Keenum: MSU’s positive momentum, continued impact due to its world-class faculty, staff

��Ƶ Mark E. Keenum attributes positive university growth and impact to its world-class faculty and staff during Wednesday’s [Sept. 2] Fall Faculty Meeting at Lee Hall. — ��Ƶ President Mark E. Keenum attributes positive university growth and impact to its world-class faculty and staff during Wednesday’s [Sept. 2] Fall General Faculty Meeting at Lee Hall. (Photo by Emily Grace McCall)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—��Ƶ continues to provide a positive impact to the Magnolia State and beyond through its missions of learning, service and research thanks to its world-class faculty and staff, university President Mark E. Keenum said.

Keenum shared his excitement about MSU’s work and commitment to bettering the world during Wednesday’s [Sept. 2] Fall General Faculty Meeting at Lee Hall, noting numerous university growth milestones, achievements and campus projects from this summer and the fall semester while looking ahead to future opportunities.

“No other institution, university or organization anywhere is doing more than we are every day to help grow, support, strengthen and make Mississippi better for all of its people,” the 19th MSU president said. “We’re educating and graduating students from communities from all across our state; we’re leading research and community engagement efforts that are making lives better; and we’re a powerhouse economic engine that generates $4 billion annually for the state economy. These are all things we can take great pride in.”

Since returning to lead his alma mater, Keenum has overseen historic growth at the university, from unprecedented surges in enrollment to a rapidly expanding and modernizing campus. Continued positive growth, he said, is clear and apparent through the first weeks of the fall semester.

Keenum welcomed Bulldog students, faculty and staff this August during a variety of events acclimating new and returning arrivals to MSU’s campus and the Bulldog family. From New Faculty Orientation to student move-in days, campus bustled with activity before Aug. 19’s start of classes.

“There is something about our ��Ƶ Bulldog culture that is quite special and unique,” Keenum said. “We look out for our fellow Bulldogs. We care for each other. We love one another. I strongly believe this helps us stand out from so many of our peers.”

While the university continues to finalize fall enrollment figures, Keenum pointed to several statistics demonstrating MSU’s continued growth. The university has almost 6,000 first-time students and first-time transfers this year, he said while noting Fall Convocation’s importance to incoming Bulldogs.

Greek life at the university is growing, too, as more than 5,000 students—the most in school history—are members of MSU’s various chapters and organizations. This growth includes more than 900 new Panhellenic members and approximately 725 Interfraternity Council new members this fall. It also includes more than 150 students who joined National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities last spring. All three figures are new records.

“It’s exciting to see this growth in our fraternity and sorority life,” Keenum said, noting membership has increased more than 100% over the past 15 years.

Positive growth also continues at MSU-Meridian, Keenum said as he highlighted its in-demand Master of Science in Nursing program; April’s opening of the MSU Mental and Behavioral Clinic; prestigious accreditation for the Center for Simulation, the first acknowledgement of its kind in human simulation in the Magnolia State; and plans for a new student-housing project and a stand-alone academic building, among other milestones.

“We continue to see such strong momentum in Meridian thanks to significant private investments and extremely strong community support. Our health profession programs continue to lead that momentum,” he said. “Our investments in facilities and world-class faculty are leading to outstanding student success.”

In addition to positive momentum and growth, several physical construction and renovation projects are underway or recently concluded, and more are in the works. Keenum highlighted the completion of the new South Campus Mechanical Plant, a project he said is vital to the growth and expansion of campus, and the Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center scheduled to open this spring at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi.

Other notable projects include significant investments to bolster College of Veterinary Medicine equine, small-animal and farm-animal hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities ensuring MSU delivers world-class veterinary teaching and service for decades, and the Nancy Fair Link Laminitis Research Center, which positions the university as a national leader in research of the hoof disease. Work also continues on Hotel Madelon, a development that will anchor Starkville’s Crossroads District, and Starkville-Oktibbeha School District’s new high school, located near Highway 182’s northern entrance to MSU’s campus, next to SOSD’s Partnership Middle School.

“We’re serving our students; we’re serving our state; we’re engaged in meaningful research that’s truly making a difference in our nation and the world,” Keenum said. “I’m proud of the work we are doing at ��Ƶ. I truly appreciate all you do, and I’m thankful that I’m able to work with you to help move our university, our state and our nation forward.”

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