the reveille 25 alumni association logo.

Each year, Mississippi State University welcomes thousands of new graduates into its alumni family. Many make an immediate impact, rising as leaders in business, medicine, education, engineering, the arts and beyond. Some break new ground in their industries, and others dedicate their careers to service, but all carry with them the spirit of Mississippi State—excellence, determination and giving back.

Launched in fall 2021, the Reveille 25 honors 25 outstanding young alumni who exemplify these values. Chosen from a competitive pool of over 200 applicants, this prestigious recognition celebrates graduates under 40 who are answering the call of MSU’s mission by making a lasting difference in their professions and communities.

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Named after MSU’s former yearbook, The Reveille, the program honors Bulldog traditions while envisioning the future. It highlights trailblazers and changemakers who continue to enhance MSU’s reputation nationwide and beyond.

“The Reveille 25 program is a great opportunity to recognize our young alumni who are making a difference in their communities and careers. They exemplify the best of our university and the strength of our university’s mission for excellence,” said Brooke Bridges, alumni engagement manager for the MSU Alumni Association.

This year’s class was honored during a banquet this spring. The 2025 Reveille 25 class includes:

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Asishana Ajayi of Edo State, Nigeria. Ajayi has made remarkable impacts in engineering, community service and leadership. Ajayi graduated from MSU with a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering in 2021, an MBA in project management in 2024 and a Master of Science in industrial and systems engineering in 2024. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at MSU and works as an industrial engineering analyst at Waggoner Engineering Inc., contributing to infrastructure improvements in Meridian.

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Stanley Blackmon of Madison. Blackmon is an accomplished litigator and appellate attorney. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from MSU in 2012 and his Juris Doctor at the University of Alabama in 2015. He is a partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP in Birmingham, Alabama, where he represents clients in complex litigation and has argued cases before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 5th and 11th Circuits.

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Dr. Emily Nations Bufkin of Clinton. Bufkin is both a physician and an educator. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in biological engineering from MSU in 2012 and completed her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2016. She is an assistant professor and program director for the Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where she trains resident physicians and focuses on healthcare transition and disability health equity.

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MaCall Morgan Chastain of Jackson. Chastain advocates for mental health policy and legal compliance. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in pre-law from MSU in 2016, followed by her Juris Doctor from the Mississippi College School of Law in 2019. As general counsel and bureau director of the division of certification for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health in Jackson, she oversees legislative affairs, policy development and service certification standards.

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Dr. Rob Dambrino of Grenada. Dambrino has built a distinguished career in neurosurgery. After earning a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering from MSU in 2013, he completed a Master of Public Health at Vanderbilt University and a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is the chief resident in neurosurgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, specializing in open and endoscopic skull base neurosurgery.

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Caitlin Fournier of Pensacola, Florida. Fournier graduated magna cum laude from MSU with a Bachelor of Arts in communication in 2017. She later obtained a master’s degree in adult and higher education from the University of Oklahoma. As director of fan engagement at OU, she manages marketing and game production for football, softball and gymnastics, making history as the first woman to lead the production of OU football games.

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Dr. Hudson Frey of Hollandale. Frey is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon dedicated to restoring and enhancing facial aesthetics. He earned a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from MSU in 2013, followed by a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2017. Now based in Austin, Texas, and specializing in cosmetic facial surgeries to restore facial harmony, he also performs reconstructive surgery after Mohs procedures for skin cancer and complex nasal reconstruction to restore nasal breathing.

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Christian Good of Macon. Good is a leader in agriculture and business. In 2016, he graduated from MSU with a degree in agricultural business management and minors in economics and business administration. As the owner of Christian Good Farms and the manager of Philip Good Farms in Macon, he oversees the production of soybeans, corn, cotton, beef cattle and catfish while implementing sustainable practices.

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Jensen Bosarge Jacquet of Biloxi. Jacquet is an educator and mentor. In 2017, she earned a Bachelor of Science in secondary education with a minor in psychology from MSU, followed by a Master of Science in educational psychology from the University of Memphis. Jacquet teaches English and AP psychology within the Harrison County School District, where she also serves as head cross-country coach and lead sponsor of the Beta Club.

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Sarah Beth Jones of Louisville. Jones is a founding partner at Gay Jones & Kuhn PLLC in Jackson, a women-owned law firm with additional offices in Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana. She graduated summa cum laude from MSU in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Jones specializes in mass tort and product liability litigation, representing various clients, including Fortune 500 companies.

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Taylor McNair of Learned. McNair is a committed advocate for agriculture and public policy. In 2017, she earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business from MSU and subsequently obtained her Juris Doctor from the Mississippi College School of Law. As the deputy general counsel and public policy coordinator for the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation in Jackson, she provides legal counsel and legislative advocacy for the state’s agricultural community.

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Dr. Vineetha Maya Menon of Bengaluru, India. Dr. Menon is a leader in artificial intelligence and data science. She earned a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering from MSU in 2016 and currently serves as the Dr. Terence Reed Endowed Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. As the director of the Big Data Analytics Lab, she specializes in Explainable AI, AI-driven drug discovery, cybersecurity and human-AI trust in autonomous systems.

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Sarah Morgan of Brazil, Indiana. Morgan, a passionate educator and author, has dedicated her career to faith-based outreach and literacy advocacy. She graduated from MSU’s College of Education in 2013 and began her career as a third-grade teacher before transitioning into homeschooling and nonprofit leadership. Inspired by her personal experiences, she founded He Breaks Chains, Inc., a nonprofit that distributes devotional books to inmates nationwide.

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Dr. Kollin Napier of Petal. Napier is a prominent figure in artificial intelligence education and workforce development. He earned a Bachelor of Science in 2016, a Master of Science in 2017, and a Doctor of Philosophy in 2023 from MSU, where he was involved in the Preparing Future Faculty Program. As the director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network, known as MAIN, at Gulfport’s Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, he leads the nation’s first statewide AI initiative, collaborating with colleges, universities and global technology leaders.

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Grant Nerren of Amory. Nerren has established a strong career in higher education leadership and student recruitment. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2015 and a Master of Public Policy and Administration in 2018 from MSU. He is currently pursuing an MSU doctorate in higher education leadership, which he expects to complete this year. As the regional assistant director of recruitment for the university, he leads a team of remote recruiters and develops data-driven strategies to enhance the university’s national presence.

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Jeronn Parker of Brookhaven. Parker has built a successful career in corporate compliance and risk management. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from MSU in 2016 and later obtained a Master of Business Management from Faulkner University. As the lead compliance analyst for AT&T in Dallas, Texas, he oversees regulatory compliance, risk mitigation and employee training.

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Allison Rogers of Long Beach. Rogers earned a degree in geoscience with a concentration in professional and broadcast meteorology from MSU in 2015. Now an Emmy-nominated meteorologist for WLWT in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rogers delivers timely weather updates and critical live coverage during severe weather events. She also reports on major disasters, including tornado outbreaks and flooding.

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Adam Trest of Laurel. Trest earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting with a minor in architectural design from MSU in 2009. As a fine artist and illustrator, he has contributed to the New York Times bestselling children’s book “The Lantern House,” and was named the 2023 Thad Cochran Distinguished Arts Educator. He operates his own studio, creating original works and product designs while supporting Laurel’s cultural revitalization.

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Shelby Balius Tschume of Cumming, Georgia. Tschume has built a career in organizational strategy, most recently serving in higher education leadership. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in 2013 and an MBA in 2023 from MSU before becoming the director of strategic initiatives in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President. In this role, she leads universitywide projects designed to enhance academic and operational effectiveness.

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Anna Claire Tucker of Dubberly, Louisiana. Tucker graduated summa cum laude from MSU in 2021 with degrees in English and philosophy. She earned her Juris Doctor from the Mississippi College School of Law in 2024 and now works as an associate attorney at Blanchard Walker O’Quin & Roberts PLC, in Shreveport, Louisiana, specializing in business litigation. Passionate about service, she volunteers at her local church and serves as the Panhellenic advisor to Chi Omega at Centenary College.

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Stedmond Ware of Greenwood. Ware has dedicated his career to promoting opportunity and success. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 2012 from MSU and a Master of Science in community development at Delta State University. He serves as a portfolio manager III at AmeriCorps’ North Central Regional Office in Kansas City, Missouri, where he manages millions in federal funds and provides strategic guidance to AmeriCorps grantees. In this role, he supports project sponsors in grant planning, compliance and program effectiveness while fostering partnerships to expand national service initiatives.

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Ross Weems of Jackson. Weems is a third-generation MSU graduate with a distinguished career in banking and community leadership. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from MSU in 2009, an MBA from MSU in 2010 and a degree from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University in 2024. In his role as first vice president of the BankPlus Private Client Group in Jackson, he provides tailored financial solutions to individuals, corporate executives, medical practices and professional firms.

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Randall Journeay White of Leland. White has built a successful career in financial planning. She earned two bachelor’s degrees, one in marketing and one in business administration with a focus on risk management, insurance and financial planning, as well as an MBA from MSU. She works as a Certified Financial Planner at American Seniors Benefit Inc. in Jackson, specializing in retirement strategies and comprehensive financial planning.

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Tonie B. Williams of Memphis, Tennessee. Williams has dedicated her career to social work and veteran services. She earned a degree in social work from MSU in 2018 and is currently the coordinator for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program in Fort Worth, Texas. In this role, she develops programs, provides clinical interventions and leads outreach efforts to support veterans and families affected by domestic violence.

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Dr. Sharon Yang of Starkville. Yang was raised in Taichung, Taiwan, and has dedicated her career to veterinary pathology and biomedical research. She earned a Bachelor of Science in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture from MSU’s College of Forest Resources and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the College of Veterinary Medicine. She is an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she provides pathology expertise for cancer biology, infectious diseases, and genetic disorder research while overseeing diagnostic services for laboratory animals.

People seated at round tables attend the Reveille 25 Alumni Association event in a conference room, with a screen and stage visible at the front.

To learn more about The Reveille 25 program, visit www.alumni.msstate.edu/reveille25 or contact Brooke Bridges at 662-325-3479 or BBridges@alumni.msstate.edu.

By Shun Pounds