First 100 Days

A report from MSU President Mark Keenum

Dear Friends and Family of Mississippi State:

Since returning to my alma mater January 5 to lead the institution I love, it's been 100 days. I've tried to meet and interact with as many in our extended family as possible, and if I haven't seen you personally, I hope to have the chance soon. Meanwhile, I wanted to give you a report on how the first 100 days have gone.

It's been busy and challenging, and I've enjoyed every minute. Let me share some of the highlights with you.

I've traveled extensively around Mississippi and the nation to meet with as many alumni and friends as possible. There have been visits to several states, both to meet those in the alumni family and to introduce Mississippi State to high school and community college students. I'm encouraged by the level of support and enthusiasm I've found in every group. Mississippi State is fortunate to have loyal support among its alumni, and it's apparent to me that the university has the academic programs, the energy, and the supportive culture that are capturing the attention of prospective students. Despite challenging times, we have much to be excited about.

One of my major goals is to be a strong voice for the university and to help tell its story. That's been part of my purpose in traveling, and I've taken opportunities to speak to civic groups, as well as talk with community leaders, alumni groups, and MSU faculty and staff in Mississippi communities that include Tupelo, Indianola, Starkville, Columbus, Greenwood, Stoneville, Macon, Meridian, Hernando, Okolona, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, among others. As I've traveled around the state, I've also visited with the editorial boards of the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson and the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo, as well as with our own hometown newspaper, the Starkville Daily News. Others are planned.

During the first 100 days, I've also tried to visit with as many groups as possible on campus, including the Faculty Senate, Student Association leadership, the staff of the award-winning Reflector, and many visiting organizations and dignitaries. I gave my first address to a General Faculty meeting and joined faculty leaders for a weekend roundtable. I've met with many incoming students and their parents. Rhonda and I have opened the president's home and hosted many members of the campus community, as well as a number of visiting groups. Always, the reception has been positive and encouraging.

But we do face challenges, and I want to address those as well.

Budget

The state budget continues to be uncertain, even with the influx of federal stimulus dollars. At this time, we're unsure of the amount of state-allocated resources for institutions of higher learning next fiscal year, and the possibility for cuts still remains. Resources that allow us to build-not just maintain--will continue to be one of the greatest challenges the university faces. Currently, state resources account for approximately 29 percent of MSU's more than $650 million annual budget.

I'm proud that Mississippi State has met the budget challenge without the layoffs or reduction in services that have affected other institutions around the nation. We've increased our focus on improved efficiencies, especially in the area of energy consumption, and we're deferring maintenance and infrastructure expenditures where possible. Because of its research and outreach strengths, Mississippi State is a key engine in boosting the economic potential in our state, and I've made nearly weekly visits to Jackson to talk to our legislators and the leadership of IHL about our need to remain strong.

While the budget is a significant challenge, I'm especially proud that we've been able to fund 16 new faculty positions for the next fiscal year.

Enrollment growth

Closely related to the budget is our ambitious plan to grow student enrollment, bringing with it the dual benefits of increased academic opportunities for students and increased tuition revenues. We have formed an Enrollment Council, which I chair, and this group is working hard to reach a goal of expanding enrollment to 22,000 by 2015. We're approaching this with great deliberation and planning, consulting with faculty and staff to ensure that the university has adequate classrooms and faculty members to meet the goal. At the same time, our admissions staff has significantly stepped up its efforts to recruit the best and brightest students who can benefit from study at Mississippi State. We believe that our ambitious goals will help us outrun the current recession.

Administrative searches

We now have two very important searches under way. Dr. Jerry Gilbert, associate provost, is chairing a national search for a permanent vice president for agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine. A committee of elected faculty members, alumni, constituent representatives, and community leaders is working with him to identify the strongest possible candidate for this key administrative role. The position oversees areas that are critical to the state's economy and future, and we want to ensure that Mississippi State is well positioned to continue its leadership role in supporting some of our state's major industries.

We also are beginning a search for a new vice president for research and economic development. The position has been held by Dr. Kirk Schulz, who soon will become the president of Kansas State University. He is leaving a great foundation and a strong research program that has contributed significantly to improved economic opportunities in the region and state. We wish him the very best in his new leadership role, and we will be moving aggressively to identify his successor. Dr. Sarah Rajala, dean of engineering, is leading a search committee made up of research administrators, external advisors, staff, and elected faculty members.

Federal support

The support of our congressional delegation continues to be vital to Mississippi State, and we are working to lead the development of the university's 2010 federal initiatives, including several new projects of importance to the state. I'm committed to keeping close ties to all of our delegation and have made several trips to Washington to discuss goals, MSU capabilities, and funding opportunities. We're very appreciative of the $75 million in congressionally directed funding that MSU will receive in Fiscal Year 2009 that will support sustainable energy research, as well as fund a major new poultry research facility, among many other projects.

Other goals

I also plan to return to Washington next month to make visits with Dean of Libraries Frances Coleman to support Mississippi State's efforts in seeking Association of Research Libraries status. Our library is central to the academic and research resources the university provides, and I believe it deserves ARL recognition. We will be working hard toward that goal.

I also will be making a visit with Dr. Robert West, associate professor of English, to the Phi Beta Kappa offices in Washington. Seeking a Phi Beta Kappa chapter is a long-term undertaking, and I'm committed to providing resources to help Mississippi State gain this significant honor, recognizing excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Dr. West, a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, is a perfect leader for this effort. Our College of Arts and Sciences is the largest at Mississippi State, and our students deserve the opportunity to seek Phi Beta Kappa membership.

Bragging rights

There's also been a lot to celebrate in my first 100 days back at MSU. Thanks to the efforts of faculty members in foreign languages, and with support from the Arts and Sciences dean's office, Mississippi State in March hosted the 2008 Nobel Laureate in literature, French novelist J.M.G. LeClézio. We were honored that this internationally recognized author made Mississippi State his only stop in the United States. Congratulations to all involved in a highly successful opportunity for students, scholars, and the public.

Mississippi State in March also hosted the third annual Charles Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival, based on the resources in the Templeton Music Museum housed in Mitchell Memorial Library. Rhonda was honored to serve as a co-chair for this event, which attracted music-lovers from around the nation, and which is quickly becoming a one-of-a-kind event based at a university. Our thanks to Dean Frances Coleman, Chip Templeton, and all involved in this growing musical festival.

The library early this year also became the host for the presidential papers of the nation's 18th president, Ulysses S. Grant. Mississippi State now is one of the few universities in the nation housing a presidential collection, and it will be a valuable resource for scholars long into the future. Dr. John Marszalek, Giles Professor Emeritus in History, serves as executive director of the U.S. Grant Association, which continues its ownership of the papers. That group will be holding its first-ever meeting South of the Mason-Dixon line when it visits MSU in May.

We also want to congratulate Mississippi State's 12th Goldwater Scholar, Mitchell D. "Mitch" Weegman of Winona, Minnesota. A member of the Shackouls Honors College, he is pursuing studies under Dr. Rick Kaminski in the College of Forest Resources with a goal of becoming a wildlife biologist. The Goldwater Scholarships provide significant support to students who pursue careers in science, mathematics, and engineering.

And, finally, we want to acknowledge the great things happening in athletics at Mississippi State under the leadership of Greg Byrne, our director of athletics. We have new coaches in football and baseball off to an energetic start, and we look forward to what Head Football Coach Dan Mullen and Head Baseball Coach John Cohen will bring to the excitement of SEC sports at the university. We're especially proud of the success of Head Basketball Coach Rick Stansbury, who led his squad to an SEC Tournament Championship and first-round play in the NCAA Tournament. I'm also proud of Coach Sharon Fanning's Lady Bulldogs for their very successful season, which saw them reach the second round of the NCAA tournament.

As you can see, there's a lot happening at your university. I want you to know how much I appreciate the work that each individual does to make Mississippi State a place of welcome, innovation, and excellence. I'm proud to be leading the Bulldog family, and I look forward to our future together.

Sincerely,

Mark E. Keenum