MSU Alumni Association set to celebrate 2026 Alumni Fellows during Oklahoma game weekend
Contact: Shun Pounds
STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Mississippi State University Alumni Association honors a new group of distinguished Bulldogs as 2026 Alumni Fellows visit campus during the MSU-Oklahoma football game weekend, Oct. 22–24.
This year’s honorees will participate in on- and off-campus activities, reconnect with their alma mater and share valuable professional insights with current MSU students. Their visit will conclude with special recognition during Saturday’s football game.
“The MSU Alumni Association proudly welcomes back distinguished alumni who exemplify our university’s excellence,” said Jeff Davis, MSU Alumni Association executive director. “We look forward to them sharing their experiences and insights with current students. Since its inception in 1989, more than 300 alumni have participated in the fellows program, and their accomplishments and positive influence continue to inspire us all.”
Honorees carry the Alumni Fellow title for life, extending the program’s legacy and reflecting the pride of more than 174,000 MSU alumni worldwide.
This year’s distinguished honorees include (by college):
Christian Hart Preus
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Thomas Whitten Sabbatini
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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Christian Hart Preus of Fairhope, Alabama, earned his bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture at MSU in 2002, graduating magna cum laude.
College of Architecture, Art and Design
Thomas Whitten Sabbatini of Memphis, Tennessee, received his bachelor’s degree in art with a concentration in photography from MSU in 2013. He later earned a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia College in 2017.
Michelle Barlow Richardson
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Amy Lampton Walker
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College of Arts and Sciences
Michelle Barlow Richardson of Alexandria, Virginia, earned her bachelor’s degree in political science in 1997, graduating magna cum laude.
College of Business
Amy Lampton Walker of Flowood obtained her bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2002.
Woodie H. “Bo” Bounds
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Donald Ray Shirley
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College of Education
Woodie H. “Bo” Bounds of Madison earned a bachelor’s in history and master’s degree in physical education in 2000 and 2001.
James Worth Bagley College of Engineering
Donald Ray Shirley of Savannah, Tennessee, earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from MSU in 1995.
Nathan Edward Irby
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Dr. Rebekah Michelle List
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College of Forest Resources
Nathan Edward Irby, of Eagle Lake, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in forest products in 2006 and 2008, and his doctorate in forest resources in 2019.
College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Rebekah Michelle List of Ocean Springs earned her bachelor’s degree in animal and dairy science in 1998 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2001, both from MSU.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters.