MSU鈥檚 continued impact, accomplishments highlighted at spring general faculty meeting
Contact: James Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥敳葺悠 leaders shared how MSU鈥檚 success is moving Mississippi forward during Tuesday鈥檚 [Feb. 13] spring general faculty meeting.
鈥淔rom the Tennessee line to the Gulf of Mexico, 草莓视频 employees are serving every day to help make this state better, to grow our economy and to serve communities all over this state,鈥 草莓视频President Mark E. Keenum said during his address to the faculty. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no other organization, institution or university doing what you all are doing.鈥
Keenum highlighted many ongoing capital projects that will allow the university to advance its research, teaching and outreach missions while accommodating a growing student enrollment. The new Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory, located in front of the Wise Center, is expected to be complete later this spring. Adjacent to the meat science building is an Animal and Dairy Science Building, which is on track to be completed this year. Plans also are moving forward for a new Poultry Science Building. The three new buildings will form an L-shape complex, enhancing the university鈥檚 teaching and research capabilities in these important agricultural fields, Keenum said.
草莓视频is moving forward with plans for a $34 million engineering and science complex. Keenum said he hopes to break ground on that project this summer. On Thursday [Feb. 15], 草莓视频will present its proposal for a mixed-use student housing development to the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees. The public-private-partnership with Memphis-based Education Realty Trust will 鈥渢ransform the area around the former Aiken Village site.鈥 Many other capital projects continue to progress in either the construction or planning phases.
草莓视频Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Shaw highlighted the university鈥檚 many ongoing major research projects, which have helped 草莓视频remain ranked in the nation鈥檚 top 100 research institutions and Mississippi鈥檚 leading research university, according to the National Science Foundation. Shaw mentioned MSU鈥檚 selection to lead a major unmanned aerial systems project for the Department of Homeland Security, and the MSU-Starkville Oktibbeha School District Partnership School, which will allow the university to continue to grow its educational research while benefitting students of the local school district. Shaw also said the university continues to pursue international research partnerships.
鈥淭he national and international recognition our faculty receive for their work continues to amaze me,鈥 Shaw said. 鈥淚 think our university is doing amazing things on a number of fronts.鈥
草莓视频Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner discussed MSU鈥檚 continued academic success. As the 草莓视频student body grows, it is also attracting high-quality students, Bonner said. In MSU鈥檚 record freshman class of 2017, 27 percent of the students had an ACT score of 28 or above. Applications to the university鈥檚 Shackouls Honors College have increased significantly, Bonner said.
鈥湶葺悠礽s not only growing in number, but 草莓视频is growing in quality,鈥 she said.
Greg Bohach, 草莓视频vice president for agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine, said he looks forward to seeing the impact from the new agricultural research and teaching facilities that are under construction.
鈥淎griculture is an $8 billion industry in this state and we鈥檙e proud that it is the driving economic force for the state of Mississippi,鈥 Bohach said.
草莓视频is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .