1970s

A middle-aged man in a gray suit, white shirt, and red patterned tie poses against a plain gray background, smiling slightly at the camera.

William B. Berry (B.S., M.S. petroleum engineering; ’74, ‘76) was named as part of the 12-member Class of 2025 for the Horatio Alger Association, a nonprofit educational organization that honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have overcome adversity. It also supports young people in the pursuit of their American Dream through higher education and technical scholarships. A former CEO of Continental Resources, Inc, and executive vice president of ConocoPhillips, he developed a strong work ethic delivering newspapers and cleaning used bricks for a penny each. At 17, he bought a car that had been completely submerged in salt water during Hurricane Camille, stripped it down and repainted it to drive himself to Mississippi State. He has survived malaria and throat cancer and held administrative positions with his employers on four continents. As a philanthropist, he and his wife, Sherry, support STEM education and at-risk youth. They are longtime supporters of Mississippi State University, including endowing the William and Sherry Berry Chair in Agricultural and Biological Engineering and providing scholarships to hundreds of MSU students.

Thomas Velsun (MBA, ’77) has released a new thriller “The Hidden Empire” through The Wild Rose Press. Available through major online retailers, the book follows two athletes turned business executives who unexpectedly find themselves enmeshed in a plot to conquer the world. 

1980s

Nola Jones (B.M.E. instrumental, ‘80) was among three inductees for the Music for All Hall of Fame 2025. The honor recognizes individuals who have significantly impacted music education in America. Jones is on the chief judge team for Bands of America and is division coordinator for the Director Academy at the Music for All Summer Symposium. She is on the board of directors of the Tennessee Music Education Association and previously served as director of visual performing arts for the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools and on the Education Advisory Board for the First Center for the Visual Arts. In addition to her MSU degree, she holds a master’s from Mississippi College and a doctorate from the University of South Carolina.

Middle-aged man with short gray hair, mustache, and goatee, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and green tie, smiling in front of a plain dark background.

Scott Hutchins (M.S. entomology, ‘83) was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s undersecretary for research, education and economics. He served as the deputy undersecretary for REE during Trump’s first term. A board-certified entomologist, Hutchins spent more than 30 years as a global leader of integrated field sciences for Corteva Agriscience, formerly known as Dow AgroSciences. At the time of this printing, his nomination awaits confirmation by the Senate Agriculture Committee and the full U.S. Senate. 

Smiling man in a suit and tie stands in front of an American flag and a blue background.

Anthony R. Baity (B.S. aerospace engineering, ’84) was selected as assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics, engineering and force protection at the Pentagon headquarters of the U.S. Air Force. A member of the senior executive service, he is responsible to the Air Force chief of staff for leadership, management and integration of Air Force logistics readiness, aircraft, munitions and missile maintenance, civil engineering, and security forces, as well as setting policy and preparing budget estimates that reflect enhancements to productivity, combat readiness and quality of life for airmen.

1990s

A man in a blue military uniform with insignia is standing indoors, facing the camera, and smiling slightly.

Maj. Gen. Edward H. Evans Jr. (B.S. industrial engineering, ‘92) was celebrated at a promotion ceremony at the Mississippi National Guard Joint Task Force headquarters in Jackson. He earned his commission in 1992 after graduating from the ROTC at MSU. He began his career as an active-duty civil engineer and later became an aircraft pilot. His wartime, contingency and aeromedical experience includes more than 725 combat hours in support of overseas operations. His leadership positions include commanding at the squadron, group and wing levels. He previously served as the chief of staff for the Mississippi Air National Guard.

Alan Lamar (B.P.A., ’92) was elected to the board of directors of the Phil Hardin Foundation, a statewide education philanthropy organization based in Meridian. He is a private wealth financial advisor with Coffin, Lamar, Sims and Hannah Private Wealth Management of Wells Fargo Advisors.

Two books are shown. The closed book has a cover with many small portraits and the title "Our Southern Souls Vol. II." The open book displays a hand moving a chess piece.

Lynn Oldshue (B.A. communication, ‘92) has released “Our Southern Souls, Vol. II.” In this second volume of the series, the award-winning journalist and photographer shares a collection of 160 stories, which were originally published on the website of the same name. The stories explore the lives of everyday people she meets through chance encounters. The book is available for purchase at select bookstores and on the Our Southern Souls website with all proceeds benefiting the Magnolia Breeze Youth Ensemble, a therapeutic music program for children and teens. 

A woman with long blonde hair wearing a blue blazer, pink lace top, and hoop earrings, smiling in front of a dark, blurred background.

Dr. Jennifer Bryan (B.S. microbiology, ‘99) is president of the board of trustees for the Mississippi State Medical Association. She practiced family medicine in her hometown of Brandon until joining the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center as an assistant professor, later moving to St. Dominic Medical Associates. She previously served as vice chair of the board and was elected as chairman from 2018-21, serving as the first female chair of the group. 

2000s

A man in a gray suit, white shirt, and red tie stands outdoors with a neutral expression. The background is blurred.

Taylor Ferrell (B.A. political science, ‘00) is now Of Counsel at Beveridge & Diamond in Washington, D.C. He most recently served as the senior legal advisor on all energy, environment and installation issues at the Department of Defense. Before joining the defense department, he was acting assistant secretary of the Army Civil Works, overseeing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works program. He was also a trial attorney in the Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resource Division.

A middle-aged man with gray hair and glasses wears a dark suit, white shirt, and red tie, posing against a gray background. An American flag pin is on his lapel.

Bill Crawford (M.S. school administration, ‘01) has authored “A Republican’s Lament: Mississippi Needs Good Government Conservatives,” now available from the University Press of Mississippi. Crawford is a retired editor and publisher of three weekly newspapers. He was executive vice president and chief financial officer of Great Southern National Bank, vice president for community and workforce development at Meridian Community College, and founder and president of The Montgomery Institute. He served in the state legislature, and, under three Republican governors, he held various appointments including the board of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, deputy director of the Mississippi Development Authority and the task force on contracting and procurement for the Mississippi Department of Corrections. 

Jason Rogers (B.A. English literature, ‘03) has co-written the rom-com “Take me to Banaue.” It follows an American engineer as he discovers the truth of the women he fell in love with. The film is now available to stream on Tubi. It is also available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime.

A man with gray hair, glasses, and a beard, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and yellow tie, stands in front of a light-colored wall and a partially visible flag.

David Stovall (B.A. communication, ‘03) was elected Alderman-at-Large for the City of Pearl in a fall 2024 runoff election. At Mississippi State, he served as treasurer of Lambda Chi Alpha and was an active member in the Public Relations Society of America, College Republicans, the Greek Council for Christ and the Campus Activities Board. He earned a master’s from the University of Southern Mississippi and a law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law. His law practice at Stovall Law Firm, PLLC, focuses on civil litigation, personal injury and wrongful death claims, insurance defense, and estate planning. 

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Michael Curtis (B.F.A. graphic design, ‘04) is now a co-owner of Ohio-based Planning NEXT, a national community planning firm that has worked in 25 states and more than 150 communities in the U.S. He is a director of the firm and holds certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners. In addition to his degree from MSU, he holds a master’s from Ohio State University. 

A man with short brown hair and a beard, wearing a blue quarter-zip sweater, stands outdoors with mountains and a clear sky in the background.

Matt Mooney (B.B.A., MBA, business administration; ’04, ‘05) served as the 2025 WM Phoenix Open Tournament chairman. Chief operation officer of Parkway, a commercial real estate firm in Arizona, he was assistant chairman for the 2024 event. He previously served as senior vice president and managing director at Cousins Properties in Atlanta, Georgia. A Brookhaven native, he was a member of MSU Men’s Golf while at State. 

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a black blazer and light blue blouse, smiles in front of a blurred warm-toned background.

Laurie Todd-Smith (Ph.D. education, ‘07) was appointed by President Donald Trump assistant secretary for early childhood education at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Her three decades of education experience include serving as head of then-Gov. Phil Bryant’s education policy team. She most recently served as director of the Center of Education Opportunity and the Center for the American Child at the America First Policy Institute.

2010s

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A woman with wavy brown hair smiles at the camera outdoors, with greenery and blurred buildings in the background.

Two Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine graduates have been appointed to leadership roles within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kelsey Barnes (B.S. agricultural science, ’15) is now senior advisor to the secretary for rural development, biofuels, and research, education and economics. She previously was as chief of staff to the Rural Business Cooperative Service with the USDA, and served in the National Guard. Bailey Archey (B.S. animal and dairy sciences, ’18; DVM, ’22) was named policy advisor in the marketing and regulatory programs mission area focusing on Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services issues. She previously served as a legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. 

A man in a blue suit and patterned tie smiles at the camera with a brick wall and greenery in the background.

Connor Chase (B.B.A., ’18) is now an attorney with Beasley Allen Law Firm. He previously worked as a law clerk before receiving this promotion, in which he will focus on cases involving toxic exposure. He previously worked in the municipal water industry, an experience that informs his law practice. He earned his law degree from the Samford University Cumberland School of Law. 

Jenna Taylor (B.A. communication, ’18) is now an account manager with Obsidian Public Relations in Memphis, Tennessee. She first joined the company as an intern in 2018, turning full time in 2020 delivering strategic support to clients and developing skills that led to this promotion.

2020s

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Valencia Epps (B.S., M.S. elementary education; ’22, ’23) is one of 29 inaugural Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellows selected from students across the U.S. A Stephen D. Lee Scholar and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member, she is the university’s first recipient of the new fellowship and MSU’s 10th Fulbright U.S. Student program winner in the past six years. She is using her fellowship research to improve education inequities in rural South Korea by improving collaboration between Korean natives and expatriates. Her project addresses the gap in occupational well-being between male and female expatriate English teachers, ultimately contributing to the systematic change in South Korean English education programs.