Among the Mississippi State University students scurrying to their next classes, a small group stands out from those who do not pause to appreciate the sights on a campus they have seen hundreds of times.
This group absorbs every sight and sound of a typical day at MSU. They feel the slight breeze gently waving the magnificent American Flag at the center of the Drill Field. They eavesdrop on student’s conversations and slowly begin to imagine themselves on this campus in the future. At the front of the group is a MSU student, in a maroon polo, a Roadrunner.
The Roadrunner walks the group of prospective students and their parents through the Drill Field explaining MSU’s history as an all-male university with strong military ties. The Roadrunner effortlessly answers questions from timid high school students and their inquisitive parents. The maroon clad tour guide is one of the first people a prospective student will meet at MSU, one who usually leaves a lasting memory.
The Roadrunner organization was founded in 1979 and has been an integral part of the MSU recruitment process ever since. Their name originates from the many “road” trips student workers would take to nearby high schools to start the recruitment process for the next class of Bulldogs.  
Many students have crossed the Drill Field since the early days of recruitment, but the Roadrunners and Office of Admissions are still hard at work recruiting students from around the nation. 
The Roadrunners are the only non-paid student recruitment workers in the South Eastern Conference. They handwrite hundreds of postcards, in addition to their campus tours and road trips to the surrounding cities. 
Mackenzie Smith, a Roadrunner and junior from Tupelo, said she finds her reward for the job in sharing her passion for MSU to prospective students.
“The most rewarding thing is giving tours and watching people fall in love with Mississippi State just as much as you do, and know that they want to come here,” Smith said.
Smith also gave recruitment credit to organizations such as the Student Association and MSU athletics, which provide many unique opportunities for prospective students. Smith said Bulldog Bash was a prime example of organizations providing prospective students with a inside look on college life, because it allowed them to tour the campus, experience a game at Davis Wade, and listen to some local bands downtown all in one weekend.
Roadrunners pride themselves in not only providing informative tours around campus, but also in creating a family-like atmosphere for high school students. Roadrunners can provide insight about life at MSU that parents and school counselors cannot. 
Eric Wegener, Roadrunner and junior chemical engineering major from Ridgeland, Mississippi, said he believes the Roadrunners are able to highlight the friendly atmosphere of MSU because Roadrunners are very close in the organization.
“We are a family within a family,” Wegener said. “The greatest part is that there are people I would have never met had I not been a part of Roadrunners.”
The Office of Admissions is another part of the Roadrunner family. Comprised of 26 faculty members and located in Montgomery Hall, the Office of Admissions works hard to provide incoming students with a memorable preview day and orientation.
The Assistant Director of Recruitment, Avent VanHorn, is a third generation bulldog. She understands the recruitment process is a big moment in every high school student’s life. VanHorn smiled, as she remembered her preview day and how personable and friendly she said the Roadrunners were to her. Now, as the advisor who oversees the Roadrunners organization, she admires the hard work and dedication even more.
“The Roadrunners are the heartbeat of our office, because of the energy and engagement they bring day in and day out.” VanHorn said.
VanHorn said the Roadrunners are invaluable to the recruitment process and are able to fill many roles to keep each preview day running smoothly. 
The Roadrunners and the Office of Admissions believe every freshman class brings new ideas, cultures and potential to MSU. Their drive to recruit new students is what allows the Bulldog family to grow and improve each year.