1970s

Stephen P. Cohen(B.S. economics, ’74; M.S. computer science, ’78; MBA management and information technology, ’92) received his private pilot certificate this year, passing the checkride on his first attempt. He retired from the Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts in 2011. He holds a graduate certificate in trumpet performance from the University of Central Arkansas and performed as part of the UCA Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall. He continues to take courses of interest in his retirement.

Dr. Robert D. Marks (B.S. economics, ’74; M.S. computer science, ’78; MBA ’82) has released a new book. “The Crucible of Illness: A Doctor’s Story of Faith, Hope and Healing” weaves together patient stories, medical insight and a faith-centered perspective on finding hope and growth through life’s most difficult health challenges. He is a former Student Association senator and member of the Famous Maroon Band.

Smiling man with gray hair sits at a wooden table holding a book titled “The Bearcat Way,” which features a wildcat illustration and a crowd photo on the cover.

Erle E. “Bubby” Johnston (B.S. general business, ’75) recently published “The Bearcat Way,” about the historic athletic championships and other significant events of Forest High School. This is Johnston’s second book following the out-of-print “Thunder of Elephants: From Bayonets to Ballots.” 

1980s

A man in a suit and tie smiles while holding an award and a bouquet of flowers indoors, with blurred people and a microphone stand in the background.

Melvin Turner (BBA, ’84) retired in late 2025 after 42 years in municipal finance in Alabama. He worked for the cities of Birmingham and Fairfield before being hired as Vestavia Hills’ finance director in 2003. At Mississippi State, he was a member of the football team and credits that experience with teaching him the value of preparation, strategy and trusting those around him. 

A man in fishing gear holds a fish by a creek, surrounded by greenery. Book title: “Return to Elkins Creek: A Fishing Odyssey” by Evan Peacock.

Evan Peacock (B.A. anthropology, ’88; Emeritus faculty) has a new book available from the University Press of Mississippi. “Return to Elkins Creek: A Fishing Odyssey” is a compilation of fishing stories, descriptions of changing cultural norms and the peculiar history of freshwater fishing gear. It is his third book and is available from online booksellers. Peacock retired from MSU’s Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures and the Cobb Institute of Archaeology in 2018.

1990s

A veterinarian in a white coat kneels on the floor, smiling and holding a fluffy light-colored dog in a bright room.

Dr. Jeffrey Levy (DVM, ’94) was named Veterinarian of the Year by the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City. He is founder of House Call Vet NYC, a mobile veterinary practice providing certified veterinary acupuncture services to companion animals in the New York City metro area. He has worked on behalf of the American Veterinary Medical Association to advocate for animal care on Capitol Hill and travels widely to build a community of veterinary medicine practitioners.

2000s

Miranda Reiter (BBA marketing, B.A. French, ’03) was recently awarded the Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Research Award, the highest honor in the Texas Tech University System. In March, she earned tenure and promotion to associate professor in the School of Financial Planning at Texas Tech University.

Linda Kay Chandler (B.S. interdisciplinary studies, ’06) shared her art with the 2026 Black Alumni Weekend silent auction. She donated both the artwork “Lourdes Zillah Composition” and a copy of her book “Linda Kay’s Book of Poetry” to the auction, proceeds from which benefited the BAW Fund for Scholarships and the university’s emergency student fund.

Man with shoulder-length blond hair and beard wearing a gray suit jacket, white shirt, and sweater, standing indoors in front of beige and brown vertical panels.

R.J. Morgan (B.S. secondary education, ’07; M.S. school administration, ’12) received the James F. Paschal Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for his outstanding service to journalism education, including his leadership of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association. The award was presented at the association’s annual awards luncheon in New York City. A former sports editor for The Reflector, Morgan is an instructional associate professor of journalism at the University of Mississippi.

Wade Patterson (B.A. communication, ’08) now has a feature film streaming on Tubi. He is credited as both writer and director of the film, “Death Cipher,” and is currently working on his second feature.

Smiling woman with natural, curly hair wearing a white shirt with black trim, standing against a light background.

Ameka Coleman (B.S. microbiology, ’09) was named Person of the Year for Mississippi by the Small Business Association. She was honored at a May ceremony in Washington, D.C. A 2024 Reveille 25 honoree and active member of the Bulldog Network, she has built a seven-figure beauty brand from the ground up. 

2010s

Man in a suit and tie smiling at the camera against a plain, light-colored background.

Freddie Carmichael (B.A. communication, ’10) is now vice president of customer solutions and corporate communications at Mississippi Power. He is also now serving on the company’s management council. He brings more than 26 years of experience in communications, customer strategy and leadership to the position. He most recently served as vice president of corporate affairs at Georgia Power. A native of Lauderdale County, he began his career in journalism, working as a reporter in Mississippi and Florida before serving as executive editor of The Meridian Star. He later worked as a regional economic development manager at the Mississippi Development Authority. In addition to his MSU degree, he completed the True South Economic Development Program at the University of Southern Mississippi and is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program at Cornell. 

Chris Hoal (B.Arch., ’12) is now director of architectural design with Gresham Smith, a Nashville, Tennessee-based architecture, engineering and consulting firm. In his 14 years with the company, he has been instrumental in shaping Gresham Smith’s award-winning healthcare portfolio. In his new role, he will guide the firm’s overall design excellence while continuing to influence strategy for the healthcare market.

A man with short hair and glasses wearing a navy suit jacket, light blue shirt, and red patterned tie, smiling in front of a plain white background.

Matthew Crosby DeBerry (BBA business management, ’16) is now staff director, investor relations for FedEx Corp. in Memphis, Tennessee. He is primarily responsible for investor relations in Canada, Europe, the U.S. Midwest and East Coast. During his time with FedEx, he has completed an MBA from Louisiana State University at Shreveport and most recently received a Master of Arts from Notre Dame. In 2025, he received the FedEx Five Star Award and was selected as National Investor Relations Institute Rising Leader Under 40. 

Man in a suit holds a NASA Honoree Award certificate and smiles at the camera.

Christopher Ladner (B.S. industrial and systems engineering, ’17) worked as an avionics engineer at Stennis Space Center supporting electrical assembly and final checkouts for all Artemis I-IV engines, including testing on the engine that flew on Artemis II. He was a Space Flight Awareness Honoree for his role in Artemis I troubleshooting and helping to resolve an issue with one of the main engines prior to launch.

A physician assistant specializing in orthopedic spine care, Barrett Schock (B.S. biochemistry, ‘19) recently published a book on spinal health and injury prevention. “Back in Action” is available from online retailers.

2020s

Je’Torie Grace (BBA, MBA, ’19) and Hunter Cloud (B.A. communication, ’20) graduated from the Mississippi State Fire Academy. Cloud is now serving as a certified firefighter in Brookhaven while Grace is with the Meridian Fire Department.

Katharine “Katy” Hayes (B.S. educational psychology, ’22) is working toward a master’s in clinical mental health counseling at the University of Tennessee at Martin. She is completing an internship providing drug and alcohol use counseling to individuals in the justice system.

A man with short brown hair wearing a blue checked blazer and a light blue shirt smiles at the camera against a brown backdrop.

Lowery Skinner (BBA finance, ‘25) is now a consumer lender with First State Bank, Quitman. A native of Waynesboro, he joined the bank in 2023 and has served as a loan operations assistant, credit analyst and management trainee.

Young man with short curly hair and freckles, wearing a black suit, black shirt, and striped tie, smiling at the camera against a dark background.

Christopher Jolivette (B.A. English; B.S. psychology, ’26) is a 2026 Ertegun Scholar and will continue his studies at the University of Oxford. Selected from a global pool of more than 1,500 applicants, the competitive scholarship is awarded to approximately 15 students each year. A former Louis A. Hurst Jr. Presidential Endowed Scholar in MSU’s Shackouls Honors College, he is a native of McCalla, Alabama. He previously received the Fulbright UK Summer Institute scholarship and was a Rhodes finalist.

A man in a suit and striped tie smiles at the camera, standing outdoors in front of a blurred brick building and green trees.

Amory native Will McComb (B.S. biomedical engineering, ’26) was awarded UMMC’s William K. Purks, M.D., Merit Scholarship for the upcoming academic year. He was a 4.0 GPA student during his four years at MSU.