Student Express

Student News at Mississippi State University

A Letter from the President

Dear MSU Students,

With springtime in full flower, the final week of classes at hand, and commencement less than two weeks away, this is an exciting time of the year in a pivotal period of your life. Congratulations on all you have done to help Mississippi State have an outstanding academic year, and thank you for the way you have represented your university in academics, in athletics, in artistic expression, in service to others, and in so many other ways. Our faculty and staff, our community and state, and certainly your families are proud of you.

During the waning days of the semester we have many opportunities to celebrate both the achievements of the past few months and the approaching summer break. Our calendar is crowded with awards programs, concerts and art exhibits, athletic contests, and occasions for pure fun such as the Old Main Music Festival, Spring Fling, and Senior Celebration. It's hard to imagine a more vibrant environment than MSU presents right now. I hope you will take it all in and enjoy the moment, while remembering to stay safe and help your friends do the same. And please conserve some time and energy to finish strong academically as you complete assignments and prepare for final exams. This is also a time to demonstrate leadership and the caring attitude that our campus is known for by encouraging classmates who may need a motivational boost.

More than 1,900 of you will receive bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees on May 2nd and 3rd and move on to new challenges in employment, academics, or service. I am confident that MSU has prepared you well for productive and fulfilling futures, and that we will be gratified by the great things you will achieve. Most of you will return to campus next fall after a summer that we hope will be rejuvenating and rewarding. Please come back to us safely and prepared to use your experience and insights to help acclimate what we anticipate will be a record number of new Bulldogs.

Universities are judged by the caliber of their students and graduates, and this one is grateful and fortunate to claim as its own 17,000 of the most capable future leaders of our state and nation. Thank you for your hard work and for showing the world the true face of Mississippi State. Have a great summer.

Sincerely,

Vance H. Watson
Interim President

VA Tech Memorial

About 30 members of the MSU community and local Virginia Tech alumni gathered at the Chapel of Memories on Wednesday for a memorial service to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadliest school massacre in U.S. history. During the service, the names of the 32 victims killed were read while candles were lit in their memory. A balloon release in Virginia Tech colors followed the memorial service.

BLACK VOICES HOSTS SPRING CONCERT

Three of gospel music's top entertainers will perform at Mississippi State when the Black Voices Gospel Choir hosts the organizations 36th annual spring concert this weekend.

Doors will open at 4 p.m. with the show set to begin at 5 p.m. in the Lee Hall auditorium on Sunday, April 20. The "No Boundaries" concert will feature the "Live from the Apollo Tour," starring Byron Cage, Kim Burrell and Dave Hollister.

Tickets are available at the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center office for $7 for students with a valid MSU ID (limit one per student) and $15 for the general public. Tickets will be on sale the day of the show for $10 for students and $20 for the public. Children 5 and under are free.

For more information, contact Jerrie Bishop at the Holmes Center at 325-2033.

LANDSCAPE CONTRACTING TEAM FINISHES HIGH

A group of landscape contracting students landed Mississippi State a top-ten overall finish in a national skills competition which originated at MSU 32 years ago. Nine students also are in the top ten in individual categories, including one first-place finish.

Last month, 32 students participated in Student Career Days, sponsored by Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), an annual three-day competition among students enrolled in horticulture programs from colleges and universities across the country. Students from 66 schools competed in 25 events showcasing their skills for industry professionals at the event, and had the opportunity to meet prospective employers in the industry and discuss employment opportunities.

The MSU team finished eight overall, while senior landscape contracting major Russell Holmes of Clinton claimed first place in the irrigation design category.

"Our students went to this event with the goal of finishing in the top ten and they achieved their goal, and I am very proud of their hard work and dedication," said landscape contracting and management director Timothy J. Schauwecker.

"I am particularly proud of how they competed as a team. It took a lot of focus and preparation time to get ready, and they pulled it off. Our school has a long history with this program and we are proud to once again be one of the top schools participating."

Student Career Days began at MSU in 1977 with five schools participating and has grown to become the largest recruiting event and student competition in the industry.

STUDENTS BEGIN FOOD DRIVE

Campus Activists and Mississippi State University students waging a "war on hunger" include, from left, Vanessa Daniels of Jackson, Kimberly McNair of Jackson, Anthony Edwards of Atlanta, Joan DeSutter of Olive Branch and Elisabeth Brooks of Leakesville. Brooks is leader of the student committee organizing the end-of-the-semester food drive on campus April 21-24 to stock food pantries in Oktibbeha, Clay and Lowndes counties. (Photo by Marco Nicovich/MSU Agricultural Communications)

A group of MSU students conducting an end-of-the-semester War on Hunger food drive hopes their efforts will make a difference for people in the Golden Triangle who don't have enough to eat to be healthy.

The group, known as the Committee of 19, is holding the campus-wide food drive April 21-24.

Students, faculty and staff can participate by bringing nonperishable, canned food to collection barrels on campus in Allen, Dorman, McCool, and Herzer halls, the Bost Extension Center, Mitchell Memorial Library, the Colvard Student Union, the Sanderson Center, and in residence halls.

The committee is seeking canned goods that are protein-dense with high nutritional value. Students store many canned items, such as soup, tuna, meat stews, and fruit that food pantries need.

Committee members are partnering with the Mississippi Food Network, the Society of St. Andrew's and Students Team Up to Fight Hunger to distribute canned items to food pantries in Oktibbeha, Clay and Lowndes counties. The donations will allow pantries to maintain stocks that often are depleted in summer when demand rises and prices for energy and food also increase.

For more information on the food drive, contact the Committee of 19 at 325-0240.

What's Going on this Week