James Garrison is Mississippi State's Alumnus of the Year

Garrison (l) received his award from MSU President Donald W. Zacharias

Retired dairy foods executive James E. Garrison of Murray, Ky., is Mississippi State University's National Alumnus of the Year for 1997.

The Ponotoc native, who retired as president of Ryan Milk Company in 1987 after 31 years of service, received the honor at the Alumni Association's Annual Awards Banquet on campus in January.

Garrison received his bachelor's degree in dairy science from Mississippi State in 1948.

Alumni Association executive director John V. Correro said the association is "delighted to be able to honor such an active supporter of the university."

"Jim became a leader in the dairy field through his revolutionary handling of sterile milk products nearly 30 years ago," said Correro. "His genuine enthusiasm and vigor for the projects he undertakes helped in his career and also fuels his devotion to Mississippi State. He supports both the academic and the athletic programs of this university, and his dedication to this institution is greatly appreciated."

In 1992, Garrison and his wife, Emily, pledged $100,000 to establish the James Garrison Library Endowment Fund to enhance the library collection, to purchase state-of-the-art electronic information resources, and to provide other funds to maintain high levels of excellence in the library operation. Garrison also helped establish a scholarship fund for deserving graduate and undergraduate students majoring in dairy foods science who plan to work in the dairy foods industry.

Garrison supports Mississippi State through the Bulldog Club and has served on the board of directors of the Mississippi State University Foundation. In 1984, he chaired a committee of national business executives who established the Edward W. Custer Endowed Chair in Dairy Foods, in honor of the late professor emeritus who helped boost the status of the university's dairy manufacturing plant. Garrison also made the initial donation to the fund honoring Custer.