Bright sunlight illuminates Mississippi State University's iconic Eternal Flame Monument and a vibrant flowerbed of purple and white petals in front of Allen Hall on a recent summer day. The Eternal Flame Monument and the Walk of Honor on the Drill Field are perpetual tributes to the thousands of alumni, friends, faculty, and staff who generously supported Mississippi State during its first major gifts campaign, The Campaign for Mississippi State...Serving Mississippi and Beyond. The monument was unveiled on September 27, 1997. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs
University celebrates 60th anniversary of Holmes' admission
Last Saturday [July 19] marked a pivotal moment in Mississippi State history -- the 60th anniversary of Dr. Richard E. Holmes becoming the university’s first African American student. On July 19, 1965, Holmes stepped onto campus and rather than being met with animosity and hate, his acceptance was relatively peaceful and calm. “There were no catcalls, no racial slurs,” recalled Holmes during the 40th celebration of his enrollment. “It was quiet and serene. Nothing happened; there was just curiosity and disbelief.” “The abiding legacy of Dr. Richard Holmes at our university is that of integrity, hard work, mutual respect and a sense of purpose,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “I am so proud to call him my friend and to reflect on his sacrifices and accomplishments.”
MSU ‘cooking up’ new blueberry, sweet potato ice cream flavors
Move over, Muscadine Ripple -- to make room on the freezer shelf for two new Mississippi State-borne ice cream flavors. Blueberry and sweet potato plan to join MSU’s 11 other palette-pleasing ice cream flavors in 2026 at the MAFES Sales Store, also the home of infamous MSU cheese. Shecoya White, associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion, and her students have been busy “cooking up” the new formulations to turn the state’s official fruit and vegetable into churnable ice cream. Their efforts have resulted in the development and testing of 15 to 20 variations of each flavor in her lab.
Upcoming part-time jobs fair links students to positions across campus, community
The Mississippi State Career Center is sponsoring a part-time jobs fair for students seeking positions on campus and in the surrounding community. The event, scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 22 in Colvard Student Union’s Foster Ballroom, will feature employers seeking students for part-time, volunteer and research positions. If you or any of your reporting units are anticipating an opening for a student worker, research assistant or graduate assistant, please consider participating in this event. More than 800 students attended last year’s event looking for employment, which serves as a great way to connect to the university’s QEP efforts. The deadline to register is Aug. 13. Departments can register by visiting https://msstate-csm.symplicity.com/events/PartTimeFA25.
MSU Lyceum Series season ticket renewals available, ticket sales begin July 1
Mississippi State’s 78th annual Lyceum Series promises to delight throughout its upcoming season, bringing the Magnolia State’s own Grammy-winning blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Christone “Kingfish” Ingram to the stage this December. Season ticket renewals opened June 9, ushering in a dynamic 2025-26 lineup featuring an eclectic mix of world-class music, theater and dance performances. New season and mini-series ticket sales for the season’s six-part series go on sale July 1, while individual tickets are available starting Aug. 20. The season opens Sept. 26 with Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book.” This Theatre MSU play adaptation takes place at 7 p.m. in McComas Theatre.
MSU Riley Center announces 2025-26 Fall and Winter Performing Arts Series
An adventurous array of musical artists is set to excite audiences during Mississippi State’s Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts 2025-26 Fall and Winter Performing Arts Series. The six-concert season begins in August and runs through January 2026. It welcomes a stellar lineup of artists whose influence spans genres and generations. “Each artist brings a unique energy to the stage, promising unforgettable experiences for our audiences,” said Morgan Dudley, Riley Center director. Dudley said the MSU Riley Center thanks The Riley Foundation, The Phil Hardin Foundation, MSU and Friends of the Lady members, whose continued support helps make these shows possible.
Airport shuttle departure schedule adjusted to meet airline baggage check changes
A 45-minute cutoff for checking baggage with Delta and American airlines has changed the express shuttle times offered by Mississippi State Transportation to Golden Triangle Regional Airport. The GTRA express shuttle now departs The Mill at MSU two hours before flight time and arrives at the airport one and a half hours before flight time. This is 30 minutes earlier than the previous schedule. Shuttle pickups from the Starkville campus and hotels along Highway 12 also can be scheduled with MSU if reservations are made at least 24 hours prior to the requested departure time from these locations. This service is available by emailing GTRShuttle@transportation.msstate.edu or calling 662-325-5204.
Free learning opportunities via LinkedIn Learning available to faculty, staff and students
Sharpen skills. Explore new interests. Increase professional value. These and other results are now available via no-cost learning opportunities to Mississippi State faculty, staff and students through MSU’s agreement with LinkedIn Learning. A popular, online education platform, LinkedIn Learning’s 20,000-plus courses are available to campus via a quick login using their MSU NetID email addresses. With self-paced learning, courses are presented in various formats, including bite-sized video, audio only and in-depth content. The platform is directly integrated with Canvas, the university’s learning management system. MSU faculty can use it to supplement course material or even develop and load their own content onto the platform.
Smoke-free policy enhances healthy environment
Mississippi State University is a smoke-free campus. Official policy prohibits the use of any combustible or vapor products anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The smoke-free campus policy is part of the university's commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or other similar devices are prohibited by this policy. The complete policy is available at www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/91301.
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