Howard Crossan, left, entered Mississippi A&M in 1916 and received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering five years later in 1921. Today, at age 97, the retired Bell Telephone System manager is one of the university's oldest living graduates, which prompted a surprise visit to Crossan's Shreveport, La., home in November from President Donald W. Zacharias. Crossan discussed with Zacharias his secret to long life and his continued interest in Mississippi State. Crossan is said to occupy much of his time with his Mississippi A&M memorabilia, including copies of the Reveille and a scrapbook that depicts life at an all-male military school during World War I. Later in the evening, Zacharias gave a "State of the University" report to a group of 73 alumni and friends gathered for a three-state regional alumni meeting at the Shreveport Club.
