Message from the Vice President

John P. Rush

In 2010, the Division of Development and Alumni will continue to build on Mississippi State University's success. As MSU marks its 132nd year, external support in many forms remains crucial to the university's mission of teaching, research and service.

Our goal in the Division of Development and Alumni is to channel the efforts, interests and capabilities of more than 116,0000 alumni and countless friends around the world to better Mississippi State. Our two interlocking units, the MSU Foundation and the MSU Alumni Association, are set up to complement and enhance the workings of the other.

Private contributions are enabling the university to provide scholarships for students whose economic situation limits their access to higher education, ensuring that students have the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test and take their critical thinking skills to the limit in state-of-the-art research laboratories, and helping us recruit the best and brightest faculty members to MSU to teach and mentor our students. Private support also allows us to maintain our beautiful campus so that it will continue to be both inviting and pride-inspiring for generations to come.

In addition to investing their financial resources, our alumni have also proven that they are willing to invest their time - volunteering countless hours each and every year to serve our university. Over 30,000 alumni are active members of the Alumni Association and we have 91 chapters across the world. These chapters and their volunteer leadership provide a unique, grassroots network of the MSU faithful, and we are grateful for all that the chapter members and leaders do for our university.

On behalf of the MSU Foundation and the MSU Alumni Association, I want to personally thank you for your investment in Mississippi State. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve my alma mater in this capacity, and I am excited about the future growth of private support and alumni involvement for our university. If you have any questions about the Division of Development and Alumni, please do not hesitate to call me at 662.325.9306, drop by my office in the Hunter Henry Center, or e-mail me at rush@devalumni.msstate.edu.

John P. Rush
Vice President for Development and Alumni
Mississippi State University