Contact: Addie Mayfield

STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Mississippi State University Alumni Association is hosting the 2022 Leadership Conference on campus this Friday and Saturday [May 6-7]. The annual event aims to educate, empower and celebrate volunteer members and leaders of the association.

The event kicks off Friday [May 6] with the Chapter and Volunteer Awards Reception, which recognizes honor chapters, cowbell winners and volunteer awards. Developed to encourage and promote leadership, chapter membership and chapter engagement activities, the Chapter Recognition Program awards outstanding chapters each year according to their membership and achievement within the Honor Chapter Point System.

Gold, Silver and Bronze Cowbell distinctions are presented to the top three chapters in each of the association’s five existing categories and honors awards are also given to qualified, high-achieving chapters. Additionally, special recognition is given to individual and chapter winners in the areas of Top Alumni Recruitment Network Volunteer, Unique Chapter Engagement Programming and Diverse Community Engagement Programming.

Of the more than 100 chapters and clubs that make up MSU’s Alumni Association, 48 chapters will be presented with awards. A full list of chapters being honored is included below.

The Leadership Conference will be held Saturday [May 7] at MSU’s Hunter Henry Center. In addition to new alumni chapter officer orientation and the association’s annual business meeting, participants will hear updates from key university representatives, including Alumni Association National President Patrick White, Alumni Association Executive Director Jeff Davis, Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Young Hyatt, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment and University Registrar John Dickerson, Senior Deputy Athletic Director for Compliance Bracky Brett, and other staff and volunteer leaders.

A special presentation discussing the Young Alumni Program, Bulldog Network and Alumni Recruitment Network will highlight important ways for volunteers to engage in the valuable programs to grow engagement and outreach. Conference participants also will have a chance to visit with peers and officers in other areas to get new ideas on strengthening membership, recruiting students and better serving the MSU alumni base during information exchange breakout sessions. The conference will conclude at 3:15 p.m., prior to the MSU vs. Florida baseball game at Dudy Noble.

“This community of volunteer leaders is one of our strongest assets for alumni engagement and ensuring quality programming across the globe,” said Michael Richardson, assistant director for chapter and volunteer programs. “The Leadership Conference weekend is a way for our association to not only highlight but also appreciate those who are dedicated to the success of this impactful grassroots network.”

Davis added, “We look forward to welcoming new and returning alumni volunteers back to campus for valuable networking and informative training opportunities as we continue to collectively build an even stronger Alumni Association.”

For a full schedule and more information on the 2022 Alumni Leadership Conference, visit alumni.msstate.edu/leadershipconference. Winners of the Chapter and Volunteer Awards will be announced following the event.

Editor’s Note:

In-state chapters being honored at the May 6 program include: Adams-Franklin-Wilkinson; Attala County; Bolivar County; Central Mississippi; Clay County; Clarke County; DeSoto County; George-Greene; Grenada-Montgomery; Lauderdale County; Leake County; Lee County; Leflore-Carroll; Lincoln County; Lowndes County; Mississippi Gulf Coast; Monroe County; Newton County; Oktibbeha County; Panola-Tallahatchie; Pine Belt; Sharkey-Issaquena; Simpson-Smith; Southwest Mississippi; Warren County; Washington County; Yazoo County.

Out-of-state chapters being honored at the May 6 program (by state): Alabama—Birmingham, Huntsville-Decatur, and Mobile; Colorado—Rocky Mountain (Denver); District of Columbia—Washington D.C.; Florida—Northeast Florida (Jacksonville), Northwest Florida (Panhandle), Greater Orlando, and Greater Tampa; Georgia—Atlanta; Louisiana—Baton Rouge and Greater New Orleans; Tennessee—Greater Chattanooga, Memphis, Nashville, and Smoky Mountain (Greater Knoxville); Texas—Dallas, East Texas, Greater Fort Worth, Greater Houston, and South Texas (Austin and San Antonio)