MSU’s Keenum: ‘No better investment’ in Magnolia State’s future than higher education

Contact: Carl Smith

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State President Mark E. Keenum remains steadfast in his support of faculty and staff pay increases, saying there is “no better investment” in the Magnolia State’s future than through higher education.

Keenum’s comments came Monday [Jan. 27] during the annual Spring General Faculty Meeting, where MSU’s 19th leader noted the university’s positive momentum, growing student body and ongoing campus improvement projects while stressing the importance of having “resources to retain and recruit world-class faculty.”

“Without question, the best use of taxpayer dollars is investment in higher education for the development of economic opportunities for the state of Mississippi and the overall enrichment of our citizens,” he said.

This legislative session, Keenum participated in four budget hearings with state lawmakers in which he emphasized continued financial support for the university’s operations and championed “investments in our people.”

“In all four meetings, I reminded lawmakers our greatest need is adequate support for our people, because it’s our people that make our university the great institution it is and who do the important work legislators and the citizens of this state expect from us,” he said. “It’s the best investment [lawmakers] can make, and it has to be a partnership. We can’t put all these burdens on the backs of our students and their parents, and we can’t tuition our way out of this.”

MSU also is seeking additional funding for various capital improvements, including renovations to the College of Veterinary Medicine’s footprint in the Wise Center; facilities projects for the College of Architecture, Art and Design; as well as the south campus mechanical plant; and construction of the Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi.

“Additional funding is essential, and we hope they can make these critical investments this session,” Keenum said. “As we always do, we are working very hard to tell our story at the State Capitol.”

He also noted MSU’s “strong and growing” research portfolio and positive momentum in academics, which includes the recent reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

This momentum will continue through the spring semester, Keenum said, due to “the efforts of our world-class faculty.”

Faculty praise also came from David Shaw, provost and executive vice president, Julie Jordan, vice president for research and economic development, and Keith Coble, vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, who highlighted key milestones from the past year.

MSU remains committed to student success—both in and out of the classroom—and is developing new and innovative programs to prepare them for the career demands of today and the future, Shaw said, noting the university’s latest degree programs and new colleges.

“We’ve created a new School of Nursing, School of Health Professions, College of Integrative Studies and College of Professional and Continuing Studies, demonstrating how we at MSU are never resting on our laurels,” he said. “This institution is doing amazing things from an academic standpoint, and the best is yet to come.”

In terms of research, Jordan said faculty contributed a combined $342 million in research activity during the previous fiscal year—a record amount reported to the National Science Foundation—while Coble reported the university was ranked 11th nationally in both agriculture and natural science expenditures in the same timeframe by the NSF.

“We continue to grow, and I continue to be amazed by the work this institution is doing,” Jordan said. “Along with the research dollars we receive for our work, the recognition our faculty receives helps make the research enterprise what it is.”

The new NSF rankings place MSU ahead of other nationally recognized agriculture schools—a “remarkable accomplishment due to the work of our scientists,” Coble said.

“We have 42 academic fellows or presidents of their professional societies in the division, and we have eight Giles Distinguished Professors. That speaks to the quality of scientists we have,” he said. “When their names are on a grant application, they are noted, recognized and valued.”

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.