MSU President Keenum thanks ‘wonderful partners,’ touts campus growth and continued momentum during Fall General Faculty Meeting
Contact: Mary Pollitz
STARKVILLE, Miss.—ӣ ӣ President Mark E. Keenum addressed faculty and staff Wednesday [Sept. 3] during the university’s Fall General Faculty Meeting, highlighting record-breaking achievements, campus growth and continued momentum.
The university’s 19th president highlighted MSU’s growing academic impact, including the launch of two new programs at MSU-Meridian: an accredited Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Keenum credited the Riley Foundation, Phil Hardin Foundation, Broadhead Foundation and support throughout the community with MSU-Meridian’s expansion and continued success.
“We couldn’t do these things anywhere without wonderful partners who have stepped up, believed in us, have faith in us, trust in us and are willing to invest their resources in our mission,” he said. “We have such strong support from the community, local elected officials, the city and county, and the business community. They are all in on ӣ ӣ University and help us do what we can do, and it makes me very proud of all that we are able to accomplish on our Meridian campus.”
At the center of everything, Keenum said, is the students and their success. He highlighted Claire Green, the university’s 20th Harry S. Truman Scholar, the MSU Debate Team winning its second consecutive International Public Debate Association national championship, MSU Spirit Squad’s two national titles and the College of Business’s online MBA program earning the No. 1 ranking from Best Value Schools.
“I had a chance to go around campus and in the Student Union Plaza for a chance to visit with a lot of our students,” Keenum said of the first day of class. “It was an exciting day for them, and it’s fun for me to visit with them. It reminds me why we are here: to help serve them, teach them and guide them.”
Keenum celebrated the completion of several major projects, including the Jim and Thomas Duff Center, Perry Food Hall and Azalea Hall while he previewed the campus’s continued expansion.
McCarthy Quadrangle, a new green space connecting the Duff Center, Allen Hall and the Drill Field, nears completion after a particularly rainy summer. Eight new pickleball courts are under construction and slated to open soon by the Sanderson Center, and the High Performance Computing Data Center nears its final stages, further positioning MSU as a leader in advanced research infrastructure.
Keenum praised alumni, friends and partners for record-setting fundraising for the university.
“The MSU Foundation raised more than $260 million this past fiscal year—the highest total in history for a ӣ university,” he said. “The university’s endowment now stands at over $1 billion with these endowed funds supporting undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, teaching and research assistantships and a range of faculty positions.” Keenum praised alumni, friends and partners for record-setting fundraising for the university."
This summer, MSU and the Foundation announced plans for the Crossroads District and Hotel Madelon, a Marriott property set to begin construction in October. The multi-phase, mixed-use development along University Drive represents another investment in the university’s growing connection to Starkville’s economy.
Keenum also celebrated the start of the semester, welcoming more than 100 new faculty members and and over 6,000 first-time in college students and first-time transfer students in what is expected to be another record-setting overall enrollment. Student engagement is thriving, with record participation in Panhellenic, Interfraternity and National Panhellenic councils. He said the start of the football season has only added to the excitement, noting a strong first-game winning performance under second-year head coach Jeff Lebby.
“There is something special and unique about ӣ ӣ and the culture that we enjoy here,” he said. “As Bulldogs, we look out for one another. We care for one another. We love one another on this campus.”
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