1960s

Richard C. Shultz (B.A. political science, ’67) served five years on active duty with the Air Force. In Vietnam, he was a forward air controller flying the OV 10 Bronco aircraft. He then spent 15 years in the Air National Guard flying various aircraft at different locations across the U.S.

1970s

Steve Black (B.S. chemistry, ’70) was named a Pillar of Excellence by the University of Memphis Law Alumni Association. The award is presented annually to those who have made a significant contribution to the practice of law in their civic and professional lives. Black is the founding member of the law firm Black, McLaren, Jones, Ryland and Griffee in Memphis, Tennessee, where he has been practicing law for 52 years. He has been named Lawyer of the Year in Family Law for the Memphis-area Best Lawyers in America three times in the last six years.

A woman with medium-length brown hair stands outdoors in front of a calm sea at sunset, wearing a maroon top with decorative detailing.

Ginny Walker Shurlds (B. A. communication, ‘78) has released a new book, “Mississippi State from A to Z.” Written and illustrated by the Meridian native, the book contains rhyming verse and colorful, pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations. The book is officially licensed by Mississippi State and takes children through the alphabet while introducing them to the university. Shurlds is a veteran elementary, gifted and visual arts educator, and says she was inspired by her grandson to teach the next generation about the Bulldog family. 

A middle-aged man in a suit and tie smiles in an official setting, with flags and a seal visible in the blurred background.

Mark Formby (B.A. art, ’79) was elected president of the Southern Association of Workers’ Compensation Administrators. A longtime public servant, he represented his district in the Mississippi Legislature for 25 years before being appointed to the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission, which he now serves as chairman. In that role, he oversees key aspects of the state’s workers’ compensation system, a vital part of both employee protection and insurance regulation. His leadership at both the state and regional levels continues to strengthen policy and practice across the South. 

1980s

Three men stand in front of a NASA logo; the man in the center holds a framed certificate of appreciation.

Terry Abel (B.S. nuclear engineering, ‘82; M.S. mechanical engineering, ’83) received the prestigious Silver Snoopy award from NASA, an honor given to employees and contractors for exceptional contributions to spaceflight safety and mission success. The Silver Snoopy is presented to less than 1% of the agency’s workforce annually and is given personally by astronauts. Each award includes a commemorative Snoopy pin that has flown on a previous Space Shuttle mission, adding to its significance. Abel works at Lockheed Martin as its technical liaison to the Marshall Space Flight Center, where he oversees all on-site activities, including efforts associated with the development of the Orion spacecraft, which is part of NASA’s overall Artemis project to facilitate human missions to the moon and ensure safe return. He also earned a Circle of Excellence award from Orion Program Manager Howard Hu of Johnson Space Center and, in 2017, he was one of just 14 to receive NASA’s Distinguished Public Service Medal, which is given to those demonstrating a level of excellence that makes a profound impact on NASA’s success. He was named an MSU Bagley College of Engineering Distinguished Fellow in 2016.

1990s

Marion Harris (B.S., M.A. mathematics, ’91, ‘93) is now president and CEO of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank. A native of Pascagoula, he previously served as chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Credit Company, during which time he was named Auto Finance Executive of the Year by Auto Finance News. He has three decades of experience in the financial industry and serves on the board of Cerence Inc. and the advisory boards of Mobility Impact Partners LP and Harbinger Motors Inc.

A climber in full gear kneels on a snowy summit holding a Mississippi State University pennant, with prayer flags in the background.

Steve “Duke” Pigott (B.S. aerospace engineering, ’94), of Albuquerque, New Mexico, successfully summited Mt. Everest in May. It was the final challenge necessary for him to complete the Seven Summits—the highest peak on each of the seven continents. He is now one of only 400 recorded to have completed the feat. His Everest climb took 28 days, and, at the top, he stopped to take a photo holding an MSU pennant and play a guitar—which is now on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in Kathmandu, which lies at the base of the mountain. 

2000s

A man wearing glasses, a blue dress shirt, patterned orange tie, and a checked blazer stands in front of a brick wall, smiling at the camera.

Mark R. Cheathem (Ph.D. history, ’02) was appointed the Heller Family Endowed Professor of History at Cumberland University in Tennessee. The author of nine books, he is director and co-editor of the Papers of Martin Van Buren, housed in the university’s Vise Library. 

A man wearing glasses and a stethoscope smiles at the camera; he is standing indoors with a framed document visible in the background.

Dr. Hunter Butler (B.S. biological engineering, ‘03) was named the 2025 Tennessee Pediatrician of the Year. He is a physician at VIP Children’s Clinic in Springfield, Tennessee, an affiliate of Vanderbilt’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, where he completed his residency. He was selected for the honor by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics out of more than 1,200 pediatricians in the Volunteer State. He earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine where he was president of his class. Butler also serves as medical director for Robertson County Public Schools and advocates for children at the state level as a fellow of the Tennessee chapter of AAP. 

A woman with long blonde hair wearing a navy blazer stands in front of an American flag and another flag, smiling at the camera.

Formerly with the Mississippi Attorney General’s office, Whitney Lipscomb (B.A. political science, ‘09) is now general counsel for the Republican Attorneys General Association. She also leads the Rule of Law Defense Fund. Widely considered among “those to watch” for future high-profile positions in Mississippi, she had served the state Attorney General’s Office since 2020 overseeing the civil, solicitor general, and opinions and policy divisions. She previously served as deputy chief of staff and counsel to former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant. She earned her law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law and worked in private practice to begin her career. 

A woman with straight brown hair, wearing glasses, a green top, and a teal blazer, smiles at the camera in an indoor setting with soft lighting.

Whitney Swanson (B. Arch. architecture, ‘09) was selected to serve as office principal for HRD’s Brentwood, Tennessee, office. A professional services firm, HRD specializes in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. In her new role, she will lead and support the team of multidisciplinary professionals to foster a collaborative and inclusive culture while driving strategic growth across the region. She previously worked for Gensler, managing a multi-national team on a $12 billion datacenter campus. In her early career, she served as a project manager at HDR, and worked at Alan Ford Architects PC, Seabold Architectural Studio PC, Midtown Partners Inc. and Mississippi State’s Jackson Community Design Center. 

2010s

A man with short brown hair, wearing a light-colored, plaid button-up shirt, is smiling against a solid black background.

Brad Phillips (B.B.A. business economics, ‘13) is U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish’s 2025 Catfish Farmer of the Year for Mississippi. He manages Phillips Brothers Farms in Yazoo City, where he has been farming catfish—taking part in every stage of production—for more than 12 years. He serves on the boards for Catfish Farmers of America and The Catfish Institute. 

A man in a suit and yellow tie smiles in a professional headshot against a neutral background.

Mac Flynt (B.B.A. management, ‘15) was named administrator of OCH Regional Medical Center, which was known as Oktibbeha County Hospital until its recent purchase by Baptist Memorial Health Care. Flynt previously held the same position at Baptist’s hospitals in Attala and Yazoo counties. He was part of the Bulldog football team while at State.