Mike McDaniel of Houston, Texas, was honored by Mississippi State University as its National Alumnus of the Year during the MSU Alumni Association 2026 Awards Banquet this spring.
A native of Cleveland, McDaniel graduated from MSU in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and started his career with Dow Chemical at its Freeport, Texas, complex. He advanced rapidly over 10 years at Dow, and then bought Electrical Controller Products, or ECP, a specialty electrical distributor in Houston tied to the petrochemical industry.
Under his guidance, ECP grew quickly. By 1991, he and his company launched ECP Tech Services, which did high-voltage electrical testing and construction. The wholly owned subsidiary soon grew to be the largest and most successful of its kind in the South, with five offices in two states.
In 2008, ECP Tech Services was sold to Square D Company. Since that time, McDaniel has founded, grown and sold another company: Saber Power, a Houston giant in the electrical world as well.
The lessons and skills he learned at MSU have been critical to McDaniel’s business success. He is a proud second-generation MSU mechanical engineering graduate as his father, George O. McDaniel Jr., graduated from MSU in 1949. The George O. McDaniel Jr. Endowed Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering was established to help support future generations of Mississippi State students.
McDaniel is married to Laura Moreton McDaniel, and they are supporters of a broad array of MSU programs, including engineering, study abroad and the Grant Presidential Library. They have four children and three grandchildren.
McDaniel said being named MSU’s 2026 Alumnus of the Year is an honor he never expected or imagined he would receive and is humbly grateful for this recognition from a place he calls home.
“We are delighted to honor Mike McDaniel on behalf of Mississippi State University for his outstanding professional achievements and dedication to his alma mater,” said Jeff Davis, executive director of the MSU Alumni Association. “Mike embodies the spirit of the Bulldog community, and his remarkable accomplishments highlight the commitment and excellence that MSU proudly fosters in its graduates.”
Along with McDaniel, the MSU Alumni Association recognized other outstanding alumni at the annual awards event. Individual academic college Alumni of the Year for 2026 include (by college):
Bagley College of Engineering
Charles Richards Stephenson is a native of Meridian and resides in West Point. He earned a Bachelor of Science in petroleum engineering from Mississippi State University in 1981. Stephenson is an entrepreneur and energy executive, serving as chairman of Indiana Geothermal Inc. and Nature’s Air & Water, LLC, and as chief executive officer of Heartland Natural Resources, LLC. Mechanically inclined from an early age, he gravitated toward engineering, where his strengths in math and problem-solving aligned with opportunities in the energy sector. Early international roles helped him advance quickly and navigate industry volatility as he was grounded by a hands-on work ethic shaped by his family and upbringing in Mississippi. Stephenson remains deeply engaged with Mississippi State, having served as past president of the Bulldog Club, a former member of the MSU Foundation board, and a current member of the Bagley College of Engineering dean’s advisory council. He also serves as a trustee of the Institutions of Higher Learning. A lifelong Bulldog inspired by his father, an MSU graduate, Stephenson credits Mississippi State with instilling a rigorous problem-solving discipline in him. His mindset of optimizing whole systems rather than isolated parts continues to guide his entrepreneurship, innovation and scalable operations today.
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Margaret P. Applewhite was born in Camp Hanford, Washington, to a military family. Her father, Russell Weathersby, was a Mississippi State University graduate and an active-duty Army officer. After multiple moves across the U.S. and Europe, Applewhite graduated from high school in Stuttgart, Germany. She then enrolled at MSU, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in foods and nutrition in 1976. Upon graduation, Applewhite was commissioned as a second lieutenant, beginning 25 years of distinguished service as an Army dietitian. While on active duty, she continued her passion for lifelong learning by completing a Master of Science in health professions from Texas State University and a Master of Science in nutrition from the University of the Incarnate Word in Texas. Recognized for her leadership, she was selected to attend the prestigious U.S. Army War College and was subsequently promoted to colonel. Having excelled in a wide variety of challenging positions, Applewhite was assigned to U.S. Army Medical Command to serve as the nutrition consultant to the Army surgeon general and assistant corps chief of the Army Medical Specialist Corps. After retiring from the military in 2001, she became program manager for the Department of Defense Women, Infants and Children program, which was contracted to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Managing the program for 20 years, she ensured vital nutrition education and nutritious foods were available to military families stationed overseas. Currently, she travels extensively to overseas military installations, providing quality performance consultation to the program. She is a member of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences advisory board for biochemistry, nutrition and health promotion. Now living in San Antonio, Texas, Applewhite credits MSU with providing the strong academic foundation and professionalism that launched her successful career.
College of Arch, Art & Design
Michael Warren Boerner is a native of Brookhaven and resides in Jackson. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Millsaps College in 1998 and a Bachelor of Architecture from Mississippi State University in 2002. Boerner is the founder and managing principal of Wier Boerner Allin Architecture, PLLC, a nationally recognized firm with offices in Jackson, as well as Nashville, Tennessee. A registered architect in eight states, he has led award-winning projects across the Southeast, including the redesign of Polk-DeMent Stadium at Dudy Noble Field. His work has earned numerous honors from the American Institute of Architects and Mississippi Heritage Trust, and he was named a Mississippi Top 40 Under 40 honoree in 2015. Boerner is deeply engaged in civic and professional service, currently serving on multiple boards spanning healthcare, finance, sports and community development. He is also an active supporter of Mississippi State through the MSU Alumni Association, Bulldog Club, and Bully Bloc. In addition to his architectural practice, Boerner is a cofounder or co-owner of several real estate, fitness and entertainment ventures in the Jackson area. Boerner credits Mississippi State’s architecture school with shaping his design philosophy and work ethic and bolstering his professional network, which is anchored by many skilled alumni who continue to form the foundation of his firm today. Boerner cherishes the firm’s excellent partners and values the work they’ve done to create an outstanding culture, which has enabled them to work with incredible clients and staff.
College of Arts & Sciences
Michael C. Pace is a native of Tomball, Texas, and resides in St. Paul Cap de Joux, France. He earned a Bachelor of Science in microbiology and immunology from Texas A&M University in 1988 and a Master of Science in geology and earth science from Mississippi State University in 1992. Pace spent his professional career with Anadarko Petroleum Corp., where he pursued his goal of building a career that would take him around the world. Beginning as an exploration geologist in Houston, Texas, he went on to hold senior leadership roles across Africa and Europe, including operations supervisor, general manager, country manager and director of international business development. His work included managing multinational teams, overseeing complex operations, and building relationships with host governments and national oil companies. Pace also served as general manager and country chairperson for Algeria before retiring from the company. Beyond his corporate career, he has volunteered as a licensed EMT-paramedic and holds a commercial pilot’s license. As a third-generation MSU graduate, he remains deeply connected to Mississippi State through his support of multiple geosciences endowments and student initiatives, as well as MAD DAWG Rugby. Pace also mentors service members transitioning from military to civilian careers through the American Corporate Partnership. He credits his education and field study experiences at Mississippi State, including early international research in the Bahamas, with laying the foundation for a life of global exploration and meaningful work.
College of Business
Shawn M. Hunter is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and resides in Mobile, Alabama. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in real estate and mortgage finance from Mississippi State University in 1992. Hunter is the CEO of Industry Services Refractory Group, a leading provider of industrial maintenance services operating across North America and the Caribbean. After graduating, he joined his family’s business, the Lynn Whitsett Corp., in Memphis, and in 1995 bought D.A. Collins Refractories Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. By 2000, he had purchased Industry Services Company Inc. and moved the company’s headquarters to Mobile, Alabama. Under his leadership, the company has expanded significantly, partnering with Osceola Capital Group in 2020 and completing multiple acquisitions that established a nationwide footprint. Hunter remains engaged with Mississippi State through service on the College of Business executive advisory board and sustained philanthropic support, including an endowed entrepreneurship scholarship. His professional and civic involvement also includes service with regional business, community and faith-based organizations, including the Senior Bowl Committee, Alabama/Germany Partnership, Chamber of Commerce advisory board and Spring Hill Baptist Church. The College of Business recognized Hunter as its 2019 Alumni Fellow, and MSU named him among the Top 100 MSU Business Alumni over 100 Years. He credits his father, a Mississippi State graduate, with instilling a lifelong connection to the university. Hunter says his experience at the university provided the practical business foundation, leadership skills, and lasting relationships that continue to support his success today.
College of Education
Patricia A. Cunetto is a Columbus native and resides in Starkville. She earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Mississippi State University in 1986. Cunetto spent more than 25 years as an early childhood educator, teaching kindergarten and shaping young learners’ lives with a passion inspired by her own early teachers. In 2011, she began a second career as director of development for the MSU College of Education. In this role, she worked closely with alumni and friends to establish scholarships and programs that support future educators. During her tenure, the college achieved significant milestones, including the construction of a new music building, designation as an All-Steinway School, establishment of the MET scholarship, and a substantial expansion of private scholarships. Cunetto also represented the university at alumni events, chapter gatherings and special engagements across the region. She remains active in the community as a board member of the Friends of the Oktibbeha Heritage Museum and a member of the Town and Country Garden Club. Cunetto credits Mississippi State with providing the confidence, mentorship and sense of family that shaped both her professional journey and her lifelong connection to the university.
College of Forest Resources
Kristina Casscles Godwin is a native of Highland, New York, and a longtime Starkville resident. She earned a Master of Science in wildlife ecology from MSU in 1992, following earlier degrees in wildlife management and applied sciences from institutions in New York. Godwin retired in September 2025 after a 34-year career with USDA, including 26 years as the state director for APHIS Wildlife Services and eight years with the USDA Forest Service. As the state director, she led a complex statewide program overseeing personnel, multimillion-dollar budgets, legislative coordination, wildlife disease surveillance, aviation operations and human-wildlife conflict management across Mississippi. She also served as an adjunct faculty member in MSU’s College of Forest Resources, teaching human-wildlife conflict techniques and mentoring and hiring numerous students throughout her career. Godwin has been deeply engaged in conservation and civic service, including long-standing leadership with the Mississippi Wildlife Federation and The Wildlife Society, as well as service on local church and city boards. She has earned numerous state and national honors, including conservation, education, leadership, and professional excellence awards spanning more than three decades. Godwin attributes her early passion for wildlife to her time camping, fishing, and learning from her game warden grandfather. She chose Mississippi State after being recruited to a landmark white-tailed deer research project, a decision that quickly made Mississippi her home. Godwin credits MSU with shaping her professional success, personal life, and lifelong commitment to mentoring the next generation of wildlife professionals.
College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Dennis Alen Clark II is a native of Roanoke, Virginia. He grew up as an Army brat, allowing him to live across the United States and abroad. Now residing in Moody, Texas, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1995 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1997 from MSU. He is president and CEO of Equine Performance Veterinarians, PLLC. Over the course of his career, Clark has become a respected leader in veterinary medicine, particularly within the equine community. He has served on committees for the American Veterinary Medical Association, Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and the Texas Equine Veterinary Association. He serves on the TVMA Executive Committee as the council chair of Association Affairs. His professional excellence has been recognized with the TVMA Presidential Award in 2023 and the TVMA Equine Practitioner of the Year honor in 2024. He was named to the Texas Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council in September 2025 to represent veterinary medicine. In addition to his service to the veterinary community, he was elected as the McLennan Community College District 7 trustee in May 2025. Clark credits Mississippi State with providing the rigorous academic foundation and hands-on training that shaped his approach to veterinary medicine. His MSU experience prepared him to lead with integrity, innovation and a lifelong commitment to service in his field.
By Kevin Tate, Photos by Emily Grace McCall & Beth Wynn