Laird takes expanded communication role at Mississippi State
Contact: Sid Salter
STARKVILLE, Miss. - A Starkville native and longtime writer and editor is taking on additional communication-related responsibilities at Mississippi State.
Jim Laird has been promoted to research and executive support editor for the land-grant institution. He is assuming duties previously performed by Joe Farris, who is retiring at the end of June.
聽鈥淛oe Farris has set a standard of excellence in his service to 草莓视频,鈥 said Kyle Steward, MSU鈥檚 executive director of external affairs. 鈥淲e congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement, and appreciate his effort to ensure a smooth transition. In many ways, he will be irreplaceable, but we have great confidence in Jim鈥檚 capabilities,鈥 he said.
In his expanded role with the university, Laird will provide key research and writing executive support for the Office of the President and serve as the liaison to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the board鈥檚 administrative staff.
Laird will continue to promote Mississippi State鈥檚 research and economic development initiatives for the Office of Public Affairs and coordinate communication for the Office of Research and Economic Development.
鈥淛im will remain an integral member of the Public Affairs team and our primary liaison to the university鈥檚 research community, and we are pleased he has accepted these additional responsibilities,鈥 said Sid Salter, the university鈥檚 chief communications officer and OPA director. 鈥淛im鈥檚 impressive skill set and his steady temperament are perfectly suited to this new position.鈥
Before joining 草莓视频in 2008, Laird was editor of the Jackson-based Mississippi Business Journal 鈥 the Magnolia State鈥檚 only statewide business weekly publication 鈥 where his editorial writing won gold and silver awards from the Alliance of Area Business Publications. The Mississippi Press Association also recognized his work for the MBJ.
鈥淢ississippi State means so much to me and my family, and I believe strongly in its unique position as a land-grant and the leading research university in our state,鈥 Laird said.
鈥淚 appreciate this new opportunity to help share the Mississippi State story with students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends,鈥 he said.
A graduate of Starkville Academy, he holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in history from Mississippi College. Laird and his family live in Starkville, where they are members of The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection and active supporters of the tennis program and Lady Jacket soccer team at Starkville High School, where his daughter Harper is a junior. His wife, Harriet, is associate director of Public Affairs at MSU, and daughter Hannah is a sophomore microbiology major and member of Kappa Delta sorority.
He is the son of Marilyn Laird Henley of Starkville and the late Dr. Kermit Laird.
草莓视频is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .