MPRINT: Shovels and Shears
November marked a month of growth at Mississippi State University as shovels hit the ground, ribbons were cut and the community gathered to celebrate new spaces dedicated to learning, research and student success. The university highlighted several important milestones that will shape the future of Mississippi State.
Jim and Thomas Duff Center
MSU kicked off the month with the dedication of the Jim and Thomas Duff Center, a 100,000-square-foot facility now home to the Department of Kinesiology and key programs within the university’s Mississippi Institute on Disabilities, including the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic, the ACCESS Program and Specialized College Services. A gift from brothers Jim and Thomas Duff made the three-story building on Bully Boulevard possible.
The Duff Center features a movement studio, a 150-seat lecture hall, adaptive technology spaces and 15 research laboratories. With all these services under one roof, MSU expects significant growth in client support and student engagement. Clinic officials anticipate serving 300 to 400 clients weekly, more than double the previous capacity.
During the ceremony, the Duff brothers emphasized their commitment to creating opportunities for all individuals and shared that the new center reflects their belief in expanding access to quality education, support and hands-on learning.
“Education should bring out the best in everyone,” Thomas Duff said. “We hope this gift will enable a center where students can grow their skills and self-confidence. There are a lot of bright kids in our state and at MSU, and we want them to have the ability to realize their potential to compete and succeed regardless of their means.”
Nancy Fair Link Laminitis Research Center
Days later, MSU broke ground on the Nancy Fair Link Laminitis Research Center, an initiative aimed at addressing laminitis, a painful and potentially fatal hoof disease that has long concerned veterinarians and horse owners worldwide.
The center, made possible through a gift from Nancy Fair Link, will operate within MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to funding construction, Link’s gift will support equipment purchases, faculty salaries, facility maintenance and travel for research presentations.
Anticipated to open in fall 2027, the 12,500-square-foot facility will include a large multi-investigator laboratory and clinical research space, including farrier space, equipped with PET and CT scanners. An adjacent 8,100-square-foot equine research barn will feature 24 stalls for housing horses. Together, these resources will elevate CVM into a national and international leader in laminitis research.
Link’s gift reflects her deep love for horses and her hope to advance research that improves animal health and strengthens educational opportunities for MSU students.
“My horses are a passion in my life,” Link said. “It is heartbreaking to experience their suffering from laminitis. The mission of my partnership with the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University is to develop treatment and work to find a cure for this dreadful disease.”
Randy J. Cleveland Engineering Student Center
As November came to a close, MSU’s Bagley College of Engineering celebrated the opening of the Randy J. Cleveland Engineering Student Center. The new space is designed to enhance the academic and professional success of engineering students.
Made possible through a gift from Randy and Nina Cleveland, the 7,870-square-foot facility occupies a renovated historic building dating back to 1906. New construction transformed the former Materials Testing Laboratory into an accessible, student-focused environment that will serve as a central hub for Bagley College of Engineering students.
During the celebration, Randy Cleveland reflected on MSU’s role in his life and career, describing his support as a continuation of a lifelong commitment to the university.
“When I step back and think about my time on campus, I realize what I gained at MSU was so much more than just an education—it was the building blocks of how to be truly successful,” Cleveland said. “It’s always been important to us to give back in support and recognition of those things that helped us be successful.”
The Duff Center, the Nancy Fair Link Laminitis Research Center and the Randy J. Cleveland Engineering Student Center reflect MSU’s commitment to expanding student opportunities, advancing research and addressing the university’s evolving needs—achievements made possible by generous donor support.