

which will take us back to the level

of funding we had in 1996,” Lee

said. “At the same time, we have

18 percent more students than we

did seven years ago.”

For the fiscal year beginning in

July, the Mississippi State faces a

further reduction in state funding

of about $8 million in the general

university budget and about $5

million for the Division of

Agriculture, Forestry and Veteri-

nary Medicine. Unless the

Legislature acts to lessen the

proposed cuts before its session

ends in early April, the cumulative

reduction in state support over

three years will reach 26 percent.

Lee believes his first priority is

to maintain the academic and

financial integrity of the university.

“Mississippi State is vital to the

economic, educational and social

progress of Mississippi, and we

have unique capability to deliver

the services that meet the state’s

needs.”

Paramount

to the university’s

mission is pursuing

excellence in teaching,

he told a recent general

faculty meeting.

“Our first and most

crucial responsibility is

to develop leaders for

the next generation,” he

said. He cited as an

example of outstanding

teaching Michael

Neumann, professor of

mathematics and

statistics, who was

recognized in 2001 as Mississippi Professor

of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for

the Advancement of Teaching and the

Council for Advancement and Support of

Education. He is the fourth faculty member

in the past six years to earn the distinction.

Professors also consistently have been

included among the nation’s top student

advisers in national competition.

Lee noted that fall enrollment was a

record 16,878 students statewide, and said

that during his tenure Mississippi State will

continue to focus on “attracting the state’s

best students and those who are prepared to

succeed at Mississippi State. We also need

to continue to be candid with students

whose chances of success here are not very

great,” he said. This year’s average

freshman ACT score is the highest among

state universities, at 23.5, and MSU leads

the state in freshman National Merit

Scholars for the third year in a row, Lee

said.

At the same time, the university should

“build on its history of serving all Missis-

esng together

ooking duties.

Lee congratulatesDr. Michael M.Neumann ofMathematics andStatistics,Mississippi’s 2001Professor of theYear.

By Maridith Walker Geuder

Photos by Fred Faulk and Russ Houston

Spring 2002

8A L U M N U S

sippians,” Lee emphasized. “Our land-

grant mission is not incompatible with our

commitment to excellence and pursuit of

national prominence.”

MSU also has a key role in the state’s

future through its research strengths, Lee

said. Mississippi State now ranks 57th

among public universities in the nation in

science and engineering research expendi-

tures, 5th in agricultural sciences research,

and 34th in engineering research, according

to the National Science Foundation.

Even given a difficult economic

environment, the university has made great

progress in expanding its research program,

Lee said. MSU now accounts for 61

percent of science and engineering research

in all Mississippi institutions.

The continued growth in research

expenditures—a 20 percent increase to

$133 million in fiscal year 2000—”is due to

an aggressive approach by the MSU faculty,

the Office of Research, the Extension

Service, the Mississippi Agricultural and

Forestry Experiment Station, and the strong

support of our congressional delegation,”

Lee said.

He noted that the university research

effort is paying benefits to the state. The

capabilities of the Engineering Research

Center played a key role in attracting

Mississippi’s first automobile manufactur-

ing plant, for instance. The university

already is working with Nissan to design

the assembly line of the plant under

construction near Canton and to reduce the

time required to take a new model from

concept to production.

Lee emphasizes that a distinguishing

characteristic of Mississippi State is its

mission of service. “A feature of our

university that brings great benefits to the

state is our ability to reach beyond the

borders of our campus to help business,

government, communities, families, and

individuals.” As an example, he cites the

statewide 4-H program operated by the

MSU Extension Service. “Last year,

125,000 Mississippi youth-one of every six

eligible students-participated in 4-H

activities.”

Building partnershipsTo assure continued momentum in the

current economic climate, the university

will emphasize a planning process that

links resources to institutional priorities,

Lee said. The institution also will focus on

management efficiencies, such as a new

electricity rate agreement with TVA

adopted in late 2001 that can save $1

million a year in energy costs, and will

aggressively pursue non-state funding from

competitive federal grants and industry

partnerships.

Mississippi State’s alumni and friends

are an important part of the institution’s

strength, Lee said, citing last year’s record

of just under $56 million in gifts and

pledges. A feasibility study conducted in

2001 determined that

Mississippi State is well

positioned for its next capital

campaign, especially as the

economy improves, he said.

“We will work over the next

several months to prepare,

and the next president should

have the opportunity to kick

off a campaign soon after

taking office,” he said.

Lee is not just biding his

time while the search for the

university’s next president

gets under way. “I do not

intend to initiate major changes that can’t

be finished by the end of my term,” he said,

“but I do intend to represent Mississippi

State’s needs and opportunities to others, to

create a sense of community among

members of the MSU family, and to move

ahead on actions that are critical to our

work.”

Charles Lee believes that Mississippi

State University is moving in the right

direction. His charge, he says, is to involve

everyone connected to the university in

contributing to its continued progress.

“This is a great institution, and it takes

every single one of us to make it even

stronger.”

Dr. George L. Verrall, interim provost and academic affairs vicepresident, is part of Lee’s administrative team.

Presidential searchunder way

The search for Mississippi State’snext president got under way in Januarywith the appointment of a six-membersearch committee made up of Board ofTrustees members.

Malcolm Portera, president from1998 to 2001, resigned at the end of theyear to become chancellor of theUniversity of Alabama System.

Board of Trustees President BillCrawford named MSU alumnus CarlNicholson of Hattiesburg to chair thePresidential Search Committee. Otherboard members serving are AmyWhitten of Oxford, Scott Ross of WestPoint, Bryce Griffis of Starkville, RoyKlumb of Gulfport, and Bettye Neely ofGrenada.

At its February meeting, the Boardof Trustees named Bill Funk of theKorn-Ferry consulting firm to assist inidentifying and screening applicationsfor the position. Funk also assisted inthe 1998 presidential search at MSU.

During March, the College Board isexpected to name an dvisory committeemade up of 30 to 40 faculty, staff,students, alumni, and communityrepresentatives to assist in screeningapplicants for the president’s post.Dean of Libraries Frances Colemanchairs the advisory committee.

Board officials have said they hopeto be able to schedule three to five on-campus interviews in May and to namethe university’s next president by earlyJune.

9

Spring 2002

A L U M N U S

Chapel of Memories

By Dale Dombrowski

Photos by Russ Houston

towergetsnewleaseonlife

Spring 2002

10A L U M N U S

The silence has ended, and the timely

musical refrains that were so much a part of

the Mississippi State experience for students

from the mid-’60s through the mid-’90s have

returned to echo across campus.

With the beginning of the spring 2002

semester, the carillon in the George D. Perry

Tower in the courtyard next to the Chapel of

Memories is once again chiming on the hour

and half-hour and playing a variety of

melodies. Having these melodies drift across

campus throughout the day was the dream of

Perry (’19) and his wife, Jane.

That dream began in the mountains of

Colorado.

While visiting

friends there, Perry was

taken on a tour of his

hosts’ manufacturing

plant that featured,

among other things,

music that could be

heard throughout the

plant and its grounds.

The music came from

strategically placed

speakers located in a

tall tower. Perry was

said to have been very

affected.

After Old Main Dormitory was destroyed

by fire in 1959, President Ben F. Hilbun

conceived the idea to use the salvaged bricks

to build the Chapel of Memories. Perry,

who had been impressed with the musical

concerts played by this and another carillon

tower he visited several times in Florida,

suggested that a carillon and tower be built.

He contributed $75,000 to fund the tower

and carillon project.

The Chapel of Memories, along with the

George D. Perry Tower and carillon, were

dedicated in October 1965. The ceremony

featured a recital by carillonneur John Klein.

The carillon played a variety of songs

over the next 30 years until the hourly

chimes and songs went silent in the late

1990s after physical plant employees found

bricks that had fallen from the tower

into the courtyard.

“We went up to find out where the

brick had come from and found a lot

of loose masonry,” said physical plant

assistant director Bob Johnston.

Johnston said university officials

decided to have an architect look at

the tower, bricks, and masonry to see

what needed to be done to repair it.

“The condition of the masonry

was worse than we thought,” he said.

“The masonry on the top two levels

was deteriorating from water

penetration.”

The George D. Perry Tower

next to the Chapel of Memories

dominates the central campus of

the Mississippi State landscape.

Perry, a 1919 graduate of

what was then Mississippi A&M

College, maintained close ties to Mississippi

State until his death in 1992.

He lived in Tunica County, where he owned

and operated a plantation and was the president

of the Tunica County Bank. He helped develop

and direct Mississippi Chemical Corp. and

Coastal Chemical Corp. He also was a director

of First Mississippi Corp.

Perry was president of the MSU Alumni

Association in 1946-47, was Alumnus of the

Year in 1972, and was a founding member of

the Mississippi State University Foundation.

He presided over the foundation as its second

president from 1968 until he retired in 1978.

Among the many accomplishments during his

term as the foundation’s president was Perry’s

effort to establish and fund the John C. Stennis

Chair in Political Science.

In the early 1960s, Perry and his wife Jane

provided the funding to build the tower that

houses the carillon in the courtyard next to the

Chapel of Memories.

In 1993, one year after Perry’s death, the

cafeteria building was renamed Perry Cafeteria

in recognition of his many years of service to

the university. A $1.5 million gift annuity was

given by Perry’s wife, Jane Perry, who now

lives in Spanish Fort, Ala., to help renovate and

preserve the facility.

The roadway which runs between the

chapel and the YMCA Building also is named

in his honor.

George D. Perry

11

Spring 2002

A L U M N U S

At the time of its construction in 1964, the George D. Perry Tower housed one of the largest carillon bell

systems in the South.

The 183-bell instrument, made up of three 61-bell carillons, is an “Americana” carillon featuring

miniature bell-tone generators, which are struck by metal hammers to produce exact bell tones. The bell

vibrations then are amplified more than one million times to produce true bell music superior to that of cast

bells.

The basic tone comes from the 61-bell Arlington carillon, which is tuned as a Flemish cast bell. The

two others include a 61-Harp-bell carillon and a 61-Celestra-bell carillon, which produce the harmonic

backgrounds to the Arlington carillon.

William “Bill” Gearhiser, who retired from MSU as a utilities supervisor in 1975, has been the “keeper

of the chimes” since the tower was built and the carillon first started playing in 1965. After he retired, he

continued to program and take care of the carillon until the bricks in the tower started falling and the

carillon was shut down.

The university updated the original carillon system in the fall of 1994. At that time, the old tube-type

amplifiers were replaced because parts were no longer available.

Schulmerich Bells of Sellersville, Pa., made the carillon.

Johnston said the

university decided it

would be best for safety

purposes to close the

courtyard and put a

“net” around the top of

the tower to prevent

loose brick from falling.

“The architect

recommended taking

down the masonry on

the top two levels of the

tower and totally

relaying it,” he said.

Perry Tower has

seven levels with

landings on each level,

according to Johnston.

The top is open to the

elements because “you

want the speakers

located there to broad-

cast out of the archways so sound can travel

around campus.”

The main problem was in the design of

this level.

“The floor on the

seventh level had no way

to collect and drain

water,” said Johnston.

“The rain would come in

through the archways,

and since there was no

drainage or collection

system, it just ran down

the walls to get out and

that caused a big

problem.”

Johnston said the

masonry was so loose in

places that when

physical plant employees

went up to check it, they

could actually see the

bricks moving when the carillon would

sound.

Several solutions to this problem have

been designed into the renovated tower.

“The most important thing we did is put

in a collection and drainage system on the

Sweet sounds

seventh floor, so that the water that gets in

there will drain out at the bottom of the

tower,” said Johnston. “We also have built in

membranes and drainage systems through

the walls so water that

gets inside can come

back out.”

Construction on

the tower renovation

began last June and

was completed in late

December at a cost of

$292,000.

“The university

funded the hiring of

the architects and

engineers to look at

the tower and prepare

bid documents for the

work that needed to

be done,” said

Johnston. “The state

of Mississippi provided the funding for the

actual contracting and construction.”

Johnston said that because bricks from

the landmark Old Main dormitory were used

in the construction of the tower and Chapel

of Memories, special care was taken when

they were removed so the bricks could be

reused.

“When we did this renovation, we didn’t

just knock the bricks down in the areas we

needed to repair,” said Johnston. “We took

them down and preserved all that we could

so they could be reused. The face brick is all

original brick that we reused from the tower.”

Spring 2002

12A L U M N U S

Iced gas research may solvestorage dilemma

Electric power generating plants fueled

by clean-burning natural gas can help solve

the nation’s energy shortage, provided the

facilities are equipped with safe, efficient

storage systems.

Developing an economical natural-gas

storage system is the goal of a four-year,

$1.2 million U.S. Department of Energy-

sponsored project headed by MSU’s

chemical engineering professor Rudy

Rogers.

“At times of peak electrical demand,

power plants cannot pull enough gas out of

pipelines fast enough to meet their needs,”

Rogers said. “If they have to buy gas on the

spot market at high prices or resort to storing

liquefied natural gas or compressed natural

gas, electricity prices will

increase. The amount of

natural gas needed to fuel the

new electric power plants

projected to be built in the next

20 years is likely to far outstrip

on-site storage capacity.”

One way to solve the

problem, Rogers said, is by

using gas hydrates—essen-

tially ice—to safely store a lot

of natural gas in a small space.

“For example, more than

180 standard cubic feet of gas

can be stored in one cubic foot

of hydrate,” he said.

Gas hydrates are formed

when gas is used to pressurize

water and the temperature

lowered to near freezing. The

pressure causes two reac-

tions—water solidifies at a

temperature higher than 32

degrees Fahrenheit and the gas

becomes trapped in water

molecules within the frozen

mass.

Rogers, who was among the first

American scientists to research the industrial

use of hydrates more than a decade ago,

added that the nature of gas hydrates makes

them safer to store in above-ground tanks

than pressurized or liquefied natural gas.

“Should a storage tank rupture, there

wouldn’t be a sudden release of gas because

what you essentially have is gas encased in

ice,” he added. “This type of storage can be

especially useful in heavily populated areas,

such as the Northeast, were there is strong

energy demand and no natural storage sites

such as the salt domes or depleted gas

reservoirs that exist in the Gulf Coast

region.”

By Bob Ratliff

Photo by Fred Faulk

Illustration courtesy of Slim Films

Rogers is working with colleagues at

MSU’s Diagnostic Instrumentation and

Analysis Laboratory to develop a gas hydrate

storage process. The DIAL scientists will

design, build, and test a storage tank with

about a 40-gallon capacity.

“Water in the tank will be pressurized

with natural gas to about 550 pounds per

square inch and chilled,” Rogers said. “Solid

gas hydrates will pack on aluminum plates in

the tank and the hydrates can be formed or

decomposed by either cooling or heating

banks of transfer tubing.”

Chemical engineer Rudy Rogers with a frosty beaker of thegas hydrates that soon may help solve storage problems atpower plants.

Gas hydrates are formed when methanemolecules become trapped inside icecrystals.

ICE CRYSTAL METHANEMOLECULE

Spring 2002

14A L U M N U S

Literary research

O City city, I can sometimes hear

Beside a public bar in Lower Thames Street,

The pleasant whining of a mandoline

And a clatter and a chatter from within

— The Waste Land

These words from The Waste Land, T.S.

Eliot’s landmark 1922 work, are rooted in a

sense of the poet’s contemporary culture and

time. Even though the poem opens with an

epigraph referring to a Greek myth and ends

with an injunction from a Hindu holy book,

references throughout repeatedly call the

reader into the dirty, grimy present of then-

modern-day London, Eliot’s adopted home.

English professor Nancy D. Hargrove is

fascinated by the contemporary influences on

the writer whom many consider the greatest

English-language poet of the 20th century.

Hargrove, an honors graduate of Agnes

Scott College and Giles Distinguished

Professor at MSU, first discovered Eliot

when she took an undergraduate course in

British literature. Born in St. Louis, Eliot

spent most of his adult life in London.

“I had a fabulous teacher who taught The

Waste Land,” Hargrove recalls. “It fasci-

nated me so much that I did an independent

study about Eliot.” She pursued the interest

with graduate studies at the University of

Wisconsin and the University of South

Carolina, and she’s studied the literary giant

ever since.

Her research has generated a book-length

study, Landscape as Symbol in the Poetry of

T.S. Eliot, as well as essays, book chapters,

and presentations about Eliot’s work.

Currently, she is at work on a book about

Eliot’s 1910-11 year in

Paris, when he was a 22-

year-old student at the

Sorbonne.

The Waste Land

“broke the old molds of

writing poetry,” Hargrove

said. More than 400 lines

investigates

on T.S. Eliotinfluence of time, place

long, it combines dense historical,

literary, and cultural references to

capture the sense of disjointedness in

the early post-World War I days of

the century.

“Eliot introduced a form that

abandoned traditional linear progres-

sion,” she said. Defying convention,

he combined colloquial and classical

language, formal and informal styles

of poetry, and a range of ancient to

modern characters that convey his critique of

modern life.

The Waste Land, as well as a body of

work that included poetry, essays, and plays,

was to have a tremendous impact on the

generations of writers who succeeded Eliot.

The significance of his work was recognized

with a Nobel Prize awarded in 1948.

“Eliot was truly a genius, a writer with an

encyclopedic mind,” Hargrove said. “He was

a dominant force in the development of

‘modern’ literature.”

An avid traveler, Hargrove is especially

interested in the importance of place and

contemporary culture on the writer’s art.

As a new faculty member at Mississippi

State in the 1970s, she earned Office of

Research funding for travel to England,

where she conducted work for her first book.

Subsequent Fulbright lectureships to France,

Belgium, and Sweden, as well as a recent

sabbatical in Paris, have given her access to a

wealth of primary sources on the Continent.

“I’ve been able to have access to materials

I might never otherwise have seen,” she said.

From her research, Hargrove has gener-

ated articles on the likely influence of

modern dance, drama, and art on Eliot’s

artistic achievement. Reading and translat-

ing newspapers and other primary sources of

the time, she tracks the great creative impact

of the legendary dancer Isadora Duncan, the

Ballets Russes, painter Pablo Picasso,

playwright Jean Cocteau, and many others

who were forging a new, “modern” artistic

culture.

“When our university supports research

like this, it really pays off in scholarly

activity and in the resources we’re able to

bring to our students,” Hargrove said. In

addition to books and articles about Eliot,

she has published on the works of Sylvia

Plath, W.B. Yeats, William Faulkner, Eudora

Welty, and William Shakespeare. She is the

author of a book-length study about Plath,

The Journey Toward Ariel: Sylvia Plath’s

Poems of 1956-1959.

In recognition of Hargrove’s classroom

teaching, the Carnegie Foundation for the

Advancement of Teaching and Council for

Advancement and Support of Education

named her the 2000 Professor of the Year for

Mississippi. Among many other honors, she

has received the Outstanding University

Honors Program Faculty Award, John

Grisham Master Teacher Award, MSU

Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher

Award, and Outstanding Humanist Award.

Ph

oto

by

Ru

ss H

ou

sto

n

By Maridith Walker Geuder

Dr. Nancy Hargrove visits informally with students abouther research on poet T.S. Eliot.

15

Spring 2002

A L U M N U S

Spring 2002

16A L U M N U S

▼

Teachings put to usewith backyard wetland

Eric Dibble’s backyarddoesn’t include an expanse ofBermuda grass, a sprinkler

system, andmanicuredhedges.Instead, the

associateprofessor ofwildlife andfisheries hasturned his 80-

acre “backyard” in westernOktibbeha County into awetland laboratory for MSUstudents.

“Wetlands provide benefitssuch as improved water qualityand enhanced habitat forwaterfowl and other migratorybirds, “ Dibble said.

Basically, Dibble’s restora-tion effort involved the plantingof bottomland hardwoods, suchas oaks, cypress, and sweetgum on about 30 acres.

“The students enjoy workingin the wetland laboratory,”Dibble said. “It changes theirperspectives on how informa-tion gathered during fieldexercises is applied to actualproblems.”

In recognition of his wetlandlaboratory, Dibble was namedOktibbeha County’s 2000Outstanding Wetland Conserva-tionist.

Hardin grant supportsMeridian project

The largest grant in the PhilHardin Foundation’s historywill help assure support foroperation of the Riley Educa-tion and Performing Arts

Center planned for downtownMeridian.

The Meridian foundation iscommitting $2.5 million to anendowment whose earningswill help maintain and enhancethe center being developedunder the leadership ofMississippi State.

The $2.5 million giftestablishes three separate fundswhose earnings will supportmajor components of RileyCenter programming, HardinFoundation President RobertWard said.

The Phil Hardin CommunityIssues Endowment is funded at$750,000 and will support aregional forum to explorehistoric trends in East Missis-sippi communities and theirimplications for the future.

The Riley Center Technol-ogy Enhancement Endowment,funded at $1 million, will beused to help purchase equip-ment, materials, and softwarefor the center’s academicprogramming and communityoutreach programming.

The planned restoration ofthe 1890 Grand Opera Houseand Marks-RothenbergBuilding will be the culmina-tion of years of effort topreserve and protect the historicbuildings.

The downtown developmentproject wasjump-started inFebruary 2000with a $10million anchorgift from theRiley Founda-tion, also ofMeridian, tosupport construction andrenovation. The constructionbudget was rounded out with a

$3 million bond issue authori-zation by Lauderdale Countyand $6 million in federal grants.

Earlier this year, the GrandOpera House of MississippiInc. transferred title to thehistoric properties to Missis-sippi State.

Alcorn, MSU join forces

Sharing library resources,faculty expertise, and distancelearning technologies,Mississippi’s two land-grantinstitutions are launching anacademic partnership designedto enhance regional workforceskills.

Beginning in January,Alcorn State and MississippiState universities are offering acollaborative master’s degreeprogram in workforce educa-tion leadership, said ClayborneD. Taylor, MSU dean ofcontinuing education.

Taylor said respondingcommunity college presidentsidentified an increased need forrural community collegeleaders with the skills necessaryto coordinate collaborationsamong two-year institutions, K-12 schools, industry, andgovernment agencies. Re-sponses showed a potential

pool of as manyas 1,000individualsrequiring ordesiring agraduate degreein the major. The cross-disciplinarymaster’s will

include academic training inagriculture, the arts andsciences, business and industry,and education.

MSU studentsgo to sea

Eight Mississippi Statestudents recently tradedclassrooms and campusresidence halls for the decksand bunks of a research shipsailing the Gulf of Mexico.

The wildlife and fisheriesmajors were part of a weeklongcollaborative project betweenthe university and the NationalMarine Fisheries Service.Aboard the National Oceanicand Atmospheric Administra-tion research vessel GordonGunter, they conducted trawlsurveys off the Alabama,Mississippi, and Louisianacoasts to determine the status ofmarine fisheries resources andenvironments.

“The students gainedexperience in samplingtechniques, fish handling andidentification, and collection ofenvironmental data, amongother topics,” said DonaldJackson, the department ofwildlife and fisheries professorwho directs the program.

The fall semester experiencemarked the fourth consecutiveyear such hands-on training hasbeen offered by the College ofForest Resources as a compo-nent of Jackson’s fisheriesscience course. Prior to sailing,participants must completewater safety and survivalswimming training, alsoconducted by Jackson.

Degrees at a distance

Working adults seeking adegree or enhanced job skillsmay wish to consider numerousoptions at Mississippi State thatbring instruction directly to theuser.

Edited by Jessi Parker (’02)

Spring 2002

17A L U M N U S

▼

Through the Division ofContinuing Education, theuniversity currently offers morethan 140 courses and more than20 degree programs bydistance learning.

At Mississippi State,distance-learning courses areavailable through videotapes,the Internet, streaming video,electronic or regular mail, two-way interactive video class-rooms, and CD-ROM.

Persons seeking an MSUdegree first must satisfy theadmission requirements of aparticular program. For thosenot entering a degree program,an unconditional admissionsprocess provides convenientaccess to individual courses.

Some programs can becompleted entirely at adistance, while others requirestudents to spend some time oncampus, generally during thesummer.

Verrall namedinterim provost

A veteran faculty member,academic administrator, andfinancial manager has been

named interimprovost and vicepresident foracademic affairs atMississippi State. George L. Verrallassumed the role onJan. 1 of chiefuniversity academicofficer and second-

ranking administrator.Verrall holds four degrees

from Mississippi State and hasserved the university continu-ously as a faculty member andadministrator for more than 35years.

“Dr. Verrall is thoroughlyfamiliar with every aspect ofthe institution and with thestate’s system of highereducation,” said InterimPresident J. Charles Lee. “Hehas repeatedly demonstrated hiscommitment to the universitythroughout his professionalcareer.

Verrall began his career asan MSU faculty member in1965 after completing amaster’s degree in businessadministration. He previouslyearned bachelor’s degrees inboth mechanical engineeringand business administration,and later received a doctorate inbusiness administration with anemphasis in economics.

Foster appointedto advisory board

The dean of MississippiState’s College of ForestResources is a new member ofthe nationalpolicy groupserving theUnited StatesDepartment ofAgriculture.

U.S. Secretaryof AgricultureAnn Venemanappointed G.Sam Foster, who also directsthe university’s Forest andWildlife Research Center, to atwo-year term on the NationalAgricultural Research,Extension, Education, andEconomics Advisory Board.

Foster is the only boardmember appointed by Venemanto represent the issues andconcerns of national forestrygroups.

The 30-member grouprepresents a variety of constitu-encies, including farm organi-zations, food and plantcommodities, and food science,human health, and socialsciences organizations, amongothers.

Foster heads the forestry,forest products, and wildlifeand fisheries academicdepartment. He also is a boardmember of the MississippiForestry Commission and vicechairman of the Delta Council’sForestry and Wildlife Commit-tee.

Faculty memberreceives women’sleadership award

A veteran Mississippi Statefaculty member is among 14women receiving a one-timehonor from an internationaleducation association.

Linda F. Cornelious,professor of instructionalsystems and workforcedevelopmentsince 1990, isbeing recognizedwith a BessieGabbard Awardcelebrating theleadership ofwomen. Pre-sented recentlyby Phi DeltaKappa honorsociety, it honors practicingeducators excelling in profes-sional, civic and communityservice activities.

At Mississippi State,Cornelious has earned anumber of honors, includingCollege of Education awardsfor graduate teaching and forleadership and service. She

also has been recognized byPDK as its outstandingeducator of the year at MSU.

During the 1999-2000academic year, she served asthe Boeing Co. William AllenEndowed Chair and Distin-guished Professor of Educationat Seattle University.

Cornelious is a member ofthe board of directors for theMid-South EducationalResearch Association and anarea coordinator for PDK inNorth Mississippi.

A Minden, La., native, sheholds bachelor’s and master’sdegrees from SouthernUniversity in Baton Rouge, andeducation specialist anddoctoral degrees from FloridaState University.

Teachers earn nationalboard certification

More than 80 state teachersin a Mississippi Statementoring and support networkare among the latest groupearning the highest nationalprofessional credentials in theirfield.

Representing school districtsthroughout North and CentralMississippi, the participants inMSU’s World Class TeachingProgram are among more than400 state educators receiving2001 certification from theNational Board for ProfessionalTeaching Standards.

MSU program directorPeggy A. Swoger of theCollege of Education saidMississippi’s success this yeargives it the sixth-highestnumber of new board-certifiedteachers in the United States.“Teachers voluntarily undergoan assessment process in whichthey document their knowledge

Verrall

Foster

Cornelius

Spring 2002

18A L U M N U S

▼

of their subject matter, provideevidence of effective teachingmethods and demonstrate theirability to manage and measurestudent learning,” she ex-plained.

Mississippi teachers whosuccessfully earn certificationreceive a $6,000 annual bonus.

Prototype commuter‘car’ for those withdisabilities

Designing an “intelligent”wheelchair-accessible com-muter vehicle is the latest majorproject for a special MississippiState research center.

The T.K. Martin Center forTechnology and Disabilityrecently received a $68,000grant from the MississippiCouncil on DevelopmentalDisabilities to develop aconcept vehicle that meets theneeds of persons who cannotdrive in currently availablevehicles. The Martin Centerwas established in 1996 and isthe only one of its kind inMississippi.

“Our goal is to take anexisting design and integrate itwith cutting-edge technologiesto develop a single-personvehicle to be used for shortcommutes,” said Gavin R.Jenkins, a Martin Centerrehabilitation engineer. MSUresearchers also will explorethe potential for actual produc-tion by the automobile industry,he added.

“It would allow us tobroaden the boundaries forthose with disabilities,” Jenkinssaid.

For persons whose disabili-ties now make travelingindependently impossible, such

a car could provide improvedaccess to employment, social,health, and recreationalopportunities.

Project will expandrecreational accessfor children

Mississippi school-agechildren with developmentaldisabilities soon may haveimproved access to sports,clubs, or other out-of-classactivities.

Mississippi State’s T.K.Martin Center for Technologyand Disability has launched apilot project seeking ways tobetter integrate children withdisabilities into school recre-ational and social activities. Aone-year, $23,000 grant fromthe Mississippi Council onDevelopmental Disabilities isfunding the effort.

The first of its kind inMississippi, Project REACT(Recreation through Extracur-ricular Activities for Childrenwith Technology) initially istargeting students and educatorsin the Starkville Public SchoolDistrict.

The pilot project also willinclude specialized training forselected school personnel andthe inauguration of a peerawareness program to encour-age greater involvement ofstudents with disabilities innon-class experiences.

While some may participateonly on a modified basis, manyshould be “full participants inthe extracurricular activitiesthat so many others take forgranted,” Martin Centereducation specialist Denise S.Perkerson said.

Marketing facultymembers, studenthonored by peers

Mississippi State’s academicprogram in marketing will needconsiderable wall space todisplay a collection of newawards garnered at an interna-tional meeting in New Orleans.

Four faculty members and adoctoral student in the Collegeof Business and Industry tooktop honors at the Society forMarketing Advances’ 2001conference. Recognitionsincluded the selection of onefaculty representative as anSMA Fellow and another for anaward in classroom teachinginnovation. The group alsobrought back three first-placeawards for research studies theypresented.

Ronald D. Taylor, amarketing professor and headof the department of marketing,quantitative analysis andbusiness law, was among twomembers inducted into thefellows program. An MSUfaculty member since 1983, heis a doctoral graduate of theUniversity of North Texas.

Taylor and associateprofessor Brian T. Engellandearned first place in marketingresearch for their study ofguidelines used in measuringconsumer attitudes. Theycompeted against faculty fromthe universities of South Floridaand Texas, New Zealand’sMassey University, and theUniversidad de Monterrey inMexico.

Engelland, who holds adoctorate from Southern IllinoisUniversity, joined the faculty in1997.

Assistant professor MelissaL. Moore, a faculty member

since 1999, received the annualHoughton-Mifflin Award forInnovations in Teaching.Specifically, she was cited for aclass exercise that helpsillustrate the concept of productbrand positioning. She holds adoctorate from the Universityof Connecticut.

Professor Cynthia Websterwas first in the consumerbehavior research category.Webster, who also holds adoctorate from North Texas,joined the faculty in 1989.

Doctoral candidate ClaireStammerjohan of Starkvillewon over peers from six otherschools. Her study dealt withthe use of color in creatingWeb-based advertising. Shegraduated cum laude fromMSU in 1998 with a bachelor’sdegree in fine arts.

MSU assists Armyin night-vision research

Mississippi State’s largestcontinuing research programfunded by the federal govern-ment now is assisting a teamdeveloping new night-visiontechnology for the U.S. Army.

The university’s DiagnosticInstrumentation and AnalysisLaboratory is providingprototype fabrication, field-testing, data collection, andother research and developmentsupport for a six-year, $400million project. The projectteam is led by E-OIR Measure-ments Inc., a Spotsylvania, Va.,based defense contractor.

DIAL began at MSU in1980 with a major U.S.Department of Energy researchcontract.

“The addition of DIAL toour team offers several newavenues of research to theNight Vision Laboratory,” said

Spring 2002

19A L U M N U S

RUN BANFIELD ANIMAL HOSPITAL AD HERE

Spring 2002

20A L U M N U S

▼

Larry Bramlette, E-OIRprogram manager for the NightVision and Electronic SensorDirectorate contract.

Bramlette said the U.S.Army established its ongoingnight vision and electronicsensor program in the early1990s during the Persian GulfWar in Kuwait and Iraq. Thetechnology currently isincorporated into gun sights,goggles, infrared trackers, andother equipment used by troopsin the field.

“Working with such a well-respected contractor as E-OIRis providing a number of newareas in which to apply ourexpertise and broaden ourDepartment of Defensecustomer base,” said DIALmarketing development officerRobert L. Kirkland.

Mathematician namedProfessor of the Year

Mississippi State professorMichael M.Neumann uses asurefire methodof measuringwhat hisstudents havelearned. Hetalks withthem—at length.

An exitinterviewprocess the mathematicianimplemented in his calculusclass is among the innovationscited in Neumann’s selection asthe 2001 Mississippi Professorof the Year.

Presented by the CarnegieFoundation for the Advance-ment of Teaching and the

Council for Advancement andSupport of Education,Neumann’s award is among 45given nationally this year.More than 380 college anduniversity faculty memberswere nominated.

Neumann, who holdsbachelors, master’s, anddoctoral degrees from theUniversity of Saarbrucken inhis native Germany, is thefourth faculty member inMSU’s College of Arts andSciences to receive the top statehonor over the past six years.He came to MSU in 1989.

“Many people think math isa dry subject,” Neumann said.“I want my students to becomeexcited about the possibilitiesmathematics offers.”

One student nominator said,“I have told every one of mypeers who plan to take maththat they shouldn’t get theirdegree before experiencing atleast one of Dr. Neumann’sclasses.”

In addition to teaching,Neumann has co-authored “AnIntroduction to Local SpectralTheory,” which was publishedlast year by Oxford UniversityPress. He also has writtenmore than 70 papers fornational and internationaljournals.

Neumann has received otherteaching honors at MississippiState, including an OutstandingFaculty Member Award fromthe University Honors Program,Outstanding Lower-LevelTeaching Award from theuniversity’s alumni association,and a Faculty Research Awardfrom the College of Arts andSciences.

USDA, MSU formaquaculture partnership

Managing a crop you can’tsee is risky business, but that’sone of the challenges ofgrowing catfish and otheraquaculture products.

Helping producers reducetheir risks is the goal of apartnership between Missis-sippi State and the U.S.Department of Agriculture.

Keith Coble and TerryHanson, both MSU agriculturaleconomists, are the principalinvestigators for the four-year,$3.6 million national riskmanagement feasibilityprogram for aquaculture. Theyare working with USDA’s RiskManagement Agency andFederal Crop Insurance Corp.

Producers of the nation’s topfarm-raised aquaculturespecies—catfish, salmon, troutand baitfish—received almost$700 million for their productsin 1999. Catfish accounted foralmost $500 million of thattotal and will be the initialfocus of the research.

In addition to assessing therisk factors for producers, theproject will apply the expertiseof MSU personnel to develop-ing risk management plans forcatfish and other aquacultureproduction systems.

One of the ways producersof cotton, corn, and other cropsmanage their risks is throughthe purchase of federal cropinsurance. Traditional cropinsurance is hard to apply toaquaculture, however, in partbecause the time it takes toproduce a crop of fish is longerand because it is difficult todetermine fish numbers andpounds in the pond.

The agricultural economistshope to find ways of reducingthe risks associated with thoseand other factors that areacceptable to producers.

Neumann

Insurance Day set for April

The 15th annual MSU Insurance Day will be held April 23and 24 on the Mississippi State campus. Presented by the PeterK. Lutken Chair of Insurance, the program provides continuingeducation credit for attorneys, claims adjustors, property/casualtyagents, and life/health agents.

For more information or to register, contact Dr. Edwin H.Duett, Department of Finance and Economics, P.O. Box 9580,Mississippi State, MS 39762; telephone 662-325-2341; e-maileduett@cobilan.msstate.edu.

Scientists developingweaponry power system

Casting their eyes on the farhorizons and beyond, scientistsat Mississippi State are helpingdevelop an on-board powersystem for future air forceweaponry.

The university’s Center forAdvanced Energy Conversion isbeginning a $4.6 million, five-year project to design andconstruct the prototype of alightweight, high-output powersupply for a new generation ofaircraft armaments. MSU ispart of a national team selectedfor the U.S. Air Force’sHypersonic Vehicle Electric

Spring 2002

21A L U M N U S

▼

4-H celebrates 100 years of serviceThe Mississippi State University Extension Service is proud to celebrate 100 years of 4-H youth

development. 4-H is the nation’s and Mississippi’s largest youth-serving organization. TheNational 4-H Council has designated 2002 as the centennial year of 4-H in America, and Missis-sippi is one of three states recognized for creating some of the original 4-H clubs.

Although a couple of northern states are credited with startingboys’ and girls’ clubs as early as 1902, Mississippi was the firststate to receive federal money from the U. S. Department ofAgriculture to support boys’ corn clubs and girls’ tomatocanning clubs. In 1907, USDA paid school superintendent W.H.Smith $1 to sponsor clubs in Holmes County. Smith later becamefamous nationally as “Corn Club” Smith after organizing clubs forboys who exhibited corn at local fairs.

In Mississippi, 4-H has become one of the most popular andrecognizable educational programs of the MSU Extension Service.In the early 1900s, professors of agriculture at Mississippi A&Morganized Farmers’ Institutes to bring the latest research-basedagricultural information to farmers and their families. 4-H played aleading role in getting farmers to adopt some of the latest farmingmethods by teaching their sons how to increase yields of corn peracre. Later, daughters passed on to their mothers the latest informa-tion about better cooking and canning methods they learned in 4-Htomato canning clubs.

In 1914, 4-H was folded into the Cooperative Extension Service established by the Smith-LeverAct. Federal and state financial support provided a substantial boost for community-based 4-Heducational programs.

By 1918, 4-H counted more than one-half million club members nationally. Today, nationalmembership exceeds 6.5 million youth. Mississippi boasts more than 125,000 4-H members.

Through the years, 4-H has adapted to needs of youth in succeeding generations. Early educa-tional programs revolved around agriculture and food preservation. Today’s programs and activitieshelp young people develop life skills through “learning-by-doing” exercises.

4-H educational programs provide diverse learning experiences in environments that foster andnurture values such as responsibility, hard work, integrity, and teamwork. Community serviceprograms teach the value of community involvement. 4-H Field and Stream programs teach thevalue of environmental stewardship.

Mississippi will celebrate the birthday of 4-H on Saturday, July 20, at the Ag and ForestryMuseum in Jackson. For more information about 4-H, contact your county MSU Extension Serviceoffice.

Power System project.“HVEPS will provide a

short pulse of high-poweredelectrical output to fire laser,microwave, or particle beamweapons,” said center directorRobert L. Cook.

General Atomics, a SanDiego, Calif.-based defensecontractor, leads the effort toproduce the on-board weaponspower system for futuristicaircraft capable of travelingapproximately 11,000 miles anhour—Mach 15, in aerospacejargon—and reaching anyworld location in two hours.

The desired system must becapable of producing largeamounts of electricity. Howlarge? Keeping in mind thatone megawatt is equal to onemillion watts of electricalpower, the goal here is 10megawatts.

“The ultimate use for theHVEPS aboard these aircraftwill be to power weapons usedfor missile interception,” Cookexplained.

“The systems also willsupply power for disruptingcommunications and perform-ing radar surveillance.”

In addition to Cook, MSUteam members include researchengineers Perry Norton andWalter Okhuysen, aerospaceengineering professor KeithKoenig, and professor C.F. Suand assistant professor DavidErmer of physics. Cook is theprincipal investigator for theMSU phase of the project.

The Mississippi State teamis developing a magnetohydro-dynamics—MHD, for short—generator that can produce largeamounts of power with nomoving parts, something MSUresearchers have demonstratedduring more than two decadesof internationally recognized

laboratory work.“An MHD power train

consists of a high temperatureconductive gas, or plasma,moving through a magneticfield,” Cook said. “It is themoving conductor in amagnetic field that produces

electric power.”In addition to the design and

construction of a power train,Cook and his MSU colleaguesare being called on to developinstruments to monitor thepower train, evaluate materialsfor its components, fabricate a

test bed for appraising materialsand collecting data, and usesupercomputers to produceworking simulations of thedevice.

Spring 2002

22A L U M N U S

▼

Transportation systemneeds overhaul

The Sept. 11 attacks on NewYork and Washington should bea wake-up call for drasticchanges in the nation’s transpor-tation system, according to areport by Mississippi State andUniversity of Denver scientists.

Released in February, “NewTransportation Agenda forAmerica” is based on a recentstudy by the National Center forIntermodal Transportation.

A federally funded partner-ship between the Colorado andMississippi schools, the centerwas created in 1998 to promoteimprovements in Americanpassenger and freight transpor-tation.

The report calls for wide-spread reforms in all areas ofthe nation’s transportationsystems, said NCIT deputydirector Royce Bowden, anMSU industrial engineeringprofessor.

“The goal of the U.S. shouldbe to overcome transportationdefects and create an integratedsystem promoting, among otherthings, efficiency, safety,mobility, and national security,”Bowden said. “The heart ofreforms is a need to linktogether all transportationmodes, including rail, water,highway, and air.

“The ultimate goal would beto create transportation systemssimilar to the duplicatecommunications networks theDefense Department producedwhen it created the Internet,” heexplained.

The report was prepared byNCIT personnel and consult-ants, including Meridianbusinessman Gil Carmichael,

who serves as chairman of theAmtrak Reform Council andsenior chairman of the Univer-sity of Denver’s IntermodalTransportation Institute.

According to the report, the9/11 attacks demonstrated thatthe nation is too reliant onairlines as the single commercialmode of passenger travel, andalternative transportation modesgenerally are poor or nonexist-ent.

The report calls on thefederal government to commit$15 billion a year for the next 15to 20 years to fund a newtransportation approach,including a new system of high-speed trains and more frequentschedules of trains on someshort routes.

Color forest industryeconomic impact green

A recently completedMississippi State report showsjust how much of the state’seconomy rests in the shade of itsvast forestlands.

While it’s well known thatforestry is important to the state,most residents may not appreci-ate that “the more than 18million acres of forestland inMississippi means trees covertwo-thirds of the state’s landarea,” said Ian Munn of theuniversity’s Forest and WildlifeResearch Center.

The associate professor offorestry said a center-sponsoredstudy sought “to measure thetotal economic impact of the$1.3 billion worth of timberproducts harvested and deliveredto mills and manufacturingplants in Mississippi each year.”

Completed by Munn and

graduate student James E.Henderson, the projectexamined the forest industry’sfour main sectors: logging,solid wood products, pulp andpaper, and wood furnituremanufacturing. Employing acomputerized database andmodeling software, theylooked at employment, wagespaid, total value of production,and value added through themanufacturing process.

Using 1998 data—the mostrecent available—they foundthat the forestry/forestproducts industry employsmore than 151,000 Mississip-pians and accounts for about13 percent of Mississippi’stotal economic activity,contributing $14.8 billion intotal industrial output andgenerating $6.5 billion invalue-added income.

West named newarchitecture dean

A longtime educator andpracticing professional is thenew dean of architecture atMississippi State.

James L. West,former associatedean and, since lastyear, interim headof the School ofArchitecture, hasbeen named to thetop position by theBoard of Trustees,State Institutions ofHigher Learning.He succeeds John McRae, wholeft to join a private firm inMaryland.

Associate dean since 1998of Mississippi’s only profes-sional architecture educationprogram, West previously wasan interior design professor at

West

Honored for student advisingMichael Goatley, center, is Mississippi State’s Academic Adviserof the Year for 2001-02. The professor of plant and soil scienceswill represent the university at the National Academic AdvisingAssociation conference in late September in Salt Lake City. Formuch of the past decade, MSU faculty members consistentlyhave been included among the nation’s top student advisers innational competition. Donna S. Reese, left, an associateprofessor of computer science, and art professor Linda K.Seckinger also were honored for helping students schedulecoursework and meet graduation requirements.

Spring 2002

24A L U M N U S

▼

the University of Florida, wherehe was named teacher of theyear for the 1997-98 schoolyear. He holds bachelor’sdegrees in interior design andarchitecture, and a master’s inarchitecture, all from U.F.

At MSU, he has taughtcourses in architectural design,interior design construction,lighting design, and furnituredesign. In addition, he hasserved as director and coordina-tor of the school’s DesignDiscovery, an annual eight-daysummer studio for high schoolstudents.

Among West’s researchinterests is designing forpersons with disabilities, anarea in which he has writtenand consulted extensively.

Camille Young aidinggovernment relations

Mississippi State graduateCamille Scales Young is nowassisting the university with

legislativerelations at thestate Capitol. Young, agovernmentaffairs represen-tative for theJackson firm ofWatkins LudlamWinter &Stennis, is

working under a professionalservices agreement to monitorlegislation and help educatestate lawmakers about univer-sity-related issues.

She previously spent fouryears as a government relationsspecialist for the MississippiFarm Bureau Federation,working in both Jackson andWashington, D.C. She also wasa public relations specialist for

the U.S. Department ofAgriculture.

“Camille is extremelytalented and has a great deal ofsolid experience,” said MSUGovernment Relations Coordi-nator John Tomlinson.

“Equally important is thefact that she is very well knownand highly respected bymembers of the Legislature andother state officials. We’relucky to have her.”

Young attended MississippiState as a Turner CatledgeScholar and received abachelor’s degree in communi-cations management in 1994.She earned a master’s inagricultural and extensioneducation with an emphasis inpublic policy and administra-tion in 1996.

As a graduate teachingassistant at Mississippi State,she taught classes in publicspeaking. She also completedinternships as a student with theNortheast Mississippi DailyJournal in Tupelo and in theoffice of Sen. Trent Lott.

Young is a native ofShannon. She and her husband,Keith Young, an Alcorn Stategraduate, have two children.

Bettersworth Lecturestarget high schools,community colleges

Nearly 100 Mississippi Statefaculty members are participat-ing in a visiting speakersprogram available at no cost tostate high schools and commu-nity colleges.

The university’s Office ofEnrollment Services issponsoring the John K.Bettersworth LeadershipLectures, which may bescheduled throughout the

school year with as little asthree weeks prior notice.

“To schedule a facultymember, school officials needonly give us a call,” saidenrollment services directorJohn Dickerson. “We’ll handlethe details from there.”

In addition to three weeksnotice, the office also asks thateducators provide threepossible dates for the facultymember to visit and detailsabout audience size, Dickersonadded.

The lecture program is amemorial to MSU’s longtimevice president for academicaffairs and author of ThePeople’s University: ACentennial History of Missis-sippi State. Bettersworth alsowrote the Mississippi historytextbook used for many years instate schools.

The lectures cover 13 topicareas, including agriculture,animals, and environmentalissues; architecture; arts andculture; business; careers;communication; education;engineering; history; mathemat-ics and science; personaldevelopment; society andpolitics; and technology.

A complete list of thefaculty members and theirspecific topics may be found athttp://msuinfo.ur.msstate.edu/lists/betters/bettersworth.html.

To schedule a speaker orobtain additional information,contact Dickerson or assistantdirector Eric Bishop at 662-325-3076 orLEAD@msstate.edu. Themailing address is Office ofEnrollment Services, P.O. Box6334, Mississippi State, MS39762-6334.

Researcher examiningsocial influencesof aggression

Identifying human traits thatcan lead to aggressive orviolent behavior is the goal of anew research effort under wayat Mississippi State.

Kristine M. Jacquin,assistant professor of psychol-ogy, has begun investigating thecircumstances that provoke“normal” people to respondwith aggression. In a labora-tory setting, she is creating acontrolled environment to testreactions of young adults tosimilar situations.

While much of the researchto date has focused on individu-als already identified asaggressive because of violentcrimes or conduct disorders,Jacquin’s focus begins beforethe violent act occurs. Shehopes to develop a system thatcan identify individuals mostlikely to react aggressively anddetermine why.

Jacquin initially is examin-ing the influence of narcissisticpersonality traits, or a tendencyto view oneself as entitled ormore deserving. The roles peerinfluence and gender play inestablishing particular re-sponses are among severalissues that will receive specialattention.

“I want to determine ifthere’s a similar perceptual biaswhen one chooses to respond toa situation aggressively,” sheexplained. “The reason foraggression often is not a simplecause and effect.”

Jacquin’s study is fundedthrough an MSU Office ofResearch program that providesseed money to young facultymembers with promisingresearch projects.

Young

Spring 2002

25A L U M N U S

Imagine! Quiet, backwoods

Mississippi cemeteries sharing a

common bond with the perfectly

manicured home field of the

World Series-champion Arizona

Diamondbacks.

Grass, of course! But not just

any old garden variety.

For more than two and a half

decades, Mississippi State

scientists Jeff Krans and Wayne

Philley searched high and low,

east and west, front lawn and

country cemetery for just the

right sprigs of Bermuda grass.

They could be found anywhere

the prolific plant grows.

“When people saw us

crawling around in old country

cemeteries, they usually thought

we were searching grave markers

for genealogical research,” Krans

said. “In fact, we were collect-

ing samples for our breeding

program.”

Krans, an agronomy professor

in the department of plant and soil sciences,

and Philley, a senior research assistant and

departmental colleague, collaborated on a

project that, to date, has yielded four

Bermuda grass cultivars.

Patented through Mississippi State, the

cultivars carry the research names of MS-

Choice, MS-Express, MS-Pride, and MS-

Supreme. MS-Choice is the current star of

the turf grass lineup, though each of the

four features distinct characteristics and can

be found on home lawns, golf courses, and

other locations.

Krans said Choice’s unique qualities are

particularly well suited for gridirons like

MSU’s Scott Field, where it debuted in the

early 1990s.

“With its broad leaves and tightly closed

canopy, MS-Choice creates a dense biomass

that provides a cushion of grass so football

players are running on top of the grass

rather than through it,” Krans said. “The

result is better traction for the players and

less wear on the field.”

This MSU-developed member of the

plant family also has the dark green color

most often desired for athletic fields. Its

tolerance for shade was an equally impor-

tant feature in being selected for the

Diamondbacks’ stadium, Philley

said.

“Ballpark One Stadium in

Phoenix (where the Diamond-

backs play) has a retractable

dome, so the grass does not get

as much sun as it would in an

open field,” he explained. “The

grass’s shade tolerance helps

keep it attractive under those

conditions.”

About five years ago, MS-

Choice grew beyond its

Magnolia State origins when

Mississippi State granted a

license under the name Bull’s

Eye Bermuda to West Coast

Turf, a widely known sports

grass marketer with operations

in Arizona, California, and

Nevada.

Krans said other stadiums

now using MS-Choice include

the Rose Bowl, Edison Interna-

tional Field (home field of the

Anaheim Angels baseball team)

and University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

At present, Krans and Philley are turning

their attention to St. Augustine grass, that

favorite of Southern homeowners. Despite

moving into new fields, so to speak, the

green-thumb duo continues searching for

another winning Bermuda grass.

“We’re still on the lookout for Bermuda

grass with unique characteristics,” Philley

said as the two strolled through a cemetery

near Starkville. “We never know when or

where we might find another sprig with

superior qualities.”

by Bob Ratliff

Jeff Krans, front, and Wayne Philley.

Photo by Fred Faulk

Spring 2002

24A L U M N U S

scientists to many lots, plotsscientists to many lots, plots‘Grass of champions’ search led‘Grass of champions’ search led

Observations of a

Spring 2002

26A L U M N U S

First and foremost, let me put your mind

at ease. I am not a graduate of that Other

University in Oxford. Just as athletics have

those special individuals who by virtue of

desire and upbringing wish to work out

with the team and earn a place on the

roster (despite no offers of

scholarship or special prior

attention from the coaches), I

consider myself a “walk-on”

alumnus of MSU. I suppose my

having married a Dawg has

something to do with it all, but

mostly I have come to realize that I

just prefer Mississippi State

people to people with other

leanings.

Anyone who has attended a

basketball game at the Hump has

heard the distinctive voice of Hank

Flick announce “Welcome to an

evening of basketball . . . Missis-

sippi State style!” Well, today’s

essay is a paraphrase of Hank: Watch-

ing the Radio, Mississippi State style!

Towards the end of this past baseball

season, my lovely bride (of some 30 years)

and I sponsored a “watch the radio” party

for several of our State friends. We were

listening to MSU battle Cal State Fullerton

in the 2001 super-regionals that due to

some boneheads’ decision was not played

in the friendly confines of Dudy Noble, nor

was it on the TV. I am sure that we were

not alone that night as we listened to the

melodious voice of our beloved Jim Ellis as

he gave the play-by-play of what would

eventually end in our defeat.

After a wonderful potluck supper that

would have made the faithful of the left-

field lounge envious (no true fan refers to

that hallowed area as the outfield terrace!)

we all settled down in groups to listen to

and “watch the radio.” It quickly became

obvious that there were several categories

of listeners that I will now attempt to

characterize.

One group in the den

paced the floor or sat

quietly. You must know

the type; they are the

ones who would wear

their headphones to

church if their wives

would let them! They

are frequently seen at live sporting events

wearing headsets over baseball caps with

ancient MSU logos. The caps usually are

so time-worn and tattered that Goodwill

would be hard-pressed to accept them.

Their shirts are (faded) maroon and white

and have some proclamation on them such

as Super Bulldog Weekend, 1993 or some

other memorial to past State history.

Their eyes are focused on a point in

front of them and they do not tolerate any

interruptions such as requests for more

food. They are aware of the pitch count at

all times.

Bathroom breaks are saved for rain

delays only. Any questionable calls that go

the other way are met with

inaudible mutterings of

disgust. When the inevitable

pitching change is made

their retort is usually to

the effect of “why

wasn’t he taken out

two innings ago!”

They have no

need to consult

Dawg’s Bite because

they sweet-talked

their mailman into

special delivery of it three

days earlier so as to memorize

all the stats; not that they really

needed to read it because they know

all the details of all the Dawg

players from the past 20 years,

including the names of the players’

girlfriends and maybe even the

girlfriends’ majors. Fans of this

type have been known to take

frequent breaks at weddings and

business conventions in order to call long-

distance to friends back home for score

updates. As the game progressed, the

pacing became more deliberate and the

cries of anguish more pronounced.

Out on the deck were those fans who

also listened to Jim but with a less severe

intensity. They sat or walked around and

would even be heard to ask for a quick

Observations of a

They are the oneswho would wear theirheadphones to church if

their wives would let them!They are frequently seenat live sporting eventswearing headsets over

baseball caps with ancientMSU logos.

Walk-On Alumnus

Spring 2002

27A L U M N U S

change to WWL to update the score of the

hated LSU Tigers’ game. During live

broadcasts they have been known

to listen to the TV rather than

the radio although most will

deny this. They accept

food offers and will

comment on the game’s

questionable calls with a

mild display of anguish.

They know the players and

the players’ hometowns but

haven’t checked out the

girlfriend contingent yet. They

are usually hatless inside but

have visors for the sun

with smart M-State logos

on them. Their maroon

and white shirts are newly

bought from the Lodge.

Bathroom breaks are

scheduled whenever Jim

announces 60 seconds for

local station breaks. They

think about the pitch count

only when Jim reminds them. Frequent

updates from Dawg’s Bite are necessary to

try to discern just who the “R and R” boys

are who are hitting the ball out of the park

with distressing ease. Pitching changes are

welcome but should have happened a batter

or two ago when the game was still within

reach. This observer probably best fits into

this category but on the other hand perhaps

not, as I have been known to change pager

coverage to nationwide in order to receive

e-mail score updates while flying to

Columbus, Ohio, while the Dawgs were

playing ball.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen and dining

rooms were those fans who had the radio on

but tried to carry on civilized conversations

Walk-On Alumnus

during the broadcast. (Heresy!)

Their color coordinated J. Crew

outfits of pink and green were in

stark contrast to all the shades of

maroon scattered throughout the

house. They would never consider wearing

a headset because it would mess up their

“do!” If they had been at their own home,

they would have been listening to the radio

in the kitchen while they ironed clothes,

washed dishes, or read the newspaper.

Bathroom breaks are no bother. If

questioned about the team they would

probably know that nine men played at one

time but would have no idea who Paul

Maholm was or who was from Stow, Ohio!

They have seen issues of Dawg’s Bite but

have not stained their manicured fingers

with its ink. Questionable ump calls are

greeted with concerned looks but little

understanding of what it means to drop a

third-strike foul ball. During TV telecast

Bill Hulett, a.k.a. William B. Hulett,

M.D., is not a graduate of MSU but is

a wanna be. He is an occasional

anesthesiologist practicing in Jackson

but frequently can be found fishing at

Browning Creek Lake in Oktoc.

Comments may be directed to

whulett@jam.rr.com.

Illustrations by Omar Grant, freelance

artist and tattoo expert, who can be

reached at 601-969-6044.

By Bill Hulett

games, they will flip

channels to catch up on

the soaps or the HBO

movie.

As the night

progressed and we all

became painfully

aware that this evening

would not end in our

favor, the friends

gradually said their

good-byes and left, all

with saddened hearts.

As a quiet descended

over the now deserted

deck, kitchen, and den, I

looked at the M-State flag

draped over the arbor and heard in

my head the familiar sing-song

cheer: It’s good . . . to be . . . an

MSU Dawg. . . .

Meanwhile, in the kitchenand dining rooms werethose fans who had the

radio on but tried to carryon civilized conversationsduring the broadcast.

Spring 2002

28A L U M N U S

▼

20022002200220022002BASEBALL SCHEDULEBASEBALL SCHEDULEBASEBALL SCHEDULEBASEBALL SCHEDULEBASEBALL SCHEDULEDATE OPPONENT TIME

MARCH1 Jacksonville State 4 p.m.2 Jacksonville State 2 p.m.3 Jacksonville State 1:30 p.m.6 Jackson State 4 p.m.8 Loyola Marymount 4 p.m.9 Loyola Marymount 2 p.m.10 Loyola Marymount TBA12 at South Alabama 6 p.m.13 at South Alabama 2 p.m.15 South Carolina 6:30 p.m.16 South Carolina 2 p.m.17 South Carolina 1:30 p.m.20 Mississippi Valley State 6:30 p.m.22 at Kentucky 3 p.m.23 at Kentucky 2 p.m.24 at Kentucky 1:30 p.m.26 New Orleans 6:30 p.m.27 New Orleans 3 p.m.29 at LSU 6:30 p.m.30 at LSU 2 p.m.31 at LSU 1 p.m.

APRIL2 Tennessee-Martin 6:30 p.m.3 vs. Mississippi 6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Trophy GameJackson, Miss

5 Georgia 6:30 p.m.6 Georgia (FOX Sports Net TV) 3 p.m.7 Georgia 1:30 p.m.9 Samford 6:30 p.m.10 Mississippi Valley State 6:30 p.m.12 Arkansas 6:30 p.m.13 Arkansas 2 p.m.14 Arkansas 1:30 p.m.16 at Southern Miss 6:30 p.m.17 at Southern Miss 6:30 p.m.19 at Auburn 6:30 p.m.20 at Auburn 3 p.m.21 at Auburn 1:30 p.m.23 UAB 6:30 p.m.26 at Vanderbilt 7 p.m.27 at Vanderbilt 7 p.m.28 at Vanderbilt 1 p.m.

MAY3 Florida 6:30 p.m.4 Florida 3 p.m.5 Florida 1:30 p.m.10 at Alabama 6:30 p.m.11 at Alabama 4 p.m.12 at Alabama 2 p.m.14 at UAB 7 p.m.15 at Samford 6 p.m.17 Mississippi 6:30 p.m.18 Mississippi (FOX Sports Net TV) 3 p.m.19 Mississippi 1:30 p.m.22-26 SEC Baseball Tournament TBA

Hoover Metropolitan StadiumHoover, Ala.

26 Regional Tournament TBA31-June 2 NCAA Regionals TBAJune 3 Super Regional Tournament sites

announcedJUNE

7-9 NCAA Super Regionals TBA14-22 College World Series TBA

Omaha, Neb.

All game times tentative and local to game site

20022002200220022002SOFTBALL SCHEDULESOFTBALL SCHEDULESOFTBALL SCHEDULESOFTBALL SCHEDULESOFTBALL SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT TIME

MARCH1-3 at Florida State Sunshine Classic TBA

Tallahassee, Fla.1 Texas 8 p.m.2 Florida State 12 p.m.2 Kansas 4 p.m.3 Semifinals 10/12 p.m.3 Championship 2 p.m.7-10 at Speedline Invitational

Tampa, Fla.7 Florida Atlantic 11 a.m.7 Central Michigan 3 p.m.8 North Carolina 10 a.m.8 Nicholls State 4 p.m.9 Temple 10 a.m.9 Single Elimination 1st Round 5 p.m.9 Single Elimination 2nd Round 7 p.m.10 Semifinals 10 a.m./12 p.m.10 Championship Game 2 p.m.16 SOUTH CAROLINA (DH) 12 p.m.17 SOUTH CAROLINA 12:30 p.m.19 at LSU (DH) 6 p.m.20 at LSU 4 p.m.23 at Georgia (DH) 1 p.m.29 at Georgia (SEC-TV) 2 p.m.30 TENNESSEE 6 p.m.30 TENNESSEE (DH) 1 p.m.

APRIL3 at Southern Mississippi (DH) 4 p.m.6 at Kentucky (DH) 1 p.m.7 at Kentucky 1 p.m.10 MISSISSIPPI (DH) 5 p.m.11 MISSISSIPPI 5 p.m.13 at Auburn (DH) 12 p.m.14 at Auburn 12 p.m.18 GEORGIA TECH (DH) 3 p.m.20 ALABAMA (DH) 1 p.m.21 ALABAMA 1 p.m.24 JACKSONVILLE STATE 5 p.m.27 at Arkansas (DH) 12 p.m.28 at Arkansas 12 p.m.

MAY4 FLORIDA (DH) 12 p.m.5 FLORIDA 12:30 p.m.9-12 at SEC Tournament TBA

Chattanooga, Tenn.16-19 at NCAA Regionals TBA

Campus Sites23-27 at NCAA Women’s College TBA

World SeriesOklahoma City, Okla.

* All Times Relative To Game SiteHOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS

Spring 2002

29A L U M N U S

▼

A 1956 Mississippi State alumnus whohas spent more than 40 years supporting theuniversity in everything from academics toathletics is its 2002 national alumnus of theyear.

The selection of Charles W. “Tex” Ritterof Kosciusko, current president of the MSUAlumni Association Foundation, wasannounced Jan. 25 at the alumni

MSU’s 2002National Alumnusof the Year CharlesM. “Tex” Ritter (c)is congratulated byInterim PresidentCharles Lee (r) andalumni associationpresident RobbyGathings ofJackson.

Ritter named MSU national alumnus of the year

association’s annual leadership banquet.An agriculture graduate and former

president of the MSU Student Association,Ritter today serves as president and chiefexecutive officer of the Attala Co., amanufacturer of flour and pet food. In1995, he was honored as the College ofAgriculture and Life Sciences’ alumnus ofthe year.

One nominator praised Ritter’slongstanding devotion “to the betterment ofhis community, the state and his almamater,” adding that “his service to Missis-sippi State University through a wide arrayof alumni activities has been phenomenal.”

He is a past president of the alumniassociation’s Attala County chapter and aformer president of the MSU Foundationboard of directors.

Ritter is a member of the foundation’sLee Society donors group and the AthleticDepartment’s Bulldog Club supportorganization. Last year, he was among thefirst to provide a generous gift for theHunter Henry Center, the new headquartersof the foundation and alumni associationnow under construction at the western edgeof campus.

He also has supported a variety of otheruniversity interests, including thePresident’s Cabinet Fund, MitchellMemorial Library, and the social fraternityand sorority system. While an MSUstudent, he was a member of Kappa Sigmafraternity.

The Mississippi State University Alumni Association needs your help!We ask for your assistance in updating and adding alumni e-mail addresses to our database. You canupdate your information online at https://www.ur.msstate.edu/alumni_email/ or you can e-mail yourchange of address to mcm7@alumni.msstate.edu.

If you would prefer to mail the information, please send the form to Frances Carr, MSU AlumniAssociation, P.O. Box AA, Mississippi State, MS 39762.

*Your Social Security number will be used to match university records. It will not be published or used for any other purpose.

Name

Social Security Number*

Graduation Year College or Major

Preferred e-mail address Business Home

Spring 2002

30A L U M N U S

HALF PAGEVERTICAL AD

HERE FOR LICENSE TAG--

AD PROVIDED ONDISK.

Madrina Hazelton Bokenkamp of Katy, Texas, received theOutstanding Young Alumna Award for 2001 at the annual MSUAlumni Association Awards Banquet in January.

Credited with reviving the Houston,Texas, alumni chapter, Bokenkampcurrently serves as its president. Previ-ously, she served as second vice presidentof the Oktibbeha County Alumni Chapterand was recognized with the chapter’sAlumnus of the Year Award in 1996. While a member of the Oktibbehachapter, she served as scholarship fundchair, annual fund-raiser coordinator,annual meeting director, young alumnichairperson, and was a member of thePhone-a-thon fund-raising committee.

At MSU, Bokenkamp earned bachelor’s and master’s degreesin history in 1994 and 1997, respectively. While on campus, shewas on the Dean’s List, a member of Phi Alpha Theta historyhonor society, Phi Eta Sigma freshman honor society, and PiSigma Epsilon marketing fraternity.

In August 2001, she began teaching world geography and U.S.history courses to 9th and 11th graders in a Katy high school.

Young alumna awardwinner announced

Bokenkamp

For the Bulldog fan who has everything, these bells by MoenBells of Norway are engraved with the M-State logo. The bellsrange in size from 2-3/4" to 6-1/4" and in price from $19.99 -$49.99. They are cut from iron sheets, formed, and coated withbrass recycled from ammunition cartridges from Norwegianmilitary practice ranges. These bells can be worn, rung, hung, ordisplayed! Give as a gift or keep for yourself for your desk orbookshelf.

These bells cannot be found in stores. They are exclusive toGoldiLocks Enterprises and can be ordered via the web site,www.thebullystore.com. (From the home page, click on the pawprint to start shopping and then click on Collectibles). Or call601-209-1716 to order by phone.

Distinctive cowbells

Spring 2002

31A L U M N U S

▼

Alumni of the Year for MSU’s colleges and schools recently were announced. They include,seated, from left, James T. White of Dallas, president and director of H.C. Price Co., Collegeof Engineering; Dr. Vivian M. Presley of Clarksdale, president of Coahoma CommunityCollege, College of Education; and Ken M. Tse of Dallas, with HKS Inc., School of Architec-ture. Standing, from left, are Dr. James R. Hailey of Cary, N.C., head of the NationalToxicology Program, College of Veterinary Medicine; Leo W. Seal Jr. of Bay St. Louis,president and chief executive officer of Hancock Bank in Gulfport, College of Business andIndustry; Dr. Brian T. Gray of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, director of conservationprograms and information systems with Ducks Unlimited, College of Forest Resources; andGlenn L. McCullough Jr. of Tupelo, chairman of the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority,College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

College and School Alumni named

CALENDAR OF EVENTSMississippi State University

Alumni AssociationAPRIL

April 1-7 Super Bulldog WeekApril 5-7 Class Reunions—Classes of

1937, 1942, 1947, 1952April 5 Alumni Association

Executive Committee andNational Board of Directorsmeetings

April 26- Travel with MSU Alumni—May 7 Renaissance Cities of Italy.

For details, contact DianneJackson at djackson@djackson@alumni.msstate.eduor 662-325-3444.

April 30 Faculty Recognition Banquet

MAYMay 1-14 Travel with MSU Alumni—

Cotes du Rhone Passage.For details, contact DianneJackson atdjackson@alumni.msstate.eduor 662-325-3444.

May 11 Commencement

JUNEJune 17-29 Travel with MSU Alumni—

SEC Alaska Cruise-Tour(Cruise only June 22-29).For details, contact DianneJackson atdjackson@alumni.msstate.eduor 662-325-3444.

June 24- Travel with MSU Alumni—July 2 Alumni College in Sorrento.

For details, contact DianneJackson atdjackson@alumni.msstate.eduor 662-325-3444.

SEPTEMBERSept. 13-14 Alumni Band Reunion.

Maroon Band celebrates 100years. For details, contactKaren Hudson atkhudson@alumni.msstate.eduor 662-325-2284.

OCTOBEROct. 21-29 Travel with MSU Alumni—

Alumni College in Normandy.For details, contact DianneJackson atdjackson@alumni.msstate.eduor 662-325-3444.

NOVEMBERNov. 7-14 Travel with MSU Alumni—

Prague Escapade. For details,contact Dianne Jackson atdjackson@alumni.msstate.eduor 662-325-3444.

Outstanding alumni chapters honoredThe Alumni Association named out-

standing chapters for 2001 at the AnnualAlumni Awards Banquet in January. Therecipients were selected from amongchapters throughout the state and nation.

In-state chapters honored for excellencein giving, chapter membership, chapteractivities, and leadership were:

Category I, selected for membershippotential of under 325—1. CovingtonCounty; and 2. George-Greene County.

Category II, selected from chapters withmembership potential of 325 to 749—1.Lincoln County; 2. Tippah County; and 3.Union County.

Category III, selected from chapters withmembership potential of 750 or more—1.Central Mississippi; 2. Lee County; and 3.DeSoto County.

Outstanding out-of-state chapters for2001 were—1. Mobile, Ala.; 2. Houston,Texas; and 3. Huntsville, Ala.

Not counting chapters meeting theirmembership quotas, but accumulating aminimum of 400 points according to theChapter Recognition Point System, werethe Attala, Clay, Jackson, Lowndes,Oktibbeha, and Southeast Mississippichapters within the state, and the Atlanta,Ga., Memphis, Tenn., Nashville, Tenn., andWest Tennessee chapters out-of-state.

Spring 2002

32A L U M N U S

▼

Two Mississippi State alumni werehonored at the annual Alumni AwardsBanquet in January for their service to theuniversity through their local alumnichapters.

Two receive Distinguished Service Awards

Collum, left, and Allen

William E. “Bill” Allen Jr. of Greenvilleand Edward C. Collum of Mobile, Ala.,were Distinguished Service Award winnersfor 2001.

Belzoni native Allen graduated in 1962with a bachelor’s degree in insurance. Hereturned to the Delta and has since beeninvolved in recruiting students to his almamater. One of his most successful endeav-ors is coordinating the annual MSU-OleMiss Washington County Tennis Invita-tional. In 1996, the tournament wasselected the outstanding event of the year bythe Mississippi Tennis Association. Half ofthe amount raised—some $100,000—wentto MSU scholarships for WashingtonCounty residents.

Allen has served as a member of theWashington County Alumni Chapter boardof directors since 1978 and was president ofthe chapter in 1984. In 1996, he was thegroup’s Alumnus of the Year.

He also serves on the board of directors

for the Bulldog Club and on its executiveboard. He was Bulldog Club president in1998 and 1999. In addition, he is a formermember of both the Alumni Associationnational board of directors and the MSUFoundation board.

He is district manager for the SocialSecurity Administration in Greenville.

Collum is a Moss Point native whograduated from Mississippi State in 1978with a bachelor’s degree in business andmanagement. While a student, he wasnamed to the university’s Who’s Who.

He now practices as a certified publicaccountant in Mobile, where he joined thealumni chapter in 1989. Collum has beenactive in the chapter since the beginning andhas served as an officer or board membersince 1992. He was chapter president inboth 1998 and 2001.

In addition to his work on behalf ofMSU, Collum serves on the board ofdirectors for the Mobile Chapter of theAlabama Society of CPAs.

Henry Center study garden named for Correros

Commemorating the naming of the John and Gloria CorreroStudy Garden are, from left, Vice President for ExternalAffairs Dennis Prescott, the Correros, MSU AlumniAssociation national treasurer Keith Winfield, and AlumniAssociation national president Robby Gathings.

The John and Gloria Correro StudyGarden will be one of the principal exteriorfeatures of the new 41,000 square-footHunter Henry Center currently underconstruction on the western edge ofcampus. When completed, the complexwill house the staffs of the Alumni Associa-tion and the MSU Foundation.

The Correros, both education graduatesand natives of Greenwood, have a longhistory with MSU. Dr. Gloria Correro isassociate dean emeritus of the College ofEducation. John Correro has been affiliatedwith the alumni association for nearly 33years, serving as executive director since1994.

For more on the Hunter Henry Center,see related articles on page 34.

The study garden on thegrounds of the new alumni andfoundation center will be namedin honor of MSU AlumniAssociation Director JohnCorrero and his wife Gloria. A $50,000 commitment fromthe Alumni Association’s nationalboard of directors and friends ofthe Correros was announcedduring the annual leadershipbanquet on campus in January. Alumni and friends wanted tohonor the Correros for theirleadership and service to theuniversity, according to RobertM. Gathings Jr., national alumniassociation president. “Of theremaining naming opportunities

for the building, we selected the studygarden because it was unique and set theCorreros apart from other donors,” he said.

Spring 2002

34A L U M N U S

▼

Construction on the new alumni andfoundation complex, the Hunter HenryCenter, is moving at a steady pace and fund-raising efforts are gaining momentum aswell.

“It’s exciting to see the framework of theHenry Center taking shape on the site.Thanks to the generosity of alumni andfriends, we are on track and looking aheadto moving in this fall,” said Dennis A.Prescott, vice president for external affairs.

Many significant naming opportunitiesare still available in the Henry Center forinterested alumni and friends. “Three recent

Henry Center construction moves forwardmajor gift commitments for the newbuilding were made by individuals orgroups who wanted to honor others,”Prescott said.

Among the latest commitments are amemorial gift from alumna Mary JaneGardner of Indianola, who pledged hersupport by naming a room for her latehusband. The G. Wayne Gardner Confer-ence Room will occupy part of the alumniwing in the new building. Gardner was a1966 civil engineering alumnus.

“A memorial gift such as Mrs. Gardner’sis a wonderful way to remember a loved

one. Mrs. Gardner’s gift willcreate a lasting tribute to her latehusband within the HenryCenter,” said RichardArmstrong, executive director ofthe MSU Foundation. Another recent gift is acommitment for one of thebuilding’s internal pillars thatwill bear the names of contribu-tors at the $50,000 level.Alumnus Lamar A. Conerly Jr.of Destin, Fla., and his wifeTracey have secured one of the35 remaining columns.

Other remaining opportunities within thefacility include a unique donor recognitionrotunda and executive committee rooms forthe Alumni Association and the MSUFoundation. The outside garden area,planting beds, and a distinctive eye-catchingspire provide remaining exterior opportuni-ties.

The center is named for the project’slead donor, a 1950 alumnus and retiredpresident of Dow Chemical USA. TheCanton native made a lead gift commitmentof $3 million in the spring of 2000.

Since groundbreaking ceremonies inMarch 2001, donors have committed morethan $7.75 million, including the lead giftfrom Henry, to construct the estimated $8.5million facility. Designed by Foil WyattArchitects of Jackson, the 41,000-square-foot building will be the permanentheadquarters for the Alumni Associationand the Foundation. The Henry Center willstand on the western edge of campus at theintersection of Barr Avenue and UniversityDrive across from the Bost ExtensionCenter.

“When completed, I think our alumniand friends will take great pride in theHunter Henry Center as a campus landmarkand wonderful, warm gathering place formany years to come,” Prescott said.

Henry Center flagpole will honor fallen alumnus The flagpole at theHunter Henry Centerwill be named inmemory of Lt. Col.Jerry Dickerson Jr., anMSU ROTC alumnuswho died during theSept. 11, 2001 terroristattack on the Pentagon. The flagpolememorial is the goal of

alumni and friends of the university’s ArmyReserve Officers Training Corps. Organiz-ers have launched a $50,000 fund-raisingeffort to name the monument forDickerson, a 1983 economics graduate.

“When constructed, the Dickerson FlagMonument will be a memorial to a fallenactive duty alumnus and a lasting tribute toall MSU graduates who have served in theUnited States Army since the ROTCprogram’s inception in 1916,” said Richard

Armstrong, executive director of the MSUFoundation.

In addition to the ROTC-based chal-lenge, the university has established ascholarship endowment bearing Dickerson’sname. The $20,000 funded endowment willsupport an annual scholastic awarddesignated for a community college transferstudent majoring in a College of Arts andSciences discipline.

Proceeds received for the flag monumentbeyond the $50,000 goal will be applied to

Construction workers poured concrete recently as workprogressed on construction of the Hunter Henry Center.Located on the western edge of campus, the 41,000-square-foot facility will house Alumni and Foundation offices, aswell as meeting rooms, a ballroom, and other publicspaces.

Dickerson

Spring 2002

35A L U M N U S

▼

Hunter Henry Center Named Features andRemaining Naming Opportunities

Henry Center $2,500,000 $3,000,000Parker Grand Ballroom $1,000,000 $1,000,000Alumni Hall (Wing) $1,000,000Foundation Hall (Wing) $1,000,000Legacy Hall (Donor Recognition Area) $1,000,000Spire $1,000,000Vice President’s Suite $500,000Alumni Executive Committee Room $500,000Foundation Executive Committee Room $500,000Brunson Seminar Room $500,000 $500,000Ritter Conference Room $250,000 $250,000Gardner Conference Room $250,000 $250,000Large Reflecting Pool $250,000Large Water Garden $250,000Gipson Amphitheater $100,000 $100,000Griffis Meeting Room $100,000 $100,000Hunt Meeting Room $100,000 $100,000Seal Meeting Room $100,000 $100,000Dow Chemical Meeting Room $100,000 $100,000Durward Dunn Family Executive Director’s Suite (Alumni) $100,000 $100,000Thompson Executive Director’s Suite (Foundation) $100,000 $100,000Planned Giving Suite $100,000Small Water Garden $100,000Alumni Alley $100,000Spire Walk $100,00050 Pillars @ $50,000 each $2,500,000 $700,000Dickerson Flag Podium $50,000 $50,000Correro Study Garden $50,000 $50,00012 Planting Beds @ $25,000 each $300,000Matching Pool from Alumni Association $600,000 $600,000Gifts to meet Alumni Challenge $600,000 $600,000

TOTAL *$7,750,000

NAMING OPPORTUNITY AMOUNT COMMITMENTS

* includes a matching grant from the MSU Alumni Association and one anonymous gift

the Dickerson Scholarship, Armstrong said.Before losing his life in the Pentagon

attack that took more than 189 civilian andmilitary lives, Dickerson, a Durant native,had served with distinction for 18 years in avariety of domestic and overseas militaryassignments. At the time of his death, hewas an assistant executive officer for theArmy’s vice chief of staff, a four-stargeneral.

Dickerson’s Pentagon assignment wasthe culmination of a distinguished career

that began when he first served in theMississippi Army National Guard as astudent. His lifelong dream was to return toMSU as professor of military science andserve as the head of the Army ROTCprogram. He is survived by his parents, hiswife, the former Page Dantzler ofJonesboro, Ark., and their children, Will andBeth. His widow is a 1983 MSU educationgraduate.

“Jerry’s death is a great loss to MSU andour ROTC program,” said Lt. Col. W. Logan

Hickman Jr., the university’s professor ofmilitary science and Army ROTC com-mander. “His life epitomized the selflessservice of all MSU graduates.”

For more information or to make acontribution to the Dickerson Flag Memo-rial, telephone the Army ROTC office at 1-800-811-5013 or 662-325-3503.

For more information about theDickerson Scholarship Endowment,telephone the MSU Foundation at 662-325-3410.

VanceBristow, aformer WestPoint bankexecutive, isnow leading theuniversity’sefforts to raiseprivate fundingthroughcharitable estateplanning as the

new director of planned giving.Since 1994, Bristow, a Tupelo

native, has been community bankpresident for the Union PlantersNational Bank branch in West Point.He succeeds Richard Armstrong,who was promoted to executivedirector of development.

Bristow is a 1986 generalbusiness administration graduatewho also holds a graduate degreefrom the School of CommercialLending at the University ofOklahoma. He previously heldmanagerial positions with the Bankof America, Hibernia NationalBank, and BancTexas, all in Dallas,Texas.

Bristow

Bristow joins Foundation

Spring 2002

36A L U M N U S

▼

At one time, Kirk H. Schulz thought hewanted to be a physician. Following ayearlong stint as an emergency roomvolunteer, he decided to pursue another goalinstead—chemical engineering.

Now Schulz holds an integral position atMississippi StateUniversity. He is theinaugural holder of theDeavenport Chair in theSwalm School ofChemical Engineering, amajor unit in the Collegeof Engineering. Heassumed the position inthe summer of 2001. Foractive teachers and

researchers like Schulz, there is no moreprestigious academic position at theuniversity than a chair or named professor-ship.

The Earnest W. Deavenport Jr. EndowedChair was created with a gift of $1.25million from the Eastman Chemical Co.The endowment honors Deavenport, a 1960engineering alumnus, who served aspresident and chief executive officer of thecompany.

According to Schulz, the DeavenportChair at MSU was a huge lure for him.“The endowed chair was a significant partof what made Mississippi State Universityso attractive,” Schulz said. “Private supportfor endowed chairs and professorships givesMSU an extra edge to offer something thatyou can’t find at other schools.”

Schulz and his wife Noel, both engineersand natives of Virginia, had no qualmsabout relocating to Mississippi with theirtwo sons, Timothy and Andrew. Schulz’sspouse is an accomplished teacher in herown right. An alumna of the VirginiaPolytechnic Institute and State Universityand the University of Minnesota, she is nowan associate professor in electrical andcomputer engineering at MSU.

A combination of things led Schulz toMississippi State. “I wanted to come toMississippi State because of, basically, fourthings: Dean (Wayne) Bennett and hisvision of where engineering at MSU could

Endowed positions bring prominence to universitygo; the outstanding faculty members inchemical engineering; alumnus DaveSwalm and his new chemical engineeringbuilding; and the endowed chair. Thepackage here was so strong,” Schulz said.“When someone is committed enough toengineering and education to build abuilding and endow a chair, it makes a hugedifference,” he added.

Since Schulz joined the university, hehas been busy with administrative duties,teaching, and forging relationships withalumni and friends. And, as DeavenportChair, Schulz serves as director of theSwalm School of Chemical Engineering,where he plans to use private support tofurther enhance the program.

“People want to be a part of somethingthat’s happening,” he said. “When I explainto them how we plan to grow the program,they are enthusiastic. I tell them, ‘Here’sour plan,’ and ask how they would like to fitin.”

Schulz has already set his plan for theSwalm School of Chemical Engineering inmotion. One priority on his agenda isworking to increase the number of endowedpositions within the Swalm School. “Rightnow we have three endowed professorshipsamong our 10- member faculty, he said. “Ihope to see all of these positions becomeendowed in the near future.”

Private support has allowed the engineer-ing college to recently fill two moreendowed positions—the Kelly Gene CookSr. Chair in Civil Engineering and theRobert D. Guyton Chair in Electrical andComputer Engineering—with nationallyknown individuals.

“Being a chair holder brings nationalprominence and visibility,” Schulz said.“You have an opportunity to attract youngerpeople at the right point in their careers andprovide them with good incentives to stay.”

The goal to endow faculty positions isone Schulz shares with other MSU adminis-trators, including the dean of the College ofEngineering. “An endowed chair is themost prestigious position in academe,”Bennett said. “Having the DeavenportChair enabled us to recruit Kirk Schulz, a

nationally recognized engineering educator.It also sends a message that MSU engineer-ing is on the move.”

Schulz came to MSU from MichiganTechnological University, where he was adepartment chair 1998-2001. While there,he was recognized for outstanding teachingand was an inaugural member of theMichigan Tech Academy of TeachingExcellence.

Schulz strives to be a memorableeducator. He works to create a classroomexperience for chemical engineeringstudents that is educational and fun.

“My father was a math professor, so Iwas a faculty brat,” Schulz said. “Thatexperience taught me to be active and fosterrelationships. The students need to feel thatthere’s someone who cares about them andtheir educational experience,” he said. “Ithink it’s a positive effect—being student-oriented.”

Schulz’s first teaching position was atthe University of North Dakota, where heenjoyed a four-year stint. He was honoredas the university’s 1992 OutstandingProfessor of the Year. He also has receivednumerous awards from the National ScienceFoundation and the American Society forEngineering Education.

In all, Schulz has spent 10 yearsteaching, learning, and researching. Hisarea of expertise is in interfacial science andengineering. He holds bachelor’s anddoctoral degrees in chemical engineeringfrom Virginia Tech.

Schulz is excited about what the futureholds for the Swalm School of ChemicalEngineering and his family, as well. “Wecontinue to enjoy the warmer climate. Ittook us a while to get here from up North,but it was well worth the wait,” he said.

Schulz

Spring 2002

37A L U M N U S

▼

• Include the MSU Foundation as a beneficiaryin a will (and provide a copy of the will or thatportion of the will pertaining to MSU)

• Make a deferred gift to the MSU Foundation(i.e., charitable remainder trust, charitable giftannuity, or life estate)

The Old Main Societyrecognizes donors who:

• Co-equal status with other donor recognition clubs,including invitations to special donor events oncampus

Benefits of membershipinclude:

• Make the MSU Foundation a beneficiary in alife insurance policy, IRA, qualified retire-ment plan (pension plan), or revocable trustand provide a copy of the form or documentto the foundation

• A special edition copy of the book, Old Main:Images of a Legend

Don and Linda Martin Garrett hope theirbequest to Mississippi State University willenable the College of Business and Industry

to secure its placeamong the topbusiness schools inthe nation. The Garrettsmet in the late1960s whilepursuing theirdegrees at MSU.Don and Lindacurrently live in

Atlanta, Ga., and are proud alumni ofMississippi State. They became contribu-tors to the university for the opportunity togive something back to their alma mater,particularly the School of Accountancy.Both hold bachelor of science degrees inaccounting; hers in 1969, his in 1968.

“This is our way of thanking theinstitution for providing the leadership,encouragement, and inspiration of instruc-tors such as William A. Simmons, R. ScottWofford, Dora R. Herring, Joseph F. Curry,William L. Cross, and the late William W.Littlejohn, and to encourage the school toprovide even greater assistance to studentsin the future,” the Garretts said.

The Garretts decided to make adeferred gift to MSU in addition to theiroutright giving for several reasons, the

Don and Linda Martin Garrett:remembering the past; building for the future

most obvious being for estate tax purposes.Although the couple has no children, theyare encouraging their nieces and nephews tochoose Mississippi State, the alma materthey hold close to their hearts.

“Deferred gifts such as the Garretts’ willassist in guaranteeing the future of our greatuniversity for generations to come,” saidRichard Armstrong, executive director ofthe MSU Foundation.

The husband and wife team credit MSUfor laying the foundation for their currentsuccess as owners and principals of GarrettAssociates Inc., an Atlanta health-careexecutive search firm founded in 1982. Thefirm specializes in coast-to-coast health-care executive search.

Linda, a native of Nashville, believesthat, “taking the ‘lessons in life’ learned atMSU as a young adult and applying themthroughout my life” has contributed to theircompany’s reputation for honesty andintegrity.

Don attributes his success, in part, to themany influences in his life, from his motherto his minister in his hometown of Merid-ian, to his MSU roommate, Elliott Weir,

“who had polio, yet never complained andwas always upbeat.”

He’s proudest of graduating as one of thetop 10 accounting students in his class,becoming a CPA, establishing a successfulbusiness, and beating the odds after beingdiagnosed with cancer at age 25.

Last year, the couple made an additionalcontribution to the Donald and LindaMartin Garrett Endowed Scholarship Fund,which they established in 1995 in theSchool of Accountancy. The endowedscholarship is an open fund in the MSUFoundation and may be increased throughadditional contributions.

For their deferred gift, the Garretts aremembers of the Old Main Society, adistinguished group of donors who havemade significant investments in theuniversity.

For more information on making adeferred gift, please contact:

W. Vance BristowDirector of Planned Giving

MSU FoundationP.O. Box 6149

Mississippi State, MS 39762Phone: 662-325-3707Toll-free: 877-677-8283

E-mail:vbristow@foundation.msstate.edu

Linda and Don Garrett

Spring 2002

38A L U M N U S

For Candace Dulaney of Fulton, being apaid employee of the MSU Bulldog CallingCenter has its advantages. Besides theobvious—a student job with a competitivesalary—she gets to interact with alumni andfriends, as well as concerned parents justlike her own, each night.

“I love it. Being a student caller fits inwith my schedule. I can go to class in theday and work a reasonable schedule atnight,” Dulaney said. “The experience I’mgaining also is helping me with my major,which is marketing.”

LavedaDubose, a juniorindustrialengineering majorfrom Clinton,agrees. “I thinkthe calling centerpositions aresome of the betterjobs on campus.You can makemore on somenights (dependingon incentives) andit offers flexibil-ity,” she said.

The MSUFoundationopened the state-

of-the-art calling center on North JacksonStreet in Starkville in an effort to enhanceannual fund-raising efforts. In October,about 60 MSU students who are employeesof the center began telephoning alumni andfriends for contributions. The studentswork Sunday through Thursday nightsplacing fund-raising calls for each collegeand school, as well as for athletics, studentaffairs, and other areas with funding needs.

Everybody wants to work for the callingcenter, according to manager RyanGallagher. “For students, this is one of thebest jobs to have. I even have parentsstopping by to ask how their children canbecome callers,” he said.

New calling center generates funds for MSU,provides job opportunities for student callers

▼

The students call in four-hour shifts,completing at least three shifts a week.They earn $6.25 an hour and can boost theirrate of pay to as high as $7 an hour at timesby securing credit card gifts. The callingcenter provides callers with competitivesalaries, tuition assistance, and growthopportunities. “Mississippi State’s studentsfind this position to be a great resumebuilder and for some, a great start for acareer in our industry,” Gallagher said.

“All indications show that the newcalling center is adding a highly effectivedimension to our fund raising and thatalumni and friends are responding to ourefforts,” said Lori Smith, director of theFund for Excellence. “We have entered theage when MSU must be competitive in thenot-for-profit world and the new callingcenter is allowing us to accomplish this,”she said.

Dulaney and Dubose think alumni andfriends have been receptive to their callsand enjoy learning about what’s happeningon the MSU campus. “They want to knowwhat’s going on in the colleges and theywant to talk about what’s going on withme,” Dulaney said. “Donors are reallygenerous—one night I got a $5,000 creditcard pledge,”she added.

“Alumni and parents are on the other endof most of my calls,” Dubose said. “Typi-cally, they want to make sure we are inStarkville so they ask questions aboutcampus landmarks and other MSU things.After we assure them that we are calling forgifts for MSU, they are usually verycooperative,” she said.

The calling center is fully managed byRuffaloCODY, a professional marketingcompany based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, thathandles fund raising for many non-profitorganizations.

“Although RuffaloCODY is managingour center, alumni and friends can feelsecure knowing that their names will not begiven to outside solicitors,” Smith said. Inaddition, alumni records can be updated

quickly and conveniently over the phone. Future plans for the center include use

by other campus units for student recruit-ment, alumni, or departmental surveycalling, event planning, and even post-season athletic ticket sales. Since the centeris open year-round, everyone within theMSU family will have an opportunity totake advantage of this tremendous asset,Smith said.

The calling center also is being used tosecure new memberships for the BulldogClub. “We believe the calling center willplay an integral role in the growth of theBulldog Club over the next few years. Thestudents did a great job in the fall for theacademic areas and I look forward to havingthem call for us each spring,” said MikeRichey, assistant athletic director for donorrelations.

Smith urges alumni and friends to beopen-minded about the new calling center.“Regardless of whether you choose to makea commitment over the phone or requestadditional information on giving opportuni-ties or the university, I hope you will beavailable and answer the call,” she said.“This year, it may be the one call fromMississippi State that you will not want tomiss.”

Ryan Gallagher, managerof the calling center,provides one-on-oneguidance to studentYvonne Young of Hunts-ville, Ala.

Students from almost every degree programplace fund-raising calls for each college andschool, as well as athletics, student affairs, andother funding needs.

Spring 2002

39A L U M N U S

▼Edited by Jessi Parker (’02)

48James L. Flanagan, vice president for

research at Rutgers University, wasrecognized by Eta Kappa Nu in its 2001Eminent Member Recognition program. Hehas authored Speech Analysis and Synthe-ses and Perception. Flanagan received theNational Medal of Science, the IEEECentennial Medal, and the IEEE EdisonMedal.

51Sara Cagle Crawford of Marion, Ark.,

a retired schoolteacher, currently is servingas president of the Marion Rotary Club,vice president of the Marion Garden Club,and vice president of the United MethodistWomen of the Marion United MethodistChurch. She and her husband ErnestCrawford Jr. (’52) recently observed their51st wedding anniversary.

Howard Clark of Morton, a physician,has been named Country Doctor of the Yearby Staff Care. He opened his familypractice in Morton 44 years ago.

52Ernest Crawford Jr. of Marion, Ark.,

building inspector for the Marion City Hall,has been selected as Citizen of the Year bythe Marion Chamber of Commerce. He isretired following 50 years of service in theMarion Volunteer Fire Department. He andhis wife Sara Cagle Crawford (’51) recentlyobserved their 51st wedding anniversary.

55Erwin C. Ward of Madison authored

The Oddities of Time. His book analyzesthe dimension of time and proposes a theoryof universally applied spatial dynamics.

63Jo G. Prichard III co-authored The

Prichards of Mississippi and Tennessee, abook logging the Prichard family history. Acopy was sent to Mitchell Memorial Libraryat MSU.

Sam Richey of Baldwyn, basketballcoach at Baldwyn High School, has beennamed Mississippi’s all-time winningestbasketball coach. He has won six statetitles and has an overall record of 869-360in his 35-year career.

64Frank R. Chamblin of St. Louis, Mo.,

retired as vice president, human resourcesfor Hubbell Electrical Products.

Sonny Fisher received the Bill WadeUnsung Hero Award at the All AmericanFootball Foundation Banquet of Champi-ons. He is director of the Small BusinessDevelopment Center at Mississippi State.

65Fred “Buddy” Hess retired following

32 years of federal civil service with theNaval Meteorology and OceanographyCommand at Stennis Space Center.

Daniel E. Hossley of Lindale, Texas,has sold his company, Hossley LightingAssociates Inc. He has retired from activeinvolvement but remains as a member of thecompany’s board of directors.

Tom Scarbrough (M.S. ’67, M.A. ’71)has been named Mississippi University forWomen’s interim dean for enrollment andmanagement. He has worked in enrollmentmanagement and in Mississippi highereducation for more than 30 years. Mostrecently, he served as a consultant foruniversities and community colleges.

66Larry Box (M.S. ’68, Ph.D. ’85) of

Starkville has been named Superintendentof the Year by the American Association ofSchool Administrators for his work with theStarkville School District.

68Thomas W. Waller of Columbus,

certified energy manager and base energymanager/utility engineer at Columbus AirForce Base, has received the Federal Energy

and Water Management Award. The awardrecognizes him as the most efficientresource manager in the U.S. Air Force.

69Claire T. Field (M.A. ’69) authored

Mississippi Delta Women in Prism.NewSouth Books in Montgomery, Ala.,published the book. She is a communitycollege English instructor in Alabama.

70Rosemary C. Cuicchi (M.A. ’82) of

Starkville has been inducted into theMississippi Hall of Master Teachers. Sheteaches at Armstrong Middle School inStarkville.

Jimmy Palmer of Grenada has beennamed region 4 administrator of theEnvironmental Protection Agency in theSoutheast. He previously served as anenvironmental lawyer for the Jackson-basedButler Snow law firm and was head ofEnvironmental Quality from 1987 to 1999.

71Joe Edward Lauderdale of Jackson

recently received the Mississippi Engineerof the Year Award from the MississippiEngineering Society. He is the owner andpresident of Sunbelt Sealing Inc.

72Randy McCoy of Oak Ridge, Tenn., has

been appointed superintendent of the TupeloPublic School District effective July 1,2002. Most recently he was superintendentin Oak Ridge, Tenn.

73Stephen B. Gordon (M.A. ’75) of

Nashville, Tenn., purchasing agent for theMetropolitan Government of Nashville and

Davidson County, has beenelected 2002 president ofthe National Institute ofGovernmental Purchasing,a not-for-profit associationrepresenting more than2,100 governmentalagencies.

Gordon

▼

75Jane Lauderdale Flowers (M.A. ’77)

of Vicksburg received the MississippiManufacturers Association VocationalEducator of the Year Award. She is a work-based learning coordinator at HindsCommunity College in Vicksburg.

76John Alan Colotta has received his

M.B.A. from the University of Dallas. Heis a principal software engineer withLockhead Martin Aeronautics Co. in FortWorth, Texas.

77Joseph W. Taylor of New Port Richey,

Fla., recently retired from the Pasco CountySchool Board. He was a teacher ofagriscience, FFA adviser, and vocationaldepartment chairman at Gulf MiddleSchool.

78W. Bruce Franklin of Franklin, Tenn.,

has been named an arbitrator by NASDDispute Resolution, Inc. He ispresident of Franklin FinancialServices of Tennessee Inc. Pedro Enrique Rodriquezof Barquisimeto, Lara,Venezuela, is teachingcomputer science at theUniversidad CentroccientalLisandro Alvarado. Brenda Mathis Smith of

Greene County, along with her husband andseveral alumni, organized and solicitedcontributions for a scholarship program.The annual scholarship at MSU will beawarded to the winner of the Greene CountyJunior Miss Program.

79Kathy Burnham recently achieved

National Board Certification for Profes-sional Teaching. She teaches gifted fourth-graders as well as drama in Oxford.

Bobbie Daniels of Jackson has beenawarded a $10,000 KPMG MinorityAccounting Doctoral Scholarship to pursuea doctorate degree at Jackson StateUniversity. This scholarship is renewablefor a total of five years.

Dr. John Lovitt of San Antonio, Texas,has completed the first book in his Leader-ship Effectiveness Series, Who’s ListeningAnyway? A Guide to Effective Listening.He is a corporate and personal coach,consultant, trainer, university professor, andwriter.

82Danny L. Tuck of Gainsville, Ga., has

been appointed vice president of qualityoperations for Elan PharmaceuticalOperations.

Dominic Udoh (Ph.D. ’82) of AkwaIbom State, Nigeria, has been appointedCommissioner for Agriculture for AkwaIbom State. Initially, he was rector of theState College of Agriculture of Akwa Ibom.

83Elizabeth Stone Frick of Tupelo was

recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus ofMississippi State in 2001.

84Kyle Roland Bowden has been

promoted to product manager of secondarymarketing tools at InterLINQ Software inBellevue, Wash.

Carl Burnham recently authored thebook WEB HOSTING, A Complete Strategy.

Franklin

Spring 2002

40A L U M N U S

▼

He is a web developer, hosting consultant,and specialist in analyzing Internet-relatedtechnologies. Burnham is the founder ofSouthpoint.com, a travel destination portal,and co-author of Professional JSP, Wroxand Ace the Technical Interview, FourthEdition, Osborne McGraw-Hill.

Chris Dardaman, president of Polstra& Dardaman LLC of Norcross, Ga.,recently was named one of the nation’s top100 financial planners by Mutual Fundsmagazine. Polstra & Dardaman is a leadingwealth management firm.

85Kevin Ivey of Meridian was honored at

the Technological/Engineering EmmyAwards in New York with the highest honorin the television industry. He received anEmmy for his work in creating the technol-ogy behind CNN Sports Illustrated andCNN Financial Network. He recentlyreturned to Meridian to be an independentconsultant.

James E. Newsome (M.S. ’85) has beenappointed by President Bush as chairman ofthe Commodity Futures Trading Commis-sion. Previously, he served as the executivevice president of the MississippiCattlemen’s Association and Beef Council.

87Linda Holcombe-Coleman is executive

director of SpikeForce Inc., a not-for-profitorganization that coordinates volleyballcamps, annual scholarship funds, andinvitational tournaments to benefit lessfortunate kids.

John M. Landrumof Taylor Mill, Ky., hasbeen named manager ofcoordination with theMarathon AshlandPetroleum joint venture.He most recently was abusiness analyst in thecorporate planning andanalysis group ofAshland Inc.

88Jon B. Sanderson has been elected

managing director ofMorgan Keegan & Co.in Memphis, Tenn.

Paul R. Snider ofPensacola Beach, Fla.,has been named toMerrill Lynch’sChairman’s Club. Hehas been a financialadviser with the firmsince 1992.

90Jonathan K. Hasson (M.S. ’92) of

Marietta, Ga., has been appointed districtmanager for the Georgia/Florida District ofADS Environmental Services. He previ-ously was on assignment for Vivendi Waterin San Juan, Puerto Rico.

91Bert Greenwalt (Ph.D. ’91) of Hazen,

Ark., was re-elected tothe Board of Directors ofthe Federal ReserveBank of St. Louis. He isa professor of agricultureeconomics at ArkansasState University.

Mardi SpaydHasson has relocatedwith her family toMarietta, Ga., from SanJuan, Puerto Rico.

92Tanya K. Finch of Booneville is

executive director of the Booneville AreaChamber of Commerce.

Lane B. Reed of Meadville has beenappointed city prosecutor for the town ofMeadville. He is a member of the Missis-sippi Prosecutors Association.

93Nora W. Taylor of Lubbock, Texas, is

band director at Smyer High School. UnderTaylor’s direction, the Smyer High SchoolMarching Band placed second in the Class1A competition.

94Brian Lee Hawkins of Starkville is

managing editor for the Starkville DailyNews. He is a member of the PublicRelations Association of Mississippi.

Frank E. “Buddy” McRae ofRidgeland has taken a job with the law firmof Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis.

Kristin Flautt Zeppelin of Arlington,Va., was recently promoted from recruitingmanager to director of human resources forSAVVIS Communications.

95Jonathan Britt Amacker was gradua-

tion speaker for theDarden School ofBusiness class of 2001 atthe University of Virginia.He currently is in theinvestment bankingdivision of Deutsche Bankin London.

Darryl Neese has beennamed a financialrepresentative forStrategic Financial Partners.

96Kevin Duane Brooks recently relocated

with his wife Barbara Wright Brooks toFrisco, Texas.

Joy P. Lewis has relocated with herfamily to Dayton, Ohio, from Singapore.

97David T. Gleeson (M.A. ’97) authored

The Irish in the South, 1815-1877. He isassistant professor of history at ArmstrongAtlantic State University in Savannah, Ga.

Shawn Hobbs has received the 2001Francis Mah Travel Fellowship. Hobbs willstudy architecture in Rome and Florence,Italy. Hobbs most recently served as aHnedak Bobo Group, Inc. intern architect.Landrum

Snider

Greenwalt

Neese

Spring 2002

41A L U M N U S

Spring 2002

42A L U M N U S

▼

98Gordon Collins Dendy of Olive Branch

is a registered physical therapist forPhysiotherapy Associates in Memphis,Tenn.

99Jason C. Parham of Atlanta, Ga., has

been named chief financial officer withManufacturingQuote Inc., an Atlanta-basedtechnology company.

Kim Johns of Knoxville, Tenn., is themarketing and development director forWATE-6 TV.

00Sarah Catledge-Howard of McCool is

pursuing a master’s degree in educationalpsychology at Mississippi State. She alsoworks on campus as a graduate researchassistant.

01Stephen P. Fields of Peachtree City,

Ga., is assistant band director at Starr’s MillHigh School in Fayetteville, Ga.

Jenny Moree Reeves currently isworking for Sen. Thad Cochran as alegislative aide in Washington, D.C.

Alice Elaine Rigby of Fort Worth,Texas, is a graduate student at SouthwesternBaptist Theological Seminary.

Krisa L. Warnock is working as aprogrammer analyst for the U.S. ArmyEngineer Research Development Center inVicksburg.

Patricia Diane Williams of Ellisvillewas selected as New Counselor of the Yearfor the Pine Belt Counseling Association.She is a school counselor for South JonesElementary School and Pine Belt EducationService Center.

SM U

(continued next page)

Brandon Scott Bell and Kayla MorganBell, Oct. 23, 2001, to Glenn Bell (’82) andwife Shannon of Atlanta, Ga.

Brett Hayden Benjamin, June 26, 2001,to Brett Benjamin (’95) and Lisa DunnBenjamin (’95) of Corinth.

Caroline Grace Bowen, July 15, 2001, toWes Bowen (’94) and Susan ScruggsBowen (’94) of Memphis, Tenn.

John Eric Clark, Jr., Dec. 27, 2001, toJohn Eric Clark (’87) and wife Jo Ann.

Regan Claire Cooper, Sept. 10, 2001, toMike Cooper (’92) and Terri StewartCooper (’92) of Southaven.

Marshall Davis Dye, Oct. 16, 2001, toMarshall Leon Dye Jr. (’95) and DebraBaker Dye (’97) of Olive Branch.

Lydia Michele Dyson, Aug. 31, 2001, toEliska Daves Dyson (’91) and husbandShawn of Columbus.

Anna Grace Gibson, Sept. 3, 2001, toWilliam David Gibson (’89) and SoniaGully Gibson (’89) of Tunica.

Liza Clare Haynes, June 19, 2001, toAngie Jackson Haynes (’93) and husbandReggie of Tupelo.

Connor Julian Hicks, Jan. 22, 2001, toShaun Patrick Hicks (’92) and wife Teresaof Hernando.

Sydney Doss Hill and Seth Thomas Hill,May 5, 2001, to Robin Boyt Hill (’89) andhusband Ronnie of Irving, Texas.

Jackson Wallace Joyner, Sept. 26, 2001,to Tommy Wallace Joyner Jr. (’93) andKelly Mason Joyner (’93) of Madison.

Phillip Andrew Ladd, June, 2, 2001, toBreck Theophilus Ladd (’97) and LauraBumagin Ladd (’97) of Poplarville.

Madeline Elizabeth Lee, July 18, 2001,to Jason Keith Lee (’97) and Barbara Lee(’97) of Ocean Springs.

Camryn Welch McDonald, July 27,2001, to Jim McDonald (’93) and RynMcDonald (’91, ’93, ’97) of Raymond.

Emily Robin McLaughlin, Aug. 16,2001, to Jennifer Felder McLaughlin(’93) and husband Brian of Gulfport.

Stewart James Peeler, Aug. 29, 2001, toMichael J. Peeler (’93) and wife Marti ofLilburn, Ga.

John Fletcher Perry IV, Aug. 23, 2001, toJohn Fletcher Perry III (’94) and JamieL. Perry (’90) of Tupelo.

Sophie Elizabeth Pittman, Dec. 12,2000, to Hope Sheffield Pittman (’96,M.S. ’97) and husband Jeremy ofSouthaven.

Andrew Edward Poole, Oct. 29, 2001, toJohn H. Poole Jr. (’82) and wife Diane ofBirmingham, Ala.

Bailey Christopher Pratt, Sept. 10, 2001,to Melonye Lewis Pratt (’90) and husbandLeslie of Austin, Texas.

Spring 2002

43A L U M N U S

▼

▼Edited by Jessi Parker (’02)

John Flowers Locke Sr. of Starkville, professor emeritus of botany at Mississippi State,died Oct. 1, 2001. He was 92.

The Montgomery County native received bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Missis-sippi State in 1930 and 1932, respectively, and a doctorate in cellular biology at theUniversity of Chicago in 1934.

He concluded his teaching career at MSU in 1974, having completed the longestknown teaching career in the history of the institution. He served for many years inleadership roles in the Mississippi Academy of Sciences. His professional affiliationsincluded the National Science Foundation and Sigma Xi Scientific Society.

Locke was recognized in 1967 by the MSU Alumni Association as its OutstandingFaculty Teacher of the Year.

John Flowers Locke Sr.longtime faculty member

Lester Hand Fox (’27)—94, member ofATO fraternity and a Mason, Oct. 5, 2001.

Mildred Evelyn Watts (’36)—Tupelo;retired employee of the American Embassy,Nov. 10, 2001.

William L. Solomon Jr. (’36)—87,Belzoni; retired president of Y-D Lumber Co.Inc. and World War II veteran, Nov. 4, 2001.

R.B. “Bernie” Ward Sr. (’38 )—87,Macon, Ga.; retired principal, Dec. 6, 2001.

Samuel David Craig Sr. (’39)—85,Brandon; retired employee of MississippiFarm Bureau and World War II veteran, Nov.17, 2001.

George B. Hammer (’40)—Bay St. Louis;salesman, January 2002.

Prentiss M. Hartley (’40)—87, Brandon;retired veterinary services inspector with theU.S. Department of Agriculture and WorldWar II and Korean War veteran, Dec. 4, 2001.

Claiborne Hall Bishop (’43)—79,Lumberton; retired owner of Western Autoin Lumberton, member of 1940-42 footballteams, and World War II veteran, Aug. 20,2001.

Carl A. Haynes (’43)—Richmond, Va.;retired from the Reynolds Metals Com-pany and World War II and Korean Warveteran, Jan. 10, 2001.

Luther W. Kea Sr. (’43)—80, Jackson;retired from the U.S. Treasury Service andWorld War II veteran, Dec. 18, 2001.

John Kyle Scoggin Sr. (’43)—78,Winchester, Va.; retired research entomolo-gist, World War II veteran, Oct. 15, 2001.

Merrill Morris Hawkins (’44, Ph.D.’50)—87, Starkville; retired professor anddean of MSU’s College of Education andWorld War II veteran, Oct. 19, 2001.

George J. Taylor III M.D. (’44)—79,Madison; retired U.S. Navy captain, health

officer, and physician, Nov. 21, 2001.John S. Weems (’44)—Jackson;

retired from Jackson Public Schoolsystem, Jan. 28, 2002.

William C. “Bill” Collier (’47)—78,Brandon; retired vice president of saleswith Stokley Van Camp and World War IIveteran, Aug. 29, 2001.

Sallie M. Curtis (’47)—93, Jackson;retired schoolteacher, Nov. 2, 2001.

Richard Donald Avara (’49)—78,Louisville; retired sales and marketingmanager, Dec. 15, 2001.

James E. Bailey Sr. (’49, M.S. ’51)—Greenville; retired contract representativefor USA Rice Federation, former MSUfootball player, and member of StudentCouncil, December 2001.

Herschel G. Jumper (’49)—78,Jumpertown; retired schoolteacher,chancery clerk, highway commissioner,and farmer, Nov. 22, 2001.

Samuel Wayne Barton (’50)—77,Starkville; World War II veteran, receivedthe Prisoner of War Medal and the ThreeOak Leaf Cluster, Dec. 1, 2001.

Bernard H. Coggins (’50)—81,Baldwyn; former mayor, principal, middleschool coach, and veteran of World War II,May 3, 2001.

William A. Martin Jr. (’50)—Vicksburg; retired from the Farmers HomeAdministration, retired independent realestate appraiser, and World War II veteran,Oct. 18, 2001.

Alvis Chester Pilgreen (’50)—75,Calhoun City; retired engineer for the SoilConservation Service, Dec. 15, 2001.

Mike King (’52)—Jackson; marinebiologist, Sept. 24, 2001.

Aubrey Lewis Germany Sr. (’52)—Leland; plant breeder employed atPhytogen Seed, Oct. 11, 2001.

Clark Stringer (’52)—81, Ridgeland;founder of Hallmark Cleaners and World

Devin Ray Putney, April 30, 2001, toJamie Earnest Putney (’00) and husbandBilly of Amory.

Andrew Scott Riley, July 20, 2001, toCarrie McNeece Riley (’99) and husbandScott of Tupelo.

James Owen Scott, June 21, 2001, to StacyD. Scott (’90, M.A. ’97) and Jerri Cady Scott(’90) of Sherman.

Patrick Augustus Sullivan, Dec. 15,2000, to Sean Sullivan (’94) and SusanShute Sullivan (’93) of Portland, Ore.

Mary Swayze Thornton, Sept. 5, 2001,to Rob Thornton (’90, M.B.A. ’91) andwife Melissa of Madison.

Jonathan Terrell Washington, Dec. 29,2000, to Joycelyn Smith Washington(B.S. ’89, M.S. ’93) and husband Troy ofJackson.

Bethany Ann Williams, May 10, 2001,to Frank G. Williams (’87) and wifeHeather of DeRidder, La.

Elias George Winterscheidt, Aug. 2,2001, to Joe Winterscheidt (’91) andJennifer Praul Winterscheidt (’90) ofTucker, Ga.

Spring 2002

44A L U M N U S

▼

War II veteran, Aug. 8, 2001.Louise Holloman Matthews Davis

(’53)—84, Starkville; retired schoolteacher,Dec. 11, 2001.

Ann Elizabeth Heard (’55)—97, retiredhome economics teacher, Sept. 3, 2001.

Olga Thompson Bunch (’56)—67,Clinton; retired schoolteacher and counselorwith the Mississippi Employment SecurityCommission, Sept. 18, 2001.

William E. Roper (’56)—71, Destin,Fla.; retired civil engineer and Korean Warveteran, Oct. 24, 2001.

Robert K. Causey (’57)—67, Madison;retired CEO of Mississippi Aggregate Co.,Sept. 25, 2001.

James Everett Bailey Sr. (’55, ’58)—78, Greenville; retired member of theMississippi Rice Council and former FBIemployee, Dec. 7, 2001.

Henry N. Eason (’58)—69, Jackson;self-employed, Sept. 2, 2001.

Clara Pauline Peacock (’59)—89,Winona; retired schoolteacher, Nov. 19,2001.

John K. Turnipseed ( ’63)—61, Weir;lifelong dairy farmer, Dec. 13, 2001.

Karen Lomax Benson (’64)—NewYork, N.Y.; injured Sept. 11, 2001, evacuat-ing a train station in New York City;complications in surgery led to her deathNov. 4, 2001.

John Wayne Roberts (’67)—56,Ackerman; employed with Johnson Oil Co.and referee for the Mississippi High SchoolAthletics Association, Dec. 14, 2001.

Linda Jeanette Lewis Sugg (’67)—retired schoolteacher, Nov. 12, 2001.

Lucy Fraley Brown (’71)—78, Macon:retired schoolteacher, Dec. 3, 2001.

Albert Lawrence Mclaughlin (Ph.D.’71)—84, Kilgore; Dec. 24, 2001.

Joseph Michael Portera (’73)—50,West Point; attorney, Oct. 9, 2001.

Gary B. Mills (’74)—57, Northport,Ala.; former history professor at theUniversity of Alabama and longtimeassociate editor of National GenealogicalSociety Quarterly, Jan. 25, 2002.

John Hopkins Babb (’75)—48,Jackson; retired employee of Sound andCommunications, Oct. 12, 2001.

Elizabeth Montgomery (’75)—83,Jackson; retired schoolteacher and WorldWar II specialist G in the U.S. Navy, Sept.9, 2001.

Nell Chism May (’76)—80, Columbus;retired professor emeritus at MississippiUniversity for Women, Aug. 21, 2001.

Pamela Collier (’78)—44, Kosciusko;Dec. 25, 2001.

Aaron A. Lowrey (’78)—45, Louisville;retired lieutenant with the MississippiHighway Patrol and retired major of theU.S. Army Reserve, Dec. 31, 2001.

Tom L. Wiley III (’97)—26,Murfreesboro, Tenn.; vice president ofcorporate communications for AmericanSchool Directory, Sept. 15, 2001.

Clifford Dewitt Dalton (’01)—24,Corinth; Eagle Scout and member of SigmaChi fraternity, Nov. 24, 2001.

Charles L. “Chuck” Davis (at-tended)—50, Tupelo; senior respiratorytherapist at North Mississippi MedicalCenter, Nov. 10, 2001.

Sam Erwin Ezell Jr. (attended)—63,Columbus; industrial sealing specialist,Dec. 15, 2001.

Charles J. Fisher (attended)—55,Madison; retail manager and buyer, Sept. 7,2001.

Fred L. Gaddis Sr. (attended)—79,Forest; former mayor of Forest and retiredbusinessman, Dec. 9, 2001.

George K. Galloway Jr. (attended)—75, Jackson; retired interior designer andWorld War II veteran, Nov. 5, 2001.

Arthur Rice Harned (attended,former employee)—77, Arlington, Va.;former professor of foreign languages,writer, and World War II veteran, Nov. 7,2001.

H. Power Hearn Jr. (attended)—77,Jackson; retired businessman and WorldWar II veteran, Sept. 28, 2001.

John J. Hubbard Jr. (attended)—72,Edwards; retired from the automobilebusiness and former employee of GeorgiaPacific, Dec. 25, 2001.

Dianne Player Hufford (attended)—55, Houston, Texas; Nov. 8, 2001.

Lillian W. Beach Johnson (at-tended)—72, Starkville; homemaker, Dec.7, 2001.

Joseph W. Jones Sr. (attended)—80,retired salesman and World War II veteran,Sept. 5, 2001.

Karen H. Jones (attended)—48,Laurel; Nov. 11, 2001.

Lawrence L. Jones (attended)—74,Jackson; retired schoolteacher, assistantprincipal, and World War II veteran, Nov.19, 2001.

Milton Walker Jones Jr., (attended)—Hernando; board member of Delta Council,DeSoto Economic Council, Farm Bureau,and Mississippi Farm Bureau, Aug. 27,2001.

Charles D. Lewis (attended)—retiredlieutenant commander for the U.S. Navy,retired farmer, and mathematics teacher,Aug. 25, 2001.

John Flowers Locke Jr. (attended)—50; behavior therapist in Madison, Wis.,Oct. 4, 2001.

Jo Anne B. Massey (attended)—51;homemaker, Sept. 30, 2001.

Jerry Lee McNair (attended)—52,Little Rock, Ark.; auto parts adviser andSpecial Olympics volunteer, Aug. 23, 2001.

James B. Miskelley Jr. (attended)—63,Tupelo; retired civil engineer and presidentof Gumtree Woodworkers Club, Jan. 19,2001.

Ernest Chester Rundle (attended)—77, Vicksburg; retired employee of KaiserAluminum & Chemical and World War IIveteran, Sept. 13, 1999.

James Larry Sanders (attended)—58,Louisville; insurance agent with FarmBureau Insurance Company, retired assergeant first class with the U.S. ArmyReserve, Sept. 23, 2001.

Jasper Wayne Senter Sr. (attended)—Fulton; retired from the funeral businessand World War II veteran, May 22, 2001.

Elisha Dennis Stevens (attended)—Hollandale; retired farmer and World War IIand Korean War veteran, Sept. 8, 2001.

James Jackson Webb II (attended)—84, Sumner; retired farmer, vice president ofthe State Soil and Water Commissioners,and World War II veteran, Sept. 22, 2001.

Robert Vaughn Wise (attended)—99,Plano, Texas; former co-owner of WiseMotor Co., retired president of PlantersBank, and retired president of Wise Oil Co.,Aug. 13,2001.

Smylie Lee Gebhart (former em-ployee)—51, Meridian; former MSUfootball coach and sales representative forGraduate Supply Co., Nov. 29, 2001.

Sue Abraham (friend)—73, Clarksdale;homemaker and mother of eight, seven ofwhom attended Mississippi State, Jan. 3,2002.

Lady Gill Corban (friend)—66,Rolling Fork; retired schoolteacher, Oct. 13,2001.

Mary Cain T. Henderson (friend)—90,Starkville; seamstress, Oct. 21, 2001.