Bagley College of Engineering students from all backgrounds and disciplines now have common ground to call home. A historic building with a renewed life and a new purpose, the Randy J. Cleveland Engineering Student Center offers Bulldog Engineers a place to study, collaborate and ask questions and, just as importantly, belong.
Designed as a central hub for engineering students, the Cleveland Center unites dedicated study spaces, meeting rooms and a makerspace under one roof, supporting students academically while strengthening recruitment, retention and a sense of community within the Bagley College of Engineering.
“Spaces like the Cleveland Center turn student support into something tangible, something students can see, experience and belong to,” said Dave Ford, dean of the Bagley College of Engineering.
A New Purpose
Built in 1906 as a materials testing lab, the building that is now the Cleveland Center stands between McCain Hall and Walker Engineering. In its early years, the building supported the foundational work of the university’s young engineering program, but as decades passed it became overshadowed by newer, grander and more advanced buildings.
A 2021 gift, from 1983 petroleum engineering alumnus Randy and Nina Cleveland of Fort Worth, Texas, gave Mississippi State the chance to change that by reimagining the historic building.
With the Clevelands’ support, one of MSU’s oldest buildings—designated a Magnolia State Landmark by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History—was given new life while preserving its history.
The building’s namesake was on hand in November to celebrate the grand opening of the transformed space.
“In the business and engineering worlds, there are so many things that enable success that aren’t necessarily taught in a classroom, like the ability to communicate effectively and work with others as part of a team,” Randy Cleveland said. “MSU is unique in many regards, but especially in the welcoming feel embodied across campus. That environment encourages collaboration and networking, which translates well into the professional industry.
“This building will provide space to further opportunities for students to grow and explore their potential,” he explained.
A Connection
The renovation added a second floor to the original structure and completely redesigned the interior. Now 7,870 square feet, the space is dedicated to project-based learning and innovation to meet the needs of today’s engineering students.
For Robert Green, who served as interim dean during the renovation, preserving the building was as important as modernizing it. Historic spaces, he said, create a tangible connection between past and present, reminding students they are part of a long line of MSU engineers who have passed through the same doors.
A three-time alumnus himself, Green knows firsthand that life as an MSU engineering student is about more than what happens in classrooms and labs; it’s also the life that happens in between.
“We talk a lot about the sense of family we have at MSU, and this building provides a connection to the engineering family members who once walked these halls,” Green said. “As students gather in the center to study and work, they can sense the history in the building. They were not the first, nor will they be the last engineering students to pass through these doors, but they’re an important part of our story and our legacy.”
Green, now back in his role as associate dean of academics, explained students don’t become engineers in a vacuum.
“At its core, the field relies on collaboration and the sharing of ideas, which is something Randy knows firsthand,” he said. “The Cleveland Center was created as a space to allow MSU’s future engineers to connect with their fellow students who will one day be their colleagues.”
Sarah Beth Usey, a senior in electrical engineering and Joseph and Annie Barrier Engineering Scholar from Madison, often drops by the Cleveland Center between classes to study, meet with classmates or simply to reset before her next class. In the short time since the center opened, she said spending time there has become part of her routine.
“During finals week especially, this became my go-to spot,” Usey said. “It’s a place where you can find people in your classes and work together. I come here when I want to collaborate, talk through problems, meet between classes or focus on something. It’s a designated space for engineering students, and that makes a big difference.”
A Lasting Impression
Jean Mohammadi-Aragh, director of the Office of Student, Faculty and Staff Professional Development, said the Cleveland Center helps tell MSU’s story of student support. When prospective students and their families visit, she said the center helps them see firsthand the university’s commitment to student success—both in the classroom and out.
Bagley Ambassadors President Tyler Reeves, a junior cybersecurity major, said the center is a cornerstone of the engineering tour experience for potential students. A beneficiary of the Bob G. Roberts Scholarship Fund, she said the building does more than show potential engineering students that they will have an “amazing and dedicated study space.” It also reassures parents.
“First impressions can be impactful,” she said, “and the center shows them this is a place where they will belong.”
A Legacy
The development of the Cleveland Center also reflects the commitment of Mississippi State alumni to supporting students of today and tomorrow. It’s a highly visible sign showing that Bulldog graduates continue to invest in the betterment of the university and their support has meaningful and immediate impact.
“We are grateful to have advocates like Randy and Nina Cleveland who not only see and understand the needs of today’s students but also offer their generous support to bring impactful changes to campus,” said Bennett Evans, director of development for the Bagley College of Engineering.
The Randy J. Cleveland Engineering Student Center reflects the long-standing connection between Randy and Nina Cleveland—one rooted in engineering education and student success. Randy Cleveland has remained closely involved with the university, supporting initiatives that strengthen academic programs and expand opportunities for students, including an endowed professorship, several scholarships and support for undergraduate research.
The couple’s contributions have consistently focused on creating opportunities for students to be challenged, supported and prepared for life beyond graduation. With this latest endeavor, they have created a place where those things come together to shape how students learn and who they become in the process.
“When I step back and think about my time on campus, I realize what I gained at MSU was so much more than just an education—it was the building blocks of how to be truly successful,” Randy Cleveland said. “It’s always been important to us to give back in support and recognition of those things that helped us be successful.”
Mississippi State celebrated the opening of the Randy J. Cleveland Engineering Student Center in November, marking the transformation of one of campus’ oldest buildings into a modern hub for Bagley College of Engineering students to study, collaborate and connect. Top left: MSU President Mark E. Keenum speaks during the dedication ceremony honoring Randy and Nina Cleveland. Middle right: Keenum and Randy Cleveland following the event. Bottom left: Bagley College of Engineering Dean Dave Ford joins Nina and Randy Cleveland and Robert Green, associate dean of academics for the college, outside the newly opened facility.
By Camille Carskadon, with additional reporting by Aspen Harris; Photos by Emily Grace McCall