The Mississippi State University Foundation welcomed five new
members to its board of directors.
The new board members are Dr. John Elliott of Tupelo; Larry E.
Homan of Fulton; Floyd D. Wade Jr. of Newton; Ronald W. Parker of
The Colony, Texas; and Dr. Billy Ward of Katy, Texas.
Of the five new board members, four attended MSU. Elliott, a
retired urologist, is a 1966 pre-medicine graduate. Homan, owner of
Tri-States Lumber Co., is a 1967 industrial arts graduate. Parker,
president and CEO of Pizza Inn, Inc., is a 1972 accounting
graduate, while Wade, owner of Wade Properties, went to school at
the university.
The other new member, Ward, is a former dean of veterinary
medicine and a retired vice president for advancement at MSU. He
now directs the Texas-based Swalm Foundation.
MSU Vice President for External Affairs Dennis Prescott said he
was pleased with the new board members. He said that each new board
member brought a unique talent to the foundation. He added that he
looks forward to working with the all the board members this year
and for years to come.
The MSU Foundation’s returning board members include Johnny
Crane of Fulton; Hunter W. Henry Jr. of San Marcos, Texas; Louis A.
Hurst Jr. of Houston, Texas; Don E. Mason of Gulfport and C.R.
“Bob” Montgomery of Canton.
“The MSU Foundation is privileged to have many prestigious
alumni and friends of the university who are willing to serve on
the foundation board,” MSU Foundation Executive Director Richard
Armstrong said. “These new board members are concerned about
Mississippi State and will do all they can to assist the foundation
in securing private support that will enable the university to
achieve its goals and priorities.”
The MSU Foundation is an organization that seeks funding from
private sources to supplement the school’s legislative
appropriations. It is now managing an endowment of more than $150
million.
Last year was a record year in the history of MSU fundraising.
Over $74 million was appropriated during the fiscal year of 2002
from private gifts and pledges of future support.
Part of last year’s success was due to the generous pledge of
$25 million from James and Jean Bagley, Amy Cagle, Foundation
Communication Coordinator, said.
“In order for the MSU Foundation to close out another successful
fiscal year on June 30, it will take all of us–the University, the
Foundation, alumni, friends and parents working together during
these uncertain economic times,” Cagle said.