MSU Alumni Association recognizes top chapters, outstanding alumni volunteers during the 2025 Leadership Conference
Contact: Shun Pounds
STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Mississippi State University Alumni Association recognized the contributions of alumni leaders and volunteers while fostering meaningful engagement and strengthening the association’s grassroots network during the recent 2025 Alumni Volunteer Leadership Weekend.
The event began with the Chapter and Volunteer Awards Reception, which recognized honor chapters, Cowbell winners and volunteer award recipients. Designed to encourage and promote volunteer leadership, chapter membership and engagement activities, the Chapter Recognition Program yearly honors outstanding chapters based on their membership growth and achievements.
Gold, Silver and Bronze Cowbell distinctions are awarded to the top three chapters in each of the association’s five categories, with honor awards presented to qualified, high-achieving chapters. Out of nearly 100 chapters and clubs within the MSU Alumni Association, 51 chapters received awards.
In addition to chapter honors, several alumni were recognized for their dedicated service to the association. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to:
—Col. Robert Barnes Jr. of Byrum, who earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1972 and received an honorary Doctor of Public Service from MSU in 2022. He is the past chair of the Black Alumni Advisory Council and a member of the Central Mississippi Chapter.
—Heath Barnett of Corinth, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2004 and is president of the Alcorn County Chapter.
—William Thomas of Atlanta, Georgia, who earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering in 1989 and is vice president and scholarship chair for the Atlanta Chapter.
Annually, the association also honors the university’s outstanding young alumnus or alumna. This year’s recipient was Jessica Dougan, a 2013 elementary education graduate from Memphis, Tennessee. She has served the Memphis Chapter in various roles for the past nine years and previously served on the Young Alumni Advisory Council.
The Leadership Conference provided a day of volunteer training and discussion. Participants received updates from key university representatives, including Alumni Association National President Terri Russell, Alumni Association Executive Director Jeff Davis, Office of Public Affairs Chief Marketing Officer Thomas Broadus and Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services John Dickerson. Additionally, MSU Soccer Coach Nick Zimmerman spoke about the success of the Bulldog program and his leadership philosophy.
The Alumni Association staff provided updates on programs and activities, highlighting ways for volunteers to advance the organization’s mission and inspire support through meaningful engagement and outreach events. Participants also learned from peer members about successful chapter programs and best practices.
Founded in 1885 by the first three graduating classes of Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, the MSU Alumni Association serves the university’s more than 165,000 living alumni and includes nearly 100 chapters and clubs. For more information, visit www.alumni.msstate.edu.
The in-state chapters honored include Adams-Franklin-Wilkinson, Alcorn County, Attala-Holmes, Central Mississippi, Clarke County, Clay County, DeSoto County, George-Greene, Grenada-Montgomery, Lauderdale County, Lawrence-Jefferson Davis, Leake County, Lee County, Lincoln-Copiah, Lowndes County, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Monroe County, Neshoba County, Newton County, Oktibbeha County, Pine Belt, Pontotoc County, Sharkey-Issaquena, Southwest Mississippi, Tate-Tunica, Tippah County, Union County and Washington County.
Out-of-state chapters honored include (by state): Alabama: Birmingham, Huntsville-Decatur, and Mobile; Colorado: Rocky Mountain Colorado; District of Columbia: Washington, D.C.; Florida: Northeast Florida (Jacksonville), Northwest Florida (Panhandle), Greater Orlando; Georgia: Atlanta; Louisiana: Baton Rouge and Greater New Orleans; Illinois: Chicago; New York: New York; North Carolina: Greater Raleigh-Durham; Ohio: Greater Cincinnati-Dayton; Tennessee: Greater Chattanooga, Memphis and Nashville; Texas: Dallas, East Texas, Greater Fort Worth, Greater Houston and South Texas.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.