MSU Alumni Association Honors Outstanding Volunteers

Mississippi State University’s Alumni Volunteer Leadership Weekend, held Feb. 27-28 at The Mill at MSU, gathered alumni volunteers from across the nation to recognize outstanding chapters and individuals and offer networking and learning opportunities to enhance future alumni engagement..

The weekend’s events, including the Chapter and Volunteer Awards Reception and the Alumni Leadership Conference, showcased the robust MSU alumni network, founded on steadfast dedication, lasting traditions and a persistent drive to support others.

Gold, Silver and Bronze Cowbell distinctions were awarded to the top three chapters in each of the association’s five categories, and honor awards were presented to qualified, high-achieving chapters. Out of 87 chartered chapters within the MSU Alumni Association, 52 received awards.

In addition to chapter recognition, several individual alumni volunteers were honored for their exceptional dedication to MSU.

A woman in a colorful dress and a man in a suit pose together in front of a maroon and white balloon arch and a Mississippi State Alumni backdrop.
People view framed photographs displayed on easels in a gallery with wooden floors and white walls; others gather near tables in the background.
Five women stand in front of a maroon, white, and silver balloon arch and a maroon backdrop with "STARKVILLE" and "ALUMNI" logos.
A woman speaks at a podium with a university emblem projected behind her and plants in the foreground.
A program card for the 2026 Chapter and Volunteer Awards Reception at MSU stands on a table next to a floral arrangement.

Distinguished Service Award Winners

Randy Allen of Olive Branch – A 1987 business graduate, he has served the DeSoto County Chapter as vice president, secretary, volunteer coordinator and treasurer. He has chaired the DeSoto County Chapter’s scholarship fundraiser golf tournament for the past 25 years.

LaToya W. Bledsoe of Columbus – A psychology, counseling education and education specialist graduate of 2000, 2003 and 2012, respectively, she has played a pivotal role in the Lowndes County Alumni Chapter, serving as a bridge between Mississippi School of Math and Science students and MSU.

Russ Bradford of Nashville, Tennessee – A 2009 wildlife and fisheries graduate, he joined the Nashville Alumni Chapter in 2013 and has served as vice president and president. He is now the chapter’s community outreach chair and will return as president in 2026.

Chandra Harmond Brandel of Sugar Hill, Georgia – A 1992 banking and finance graduate, she has been a leader in the Lowndes County Alumni Chapter and the Atlanta, Georgia, Alumni Chapter. Since joining the Atlanta chapter board in 2018, she has served as scholarship chair, vice president and president.

Five people stand on stage holding glass awards in front of a Mississippi State University emblem, posing for a group photo at an event.

L-R: Kelsey Knecht, Randy Allen, Latoya W. Bledsoe, Russ Bradford, Chandra Harmond Brandel 

Outstanding Young Alumna

The association also honored the university’s 2025 Outstanding Young Alumna Volunteer of the Year, Kelsey Knecht of Houston, Texas. She graduated from MSU with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting in 2017 and 2018, respectively. She has helped lead communications efforts, was instrumental in launching the chapter’s new website, hosted game-watch gatherings and represented MSU at area college fairs.

Saturday’s Alumni Leadership Conference provided volunteers with the tools, updates and inspiration needed to further MSU’s mission, including training, collaboration and an MSU birthday celebration. Participants received updates from key university representatives, including:     

  • Alumni Association National President Lynn Burwell   
  • Alumni Association staff 
  • MSU Foundation Head of Real Estate Strategy Jud Skelton
  • Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services John Dickerson   

The MSU Alumni Association staff celebrated the past year’s collaboration within its valued network of volunteers and highlighted ways for volunteers to advance the organization’s mission and inspire support through meaningful engagement and outreach events. Participants also learned from peers about successful programs and best practices.

Five people stand in front of a Mississippi State University sign, each holding a large gold bell and smiling at the camera.

Gold Cowbell Chapters:

Alcorn County; George-Greene; Mississippi Gulf Coast; Atlanta, GA; Greater Cincinnati-Dayton, OH

Five people stand in front of a Mississippi State University backdrop, each holding a glass award and posing for a group photo.

Silver Cowbell Chapters: 

Lowndes County; Newton County; Tippah County; Greater Houston, TX; Greater Orlando, FL

Five adults stand in front of a Mississippi State University backdrop, each holding a trophy-shaped award and posing for a group photo.

Bronze Cowbell Chapters: 

Leake County; Oktibbeha County; Sharkey-Issaquena; East Texas; Dallas, TX

Ten people stand in a row holding maroon banners that read “Mississippi State University Family of the Year 2025,” with a university logo backdrop behind them.

In-state Chapters Honored: 

The in-state chapters receiving honor chapter status at the February program include the following: Adams-Franklin-Wilkinson, Central Mississippi, Clarke County, Clay County, DeSoto County, Grenada-Montgomery, Jones County, Lafayette County, Lauderdale County, Lee County, Lincoln-Copiah, Monroe County, Pine Belt, Pontotoc County, Southwest Mississippi, Tate-Tunica, Union County, Warren County and Washington County. 

A group of people stands indoors holding maroon banners with “Mississippi State University 2025” written on them, posing for a group photo in front of an MSU backdrop.

Out-of-state Chapters Honored: 

Out-of-state chapters receiving honor chapter status at the February program (by state): Alabama—Birmingham, Huntsville-Decatur, Mobile and Tuscaloosa; Colorado—Rocky Mountain Colorado; District of Columbia—Washington D.C.; Florida—Northeast Florida (Jacksonville), Northwest Florida (Panhandle), Louisiana—Baton Rouge and Greater New Orleans; New York—New York; North Carolina—Greater Charlotte; Greater Raleigh-Durham; Tennessee—Greater Chattanooga, Memphis and Nashville; Texas—Greater Fort Worth, and South Texas.

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 174,000 living alumni and includes nearly 100 chapters and clubs. For more information, visit www.alumni.msstate.edu.

By Shun Pounds, Photos by Emily Grace McCall, Illustrations by Sarah-Anne Murphy and Jadalyn Johnson