MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

Mississippi State is a comprehen- ership Continuum provides “cradle- sonal responsibility in academic stud- sive land-grant institution and the to-CEO” programming designed to ies. Through the Global Leadership largest university in Mississippi, with develop leadership across a “global” Program, students may experience a statewide enrollment of more than spectrum that begins with high school significantly expanded study-abroad 17,000 students. and continues through the university opportunities. Established in 1878 as the Agricul- experience and into professional life. tural and Mechanical College of Mis- Included are the Young Guns Lead- RESEARCH sissippi, the university has traditional ership Camp for rising high school strengths in engineering and scientif- seniors; the Day One Leadership Mississippi State faculty research- ic agriculture but has evolved into a Community for incoming freshmen, ers attracted $186.5 million in exter- comprehensive institu- nal funding for 2006-07, up tion with a diverse array from about $155 million during of programs in teaching, the previous year. This funding research, and service. supported 1,691 sponsored projects in 2007. ACADEMICS Based on the latest rank- ings available from the Nation- ND TUDENT IFE A S L al Science Foundation, MSU

ranks seventh in the nation in Mississippi State stu- agricultural sciences research dents consistently earn expenditures and 44th in en- honors such as the pres- gineering. Last year MSU fac- tigious Harry S. Truman ulty and staff disclosed 80 new Scholarship, awarded technologies resulting in three for those who will en- new start-up companies, nine ter public service, and, licenses, and 22 patent appli- with 16 Truman Scholars cations. The university now to date, the university has been rec- focusing on shared academic and holds 77 patents. ognized as a Truman Honor Institu- service experiences; and the highly In recent years, MSU has estab- tion. In the past year, a student team competitive Appalachian Leadership lished the Thad Cochran Endow- competed for and won first place in a Honors Program for sophomores and ment for Entrepreneur-ship, as well national Challenge X competition to juniors. as collaborating with federal agen- re-design a fuel-efficient and environ- To complement these efforts, the cies and industries to help increase mentally-friendly SUV. university has launched a minor in technology-oriented start-up compa- Recently initiated programs are leadership studies open to students nies. Among the collaborators and providing opportunities to develop in all majors. A university honor code sponsors are the U.S. departments leadership potential and global study adopted in 2007 institutionalizes a of Defense and Energy, NASA, Gen- options. The university’s Global Lead- campus culture of integrity and per- eral Electric, Northrop Grumman,

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY POINTS OF PRIDE

• Mississippi State ranks among the top 100 institutions across the • Recently cited for its service in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, country in the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to African- MSU’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers is Americans. nationally ranked for overall excellence.

• Mississippi State’s undergraduate program in landscape architec- • The Mississippi State Promise is a new program designed to help ture in 2005 was listed among the nation’s top 15 programs by a entering freshmen and entering community college transfer students national publication that promotes quality design education. from low-income Mississippi families attend MSU by ensuring that their tuition and required fees will be paid with gift/grant student aid. • Ten Mississippi State University students have been named Barry M. Goldwater Scholars since 1999. The national scholarship recog- • Mississippi State’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory is building nizes academic excellence in the sciences, mathematics and engi- its own version of unmanned aerial vehicles that will strengthen U.S. neering. battlefi eld surveillance capabilities.

• In the September 2005 issue of Washing-ton Monthly’s college • The Appalachian Leadership Honors Program is providing opportu- rankings, MSU was ranked No. 95 nationally among 245 major pub- nities to cultivate leadership potential. Mississippi State wants to grow lic and private institutions based on “what colleges are doing for the “whole person,” and the university president -- Dr. Mark Keenum the country.” -- has committed himself to that.

• Over the last decade, fi ve Mississippi State University professors • In 2007, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine named Mississippi have been named Mississippi Professor of the Year by the national State one of its “100 Best Values in Public Colleges.” The list rec- Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carn- ognizes institutions that are “noteworthy for their combination of egie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. top-fl ight academics and affordable costs.”

81 MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

rials processing, human and systems Mississippians with family members engineering, alternative power sys- in the U.S. military serving our coun- tems, computational manufacturing try in Iraq. and design, and advanced learning The MSU Extension Service main- technologies. tains offices in almost every county of the state, and the Mississippi Agricul- OUTREACH AND SERVICE tural and Forestry Experiment Station operates 10 branch stations through- From its academic programs to out Mississippi. Four strategically lo- the work of countless individuals, cated research and extension centers Mississippi State has “extended far- coordinate the delivery of services ther” and gone “beyond the limit” to statewide. make a difference in the lives of citizens around the state. In 2006, the univer- DRILL FIELD & LEE HALL sity formed the Mississippi State Community Action EADS/American Eurocopter, Boeing, Team to organize universi- Raytheon, General Dynamics, Israeli ty resources and expertise Aerospace Industry, and the Missis- for quick response to local sippi Technology Alliance. issues around the state. In a key area of economic inter- MSU’s Extension Service est to Mississippi, MSU’s Center for is the first in the nation Advanced Vehicular Systems, estab- to have an interactive vid- lished in 2001, continues research eoconferencing system in and development supporting a goal every county Extension of- of attracting automotive industries to fice. Through the Freedom the state. The center is conducting Calls program, the system research in areas that include mate- is being used to connect CULLIS WADE DEPOT

DISTINGUISHED MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI

• RICHARD ADKERSON • MICKEY HOLLIMAN President and CEO of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Chairman of the board and CEO of Furniture Brands International

• JAMES BAGLEY • BAILEY HOWELL Executive chairman of Lam Research Corp. 1997 National Hall of Fame inductee and former great • JOHN H. BRYAN JR. Retired chairman and CEO of Sara Lee Corp. • DR. MARK KEENUM Mississippi State President and former Under Secretary for the US- • FRED CARL DA’s Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service Founder and president of Viking Range Corp. • DR. JAMES E. NEWSOME • WILL CLARK President of New York Mercantile Exchange Retired six-time Major League All-Star • RAFAEL PALMEIRO • EARNEST DEAVENPORT Retired two-time All-Star Former chairman and CEO of Eastman Chemical Company • HARTLEY PEAVEY • DR. JAMES FLANAGAN Founder and CEO of Peavey Electronics Winner of National Medal of Science; Member of Natl. Academies of Science and Engineering • CAROLYN SHANKS President and CEO of Entergy Mississippi • DR. RICHARD GILBRECH Director of NASA‘s John C. Stennis Space Center • JANET MARIE SMITH Senior vice president for planning and development for the Boston • JOHN GRISHAM Red Sox Author of numerous best-selling novels, including A Time to Kill and The Pelican Brief • LT. GEN. CARL A. STROCK Commander and Chief of Engineers with the United States Army • QUINCY HILLIARD Corps of Engineers Internationally known composer who wrote a composition for the 1996 Summer Olympics

82 MSU TRADITIONS

THE BULLDOG buried by campus dorms, fraternity houses, and also at pus and around Starkville, with the top-of-the-line a heavy Mississippi State University athletic teams are called the football stadium. chrome-plated model with a full Bulldog fi gurine handle. Bulldogs, a name earned and maintained over the de- For years was a target for kidnappers, the But experts insist the best and loudest results are pro- cades by the tough, tenacious play of student-athletes last incident occurring prior to the 1974 State-Ole Miss duced by a classic long-handled, bicycle-grip bell made wearing the Maroon and White. The offi cial school mas- game. The Bulldog team won anyway, 31-13. While early of thinner and tightly-welded shells. cot is an American Kennel Club registered English Bull- Bullys once roamed campus freely or lived in fraternities, Cowbells decorate offi ces and homes of Mississippi dog, given the inherited title of ‘Bully’. today the offi cial university mascot is housed at the Col- State alumni, and are passed down through generations As with most universities, State teams answered to lege of Veterinary Medicine when not on duty at State of Bulldog fans. But they are not heard at Southeastern different nicknames through the years. The fi rst squads home football games. For all their fi erce appearance and Conference games — not legally, at least — since the representing Mississippi A&M College were proud to reputation, today’s mascot bulldogs are good-natured, 1974 adoption of a conference rule against ‘artifi cial be called Aggies, and when the school offi cially became friendly animals and favorites with children. noisemakers’ at football and basketball games. On a 9-1 Mississippi State College in 1932 the nickname Maroons, A student wearing a Bulldog suit, also answering to vote SEC schools ruled cowbells a disruption and banned for State’s uniform color, gained prominence. Bulldogs Bully, is part of the MSU cheerleading team and assists in them. became the offi cial title for State teams in 1961, not long stirring up State spirit at games and pep rallies. This has done little harm to the cowbell’s popularity, after State College was granted university status. Yet ref- however, or to prevent cowbells from being heard out- erences to school teams and athletes as Bulldogs actually side stadiums in which the Bulldogs are playing. They can go back to early in the century, and this nickname was still be heard at non-conference football contests, as well used almost interchangeably with both Aggies and Ma- as other sporting events on campus. And bold Bulldog roons, since at least 1905. fans still risk confi scation for the privilege of keeping a On November 30 of that year the A&M football unique Mississippi State tradition alive and ringing at SEC team shut out their arch-rivals from the University of affairs. Mississippi 11-0 in Jackson, Miss. The campus newspa- per, The Refl ector, reported: “After the game, fi lled with MAROON AND WHITE (SCHOOL COLORS) that emotion that accompanies every great victory, there Maroon and White are the distinctive colors of Mis- was nothing left for the cadets to do but to complete sissippi State University athletic teams, dating back over a the great victory by showing sympathy for the dead ath- century to the very fi rst football game ever played by the letic spirit of the University, by having a military funeral school’s student-athletes. parade. On November 15, 1895, the fi rst Mississippi A&M “A coffi n was secured, decorated with University col- football team was preparing for a road trip to Jackson, ors and a bulldog pup placed on top. It was then placed Tenn., to play Southern Baptist University (now called on the shoulders of a dozen cadets, and the procession Union University) the following day. Since every college started down Capitol Street, preceded by the brass band was supposed to have its own uniform colors, the A&M playing a very pathetic funeral march.” student body requested that the school’s team select a Other newspaper reports of the victory commented suitable combination. on the ‘bulldog’ style of play by the A&M eleven, and the Considering making this choice an honor, the inau- Bulldog was soon publicly accepted as a school athletic gural State team gave the privilege to team captain W.M. symbol. Accounts of a 1926 pep rally in Meridian, Miss., THE COWBELL Matthews. Accounts report that without hesitation Mat- had another bulldog parading with students. The most unique and certainly the most resound- thews chose Maroon and White. Use as an offi cial game mascot began in 1935 when ing symbol of Mississippi State University tradition is the In the 100 years since, every Mississippi State athlete coach Major Ralph Sasse, on ‘orders’ from his team, went cowbell. Despite decades of attempts by opponents and has donned the Maroon and White in some sort of com- to Memphis, Tenn., to select a bulldog. Ptolemy, a gift of authorities to banish it from scenes of competition, die- bination. Often a shade of gray has been added to the the Edgar Webster family, was chosen and the Bulldogs hard State fans still celebrate Bulldog victories loudly and scheme, such as for the numerals. Briefl y in the 1980s the promptly defeated Alabama 20-7. proudly with the distinctive sound of ringing cowbells. men’s and women’s basketball teams wore all-gray uni- A litter-mate of Ptolemy became the fi rst mascot The precise origin of the cowbell as a fi xture of Mis- forms with maroon and white trim, while football has at called ‘Bully’ shortly after Sasse’s team beat mighty Army sissippi State sports tradition remains unclear to this day. times sported silver game pants, and baseball will often 13-7 at West Point that same year, perhaps the greatest The best records have cowbells gradually introduced to wear all-gray road outfi ts. victory in MSU football history. But Bully I earned other the MSU sports scene in the late 1930s and early 1940s, Only once has a MSU team appeared in any other fame the hard way, in 1939 when a campus bus cut short coinciding with the ‘golden age’ of Mississippi State foot- color combination. In 1938 football coach his career. ball success prior to World War II. secretly had cardinal and gold uniforms made for State, a Days of campus mourning followed, as Bully lay in The most popular legend is that during a home selection that did not sit well with the team or the college state in a glass coffi n. A half-mile funeral procession ac- football game between State and arch-rival Mississippi, at the fi rst game. Neither the uniforms nor Nelson were companied by the Famous Maroon Band and three a jersey cow wandered onto the playing fi eld. Mississippi back for the next season. ROTC battalions went to Scott Field where Bully was bur- State soundly whipped the Rebels that Saturday, and ied under the bench at the 50-yard line. Even LIFE Maga- State College students immediately adopted the cow as zine covered to the event. Other Bullys have since been a good luck charm. Students are said to have continued HAIL STATE (FIGHT SONG) bringing a cow to football games for a while, until the Hail dear ‘ole State! practice was eventually discontinued in favor of bringing Fight for that victory today. just the cow’s bell. Hit that line and tote that ball, Whatever the origin, it is certain that by the 1950s Cross the goal before you fall! cowbells were common at Mississippi State games, and And then we’ll yell, yell, yell, yell! by the 1960s were established as the special symbol of For dear ‘ole State we’ll yell like H-E-L-L! Mississippi State. Ironically, the cowbell’s popularity grew Fight for Mis-sis-sip-pi State, most rapidly during the long years when State football Win that game today! teams were rarely successful. Flaunting this anachronism from the ‘aggie’ days was a proud response by students and alumni to outsider scorn of the university’s ‘cow col- MAROON AND WHITE (ALMA MATER) lege’ history. In the heart of Mississippi In the 1960s two MSU professors, Earl W. Terrell Made by none but God’s own hands and Ralph L. Reeves obliged some students by welding Stately in her nat’ral splendor handles on the bells to they could be rung with much Our Alma Mater proudly stands. more convenience and authority. By 1963 the demand Mississippi State, we love you, for these long-handled cowbells could not be fi lled by Fondest mem’ries cling to thee. home workshops alone, so at the suggestion of Reeves Life shall bear thy spirit ever, the Student Association bought bells in bulk and the In- Loyal friends we’ll always be. dustrial Education Club agreed to weld on handles. In CHORUS: 1964 the MSU Bookstore began marketing these cow- Maroon and White! Maroon and White! bells with a portion of the profi ts returning to these stu- Of thee with joy we sing. dent organizations. Thy colors bright, our souls delight, Today many styles of cowbells are available on cam- With praise our voices ring.

83 PAGE HEADER

84 PAGE HEADER

85 PAGE HEADER

86 PAGE HEADER

87 PAGE HEADER

88 PAGE HEADER

89 PAGE HEADER

90 PAGE HEADER

91 PAGE HEADER

92 PAGE HEADER

93 PAGE HEADER

94 PAGE HEADER

95 PAGE HEADER

96 PAGE HEADER

97 BULLDOGS IN USA SOFTBALL

ventured to The Netherlands and returned Mississippi State and to the mainland with the 2007 Junior World USA Softball Championship. In 2006 he coached the junior national team to the Pan American Qualifier title, securing the team a berth in Since first really making a name for itself the Pan-Am Games. at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, represent- Throughout his numerous journeys with ing the United States on the softball field the national team program, Miller has had has been a goal of many players to come the opportunity to coach a trio of Bulldogs through the collegiate ranks. on the international stage. In 2006 he assist- Many players who have donned the ed Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins on Maroon and White for Mississippi State have the USA’s World University Games team. aspired to one day wear the Red, White and That team included senior Bulldog shortstop KERI McCALLUM MICHELLE GATES Blue while hustling, diving and sliding for the Courtney Bures, who had earned NFCA United States. Since softball became an Olympic sport in has seen extensive action on the interna- 1996, the Bulldogs have contributed greatly tional stage, competing with the 1999 junior to the success that the U.S. has enjoyed on national team, the USA Elite National Team, the international stage. and the U.S. National Team in 2005 following USA Softball was created by the Amateur a collegiate career in which she still rates as Softball Association to train, equip and pro- MSU’s lone four-time all-American. mote the various national teams to competi- McMichael played on Miller’s Elite squad tion both in the United States and on the that captured the 2003 Canada Cup. The mainland. two-time all-American clinched the title for Bulldog head coach Jay Miller plays a the Americans, hitting a walk-off home run vital role in helping guide and teach the in the bottom of the 14th inning against athletes who are selected to carry on the Australia after Miller’s squad knocked off the rich tradition of success the United States U.S. National Team in the semifinal. has enjoyed for many years. Miller currently Both players currently play in the National serves as a member of the U.S. league, as McMichael was the Team coaching staff. top selection for the who won Miller got his first taste of international COURTNEY BURES & JAY MILLER a league title in 2005 after her game-winning coaching experience in 1987 as the pitching home run against the . For coach for the Netherlands Antilles’ Pan-Am All-Region accolades a year removed from McMichael, the successes professionally and Games team. He joined the USA Softball claiming SEC Freshman of the Year and first at the international level are a continuation coaching ranks in 1992 as a member of team All-America honors. of her outstanding MSU career which includ- the USA Softball National Team Selection Bures’ selection to the United States’ ed a pair of SEC Player of the Year honors. Committee, which was responsible for World University Games team continues a Michelle Gates and Keri McCallum earned selecting the teams that compete in vari- rich tradition that previously included fellow the program’s first U.S. team selections since ous international competitions, and he has all-Americans Iyhia McMichael and Kellie the program returned in 1997. The duo, who served with the program ever since. Wilkerson. Both competed extensively on led State to the SEC Tournament finals in Miller has also enjoyed his share of suc- various U.S. squads following the comple- 1998 and the program’s first NCAA regional cess on the field for the U.S. at the inter- tion of MSU careers which saw them estab- appearance in 2000, were both invited by national level. Just last summer he guided lish numerous school records. USA Softball to the Olympic Festival in 1998 the United States Junior National Team that Wilkerson, a four-time all-SEC selection, and again in 1999.

COURTNEY BURES IYHIA McMICHAEL KELLIE WILKERSON

98 BULLDOGS IN THE PROS

KARRIE AUTUMN KERI MICHELLE

Mississippi State Softball MCCALLUM

RIDER

ANDERSON

in the Pros GATES For more than a decade, fastpitch softball players have had the opportunity to continue their playing careers at the professional level through the Women’s Professional Softball League and, currently, National Pro Fastpitch. NPF is currently enjoying unprecedented suc- cess through regularly-televised games on ESPN and ESPN2 and rapidly-growing fan attendance. Since returning to the playing field, Mississippi State softball has played an integral role in the Durham Dragons Tampa Bay Firestix Ohio Pride Texas Thunder

KASEY growth of the professional league dating back to MELISSA JENNIFER JENNIFER the development of the WPSL.

The Bulldogs’ impact on the professional WHITEHEAD

MASSEY league began with Autumn Anderson and Keri JESSUP WATERMAN McCallum being drafted by the WPSL. Since then, eight other MSU alumni have gone on to compete in the WPSL or the NPF. In its first season as NPF, the Akron Racers utilized the No. 1 overall senior draft pick to select former Bulldog all-American Iyhia McMichael. Her former teammate, Kellie Wilkerson, was drafted by the league’s New York/New Jersey Juggernaut. Both players have since captured a league title, as McMichael led the Racers to the Akron Racers Texas Thunder Akron Racers 2005 crown a year after Wilkerson helped the Juggernaut to the 2004 championship. she hit the game-winning home run off USA national NPF championship series. Since entering the league, both McMichael team member Jennie Finch to clinch the title series for Former Bulldog hurlers Melissa Massey and Kasey and Wilkerson have consistently topped the NPF the Racers. That season McMichael and Wilkerson, who Whitehead joined McMichael on the Racers for a season, leaderboard in numerous offensive categories. had moved to the New England Riptide, both finished and several other former MSU standouts completed in The duo has also been tabbed to multiple NPF among the top offensive players in the league. the professional ranks in either NPF or the WPSL. All-Star teams, and McMichael claimed the 2004 Wilkerson concluded the year second in batting aver- Anderson, a 1998 NFCA second team all-region National Pro Fastpitch Most Valuable Player age after hitting .435. McMichael continued to solidify selection in the circle, was selected with the ninth overall Award after leading the league in batting aver- her place among the league’s greats, ranking fifth with pick by the Durham Dragons in the 1999 WPSL draft. age (.339) and runs scored (34) and ranking third a .400 average and hitting 11 home runs which ranked A year later, McCallum, MSU’s first four-time all-SEC overall in home runs (four) and doubles (12). right behind USA national team member Crystl Bustos selection and a two-time NFCA all-region winner, was Wilkerson finished immediately behind for tops in the league and for the Racers. selected with the 10th overall pick by the Tampa Bay McMichael in the hitting title race, batting .331 Courtney Bures ended a stellar MState career in Firestix. McCallum’s former teammates, Michelle Gates with a league fourth-best 20 RBI while guiding the 2008 and was drafted with the 16th overall pick by and Karrie Rider, also enjoyed stellar careers in the pro- Juggernaut to the Cowles Cup which is presented the . The two-time NFCA First Team fessional softball ranks. Gates, who earned two all-region annually to the league champion. All-American made an immediate impact in the league, accolades playing third base for the Bulldogs, actually The very next season McMichael experienced hitting .240 and tying for seventh in NPF in RBIs (7) and teamed with Rider for the Ohio Pride who lost in the the thrill of hoisting the championship trophy after fourth in home runs (9) while leading the Glory to the 2000 WPSL championship series to the Florida Wahoos.

99 MSU ADMINISTRATION

DR. MARK KEENUM GREG BYRNE MSU President • Mississippi State, 1988 Director of Athletics • Arizona State, 1994

Dr. Mark Everett Keenum became Mississippi State’s 19th president When Greg Byrne was named Mississippi State University’s 15th Direc- Jan. 5, 2009, following a distinguished public service career. tor of Athletics on February 21, 2008, he became the youngest top current After completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural athletic administrator in the . At 36 years of age, economics at Mississippi State, Dr. Keenum joined the university faculty in he also became the youngest to lead an athletic program at the NCAA 1984 as a marketing specialist with the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Division I-A level. Service. Two years later, he accepted a position as a research associate Despite his age, Byrne is anything but inexperienced. He has been with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station at MSU. around successful athletic programs, and the director’s chair at those insti- He continued his education at the university, in 1988 receiving a doc- tutions, literally all his life. He is the son of long-time athletic administrator torate in agricultural economics, and he joined the faculty of that depart- Bill Byrne, currently the Director of Athletics at Texas A&M University. ment as an assistant professor/economist. During his professional tenure Byrne, however, has made a name for himself in intercollegiate ath- at Mississippi State, his primary research and extension work focused on letics. He has 15 years of professional experience, a resume’ that shows the marketing and economics of aquaculture, specialty crops and forestry. progressive growth in both responsibility and achievement. He has been He continued his faculty ties at the university 1997-2006 as an adjunct pro- directly involved in raising over $120 million in gifts during his career in fessor, teaching an annual course on agricultural legislative policy. athletics. He has finalized and implemented an annual giving renovation Prior to being named president of Mississippi State in November for athletics at three different institutions. Byrne has also helped in the 2008, Dr. Keenum served as Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of reorganization of the athletic program at one school while renovating the Agriculture for two years, where he provided leadership and oversight for department’s budgeting systems, development, marketing and compliance the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agency and the Foreign programs. Byrne was on the ground floor of resurrecting a football pro- Agricultural Service. The mission area, comprised of the three agencies, gram and athletic department at another institution, one that achieved had a total operating budget of $1.7 billion and approximately $40 bil- success for the first time in three decades. lion in program authority. The three agencies employed more than 16,500 Prior to being named to head State’s athletic program, Byrne came to people at more than 2,300 offices nationwide and 98 locations around the MSU in June 2006 as Associate for External Affairs. In just globe. his first year on the job, Byrne initiated a first-ever volunteer fund-drive In 1989, Dr. Keenum joined the Washington, D.C., staff of U.S. Sena- that resulted in 969 new Bulldog Club members for Mississippi State. He tor Thad Cochran as Legislative Assistant for Agriculture and Natural Re- implemented a priority seating program for football and men’s basketball sources. As Sen. Cochran’s adviser on agricultural affairs, he worked on that led to a $1 million increase in annual giving. He also led the effort numerous issues important to U.S. agriculture, including the 1990, 1996, to package State’s donor and ticketing software, in connection with the and 2002 Farm Bills. From 1996-2006, he served as Chief of Staff for Sen. department’s athletic web site, for fan convenience. In doing so, MSU be- Cochran. In this role, Dr. Keenum was the chief adviser to the senator came the first Bowl Championship Series school to enlist XOS Technologies on political, legislative and appropriations issues. He also was responsible for total donor support in those areas. for managing all administrative and legislative functions of Sen. Cochran’s Byrne held a similar position at the University of Kentucky prior to Washington, D.C., office and three Mississippi offices, including direct coming to Starkville. As Associate Athletic Director for Development and oversight of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For- Fund-Raising at UK from 2002-05, he managed the development staff and estry and the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. operated a multi-million dollar budget. He oversaw development efforts Dr. Keenum and his wife Rhonda have four children. that raised annual gifts from $4 million to $9 million annually. While in Lex- ington, Byrne led a $35 million athletic facility campaign, and participated in the design, funding and marketing for Kentucky’s $30 million basketball practice facility. He worked with a corporate sponsorship team to man- age UK marketing and development efforts, including signing one of the nation’s top multi-media rights packages. Byrne was one of four members on the UK search committees that brought new head football and baseball coaches to the Wildcat athletic program. Byrne possibly made his greatest athletic program impact as Associate Athletic Director for Development at Oregon State University from 1998- SCOTT STRICKLIN 2002. Managing an eight-person staff, he replaced an antiquated 60-year old fund-raising organization and increased annual giving from $1 million to over $5 million in cash during his tenure there. He assisted the Director Associate Athletic Director of Major Gifts in raising more than $30 million in capital gifts for facilities External Affairs/Softball Administrator and budget enhancement while in Corvallis. He participated in securing a $12.5 million gift to rename the Beavers’ football stadium. Byrne was in- volved in the department’s transition of corporate sponsorships for radio, television, stadium and arena signage and game program sales to increase revenue. Byrne began his athletic fund-raising career as Regional Director of De- velopment at the University of Oregon from 1995 through ’98, overseeing development efforts for Portland, Southern and Central Oregon, Northern California and the Oregon coast. While overseeing the Duck’s letterman’s organization, he participated in raising $14 million for an indoor football facility and soccer complex. ANN CARR The energetic Byrne launched his professional career as Special Proj- ects Coordinator for the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz., from 1993-95. During that time, he managed a 1,000-person volunteer base for 63 Fiesta Bowl Senior Associate Athletic Director annual events. A native of Pocatello, Idaho, Byrne earned his bachelor’s degree from Women’s Sports/Student-Athlete Services Arizona State University in 1994. He anticipates receiving his master’s de- gree from Mississippi State this summer. Byrne is married to the former Regina Misa of Junction City, Ore., and the couple has two sons: Nick (12) and Davis (10).

100