Breakfast with the Bulldogs is a unique way for Mississippi State University to connect with the larger Starkville community.
The Oktibbeha County Chapter of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association meets for breakfast on the second Thursday of every month at Starkville Cafe and encourages MSU students, faculty and alumni to attend.
At their most recent meeting, Breakfast with the Bulldogs hosted Blake Schneider, coordinator of MSU’s Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC).
Schneider provided valuable information about MSU’s student addiction recovery program and how the organization combats addiction on MSU’s campus.
The Collegiate Recovery Community has 12 members who participate in weekly programming providing support on their journey to remain sober. Along with emotional support, this organization assists its members through scholarships.
Through tailgating, a retreat and a parents’ weekend, the CRC works diligently to sustain and enhance student lives.
Schneider said his favorite part of his organization is how it provides a family to students away from home.
In the past, Breakfast with the Bulldogs has had former athletes, sports announcers and MSU vice presidents attend as speakers. These individuals help to provide valuable insight into the MSU community.
Carol Moss Read, membership chair for the Oktibbeha County Chapter, graduated from MSU with her doctorate and has been a part of Breakfast with the Bulldogs for 10 years.
Moss said the alumni chapter works as a liaison between MSU alumni and MSU. The chapter is involved with a range of social outreach programs including reading to local daycares and creating flood buckets for the victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Events like Breakfast with the Bulldogs is another way to connect with the ever-growing community of Bulldogs.
Michael Richardson, the assistant director of alumni chapters and volunteer programs at the MSU Alumni Association, said these chapters are all about networking and connecting.
“The Oktibbeha County Chapter is one of the largest alumni chapters that we oversee in our association,” Richardson said. “It is by far one of the most active groups.”
Richardson said this organization is a way for Bulldogs to network in cities across the world. He said it can help with everything from finding jobs to finding the best place to eat in a new city.
Breakfast with the Bulldogs can help students get a head start on making the vital connections which can help them succeed in their future goals.
“This is a connection base that brings Bulldogs together around the world,” Richardson said.